What the Beans Made in 2025: Part 3
Doodles, Color Bursts & the Pieces We Can’t Stop Wearing
You’ve seen the quick wins. You’ve swooned over the sweaters. Now it’s time for the showstoppers -the colorwork, the bold choices, the statement pieces that make strangers stop us in the grocery store.
This is the final installment of our 2025 Staff Project Roundup -and whew, the team (and our beloved Knit Nighters, led by Aiyana!) brought their A‑game.
These are the projects that taught us new skills, pushed us into new color palettes, and reminded us why community is magic.
Autumn Doodle Cowl -Minty’s Citrus‑Bright Colorplay
Yarn: Madelinetosh DK (Citrus, Grapefruit, Fragrant, Rose, Onyx)
Pattern: Autumn Doodle Deck
Minty, one of our Knit Night regulars who always brings the best energy, went full citrus grove with this one. Bright pinks, zesty oranges, soft rosy tones, and then that inky Onyx to ground it all. It’s such a joyful palette, and every time she walks into the shop wearing it, the whole place just lights up.
Emotional Spark: She knit this surrounded by her Knit Night crew: coffee, conversation, and that soft hum of needles clicking together. You can feel that energy in the finished piece.
Sensory Snapshot: Tosh DK has that smooth, soft, slightly cool touch -like running your fingertips over polished river stones.
Winter Doodle Stocking -Shannon’s Frosty Mosaic
Yarn: Madelinetosh Farm Twist (Geranium, Fatal Attraction, Button Jar Blue, Nassau Blue, Natural)
Pattern: Winter Doodle Deck
Shannon, another longtime Knit Nighter, used the Winter Doodle Deck to build this gorgeous icy palette of blues, neutrals, and quiet little fades. The round, plump twist of Farm Twist makes every motif stand out like crisp snowflakes.
Emotional Spark: She worked on this on the sofa, while her kitties did got into the mischief that only little kitties can. I love that visual.
Sensory Snapshot: Farm Twist is buttery-soft and smooth, cozy without being heavy. It just has this comforting presence.
Botanical Doodle Cowl-Megan’s Garden‑Party Moment
Yarn: Hayfield Bonus DK (Lagoon Blue, Oyster Pink, Rustic Pink, Grass, Bottle Green, Lime, Iced Pink)
Pattern: Botanical Doodle Deck
Megan went for it - seven colors! This cowl looks like a floral garden party stitched right into fabric. It’s playful and sweet and has so much movement and whimsy.
Emotional Spark: This became her “grandma-approved project.” She showed each new section to her grandmother, who loved guessing what motif was coming next. Melted my heart.
Sensory Snapshot: Bonus DK is smooth, cool, flexible -soft enough for all-day neckwear, sturdy enough that you know it’ll hold up beautifully.
Lenny Scarf -Aiyana’s ASAP Rainbow
Yarn: Madelinetosh ASAP (Escape Pod)
Pattern: Lenny Scarf by Lena Skvagerson
When you need full-on color therapy, ASAP delivers. Aiyana knit this simple bias scarf in Escape Pod and just let the yarn do its thing, every row is a little surprise, a little burst of joy.
Emotional Spark: She knit this during long phone calls with a childhood friend -laughing, catching up, letting the rows fly by. You can feel the happiness in the fabric.
Sensory Snapshot: ASAP knits into this dense, cushy, velvety fabric -like a warm hug pretending to be a scarf.
Asterism Beanie & Alma Scarf -Allison & Arlene’s Shared-Skein Duo
Yarn for hat: Malabrigo Worsted Merino (Frida, Olive, Frank Ochre)
Yarn for scarf: Malabrigo Worsted Merino (Frida)
Patterns: The Asterism Beanie by Karysha & Alma Scarf by Kristel Nieves
Allison and Arlene, two of our retail-floor queens, accidentally created the cutest matching-but-not-matching moment. They both fell in love with Malabrigo Worsted in Frida, and from there, their projects just… synced up. Allison used Frida, Olive, and Frank Ochre for her textured beanie, while Arlene turned her skein into a soft, beautifully marled Alma Scarf.
Shared Spark: Between helping customers, they'd swap color ideas and pattern thoughts. It slowly turned into this unofficial “we’re making this together” project. And it shows -the pieces look like they belong together.
Sensory Snapshot: Malabrigo Worsted is buttery-soft and warm with that velvety hand-dyed feel. Perfect for anything that touches your skin.
