Tag: Pam Knighton-Haener

This year, Pam Knighton-Haener from A Yarn of Serendipity has created some new designs and so far I have already been able to test three of them. Two are already published, so I can show them. The third one is still in the testing phase and will be released in August.

As you may know I have been unsure all the time which yarn to use. Pam’s squares are designed to use a cotton yarn in Aran weight. Depending on hook size – 4,5 or 5 mm hook – the finished size will be 11 or 12 inch – that’s about 28 respectively 30,5 cm.

When I started testing for Pam in 2020 I made my first squares with Drops Paris and Love you 8 using a 4,5 mm hook. I love the colours of Drops as they are soft and subtle but somehow I don’t like to work with Aran weight. It’s probably a matter of practice, but I’m never satisfied with the look of my stitches when I use Aran. Especially since Pam often uses trebles and double trebles. Somehow it stresses me out and I have been looking for alternatives.
So, after a short excursion to Stylecraft Special DK (not as good stitch definition as cotton and harder to block), I came to Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4. It is a fingering weight with 170 m / 50 g. Much thinner than Aran but I still think my squares are a good size at around 19 or 20 cm. I like the colours, I’m happy with the look of my stitches, I feel less stressed – I’m sticking with it.
Luckily Pam doesn’t mind me using it.

The first Square I tested this year was the

Simple Wonders Square

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And the second one was the lovely

Apart Together Square

If you are interested in the other squares I tested for Pam, just have a look

From left to right:
Carter Jude Square, Brood of Angels, Margaret Square, all made with Drops yarn

Have a good time

Last updated on May 14, 2026

While revising my blog page, I realised that I had forgotten to show my Fancy Nancy square. Shame! So I thought I would write a quick post to put that right!

Fancy Nancy is another beautiful Afghan square design by Pam Knighton-Haener from a Yarn of Serendipity. I tested this pattern already in October 2021.

Pam usually designs her squares with Aran (#4) cotton yarn. I must admit that this is not my favourite type of yarn. I haven’t found one that I like working with yet. So this time, I decided to try using my standard acrylic DK (#3) yarn. Just to see how it works!

I used Stylecraft Special DK in Copper, Parchment and Gold, my favourite autumnal colours. I followed Pam’s colour scheme number 2, only switching the colour for the final round.

With Aran yarn, the squares should measure either 28 cm (11 inches) or 30 cm (12 inches), depending on the hook size used. Using DK yarn, my Fancy Nancy was 25 x 25 cm (about 10 inches) tall.

I’m really pleased with the result!

I suspect, however, that cotton yarn would show off the stitches better. The pattern includes lots of treble crochets and double treble crochets. These stitches simply look better when they’re blocked as blocking always opens up the stitches a bit. tight. Unfortunately, I still find it difficult to pull acrylic yarn tight properly. Unfortunately, I still find it difficult to block acrylic yarn properly. The results are usually not as good or as long-lasting as with cotton yarn.

I started testing for Pam in September 2020, and since then I’ve had the chance to test four of her lovely squares. Well, actually five, to be precise! I’ve just finished testing her latest design. The pattern hasn’t been published yet, so I can’t show it to you just yet. But what I can show you again are the squares I’ve made so far.

Perhaps I should get some suitable cotton yarn after all and crochet a few more? One day, they’d make a beautiful blanket.

All of Pam’s designs are so richly textured that they would look great even in a single colour.

If you would like to try one of Pam’s designs just pop over to her Ravelry store. She also offers some of her patterns for free – do have a look!

Fancy Nancy Square on Ravelry

Last updated on May 11, 2026

A pattern test for A Yarn of Serendipity

In April, I was able to test another design by Pam Knighton-Haener from A Yarn of Serendipity.

She designed this lovely square for a person who had a decisive influence on the course of her artistic career: Margaret!

My test version

For my test version, I used a combination of Drops Paris and Drops Love You 8. Both yarns are 100% cotton and classified as #4, Aran / worsted weight yarns. The yardage is between 75m and 85m per 50g.

Edit, May 2026: it looks like Drops Love you 8 is discontinued, but the colours are still available in the Paris range.

I followed Pam’s colourway 1 and only replaced the colours:

Colour A / 17, Off White

Colour B / 30, Jeans Blue

Colour C / 62, Sage Green

I love the result! Especially the combination of Blue and Sage. It’s kind of calming and one of my favorite combinations.

Using a 4,5 mm hook my blocked square is about 30 cm / 12 inch.

I thoroughly enjoyed testing this design. Pam’s patterns are always incredibly detailed and well-thought-out!

The skill level of this design is intermediate but every stitch is explained clearly. Plus there are helpful row-by-row pictures showing exactly where each stitch goes

If you like the Margaret square you should also have a look at at a series of squares she designed in legacy of her grandchildren. I was able to test one of them in September 2020, the Carter Jude Square.

Pattern Link

Margaret Square on Ravelry