With everyones lives so busy and not enough time to relax and enjoy, it was only a matter of time before the yarn industry caught on. Warren of The Yarn Basket, 288 E. Main Street Branford, CT 06405, 203-208-3288 says the buzz from the knitting industry is big, and the bigger the better. Instant gratification is here for the taking.
Super bulky yarns are in and to accommodate these thick fibers you will need huge knitting needles size 11 and up. And I do mean up. All the way up to size 50. The size of the needle affects the size of your stitches. Gauge is the number of stitches in an inch of knitting. The gauge resulting from size 11 needles is 11 stitches over four inches. It is about a stitch an inch for size 50 needles.
The Yarn Basket is carrying size 19, 35 and 50 knitting needles. What is so great about this is speed. Quick, easy patterns that work up so fast you can complete them in just a few hours. While at the shop pick up the latest thick yarns. Berroco Link as Warren describes it, is like knitting with i-cord and is super duper bulky. There are amazing color ways and it uses a size 50 needle. It is a 50/50 wool/acrylic and is machine washable for $28.95 per skein. Also while you are there, look at the Euro Quick & Thick in eight colors. It is 100% Merino Wool, in 200 grams of 176 yards per skein with 2 ½ sts per inch on a 15 needle for $34 per skein. This yarn has lots of texture with thick and thin parts.
Now that you have the needles and yarn, here are a few patterns to get you hooked.:
Marian by Jane Richmond has a beautiful cowl pattern using size 19 needles. This mock mobius cowl is a one size fits all. It can be worn in several ways and is very quick to knit. If you are not a ravelry member...what are you waiting for?
The Yarn Princess has designed a ribbed hat pattern that can be completed in less than two hours. With size 13 needles and 55 yards of super chunky yarn, it will keep you warm and stylish.
Do you know of a new baby arriving? Here is the cutest gift for that new baby by melissalaurel, a Love Coocoon. It requires size 13 needles and 100 yds of yarn and knit in the round.
A quick and easy that I just couldn't leave out, 45 minute mittens by Susan B. Anderson. A perfect last minute gift that works up on size 15 needles.
This is a 6-hour throw by Lion Brand using size 50 needles. If it's a cold day, you can knit it up and finish by that night.
Have fun, you could have almost had a project completed in the time it took you to read this.
Comments