She told me that they kept a matrix on the wall. Different types of knitters. Different body types. Different skill levels. Different aesthetics. And when they curated a collection, they worked deliberately to make sure there was something in it for each of them.

Think about what that means.

If you open Rowan Magazine 79 and love every single pattern in it, that's not a sign of good taste. It's actually a sign that Rowan failed — that they designed for only one kind of knitter, and that knitter happened to be you.

A well-curated collection is supposed to have things that aren't for you.

I find this enormously liberating. And I think you will too.

Magazine 79 is organized into three editorial stories, and once you know that, the whole collection makes more sense.

Meadow is high summer and color. Wildflowers, warmth, that particular kind of English countryside abundance. The patterns here — Teasel, Lupin, Honeysuckle, Gorse — have a softness and femininity to them. Wraps that drape. Tops with a certain ease. If your summer aesthetic leans toward gardens and linen and the feeling of being unhurried, Meadow is your story.

Regatta is nautical and classic and a little bit crisp. Helm, Spinnaker, Knots, Gale — these are names that belong on a boat, or at least on the dock watching one. Clean lines. Strong structure. There's even a unisex sensibility running through some of them, which Rowan doesn't always explore. If you dress for function as much as beauty, if you prefer your clothes to look intentional rather than romantic, Regatta might be yours.

Voyage is the one in the middle. Relaxed elegance. Nothing trying too hard. Field sits here — a plain sweater that is not plain at all once you understand what a well-executed simple garment actually requires. This is the story for the knitter who has stopped chasing trends and started curating.

You are probably drawn to one of these more than the others. That pull is information.

Here's another thing I want to say about knitting magazines that nobody quite says out loud.

They're selling a life, not just a pattern.

The photography, the locations, the styling — all of it is aspirational by design. A woman sitting in a sun-drenched English garden in a beautifully draped cotton top isn't just modeling a sweater. She's offering you a version of yourself. A version that has the afternoon light and the garden and the particular kind of unhurried ease that a hand-knit garment implies.

There is nothing wrong with this. Rowan is doing their job beautifully.

But there is a real tension — one that I think most knitters have felt and few have named — between knitting for the life you want and the life you have.

We've all done it. Fallen for the photograph. Knit the thing. Put it on. And stood there wondering why it doesn't look like that. And the answer is often not the knitting. The answer is that you were dressing for the meadow, not for your actual Tuesday.

The photograph is an invitation. Your job is to decide whether you actually want to RSVP. And you can respond with an alternate idea.  

I changed the colors. Amy changed the colors, the collar and the trim.  That's more than okay - that's the idea.

This is where knowing yourself — your body, your aesthetic, your actual life — becomes as important as knowing how to knit.

Which patterns in this collection are genuinely for you? Which ones are for the version of you that lives in a different climate or wears different shoes or has different Tuesdays? And which ones are for someone else entirely — not better or worse, just different?

We have kits available now for our favorite patterns from Magazine 79. The links are below. But before you click, I'd encourage you to ask the question first: which story are you in?

[Link to Rowan Magazine 79 kits collection]

Understanding how to match a pattern to your body, your aesthetic, and your actual life is one of eight things I teach inside the Crazy for Ewe Sweater System. If that kind of thinking appeals to you, the door is here.

[CSS link]

~Ellen

I was at the top of my class in French and literature. Thermo and E-sci were another matter entirely. At  some point the it became clear to me (and everyone except my father) that a change of direction was in order. 

But I did learn a few things in those two years. Calculus. Chemistry. And Frankenstein.

Not the movie. The book. Mary Shelley’s actual novel, which my engineering program assigned because the UVA faculty believed — correctly, I think — that engineers need a healthy dose of liberal arts. This particular book was intended to teach future engineers that just because you can build something, doesn’t mean you should.

The Frankenstein franchise has been framed as a horror genre. But in truth, it is a deeply moving psychological tragedy. Here was a man, Dr. Frankenstein, whose life’s ambition drove him to "penetrate the secrets of nature" and banish disease, aiming to become a pioneer in science. He envisioned creating a thing of beauty and grace,  and every choice he made for the creature was to that end.  Impressive stature, lustrous black hair, pearly white teeth. Each element, considered on its own, was just what one might want.

But together, against the undeniable fact that  of a creature that was literally undead, these well-chosen components became something not beautiful but gruesome. 

Dr. Frankenstein, bemoans the two years spent, forming this creature. The despair made that much more poignant by the anticipation.

It might be a little overly dramatic, but I know that we’ve all felt a measure of that despair on finishing a disappointing sweater. 

I think about it sometimes when I’m on Ravelry. Projects that have been a horrible disappointment to their creator. I know, because I've been there

A hideous example of poor yarn choice on my part

If you’ve spent any time browsing project pages — and I know you have — you’ve seen it too. The same pattern, knit by dozens of different people, producing wildly different results. Some versions are stunning and make you want to cast on right away. 

Others are… well, let’s just say, less than inspiring. 

Same pattern. Perfectly skilled knitter ,

It’s almost always the yarn.

I understand. Variegated yarn is beguiling.   Beautiful colors. They look like a happiness.  All your favorite colors are in there. Usually hand dyed and often high contrast with fanciful names that speak to your soul. Cozy Autumn Fires. Rainbow Unicorn Berries. American Pie. 

So you take it home because of course you do. You can’t wait to wind  it, and your 4 inch swatch is playful and alive.  You love it so much you might cry

About halfway through you think,  “Wow, those unicorn berries were brighter than I realized.” 

But you soldier on, adding sleeves and finishing the neckline. 

And now, as you put it on and bring it to full life, you’re Dr. Frankenstein, face-to-face with the depressing knowledge that you just spent a considerable amount of time creating something you despise. 

So where did this all go wrong?

 It isn’t you. You’re a good knitter, and you did a good job on the sweater.

It isn’t the pattern. It’s lovely. Dozens of successful examples exist.

It isn’t the yarn. You still love that yarn, and it is undeniably beautiful 

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about variegated yarn and sweaters.

The yarn has too much personality for the project.

Those high contrast variegated colorways — the ones with both lights and darks  — are spectacular in socks. Wonderful in a hat. Fine in a scarf.  At that scale, the colorway gets to be exactly what it is: playful, expressive, a little wild. 

But in a sweater, something shifts. The eye doesn’t know where to go. It keeps searching for a place to rest and can’t find one. Not because you did anything wrong. Because the yarn doesn’t  work the same at that scale.

It’s not that variegated is always wrong. I’ve seen genuinely beautiful sweaters in hand-dyed yarn. But the colorways that work at scale share something in common.  They’re low contrast. if you took a black and white photograph of the yarn, it would read as almost one color.

That’s the test.

Low contrast on the left, high contrast on the right

When all the colors in a variegated yarn have the same value — the same relative lightness or darkness — the eye reads the fabric as unified even though it’s technically multicolored. The variation is there, but it’s subtle. It hums rather than shouts.

When you have true lights and darks jumping randomly across the fabric, the eye is working constantly. It’s not enjoying the sweater. It’s exhausted by it.

That’s why it feels wrong even when you can’t quite name why.

The same principle runs in the other direction.

A complex stitch pattern — cables, lace, anything with real architectural structure to the stitch pattern — needs a yarn that steps back. Solid. Tonal. Low contrast variegated at most. The stitch is doing the talking. The yarn needs to let it.

When both elements are trying to be the star, neither one wins.

We don’t have to make the monster ourselves. Ravelry has done us the favor of archiving thousands of them, right alongside the sweaters that got it exactly right.

The difference, once you see it, is very hard to unsee.

That kind of seeing — understanding not just how to knit but how to make decisions about what you’re creating — is what I teach inside the Crazy for Ewe Sweater System. If you’ve ever finished a sweater and felt vaguely unsettled without being able to name why, a look at the yarn is a great place to start.

~Ellen

This week's video goes more deeply into value and how to assess it. Subscribe to be notified when the video goes live.  

I opened Crazy for Ewe because I wanted a place. Not just a place to sell yarn — though I love the yarn — but a place to be. A third place, as they call it. Somewhere that isn't home, isn't work, is just... yours. A table to sit down at. People who speak your language. A room where you never have to explain why you have four bags with you.

Local Yarn Store Day is the one day a year the whole knitting world decides to celebrate that — and I want us to celebrate it together.

Saturday, April 25th, we open at 11am and we are ready for you.

Here's what we've pulled together for this day.

We brought in special hand-dyed yarns from Tea Time Fibers — thoughtfully chosen, beautiful, and available in limited quantities. If one of them speaks to you, don't wait. These are the ones that don't come back.

Every person who comes through the door will get a limited edition LYS Day pin — a small thing, but a real one. A keepsake for the day.

Spend $100 or more and you'll receive a free stitch marker. Hit $150 and we add a notions tin. Both are limited edition, made for this day only.

Pick up two skeins of sock yarn and we'll send you home with a free Casapinka shawl pattern — an easy, satisfying project that lets your yarn do what it was born to do.

We'll have lemonade. We'll have cookies. Bring your knitting and plan to stay longer than you think.

If you're not able to be here in person, I still want you to feel included. From 11am to 3pm Eastern, we'll have a limited selection online — Tea Time Fibers yarn, LYS Day notions tins and stitch markers, while supplies last. Online orders placed that day will also get a little LYS Day surprise from us.

It's not quite the same as being around the table. But it's our way of keeping the door open for everyone.

One more thing

At 2pm, the first live cohort of the Crazy for Ewe Sweater System begins — online, with dozens of students who are ready to change how they knit sweaters forever. I'll be with them.

Which means if you're planning to join us for LYS Day and you're one of those students — you've got a beautiful window. Come in at 11, browse, sit down, have a cookie. You'll be home and at your computer in plenty of time.

And if the Sweater System has been on your radar but you're not in this cohort yet — it's worth knowing it exists. This is the door enter.

Come early if you have your eye on something. Come later if lemonade and conversation are more your speed. Come for the whole thing if you can.

I look forward to seeing you in the shop and around the table.

You are always welcome here.

~Ellen

A while back, Beth bought a book called Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat. After a quick look she decided it wasn't for her. Lucky me. I sat down and read it cover to cover like a novel. I couldn't get enough.

I have been cooking for more than forty years and have learned my way around a kitchen. I know what I like, and I have fed a lot of people very happily over the decades.

But I learned something from Samin Nosrat that stopped me in my tracks.

Salt cancels sour.

I had always thought that when a salad dressing was too sharp, too acidic, it needed more oil or maybe a pinch of sugar. It never occurred to me that salt was the answer. I use that knowledge all the time now in everything from salad dressing to tomato sauce.

The science goes both ways too. I know, because a squeeze of lemon rescued a pot of over-salted stew recently.

Forty years of cooking, and I was still working with an incomplete picture.

The thing about learning by doing

Here is the thing about learning by doing: it will take you very far. Trial and error is a real teacher, and there is no substitute for experience. But experience alone has gaps in it — gaps you don't even know are there, because you've been getting along fine without the missing piece.

You don't know what you don't know.

If I had gone to culinary school, someone would probably have told me about salt and sour on day one. But I didn't go to culinary school. I just started cooking, and I learned what I learned, and the rest stayed invisible.

Knitting is the same.

You can knit beautifully for twenty years and still be working with an incomplete picture. Not because you aren't talented or haven't put in the time, but because there has never been a culinary school for knitters. There is no place that teaches the whole ecosystem — the why behind the what, the principles underneath the pattern, the understanding that lets you stop following instructions and start making decisions. You learned what someone showed you, or what YouTube offered, or what trial and error painfully revealed. That knowledge is real and valuable.

But the gaps are still there. Quietly. Invisibly.

That is exactly what I built the Crazy for Ewe Sweater System to address.

Not to teach you to knit. You already know how to knit. I built it to give you the missing pages — the ones about how sweaters actually work, why different sweaters fit the way they do, why yarn and fabric behaves the way it does, and how to make choices with confidence instead of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.

Because knowing why salt cancels sour doesn't make you a different cook overnight. But it can change everything you make from that moment on.

Learn more about the Crazy for Ewe Sweater System — Saturdays at 2pm Eastern time starting April 25th.

~Ellen

TL;DR: Salt cancels sour — and I didn't know that after forty years of cooking. Knitting has the same kind of missing pages. That's exactly what the Sweater System is for.

And the week before that, I was completely absorbed in something I've been building behind the scenes for a long time.

I've been working on the Crazy for Ewe Sweater System.

Not just the content — which has honestly been two decades in the making — but all the invisible work that goes into actually offering something like this. The structure. The worksheets. The session planning. The things nobody sees but that have to be right before you can open the door.

(You know how this goes. It's like that invisible work that I talked about behind a great sweater.  The knitting is only part of the story.)

And now, the door is open.

The Crazy for Ewe Sweater System is a six-week live intensive starting April 25th. It's the most organized and complete version of what I've been teaching in the shop, in Club Crazy for Ewe, and in one-on-one conversations for more than twenty years.

It's not about techniques. You already have those.

It's about understanding how sweaters actually work — construction, ease, fit, pattern literacy, finishing, style — so that you stop guessing and start knowing.

If you've been following along in the blog, you already know what I mean. This program is where that thinking becomes a framework you can use on every sweater you knit from here forward.

Six live sessions. Lifetime access to the recordings. Worksheets and decision tools. And me, teaching the thing I know best.

Enrollment is open now, and the program begins April 25th.

Read all the details and enroll here

If you have questions, feel free to put them in the comments, or email me directly.  I will get right back to you. 

Warmly,
Ellen

The invisible work

It’s funny how many things in life look effortless from the outside.

You see a finished sweater and think, oh, she knit a sweater.

But anyone who has ever knit one knows that the knitting itself is only part of the story.

Before you even cast on you:

• Choose yarn
• Choose a color (the hardest part)
• Swatch
• Think about size and fit
• Adjust where you need
• Study the pattern and make sure you actually understand what it's telling you to do

Once the knitting is finished, there’s the quiet work at the end.

• Blocking
• Seaming (even seamless garments have seams)
• Picking up stitches for a neckline or button band
• Weaving in the ends

Only then do you really have a sweater.

Of course, you don’t have to do all that.

You can simply knit the thing, bind it off, and hand it to whoever it happens to fit. Plenty of people do. And there’s nothing wrong with that if the goal is simply to make something fast.

But most of the knitters I know --and certainly you --want something more than that.

We want sweaters we’re proud to wear.

And that takes a little more care.

I was thinking about this today because I’ve spent most of the day working on the behind-the-scenes pieces of a few projects we have coming up: building the framework for the Confident Sweater System, writing the detailed itinerary for our South of France trip next year, and getting ready for my trip to Cologne to see the new yarns and designs for this fall.

From the outside, those things will simply appear.

But nothing happens without tons of preparation.

You’ve got to book the hotel or you don’t have a place to stay. I suppose you could end up in a hostel somewhere and call it an adventure, but that’s not exactly the experience we’re going for. Got to get the train timing down and the tickets bought, and on and on. So many little things to cover.

And choosing yarn for the shop, especially yarn that will become part of our own brand, is a little like knitting a sweater.

It’s a big investment, and I want to choose well.

It’s easy to make something that’s okay.

A sweater that’s just fine.
A trip that’s not bad.
A course that’s good enough.

But making something truly great? Well, that takes a little more effort, doesn’t it?

You know, once you’ve experienced the difference between good enough and great, it’s hard to go back. Fortunately, once you understand what you’re doing, you can relax and the process begins to feel calm and natural. Not easy, because that would be boring, but just challenging enough --and that’s kind of the whole goal, isn’t it?

Does your knitting feel like that? Tell me in the comments.

Warmly,
Ellen

I always ask the team to go through the booklets and choose their favorites. Everyone uses a different colored sticky note, but even without that, I can pretty much tell you who's chosen what. 

And we almost never choose the same thing.

Ginni gravitates toward tailored, slightly sporty silhouettes. Mary's eye goes straight to the accessories. I tend to prefer things with a long line and lots of drape.  After so many years, none of us is surprised by what the others pick.

And that’s the point.

Taste is not random.

Rowan works incredibly hard to offer a wide range of silhouettes, constructions, and proportions in every collection. There are drop shoulders and structured set-in sleeves. Relaxed layering pieces and more tailored jackets. Each one styled beautifully. Each one thoughtfully designed.

But here’s what experience teaches:

You can admire a sweater and know it isn’t yours. 

I LOVE the cabled sleeveless tops like Knots, but over the years, I have knit (and given away) enough garments like that to know better now.

I have learned that I can appreciate the beauty of a garment without feeling obligated to add it to my wardrobe.

That's discernment. The ability to look past styling and see construction, ease, proportion, is crucial to successful knitting, and once you have it, you never look at a pattern collection the same way.  

It’s the difference between flipping through a magazine and feeling overwhelmed…tempted by everything and flipping through and knowing ...

This is the one.  Not that one. This one.

Even when two sweaters seem very similar.  A lot of it is in the details.  It's subtle but important.  Here's an example. Tell me what you think in the comments.

The new Rowan magazine launches this week, and I’m opening pre-orders now.

If you love thoughtful design, elegant photography, and the quiet pleasure of studying a collection the way a designer would, you’ll want this one.

On YouTube this week, I’ll walk through the collection and share what I’m noticing.

Because the goal isn’t to knit everything.

The goal is to learn what works for you and be able to see patterns clearly through that lens.

Pre-order your copy here → [link]

But my favorite part was, as always, the Show and Share brunch.

The Show and Share brunch is the perfect place to show off, and frankly, that’s what it’s about. Not in a "Hey look at what an awesome knitter I am, and you aren’t" kind of way. Because that’s not who the Crazy for Ewe community is.

"It’s first about giving our knitters a place to finally receive the validation of their effort that only other knitters can give."

Take dear Jal’s stunning Hunslet. She has a wonderful husband who most certainly told her what a great job she’d done, but only another knitter truly knows what goes into a project like that. Only another knitter understands why so many Hunslets are half-done, and why Jal’s finished Hunslet is such a triumph.

But even more than that, there is something about seeing garments on real women that changes how we see patterns.

This weekend, Ludham, Terrazzo, and Lova made multiple appearances. Same pattern. Same yarn, and yet… completely different sweaters.

Take Regina and Jana both knit Ludham in Mode Softest Alpaca, but they had each done different necklines.

Here's the photo of the Ludham. Regina saw that and said, "Those sleeves will make me crazy," so she tapered them. She also adjusted the neckline.

Jana also adjusted the neckline as well as the hem, giving her an easier fit.  Add in that each of us made size decisions for different amounts of ease.  The overall effect? Entirely personal and just right for each woman. 

The same happened with the Lova.

Monika and Keisha made exactly the same color, but they're still subtly different as each wanted.

Keisha's on the right has slightly narrower sleeves, and Monika's is a bit longer. 

Nicole made hers longer and added an A-line shape for a swingy feel and better fit.

When you stop following and start editing

That’s the thing. You can look at a pattern photo online and think you’re seeing the sweater. But you’re really just seeing a suggestion. You are free to knit and finish your sweater however you like.

In the early stages of sweater knitting, we treat the pattern like it’s the law. If it says three inches of ease, we choose the size that gives us three inches. If it says this neckline depth, we knit that neckline depth. Because deviating feels dangerous.

But somewhere along the way, you realize the pattern is not sacred. It’s a starting point.

• You can lower a neckline two inches.
• You can turn the neckline (or not).
• You can shorten the body.
• You can add ease—or subtract it.

That’s competence in understanding a pattern and confidence in your own personal style.

The personal edit

I have two Terrazzos in my own wardrobe. Same pattern. Different ease. Different neckline. Different length. Different hemline. They feel like two entirely different garments.

I’m not breaking the rules. I’m looking at what the pattern is trying to help me create and deciding where I want to make it my own. That’s the shift.

What I saw at brunch

What struck me most wasn’t the knitting skill. It was the confidence. Women looking at their own sweaters and saying:

• “I wanted it to sit here.”
• “I didn’t love the neckline as written.”
• “I wanted a little more/less ease.”

No apology. No hesitation.

That’s what sweater mastery looks like in real life. And it’s earned by learning, trying, doing. Repeat.

Where this fits in the bigger picture

When we talk about the 8 domains of sweater knitting and the Rings of Confidence, this is what we’re moving toward. It’s not just about knitting technique or polished finishing. It’s about thoughtful independence.

The ability to see a pattern, understand what that kind of construction will and won’t do, and how to make it yours. That’s part of what you’ll learn in the Crazy for Ewe Sweater System I’m offering in April, and it's the understanding we deepen in Club Crazy for Ewe.

It's what takes sweater knitting out of the realm of hoping it will fit to knowing it will work

The Show and Share Brunch is about seeing what’s possible. And once you understand that you don’t have to follow the pattern exactly, you’re on your way to knitting sweaters that fit perfectly and look great on you, and sweater knitting is on a whole other level.

One carry-on, one personal item, and that’s it. No checked bags, no excess. But inside that personal item--every single time--there’s a knitting project.

Because let’s be honest: airplanes are not exactly known for their pleasures. The snacks are…fine. The drinks are minimal. Unless you’re flying first-class international, you’re not exactly being spoiled.

So I make my own luxury.

Usually that means popping in my AirPods and listening to a really good book, with a small knitting project in a luxurious yarn that feels delicious in my hands.

A small knitting project as a treat

This week I’m starting my first Sophie Scarf. I know...everyone on the planet has already knit a dozen or so, but I’m a little behind on this, ok. Don’t judge.

But I get it. I see why it’s become such a phenomenon.

It’s clean and modern, with that quietly elegant Scandinavian look that works with just about everything. The scale is just right, and it sits beautifully around the neck in a way that feels casual and practical rather than self-consciously decorative.

In a gorgeous yarn, it’s deeply satisfying to knit and ever so fabulous to wear. Soft, warm, and luxurious right where it counts--at your neck, close to your face. It’s small, so even in cashmere, it’s not going to break the bank, and it’s perfect for travel knitting. Simple enough to relax into, but still engaging.

Why the Sophie Scarf is a starting point, not an ending

If you love the Sophie Scarf, you don’t need to abandon it to explore something new.

But there are other small scarf projects with that same general shape that capture the same spirit--clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and a sense of quiet luxury--while offering a different knitting experience.

Sometimes that difference is texture.
Sometimes it’s construction.
Sometimes it’s just enough novelty to keep your brain happily engaged at 35,000 feet.

Because here’s the thing.

Sometimes, especially on longer flights, I want what I call black box knitting.

Black box knitting is the kind of knitting that requires your full and complete attention. The kind where, ideally, you’d be sitting in a literal black box with no distractions at all. No multitasking. Just you, the yarn, and the stitches.

I don’t get much time for that kind of knitting in everyday life. But airplanes? Just hours and hours stuck in a seat. I want a project that’s going to absorb me so thoroughly that time has no meaning.

And this is where projects diverge, in the best possible way.

As the old commercial says, sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.

Most of the time I like boring knitting. Sometimes I don’t.

There’s a place, and a project, for all of it, from simple and meditative to knitting that keeps you focused and happily distracted from takeoff to landing.

You choose. I’m just here to show you some options, which is exactly what I’ll be doing in the video coming out this Wednesday. I’ll be sharing a collection of Sophie Scarf alternatives that give you choices. Same spirit, different expressions. Perfect for cold weather, travel knitting, and those moments when you want something small that still feels special.

And if you are traveling, whether you’re listening to a book, staring out the window, or fully absorbed in your stitches, a delicious project makes all the difference.

And a piece of dark chocolate doesn’t hurt either.

Warmly,
Ellen

Not a resolution, exactly, but a shift. A freshening up. A way to come back to what we care about with a little more clarity and intention.

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing inside Club Crazy for Ewe.

If you don't know, Club Crazy for Ewe is a program that will help you knit sweaters that fit perfectly, look professional, and are a joy to make, and over the past several years, our members have transformed their sweater knitting.    

But it's been a few years, and I’ve been quietly re-vamping the program: re-recording our foundational videos—refining, simplifying, and bringing them even more in line with what knitters actually need to know to make sweaters that fit and look polished.  I’ve created new checklists for every level in Sweater Eweniversity, a beautiful new measurement guide, and I'm drafting a graphic that pulls together all the skills we work on inside the club.

That graphic is more than just a picture, and I'm really proud of it.  There are so many facets to sweater knitting that overlay the my Sweater Eweniversity, and I've struggled with how to represent everything, but late last year, I hit on and image that represents everything, and I'm super happy about it. Just as I am about the club and the new, structured way it will help you get from wherever you are to confidently and consistently turning out sweaters that fit perfectly and look great. 

The revamp is not quite ready to launch just yet because I want to shoot a few more videos, but I couldn’t wait to tell you that it’s coming. Because this year, more than ever, I want the club to be a place where you feel supported, inspired, and confident in your sweater-making journey.

We’re kicking off the year with a Chanel-inspired set-in sleeve cardigan—a beautifully wearable piece that’s all about polish and fit. It’s going to be so good.

If you’re already in the club, you’ll see the new materials rolling out soon. If you’re not yet a member, now is a perfect time to get on the waitlist. The best is absolutely ahead.

Have questions about the Club?  Email me at hello@crazyforewe.com and we can chat.  

Wishing you a wonderful shiny new 2026 full of sweaters that fit perfectly and make you proud to wear.  

Hugs,

Ellen

The samples were folded, the skeins all aligned,
Each label just right—they had details in mind.

Ginni, in her sweater so beautifully styled,
Had sketches spread out—her design running wild.
“No rush,” she said coolly, with pencil in hand,
“Good shaping takes time…and I have a plan.”

Whitney was there with her cute little sweater,
Leading a knitalong, now what could be better!.
“Now let’s bind this off,” she said with a wink,
“we’ll do the Italian—it’s easier than you think.”

Mary was cozy, a shawl in her hand,
awaiting the arrival of her Wednesday band
“I’ve just done a cowl, oh wait, make that two”
“I really can’t help it, I love something new”

While Jenny, of course, with sock yarn divine,
Worked two at a time (why not? She’s so fine).

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
The team looked around to see what was the matter.
The moon on the bay cast a silvery glow—
So bright you might even stop knitting mid-row.

“It’s fine,” said Ginni, without any pause,
“I know this old story… it’s just Santa Claus.”

But no—’twas not Santa, no reindeer in sight,
That would be entirely too predictable tonight.

Instead it was Ellen, holding the reins,
In a sleigh overflowing with beautiful skeins.
In her pink sweater (it’s always the same),
She urged her sheep on and called  each one by name:

“On Polwarth! On Leicester! On Shetland and Cormo!
On Targhee! On Cotswold! Herdwick! Merino!”

From the top of the hill past the trees on the square,
Those sheep pulled the sleigh through the cold winter air.

At the door was our Keisha, sweet smile on her face,
Our shy sweater knitter, with the warmest embrace.
“Come in,” she said gently, “You’re here right on time,
We’re talking about sleeves… and finishing just fine.”

And Lori was there, adding yarns to the site
So careful and detailed, putting everything is just right.
Dreaming of sweaters and cruising the sea,
“Everything’s loaded,” she said, “Glory Be!”

Then in came Nicole with a sparkle and sway,
Arms full of Tea Time in colors that slay.
Mini sets dancing, each palette a dream,
“Just wait for what’s next,” she proudly did beam.

So why were we gathered so late in the store,
This beautiful team—each one I adore?

We’re here to say something to friends near and far:
We love and appreciate you—wherever you are.

On-line or in person, you are a delight  

Merry Christmas, happy knitting, and to all a good night

With love,
Ellen, Ginni, Mary, Jenny, Whitney, Nicole, Keisha, and Lori

A holiday sweater without the holiday stress

This is not the week for complicated construction or intricate finishing. What does work beautifully right now are simple silhouettes paired with yarns that bring texture, glow, sparkle, or color to the fabric all on their own.

Two yarns in particular really shine here—and happily, they knit at the same bulky gauge so whatever you knit will work up fast fast.

Two yarns, one gauge, different personalities

Alpaca Sparkle

We’ve talked about Rowan’s Alpaca Sparkle before. It’s quietly festive in the best way. Soft, drapey, and gently luminous in subtle, understated neutrals.  It creates fabric that feels special without shouting about it. The sparkle is subtle and it’s absolutely lovely in simple stockinette or more complicated lace patterns.

Sweaters and accessories in Alpaca Sparkle work for dinner out, splashy events, or simply elevated everyday.  It’s elegant, wearable, and more versatile than you might expect.

Juniper Moon Lumina Gradient

Juniper Moon’s Lumina is a gradient yarn in a different mood.  The colors are stronger with slow shifts that create movement and interest across the fabric. It’s a little more relaxed and fun, with colors that evolve row by row. It’s playful, modern, and perfect for knitters who want something visually engaging with minimal fuss. Shop the yarn here: https://www.crazyforewe.com/products/juniper-moon-lumina

Patterns that work beautifully for both

Because these yarns knit at the same gauge (did I mention bulky??), you can choose your pattern once—and then decide whether you want sparkle or color to lead the way.

A few favorites that work especially well:

Emma Version A (CocoKnits)
A clean, modern shape with a little architectural interest. I especially love turning this one around and wearing it with the deep vee in the back. In Alpaca Sparkle it feels elegant; in a gradient, it’s dramatic. 

Ursa
Similar to Emma, but more size-inclusive, Ursa is beautifully straightforward, and a wonderful canvas for either yarn. This is a very “trust the pattern” sweater, worked in the round, so it's great when you want something simple and flattering.

Golden Dream
A lovely balance of simplicity and interest, with a subtle stitch pattern placed where it really matters. It gives you something enjoyable to knit without slowing you down.

And of course all of our Alpaca Sparkle kits here:

These are sweaters you can settle into—projects that feel manageable during a busy season and still give you something special at the end.

Not in the mood for a sweater? How about a quick treat

Sometimes, even a simple sweater feels like too much commitment—and that’s perfectly fine.

There are plenty of small, quick accessories in both yarns.  I love this little shawl for the Lumina

Not about the sparkle but still want a little treat?  

Very few yarns are as deeply satisfying as Clinton Hill Bespoke Cashmere. One or two balls is all it takes to create something truly luxurious.

Here are some inspirations

Classic Bespoke projects  Timeless, soft, and wonderfully indulgent. A quick knit that feels far more special than the time it takes.

Studio Beret
A flattering, fun little hat that knits up quickly and feels like a treat—either as a gift or for yourself. This one takes two skeins of Bespoke Cashmere 

These are perfect “in-between” projects: quick to finish, deeply satisfying, and lovely to give or to wear.

Happy knitting, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Warmly,

Ellen

I love a silk mohair, but not everyone does.

I get it.

I am working steadily on my Kiki sweater with Ito So Kosho and Sensai. I love these two yarns and the fabric they make, but I will admit to missing one of the mohair strands every so often – and I’m a pretty good knitter. If you love the look of that soft halo silk mohair brings, but not always the experience of knitting with it, you’ll be happy to know that you can get a similar effect with a single yarn. You can have beautiful drape, soft haze, lovely texture, and none of the challenges that sometimes come with mohair.

Let’s talk about it.

Why we love silk mohair (and why designers use it constantly)

Silk mohair has become the secret weapon in modern knitwear. Designers like PetiteKnit and Caidree use it to elevate even the simplest stockinette sweaters. Mohair brings:

• soft, feminine halo
• lovely drape
• flexible gauge
• a chic elegant fabric

A beautiful fabric is perfect for those simple, pared-back Scandinavian patterns with their clean lines, simple shapes, and all the interest in the yarn itself.

But even devoted knitters will quietly admit a few things:

• holding two strands together can feel fiddly
• frogging mohair is not fun
• Some folks are sensitive to mohair
• Mohair can shed a bit
• the cost of buying two yarns adds up quickly

So what if there were a yarn that gave you the halo, the softness, the drape… without the double-stranding, stickiness, or shedding?

There is.

Enter Rowan Fine Tweed Haze

Rowan Fine Tweed Haze is a gorgeous blend of alpaca and wool that delivers that same soft-focus halo, no mohair required. It’s a true DK weight, so you only need one strand, one ball, and one gauge to think about. Simple, elegant, easy.

I love that this yarn has a smidge of tweed, so it creates a fabric that’s interesting without being overwhelming. It’s perfect for those sweaters that are simple and plain, relying on gorgeous fabric to make their statement. So if you’ve ever loved the idea of mohair but not working with it, this yarn is going to feel like a gift.

A fun twist: many Fine Tweed Haze patterns are now on Ravelry

Fine Tweed Haze debuted with Rowan Magazine 74, where it appeared in several beautiful designs. For a long time, those patterns were available only in the magazine, which meant I couldn’t kit them up for you.

But the other day, I realized that those patterns are now available individually on Ravelry.

This means I can finally offer complete kits with yarn + pattern for you. I’ve put my favorites together into a curated collection you can browse here:

https://www.crazyforewe.com/collections/fine-tweed-haze-projects

There are cardigans, pullovers, and accessories that put this beautiful yarn center stage.

As I said, Fine Tweed Haze is a perfect substitute for any pattern that calls for two or more yarns held together and knit at a DK gauge. Here are a few of my favorites that you can knit with Rowan Fine Tweed Haze without wrangling two strands or managing mohair:

• No Frills Sweater – PetiteKnit
• Oslo Sweater – PetiteKnit
• Stockholm Sweater – PetiteKnit
• Harlow Sweater – Caidree

And truly, there are dozens more. I did a quick browse on Ravelry and found tons of designs written for a DK mohair fabric that would be beautiful in Fine Tweed Haze.

If you’ve wanted that chic, wear-everywhere Scandinavian look but haven’t wanted to juggle two yarns, this is your moment.

You can see all the kits, including the newly Ravelry-available patterns, right here:

https://www.crazyforewe.com/collections/fine-tweed-haze-projects

We have several trees at home, mostly because we have far too many ornaments for just one, but partly because each has a different mood. Our living room/dining room tree is the elegant one: white lights, gold balls, and my mother’s lovingly collected White House ornaments. Beautiful, classic, polished… exactly right for that space.

But my favorite tree? The big one in the family room. It stands an unapologetic 12 feet tall, full of multicolored lights and the ornaments that tell our family story. Popsicle-stick picture frames from preschool days, hand-painted treasures from vacations, fancy blown-glass ornaments, and sentimental pieces from quiet trips for just the two of us. From far away, it looks like a riot of festive color. But up close, it’s magic -- every ornament with its own memory and meaning.

Noro is exactly like that tree

Noro yarns are a symphony of color and texture. They're joyful, surprising, and full of personality. The colors shouldn’t work together, but of course, they do. They always do. And Noro’s newest yarn, Tensan, brings that spirit to life in the most beautiful way.

What makes Tensan so special

Noro Tensan is a luxurious blend of 68% silk and 32% wool, and you feel that combination from the very first stitch. The silk lends a warm, subtle glow, while the wool brings bounce, structure, and a soft rustic texture that creates an interesting, highly wearable fabric.

This is a worsted-weight yarn, which makes it wonderfully versatile—you can swap it into almost any pattern that calls for 16–20 stitches per 4 inches. And with six stunning colorways, you’ll find something that speaks to your palette. From a distance, each one reads as pink, aqua, purple, or grey… but get closer, and the magic appears: dozens of tiny flecks and micro-stripes blending together for depth, movement, and dimension.

It’s colorful, but never loud. Variegated, but never chaotic. It’s the perfect blend of vibrant and sophisticated.

Patterns that let Tensan shine

The designers at Noro Magazine understand exactly what makes this yarn special. Their Tensan patterns use clean, simple silhouettes that highlight the yarn’s natural beauty. Stitch patterns like moss stitch and reverse stockinette emphasize Tensan’s texture and the subtle tonal shifts that make it so captivating.

To make it easy (and tempting!), we’ve created three Tensan project kits:

• The Autumn Rivers Cowl – a fun accessory worked in the round in double moss stitch
• The Ayr Vest – a simple, flattering layering piece in reverse stockinette
• The Juno Cardigan – a beautifully easy-fitting dropped-shoulder V-neck cardigan

I’m already swatching and completely smitten. I can’t wait to show you how this yarn knits up and how versatile it really is.

See it all up close

I’ll be sharing all six colorways, swatches, and the full Tensan project kits on YouTube this week so you can get a real feel for the yarn before you cast on. If you're already a Noro lover, this will be such a treat. And if you haven’t tried Noro yet, Tensan is the perfect place to start.

It’s joyful. It’s textured. It’s colorful in that deeply, unmistakably Noro way. And it’s exactly the kind of yarn you want in your hands during the cozy weeks of December.

After a lovely weekend, riding back from New York, I was knitting on my Kiki sweater and thinking about the upcoming week. I started to panic because Thanksgiving is only three days away!  How did almost a week away turn into three days from now???

But then I remembered -- I’d already bought everything. There would be no frantic Monday grocery run when I should be writing this newsletter. No Tuesday scramble between shop hours. No Wednesday elbowing my way through a store packed with every other last-minute person in Southern Maryland. I was, I am, ready -- extra brown sugar and butter included -- and it feels amazing.

For those of you who were born organized, this is your way of operating, but for me, it’s helpful to think of this approach as helping out your future self. I need to visualize where I’ll be and what I’ll be thinking and feeling, and I need to put things in place for my future self. What will I need? What will I wish I’d done? Whether it’s planning Thanksgiving dinner or knitting something a little tricky. You bet I’ll wish I’d put in that lifeline on the last row perfectly executed short row. You know I’ll wish I had an extra set of needles in the sizes that are currently serving as stitch holders in countless WIPs.

Who is the LYKKE Starter Set for?

As I see it, there are at least 4 use cases for these LYKKE starter sets”

1. Established and prolific knitters
2. Beginner Knitters just starting out
3. Knitting in the round devotees
4. Knitters who like to knit in the round on two circulars: 

Why the LYKKE Starter Set Is Perfect for New Knitters

When you’re just getting started, the landscape of knitting tools can feel overwhelming. Do you need every needle size? Which ones will you really use? The beauty of the LYKKE Starter Set is that it simplifies everything.

• The 5" set includes the Goldilocks range of knitting needle sizes, the ones you’ll use again and again:  US 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 plus all the cables and connectors
• The 3.5" set includes a smaller range  US sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

These sizes cover everything most beginners are likely to knit, from fingering weight shawls to chunky sweaters.

It’s curated so thoughtfully, giving newer knitters exactly what they need without drowning them in choices. The needles are polished wood, so they’re smooth but not too slippery. The tip is just pointy enough for most yarns and stitches. Having a set like this gives newer knitters the security of knowing they have what they need, and pulling out an interchangeable set makes you feel more confident.

Why Experienced Knitters Still Need a Starter Set

Let’s be real: even the most seasoned knitters never have enough of the sizes we actually use.

How many times have you said:

“Where is my US 7? I swear I had two of them.”
“My US 6 tips are already on another project… and so are my other US 6 tips.”
“Why do I have four US 9s and no US 5s?”
“I need a 60” US 5 needle for this project and I don’t have it.

It’s universal.

This starter set gives you the needle sizes you reach for most often — ready to go, even when your other tips are tied up in projects.

It’s great as:

• a backup set
• a travel set
• the “keep it in the project bag” set
• the set you loan when you’re teaching a friend
• the set that saves you when inspiration strikes at 10pm

And because all LYKKE interchangeable tips use the same connection, this set plays beautifully with any other LYKKE needles you already own — Driftwood, Indigo, Blush, Colour, Cypra, and even the new Flight needles.

It’s a modular system that grows with you.  

Why the 3.5" set You might also be like me and know that sometimes you just need 16" needles - for hats, starting a top down sweater, etc.  And I just don't have that many. This set gives me just the sizes I'm most likely to use and make it easy to switch to working in the round on two circulars. 

Why Interchangeable Needles Are a Knitter’s Best Friend

Interchangeables make everything easier, and during the holidays — when you might have two, three, or six projects happening at once — they are lifesavers.

They let you:

• swap needle sizes mid-project
• change cable lengths as projects grow
• use two circulars for sleeves or socks
• magic loop anything
• try on sweaters as you knit

They’re flexible, intuitive, and endlessly useful — especially for sweater knitters.

The Perfect Gift (Even If It’s for You)

Needle sets make wonderful gifts because they strike the perfect balance of indulgence and practicality. They feel special. They feel thoughtful. And they make every project easier.

Plus this weekend you can get an extra special bonus to make your purchase even nicer.

Black Friday Weekend: LYKKE Starter Set Bundles at Crazy for Ewe

This holiday weekend, we’re offering a special Starter Set Bundle that includes:

• the LYKKE Starter Set (choose either 3.5" tips or 5" tips set)
• a Crazy for Ewe project pouch
• a Pink Sheep stitch marker

It’s beautifully curated, gift-ready, and available for a great price — but only while supplies last.

The Bottom Line

Being prepared — whether for Thanksgiving dinner or your next knitting project — feels wonderful. The LYKKE Starter Set gives you the knitting equivalent of a stocked pantry: the right sizes, the right tools, all in one place, ready the moment you need them.

Future-you will absolutely thank you for it.

The next thing I knew, my darling husband had ordered me not one, but three new whisks, each each a completely different shape.

Who knew that a whisk was not just a whisk? Not me, certainly.

I turned to the Google and found the following:

• The standard whisk has a flat little sister called a roux whisk that keeps flour from clumping and makes gravy like a dream.
• The French whisk is long and narrow so it can scrape into the corners of a saucepan.
• The balloon whisk is all about air—perfect for whipped cream and egg whites.

Well then.  For years, I had been perfectly content with my middle-of-the-road all-purpose whisk. But now that I’ve experienced the difference, I wouldn’t give up any of those three shapes. Each one does something beautifully that the others don’t.

And, of course, it made me think about knitting (because what doesn't?) and knitting needles.

Just like whisks, not all knitting needle tips do the same job. And understanding which tip works best for which yarn and which type of project can completely transform your knitting experience.

Why Needle Tips Matter More Than We Realize

Knitters often assume that the “best” needle is the sharpest needle. That’s what all the experienced lace knitters say, isn’t it?

“A lace tip will make everything faster, easier, and more precise.”

But a pointy tip is simply a tool, and tools are purpose-driven.

• Some projects absolutely need that precision.
• Others need gentleness.
• Most projects are best with something in between.

Before we talk about tip shapes, though, let’s look at materials.

Wood vs. Metal Needles — Why Material Matters

Your needle material is the foundation. The tip shape fine-tunes the experience.

Wood Needles

• Warm in the hand
• Gentle and slightly grippy
• Moderate tip sharpness
• Excellent for beginners or slippery yarns

Metal Needles

• Smooth and fast
• Can be extremely sharp
• Durable tips
• Best for precision work, lace, and tight stitches

The Three Main Knitting Needle Tip Types

1. Extra-Pointy / “Lace” Tips

Best for:

• Lace weight and fine fingering yarns
• Small needle sizes
• Lace and cables
• ssk, k2tog tbl, nupps, and any maneuver requiring access to tight spaces

Why they’re wonderful:

• Precision
• Control
• Ability to “scoop” tiny loops cleanly
• Makes nupps and double decreases easier

Important reality check:
Many knitters believe that very pointy tips prevent yarn splitting. The truth is that when you're knitting a yarn that tends to split, a sharp tip can make it worse by slipping between loose plies.

Pointy tips are fabulous—but not universal.

2. Standard Tips (Your All-Purpose Needle)

Best for:

• DK, worsted, and Aran yarns
• Stockinette, garter, ribbing, and simple textures
• Most everyday knitting

Standard tips are the all-purpose whisk of the knitting world—balanced, reliable, and unfussy.

Examples include:

• Lykke Driftwood (all colors)
• Rowan needles
• Addi Rockets and Rocket Squared
• Addi Olivewood
• Addi Natura

Most knitters could happily use standard tips for 85% of their projects.

3. Blunt Tips / Ball-Tip Needles

This is the category knitters don’t talk about enough.

Best for:

• Bulky and super bulky yarns
• Bouclé
• Loopy, textured, or novelty yarns
• Splitty medium-weight yarns
• Big, relaxed-gauge projects

Why they matter:
A blunt tip glides between stitches rather than piercing the fibers.

Just like sewing machine needles:

• Woven fabric requires a sharp needle.
• Knit fabric requires a ballpoint needle that slips between the knit stitches.

The same logic applies to knitting needles. A blunt tip is sometimes the only tool that prevents snagging, splitting, and frustration.

The classic example is Addi Turbo needles.

Why “Pointier” Doesn’t Mean “Better”

• A sharp tip can make splitting worse.
• The wrong tip can slow you down.
• Sharp tips can irritate the tip of your finger depending on how you knit.
• Blunt tips are not “beginner needles”—they are specialized tools.

Just like whisks, you need the right shape for the right job.

A Quick Word About the New Lykke Flight Needles

The newest—and probably the sharpest—needle on the market is the Lykke Flight.

I’ll be talking about these in detail in Wednesday’s video, but here’s the short version:

• High-quality surgical stainless steel
• Beautifully smooth
• Truly extra-pointy
• Excellent joins
• No-memory cable
• Perfect for lace, precision knitting, and fine fibers

They’re a wonderful needle for projects that truly benefit from a sharp tip. And when your project doesn’t—well, you’ll be happier with something gentler.

Depending on where you are in your knitting journey, you may not have any sense of the difference between needles and tips—and that’s okay. I cooked perfectly well for more than 40 years with just one whisk, just as my mother and grandmother did.

But when you use a tool perfectly suited to the job at hand, you notice. And suddenly, everything you’re doing is easier and better.

What's your favorite knitting needle and type of tip?  Tell me in the comments!  

Warmly,
Ellen

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• Shop knitting needle sets
• Browse knitting kits
• More knitting technique guides

I am not an expert on wine, but I’m learning, and I love the idea of tasting a Bordeaux beside a California Cabernet Sauvignon to explore how place and process shape flavor and texture. I mean, how different is it, really?

So what does all this have to do with yarn? Quite a lot, actually.

Take Juniper Moon Farm’s new yarn, Rambouillet. I had always thought Rambouillet was just an American Merino,  but being the yarn nerd that I am, I did a deep dive. I found a story that began in 18th-century France and continues today in the plains of the American West.

The Origins of Rambouillet Sheep

Rambouillet sheep are a fine-wool breed with royal roots. In 1786, King Louis XVI imported a small flock of Spanish Merino sheep to his estate in Rambouillet, just outside Paris. Spain had long held a monopoly on fine Merino wool, but the French king wanted to create a domestic source of wool. Over the next several decades, the flock was carefully bred to adapt to France’s cooler climate producing a sheep with a denser fleece and a higher crimp.

Like French wine, the breed took its name from the place. Rambouillet combined the softness of Merino with a little more resilience and loft, and the fiber became prized across Europe. In 1840, it was introduced to America where its dense coat and ability to survive on sparse vegetation made it perfect for the rugged conditions of the American West.

Rambouillet vs. Merino: What’s the Difference?

Fiber Diameter and Staple Length

Both Rambouillet and Merino are classified as fine wools, typically measuring 17.5–24 microns in fiber diameter. Both have staple length between 2” and 5” making them equally soft and luxurious.

Crimp and Elasticity

Rambouillet fleece has a high crimp frequency and a more irregular crimp than Merino. That crimp structure traps lots of air making Rambouillet lofty and warm with a decidedly squooshy feel. That crimp also gives Rambouillet more natural stretch and recovery for a bouncy feel as you knit. It feels lively in your hand.

Hand and Performance

Both Merino and Rambouillet are soft enough for next to the skin wear and have a lovely lustrous feel. Merino may have a bit of an edge in sheen, but a lot depends on how it is spun.. Some say Rambouillet has a slightly longer staple which would give it more durability, but I did not find definitive factual evidence to support that claim.

Juniper Moon Farm Rambouillet

Juniper Moon Farm Rambouillet celebrates everything that makes this fiber so fabulous. It’s spun in Italy from 100% American-grown Rambouillet wool. The result is a worsted-spun yarn that feels smooth and refined, yet full of body and bounce. This was my first experience knitting with 100% Rambouillet, and I will say that there is something inexplicably compelling about this yarn.

We brought in a beautifully wearable palette of neutrals that felt like natural sheep colors and seemed to honor the fiber. Swatching was, as I mentioned, a pure joy. I didn’t want to put this yarn down. It’s happy on a variety of gauges, thanks to that bounce, and makes a beautifully even fabric.

What to Knit with Rambouillet

This yarn is perfect for most everything, except maybe socks. Because this fiber is lofty with great stitch definition, cabled pullovers, and fabrics with a lot of stitch patterning feel less heavy than they might in other yarns. Larger garments will hold their shape well. Here are a couple of garments I think would be perfect in Rambouillet.

Whether you’re drawn to Juniper Moon Farms Rambouillet by the feel and look or by the fact that it’s American grown, I know you will love it. Join me this week on YouTube as I share my swatches and showcase more patterns that would be a perfect paring for this yarn.

WHave you knit with Rambouillet? Tell me in the comments what you think.

Warmly,
Ellen

“Gauge: 24 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches in 1x1 ribbing, slightly stretched.”

That little phrase — slightly stretched — is enough to make even experienced knitters sigh. How stretched is “slightly”? And how do you measure something that wants to shrink the minute you take your hands off it?

Since our Kiki Knit-Along is starting this week (and Kiki is worked entirely in 1x1 rib), let’s walk through exactly how to measure your ribbing gauge so you can get the fabric and the fit just right — without losing your mind in the process.

Why “Slightly Stretched” is so tricky

Ribbing is naturally elastic — that’s why it hugs the body so nicely. But it also means your gauge can vary a lot depending on how much you stretch it.

The good news? You actually have some flexibility here. The bad news? No one can tell you exactly how much to stretch.

For most ribbed garments, the designer expects you to wear the fabric with a little negative ease — meaning it stretches to fit your body. The easiest way to mimic that effect in your swatch is to pin it out gently, the same way the fabric will stretch when worn. Other ribbed garments, like Kiki, are intended to be blocked out to their final width, so you don’t have negative ease. Either way, the concept is the same.

 Kiki swatch before blocking

Step-by-Step: How to Swatch Ribbing for “Slightly Stretched” Gauge

1. Start Your Swatch

• Use the recommended needle size from the pattern.
• Cast on exactly the number of stitches you should have in 4 inches, and work exactly the number of rows the gauge calls for.
• Bind off loosely.
• Ideally, your swatch should be slightly smaller than 4 inches wide — somewhere between 2.75" and 3.5" wide and about 4.25"–4.5" tall.
• If your swatch is already 4" or wider before blocking, your stitches are too loose — go down a needle size (or two if you know you knit loosely).

2. Pin and “Stretch” Your Swatch

• Place your dry swatch on a blocking mat or towel.
• Pin one side at the 0" mark on your ruler and gently ease it open to 4 inches wide.
• Pin the opposite edge in place.
• Repeat top and bottom edges, but be careful — you shouldn’t have to pull hard or distort the ribs.
• You’re not stretching the life out of it — you’re just easing the ribs open, the same way your body will when you wear the finished garment.

3. Check the Height

When you stretch the swatch to 4" in width, it will naturally become shorter.

• If, after pinning, your height also measures about 4 inches, your gauge is spot-on.
• If your swatch becomes too short to pin gently to 4 inches tall, it’s too tight — go up a needle size.
• If your swatch is taller than 4 inches when stretched to 4" wide, your fabric is too loose — go down a needle size.

(That last one’s rare, because if it were that loose, you’d have caught it before pinning.)

4. Steam or Wet Block Carefully

I prefer steam blocking ribbed swatches — it’s faster and less risky. Wool, in particular, can stretch a little too much when wet, so steam gives more control.

If you prefer to wet block, that’s fine too — just don’t manhandle it while it’s saturated. Get as much excess water out of the swatch before you pin it. The principle is the same: get your width right, and see if the height follows.

 Kiki swatch after blocking

5. TL;DR — The Quick Version

• Knit your swatch slightly smaller than 4".
• Gently pin it to 4" wide.
• If the height is also 4" — you’re on gauge.
• If it’s shorter — go up a needle size.
• If it’s longer — go down a needle size.

Why Ribbing Gauge Matters for Kiki

While the Kiki top is not designed to fit close to the body, the ribbing will naturally pull in, so you’ll need to stretch the final garment to the circumference you want. Here’s something to consider: you don’t have to stretch Kiki out. If you like things to fit close to your body, you can leave the ribbing unblocked for some negative ease. Basically, let your body do the blocking. Your fabric will stretch to your measurements when you wear it.

Either way, getting your ribbing gauge right is essential so you’ll end up with a top that’s flattering, comfortable, and fits you exactly the way you want.

If you’re joining our Kiki Knit-Along, this is the perfect time to swatch. Bring your results to kick-off and we’ll help you troubleshoot and celebrate your perfect gauge.

I can't wait to see you at the KAL and work this fun sweater with you!

Warmly,

Ellen

p.s. here's some more stuff about gauge and the Kiki KAL

• Learn more about gauge
• Join the Kiki Knit-Along
• Shop Kiki kits
• Get our clear Crazy for Ewe gauge ruler

Sparkle is having a moment this season. 

Designers everywhere are embracing this “modern glow” in fresh, unexpected ways. Dolce & Gabbana embroidered rhinstone brooches onto black jeans, for a certain over-the top look.  Others, including Chanel, are opting for the subtler look that's much more my speed.  In this context, sparkle becomes more more wearable, elegant, and quietly luxurious. And like most things, it's made its way from runways, to ready-to-wear, to the yarn shop

If you tend to just dismiss sparkle out of hand, I encourage you to take another look this season.  What we're seeing is much more understated and refined.  This is a sparkle that whispers as catches the light and is equally at home in daytime and evening wear.

Think Brunello Cucinelli style: soft neutrals, subtle shimmer, and that easy sophistication you can live in. That's exactly what Rowan Alpaca Sparkle delivers -- soft, light, and effortlessly chic.

Meet Rowan Alpaca Sparkle

Projects to love in Alpaca Sparkle

Swatching and styling ideas

Why you’ll love it

The New Look and Feel

This issue feels soft and a little moody, in a good way. We have windswept coastlines, gray skies, and pared-down styling. The layouts are clean and minimal, with no borders or extra graphics around images. It’s a Scandinavian-inspired presentation that's quiet, simple, and elegant. But don’t mistake the format for minimalistic knitting. The garments themselves are still richly textured, lush, and layered—classic Rowan through and through.

Coastal Catwalk

Rowan 78 includes two design stories. The first, Coastal Catwalk, is described as “inspired by windswept shores, salt-kissed air, and the effortless elegance of seaside landscapes.” Four fabulous designers, Chloe Thurlow, Martin Storey, Georgia Farrell, and Lisa Richardson, each created a lush, layered outfit of four pieces designed to work together. Garments and accessories are shown across outfits, styled in different ways to highlight just how versatile these designs are. This collection features soft, textured yarns like Fine Tweed Haze, Alpaca Classic, and the gently flecked shades of Felted Tweed.

What really struck me in this story is Rowan’s deliberate push toward a wardrobe approach. Instead of presenting garments as stand-alone projects, they’re styled together into cohesive looks--dresses, skirts, long vests, and accessories that can be layered, mixed, and matched. It feels like Rowan is inviting us to build a knitted wardrobe, not just cast on a single piece.

Rowan has shown some of the outfits in black-and-white photography which I think is especially clever here. Stripping away the designer's chosen palette frees you to imagine these designs in your own colors. Whether you prefer soft neutrals, bold brights, or something in between, the monochrome images make it easier to envision the pieces as part of your style story.

Within the collection you’ll find a balance--classic colorwork accessories, timeless silhouettes, and bold statement knits. The beauty of Coastal Catwalk is that you can pick and choose what works for you, confident it will still connect to the broader styling story Rowan has created.

The Travelogue

In the center of the magazine is a Travelogue section that describes the stunning Welsh coastline where the photography was shot—the same landscape that inspired the designers. These natural, windswept settings underscore the moody, modern aesthetic of the whole issue and make the garments feel grounded in place and story.

Kid Classic Anniversary

Following the Travelogue is a feature on Rowan Kid Classic, one of my all-time favorite yarns, celebrating its 25th anniversary. This retrospective leads into the second story, Kid Classic Love, a collection of what Rowan calls “timeless wearable knits.” I couldn’t agree more. I was immediately drawn to Amore, the pullover I mentioned earlier.

With its wide turtleneck, deep ribbed cuffs, and beautiful drape, it’s a soft, classic silhouette updated for today. I can already imagine wearing it with jeans, dress pants, or even my silk skirt.

Also in this collection are colorwork and cabled sweaters that showcase Kid Classic’s excellent stitch definition, proving why this yarn has been a staple for so long.

Kaffe Fassett’s Palette

Lastly, there is a look at Rowan's biggest celebrity, Kaffe Fassett. In this issue, he teases his new range of matching colors in Felted Tweed and Kidsilk Haze, and a special collection called Kaffe’s Palette. The magazine includes the Bargello pullover, one of the standout patterns from this new collection.

Why You’ll Love Rowan 78 (tldr)

I am thrilled with this magazine, and I think you will be too. Four outfits you can knit and mix and match, 11 versatile garments in the timeless Kid Classic, and a bonus pattern by Kaffe Fassett, plus hours of pleasant perusing of a magazine that feels luxe and modern and is a joy just to flip through.  You can get your copy in several ways: join us at the Rowan Tea on October 11th here in Leonardtown, order a Rowan Tea Box to enjoy the experience from home, or simply order your copy of Rowan Magazine 78 here. However you get it, I think you’ll be inspired by this moody, modern, and very wearable collection.