We are so pleased to be introducing our NEW Comfy base comprised of 50% Superwash Merino and 50% Cotton! Available in both Fingering and DK weights, this blend will be gentle on your hands as you knit because of the bounce and elasticity provided by the wool, while still creating a wearable piece that won't have you heating up when it gets warm out!

We've touched a little bit on how amazing wool is with its ability to help regulate our body temperature and its moisture wicking properties in a previous blog post, but what about cotton? What does it bring to the table? Is it useful for all knitwear items or should we use caution? Let's look at some of the pros and cons to cotton fibers and why its a great option to blend with wool.

One of the main reasons cotton is such a great fiber is because the way moisture evaporates from it. When you live in a climate that heats up during the summer months, cotton can be a go-to choice for your knitwear. It keeps us cool, yet we're still able to enjoy ourselves in our favorite knits.

But, why does my cotton garment stretch out so much, you may wonder? This is a really good question, especially considering that most of our denim is made of cotton and a quick tumble dry gets them back into shape no problem! And the answer is that cotton yarn has a bit of a split-personality when it comes to shrinking and stretching out.

Wool fibers have a bit of crimp within the locks from the sheep, providing "memory" once the yarn is spun up. However, cotton fibers lack this elasticity or "memory," which contributes to the bounce-back effect when washing our garments. So, as we wear our cotton garments, they tend to relax and stretch out until we rewash and block them. Now the tricky part is, the more we wash the cotton garment, those fibers will gradually lose their ability to shrink, meaning you'll have to grow to love the more relaxed fit.

by Isabell Kraemer

Sabela is worked seamlessly in rounds from the top down. First some short rows are worked back and forth to shape the neck. The yoke is shaped by using a modified version of the contiguous set-in sleeves method developed by Susie Myers. When the yoke shaping is complete, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold and underarm stitches are cast on. The body is then worked in rounds to the hem. The sleeve stitches are then picked up again to work them in rounds top down to the cuffs (instructions for both short and long sleeves are provided). Neck is left unfinished.

by PetiteKnit

Anna’s Summer Cardigan is worked from the top down with raglan increases on the yoke and a lovely, feminine lace pattern. The body is worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round on double-pointed needles or on a circular needle using the Magic Loop technique. The button and buttonhole bands are knitted at the end from stitches picked up and knitted along the front edges of the cardigan.

by Tiina Huhtaniemi

Toivo is an easy lace shawl that makes a great first lace project for even a beginner knitter. The shawl is knitted from wing to wing by making an increase on every right side row along the left side of the work.

by Espace Tricot

This pretty, graphic cowl can be worn long or doubled, revealing both sides of the striped fabric which features 2-row repeats on the outside and 2” repeats on the inside.