Bamboo Bloom Handpaints – Limited Edition 329 Fugu

New and beautiful this season…

We had such a great time with our last limited edition Bamboo Bloom Handpaints that we decided to do it again. This time, it’s 329 Fugu.

Fugu is the Japanese word for pufferfish.  One minute it’s sleek and streamlined…

Hi there!

The next minute it’s quite a bit bulkier!

HI THERE!!

So it is with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, transitioning from smooth and silky to fluffy puffs and back again.  And given the cool blue ocean tones of this color, we thought it was appropriate.

When I got my hands on this, my immediate thought was, “this would make a beautiful Hanasaku Cowl.”  It led to a lot of joy, sorting through our stock of Poems to see what would pair well.  In the end it came down to two choices.

Poems 616 Chevron looks great with it, and I was curious to see how that yellow would interplay with the greens.  In fact, Yarn Bazaar in NJ has kitted up this combo!

In the end I went a different way.

I liked the darkness and overall violet-blue of Poems in Arles 601, and am pleased with how this turned out.

I still may go back and make one in the other combo.  Honestly, these slip-stitch cowls are fun and quick to make.  It’s a great go-to project for something colorful and impressive-looking.

The Hanasaku Cowl is available for sale on Ravelry – but if you hit your local yarn shop, they can download it for free for you.  You might want to grab a skein of Fugu while you can, too.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Hidden Treasure Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Hidden Treasure Poncho in Major (link here).

There’s actually not much hidden about today’s pattern. There is, however, a lot to treasure.  This poncho uses self-striping Major, which comes in ginormous 200g balls.  Here’s a picture – Amy Gunderson for scale.

Peekaboo!

This yarn is a favorite because it’s easy to get a substantial project out of very few balls.   Today’s design, for instance, calls for just three.

On size 10½ (6.5mm) needles, make two rectangles, then seam at the shoulders.  Pick up and knit around for the ribbed collar, and you’re done.  The stitch pattern is both written and charted, and doesn’t require a cable needle.

Last step: wear and treasure your work.

We hope you enjoy this gem of a poncho.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Java Jive Mug Rugs

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Java Jive Mug Rugs in Java (click for pattern page).

These are a knitting trifecta – quick, easy, and practical.  Wouldn’t they make a great housewarming gift?

100% hemp Fibra Natura Java is sturdy enough for this very usable home dec project, as well as being machine washable.

The pattern is a basic two-row slip stitch repeat that only uses one color per row.  Simple, but it gives a sophisticated, almost woven look.

While only four coasters are pictured, you can get a set of eight out of the required yarn – more if you do the fringe in a different color.  Like we say – quick and easy!

We hope you have a great weekend.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Darcy Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Darcy Vest in Bella Cash.

This is a great transitional piece for the cool weather that’s coming up.  (Cool weather is coming up, right?  Because here in the South, we’re very ready.)

Yes, there is a key in the pattern.This vest is worked traditionally, from the hem up in pieces.  The Lovely Lace pattern lives up to its name – simple, but pretty.   It’s written and charted, and the pattern contains a schematic.

We’re big fans of Bella Cash here, as you may have gathered from recent Free Pattern Fridays like the Dulcet Wrap.  The yarn is a lightweight fine merino/nylon/cashmere blend that’s pleasant to work with and looks beautiful knitted or crocheted up.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern.  Have a great weekend, and happy knitting!

Attire to Adore

Attire to Adore isn’t only the name of our recent Spring 2017 ebook, it’s also what we hope you think of it! The six knit garments in this collection run the range from vest to pullovers to cardigans. All projects are knit in one of our newer yarns, Adore.

Adore is a blend of superwash merino and anti-pilling acrylic. The anti-pilling acrylic component is the key in a garment that is easy to care for and still looks great after wearing and washing. Adore is a great basic – it has both a luxurious and a practical side, is fantastic to work with, and doesn’t break the bank.

Let me walk you through the projects, all designed by Tori Gurbisz and myself (Amy Gunderson):

Sienna Vest is the quickest knit in the book because – no sleeves! If you ever get worn out by a full sweater project by the time the body is done, a vest might just be the garment for you.

The lower hem is split in the front and a cable starts twisting up the center front like magic! Okay, it’s not magic, but it’s cool. This same cable eventually diverges at the neckline, maintaining the same ribbing as the cable. This ribbed edging that is worked at the same time as the shoulders means there is no need to work an additional neck edging.

 

 

Aurelia Peplum is a sweet little raglan pullover shaped through the inherent nature of dense cables.

This sweater is knit from the bottom up. The peplum portion of the sweater could easily be made a bit longer if you prefer to wear this with leggings.

 

A short-row curved hem and traveling cable panels are the defining features of Crisanta.

Slightly oversized, you’ll want to snuggle the day away in this cozy sweater. A fun little detail is the traveling cable which is echoed in the folded turtleneck collar.

 

Willow Cardigan has the benefit of set-in sleeves without the actual setting in part.

This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down using Barbara Walker’s method of simultaneous set-in sleeves. If you’ve never tried this technique before you’re going to love it – trust me!

 

A nondescript cable running up each sleeve brings subtle interest to Jora.

Jora is knit from the bottom up in pieces and seamed, making it a great travel project. This raglan sweater is another wardrobe staple that’s easy to throw on with just about any outfit.

 

The collection’s second cardigan, Sorrell rounds out the group.

The drop shoulder design incorporates two lace patterns for easy knitting without the stress of much shaping in pattern. Who doesn’t love a lace cardigan, particularly one you can throw in the washing machine?

Free Pattern Friday – Hibiscus Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Hibiscus Scarf in Garden 10.

It’s summertime, but that’s no reason to skip the pretty accessories! This scarf calls for two balls of Nazli Gelin Garden 10 mercerized cotton, using one of the variegated shades in that yarn. The colors in this cotton are rich and saturated.

The body of this shallow shaped scarf is knitted at the same time as its border. As with all stockinette, this scarf will curl some, allowing bits of the lace to peek through depending on how you wear it.

This is a lovely lightweight piece that won’t sit heavy on your lap as you work it.

We hope you have a great weekend.  Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Graphite Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Graphite Tank in Radiant Cotton.

What a lovely piece for summer!

This swingy A-line tank is worked from the bottom up in pieces and then seamed.  Fibra Natura Radiant Cotton keeps it nice and cool.

Although we’ve made this monochrome, It could look really cute with different colors at the hem.  For instance…

Image of three shades of blue Radiant Cotton Yarn
Radiant Cotton 820, 818, 817
Image of three shades of Radiant Cotton from magenta to purple
Radiant Cotton 801, 802, 803

So many possibilities.

Have a great weekend – and happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Blissful Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Blissful Tee in Cotton True Sport.

 

Just looking at this top makes me happy.  It’s a charming design in our Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport, a 100% Pima cotton that’s quite pleasant to work with.  It’s the kind of basic top that would look great with jeans or a skirt, plus maybe a little silver jewelry.  The lace detail at the top, which is charted and written, keeps it from being too plain.

 

Work it from the hem up in two pieces, then join together.  We call for a US Size 4 (3.5mm) needle for the body, but of course use whatever will get you gauge – 6 stitches per inch in this case.  It makes a lightweight cotton fabric that’s perfect for summer.

We hope you enjoy this bit of knitted bliss.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern – Dulcet Wrap

It’s Free Pattern… Sunday?

Sure, why not?

Today. the Dulcet Wrap in Bella Cash.

We couldn’t stop with just one Bella Cash pattern this week.  The Dulcet Wrap is over six feet long, with a drapey fabric on size 5 needles.  Bella Cash merino/cashmere/nylon gives it a lovely wispiness.

In order to knit the single stripes of the body, you’ll want circular needles.  Knit a row in one color, then slide your stitches back to the end of the needle and knit a row in the second color.  It gives a lovely effect.  The wide mesh lace is a 4-row repeat.  End it with Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off for a nice elastic edge.

We hope you enjoy this charming, fine-weight shawl pattern.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Which Way is Up

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Which Way Is Up in Bella Cash.

Ladies and gentlemen, the faint of heart may wish to look away from this next sentence, lest it chill you to your very soul!

We’re more than halfway to Christmas.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I know.  I’m sorry you had to read that.

But better to face it now, while there’s still plenty of time to start on holiday projects than later, when it’s a mad rush.

Fortunately, we’ve got some charming projects in the works that would be great for gifts, like this week’s pattern, Which Way is Up.  Sized from newborn to 4-year, it’s a Fair Isle cardigan that calls for machine washable Bella Cash, a fine merino/cashmere/nylon blend. Knit the cardi bottom up, join the raglan sleeves and body, and add the button band.  Classic and cute.

This would be a good small project to tackle to get ahead of the game, or just to be ready when the next baby shower takes you by surprise.

We hope you enjoy this stylish and adorable pattern.

Happy knitting!