We’ve got some beautiful Mini-Skein Pattern Picks for you this month but, before we get to that, I’ve just gotta share something with you. We’ve had so many awesome changes to the Mini-Skein Club lately (such as the innovative 360° blend of the Start Anywhere™ Ombre&Gradient Mix and the stunning month-to-month flow of the Never Ending™ Gradient) that I really wanted to update the club page to reflect that.
And what I really wanted was to to show it all off in a new video: something bright, happy, bouncy, and fun — everything that the Mini-Skeins bring to our club members every month.
Now, the trouble was that I really didn’t know much at all about creating videos. But I decided to try to teach myself Premiere Pro and, after a really steep learning curve on and a lot of frustration(!), I finally got the video I was hoping for. And I’ve been dying to share it with you ever since! I hope you’ll forgive me just a little showing off, but I’m just so darned proud of it. Here is our new Mini-Skein Club video:
(Squee with me?)
January’s Mini-Skeins
This month, we took our Mini-Skeins in a moodier direction. Both the Multicolour and the Ombre&Gradient went a little darker and pensive — and I have to tell you, I loooove the way that plays into the Never Ending spectrum. After all those bright colours, a little depth looks really amazing. Where do you think we’ll take it next month?
Maybe it’s the shorter days, or that everything outside has gone gray, but I’ve been craving bright pops of colour lately – and this crocheted blanket has plenty! With options for large and small circles, varying yarn weights, and adjustable dimensions, it’s an extremely versatile way to use 3 (or more!) bundles of minis and a contrast colour. The colours (either the new never-ending ombres or bright multis would be stunning) will pop against a white or pale shade (like Sliver) or dazzle against a black or dark shade (like Dark Skies). And the best bit from our point of view? They look a bit like planets in space!
I came across this shawl in early November, and knew it would be perfect for ombre or gradient minis, if it just didn’t require so much yardage (960 yards, which would be at least a double subscription!) That very problem, though, is exactly what makes it so perfect for the never-ending ombres – the delicate drape and smooth stockinette stitch would showcase all the subtle shifts in colour, and the size of the shawl ensures that you’ll flow through at least two full gradients and into a third!
And if you’re looking for something for just one bundle of minis, try this gorgeous pullover that features a feather-and-fan accent at the yoke, cuffs, and hem. It looks great in two contrasting colours, but how much fun would it be with an ombre or gradient bundle against Sliver, Drizzle, or Dark Skies? You’d only need 1 bundle of mini skeins, and depending on size, 3-4 skeins of a contrast colour.
Last Chance to Enter our Giveaway!
Don’t forget to enter our fabulous giveaway for a copy of Curls, Hunter Hammersen’s stunning new book of patterns, and a skein of SpaceCadet Oriana yarn to cast on with. All you have to do is click here and leave a comment at the bottom of the post, telling us what you love most about Hunter’s designs. But hurry — the giveaway closes Sunday night!
For full official rules, go to http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Uf
(*spoiler alert* Close your eyes if you don’t want to see the latest Yarn Alliance colourway!)
When I first started dyeing, I worried a little that I might run out of colours. Seriously, I did. I mean, Roy G Biv is only seven letters… There can only be so many combinations, right? And I kind of wondered what happened when you get to the end of the list.
I know. I know!
Five years later and colour is still a fabulous cosmic adventure. Take the latest Yarn Alliance colourway — I knew I wanted to use it to explore reds, but I didn’t want it to be flat or monochromatic. I wanted to let red bloom from pink, from plum, from rust and from yellow. I wanted to let the colour do its thing and just see where it led. And I loved, loved, loved the result! This is “Firebrand”…
Isn’t it gorgeous?!? Now, before we get to Jade’s fantastic pattern picks for Firebrand, let me quickly just share with you the gift we included in the parcel, but I’m over the moon about it. How adorable are these little buttons custom-made for us by Remember Wynn? I can’t wait to see what our club members make with them!
Jade’s Pattern Picks for Firebrand
Speaking of things to make, Jade has put together a fabulous collection of pattern ideas for this yarn. Such beautiful designs! Which one is your favourite?*
With just a touch of lace and beautiful all-over drapey fabic, this pattern is perfect for showing off the Firebrand Colourway of this month’s Yarn Alliance parcel. The glowing ember tones and floaty drape of the Celeste make the perfect fiery cocoon – two skeins will be enough to ward off the winter chill.
This month’s ISYA colourway was actually a bit of a challenge for me to pick a pattern. The colors are gorgeous and glow-y and vivid, but they need just the right amount of showing off… The Magpie Cowl delivers, with an interesting, but easy, lace pattern to bring out Firebrand’s variegation and the perfect amount of yardage for one smooshy skein of Celeste. (And check out your shiny – it even calls for buttons to close!)
If cowls and shrugs aren’t quite what you’re looking to knit, or you’re more in the mood for a show-stopper, try Carol Feller’s amazing Dark Pearl cardigan. It has it all – a fitted silhouette, smooth stockinette to show off the vibrant variegation of Firebrand, and a stunning lace front panel that can be draped open, or worn closed with your SpaceCadet buttons! And because Celeste has such great yardage, you’ll only need 3-4 skeins for the whole sweater, depending on size.
(*I love all three but I think my favourite is Dark Pearl. Such intriguing construction!)
Want to Get in on the Fun?
If you think being part of the InterStellar Yarn Alliance looks like fun, you are so right! Now, the Yarn Alliance isn’t open again until March but its sister club, the SpaceMonster Mega Yarn Club, is open for subscriptions right now.
And it’s an awesome club! Focusing on smooshy worsted and bulky yarns, it’s a fantastic adventure for these cold winter days — or the perfect holiday gift! The SpaceMonster Club is open until Dec 21, so click here now for all the details and to grab your spot.
You guys you guys you guyyyys, I’ve been dying to show this to you!!!! We did something so cool with the November Mini-Skeins and I’ve had to keep quiet about it but I am just bursting!…
(SPOILER ALERT if you’re in the Mini-Skein Club and don’t want the surprise ruined, look away now…)
You remember that a few months ago we developed the Start-Anywhere Gradient Mini-Skeins? Here’s an image of the July bundle in case you missed it:
The idea, of course, is that the last colourway flows back into the first colourway, so that you can customise your gradient to start with any yarn you choose. So far, so cool, right? Well, we’ve kept that sweet little feature and, in November, we added something that is just crazy-exciting. Are you ready?…
So the last skein of October’s Mini-Skeins blend into the first skein of November’s. And this month, the last skein of November’s Minis will flow right into the first of December’s… and on and on, each bundle adding to the Never-Ending Gradient as the colourways morph and change from one month to the next.
Use the bundles individually or together. Work them in their colour changes or mix them up in stripes. Let the colours flow or contrast. Use a few to create something small and sweet or gather a bunch of them for a project that’s dramatic and eye-cathing. The possibilities are endless!
(Want to get in on the Mini-Skein action? Click here to join the club)
Jade’s Mini-Skein Pattern Picks
Now, do you need a little help picking a project? Don’t you worry — our Jade has got some fantastic ideas for you!
This shawl literally stopped me in my tracks when I spotted it in the wild at the Pittsburgh Indie Knit & Spin, and it’s beautiful with two coordinating colors. But…it would be absolutely amazing with the Never-ending Ombre Minis! Work it in a straight up ombre for amazing color and a subtle stitch texture, or put two of the bundles together with a contrast color for the garter ridges and border, and it would just POP!
Now, this one’s a bit different. It’s meant to feature a variegated yarn against a plain background, but I think it would be stunning in reverse as well. Can’t you just see the stockinette background cycling through a set of ombre or gradient minis, and the ‘loops’ in a highly contrasting color? Depending on the yarn base, one bundle of minis and a contrasting color is all you’d need!
When I saw these mitts on the pattern suggestion thread on Ravelry, I thought they looked like so much fun to make! The garter stitch attach-as-you-go construction is exciting but not too complicated, and shows off the colors beautifully. They’d be great in either this month’s gradient or a bright set of multis, and they use only a little bit of yarn. You could even get 2-3 pairs out of a bundle… great for any last-minute holiday gifts you need!
Need More Holiday Gift Ideas?
Two easy gift ideas for yarn lovers (or for… you!). Order one and the rest is easy — no waiting in line, no wrapping, and all that yarny goodness is delivered straight to the recipient’s door!
Three gorgeous accessory patterns, four breath-taking yarns in exclusive colourways, and a project bag handmade in the Scottish Highlands, and tons more goodies, the Outlandish Clan Kit is just what you need to see in the next season of your favourite show. Kits are available until Dec 5th only, so click here to grab yours quick before they sell out!
The SpaceMonster Mega Yarn Club all about bigger yarns and is perfect for those who love to work bulky. Every other month, you’ll receive a skein of worseted or bulky yarn in an exclusive SpaceMonster colourway, and a fabulous gift in every third parcel (we’re known for our awesome gifts!). Open for subscriptions from Dec 5 – 21, click here and get on the mailing list for early-bird registration!
(click here for a larger image)
