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Stitch Up a Cowl Full of Color and Texture

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Some patterns just look like they would be amazing stash busting projects. I know the vast majority of the time designers make a project with a particular yarn for a reason, and knitters tend to like having more information about the yarn used in a pattern than “some random stuff I found in my stash.”

All of that is true of the Ellensburg Cowl pattern from Blue Sky Fibers, too, but when I look at this project I see a stash buster.

It’s hard not to imagine all your little odd balls going into this generous cowl, which features slipped stitches, stripes, textured stitch patterns and a bit of stranded knitting, too.

The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, including one hank that’s about 123 yards and a bundle of colors, each of which is only 12 yards, so it would be easy to find odd balls and leftovers in your stash to make this project with. In all it uses eight colors, and makes a cowl that measures about 9 inches high and 45 inches long. That size is perfect for wearing as one long loop or twisted around your neck twice for extra warmth.

It uses a size 8 US circular knitting needle and is rated for advanced beginners.

This kind of project is super inspiring to me as a designer and a person with a lot of stash I want to use, because it shows you how a bunch of different colors can look harmonious in the same project. Of course that’s easier when you’re using a bundle of yarn that’s made to coordinate, but you can do it with balls from your stash as well.

This pattern is available as a free download (but you will need to set up an account to download it) from Blue Sky Fibers.

[Photo: Blue Sky Fibers.]

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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.