Shannon Dunbabin shares 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids

Shannon Dunbabin shares 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids, a brand new book published by Sixth & Spring books with all projects featuring Cascade Yarns on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

Shannon Dunbabin met the son, Rob, of the founders of Cascade Yarn, when they were at Cornell University so when he asked her to marry him, she came to the Seattle area and went to work for the company while she looked for other work. Thirty years ago, Bob and Jean founded Cascade after his career in Real Estate and she owned an oriental rug store, when Bob met Simon Manly from Hayfield, who suggested yarn distribution. Bob said ‘How hard could it be?’ Later, they realized it might be beneficial to have their own brand, including traveling to other countries to visit the mills, to see the standards as far as working conditions and yarn blends, etc. What was begun almost 30 years (they celebrate that anniversary next year) now continues with over 80 varieties of some of the most beloved yarns in the industry. Shannon is very attached to the Ultra Pima lines as it was the first one she was asked to select a color palette for and she said she just got out her box of crayons and selected 50 colors! It’s also a special favorite because of the way it works up. In fact there is a new linen/cotton blend coming in the spring that they are letting their reps share now. Marly shared her love of the Sateen, which she included in patterns in her book, Cold Weather Crochet, the Chevron hat and cowl. So much of the yarns are classic, even since Shannon has been with Cascade it has been interesting to watch what becomes popular and what doesn’t last, there are basics and classics with sticking power.

Marly also pointed out that Cascade Yarns are very designer friendly. User friendly as well, currently they are working on swatches to show crocheters how a yarn works up (which we all hope helps to dispels the myth that yarn-store yarns are only for knitters), and lots of patterns through their website.

Cascade Yarns has been teaming up with So-Ho publishers to create a series of books with their yarns. Shannon says that has been her mother-in-law’s, Jean, achievement. It began with a book that book of patterns in Cascade 220, that is no longer available and they could never get the rights to republish. They sought out Trisha Malcolm, Editor of Vogue Knitting, and they created 60 Quick Knits projects books available for under $20, and began with Cascade 220, but have since released Baby Knits, Superwash, more Quick Knits in Sport, Cherub, afghans, Ultra Pima. The current is 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids, which uses Pacific and Pacific Chunky yarns. The patterns are available in different skill levels, many are so stylish adults would love to wear them, also, and many we would love to see on our children. Soho curates the patterns/designers and creates these beautiful books that are so popular where knitting books are sold.

Shannon Dunbabin can be followed through her work at Cascade Yarns, they have a website, CascadeYarns.com, check out their blog, too, they also have a Facebook page, a Ravelry Designer page and Ravelry Group, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. 

Because they want to support Local Yarn Stores, Cascade Yarns does not offer yarns for sale, so check out the Store Finder on their website. Shannon also recommends using Google to search for a specific brand or color, you may find an online resource like WEBS or Jimmy Beans offers what you are searching for.

If you missed getting to hear this visit live, it’s still available as an archived episode where it aired originally: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/10/25/shannon-dunbabin-shares-60-quick-knits-for-little-kids or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.