Cascade Yarns Blog

For the past couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of being one of several crochetdesigners for Cascade Yarns . I’ve had a good run with coming up designs that Cascade has chosen to add to their crochet pattern line, and in honor of National Crochet Month, they asked me to explain how I design a crochet pattern. Some designers start with a concept. They will draw out what they want to make, choose the measurements, choose the stitch pattern to use, and then they pick up the yarn and hook. Other designers, like myself, start with the yarn and hook and work from there. Personally, as a designer, I look for a stitch pattern that will work with the yarn, and once I have a stitch pattern fixed, I start to brainstorm on what finished item to make. The Cloud Wrap pattern all started with the yarn – El Cielo . I was originally given a sample of the yarn to make a crochet swatch for a completely different pattern idea, but I had enough yarn left that I decided to propose another i...

Longwood is a treat to work with. The extra-fine merino superwash is soft enough for a baby and is spun into a complex twist that loves cables. Each squishy ball contains 191 yards and there are more than 40 luscious colors to choose from. Baby hats are a great way to play with a yarn as they work up quickly and the recipient usually will not complain. The hard part is if you take too long they will have outgrown it before you do the decreases. As an added bonus, you will get 2 of the smallest size hats out of 1 ball. Materials:  - 1 ball Longwood (100% Extra-fine Merino Superwash Wool - 191 yds/100 g) - shown in 15 (Green Olive) - US 8 16" circular needles - US 8 DPNs - Cable needle - Stitch Marker - Yarn Needle Gauge & Sizing: - 4.5 sts = 1" in stockinette - To fit 16", 19", 22" Abbreviations: - K - Knit - P - Purl  - C4B - Put 2 stitches on cable needle, hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, k...

There is something about knitting with wool. It plays well on the needles and has this squish factor. Boliviana is a merino wool from Bolivia. Each 100 g skein contains 191 yards and works up at a worsted gauge. There are 31 colors to choose from for your next project and the options are almost limitless.  I went with Fair Isle. It is a heavy enough gauge the project goes quickly.  There is enough yardage to do 2 cowls if you reverse the colors. Cowls are a great way to try Fair Isle since it is in the round and there is no shaping. Materials - 1 skein each in 2 colors of Boliviana (100% Merino Wool - 191 yds/100 g) - shown in MC [15 (Mallard Blue)] & CC [29 (Olive Oil)] - US 9 Circular needle (16-20") - Stitch marker - Yarn needle Measurments: Approx 21" circumference and 9" long Gauge: 4.5 sts = 1"  Abbreviations: K - Knit P - Purl Cast on 96 sts Join in round, careful not to twist Place stitch marker to mark beginning of...

Salar is a squishy, soft, chunky alpaca blend. It is great for quick knits and finishing off your holiday gifting. Each 200 gram skein contains 197 yards - enough to make a lovely scarf or cowl. This cowl works up quickly and is just a combination of knit and purl stitches to add a bit of texture. Materials: - 1 skein Salar (50% Alpaca/45% Acrylic/5% Wool - 197 yds/200 g) - shown in color 10 (Red) - US 13 circular needles (at least 30" circumference) - Stitch Marker - Yarn Needle Abbreviations: - K - Knit - P - Purl Gauge & Measurment: - Approx 2.5 sts = 1" - 8" high x 48" circumference Cast on 120 sts Place stitch marker to mark beginning of rounds [K1, P2] for 4 rounds Start Pattern:  Rows 1-2 - K Rows 3-5 - *[K1, P2] - repeat from * Continue until almost desired height - [K1, P2] for 1 round Bind off loosely. Weave in ends.

Haiti Babi  was started to keep kids out of orphanages and with their families. In Haiti, 10% of kids live in and orphanage and 80% of those kids have living parents that cannot afford to take care of them. In 2011 Seattle native Kaitlin Jackson volunteered at a Haitian orphanage and was inspired to start Haiti Babi. Haitian moms are hired and taught to knit and crochet. They are paid more than twice the minimum wage and are also learning about budgeting. The baby blankets and baby hats are machine knit in Ultra Pima with a crocheted edge. Each piece is tagged with the name of the mom that crocheted the edge. Ystania  crocheted the edge on the Pineapple colored blanket that we are giving away. She has 2 boys and has started a side business making/selling peanut butter. Her boys now attend school and she has been able to buy land to build a house on. Beatrice  crocheted the edge on the Light Blue hat that is part of 1 of the sets that ...

Lana Grande is a bulky wool that works up quickly with great stitch definition. Lofty and durable, it works into a warm, squishy fabric. In the fall, it is easy to be drawn to chunky wools for that quick gratification that comes with finishing a project. I couldn't resist making a quick hat with a simple, easy to remember stitch pattern.  Materials - 1 ball Lana Grande (100% Peruvian Highland Wool - 87 yds/100 g) - shown in 6043 (Antique) - US 13 16-20" circular needles - Stitch Marker - Yarn needle Abbreviations - K - Knit - P - Purl - K2tog - Knit 2 Together Gauge & Measurements 2.5 sts = 1" 21" circumference 9" length from cast on edge Cast on 52 stitches Join in round, place marker to mark beginning of round K2, P2 for 2" Start pattern: 1 - K 2 - K1, P1 Cont until 7" from cast on edge Start decreases 1 - K2tog, K11 2 - K2tog, K10 3 - K2tog, K9 4 - K2tog, K8 5 - K2tog, K7 6 - K2tog, K6 7 - K...

It's been a while since I have knit anything in Pacific Chunky which I have loved for quick hats and cowls. It is squishy, soft, and easy care.  I realized that it sounded like the perfect blanket.  There is enough merino wool in this chunky blend to give some body and memory.  As an added bonus the chunky gauge works up quickly. I like blankets to be reversible and realized that Pacific Chunky Color Wave would be perfect for this. The colorways gradiate and would add interest to a simple textured stitch.  The size of the pattern is easily modifiable - it is a 4 stitch pattern. Add or subtract multiples of 4 stitches to change the dimensions. Materials: - 4 skeins Pacific Chunky Color Wave (60% Acrylic/40% Superwash Merino Wool - 120 yds/100 g) - shown in color 407 (Desert) - US 10 needles - Yarn Needle Abbreviations: K - Knit P - Purl Gauge & Measurments: 26" x 26" 3.75 = 1" in stitch pattern Cast on 98 stitches K for 6 rows Begin ...