happy love co

Author: Bethany

  • The Kyla Striped Pullover Sweater

    The Kyla Striped Pullover Sweater

    The Kyla striped pullover was the first sweater I ever designed and published. I had actually never planned on knitting sweaters when I first started knitting. I was so proud of myself for figuring out how to knit at all, that I thought, I’m good with knitting scarves and blankets! But that lasted maybe two months before I was like, Ill do it, I’m going to try knit a sweater.

    I ordered a couple sweater kits from we are knitters and wool and the gang so I’d have something to follow from start to finish, and all the materials I needed. I had no idea where to begin! With a little help from YouTube and google along the way, I successfully knit those sweaters and was over the moon with the results. Then I wanted to design my own. I’ve been into clothing design since I was little, but never ever dreamed I’d be able to bring any of them to fruition. They were just drawings in sketchbooks.

    Once I got the idea in my head for the Kyla, it was smooth sailing. I wanted a simple, yet unique, crop fit that I could easily wear. I also get bored with knitting solid colored pieces (this is always a struggle because I do like solid colored pieces!) so I decided to implement wide stripes. But also, I don’t enjoy knitting one stitch for long amounts of time, so I did a little alternating garter and stockinette. It helps projects go by so much quicker! Then I wanted a little extra something, that’s where the whip stitch seaming came into play. I was so excited with the finished project!

    The Kyla pullover quickly became a best seller. It’s the one I always recommend for a first sweater for new knitters. It lets you enjoy the fun of picking colors and trying out the basic stitches. There’s nothing complicated, it’s a relaxing knitting project, and you will get so many compliments! I’ve personally had compliments when wearing this sweater in public, and many of my customers who’ve knit it have as well! And trust me, it is an amazing feeling to be complimented on something you made yourself with your own hands.

    Purchase your copy of the Kyla pullover here.

  • Take Me Back Sweater Design

    Take Me Back Sweater Design

    The Take Me Back sweater design is now available for purchase in my Etsy shop!

    This pattern was created using 6 skeins of Wool and the Gangs shiny happy cotton, plus one skein of accent for the mesh stitch on the sleeves. I used a size 5mm (US 8) straight knitting needles.

    I wanted to create a pullover for summer that had an airy feel along with a little weight. Wool and the Gangs shiny happy cotton is a heavier cotton and gives it that exact effect!

    This sweater is perfect for beginners and everyone else! You’ll need to know the basic longtail cast on, 1×1 twisted rib, garter stitch, increasing, decreasing, bind off, and seaming. I promise you can do it!

    Purchase the take me back pattern here!

  • We Are Knitters “The Cotton” vs. Wool and the Gang “Shiny Happy Cotton”

    We Are Knitters “The Cotton” vs. Wool and the Gang “Shiny Happy Cotton”

    Summer time brings out all the cotton yarns, smaller needles, and lightweight knitting patterns. I don’t think many of us fancy sitting around with chunkier needles and thick warm fluffy wool (why do I look forward to that already though, love the big yarn so much and also that reminds me of pancakes) if we are knitting anywhere outdoors. Or even indoors if you don’t have the ac running. The cost of our utilities is really getting to me, so I only turn ours on when it’s absolutely necessary.

    So where I live, there aren’t any yarn stores. We have Wal Mart. That’s it. And our next nearest town that’s larger than ours is two hours away, so it was a bit of a problem when I was just starting out. I had to wait when I was so excited!

    Ever since I started knitting, I’ve ordered my yarn from the two companies I first heard of upon googling yarn. Wool and the Gang and We Are Knitters (with a couple other brands here and there). Very similar yarns. I started out with their thick Peruvian wools, which are 100% comparable. People often ask and I always tell them, you can use them interchangeably in my patterns that call for either one brand (also in case you’re wondering, lots of people use Lion Brand thick n quick to replace the wool).

    With the cotton, it’s a little trickier. You can use them interchangeably. I’ll even use both brands in one project. However, there are a few differences, starting with their structure.

    Wool and the Gangs Shiny Happy Cotton Features

    1. Aran/worsted weight yarn

    2. 100 gram skein measuring 155 yards

    3. Suggested needles size 4-11 US

    4. Costs $13.00 per individual skein

    Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton check it out here.

    Colors shown are hot pink and black, 101 spots, and white. Pattern shown is Leslie striped pullover

    We Are Knitters “The Cotton” features

    1. DK weight yarn

    2. 100 gram skein measuring 232 yards

    3. Suggested needle size 8 US

    4. Costs $12.90 per individual skein

    WAK cotton check it out here.

    Yarn colors shown are yarnicorn and hand painted sprinkle. Pattern of tank shown is Lorraine Tie back tank

    While both brands are 100% cotton, there is a difference in the way these two yarns work up.

    Shiny happy cotton is a thicker, heavier, yarn. Your finished piece knit with this yarn will yield an amazingly gorgeous drape. It’s even heavier than the “anxiety” hoodies that are all the rage. 100%, a sweater knit with shiny happy cotton can be an anti anxiety sweater. First, because of your skills that you should be so proud of, and second, because of the heavy yarn.

    “The Cotton” is a smaller and more lightweight yarn. I use this often for my summer knit projects, because it’s so light. It knits up quick and you won’t be having much body pain or needing as many breaks, even when you’ve got a full panel on your needles! Idk about you guys, but my lower back gets so sore if I knit every day in a row for awhile. It’s a struggle. If you knit a cardigan or pullover with this, it’s still going to be lightweight! It is absolutely perfect for anything summer.

    The pros and cons to both cottons are similar. They’ve got a wide array of beautiful colors to choose from, which is seriously a difficult task.

    They are both fun to work with and I love the way the finished pieces look. If I’m going for a heavier feel, I go with WATG. Lighter, I go with WAK.

    If you’ve ever knit with the big yarns and big needles, these cotton projects seem to take forever! It’s hardly a con of the yarn, just a con of life. Haha.

    The yarns tend to split if you’re not careful. This happens a lot when I’m doing knitting through the back loops for increases or decreases. The needle with her stuck on a single ply of yarn and it just almost shreds apart. So you do need to knit carefully to avoid that!

    Overall, these two yarns are both great and I absolutely love knitting with them! Let me know your thoughts or tips/tricks you’ve learned!