Must-Make Colorwork Projects to Spin and Knit

Have you made your fiber selection and decided on a project for this year’s spin-along yet? Well, get your tools ready because we’ve gathered three of our favorite colorwork patterns to spin and knit. And as this month’s bonus, current All Access subscribers can log in below to instantly access instructions for these three colorful projects.

The Ventanitas Bag by Nancy Roberts

We love the color progression in this vibrant wool bag.

Nancy spun a Bluefaced Leicester top to create a two-ply semi-worsted yarn and then machine knitted her handspun in two panels. After dyeing one panel in an orange-magenta colorway and the other with blues and greens, she then washed, dried, and raveled both panels. However, gradient yarn can be used instead of Nancy’s machine-knit and dye method. Access instructions for knitting the bag by hand and then fulling it in the washing machine to give it added strength and firmness in the Fall 2006 issue of Spin Off.

Timberlane Cowl by Eileen Lee

Explore the possibilities of a particular breed by following the fiber to the source: this designer chose the alpaca roving from the producer, then paired her handspun yarn with a comfy cowl design. Photo at left by George Boe; at right by Gale Zucker

Inspired by a trip to visit a local prizewinning alpaca farm, Eileen decided to celebrate the range of colors that alpacas produce. The incredible warmth and softness of alpaca make it a perfect fiber for this beautiful cowl. On the left, slipped stitches create a two-color pattern despite using only one color per row; the other color is carried up from the round below.

Latvian Fingerless Mitts by Beth Brown-Reinsel

Colorwork and Latvian mitten techniques combine in these stunning fingerless mitts.

Knitter, teacher, and author Beth Brown-Reinsel wrote the pattern for the Latvian Fingerless Mitts as a result of the classes she teaches in Latvian mitten techniques. Working with more than two yarns within one round occurs often in Latvian mittens. Once you have the concept down for working with a yarn in each hand, you need only add one more yarn. The methods used in the cuff may be applied to sleeve cuffs and sock tops as well!

We hope you’ll enjoy this collection of colorwork patterns in this All Access exclusive. We can’t wait to see what you spin and knit (or select a pattern to crochet or weave)! Share your progress—and your finished piece—on any social platform using #spinoffmagazine. And if you would like to join the conversation with other spinners about their spin-along projects, check out the Ravelry forum where you’ll find the spin-along thread.

Don’t forget to send photos of your finished project by May 1st to the Spin Off email address. Your piece just might be featured in the 2024 Spin-Along reader gallery in the magazine or online!

Happy Spinning!
—Editors

Access The Ventanitas Bag, Timberlane Cowl, and Latvian Fingerless Mitts

Enjoy this collection of colorwork patterns in this All Access exclusive.