Don’t you love a new year? New beginnings, a fresh slate…new projects! I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I make a new WIPs (works in progress) box. Everything from last year gets sorted and prioritized. And then I can start making room for the new projects in the coming year.
I hope you are having fun dreaming of what your next next project is! That’s always the best part, isn’t it? And I’ve got some super cute patterns coming your way in the next few weeks for you to drool over. The first patterns are from a collaboration with Forbidden Fiber to spread Random Acts of Kindness. Bookmark this page, because I’ll release a new pattern from the collection every few days until all five have been revealed. Then make available the Random Acts of Kindness Ebook featuring all five patterns at a discounted price. I hope you love them as much as I had fun designing them. Please take the opportunity to spread a little love this year!
Precious mitts for a precious child, inspired by the book The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. The “kiss” can be emblazoned on the back of the hand or hidden in the palm.
Tell your Best Friend they are a Winner with this cup cozy, then make a complimentary version for yourself! The fun motif is reminiscent of early TV game shows.
If this is your first time swatching, here are a few of tips.
Use your size 6 needles because you want to use the needles you’re going to use for the body of the sweater.
Cast on more than 20 stitches. The edges tend to warp a little bit, so you won’t get an accurate measurement if you count the stitches on the edge.
Your swatch should be a little more than 4″ x 4″ of stockinette stitch (k on one side, p on the other). There’s no “right” way to do it other than that. But if you like specific directions, I’ll post row by row directions below.
Notice the gauge says the swatch should be “blocked.” For the most accurate gauge, wash your block the same way you’ll wash your finished piece. When you wash different fibers, they may grow or shrink, so you’ll definitely want to take that into account for your sweater.
Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy swatching!
This is your Olive Knits Fireworks Sweater Headquarters! Here, you can find links to everything you need to participate in the Fireworks Knitalong throughout the month of July. Let us know you are knitting with us by signing up here. If this is your first sweater, great! I’ll also have a variety of resources available to you to make it fun and easy.
A huge thanks to Olive Knits for organizing this worldwide KAL, and to Jems Luxe Fibers for hosting our small group KAL! First, bookmark these websites for easy access:
July ALL MONTH: Weekly livestreams and prize drawings with Marie on Facebook
July 30th: Official end of KAL and Virtual Bind Off Party – Livestream
What You May Have Missed
• Order your pattern and yarn ASAP! The pattern is discounted for a limited time only. Order your yarn soon so you will receive your order in time to cast on with us!
It’s such a time of joy and there’s so much to be delighted about! I find joy in the warmth of the long days, the expectation and freedom of summer exploration, summer recipes that delight the senses, colors that scintillate in the sun! And Jems Luxe Fibers served it all up with their What’s Cooking yarn subscription this spring!
Yummy colors and delicious southern recipes were delivered the last 3 months: Carrot Soufflé in April, Pig Pie in May, and Blueberry Rumble in June. These colors brought me such delight, I named my newest pattern “Chara,” Greek for “joy.” You can crochet your own delicious Chara Shawl using the colors from Jems Luxe Fibers What’s Cooking collection or choose your own color palette that brings you joy!
Joy is the warmth of spring, delighting in the flavors of fresh recipes, and the dazzling colors inspired by What’s Cooking Spring 2021 by Jems Luxe Fibers. Fill your senses with joy as you immerse yourself in creating this shawl!
Difficulty Advanced Beginner
Finished Measurements Approx. 60 inches by 32 inches after blocking