Inspiration
Pattern Spelunking: Studio Chunky by Neighborhood Fiber Co.
Dear Ann,
When you yoo-hoo’d me to say that MDK World Headquarters had gotten in a fresh new batch of Neighborhood Fiber Company’s marvelous Studio Chunky yarn, I heard the call to go exploring for patterns that make good use of its glowing, saturated colors and al dente smoothness. Cristina Shiffman and I put on our miner’s hats and went spelunking.
We didn’t have to go too far into the cave before we came up with some gems.
The Standby
Photo: Sara Remington.
It being midwinter, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the hat that everybody loves to knit in multiples: Thea Colman’s texture-rich Slip-Stitch Cap from MDK Field Guide No. 8 Merry Making. It’s the Lay’s Potato Chip of hat patterns—you can’t knit just one. I certainly couldn’t. Grab two skeins, in two different colors, and off you go! Look at the project pages for color inspiration, and in case you need proof of what I said about people knitting them in multiples. There are families—no, clans—of Slip-Stitch Caps out there.
Thea didn’t stop there—she’s designed another gorgeous accessory for Studio Chunky, her Blackthorn Cowl.
Blackthorn Cowl is sized for short-and-cozy or long-and-twisty cowl wearers. Photo: Baby Cocktails.
Fox Wedding by Sylvia McFadden
We know that Fox Wedding, a squishy scarf/shawl, knits up beautifully in Studio Chunky, because Cristina knit one up in it herself, and promptly gave it away to an appreciative and knitworthy recipient.
Photo: Cristina Shiffman
Cristina enlarged the shawl with an extra pattern repeat; her version took three skeins of Studio Chunky. Here are Cristina’s project notes.
(If nothing else, read the pattern page to learn the enchanting meaning of the expression “Fox Wedding.”)
Preston Gardens by Lynn di Cristina
Photo: Lynn di Cristina
Reimei by Olga Buraya-Kefelian
Photo: Olga Buraya-Kefelian
Olga Buraya-Kefelian’s designs always spark curiosity—you want to knit them to see how she works her magic. Her reversible cowl/scarf Reimei is a great beginner brioche project; it takes two skeins each of two colors.
When I was writing this post, I mistyped the name of the yarn and now I can’t stop calling it Studio Chunkly.
Do you think Karida would consider a name change? No? Oh well.
Love,
Kay
Another beautiful pattern for a “chunkly” yarn is Thea Coleman’s Gin Thistle. I’ve had it in my favorites forever; luv cables and Thea’s patterns & bulky yarns!!
I can’t believe I gave my Fox Wedding away. WHATWASITHINKING?
This little pattern crawl was fun Of course I clicked to fox wedding!
Do you keep the Studio Chunkly next to the Plutoloopy?
I banged out a Main Squeeze cardi in Studio Chunky and love love love this yarn!
This is my dream! So curious how yours turned out—was your gauge same as in the pattern?
Absolutely!
Ooooh, good idea!!!!
I love this yarn, and love your color selections here. I’ve done several of the hats, as I fell in love with Thea’s hat pattern — my brother had a hat in the 70’s that was so similar — I knitted his first, and he remembered at 50 the hat he had at 7 or so!