Barbie-Inspired Knitting Patterns

It feels like we’re living in a pink world right now, so it’s high time to knit some pink projects, correct? Of course any knitting project can be worked in pink if you want, but I thought it would be fun to find some projects that are already pretty in pink or specifically designed to be inspired by our favorite plastic icon. (Knits for Barbie herself coming soon!)

For example, the Barbie Crop Top by Maral Mokri. This DK weight, top down, circular yoke sweater is covered with Barbie-inspired colorwork, including flowers, high-heeled shoes and handbags. It comes in nine sizes with a chest measurement up to 67 inches, and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Fiona Stevenson’s C’mon Barbie hat (a free download on Ravelry) uses worsted weight and fingering yarn held together for a bulky weight look. It has a stitch pattern made of ribbing and slip stitches and its easy to adjust the size to fit any Barbie or Ken.

This pink and white gingham top from Muki Crafts on Etsy is super cute and easy to stitch up. It has a buffalo plaid pattern worked in two colors and a cropped style, though of course you can make yours longer. It has five sizes for kids and four for adults.

Yarnspirations did a Life in Plastic pattern roundup (if you click the link and it’s showing both knitting and crochet patterns, you can filter for knitting on the left hand side of the page). The knitting patterns include a pink bias knit scarf, scrunchies, a striped sweater and a pair of legwarmers.

The Pink Shell from DROPS is another one I think Barbie would approve of, with its simple textured pattern and fun halter top shape. It comes in six sizes and is worked from the bottom up in cotton yarn.

And then there’s this cardigan called The Pink One. Designed by Lily Kate France and available on Ravelry, it features poufy, textured sleeves on a simple body. It calls for a DK weight and a mohair yarn to amp up the texture. Instructions are given for cropped and standard length, and it comes in nine sizes up to a 62 inch chest measurement (it’s meant to be worn with 8-10 inches of positive ease).

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Craft retailer Michaels has acquired the intellectual property and private label brands of now-defunct retailer Joann, according to a media release, and the Joann website now forwards to Michaels.

The releases states that Michaels will be developing the “beloved Big Twist® brands as part of the Michaels portfolio.” It also notes plans to expand its offerings in the fabric, sewing and yarn categories, with more than 600 new products being added.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to welcome JOANN customers into our creative community and are committed to delivering the selection, value, and inspiration they are looking for at Michaels,” David Boone, CEO of Michaels, said in the release.

Specific to yarn, the company notes it has plans to expand its yarn selection by 25 percent this year, including releasing more than 60 new private-label Loops & Threads products beginning this month, expanding offerings of Lion Brand and the Yarnspirations family of brands, and welcoming Big Twist yarns.

The release specifically mentions Big Twist Value Plus, Big Twist Twinkle, Big Twist Posh and Big Twist Baby Bear, and notes that the offerings are “now being developed as part of Michaels portfolio of brands and will be available in-stores and online later this year.”

No word on what this means for Herrschners, which previously announced it would carry Big Twist. Its page announcing the news still says “at this time we are not able to release details on specific Big Twist varieties or colors, or the exact date the yarn will be available to order” and encourages signing up for email updates.

This news comes just days after the final closing of the last Joann locations and the appearance of a message on their website talking about “stitching up something new.” The Joann website now forwards to a landing page for craft retailer Michaels.

“Welcome Joann customers,” it says at the top. “We’ve got your go-to essentials and so much more.” The page also notes “everyone is welcome at our craft table” and says the website is a source for “fabrics, yarn, notions & more.”

Further down the page it says “With JOANN stores closing, Michaels is excited to welcome new makers, crafters, and sewing enthusiasts into our community” and has a string of links to product categories these shoppers might be looking for. It says Michaels carries “many of the favorites that Joann customers love” including patterned fabric, yarn, ribbons and notions.

The release calls this a “dedicated landing page” with a “curated assortment of products” they think are relevant to the Joann shopper.

If you go directly to Micheaels.com, you see their regular website but there is a link at the top of the page for Joann customers that leads to the same page linked above.

The release doesn’t mention opening any new stores in towns left without a craft store thanks to the Joann closure. It does note they have 1,300 stores in 49 states and in Canada, and they have both US and Canada-facing websites.

What do you think of this news? It’s not the exciting future I’d hoped for with Joanns cryptic announcement, but I know legions of knitters and crocheters will be happy to know Big Twist will live on, and other crafters will probably be happy about expanded selection at Michaels.

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