{Saturday Coffee & Net Talk}

Do you also have fixed dates in the year? In addition to Mother's Day and Christmas shawls, Maschenfein has also been presenting the DIY collections from Sandnes for a few years now. The Norwegian yarn manufacturer changed its look some time ago - and is now even more appealing to us than before.

So of course the anticipation was great: we knew that the new designs for ladies would be shown this week and the corresponding patterns would arrive at the warehouse! So make yourselves comfortable - good morning to a Saturday coffee with a trip to Northern Europe!

well-staged

The collection comprises a total of 13 designs - from small scrunchies and skirts to cozy cardigans, everything is included. The choice of yarns keeps it cozy, but not too warm and wintery. The first feelings of spring are setting in!

This is also due to the successful overall package. The most beautiful knitwear designs suffer if they are not properly staged. In my opinion, Sandnes has a particularly good hand here. I may be a little biased with my love of Scandinavia, but I still believe that Sandnes has brought knitwear fashion into the here and now very well.

2501-01 Harper Cardigan
Does something to me: Harper Cardigan from Sandnes.
Photo: ©️ Sandnes
2501-01 Harper Cardigan
Still does something to me: Harper Cardigan from Sandnes.
Photo: ©️ Sandnes

My favorite model from the DIY 2502 collection is the Harper Cardigan. It has a cropped cut, is rather loose and works with different patterns and cables. Some people might think of the Artisane Cardigan - but Harper is more symmetrical and calm.

It is knitted from the top down in two strands with Ballerina Chunky Mohair and Kos. The complexity of the pattern makes it more suitable for advanced knitters, but it is not impossible. Please also note that for some time now the Sandnes pattern have no longer been bundled together in a booklet, but are included as individual pattern in the corresponding knitting set.

It can also be quite simple

The Ivy Tee from Sunday and Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes is much simpler and less cozy. The example model is grey, but I can also imagine it in a cheerful, bright color.

You also knit this design from the top down, starting with the back, which is shaped by short rows and increases. I really like this way of knitting: bit by bit you get closer to your finished knitted model. I always find it fascinating.

Ivy Tee 2502-09
You guessed it: The Ivy Tee from Sandnes also does something to me.
Photo: ©️ Sandnes

There is something for almost every taste

You can find all the knitting sets in the collection in this overview. I've looked at them several times now and still think they're great, great, great. If you want to see more impressions of the shoot and a few videos, you can also take a closer look at Sandnes' Instagram account.

I have brought four more patterns for today. The Luna Skirt in short, for example, is knitted from Ballerina Chunky Mohair (there are four new colors here!). This design is a chic option, especially now that the wedding and other family celebration season is fast approaching.

The Mindy Sweater - in the example you can see the trend color Matcha - is exactly what I imagine an everyday sweater to be: it has a casual cut and is easy to combine. You're knitting with Sunday and Tynn Silk Mohair.

The 80s called - and I answered!

The Harper Vest will definitely give you associations with past fashion decades. Louisa aptly commented that the model is only missing the tennis racket. Be that as it may: no one can reinvent the wheel and boxy vests with patterns are welcome to return. As with the cardigan pendant, the combination of Ballerina Chunky Mohair and Kos is used here.

If you want to move on to spring, you can reach for the Lia Cardigan, which is knitted in one strand of Double Sunday. It is still warm, but thanks to the short sleeves it is an ideal garment for milder temperatures (but can of course also be easily pulled over a long-sleeved shirt). Either way, there are so many beautiful colors at Double Sunday that you'll have no problem finding something suitable for your closet.

Less oversized

Mere Sweater
A figure-hugging cut: Mere Sweater from knitting.adventures.
Photo: ©️ Aneta Bleyer

I know that we also have some customers who don't like oversized styles. So it's a good thing that we created the knitting set for the Mere Sweater by Aneta Bleyer aka knitting.adventures this week.

The ribbed raglan sweater creates a beautiful silhouette and is worked from the top down. You can choose between two different collars - depending on whether you prefer a short collar or a high collar. The knitting kit contains one of Aneta's suggested yarns - Como Cashmere from Lamana. The quality consists of 70% virgin wool and 30% cashmere. Warm, soft, light - what more could a knitter's heart desire!

New tutorial and lots of knitting ideas

If you want to continue reading right away, be sure to check out our new tutorial post on knitting hats. Louisa has put it together for you. As well as all the tips you need to know about knitting beanies, ribbed hats and hoods, the blog post also contains lots of design ideas and a free chart with hat sizes for the smallest and largest heads. Who knows: maybe one or two of you will want to design your own!

If you love interchangeable needles, please pay attention!

Chiaogoo needle set Forté 2.0
Nerdy, but really successful: Forté needle tips from Chiaogoo.
Photo: ©️ Sandra Groll

Before we get straight into our maschenfein knitting round, I have a tip for you: Marisa spontaneously recorded a little Instagram Live in her office this week and shows you a few new needle tips, among other things.

Inspired by Sandra, she also had to try out the Forté needle tips from Chiaogoo. The 13 cm long tips are made of carbon with a stainless steel tip in the S sizes. This makes them particularly light, but they still don't break. The inner part of the L-sizes is made of black wood with a beautifully smooth wood grain.

S, L, pardon? Take a look at this older blog post. In it, Marisa explains the Chiaogoo system. It is important to note that there are different thread sizes with matching cables. But once you know about this, you won't want to do without Chiaogoo needles again!

Maschenfein knitting round

My needles are well occupied again. Not all of them, of course. Fortunately, I have several of certain needle sizes - you never know! Because inspiration is lurking around every corner. Take a look:

Maschenfein knitting round from February 1, 2025
Photos via Instagram: ©️ instagram.com/schnieslii / instagram.com/_elisarobin_

Lisa, who supports us in our design development, has completed a maschenfein Cloud Sweater - completely with stash yarn! Collecting yarn only has advantages. So, now you know! 😉

Elisa knits the Louvre Sweater from PetiteKnit. Deviating from the knitting set, she is working with Heavy Merino from Knitting for Olive. A great idea and with the help of a gauge swatch you can also take into account differences in yarn weight and then knit a different size, for example.

So I could just start another thousand and one projects. At least one. How are you doing? Do you have similarly ambitious knitting fantasies? In any case, I wish you a lovely weekend with lots of knitting time!

Sophia

About Sophia

I'm Sophia, live in Hannover and since October 2020 I've been taking care of the blog posts, the newsletter, planning the podcast and coming up with actions for social media. By the way, I also happen to be a knitting addict, which benefits me at work.

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12 comments

Karen

Dear Sophia, thank you very much for your answer. I am currently knitting the Heather Sweater Cable Edition from Sandnes. The support team advised me to use Alpakka fölgetrad and it will be wonderful.
DUO is one of my favorite yarns for robust everyday sweaters. I'd love to see more pattern for it, children's designs are also wonderful in this quality. Warm, soft, robust, nothing gets caught in the fluffy fibers - perfect.
The everyday yarns Peer Gynt and Sunday are also great for teachers, educators and children 😀
Best regards from Karen

Sophia

Oh yes - I understand that! I knitted my son a sweater in merino wool from Sandnes. It works great for us. He wears it up and down and I wash it in the machine on the wool cycle - what more could a mother want! 😀 I also love your other favorites. There will definitely be more soon! Best regards, Sophia

Sibyl

I am currently knitting the scarf -Sybille - now I am in the final stages . It knits up really nicely . Now I have the problem should I wash it and then stretch it ? The pattern say to let it dry under a damp cloth . I don't really understand it . Maybe you could give me a tip . Many thanks and best regards .

Clases

Dear Sophia, I look forward to having a coffee with you every Saturday. I love the way you write, that pinch of humor - magical!
And in this issue you have fulfilled an absolute heart's desire of mine: the Mere Sweater, a figure-hugging sweater in a ribbed pattern, is so incredibly beautiful!!!!! Thank you for finding it just for me! Big love!
So thank you very much, unselfishly and only on behalf of the knitters, for your research and inspiration.
The Maschenfein team really sets a standard. Thank you.
Many greetings from the Baltic Sea.
Jana

Sophia

Dear Jana, oh - such messages always touch me very much! Thank you so much for the praise! I'm glad that there was something for you. I hope you continue to have lots of fun with Maschenfein and of course with your knitting! Best regards, Sophia

Sabine

Dear Maschenfein team, that was another lovely Saturday coffee. However, Sunday's patterns are out for me if the patterns/pattern are only available with the specified yarn. Mohair only works for me to a very limited extent and chunky in spring is not a choice for me, unfortunately

Karen

Dear Sabine, I can only agree with you - beautiful designs but not wearable in everyday working life with children. Kind regards from Karen

Sophia

Dear Karen, maybe you can tell me which styles are wearable for you in your everyday life - then I can take it up in a Saturday coffee. 🙂 I can't always do justice to everyone, but I try to have variety (that's why the Mere Sweater is also in this little coffee shop in addition to the more oversized styles). And when it comes to the individual yarn qualities, you can always write to us and ask for an alternative (support@maschenfein.de). We are happy to help! 🙂 Best regards, Sophia

Christa

Yes, unfortunately a lot of very beautiful designs are "mohair-heavy"...

Sophia

Dear Christa, as a substitute for Tynn Silk Mohair you can use Alpakka Følgetråd from Sandnes - a pure alpaca yarn that works really well as an edging thread. Best regards, Sophia

Sophia

Dear Sabine, it's true: We are only allowed to sell the Sandnes patterns in combination with yarns from Sandnes. This is a requirement of the manufacturer. But sometimes it works and you can find another yarn from the Sandnes family. If, for example, you don't like the mohair yarn in the Sunday designs, you can easily replace Tynn Silk Mohair with Alpakka Følgetråd from Sandnes. Feel free to contact us by email (support@maschenfein.de) if you have any further questions! Best regards, Sophia

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