Yarn Test Kitchen – LYS Tour Pattern Review
Keeley Richardson
Founder and Chief Fiber Officer
Welcome back to The Woolpack Yarn Test Kitchen!
The whirlwind that was the 2026 Puget Sound LYS Tour is a marvelous memory, but it was also a beginning. The beginning of an exciting tour of garments, accessories and toys both crocheted and knitted thanks to the generous free patterns provided by each of the stores. Casting on once the tour has come to a close is part of the joy that this annual event brings to yarn enthusiasts across the region and beyond. It’s been a few weeks since the tour ended, so last week felt like the appropriate time to invite friends over to show and share their completed tour projects, works in progress and plans for their next cast on. Welcome to our Yarn Test Kitchen Puget Sound LYS Tour review!
Keeley’s Knit – Yarn Store: Strikke – Pattern: Espalier Vest by Rachel Kieselberg – Yarn: Julie Asselin Journey Sport – Color way: Verdon
As soon as I saw the sneak peek on Instagram, I knew I had to make this vest. I chose a summery color, but I am sure there is another vest in an autumn colorway in my future. This is a great layering piece. Rachel’s pattern is clearly written and the eight row pattern repeat is easy to read and remember. My gauge was slightly off so I modified the armhole section slightly by adding a few more rows before joining at the shoulders and I also made the body longer which is standard for me when sweater knitting.
I fell in love with Julie Asselin’s Journey Sport yarn and would highly recommend it as a choice for any sport weight garment. This Targhee and Rambouillet mix knits up beautifully, is next to skin soft and gives great stitch definition. I can’t wait to knit with it again!
Stephanie and Janell’s Knits – Yarn Store: Hazel Knits – Pattern: Lamina Shawl – Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport
This beautiful shawl from Hazel Knits is exactly what get’s us excited in the Yarn Test Kitchen – a true one skein wonder! Stephanie happily reported that this pretty design is everything she had hoped for – a clearly written pattern that was a great mix of relaxing garter stitch combined with a textured edging that results in a beautiful leafy border. The Lamina Shawl is an accessory for all seasons and Hazel Knits has a huge range of colors to choose from that are perfect for whatever time of year you are knitting.
Janell is just starting out with her Lamina, and is happy to report that she is loving this design! She chose a super cool color way that Wendy at Hazel Knits had dyed for the tour. It’s a beautiful blend of pink and green that is going to be fabulous for fall – we all swooned when we saw it!
Peggy’s Knit – Yarn Store: The Nifty Knitter – Pattern: Zephyr Cowl by Shireen Nadir – Yarn: Blue Brick OG Killarney Sock
Another one skein wonder to fall in love with. Peggy was a test knitter for this beautiful design and highly recommends casting on. This elegant cowl pattern was designed by Shireen Nadir, the yarn dyeing genius behind Blue Brick yarns, and she certainly knows the best way to showcase her beautiful hand dyed gradients. The simple lace pattern results in a lightweight design and the bandana style shaping gives it a beautiful drape. Seriously, how fabulous is this cowl with Peggy’s outfit?
Talia’s Socks – Shop: Wild Fibers – Pattern: Pine Square Socks – Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply
Talia loved these socks so much she made them Twice! This is a great pattern whether you are new to sock knitting, or like Talia, are more experienced and looking for a relaxing knit. Pine square socks feature an easy to memorize texture pattern, a modified shadow wrap heel and a round toe. If have never used any of these techniques before, no need to panic, those lovely people at Wild Fibers have included video tutorials in the digital pattern to guide you along the way.
Gail’s Poncho -Yarn Store: Fidalgo Yarns – Pattern: Windswept Poncho by Fran Jepperson – Yarn: Fidalgo Artisan Yarn’s Windswept Sport
Gail’s beautiful poncho will be a perfect extra layer throughout the seasons in the PNW. Perfect for when the sun goes down on a summer evening or throwing on to bring extra warmth on a crisp spring or autumn day. It’s worked from end to end in one long rectangle and then sewn together to create a cozy, comfy and versatile wardrobe addition. Alternating textured patterns bring the interest whilst knitting and wearing and over here at The Woolpack we are all excited to see the finished result.
There were so many fabulous patterns to whet our yarny appetites on this year’s tour and during our get together we shared some of the other yarn tour patterns that are destined for our needles and hooks. Here are some of our favorites:
We had such a great time reminiscing about this year’s tour but only had time to talk about a fraction of the patterns on offer. If you didn’t have time to tour this year but would like to peruse all of the patterns from the participating shops, you can find full details complete with Ravelry links on the Puget Sound LYS Tour website. Your next cast on awaits!
Yarn Test Kitchen
Your Monthly Yarn Review
One of my all time favorite knitting activities is a “show and share”, with friends – it’s a perfect way to seek ideas, gain inspiration and get helpful advice. This is the idea behind the yarn test kitchen – I hope our projects will have you reaching for your needles as we bring you our ideas on how to turn those neglected single skeins of yarn in to “One Skein Wonders”, and inspire you to try new yarns that are produced and sold across the Puget Sound Region.
Oh, and I’ll also be sharing monthly baking recommendations as we go. After all, who doesn’t love a slice of cake or baked good? Yum!
Happy reading!
Keeley