Resource Centre

Your 'go to' place for tips, tricks and pattern information. This is a constantly emerging page so check back from time to time to see what's happening!

This is where you will find details on our current knitting or crochet projects including our yarn choices and other alternative yarns we have in stock that we think would work. There will also be pattern reviews and handy tips or tricks we have learned throughout the process of our current project.

Scroll down a bit and you will find patterns that are 'hot right now' or we have seen around and some yarn choices for them. Let us know if there is a new pattern out that you would like to see yarn choices for.

And right down the bottom of the page is a constantly growing list of links to knitting, crocheting and spinning techniques we have found useful and handy to have all in one place.

Current Project

Woven Shadows by Yumiko Alexander

Cast on date: 28 August 2023

Yarn: Cotton/Linen blend yarn hand dyed by me.

Colourway: Storm Season (a dark blue)

Knit sideways across the body in two flat pieces, the front and back, and then seamed at the shoulders and side seams. There is no other shaping as the drape of the linen fabric creates a lovely neckline and opens up the lace.

The designer has listed this pattern as an intermediate knitting knowledge level.

Designed to be worn with 6 inches of positive ease for a loose fitting garment.

The body stitch pattern includes an eyelet mesh along one edge for the neckline, a stockinette stitch pattern in the center, and woven lace along the other edge for the hem.

My Notes

I am using the recommended needle size of 5.5mm needles which is giving me a nice open weave stockinette fabric and teamed with the cotton / linen blend yarn is creating a lovely cool fabric for a Summer addition to my wardrobe.

The wave lace pattern is a 16 row repeat but easy to memorize and is repeated on both the front and back of the design.

Overall the pattern is well written and easy to read. It is a relaxing knit with enough lace to keep you entertained amid the stockinette.

I am making the sleeveless version which has a drop shoulder sleeve but the pattern has instructions for 2 other sleeve lengths included. The photo above is of the medium sleeve length.

Recent Project

Oshima (Classic) by Jared Flood

Cast on date: 11 July 2023

Finish date: 1 Sept 2023

Yarn: John Arbon Harvest Hues Light Aran

Colourway: Woad

Knit from the bottom up in the round until dividing for the sleeves. This means there is both brioche stitch in the round and flat but other than that the pattern is stockinette with some basic ribbing. The lovely brioche stitch details are formed with simple increases and decreases.

My Notes

While this should have been a fairly simple and straightforward pattern I have found it frustratingly difficult to get gauge. This is partly due to my change in yarns as the designer uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held doubled which equates to an aran weight yarn and partly because I feel that Jared and I have vastly different knitting gauges. I have substituted for a 'light aran' in the John Arbon Harvest Hues. I also went down a needle size to compensate for the difference between the aran and light aran difference. My gauge was still way off with the resulting fabric being quite open and lacy and not at all suitable. After a few more attempts at gauge and different needle sizes, and some time out in the naughty corner, I ended up going down 3 needle sizes. The fabric is still a little looser than I would normally knit but it is within an acceptable range and look, especially for where we live here in Brisbane.

After knitting from the bottom up in ribbing and then stockinette you come to the beginning of the brioche section. To set up you knit a decrease round on smaller needles (there are 4 different needle sizes in this pattern) This round is very important for the overall look of the sweater as brioche has a tendency to spread width wise and can give a gathered appearance in the middle of your sweater.

While mine didn't gather or spread out I still didn't like the unfinished look of where the two fabrics met so I added two rows of garter stitch to create a small border between the two sections. I noticed that some other knitters have used a Latvian braid stitch which looks lovely as well.

The Brioche section is knit in one colour which keeps things nice and easy and once you get into the rhythm of the stitches it is a nice relaxing knit. The architectural look of the Brioche lines are actually achieved quite simply via the arm and shoulder increases and decreases.

The finished sweater is just lovely. The architectural lines are really eye catching and give the sweater a minimalist styling. The yarn is perfect for this type of knit and will wear well with very little pilling which is important in a sweater, whilst still being 'next to the skin' soft. Overall I'm really happy with the results.

Link to my project on Ravelry

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Hot Right Now Patterns

Mermaid Shell Socks by Helen Stewart

Part of the Secret Sock Society patterns.

The Mermaid Shell Socks offer a playful take on the familiar seashell theme. They are knit from the top down, starting with a beautiful scallop detail at the cuff which leads into a panel of interesting shell-inspired lace down the front of the leg. I’ve used a simple slip stitch ribbed heel and round toe to finish these socks, but as always, it’s easy to substitute other heels and toes if you want to customise the fit.

Sizes available:
Small (Medium, Large)

Finished Measurements:
To fit approx. foot circumference of 7 (8, 9)“ /17.5 (20.5, 22.5) cm.

Yarn used: Fabulous Sock in colour Curio.
Yarn substitution: Eco Lux Sock - our new Spring range has lots of lovely speckled colour.

Needles:
2.25mm (US 1), 100cm (40”) long circular needles (or size to obtain gauge) for magic loop method or DPNs if preferred

Field Sweater by Camilla Vad

A soft and fine sweater with a beautiful grain pattern on the yoke. The field sweater is knit top down seamlessly in the round.

Sizes available
1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8) 9

Circumference under arm:
94 (100) 106 (112) 120 (126) 132 (138) 142 cm

Yarn used: DK weight (8 Ply) Eco Baby by Isager Yarn

Yarn substitutions: NFA Merino Silk Yak DK

Whakairo Top by Francoise Danoy

(Might be next on my needles I think)

This top is worked bottom-up, in the round until the armhole separation, where each side is worked flat. The drop shoulder, boxy type fit with minimal shaping only at the armholes, makes it really easy to make adjustments as you please.

Sizes available: 9 available

Bust Sizes: 32 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62) in. / 80 (85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155) cm

Yarn Used: Red Sock Blue Sock Cashmerino Sock

Yarn Substitutions:

NFA Merino Silk Cashmere or NFA Eco Lux Sock

Granny Pop V-Neck Sweater by MJ's Off The Hook Designs

The Granny Pop V-Neck Sweater is crocheted from the top down in rows to create a flattering V-neck design. Once joined, the body is then worked in the round to achieve a seamless finish. The sleeve openings seamlessly blend in as you continue to crochet the sleeves in the round.

Sizes available: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

US Crochet Terms

Yarn Used: Aran Weight Best Value Acrylic

Yarn Subsitutions: NFA Merino Aran

John Arbon Harvest Hues Light Aran

Sophie Shawl by Petite Knits

The Sophie Shawl is worked back and forth in one piece, from tip to tip in garter stitch with built-in i-cord edges.

Sizes: S (M) L

Length from tip to tip: approx. 170 (210) 240 cm 67 (82¾) 94½ inches

Width at center: approx. 28 (34) 38 cm 11 (13½) 15 inches

Yarn Used: Alpakka Ull by Sandnes Garn

Yarn Subsitutions: NFA Merino Aran

John Arbon Harvest Hues Light Aran

Quintette Shawl by Ambah O'Brien

Designed to utilise five mini skeins of fingering weight yarn this shawlette also includes an option for a larger DK weight version. The Quintet Shawlette is a sweet little project; quick to knit and practical to wear. The colourwork is created with mosiac knitting using slipped stitches.

Size: instructions are included for both a 4ply and 8 ply version.

Yarn Used: KPPPM by Koigu.

Yarn Substitution: NFA Mini Skein Sets

Link to my project in Ravelry using the 'Claire' mini skein set.

Fingerless Gloves by Maaike van Koert

Free pattern for these fingerless gloves that are worked in the round, including the thumb.The pattern is written in US and UK English and includes detailed pictures to guide you through.

Sizes: One size

Yarn Used: Invicta Extra by Scheepjes

Yarn Substitution: NFA Eco Lux Sock

NFA Merino Silk Yak

John Arbon Harvest Hue 4 Ply

Chevron Dream Cowl by Joy Clements

The pattern gives two size variations and two versions for this cowl - made with a twist or without a twist. Check out the short videos linked in the pattern specifically made for this design. This pattern is available in US and UK terminology in separate PDFs.