Throwback Thursday – Set Sail Top

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Set Sail Top

Today, a perfect fit for summer – the Set Sail Top.  Originally knit in our Links cotton, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme DK (100g/230yds).  This is a particularly economical substitution – while it would have taken 20 balls of Links to make the largest size of this top, you could knit it with just 4 balls each of two colors in Cotton Supreme DK.  Score!

Set Sail Top DetailThis top is knit flat and stitched up, then the neck trim is crocheted and whipstitched to the neckline.  Presto – a cool and breezy cotton top perfect for warmer weather.

We hope you enjoy this light and fun multi-craft project.

Happy knitting!

 

Throwback Thursday – Ultraviolet Stole

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Ultraviolet Stole

Something for the crocheters today!  The Ultraviolet Stole was originally designed for Endurance Sock, an offering from our Wisdom Yarns line.  Fortunately, we have a number of great yarns in the Wisdom family that would still work great with this pattern!

Saki Silk three balls B_100My personal favorite would be Saki Silk (100g/440yds), a merino/nylon/silk blend with a great sheen.  The yardage is about the same as Endurance Sock, so this would be an easy three-ball project.

If you wanted to venture outside the Wisdom family, Infusion Handpaints (100g/291yds) would be another good choice.

Regardless, there’s a lot to love about a gigantic loopy stole that’s a simple five-row repeat.  A big project that won’t tax your brain – excellent material to crochet while chatting with friends!

Throwback Thursday – Spring Snowflake Cardi

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Snowflake Cardi

This little cutie is wearing the Spring Snowflake Cardi.

Originally, this took about 300 yards of Morning Glory Cotton (a cotton/acrylic blend) on a size 6 needle.  We’re recommending several other machine washable options for this charming baby and toddler cardi.

DM_Morning_Glory Sparkling Snowflake Sweater_cu300Lightweight Little Bird, Bamboo Pop, and Uptown Baby Sport would all be good matches.  These yarns also have greater yardage per ball than the original yarn, making this sweater potentially a great one ball project!

Uptown Baby Sport has some really great pastels and kid-friendly color options.  You might even try doubling up Little Bird or Bamboo Pop solid and multi for an interesting color color combo.  Hmm… I feel a Sunday Swatch idea coming on.

Happy knitting!

Throwback Thursday – Zig Zag Lace Scarf

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Throwback Thursday Zig Zag Lace Scarf

Today, we feature the Zig Zag Lace Scarf.  Originally in Fibra Natura Seasong, we’re recommending a couple of medium weight alternatives here.

First, Llamalini (50g/109yds), another member of the Fibra Natura family.  It’s a decadent blend of royal llama, silk bourette, and linen.  In fact I’ve picked Llamalini for an upcoming Sunday Swatch, mainly so I have another excuse to knit with it!

Next, Deluxe Worsted Superwash (100g/220yds), our very popular superwash version of Deluxe Worsted.  There’s no plant content here, so the scarf will have a little more “spring” with this choice.  There’s a great range of colors here, so there are many opportunities to customize your scarf.

0118-Universal Yarn catchupThe pattern itself is very simple – just a series of yarn overs and decreases staggered to make a zig zag design.  This is an easy pattern to read in your stitches, meaning once you’ve done a repeat you can see how to continue without too much referring back to the pattern page.  This is a classic pattern that we’re glad to share again!

Happy knitting!

Throwback Thursday – Tea Party

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Tea Party_web

Today, the Tea Party sweater!

Awww!  I love a cute kid in a cute sweater.  Of course, this pattern is from 2008, so to fit this moppet now you’d have to knit the largest size!

Regardless of when it was first published, the pattern remains adorable.  Originally meant for discontinued Bellagio, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme (100g/180yds) as a substitution.  While Cotton Supreme won’t have quite the same sheen as the original yarn, it is soft and machine washable, making it a great choice for kid knits.  And on size 7 needles, the gauge should work out just fine.

Tea Party is knitted flat and seamed, with the lace pattern both written and charted.  All in all, a great knit for any little tyke.

Throwback Thursday – Baby Squares Blanket

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Throwback Thursday Baby Squares Blanket

Our Uptown Worsted “Don’t Be A Square Afghan” knitalong has inspired us to look at other samplers!  For those looking for a lighter-weight option, we present the Baby Squares Blanket.  You knit all six squares of each tier at once – casting on 24 for the green, 24 for the white, 24 for the purple, etc.  It’s an interesting construction that steps away from “one square at a time.”

Originally knit in Bella DK, this would look great in popular Uptown DK (273yds/100g), the little sister to Uptown Worsted.  Its softness and machine washability make it a great choice for pieces that you want to last a long time.  We love Uptown DK for grown-up garments too, as featured in e-book Mountain Ridge Knits (right).

While this baby blanket would look great in primary colors or pastels, I’d be tempted to try it with a little neon pop in some of the center squares, just for kicks.  Baby blankets don’t need to be boring!

Happy knitting!

Throwback Thursday – Ruffled Shoulder Bag

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Ruffled Shoulder Bag in Links_blog

The Ruffled Shoulder Bag is a great project any time of the year.  Originally knit in Links cotton from our Fibra Natura line, we suggest substituting another non-wool yarn like Cotton Supreme (100g/180yds) or Uptown DK (100g/273yds).

The frills are simple semi-circular strips sewn on after knitting the bag proper, making it easy to customize with or without ruffles as you wish.

I’m thinking this might be a good thing to work on at my local Worldwide Knit In Public Day – making a bag big enough to hold my WIPs seems like a fitting project!

Throwback Thursday – Rainforest Cardigan

Welcome to the first Throwback Thursday!

Starting this week, we’re going to be featuring designs in retired yarns that would still look great now!

Rainforest Cardigan in Seasong from web_throwback

Today we’re featuring the Rainforest Cardigan, originally in Sea Song.

Sea Song was a member of our Fibra Natura line of luxury organic yarns.  It consisted of cotton and seacell, both plant fibers which give this garment a relaxed feel.  We’re recommending another plant fiber yarn for this garment, Bamboo Pop.

Bamboo Pop ball_2_webThe sideways construction of this cardi makes it especially well-suited for variegated yarns like Bamboo Pop, which also comes in solids.  Although slightly thinner than the original yarn, Bamboo Pop will still give 5½ stitches to the inch, the required gauge for this pattern.

This is an easy to knit, easy to wear piece that would be a great accent for mild weather.  It’s a classic design with a current look.

Happy knitting!