Book Review: Knitting with Disney

Walt Disney has brought so much magic to the silver screen. Cinderella’s glass slipper, Ariel’s thingamabobs, Belle’s books - we all recognize and cherish each of these movie masterpieces. When Tanis Gray approached us about being included in her new book, Knitting with Disney, we knew we had to “go the distance”! Here are five patterns from the book that we absolutely adore.

The Belle Shawl in Anzula Dreamy in Canary, a lovely lace and beaded shawl in a medium yellow. — © Insight Editions

This light and airy lace shawl embodies Belle to a T - it is quite a Beauty! The Belle Shawl by Susanna IC is knit in Anzula’s Dreamy in Canary, and studded with lovely silver beads on the edges. If you’ve never tackled lacework before, this would be the perfect pattern to start! Can be made with or without beads.

A close up of the Belle Shawl, made of yellow yarn in a lace pattern with small, silver beads. — © Insight Editions

These Floating Lantern Fingerless Mitts will give you great grip for holding a (cold) frying pan! Designed by Valorie Wibbens, these mitts have a beautiful picot trim with a ribbed edging on top, and a radiant sun pattern.

Rapunzel-themed fingerless knit mitts in a light purple with yellow suns and a filagree edging. — © Insight Editions

We recommend using Anzula Squishy in Curry and Rosebud.

This next pattern will allow you to show off your evil side! The Mistress of Evil Socks designed by Heini Perälä are perfect for keeping you cozy while you sleep - no spindle curse required.

A person in a black skirt is seated and wearing long, navy blue socks with purple, light blue, and light green flames on them. — © Insight Editions

We recommend using Anzula Squishy in Navy, Violet, Nimbus, and Avocado.

What a gorgeous scarf by Tanis Gray! The Merida Cabled Scarf is the perfect pattern to change your fate and learn how to cable.

We recommend Anzula Burly in Mariana and Toffee.

Our final pick is the “We Know the Way” Pillow and Blanket by Sauniell Connally. You’re going to want to “make way” for this cozy wave motif pattern in your knit schedule!

We recommend using Anzula Burly in Birdie.

With 28 different patterns to choose from, you can’t go wrong “Knitting with Disney”! You can find your very own copy here.

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Mother's Day Yarn Bouquets are here!

Have a mother? Know a mother? Are a mother? Just want to celebrate Spring and your amazing femininity?

This yarn bouquet is especially for you! Our gorgeous Mother’s Day Yarn Bouquets are here for you to share with a loved one, or to show yourself some much deserved appreciation!

Each bouquet will come with

2 skeins of Squishy 50g, 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon. It’s a favorite so we knew we had to include it.
1 skein of Serenity 50g, 100% cashmere heaven fingering weight yarn.
1 Basemoore Cowl by Taiga Hilliard printed pattern, it’s so pretty!
1 Lux Yarn For Life stitch marker, to remind you that you deserve luxurious things.
1 mini-soak packet for washing and blocking your new cowl because it’s totally soakworthy and so are you!
Each bouquet will be wrapped in paper and nestled into a lovely kraft paper box.

Kalliope put together three beautiful color combos for you:

Bouquet #1 - Squishy in Frankie & Mercury, Serenity in Blueberry.

anzula serenity squishy mother's day bouquet yarn

Bouquet #2 - Squishy in Elephant & Obsidian, Serenity in Vixen

Bouquet #3 - Squishy in Gravity & Au Natural, Serenity in Robin

We have a limited number of kits available to ship right away, so hurry over to the Anzula Shop!

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Cozy Up: Sweaters!

Here in the northern hemisphere, we are deep in yarn season. The weather is cooler, the sun is setting earlier (too early!), and our knitting mojo is through the roof! So many of us have projects just flying off our needles. We all know that this is because working with yarn is such a comfort. What better way to enjoy that yarn-y comfort than with the perfect sweater?

Here you’ll find pattern inspiration for lots of cozy sweaters. I’m sharing my favorites for beginners to masters and from wonderfully warm to lighter layering pieces. Let’s go!

Classics: Great for beginners!

1. The Other Raglan by Courtney Little in Nebula. This raglan sweater is simple to knit, has a great shape, is flattering on many body types, is gender neutral, and is easily customizable. If you’re just starting with sweater knitting, this is a truly wearable and easy starting place.

2. Long Weekend Pullover by Gerdina Schwab in For Better or Worsted. This classic pullover sweater has such a cozy texture, you can almost feel the smoosh factor through the screen! Gerdina provides instructions for knitting in the round with a little bit of steeking, or knitting flat with a little bit of seaming. Both techniques are 100% doable by any adventurous beginner.

3, Seagate by Patty Lyons in Squishy. I love the open neckline and 3/4 sleeves on this sweater. I’m one of those people that usually runs a little warm. I want to feel cozy, but need a little breathing room. This classic cowl neck sweater has an elegant shape and simple, eye-catching edgings. Definitely a favorite. It’s a well written pattern and, truly, not very complicated. Just go one stitch at a time, that’s really all it takes!

Layering Pieces: Stretch your skills and your wardrobe!

4. Open Road by Amy Gunderson in For Better or Worsted. This is the ultimate layering sweater. Look how amazing it is with that jacket. So stylish, and her sleeves aren’t packed with sweater! It has a gorgeous cable detail, and I love that the mock turtle neck is relatively low and has a bit of a vent to give me that sense of space.

5. Serenity Cardigan by Kate Oates in Serenity. This layering cardi is all about luxury. To start, it’s knit with our 100% cashmere yarn, Serenity. Add a loose silhouette, knit at a gauge with gorgeous drape, and every sweet detail from lace edging to sweeping neckline. You end up with the most luxurious cardi I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing.

6. Zaftig Tee by Sheila Toy Stromberg in Squishy. I absolutely adore this sweet little crop top. “But I don’t show my tummy!” you say. Trust me, I hear you. I’m not into showing my tummy either. All my encouragement to bold folks of every size and shape who show their tum-tums, you all are stunning. Back to more shy me, what do I love? Getting to wear my sundresses through the fall and winter by adding a semi-fitted crop top. Outfits come together so easily when you can just pop on a dress. Add this cute crop top to a summer dress and you’ll be warm, but not too hot. Add some tights and boots and you’ll look amazing and be ready for anything!

Showstoppers: They’re gorgeous and you can totally do it, one stitch at a time!

7. Sterling by Jennifer Wood in Dreamy. Jennifer has such an eye for detail. She brings critical thought to every element of her designs, which is what makes all of them so lovely. Sterling brings the open neckline and 3/4 sleeves that I appreciate, along with the most beautiful edges I’ve ever seen. And honestly, even though it looks like a work of art, it really isn’t that hard to knit. If you love Squishy, it substitutes perfectly for Dreamy in this pattern, so you can choose your favorite!

8. Hannah by Faina Goberstein in Squishy. This sweater is so sneaky, it’s all just stripes and slip stitches! Seriously, anyone can knit this, it’s gorgeous, looks so complicated, and yet… it’s one of the easiest techniques to learn. You will look like a magician with out having to do any magic at all! I love the greys and yellow, however I wear a lot of blues and greens. Good thing I can use any hue I want for the pop of color. Which colorway would you use?

9. Jones by Tin Can Knits in Cricket. You didn’t think I was gonna leave out cable lovers, did you? One of the best things about Tin Can Knits’ patterns is that they offer such a wide range of sizes. This one is sized all the way from an 18in bust (new born) through a 58in bust. And it’s just stunning. Gosh, I love cables.

10. Marigold by Mona Zillah in Gerty. If you’re up for a challenge and want to knit some colorwork magic, this cardi is for you. I mean, just look at those motifs. Experienced knitters, you know the fabric you’re going for, so if you prefer a washable wool, a little sparkle, tweediness, or even some cashmere (because you deserve it!) you can always sub for another yarn. Any of these fingering weight yarns would sub perfectly: Squishy, Lunaris, Nebula, Luster, Dottie, Haiku, or Serenity.