It has been lovely talking about knitting with UNIVERSAL YARN Bella Bounce this week. Yesterday, I joined the back and finished the second sleeve, and I weaved in the ends too.
My Bubble Sleeves Shrug is ready for the holidays!
Before revealing what the finished Bubble Sleeve Shrug looks like on me, I want to talk about one of the most transformative parts of any knitting project: blocking!
Blocking is the moment the fabric truly comes alive. It smooths, shapes, and settles the stitches, and with UNIVERSAL YARN Bella Bounce, the effect is especially beautiful. This yarn responds so well to gentle blocking that the fibers relax, open, and bloom in the softest way.
To block the shrug, I begin with a simple soak in lukewarm water using Soak, a modern rinse-free laundry care product, which is enough to relax Bella Bounce’s stitches. Once the piece is fully saturated, I lift it carefully, supporting its weight, and squeeze out the extra moisture without wringing it, then leave it for an afternoon or so in a colander. This is a colander designated for my blocking process.
Soak, a modern rinse-free laundry care, is enough for Bella Bounce to relax its stitches.
When most of the water has gone, I lay it flat on a clean towel, roll it up, and press lightly to draw out even more.
Waiting for most of the water to drip through the colander
On my blocking mats, I shape the shrug to its finished measurements, smoothing the back panel and arranging the bubble sleeves so that each puff sits naturally. Pinning is very minimal here. Bella Bounce already has such lovely elasticity that it finds its shape easily. As it dries, the fabric regains its energy. This is when the yarn truly earns its name. Once dry, it feels bouncy, soft, and perfectly balanced between structure and drape.
The Finished Shrug and the Joy of the Final Stitch
And here it is. The moment that always brings a little flutter of excitement. The Bubble Sleeve Shrug is complete and everything I hoped for. The bubble sleeves are plush and expressive, the back panel is smooth and comforting, and the entire piece feels effortlessly wearable.
Bella Bounce in the Shortcake colorway gives the shrug a soft glow. The color shifts look delicate across the sleeves, especially where the texture catches the light. The bubbles are round and airy, just as the designer intended, and the transitions between needle sizes are gentle and seamless.
I tried on the shrug the moment it finished drying. It rests across the shoulders with a lovely drape, and the sleeves feel cozy without weighing anything down. The structure created by knitting from cuff to cuff pays off beautifully here. Both sleeves match perfectly, and the garment wraps like a warm hug.
The finished Bubble Sleeves Shrug, I’m ready for the holidays! Are you?
Reflections on Knitting with Bella Bounce
This yarn is a dream to work with. Its wool-blend creates softness without sacrificing stitch definition, and the polyamide adds just enough resilience to handle the increases and decreases that form the bubbles. Throughout this project, I noticed how forgiving and lively the yarn felt. It encourages a relaxed mindset, which fits perfectly with KNITTER’S PRIDE The Mindful Collection needles.
This project reminded me how satisfying it is to knit a wearable piece that feels both playful and elegant. The bubble sleeves bring drama. The back panel brings comfort. And the finishing brings that final breath of life that only blocking can give!
The back of the Bubble Sleeves Shrug
Thank You for Following Along
I hope you enjoyed this five-part journey into the Bubble Sleeve Shrug using UNIVERSAL YARN Bella Bounce and KNITTER’S PRIDE The Mindful Collection and Knit Picks Rainbow Wood needles. It has been such a pleasure to share the process, the yarn, the tools, and the little discoveries that make knitting so personal and joyful. Whether you’re considering making your own shrug or love learning new techniques, I hope this series has inspired you.
Remember that in knitting, nothing is out of reach, nothing is too hard; it’s just a matter of knitting one stitch at a time. Until next time, happy knitting.
In knitting, nothing is too complicated or out of reach. Knit it one stitch at a time.
