Weather getting cold? Need some knitwear quick? The thought of knitting on 3mm needles got your head in a spin? Well look no further than 52 Weeks of Chunky Knits. Yes thats right chunky! Dive in to this cosy world of larger than life knits.
52 Weeks of Chunky Knits is the next book in the popular ’52 Weeks’ series from Laine Publishing. Each book in this series focuses on a particular theme and this one is all things chunky. Looking at projects using heavier weight yarns or a combination of yarns to create speedy and fun chunky knitwear. Most of the projects inside use between a 10-5mm needle, how fun does that sound. You will be knitting up beautiful knits in no time. Inside are 52 designs by 46 different designers including 26 garments, 22 accessories as well as some home decor and bags. The 52 weeks books are of course massive and there is a lot to take in, there are the kind of books you dip in an out of when in need of inspiration. So I am going to take a look at a handful of designs inside for this yarn pairings post. Though if you want to knit a design that I haven’t mentioned and are looking for the perfect yarn match please drop us an email and we will do our best to help.
Limelight by Veera Välimäki. This boxy jumper has an attractive deep ribbed neckline that adds a nice touch to this simple shape. It is knit from the top down starting flat with the back, then picking up stitches at the shoulders for the front, finally joined in the round for the body. You can knit it either with the intarsia panels it without. I say embrace the pops of colour. Knit in a heavyweight fuzz it has to be Pickles Big Fuzz for this one.
Bud and Blossom by Anna Daku. This cardigan has a very textural and interesting knitted tuck stitch motif that has a crochet like appearance. Extremely 3D in appearance even the heavy garter stitch has a bold look. The button bands are fastened with snaps and it even has pockets. To me it’s calling out for Hillesvåg Troll. But of course if you wanted a colourful version you could also use Hillesvåg Blåne.
Crossing by Bernice Lim. The drop stitch cables blur into the background of this subtle hazy jumper. It’s knit from the top down and features stripes of a heavier fluff combined with a lighter fluff in-between. The main colour crosses over the contrast colour creating a delicate basketweave texture. The main colour is a heavier weight so Pickles Big Fuzz would be perfect. The contrast colour is two strands of a lace weight so Fyberspates Cumulus would be good or I think you could get away with just holding one strand of Pickles Soft Fuzz.
Jorvin by Rastus Hsu. This cosy and cuddly tank top features a combination of stranded colourwork and cables to give you this all over graphic design. Worked flat and in pieces that are seamed at the side. The neck and armhole edges are picked up and knit in the round to finish. It’s knit in a bouclé yarn so I’m thinking the squish Pickles Teddy.
Bobble Kite by Marion Bulin. A simple shawl with a kite shape construction featuring a bobbly edge for detail. This design is all about enjoying the texture of the yarn. It’s knit in a heavyweight mohair but an unspun yarn is also recommended. Now I can’t get the idea of a version knit holding Hillesvåg Forgarn with Fyberspates Cumulus.
One Chevron Scarf by Lili Tobias. This cute chevron scarf is simple to knit but a fun shape. Starting with the two points you knit them separately and join them. Then you continue in one piece in ribbing, finishing with a single point at the other end. I like how pompoms are added to each point for a quirky touch highlighting the shape. For me I would do this in Pickles Cozy which is light soft and warm, all you would need is five balls.
Forest Floor by Lotta H Löthgren. These mittens have an intriguing slip stitch texture. As it is knit in two strands of a DK the texture is created by separating the two strands and holding one at the front and one at the back when slipping. The thumb is added on at the end using an afterthought construction. I think holding two strands of Hillesvåg Tinde would work well for these.
Gull by Faye Kennington. This two colour textural hat is knit from the brim up featuring slanting slipped stitches that overlay the bands of the contrast colour. High contrast yarn looks great in this design. I would love to do a cosy squishy version in Pickles Cozy.
Ondata by Dami Hunter. This colourwork cushion is created by the mosaic knitting technique. Two pieces are made and then seamed together before a pillow is added and the final seam finished. I think a good grippy yarn like Hillesvåg Blåne would work well for this one.
Net by Klara Nilsson. This crazy jumper is a real statement. It features dramatic 3D cables in a textured bouclé yarn against a backdrop of a soft squishy blown yarn. The cables are worked using the intarsia technique and the whole piece is worked from the bottom up. Both yarns are held double throughout and knit on 10mm needles. Try Pickles Cozy for the background and Pickles Teddy for the cables.
Hike by Pauliina Kuunsola. This simple textured hat is written for 9mm needles. You can knit it in anything you get gauge with. A chunky on its own or as in the sample above a combination of one lace, two 4ply and one worsted weight. Great for leftovers or sampling a selection of yarns. I would be tempted to do a combination of Fyberspates Cumulus, Chimera Mini’s and Hey MamaWolf Skadi, sounds lush!
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