2021 Gift Guide- Hats Hats Hats
I don't know about you, but when it comes to making gifts my go to are hats. Knit hats are quick yet personable, and they don't take a ton of yarn. But where to start? There are so many patterns out there for knit hats, how do you chose? We've complied a list of our favorites to help narrow down your search and get those gifts crossed off your list!
Looking for a free pattern? Try Barley Light by Tincanknits
Cozy DK weight color work? I'm loving the Winter Carnival Hat by Margaret Stauffacher
Bobbles your thing? Or Simple Lace? Look for Magnolia Hat by Camilla Vad
Are cables your jam? Plus you can't go wrong with Mohair. We love Minted by Andrea Mowry
Need to make a baby gift? This one is a classic. Beloved by Tincanknits
Fair Isle have your heart? I'm digging Arctic Spring Hat by Thepetiteknitter
Or maybe you're looking for something a little different? Toph by Wooly Wormhead caught my eye.
No matter which one you choose, we'd love to see it! Tag us on social media @queencityyarn and show us your hats!
Our Favorite Sweaters
Janis
My friends have already rolled their eyes. That’s right, I picked a sweater with NoDa Sock and mohair held double. I was one person that HATED this trend when it first began. Holding mohair with another yarn was one of the dumbest things I had ever seen and I was NOT getting on board. My friends tried it and I judged them for it, hence the eye rolls now. Christen had been working hard to convince me to add mohair to the Queen City Yarn lineup and I resisted, A LOT. Then Wool & Pine put out Sorrel. The pattern photo had me hook line and sinker in about two seconds. While at Vogue Knitting Live in New York in ‘19 I had sent our friend Ryan with the task of finding me a mauvy pink mohair so I could make Sorrel. I cast it on about 30 second after the mailman delivered the yarn Ryan and co had picked out for me.
My Sorrel is made using Queen City Yarn, NoDa Sock in Dirty Ballerina and ChilleKnitz, Fluffy Lace in Antique Rose . You could sub Queen City Yarn, Madison Park Mohair in Rose Gold for an almost identical look. I modified the pattern slightly to have a much shorter collar and my sleeves are ¾ length, the chefs kiss sleeve length here in NC. I love everything about this sweater, the fit, the color, the softness and the simplicity of the knit. Nothing makes me happier than a simple stitch that LOOKS so complicated. If you don’t have a fingering weight and mohair sweater, make one, and join me for some crow pie.
Christen
I recently got around to unpacking my hand knits and have been seriously LOVING all of my Biddleville DK pullovers. I’ve been wearing my Rituals Pullover that I knit last year during the Joji Fall KAL a ton lately!
I love the weight of a DK sweater this time of year. It’s like a gentle hug but in the afternoons, even up in PA, it continues to warm up a bit and the Rituals Pullover has just enough lace to be warm enough to chase the chill, but still breathable. I just love it! The fit is great (thank you swatch and short row shoulder shaping) and it was a super fun knit. The stripes and lace sections were potato chippy to knit and also meant that I didn’t need to alternate skeins (say what?!) which is something I always recommend with hand dyed yarn.
Anne
I’m that person that immediately loves my most recent make and it hands down becomes my favorite thing. So basically every sweater is my favorite at some point in time! Right now I’m living in my new Waterbearer Cardigan by Jacqueline Cieslak. As a plus size gal, I really love patterns by plus size designers because I know they are going to fit me perfectly and this one is no exception. The brioche shawl collar adds the right amount of wow factor and cropped style makes it a quick project even in a larger size. I used our Octember colorway because I wanted a neutral color that would match lots of outfits but with just enough flair to make it interesting to work with. The black speckles give this colorway an almost tweed look when knit up and it pretty much matches all the dresses in my closet! The only mod I made was making it short sleeved because if you know me, you know I am hot all the time! You won’t find many long sleeved sweaters in my wardrobe. This one is definitely a showstopper and will be my favorite for quite awhile or until I finish my next project.
2021 Gift Guide- Our Favorite FREE Patterns
Everyone loves a good free pattern and we are no exception! I spend way too much time scrolling through Ravelry looking for the perfect pattern, especially when it comes time for gift knitting (or crocheting). So I thought I would put together a little list of my favorite things to share with you!
Free Hat Pattern-Brioche-Shmioche Beanie by Michael Shawn
I love this one because most free patterns are super simple (not that I’m complaining) but this one has a little flair! I am all about patterns that look complicated and fancy but really aren’t hard to make. I give this one a thumbs up!
Free Sock Pattern- Color Palette Socks by Laura Moorats
I dig these because it’s colorwork, without being overly complicated. Plus an opportunity to use up leftover yarn? Count me in! We all have mini sets floating around that we don’t know what to do with. Let’s make some socks!
Free Cowl Pattern- Sneak a Peek by Aimee Pelletier
I am a sucker for a double sided cowl. Double the coziness, plus reversible? Yes please! It doesn’t really get that cold here where I live so cowl’s are perfect accessories to keep you warm and stylish but not overheated like a heavy sweater.
Free Knit Shawl Pattern- Melted Sea by Margaret Stauffacher
I love a good shawl pattern but let’s face it, there are a ton of them out there and how do you choose? I’m partial to fades over lace because knitting lacework isn’t my favorite, and the blues in this one really spoke to me. I’ve done some test knitting for Margaret and she is a really awesome person and I love being able to support the work of my insta-friends! You won’t be disappointed by this one!
Free Crochet Shawl Pattern- Bronwyn Shawl by Toni Lipsey
Toni is the Queen of Crochet so you can’t do a pattern round up without one of her designs! This pattern was born for hand dyed yarn, it does all the speaking for itself!
Free Sweater Pattern-Ballerina Wrap Top by Alexandra Tavel
Alexandra aka Two of Wands, has a whole cannon of free patterns to choose from, but this one is one of my favorites. A simple yet beautiful wrap that's easy and quick enough to be a gift make or a gift for yourself!
Say Hello to QCY
The colorful, cat-loving, yarn-dying enthusiast behind Queen City Yarn.
After spending Undergrad and Grad School at Savannah College of Art and Design, I found my day job didn’t offer the creative inspiration I craved. Knitting became my outlet, then my side hustle, and now my full-time venture. From casual wine and dye nights, to teaching classes, to pop-up shows, knitting has introduced me to people I cherish.
I'm constantly inspired by my beautiful surroundings and the breathtaking places I've have visited. I'm passionate about dying each color to be beautiful on its own while also striving to design coordinating colorways as well as colors that contrast beautifully with one another. I want to make choosing colors for your projects easy, whether they will be a gorgeous fade or a perfect color pop.
The knitting obsessed, indie pattern designing, podcasting fiber artist mom of 2, co-owner of Queen City Yarn.
After years of working in the field of substance abuse and addiction research and having my first child, my family and I moved from Philadelphia, PA to Charlotte, NC and I took on momming full-time. Knitting was my saving grace after the move. I found an amazing group of friends through a local knitting group who continue to inspire the fiber artist in me. Knit nights soon turned into wine and dye nights and the launch of Queen City Yarn. Fast forward 5 years and my family and I are back in Philadelphia. While I love dyeing yarn and continue to dream up new colorways for Janis to translate onto the skein, with this move back “home” I’ll be taking a step back from the dye pots for now and focusing on pattern designing and podcasting to keep me connected to our creative community.
The laidback, knitting obsessed, jack of all fiber trades, mom who slings yarn for QCY.
After graduating from UNC Charlotte, this native Charlottean worked many years in corporate America feeling stuck and unfulfilled in a cubicle. A friend introduced me to the world of knitting and I quickly became obsessed with this new hobby. From there, I picked up crochet, Tunisian crochet, and spinning. There isn’t a fiber art I’m not willing to try! Along the way I started dyeing yarn for my personal use and branched out into selling my own hand dyed yarn and fiber. After meeting Janis at a fiber market, I took the leap into yarning full time and joined the Queen City team!