Huzzah! A new sweater for fall! In all honesty, this lovely cardigan has been finished since early August, but it has been so stinkin’ hot, I haven’t had the inclination to break it out for photos. Fast forward to this weekend and glorious fall weather, and I just had to wear it on our yearly…
KW Style It: Blackberry Fizz
Yay! We have another Style It post for you from our awesome intern, Lena! Blackberry Fizz is knit in Lino, a 100% linen yarn perfect for summer knits. I was thinking about all my favorite things to do late in the summer and like most Philadelphians I love going down the shore! So these are…
Color Stories: True Grit at the PMA and Mojave
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has an exciting exhibit called New Grit: Art and Philly Now. The show includes twenty five contemporary artist with strong ties to Philadelphia who explore being and belonging. This mixed media painting titled Son Songlines: Cosmos by Howardena Pindell is a favorite from the show! When I saw it I…
Color Stories: Houston Meadows and Andorra
One of my favorite things about Philadelphia is how close and accessible nature is. Houston Meadow is part of the Wissahickon trail system in the Andorra section of the city. I went for tons of walks here during quarantine and it’s an amazing place to checkout throughout the seasons as the colors and plants change….
Swatching: Get to Know Mojave
This year I’m individually going over each Kelbourne Woolens yarn, and will discuss the characteristics, gauges, and go over a few different swatches and stitch patterns. Want more? View previous posts on Lucky Tweed, Andorra, and Scout. Enjoy! Mojave is our quintessential cotton linen blend yarn. Mojave seems to grow in popularity every year, and…
KW Style It: Llana Del Rio
It has been a while since we had a Style It post! Now that we’re vaccinated and back in the office, I asked our awesome intern, Lena Kolb to put together outfits to pair with some of our classic summer designs. Enjoy! First up is Llana Del Rio, a great summer sweater knit in our…
Swatching: Get to Know Scout
This year I’m individually going over each Kelbourne Woolens yarn, and will discuss the characteristics, gauges, and go over a few different swatches and stitch patterns. You can view the first post on Lucky Tweed here and the second on Andorra here! Next up in our swatching series is Scout, one of the most popular…
New Free Pattern: Cumberland Falls Hat
When I start a new project I always begin with a hat (or hats). It’s a perfect way to practice your pattern, check your gauge, and try out color combinations. Swatches are great, but I like to have something I can use after all that knitting! (This is also why I have quite a few…
Swatching: Get to Know Andorra
This year I’m individually going over each Kelbourne Woolens yarn, and will discuss the characteristics, gauges, and go over a few different swatches and stitch patterns. Enjoy! View the first post on Lucky Tweed here. Whew! Where does the time go? I didn’t mean to take such a long break in between these posts, but…
Introducing BC Garn Summer in Kashmir
We’re lovers of wool and year-round knitters and crocheters, but have a special place in our hearts for quality cellulose based yarns and fibers. (This love was the impetus for our Mojave, and why we’re such fans of BC Garn Alba and Lino!) BC Garn released a brand new yarn this season, Summer in Kashmir,…
The Camper Collection and LYS Day 2021!
Yesterday we published a 7 piece collection in conjunction with the release of Camper. We love colorwork, fine yarn, and wool, and the Camper Collection is a perfect combination of all three! We’re working on adding the files for download from our site, but in the mean time, you can buy the PDFs on Ravelry!…
Finished Project: Very V Neck Raglan
Yay! Another finished sweater! I started my Very V-Neck back in September, and it was a really enjoyable sweater to work on in between other, more complicated projects. The yarn I chose, BC Garn Semilla Melange in moss, is such a quintessentially Kate yarn. It is woolen spun, 100% wool, and the perfect sport weight….
Swatching: Germantown Unicorns!
They’re here! More Unicorns! The Germantown Unicorns are created using mill ends that result during the plying process. The mill selects the unique combinations, so the result is as much of a surprise to us as it is to you! We recently received an order of Germantown from the mill, which included six excellent color…
Finished Project: September Sweater
It has been a little over a year since sharing my 2020 Make 9 picks, and even though 2020 did not turn out like anyone imagined, I’m actually surprised by what I managed to accomplish! One of my most recent finished projects is the September Sweater by PetiteKnit. Knit using one strand of Andorra in…
Swatching: Get to know Lucky Tweed
It is a new year, and high time for a new swatching series! Over the next few months, we’ll individually go over each Kelbourne Woolens yarn, discuss the characteristics, gauges, and go over a few different swatches and stitch patterns. Enjoy! I thought it would be fun to start with Lucky Tweed, our cosy, wooly,…
Olive Knits January Workshop KAL – Fiadh
I’m typically not one to go all out at the New Year, but I will be wide awake and toasting the end of 2020 for sure. I am also delighted for the year to end because it means the newest Olive Knits KAL is about to begin – and Marie’s design, Fiadh, featuring Lucky Tweed,…
Finished Project: Lucy’s Fabel Sweater
Back in March, we planned on attending VK Live in Seattle and organized joint freight with our buddy Theresa of Ewe-Nited States of Fiber. Theresa dropped her bags of yarn off at our warehouse in preparation for shipment, which gave me the opportunity to pour over all of the lovely hand dyed colors. Knowing how…
#GivingTuesday
Today is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving back. We, like so many have been stretched very thin in 2020, but we are also aware of how incredibly lucky we are. This in not the first year we have participated in #GivingTuesday, but it is more important than ever to give back to our community….
Year of Gifts – Chrysanthemum Bottle Cover
Let’s face it, it’s 2020. It’s cold outside. The wolves are after you. All you need to do is cozy up with a hot water bottle, some knitting, and a cup of tea and wait for 2021 to come! But, in all seriousness, hot water bottles are guaranteed to bring the cozy times, and nothing…
October Hat Provisional Cast On
The October Hat by Sloane Rosenthal for our Year of Hats features a provisional tubular cast on. This cast on creates a really lovely, stretchy edge that is reminiscent of a commercial or machine knit edge. I created a video showing how to work the cast on, as many people have had questions about the…
Year of Gifts: Delphinium Beret
The October Year of Gifts is here! The Delphinium Beret is a jaunty little cap designed in Kelbourne Woolens Andorra. Worked in the round from the bottom up, it begins with a K1, P1 ribbing, then integrated increases shape the body of the hat. After working the body in a lace repeat, integrated decreases shape…
Swatching: Very V-Neck Raglan
In case you missed it, we’re diving right into another KAL, this time we’re going to knit the Very V-Neck Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs. The pattern specifications call for a DK weight yarn knit at a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows / 4 inches in stockinette stitch US 7 needles. In preparation…
Join us for a fall KAL – the Very V-Neck Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs!
Now that we have finished – and even managed to photograph! – our Rift Sweaters and fall is officially here, it is time for another KAL! On the heels of our successful #mojavemarlalong, we’re jumping right into another KAL, this time we’ll be using Andorra and Semilla Melange and knitting the lovely, simple, classic, flattering, size inclusive Very V-Neck…
Year of Gifts: Goldenrod Boot Socks
The September Year of Gifts is here! For September, we enlisted our friend, Grace Anna Farrow, to design us a pair of cosy boot socks. The Goldenrod Boot Socks use Germantown, and the end result is a perfect hard wearing wool layer for crisp autumn and winter days. In conjunction with the release…
Finished Project: Courtney’s Rift!
I did it! I finally finished my Rift as part of the #mojavemarlalong, and I am completely happy with it. I used our Kelbourne Woolens Mojave yarn in seafoam and flamingo, and it is endlessly cheerful and summery – a pleasant reminder of beach days yet to come. (Maybe next year?) I don’t know about…
Year of Gifts: Lily of the Valley Shawl
The August Year of Gifts is here! For August, Courtney designed one of her favorite accessories: a lace shawlette. The Lily of the Valley Shawl is the perfect accessory to knit again and again, and the easy to memorize pattern is great for a beginner looking to build upon their lace knitting skills. The cute…
Finished Project: Kate’s Rift!
I finished my Rift as part of the #mojavemarlalong and it is everything I had hoped it would be and more! The subtle Mojave marl (slate gray and plum brown) creates a lovely mushroomy purple that works well with basically everything in my wardrobe. The linen/cotton blend is soft and has some heft, but is…
Year of Gifts: Hosta Slippers
As many of you know, we celebrate crochet summer every year, so we thought it would be fitting to make a crochet pattern for the July Year of Gifts! Made with Kelbourne Woolens Germantown and perfect for cozying up with a cup of tea, some needlework, and a binge-worthy show, these fun, funky, vintage-inspired slippers make for a quick gift for the…
Year of Gifts: Pantry Staple Washcloths
June’s Year of Gifts is here! This month’s design is the perfect knit for hot summer days, and is perfect for gift giving. We hope this is a pattern you’ll knit again and again! This pattern is really two patterns! The two texture stitch patterns are called Nut Stitch and Rice Stitch, hence the “Pantry…
Swatching: Rift Marl-Along
Above: My Swatches Before Blocking As I mentioned in the introductory post announcing the KAL, after Courtney and I picked Rift and were discussing color choices, I swatched Mojave singled and then doubled the yarn with two colors and fell in love! The specifications for Rift are as follows: Yarn A sport/dk weight cotton/wool or…
Marl-Along Rift With Us!
A few weeks ago, I was texting Courtney and suggested we host a little KAL as something fun to do in the midst of the laundry, dishes, chores, homeschooling, and madness of the last few months. Since it’s getting warmer, and we’re thinking about spring and summer knits, it is the perfect time to work…
Finished Project: Kate’s Brushed Dandelion Sweater
Wahoo! Another finished sweater! As you may recall, I swatched the Navia Brushed and Deluxe yarns back in October. At that time, we were working with Navia on translating the patterns from some of their newer books, and I was eager to knit Dandelion by Sára J. Mrdalo from Book 30. Although Dandelion calls for…
An Interview With: Jennifer Burke
In conjunction with the release of the Sweet Pea Socks for the April installment of the Year of Gifts, I thought it would be fun to interview the designer, Jennifer Burke. We have been friends with Jen for well over a decade, and are delighted to have her as one of our featured contributors this…
Kelbourne Woolens Mail Day!
Here we are, week whatever-it-is, and we’re still doing our bit by staying home and social distancing. We are able to continue shipping to the local yarn shops you love – albeit with a very small “team” of one person (either Kate or I) per week for a few hours a day. While it’s my…
Year of Gifts: Sweet Pea Socks
April’s Year of Gifts pattern is here, and its a great one! Designed by friend and fellow Philadelphian, Jennifer Burke, these socks are a twisty cabled delight worked in cherry, springy, neon coral Perennial. The Sweet Pea socks look complicated, but simple two stitch cables are all you need to work the design. As with…
Pattern Suggestions for Beginner Knitters
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – even in the midst of homeschooling, working from home, or picking up toys/clothes/shoes/ for the thousandth millionth time – knitting is a really great way to relax, use your brain, and feel accomplished! (I also have it on good authority that it pairs very well…
Perennial x Hand Dye = <3
One of the motivations behind the creation of Perennial was finding the perfect match to the proliferation of hand-dyed sock/fingering weight yarn on the market. It was our goal to create a highly functional and versatile yarn that serves the needs of a lot of knitters and crocheters at a good price without a lot…
Free Pattern: Gilda’s Hat
It’s been quite the week for all of us, hasn’t it? With people out of work, kids out of school, and a lot of uncertainty about the future, we have been trying to maintain a sense of routine and calm at our house. We’ve quickly created new routines that allow both my partner and I…
Year of Gifts: Shamrock Cowl
I’m not sure if its the stress that is getting to me, but I’m hoping there is some sort of omen that we’re releasing a cowl in Lucky Tweed called Shamrock on St. Patrick’s day. (We try to steer clear of cliches around here, but I’m full on embracing any luck I can get these…
My First Scarf
This week has had a lot of uncertainty, but one thing is for sure: We are staying home and making the most of it. If you’re home with your family, roommates, or just trying not to go bananas from loneliness, remember that many many people have sought solace – and found it – in making…
Finished Project: Kate’s Newbold Turtleneck
Hooray! Another F.O.! I actually finished this sweater back in October, and even tried to take pictures on the last morning of Camp Workroom Social, but I was looking a little haggard by the end of the weekend. (Sewing jeans in two days is no joke..also, I may have had a wee bit too much…
A Bow in the Sky – Now Available!
A Bow in the Sky features one of our best selling yarns, Perennial. The pattern, and accompanying kits, were available exclusively through our retailers for Local Yarn Store Day 2019. With the next LYS Day right around the corner on April 25th, we are releasing last year’s pattern to the general public! This shawl is…
Knitting Along and Giving Together
Our next installment in our Year of Gifts knit along was released on Tuesday, and we’re so thrilled by the response we’ve received so far. Kate and I loved doing the Year of Hats last year, and when thinking about 2020 we really wanted to come up with a promotion that felt meaningful. We love…
Primrose Mittens Tuck Stitches
The stitch pattern on the Primrose Mittens from the Year of Gifts features a lovely tuck stitch that creates a waffle-like texture on the top of the hand. Working the stitch isn’t difficult by any means – anyone familiar with brioche will find it to be quite simple – but we thought a photo tutorial…
Year of Gifts: Primrose Mittens
The second design in the Year of Gifts, the Primrose Mittens, are here! A textural delight featuring broken ribbing and tuck stitches, these mittens are sure to keep the wearer cosy and warm. The Primrose Mittens are worked in the round from the cuff to top of hand. The cuff is worked in a broken…
Year of Gifts: Snowdrop Hat
It’s here! The first pattern in the Year of Gifts! The Snowdrop Hat is a modern colorwork design in Andorra that features a provisionally cast on folded brim, bold graphic colorwork, and a large pom pom. A Kelbourne Woolens leather tag provides the perfect finishing touch! Although the design includes a few different colorwork patterns,…
2020 Make Nine: Courtney’s Picks!
As promised, here are Courtney’s 2020 Make 9 picks! Top: L) Pattern: Fen Dress by Amber Corcoran. Fabric: Linen from stash. I have some grey/purple/brown linen I’ve been hoarding for about 15 years that would be awesome for this dress. M) Pattern: Pineapple Smoothie by Audrey Drysdale. Yarn: BC Garn Tussah Tweed in Royal Ocean….
Finished Project: Charlotte’s Barnelopper
I took advantage of the lovely weather this weekend to finally take some photos of Charlotte in her finished Barnelopper! I knit this sweater for her over the course of 2019, casting on as part of the Fringe and Friends Steekalong last January. The body knit up relatively quickly in between other projects, I sewed…
2020 Make Nine: Kate’s Picks!
There is a heavy dose of “road to hell, good intentions” here at Kelbourne Woolens when it comes to making for ourselves and others. Deadline knitting and crocheting always takes precedent, and I am terrible at documenting finished objects once they’re complete – in fact I have a sweater for Charlotte, a sweater for myself,…
Announcing the Year of Gifts!
It’s a new year and time for a new year-long-knit-along pattern series from Kelbourne Woolens! Following up on the heels of the very successful Year of Hats, we wanted to find a way to incorporate more designs and yarns into the same format, and the Year of Gifts was born! Using the same formula –…