On Thursday, I shared about the knitting challenge headed your way so soon. If you missed that last video, take a quick minute to check out all the details right here.

In our upcoming Solstice knitting challenge, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your knitting skills, connect with other fiber loving makers, dive deep into your own creativity and finish with a stunning neck accessory to cherish for years to come. In today’s blog post, I go into all the knitty gritty details of what yarns to choose and sizing so that you’ll feel well equipped to pick yarns and your size easily. If you decide to go with a Knit Collage yarn kit, I share all of the available color combos we’ve put together for you so that you can peruse at your leisure!

Ok first up, the color combination details! For these patterns, we combine either our Spun Cloud yarn or Sister yarn (either 1 or 2 skeins, depending on your size) with one Mini Skein Sampler Kit. Our Spun Cloud yarn is a bulky thick and thin wool yarn that is spun with two tiny strands of silver and gold lurex plied around it. The sparkle is ever so subtle! We mix the main color with 5 contrasting colors that come packed together as a Mini Skein Sampler Kit. Inside each of these kits you get one mini skein of our most favorite special yarns including: Dreamland, Daisy Chain, Wildflower, Cast Away and Spun Cloud (you'll get this in a contrasting color to the other Spun Cloud color you pick!). Peruse all of the available color combinations at the links below.

Solstice Collared Dickie & Hug Color Combinations

We are at the end of the year and have very, VERY few Mini Skein Sampler kits left, in some cases less than 10. If you have your heart set on a special kit, please order early to ensure you get what you like! Please feel free to reach out and ask me any and all questions in the blog comments below.

Collared Dickie Pattern Details:

Skill Level: Beginner Knitter

Materials: 

1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skein(s) Spun Cloud (100% wool; approx. 100yds (92 m) / 200 g)

1 Mini Skein Sampler Kit (approximately 75 yds / 164-170g - 5 mini skeins of yarn included per kit, 17 yds /skein) 

OR

1 Winter Solstice Kit (approximately 205 yds / 565 g - 12mini skeins of yarn included per kit, 17 yds / skein)  The Winter Solstice Kit is a special, limited edition kit that was released for preorder in June and is no longer available for purchase.

Needle Size:

Size US 13 (9 mm) 24" / 60 mm circular needles or 3 mm smaller than larger needles

Size US 17 (12 mm) 32” / 80 mm circular needles forBody, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Size N/P / US 15 (10 mm) crochet hook, or 1 mm larger than smaller needle, for Crochet Tubular Cast On

Gauge: 

7 sts and 11 rnds = 4.25” / 10.5 cm in stockinette st worked in the rnd using larger needle, steam blocked

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)

Finished Measurements:  

19 (19.75, 21.25, 22.75, 24.75)" / 47.5 (49.5, 53, 57, 62) cm finished width from shoulder to shoulder

Fit Note: Recommended to be worn with 1-2" / 2.5-5 cm of positive ease at shoulder to shoulder measurement, depending on your preferred fit. Grayed out sample is shown on a size 1 on an 18" / 45 cm shoulder to shoulder measurement with 1" / 2.5 cm of positive ease. 

Pattern Designer: Cheryl Kubat

Solstice Hug Pattern Details:

Skill Level: Beginner Knitter

Materials: 

1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skein(s) Spun Cloud (100% wool; approx. 100yds (92 m) / 200 g) shown in Honeysuckle

1 Mini Skein Sampler Kit (approximately 75 yds / 164-170g - 5 mini skeins of yarn included per kit, 15 yds /skein) shown in Geode

The kits we will have will be this option, listed above!)

OR

1 Winter Solstice Kit (approximately 205 yds / 565 g - 12mini skeins of yarn included per kit, 17 yds / skein) shown in Jewel Tones. The Winter Solstice Kit is a special, limited edition kit that was released for preorder in June and is no longer available for purchase.

0 (0, 0, 1, 1) skein(s) Spun Cloud (100% wool; approx. 100yds / 200 g)

Needle Size:

Size US 17 (12.75 mm) 32” / 80 cm circular needles forBody, or size needed to obtain gauge.

For Size 1 only: Size US 15 (10 mm) 16” / 100 cm circular needles or the most comfortable needle size, gauge is unimportant. If choosing a different needle size, or gauge is different, yarn requirements may differ.

For Sizes 2-5 only: Size US 13 (9 mm) 16” / 40 cm circular needles for Neck Ribbing (or your preferred needles of same size forsmall circumference knitting)

Gauge: 

7.5 sts and 10 rnds = 4” / 10 cm in 3/1 Rib Stitch worked in the rnd using larger needle, steam blocked

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)

Finished Measurements:  

To fit chest sizes 28-34 (34-42, 42-50, 50-60, 60-68)” / 71-86 (86-106.5, 106.5-127, 127-152, 152-173) cm.

Fit Note: Choose a size that will fit comfortably around your upper body at chest level. The ribbed fabric will conform nicely to a range of sizes, but you don’t want it to be so snug that it limits arm movement. Samples are size 2 shown on a 34”/86 cm chest and on a 42”/106.5 cm chest.

We open up registration on Dec 19^th at 10am ET for both the virtual option, priced at $28 and the yarn kit option which is $108 to $138 depending on the pattern you choose, your size and whether you go with a solid color or mixed mini skein option. The real fun, the actual knitting, begins on Jan 1, 2025 which means that this ten day community knitting event is a wonderful way to jumpstart your knitting practice! I would so love to have you join us,

Sign up here if you'd like to be the first to know when kits go live! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions too :)

EXCITED!!!! 

Amy

Hi there! If you are new here, my name is Amy Small and I am the owner and founder of Knit Collage. Welcome! On January 1, we kick off our annual Winter Solstice Knitting challenge, where as a community we will knit either the Solstice Collared Dickie or Solstice Hug Cowl patterns by Knit Collage team member Cheryl Kubat. Hear all the details in the video below! 

Cheryl and Pia, our resident knitting coaches, as well as myself, will be here to support you and answer any questions that you may have along the way so that you happily finish with something you adore. Together, we’ll jumpstart your knitting practice, so that you get to experience the amazing benefits that come from knitting things – increased creativity and a healthy tool you can lean anytime into to bring about calm and peace, just to name a few! We kick the adventure off on Jan 1, 2025.

Inside the 10 day knitting challenge you’ll get:

* Easy-to follow video courses on how to knit both the Solstice Collared Dickie AND the Solstice Hug patterns from start to finish. You just need to know the very basic knit and purl stitches to join in! This will include around 30 videos total and these courses are yours forever.

* Techniques you’ll learn: swatching in the round, knitting in the round with magic loop, crochet tubular cast on, German short rows, rib knitting, needle felting ends, sewn bind-offs + so many more.

* A downloadable workbook with the patterns and our best tips and resources for knitting success.

* Daily live zoom sessions with me, your teacher, and the Knit Collage coaches, Pia and Cheryl, to help answer in-the-moment questions.

* Technical support in our Knit Collage App to answer all of your questions.

* A welcoming, energetic, and kind community of members to hold you accountable and keep you motivated to actually complete your project.

* All aspects of the challenge from the video tutorials as well as the community will be hosted in our brand new Knit Collage app. This is accessible from any device as well as any internet browser. 

* You have the option to order a yarn kit from us or use your own yarn. I’ve put together 10+ different kits that combine our Spun Cloud yarns with our Mini Skein Sampler Kits as well as solid kits in our Spun Cloud and Sister yarns. We are down to the very last mini kits so if you have your heart set on a color, grab it quickly!

* Finish with a closing celebration party and community fashion show!

We open up registration on Dec 19^th at 10am ET for both the virtual option, priced at $28 and the yarn kit option which is $108 to $138 depending on the pattern you choose, your size and whether you go with a solid color or mixed mini skein option. I would so love to have you join us!

On Saturday, I'll share a blog post with more pattern pics, yarn color combo details and details on how to choose the best size for your body.  I am so excited for it! AND If you are a beginner knitter, this is for you. Our team plus the video tutorials are there to guide and support you. When you're starting out, you need the most help and support - that's what this challenge is all about! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!

Amy

Looking for something special for the knitter in your life? The Knit Collage Holiday Gift Guide is here!

1. Patchwork Project Bag - This super cute project bag is embellished with the same fabric we use to make our Wildflower yarn and special trims from India's gorgeous ribbon markets. Ideal for large projects and our super bulky handspun yarns.

2. Moondrake Co x Knit Collage Collab Spun Cloud Light - There's nothing better than an extra special skein of yarn and these limited edition skeins are just that! Available in two colors: Ultraviolet Unicorn and Electric Sea Horse. We are down to our final skeins of this beautiful, unique yarn and once it's gone, it's gone!

3. Iridescent Gauge Tool - Check your gauge in style with this laser cut gauge tool from our friends at Katrinkles!

4. Cocoknits Jumbo Stitch Markers - We all know knitters can never have too many stitch markers and these colorful, magnetic ones from Cocoknits are perfect for our super chunky yarns.

5. Dreamland Yarn - Inspired by the incredible trim markets of Hong Kong and India, our Dreamland yarn is unlike anything else! Every skein of woolen goodness is jam packed with gorgeous ribbons, flower appliques and novelty trims. Various colors of wool, mohair, and sparkling Angelina fibers are hand carded together to create the beautiful heathered colors of Dreamland. Every skein is a unique, one-of-a-kind experience all its own.

6. Cocoknits Blocking Boards - Blocking a project makes ALL the difference and this blocking board set makes this part of the process easy and aesthetic. Kit includes 12 interlocking foam tiles, covered with fabric to help gently hold your project in place while it dries, 40 stainless steel T-pins, and 48" Square Cotton Woven Cloth with 1" square gingham to help measure your finished piece, and a jute bag to keep it all together.

7. Mini Skein Sampler Kit - Our mini skein sampler kits allow you to try 5 of our yarns at once without having to commit to 5 whole skeins. This is a fantastic way to give these yarns a test spin and see which ones resonate best with you. This is also the perfect gift for weavers!

8. Cocoknits Row Counter - A good row counter is an essential in any knitter's tool kit, and this one checks ALL the boxes! It makes a satisfying audible "click" so you remember that you've clicked it. The back is magnetic so that it can magnetize to makers boards and magnetic wrist holders. Perhaps the best part is that it locks — no more accidental rows being counted when the counter bounces around in your project bag!

9. Holiday Stocking Kit - Our Holiday Stocking kits now come with a video class that teaches you how to knit this gorgeous stocking from start to finish. You can knit one up for them or get them the gift of learning a new skill!

10. Sunbeam Stripe Sweater Kit - Speaking of new skills, empower them to knit their first sweater with a Sunbeam Stripe Sweater kit! The kit also comes with a video course that walks you through every step of the way. The Sunbeam is kitted with mini skeins to encourage maximum creative yarn play and it's beginner friendly.

11. Interchangeable Needle Case - Designed with the goal of being the prettiest interchangeable needle case on the market, our needle case is made from our 100% cotton Wildflower fabric and embellished with floral ribbon trims from India's inspiring trim markets. This case is designed to hold interchangeable needles ranging in size from US 2 (2.75mm) to US 17 (12mm). There is a pocket on one side for any notions you may want to tuck in there, like a needle gauge tool or your needle cords. 

12. Faux Fur Pom Poms - These are the most amazing faux fur pom poms that I have EVER come across. They are all animal friendly, so no real fur is used to make them. Each one is handmade in Austria and is a work of art in itself. The colors are stunning! I especially love that they are matte, super soft and fluffy. They have a cotton twill tape ribbon attached to them so that you can easily remove them whenever you like. 

13. The Dreamy Beanie - Speaking of poms, our Dreamy Beanie pattern is the perfect quick knit to wip up for the gifting season and it looks great with and without a pom! Find the free pattern here.

14. Knitting Mastery Bundle - Can't decide? The knitting mastery bundle has it all and more! 

15. Knit Collage Electronic Gift Card - Not sure what yarn they need for their next project? Get them a Knit Collage e-gift card delivered straight to their inbox! Our gift cards are available in $50 increments and can include special gift messages and timed delivery. Plus, you don't have to worry about whether they will arrive in time for your occasion!

I hope you enjoyed this little gift guide and found some yarny goodness to treat that extra special someone to this holiday season 😊