Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Easy Easter Knitting Patterns

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It’s finally spring by the calendar, so that must mean it’s time to start knitting all the pastel colored things and Easter knitting projects, right?

I was reminded the other day of a couple of Easter patterns that I designed several years ago that I wanted to share with you in case you’re looking for some fun and easy projects to kick off your spring knitting season.

First, there’s this bunny that looks sort of like a sugary bunny you might find in the grocery store this time of year. It’s an easy project worked from the bottom up in worsted weight yarn, with simple shaping to make it similar to the candy bunny. 

Since giant knit and crocheted animals are all the rage right now, this one would be super fun to make in blanket yarn or another bulky or super bulky fiber. Just change the needles to a size that works with the yarn you want to use and you’ll be all set. Maybe I’ll try that and show you the results!

This pattern is available on CraftBits.

I also have an old but good knitting pattern on my website for a simple knit Easter basket. (Which reminded me I also knit a tiny Easter basket that was published at About but isn’t online any more, so I guess I’ve got a couple of Easter projects I need to do!)

This one I love because the self-striping yarn adds a level of cuteness to the basket, though of course you could use a solid yarn or stripe it yourself if you like. The yarn I used I’m pretty sure was long ago discontinued, but any light weight/DK self-striping yarn you like would would here.

And again here if you wanted a bigger basket you could work it in worsted weight yarn or even bulky yarn, or just keep increasing on the base and make the sides longer with the same yarn.

What are you working on for spring or Easter? I’d love to hear about it!

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Michaels Acquires Joann Intellectual Property; Joann Website Now Forwards to Michaels

 

 

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.