July 02, 2024
5 Reasons Everyone Should Knit or Crochet
Not Just a Hobby, But Great for Mental and Physical Health!
Gone are the days when knitting and crochet were just activities only your grandma participated in. These days there have been a number of men, woman, and yes, even children stitching away and finding joy and peace with each stitch!
Why are so many people knitting and crocheting? Not only is it a great stress reliever, it can also be of great benefit to our physical health and well-being too!
In this blog post, we will briefly cover 5 health benefits of knitting and crochet that will make you want to pick up your needles and yarn right now!
What are the benefits?
1. Stress relief:
Once you're beyond the learning curve, knitting and crochet are both considered to be meditative, or mindful activities that can help to reduce stress and anxiety. The repetitive motions involved in knitting and crochet can really help to calm the mind and promote a sense of relaxation, which can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from conditions such as anxiety or depression.
2. Better social connections:
Many people enjoy knitting and crochet as a way to connect with others who share the same interest. What better social connection can there be than joining a knitting or crochet group! Whether in-person at your LYS, or as part of an online group, knitting and crochet provide a way to connect with others, which can be beneficial for mental health and overall well-being.
3. Increased self-esteem and confidence:
There's nothing better than getting your finished object off the blocking boards, trying it on, and IT FITS! What a boost to one's self-esteem and confidence! This can be extremely advantageous for people who may be struggling with self-esteem, anxiety or confidence issues.
4. Increased brain activity:
Clear away the cobwebs forming in your brain with knitting or crochet! Because of the complex hand movements, especially when working cables or fancy stitches, and our use of spatial reasoning, knitting and crochet can be beneficial for maintaining cognitive function and preventing cognitive decline, especially in older adults. It's also great for sharpening our problem-solving skills.
5. Improved dexterity and hand-eye coordination:
Knitting and crochet require the use of fine motor skills, which can help to improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination. (Looking at you, size 2.25mm sock needles. 👀)This can be helpful for older adults, as it can help to maintain or improve these skills, reducing the risk of falls and other accidents.
After looking over the benefits of either knitting or crochet, next time your feel stressed or need a little "me time", remember, you gain so much more when you are stitching away with your needles or hook!
If you're looking to join a fun Knit-Along over the summer, head to our Ravelry group and bring your Plucky sock WIP and join in our Summer Sock-stravaganza KAL!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
June 18, 2024
Get Comfy!
Welcoming our NEW Wool/Cotton Base!
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.
A Deeper Look at Cotton Fibers
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.
Wool to the Rescue!
So, then how do we achieve the bounce-back effect, while still staying cool in our summer knits? By introducing wool into the mix! By blending cotton and wool you achieve a balance of comfortability and elasticity that makes for a longer wearing garment. And you may have noticed that the wool content in our new Comfy blend is a superwash wool, so a quick and gentle tumble dry with low heat might be just the ticket to get your garment back in shape! Please remember to use caution when drying your knits, though, as we would hate for them to accidentally become ruined.
Another benefit of adding wool to cotton is the beautiful heathered look that is created when the yarn is dyed up, just like your favorite comfy t-shirt.
A Word of Caution!
Just as wool's greatest enemy is the moth, cotton has a couple enemies too: Mold and Mildew! We always want to make sure our cotton knits are completely dry before being stored and avoid keeping them in humid conditions where they could potentially gather these harmful spores.
What Can You Make with Comfy Fingering or DK?
We recommend these bases for many sweaters, accessories, and blankets. Below are some great patterns designed with a wool/cotton blend in mind.
© 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.
© 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.
© Erika Appelström
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.
© 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.
We would love to hear what your are planning to make with our new Comfy bases! Feel free to join us in our Ravelry group or drop us a line at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com to share your favorite summer knits!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
June 04, 2024
Meet the Crew!
Who are the Plucky Crew and What Do They Do?
If you've been with Plucky for a number of years, you've probably met some of the Crew at various in-person events. However, we’ve come to realize that most of you have not met us yet, even though we are the hands that have produced the Plucky yarn you know and love. With our combined experience totaling over 45 years in the fiber arts world, we thought it would be fun to introduce ourselves and tell a little about what each of us do at the barn to create the yarns you've come to love!
Nick
Head of Operations and Production - The Boss Man 🙂
Nick has been dying yarn at Plucky for over 13 years now and, while he is proficient on the dye floor, most often you'll find him working with our Stockists and typing away on the computer making sure we have all our inventory ordered, sorted and tracked.
Nick is our team leader and works very hard at keeping production on track. He also manages logistics for Plucky when it comes to Trunk Shows or any in-person events we may be attending.
His favorite Plucky colors are a toss up between Gimlet Haze or Limerick, and his favorite base is whichever one will take the dye the best.
In his spare time, he likes to keep busy with remodeling projects around the house, or hitting the links when the weather here in Michigan cooperates.
Brandy
Sales and Marketing Director/ Knitting Enthusiast
Brandy has been with Plucky for over 10 years and learned the business from the ground up. While she started on the production floor, twisting the skeins and adding the ball bands, she now takes charge of Plucky’s sales and marketing efforts, including social media and our website, as well as working with our stockists in supporting any collaborations we are partnering together on.
With over 10 years of knitting experience, she still refers to herself as "obsessed" with the craft. She always has socks on-the-go as they are her favorite thing to knit, and indulges in sweater and shawl knitting regularly too. When she's not knitting, you will find her typing away, creating content for social media, plus answering any questions you may have over on Ravelry or in our Customer Service inbox. She also enjoys cheering you on through the KAL's hosted on Ravelry, as well as giving you any tips and tricks that she's learned along the way, here on the blog.
One of her favorite Plucky bases is, of course, Primo Fingering, with Legacy not far behind. And her favorite colors are the many autumnal tones from the Plucky Catalog.
Charly, her Bernadoodle pup, likes to try to help out during work hours when she can by giving plenty of kisses and snuggles which continues even after the office is closed for the day. 🥰
Drew
Shipping Extraordinaire
Drew is your guy if you have any and all shipping questions! Having worked here for over 14 years, he knows all the ins and outs of the shipping process. He has a sharp eye for quality and does his very best to send you matching skeins of yarn so your projects always come out looking the very best. He is also great at navigating the set-up of our website and keeping our finished inventory in check.
While he doesn't knit, he'll definitely never turn down a hand-knit hat when the temps dip and there's a chill in the air. And his favorite Plucky colors are any and all options in the blue and green families. Or the ones that give him the least trouble matching when shipping sweater quantities. 😉
When he's not at work, Drew loves to tuck in at home with a good book, or learn various new things through podcasts.
Julie
Quality Control and Expert Skein Maker
Julie, who has just started her 10th year with Plucky, is the one who looks over your dyed skeins while she is twisting them up to make sure that they meet our high quality standards. She has a keen eye to ensure the yarn looks as close to the photos you see online. She twists and tags all of our yarn and does a share of the photography for our social media as well.
Her favorite Plucky colors are any and all speckled skeins! And she absolutely loves when Peruvian Highland Fingering and Stout BFL DK bases have been dyed, as they are a dream to twist up into beautiful skeins.
She has also been known to dabble in knitting, making a hat or two, however her kiddos make her proud with their busy school and athletic activities. When not at the barn twisting yarn, Julie also cares for elderly people in need of extra care and love.
We hope you have enjoyed this little introduction to your Plucky Crew! We are a small, tight-knit workforce, but we love what we do, and are always grateful when we receive the support of this community. And we love meeting and chatting with our fellow makers at shows and fiber festivals! It's so lovely to put faces with names that we have been chatting with online over the years and we look forward to meeting many more of you.
Don't forget to join us over in our Ravelry group to knit all the Plucky socks this summer!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
May 21, 2024
Travel Knitting... Where Can You Take Your Needles?
Places you can take your knitting projects this summer!
The kiddos are out of school, you've gotten the time off work you've been desperately craving, you are at the airport and suddenly you realize.... Can I get through security with my knitting needles? You've been so busy getting the trip planned that this thought never occurred to you until this very moment!
Now you have a terrible sinking feeling of potentially having to pull your needles out of the project you were so excited to work on during your flight. It has you scrambling to see what the rules are for traveling with your needles! Or even rushing to throw in a lifeline so if the worst should happen, you can grab a new set of needles after you get to your destination, and pick those stitches up and carry on with your project.
If you have ever been in this desperate situation, you are not alone! We can get so used to just bringing our knitting with us everywhere that we sometimes forget that people might consider these sharp objects as a weapon! 🫢
With travel season starting, we thought it would be a good time to look at if we can fly with knitting needles, what the rules are in this situation, and also talk about some tips that might be helpful for navigating security checks.
Can You Fly With Knitting Needles?
The short answer is most likely. We are here in the States, so we did a little research on the TSA website, and they do say you can have knitting needles in both your carry on and checked luggage. (Fact check us here.) But, the reason we say "most likely" is because the TSA covers US flights only. The rules and regulations may be different when you cross boarders though, so it's always good practice to double check what the protocols are in the country you are traveling to or from.
We have never had any issues flying with our needles, both within the United States and when we've gone overseas, and on the vast majority of those flights, we knit socks with our steel, fixed cable, Chiaogoo needles. That being said, we always still plan ahead for the "what ifs" and the "just in case" scenarios.
Being Prepared, Just in Case!
There are a few things we can do to minimize the chances of losing our needles. One tip that we find really effective, is to remove the needle tips! Using interchangeable needles can be great for getting through security without incident because removing the needle tips makes our needles look like less of a dangerous object when scanned.
This is also a helpful, because just in case your needles don't pass the security check, then you only have to dispose of the tips rather than pull out the whole needle and cord and have a mess of live stitches waiting for you later.
Another helpful suggestion would be to use wooden needle tips for your travel project. Wooden needles tend to have a more blunt tip on them, so they are not as dangerous looking. Especially if you have interchangeable wooden needles, and you can throw those tips in your notions pouch with you pens and other bits and bobs.
For more information on needle types, check out this blog post.
Where Else Can We Knit?
Many of us like to take our knitting on the go and get a quick row or two in whenever we have a little time. That could be taking your knitting to watch the ball game with your friends or to a comedy show or concert in a large arena or stadium. Many of these venues will allow knitting needles, but any bag you carry in, must be clear and under a certain size. As these policies can be different for different venues, we always highly recommend checking on the venues' website for any updates to policies.
Where Will You Be Knitting This Summer?
Do you have travel plans this Summer? If so, we hope that you and your knitting have a safe journey! Let us know if you have any more questions or comments on this topic so we can keep this discussion going.
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
May 07, 2024
Non Superwash vs. Superwash
Explore the Pros and Cons to Both!
We've recently added a lovely Non Superwash family of bases to our 24/7 yarn line up, and Legacy certainly is receiving a warm welcome! But that has us thinking that maybe we should go into some detail about why we need Non Superwash yarns, but also why Superwash yarns have a place in our making too. Join us on this journey as we explore the pros and cons to both types of yarns to help you feel informed when making the choice to use Non Superwash or Superwash yarns for your projects.
Non-Superwash Yarn - What's the Buzz About?
Colors shown on Legacy: Beets Me, Happy Glamper, Lightning Bug, Faded Ink
Non Superwash (NSW) yarn means that the wool has not been treated with any chemicals or coating and the tiny scales that the wool naturally has, remain in tact. However this increases the chance of fulling or felting, meaning those tiny scales open up and stick together, when heat and agitation are introduced, say in the dying or washing process. Extra care needs to be taken when working with NSW yarns.
When we wash our NSW knits we need to remember not to get the bath too hot or move the piece around, and we especially don't want to throw them in the machine for a wash! We would hate to put all that work into the project, only for it to come out felted and so much smaller than intended! While this all may seem like a negative, it's actually one of the benefits of NSW yarns!
When working with NSW yarn we like those tiny scales to stick together! This is a bonus when we are knitting colorwork or we steek our fabric for a cardigan. The "sticky" nature helps those colorwork stitches lock in place and when we steek the garment, the risk of the edge unraveling is very minimal if at all!
Steeking sleeve opening on Otra sweater.
Non Superwash wool is also great for keeping our body temperature regulated, because it locks in our warm body heat in the winter while insulating us from cooler temps. And it also can reduce the moisture we feel on our bodies in the summer, as it has moisture-wicking properties!
But now you may be asking, why bother with Superwash yarn then? What are the benefits of using it?
Superwash Yarns - Why Bother?
Well, one of the huge benefits to Superwash (SW) yarn is the fact that those tiny scales on the wool, that we referenced earlier, have been either chemically removed or sealed with various treatments to keep the fibers from locking together. That means that you can be harder on your knits and wash them in the washing machine without felting or shrinking! That can be a big benefit when it comes to hand knits for gifts or the rough and tumble nature of children. It's easier to care for those knits by just throwing them in the wash and knowing they are still safe.
Superwash yarns also showcase the brightness of hand dyed yarn, as they have a beautiful sheen because the wool is smooth and absorbs the dye more easily.
However, one of the drawbacks to Superwash yarns is the methods used to remove the tiny scales. This process is less sustainable as it uses chemicals and creates waste. It also uses more energy and water than the processing involved in non-superwash wool yarns.
Colors shown on Legacy: Faded Ink, Lightning Bug, Happy Glamper, Beets Me
Top skein - Primo
Middle skein - Legacy
Bottom skein - Luxe Merino
There have been some great strides in the wool industry to create an eco-friendly "Superwash" yarn that is is technically classified as a Non Superwash, but behaves like a Superwash. Our Luxe Merino bases are an example of this new treatment. Notice in the image that Faded Ink resembles Legacy in tone, but has the shine of Primo.
What Yarn Do You Use Most?
So where do your needles land on this topic? We love seeing all the comments over on Instagram when we posed this question. The passion you have behind what inspires your making is truly inspiring to us! Please feel free to continue sharing your thoughts on this topic over on Instagram or by emailing us at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com. We would be delighted to hear more from you!
Here's a closer look at our Non Superwash Legacy beside our Superwash Primo base.
Faded Ink
Lightning Bug
Happy Glamper
Beets Me
Oh, and don't forget to join our spring KAL over on Ravelry!
There are only a couple more weeks left to enter your FO's for a chance at some great prizes!
Kodachrome being knit by SpahrkleKnits
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
April 23, 2024
Celebrate Local Yarn Store Day!
Let's gather and support our beautiful Local Yarn Stores!
Some of the best friendships and support come when we gather at our local yarn shops. Whether we participate in the knit nights hosted, or just stop by for a quick skein or two, our local yarn stores are invaluable to the fiber community. Many a knitter has received help fixing a mistake, or taken a class to learn a new technique and then come away with more than they expected. In many cases, lifelong friendships!
We want to take this time to thank and support ALL of our precious LYS's! As a way to show our love and support, we have created a special EXCLUSIVE LYS Day color - Sea to Sea - available only in some of our stockists' shops starting this coming Saturday!
Meet our Exclusive LYS Day Color!
Sea to Sea
2024 LYS Day
A soft and gentle blue moving towards a delicate aquamarine. Inspired by the celebration of supporting local yarn stores across the nation, from coast to coast or Sea to Sea.
Visit one of these shops in person, or show your support by visiting their online shop and get your very own LYS Day exclusive color!
Here are links to the shops carrying this special color:
And...Introducing Peachy Keen, Full Bloom and Lilac Haze!
But of course, we couldn't just stop at one new color, so we have 3 more brand new colors that pair perfectly with Sea to Sea! These beautiful new colors will be featured in the above mentioned LYS’s, and we will have those available in our shop too starting this Saturday. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter for all the details!
Peachy Keen
Ever so delicate peach hue, gently nestled between pink and orange, full of warmth and lightness.
Inspired by Pantone's Color of the Year, Peachy Keen hits on all those Spring vibes along with conveying a message of calm and serenity.
Pairs perfectly with Full Bloom, Lilac Haze and Sea to Sea.
Full Bloom
A marriage of cool blue and purple tones with warm, nurturing peaches and pinks, creating a gentle stroll through the many beautiful colors of the season.
We knew Peachy Keen needed a speckled counterpart that complimented the peach tones, but could also play a leading role if needed.
A lovely pairing choice with Peachy Keen. Lilac Haze and Sea to Sea.
Lilac Haze
An elegantly calm tone, evoking a peaceful mind, while still nodding to a sense of sophistication.
This subtle lilac is the perfect complement to the peachy orange tones found in Peachy Keen. It will also draw out those purple pops found in Full Bloom making it a beautiful pairing choice with either Full Bloom, Peachy Keen and Sea to Sea!
We close by wishing our wonderful stockists—and all LYS's—a very happy and successful Local Yarn Shop Day! Thank you for being such an invaluable part of the fiber community. We applaud all you do not just this Saturday, but everyday!
Gryer shawl by Isabell Kraemer
Shown in Peechy Keen, Full Bloom and Lilac Haze
Pebbles Socks by Knitting Expat Designs
Shown in Full Bloom and Lilac Haze
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
April 09, 2024
The Twists and Turns of Creative Journeys…
Like all of us, when you started knitting or crocheting, you no doubt were cautious and perhaps a bit uneasy as you embarked on a brand new creative journey. Moments of doubt, frustration and pesky mistakes may have robbed us of some of the joy of making. Thank goodness for those “purls of wisdom” along the way that gave us encouragement and confidence to keep going! (More on that a bit later.)
In our case, initially we held onto those knitting needles a little too tight and fumbled through each stitch, creating "lace" that was not intended 🙂 Oh, and the first "real" project made was inadvertently all knit through the back loop! Yup, the whole cowl (it was a small cowl, but still). It was kindly deemed a "design feature" by the ladies who saw it.
That being said, we got through those initial projects, learned how to knit through the front loop, and received loads of great advice along the way.
Do you remember when you first started your knitting or crocheting journey? What was some of the advice you were given? We asked this in an Instagram post a few months back and wanted to share some of those gems here on the blog as a way to continue encouraging making and finding joy while we create each day.
Here are some “purls of wisdom” from some of our wonderful IG followers that are brimming with encouragement to keep all of us going!
greycapknits - If a pattern seems too hard, try it anyway. Even if it doesn’t come out perfect, you’ll learn so much, so the next pattern you try will feel that much easier!
pilatesgal56 - Learn to read your knitting!
miscellanyandquirk - Make the thing that brings you joy - even if you think it’s beyond you. My first projects involved texture and cables because that was what I wanted to make. If I went wrong I frogged it and tried again. You learn so much from having a go at something you love!
normaloqwendy - Expect to make mistakes. Learn how to fix them. It makes you a better knitter, and better knitters make bigger mistakes faster!
javasuann - Just get started……it’s mostly knits and purls……😍
caitydid71 - Knitting is a journey…enjoy the process. ❤️
fairymakes - If you’re making an item as a gift be sure to include at least one mistake so they know it’s handmade 😉
ela.klein - Buy the best wool you can afford and take your time to enjoy the process.
Little mistakes here and there are design features.
If you don’t enjoy the pattern, frog it and use the wool for a pattern you would enjoy more. You can do it! 🧶
woolandsilkco - A few things:
1) if you are trying to complete a project & are finding it a slog, do 20 mins a day. As a minimum but you will probably do more
2) keep trying something new or different. You will improve your overall knitting
3) finish when you finish. It’s not a contest. Don’t take the joy out of the experience
kathykrystofik - “Nothing in knitting is hard!” It’s just 2 stitches, knit and purl, everything else is built on those two stitches.
betsycooper710 - It's all just knit and purl - I was nervous doing color work and this really helped!
donnac368 - If something is bothering you, fix it now or it will bother you forever. Come to think of it, that's also good Life Advice!
cecile.e.hoare - Don't save the best yarn for something special! YOU are special, use the yarn!
And last, but not least, a "purl" that has stuck with us through the years: Try to knit or crochet everyday. Even if you can only get in a few stitches, or a couple rows, it can add a bright spot to each day!
It is our sincere hope that you find joy in whatever project you start. Please feel free to share what advice has encouraged you along the way by commenting on that Instagram post, or sending us an email at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
March 26, 2024
Spring is Here and It's KAL Time!
It’s springtime and guess what that means? We're gearing up for our annual Spring KAL!
We are so excited to organize another Knit-along with our wonderful Ravelry Moderator Sheryl Nipper for the Spring season. We kick off this year's Spring KAL on Monday, April 1st and continue through May over in our Ravelry group. There will be two threads where you can post your WIPs and FOs and, of course, enjoy lots of great community. We have a chat thread all set up and already there are some great pattern choices being talked about! We hope to see you there! Also, feel free to double dip in any other KALs during this time too! (For a full list of rules on how to enter for prizes, head to the Plucky Spring KAL thread.)
Do you have your yarn and patterns ready to cast on? This weekend we are debuting our new PK Essentials Spring color palette, available 24/7. Or maybe you are planning to focus on finishing a few lingering WIPs? Whatever you choose, we welcome you to join our Plucky Spring KAL!
If you haven't decided on what to knit yet during the KAL, here is a look at some of the patterns being talked about in our KAL chat thread!
Sammal is a classic textured button-down cardigan. It is worked from the top-down seamlessly with raglan sleeves, and it features tiny braids in the front that add a bit charm.
This sweater is a great beginner project to take the first step into SusieM’s contiguous set-in sleeves method. Plain Stockinette, raw edges and big stripes makes a perfect on the beach sweater.
A simple shape, raglan sleeves adorned by a small cable pattern and all the place for your own creativity. You want a solid version? A colorblock one? Or even using fingering and mohair together?
Artus is a rich tapestry of texture and color. The mosaic border is easy to work, allowing for creative color combinations that consistently produce fantastic results.
We are looking forward to you joining our KAL and seeing you over in the KAL threads on Ravelry this Spring! If you have any questions regarding how the KAL works, please reach out in the Ravelry thread or via email at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com.
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
March 12, 2024
Why Block Your Knitting and Crochet?
The short answer is because blocking is magical!
But, you probably want to know a little more than that, right? Let's look a little further though into what blocking does for your knits, how to do it, and what are some useful tools that help make the process easier!
What does it mean to block your knitwear?
Blocking your knitting or crochet projects is really just giving that finished piece a lovely bath to help open up those fibers and achieve the final size and shape you desire.
By soaking our knitted fabric we allow those wooly fibers to bloom and, in the case of non superwash wool, the stitches actually lock into one another creating a stronger fabric.
How do you block your knitwear?
There are actually a few ways to accomplish blocking. It really depends on what you are trying to achieve with your finished object. For instance, with items such as cowls, or shawls, a full soak might not be necessary, so you could opt to gently steam the fabric to encourage gentle growth of the fibers, without it growing too much. This is also a good option for high contrast colors knit beside each other so the colors don't bleed.
However, we recommend an immersive soak for FO's that will be worn and washed regularly. For instance sweaters, hats, and socks are worn often enough to need a good washing every now and again. In these cases, we fill the sink with water and add a little wool wash to help loosen up and remove any remaining dirt and oils from the mill. Let that FO soak for 15-30 minutes before draining the water. Then gently squish the majority of the water out, being careful not to wring the fabric. To help remove even more of the water, roll the FO up in a few towels and do a happy dance on it (it's happy because you finished the project!), then lay it flat to dry on your blocking mats. You can use pins or blocking wires to help open up any lace work or ribbing in the knit, but those are not always necessary. Oh, and we HIGHLY recommend adding a couple color catchers to the bath with your knit to catch any loose dye coming off the finished object.
As we stated at the outset, blocking is truly magical! Look at how this lace swatch has grown and opened up!
We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the blog and find blocking your knits as great as we do! If you have any other helpful blocking tips we would love to hear them! Let us know via email at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com.
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
March 01, 2024
Introducing Legacy! A Non-Superwash Yarn Line Grown, Spun, Processed and Dyed in the U.S.
We are so excited to be introducing a whole new Non-Superwash yarn line to the Plucky Base Catalog! We have been working very hard this past year to bring you a sustainable yarn, across all weights, that is Non-Superwash, yet still delightful to work with and next-to-skin soft!
Our new Legacy base, made from Shiniko wool, comes from ranches out West that have been family-owned and operated for generations. The passion for the land and sheep these ranchers have is expressed in their efforts to achieve and maintain Responsible Wool Standard certification. This is no small undertaking! Learn more about RWS here.
What is Shaniko Wool?
Shaniko Wool Company (SWC), founded by Jeanne Carver, is “an American legacy”—the first farm group in the United States to be certified under the global Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and NATIVARegen.
SWC currently consists of 10 farms in the American West, with more ranches awaiting certification. SWC has a well-documented, long-term commitment to land management, biodiversity, expanding sustainable wool practices, and scaling the amount of sustainably and humanely produced wool available to global brands.
Shaniko wool is a cross between Merino and Rambouillet, but generally considered to be a Merino fiber. The wool used contains a consistently fine, approximately 21 micron, long wool staple, creating a luxurious yarn, while still maintaining strength. Additionally, this Non-Superwash yarn is ideal for colorwork, simple stockinette or cabled and textured patterns.
Why Name the New Base Legacy?
Simply, it's because the production of this yarn, from tending to the flocks, to processing the wool, is a family affair in most cases. The ranches and mills are passed from generation to generation. It seemed a perfect fit to grace this yarn line with a name that reminds us all of the many hard-working families producing such lovely yarns for us to knit with.
What to Knit with Legacy?
We have knit up many beautiful pieces across the weights to show off the versatility of this beautiful new base. As you will see below, it's a fantastic yarn for colorwork, stripes, texture, and cables!
Stay tuned over the next few days when we will be offering kits for many of the patterns shown to welcome Legacy to the Plucky catalog!
LEGACY FINGERING:
Otra in Juniper & Tackle Box
22 Cowl in Happy Glamper
Happy Hipster Hat in Marianne & Thank You Note
LEGACY SPORT:
Artus in Fiona, Wintry Mix, Sketch, Gilded Age, Happily
Traveler Shawl in Mani Pedi Legacy Sport held double with Gingham Aura Lace
Traveler Shawl in Pink A Boo & Wintry Mix held double with Small Batch No. 001 Aura Lace
LEGACY WORSTED:
Stratified Sweater in Green Goddess, Coconut Cream, Brooch, Opaline, El Camino
Crosstown Hats in As You Wish, Fawn All Over, Ogre
LEGACY BULKY:
Lost Seaglass in Keepsake & Coconut Cream
Bulky Sleep Socks in Powdered Sugar, Miss Manners, Gilded Age
Flamin' Hat in Small Batch No. 025 & Castaway
First Beanie in Small Batch No. 025
We are offering 4 yarn weights (Fingering, Sport, Worsted and Bulky) currently, with DK weight coming late this year! We can't wait to hear how much you love this new base! Please share your reviews with us at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
February 13, 2024
Fine Details About Fingering Weight Yarn
What is Fingering Weight yarn? How do you choose what kind to use? Why is it called Fingering Weight?
Whether you're new to knitting or just perusing your pattern library for what to knit next, you may wonder about some of the fine details of Fingering weight yarn. Today, we are here to help answer these questions and take a deeper look into the Fingering weight blends we offer at Plucky, and what projects they will work best with.
What is Fingering Weight Yarn?
Fingering weight yarn is typically a 4-ply strand, thin, but still versatile. It is most often worked on small needles ranging from US 1-3 (2.25-3.25 mm), for a tight gauge. However, one example of the versatility of this yarn is that you can work with it on larger needles, like a US 6 (4.0 mm) for a looser gauge, giving you a drapey fabric.
As you look through Fingering weight yarns in your LYS, you may notice it can also be referred to in other terms like "4-ply", "superfine", or "sock yarn." You may also run across more or less plies within this yarn weight too. The amount of plies in a yarn can be very important, depending on what project you have in mind, but we'll save that rabbit hole for a future blog post.
What are Plucky's Fingering Weight Yarns?
So, now that we have a better grasp of what Fingering weight yarn is, let's look at the types of yarns we have and what they are best suited for.
Feet Fingering
90% Superwash Merino, 10% Recycled Nylon
The name says it all - your feet have found the perfect sock yarn! The tight twist of this yarn makes it an ideal option for strength and durability while still having a bit of softness due to the recycled nylon content. Being a superwash yarn, it’s also great for sweaters, baby knits, stuffies and more!
Hearty BFL 4-ply Fingering
100% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester
Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) can be next-to-skin soft and has long fibers, making it a great choice for items that will take a lot of wear yet still quite comfortable. Its natural luster makes it perfect for all kinds of items including, but not limited to, shawls, scarves, socks, sweaters, baby items and especially for all forms of colorwork! This blend is a superwash and therefore may be machine washed on a gentle wool cycle, then laid flat to dry.
Lustre Fingering
30% Superfine Merino, 40% Mulberry Silk, 30% Yak
This extraordinary, non-superwash, blend of extra fine merino wool, silk, and yak creates a fabric with beautiful drape and a luxurious sheen. The merino and yak provide elasticity and warmth, while the mulberry silk provides good tensile strength and sheen. Lustre is a great choice for all garments and accessories and is one of those yarns that works well knit at a looser gauge.
Peruvian Highland Fingering
100% Peruvian Highland Wool
A classic, lovely wool yarn spun from high quality fleece, it's the perfect choice if you don’t want to compromise. Peruvian Highland Fingering is a light, soft yarn that is sure to keep you nice and warm. The combination of the strong fibers and the exquisite softness lends itself to most projects. And the wool is durable enough to last for many years, even with frequent use. It has nice elasticity and strength, wears well, and is not prone to pilling. Being a non-super wash blend, it's perfect for colorwork, cables and steeking. Great for hats, mitts, neckwear, and garments too.
Primo Fingering
75% Superwash Merino, 20% Cashmere, 5% Nylon
The one that started it all–Primo Fingering– our custom milled flagship base, creates a luxurious fabric with its generous amount of cashmere. The merino content makes it a great option for colorwork, texture, cables, and lace. It has the perfect amount of drape when used for shawls and garments and is also perfect for hats, mitts, socks, and more! Colors will appear slightly softer than a 100% merino because of the cashmere content, but still vibrant.
Tweedy Fingering
87% Peruvian Merino, 13% Donegal Viscose
This is a fun-to-knit, non superwash base with the subtle tweed-like flecks of color that complement your fabric. Like a little party happening with every stitch. It's both sturdy, yet next-to-skin soft, making it a fun choice for socks, hats, shawls, and garments!
Why Do We Call it Fingering Weight?
Now for the question we probably all have wondered about from time to time... Why call this type of yarn "fingering weight?" The origin of the term “fingering” is actually derived from fingram, from the French fin grain, which means “fine grain”. In relation to yarn, this could imply that it is a more fine weight of a yarn, thus Fingering weight. Who knew it's from a French term? We love our wooly history though, right?
What to knit?
Now that we know all about Fingering weight yarns, what should we make with them? Check out these great patterns!
For socks, this series of patterns by Kay of the Crazy Sock Lady are perfect for beginners or long time knitters.
The Travel Mode 2.0 shawl by Susanne Sommer is also a great design, showcasing five colors in fingering weight.
And, if you're looking for a sweater pattern, we are loving the easy nature of the Cottage cardigan by Jacqueline Cieslak.
We hope you've enjoyed this fun journey into the world of Fingering weight yarns! We'd love to hear what's on your needles, so feel free to drop us a line in our inbox at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!
January 30, 2024
Unraveling Shawl Shapes
Once the cold weather hits, we find ourselves reaching for all our lovely handmade shawls and scarves to keep us toasty warm against the brisk chill. But in reality, we like to don our hand knits anytime we can! (It gets chilly in the A/C too! 🥶)
Join us in venturing down the rabbit hole of shawl shapes, ways to wear them, and why they definitely have a place in our handmade wardrobe. You can never have enough shawls in our opinion!
Triangle
Triangle shawls are always a winner for either wrapping around your shoulders, or snugging up jauntly around your neck. They can be made in anything from fingering weight up to super bulky yarn, making them a versatile piece anytime of the year. Many triangle shawls are great for beginners, but leave plenty of room for adventure with lace or textured stitches.
There are a few ways they can be constructed too. Some are knit from a garter-tab cast on, increasing as you go, others are knit from end-to-end giving you the ability to create vertical stripes if you like and elongating the triangle shape a bit.
Walk in the Park is a great example of a triangle shawl that is simple, yet elegant and easy to knit.
Hinged showcases the fun to be had with Bulky yarn and lace stitches.
Talk of the Town Wrap is an example of end-to-end construction.
Asymmetrical
Asymmetrical shawls have the advantage of creating wingspan, without the added depth that a proper triangle creates. This allows for the options of wrapping that longer end around your neck a second time for extra warmth and volume or add a knot in that end for a fun styling flair.
Most often you'll find that you only cast on a few starting stitches and work the shawl on the bias, so the row counts never get too out of hand.
Whether you've been on the knitting scene for any length of time, or if you're new to the community, Melanie Berg is a prolific designer of this style of shawl. She incorporates various yarn weights, playing with mosaic or lace stitching, creating truly stunning pieces that you'll be reaching for over and over.
Ashburn by Melanie Berg is a mix of garter and slipped stitch patterns creating a subtle medley of textures, and an endless combination of color choices lets you be as demure or as bold as you like.
Paperdawn by Melanie Berg is a captivating shawl that beautifully blends softness and substance, inspired by the gentle unfolding of a new day.
Photo © Melanie Berg
Rectangle
Rectangular shawls are a fun play on the traditional scarf, but with a bit more volume, giving the wearer more variety. You can wrap them around like a scarf, or pop your collar and hang it over your coat for a bit of fashion statement.
One other fun thing about this style is how much you can play with the construction. Some designs are straight forward, with a traditional back and forth method, while others are worked on the bias. And more recently, we see designs like Joji's Starting Point or Fading Point that work from the edges in, meeting at a point in the center of the wrap.
The Essential Stripes Scarf uses four colors, creating a scarf that allows you to customize a look that will never go out of fashion! This design features a classically neutral stripe repeat encasing bold bands of color. Find kits in the shop here!
The Tuft Wrap is a great pattern for mindless knitting. Worked on the bias with a lovely balance of stockinette and garter ridge stripes. Then add in the little tufts along the edges to finish off this easy-to-wear accessory.
The Starting Point wrap is worked from both ends towards the center with a super fun chevron construction, and joined as you work.
Photo © Joji Locatelli
Fading Point is constructed from both ends towards the center, and then both pieces are connected with triangles to achieve a seamless rectangle.
Photo © Joji Locatelli
Crescent
Last but not least, we have the crescent shape. This shape offers soft curves not found in the other shapes. These shawls can be very versatile in styling. They have the length for wrapping around your neck a few times, more like a cowl, or let those tails hang down for a more traditional look.
Most are knit from the top down, increasing in stitches as you knit. Stephen West's Pierre shawl is a great example of the soft lines created with this style, while still allowing you the opportunity to play with textures and color. Another example of the fun that can be had in knitting this style of shawl is the Zorzal by Lisa Hannes. This shawl is worked in a mix of garter stripes and short-row wedges to create a fun interplay of two contrasting colors.
Pierre by Stephen West plays with bands of stripes, twisted ribbing, and textured triangles in this fun-to-knit shawl.
Zorzal by Lisa Hannes is a great two-color option with short-row wedges and garter stripes to create an eye-catching design.
Photo © Lisa Hannes
What is Your Favorite Style?
Do you have a favorite shawl shape, one you knit over and over? Or is there a shape you have yet to try out? Whatever the shape, we are here for all the shawl making!
#neverenoughshawls 😄
We hope our little adventure into the world of shawl shapes has you coming away with some patterns added to your queue, loads of inspiration, and your love of shawls burning bright!
Happy Making Friends!!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!