Blog — Picking Up Stitches

Bright yarn to get you noticed!

November 12, 2025 by Annie Leave a Comment

Go Bright with your yarn choices!

Bright yarn can add zing to a jumper! A simple striped top becomes a garment that means you’ll really make an entrance in if you choose to mix up some eyecatching shades…

Bright yarn used in knitted and crocheted jumpers

I’ve loved knitting and crocheting with bright, neon-coloured yarns recently. And there are so many about to choose from. I particularly like the new Sirdar Soft Down DK which has lots of bright colours in its spectrum. As it name suggests, it’s as soft as soft can be. Made with 20% wool and 80% acrylic, this brushed wool blend definitely goes a long way. In fact, the stripey jumper I made only took four 100g balls.

I chose Scarlet Blur and Fuzzy Fuchsia for my stripey jumper – the original pattern was shown in pale pink and orange, but I just loved the vibrant shades together. Here are a few of the shades available.

After finishing my knitted jumper, I still had plenty of bright pink yarn left. I decided to knit an Argyle syle jumper too with two new shades, and using the pink for the ribs and diagonal-line highlights. This one goes full-on 80s, using Matcha Haze and Lilac Whisper for the large triangles.

Bright yarn used to create Argyle pattern

I’m using the intarsia technique for this one (not my favourite, because of all the darning in!). I’ve discovered a way to keep all the separate balls tangle free though. As it’s a geometric pattern, I just use the first colour and slip it onto a spare needle. The next colour is used, then slipped on next to the first. At the end of the row, all the little balls are in order on the spare needle. On the way back, I just take each one off in turn to knit with, then put it on another spare needle. You just need to take care not to split the yarn on the balls as you slide them onto the spare needle…

Not sure how long this one will take to knit, but it’s growing quite quickly!

Now for bright crochet

I already had a number of balls of Stylecraft Studio DK in Fiesta and Bright Green – really bright, neon shades which clash perfectly!!! I crocheted up a zingy jumper in this bright yarn. Green and pink stripes with a pink rib – really packs a punch.

Don’t forget, if you’re a knitting or crochet newbie, I’ve courses and lessons to help you if you live in Thanet – check them out here – you’ll soon be ready to start your own bright project.

Which colours have you used recently? Love to hear about your projects.

Crocheted daffodils for Easter

March 25, 2024 by Annie Leave a Comment

Crocheted daffodils are just what you need to adorn an Easter bonnet! I realised that despite having lots of daffs in the garden every spring, I’d never designed any crocheted daffodils. So a few weeks ago, I put that right!

But first, here’s the inspiration for these crocheted daffs.

Autumn planting, spring colour

Every autumn I plant lots of bulbs in planters. I’m lucky to have so much choice at Youngs Nurseries, which is just a short walk away from my home along a footpath through the fields. The walk is a joy in itself.

To be honest, I’m never sure which variety is planted in which container, so it’s a lovely surprise when they eventually pop up in all their glory. They provide such a cheerful sight once February and March come around. It makes all the waiting worthwhile.

Here are just a few of the lovely blooms in my garden.

There are so many colours to choose from!

From classic long-trumpeted daffs…

to tiny, delicate blooms…

From yellows and oranges…

to whites and lemons…

Of course, daffodils (or narcissi to give them their proper name) come in all shades of yellow, white and orange. So the crocheted daffodils I designed can be made in any shade you wish too! The trumpet can be short or long. Why not create a variety, for a lovely multi-shade bunch. You can add pipe-cleaner stems too… A bunch of those in a little vase will definitely brighten up an Easter table.

Crocheted daffodils and Easter bunnies

Crocheted daffodils and easter bunny garland

I’ve even combined a few of these crocheted daffodils with the pretty little Easter bunny garland I designed last Easter. In fact I taught students how to crochet both at a day course for Kent Adult Education just last weekend. If you’d like to learn, too, don’t forget I teach 1-2-1 sessions or small group sessions in Thanet privately – just get in touch with me or see the Lessons in Thanet or North London page for more details.

I’ll be sharing the pattern on here very soon, so keep an eye out. Happy Easter!

Spring crochet in pastel shades

February 20, 2024 by Annie Leave a Comment

I can’t believe that spring is nearly here again! The spring flowers are beginning to bloom. Hellebores, daffs, and crocuses, snowdrops and primroses all bring a welcome dash of colour to the garden.

Welcome spring sunshine is gradually replacing the cold, grey mornings! So what better than a few projects in pastel shades to brighten up the wardrobe too!

Diving into the yarn stash

Luckily I found a few balls of Stylecraft Special Baby DK in my craft room. They were just waiting to be turned into something springlike! I decided to design a special square block to take advantage of all the shades. The block starts with a circle in the middle, followed by ‘petals’, and then builds up outwards until it almost turns into a granny square at the edge!

close up of centre of spring pastel block

Spring accessories

Once I’d made a few of these, I had to decide what to turn them into. I added a pretty picot edging, and turned five of the squares into a Spring neckwarmer. (Well, the chilly temperatures haven’t disappeared completely yet, have they?) And doesn’t it look perfect on this pinky-purple heather?

It’s even more beautiful worn around the neck, as this stylish model demonstrates!

I still had lots of yarn left though, so I decided to crochet a series of circles, simply using the centre of my pattern. I turned them into this spring belt – very 70s style! (It reminded me of my dog Lily’s collar, which is just like the one on this lovely wooden model of her from Studio Todd in Margate!)

70s style spring belt with a model of our dog Lily

And here it is on the heather in the garden!

Of course, to finish off the look, I had to make a matching circular bag! The strap has picot edging, just like the neckwarmer…

Hope you like my spring look!

Want to learn how to crochet them?

And, don’t forget, if you’d like to learn how to make any of these items and you live in Thanet, why not arrange a lesson and I can teach you. See here for details. Or see the Kent Adult Education website for details of a half-day Easter crochet class I’m teaching – perfect for a spring treat!