Whenever we receive a box of Freia Handpaints, we feel like kids at the candy store. Each box is filled with a little bit of wonder and delight as we unpack the brightly colored balls and find homes for them on our shelves. This particular shipment is no different – in fact, it’s more delightful than normal because it contains two lovely yarns – Shawl Balls and Yarn Bombs! Like all yarns from Freia Handpaints, these two bases are 100% American from sheep to finished yarn and guaranteed cruelty-free. And, as always they have the gorgeous ombré gradients that we have come to know and love! Yarn Bombs are a full 860 yards – that’s right – nearly half a mile of squishy, dreamy, single-ply merino. Shawl Balls are a (comparatively) modest 430 yards of that same single-ply fingering, which are perfect for smaller projects. We think these yarns pair perfectly with shawl designs by Xandy Peters (Coming to Space this Spring!). Check out some inspiration below.
Shawl Balls
Yarn Details:
- Single-ply 100% Fingering Weight US Merino Wool (mulesing-free)
- Ball Size: 100g/3.53 oz – 430 yards
- 24-28 sts/28-36 rows over 4″ on US3 (3.25mm) – US7 (4.5mm) needles
- Hand Wash
- $40
Yarn Bombs
Yarn Details:
- Single-ply 100% Fingering Weight US Merino wool (mulesing-free)
- 200g/7.06 oz – 860 yards
- Gauge: 20-28 sts/28-36 rows over 4″ on US 3-7 (3.25-4.5mm) needles
- Hand Wash
- $76
Blooming Brioche
Finished Measurements
68 (74)” [173, 188 cm] wide and 20 (26)” [51, 66 cm] deep triangle shape (Adjustable)
Yarn
- Freia Handpaint Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball(s) 430 yards (393 meters) per 100g skein (100% US cruelty-free merino)
- Color 1A (Light): 1(1) Freia Handpaint Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball(s) 430 yards (393 meters) per 100g skein (100% US cruelty-free merino)
- Color 1B (Light): 0(1) Freia Handpaint Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball(s)
- Color 2 (Dark): 1(2) Friea Handpaint Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball(s)
Optional: Choose 1 light and 1 dark Freia Handpaint Ombré Fingering Yarn Bomb for the larger size!
Needles and Notions
- US 5 (3.75 mm)
- Tapestry needle
- locking stitch markers
- pins
- blocking surface
- steamer (optional)
- row counter (optional)
Gauge
14 sts x 26 rows = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in brioche stitch.
Melted Crayons
Finished Measurements
66” (168 cm) x 28” (71 cm) triangle shape
Yarn
- Freia Handpaints Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball, 430 yards (393 meters) per 100g skein (100% US cruelty-free merino).
- Color A – 1 Shawl Ball
- Color B – 1 Shawl Ball
Needles and Notions
- Size 7 (4.5mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Stitch marker
- tapestry needle
- pins
- blocking wires or pins
- blocking surface
- steamer or steam iron
Gauge
16 sts x 30 rows = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in garter stitch.
Zebra Crossing
Finished Measurements
9.5″ (24 cm) x 74″ (188 cm) rhombus shape.
Yarn
- Color A – Knitwhits Freia Handpaints Semi-Solid Fingering Shawl Ball, 430 yards (393 meters) per 100g skein (100% US cruelty-free merino).
- Color B – Knitwhits Freia Handpaints Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball, 430 yards (393 meters) per 100g skein (100% US cruelty-free merino).
Needles and Notions
- #6 (4 mm) 24” (60 cm) circular needles for Knit/Purl version, #6 (4 mm) for All Knit version, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- pins
- steamer
- blocking wires
- blocking surface
Gauge
22 stitches and 40 rows= 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in garter stitch after blocking.
Abacus Wrap
Finished Measurements
18 x 68” (46 x 172 cm) rectangular wrap.
Yarn
- Color A – One Freia Handpaints Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball
- Color B – One Freia Handpaints Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball
Needles and Notions
- U.S. Size 8 (5 mm) straight needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. Note: Straight needles work best with long stitches. Circular needles with a thin cord allow the long stitches to tighten and stretch, making them harder to manipulate.
- 10-sided die or other random number generator
- Stitch Marker
- Scale
Gauge
12 sts x 14 rows = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in pattern.
Tryphobia Shawl
Finished Measurements
70” (178 cm) wide and 18.5” (47 cm) deep.
Yarn
- 1 Freia Ombre Yarn Bomb, 860 yards (786m) per 200g; 100% merino.
Needles
- Size 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge
20 sts and 40 rows in garter stitch = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square.
Psychedelic Shawl
Finished Measurements
24˝ x 72˝ (61 x 183cm)
Yarn
- MC: 1 Freia Ombre Yarn Bomb, 860 yards (786m) per 200g; 100% merino.
- CC: 1 Freia Ombre Yarn Bomb, 860 yards (786m) per 200g; 100% merino.
Needles
- Size 5 (3.75mm) 32˝ circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- 3 stitch markers
- sewing needle
- pins
- blocking pads.
Gauge
See swatch instructions inside pattern, 6 x 7˝ (15 x 18 cm) after blocking.