If you are like me, you start thinking about holiday gift giving when you turn off the lights after the last trick or treater has left. Or maybe, you want a handknit sweater to wear to holiday get-togethers that you haven’t had the time to start.
One way to speed up your knitting (and reduce holiday stress) is to be mindful of the patterns you choose to knit. The projects below are ones that I’ve knit, have in my queue, or have been recommended by store customers.
Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague:
One of my favorite projects from 2023 is Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague. It is knit from the top down which is unusual for a hat. This construction allows you to knit a double layer that is folded into the hat and makes a great brim if desired. Once you master the center-hole (bellybutton) cast-on, it is a quick and easy knit. I chose to knit mine in fingering weight Tynd and Sno from Woolfolk on a size US #3 needle.
Musselburgh is an all knit stitch portable project perfect for knitting in the car (though we do not recommend that if you are the driver) or while on Zoom calls or streaming your favorite shows.
To complete Musselburgh even quicker, use the modifications Ysolda Teague gives for heavier weight yarns. You can knit the hat using worsted weight yarns on size US #7 needles.
Far from Woolfolk is a great worsted weight yarn for this project. The chainette construction of this wonderfully soft yarn keeps the hat from being too heavy. Other worsted-weight yarns that won’t disappoint are Woolstok Worsted from Blue Sky Fibers and Malabrigo Rios.Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague:
One of my favorite projects from 2023 is Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague. It is knit from the top down which is unusual for a hat. This construction allows you to knit a double layer that is folded into the hat and makes a great brim if desired. Once you master the center-hole (bellybutton) cast-on, it is a quick and easy knit. I chose to knit mine in fingering weight Tynd and Sno from Woolfolk on a size US #3 needle.
Musselburgh is an all knit stitch portable project perfect for knitting in the car (though we do not recommend that if you are the driver) or while on Zoom calls or streaming your favorite shows.
To complete Musselburgh even quicker, use the modifications Ysolda Teague gives for heavier weight yarns. You can knit the hat using worsted weight yarns on size US #7 needles.
Far from Woolfolk is a great worsted weight yarn for this project. The chainette construction of this wonderfully soft yarn keeps the hat from being too heavy. Other worsted-weight yarns that won’t disappoint are Woolstok Worsted from Blue Sky Fibers and Malabrigo Rios.
Drop Stitch Cowl by Abi Gregorio:
Another way to complete projects more quickly is to choose one that uses a super bulky yarn. Drop Stitch Cowl by Abi Gregorio is a store favorite and a pattern you will knit again and again. If you look closely at the photo, you will see spaces where there are (purposely) dropped yarn-overs making this an even quicker knit.
My yarn recommendation for this project is Blue Sky Fiber’s new yarn Woolstok North. Woolstok North is a single-ply, super bulky weight yarn which is wonderfully soft, light, and lofty. Just like Woolstok Worsted, this yarn is is made from 100% Fine Highland Wool. It comes in a palette of 12 rich colors. Rowan Big Wool, Malabrigo Rasta, and Lang Bold are other wonderful suggestions for this project.
Kingston Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrison:
If you want to knit a super bulky sweater, my suggestion is Kingston Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrison which is a sweater I’m hoping to knit this winter. Its top-down, seamless, raglan construction makes it a very quick pullover to knit. It can be done in 3 color blocks or just in one color. My yarn suggestions are the same as above: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok North, Rowan Big Wool, Malabrigo Rasta, and Lang Bold.
Saturday Shrug by Jackie Rose:
One last technique for a quicker knit is to add mohair or another carry along yarn such as Alpakka Folgetrad, one of this year’s new yarns from Sandnes Garn. Shrugs have been very popular, especially Saturday Shrug by Jackie Rose. One way of knitting Saturday Shrug is using one bulky yarn and alternating it with a worsted and a mohair held together.
The color combination that I’ve been thinking about is shown above. It includes Woolfolk Luft, The Fibre Co. Cumbria, and Isager Silk Mohair.
Stockholm Hat by Petite Knit:
Another project where you can combine yarns is Stockholm Hat by Petite Knit. Inspired by Stockholm fashion, this thick and warm hat is knit from the bottom up all in rib. In this hat, lace and fingering are combined to create a dk weight. My yarn recommendation would be Merino and Soft Silk Mohair from Knitting for Olive.
If you are allergic to mohair or love incredibly soft textures, Alpakka Folgetrad, made from 100% alpaca, is a great carry along yarn.
Ranunculus by Midori Hirose:
My last pick, Ranunculus by Midori Hirose is another quick sweater knit. Knit on size US #10 needles, yarns ranging from lace to worsted can be used. I plan to use Como and Premia from Lamana. Como is an Italian superfine, superlight DK weight yarn that is even easy care. It comes in gorgeous jewel tones. Premia is a luxurious 60% mohair 40% silk blend that has an unforgettable silk shine. We stock Premia in jewel tones and neutrals that match Como.
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Sale:
November is a great time to shop for holiday knitting and gift giving especially at a great discount. Yarn and accessories that have been 30% off are now 40% off! And as those yarn and accessories sell out, we’ll be adding other yarn on sale at 40%.
Check out the sale room each time you stop by to see the latest yarns that are 40% off.
Private Help Sessions:
If you need more in-depth help, such as learning to knit or needing us to read through an entire multi-page pattern, you will want to take advantage of private lessons that are now being taught at the store. Classes are $20 per half hour and $35 for a full hour. Please ask us for more information and to schedule a time for you to meet with one of our instructors.
Wednesday Morning Knitting and Crocheting:
Wednesday mornings at 10am.
Knitters and crocheters of all levels are welcome at our Wednesday morning sit and knits. There is no charge, but we request that you use yarn purchased from Wasatch and Wool Yarns.
We love when visitors drop by for our knitting get togethers. If you are working on a project from home, let us help you find a souvenir that you can bring back from your trip to Park City.
Happy Knitting and Crocheting,
Margaux