happy love co

Author: Bethany

  • Tara Cardigan Design

    Tara Cardigan Design

    Yarn – 7 skeins Wool and the Gang alpachino merino in the color ivory.

    Needles- Size 12mm (US 17) straight needles.

    Knitting Level- Easy

    The Tara cardigan is knit using a super soft alpachino merino wool from Wool and the Gang. Using my classic method of larger needles than the recommended, the softness of this piece is extraordinary. Really, you’re just going to want to squish it. And feel free to do so.

    This cardigan is knit flat using size 12mm or US 17 straight needles. I’m often asked where my needles are from, and they’re all Wool and the Gang or We Are Knitters. I love their needles! I’ve had them for many years and haven’t had any issues.

    The skills used are basic. You’ll need to know the longtail cast on, stockinette stitch, 1×1 twisted rib, increases (for the sleeves and ruffle), bind off, and picking up stitches.

    This pattern is available for purchase here!

  • Crop Winter Sweater Remake

    Crop Winter Sweater Remake

    Using some of my yarn from my stash, I decided to make a spring/summer colored version of my cropped stripe winter sweater. I’ve always wanted to make another of this one, but it’s one of those things that just got put on the back burner and I haven’t had much time to do it. You wouldn’t believe how much busier life gets when your kids start getting older. Everyone used to always tell me to enjoy them while they’re young and I could not understand that. I do now. Do I ever. I have very little time.

    This sweater however, does not take very much time. It did take me a few days start to finish, but if I’d had the time, definitely could have been done in a few hours. That’s one of my favorite things about these big chunky knits. They take so fast!

    I used all the funnest and brightest colors I had. My friend said they reminded her of the tropical starburst! These colors just summed up the colors of summer. The light and happy.

    The best part is that I ran out of my pink yarn after I finished the first sleeve, I’d already done the body panels. I frantically looked through all my yarn bins hoping I had just a small amount of that somewhere, checked what sweaters I’d used it on, hoping maybe they were easy to take apart ones. No such luck. So I chose an ivory yarn and then with the tail ends of the pink, made a sort of duplicate stitch heart. It’s honestly kind of terrible looking. Doesn’t even look like a heart. But I feel like just adding that little pink to the ivory balanced it all out and made it a little fun!

    The yarns I used for this were:

    Lime green- Knit Collage spun cloud

    Pink- Wool and the Gang “crazy sexy wool”

    Orange, blue, and purple- We Are Knitters “the wool”

    You can buy the cropped striped winter sweater pattern here!

  • Aaliyah Tee Design

    Aaliyah Tee Design

    Happy Saturday everyone! I haven’t checked in in a little bit, so I hope you all had a happy Mother’s Day weekend!

    Today I’ve got for you the Aaliyah tee! This top has been a work in progress since January, so it’s feeling quite good to finally have it finished and ready for you all! It was on my mind to just do a looser fit summer top that could be casual and fun.

    It’s a fairly easy knit to do. Your only extra skills needed are going to be some of the picking up stitches and decreases, but other than that, easy! I don’t think anyone will have a problem, but you know I’m also always here to help!

    The Aaliyah tee is literally business in the front, party in the back 😂. It’s got a cropped top section, side ties in alternating colors that come together, and an apron style fit. It’s fun.

    You’re not going to need much to make this tee either. You’ll need two skeins of We Are Knitters “the cotton” or a similar worsted weight yarn for the main body parts, then 3 accent colors for the side ties and the ribbing. Grab your 5mm (US 8) straight knitting needles and you’re all set! Then you’ll just need your darning needle for seaming at the end.

    I can’t wait to see your Aaliyah tees! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram (happyloveco) or email a photo to me!

    Purchase your copy of the Aaliyah tee here!

    Have a lovely weekend!