Free Pattern Friday – Taffy Twist

It’s Free Pattern Friday
Today, Taffy Twist in Uptown Baby Sport (pattern link here). This sweet, lacy pullover actually began life as part of e-book Everybody Play Now!, a collection of baby and child designs by Amy Gunderson in Uptown Baby Sport and Uptown DK.
We love this yarn, and we felt like it was overdue for a new free pattern, so we’ve set Taffy Twist free into the wild.
Did you know? The reason you pull taffy is to aerate it. Hence the lace in this design!
You can make this pretty pullover with 2-3 balls of Uptown Baby Sport, even though it’s sized from 1-10 years. The lace and cable panel is both written and charted, and there’s a schematic included as well. We suspect making Taffy Twist will be easier than making actual taffy.
Have a sweet and delicious weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Itty Bitty Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Itty Bitty Set in Bamboo Pop Sock (pattern link here). Bamboo Pop Sock is a new yarn for us this season. We love it for wool-free socks. Check out these beauties from Birdhouse Yarns in Tucson, or these ankle socks from The Twisted Knitter in Mebane, NC. But as much as we love it for socks, we knew as soon as we touched it that it would also be great in kid projects. So, let’s have a few bonus free patterns!
The Easy Stripe Pullover (pattern link here) lives up to its name! Shown here in the 6-12 month size, this pattern will use 1-2 balls of the sleeve color (402 Acid Wash) and 1 ball of the torso (406 Florals).
Ah, the beauty of self-striping yarn. No color changing at the ends of rows (except between the blues and the purples at the cuffs), but you still get those nice crisp stripes. And did we mention this is machine washable? Like we said, great for kid projects.
The Playtime Dress (pattern link here) uses just one color of Bamboo Pop Sock, 404 Wildflowers. Amy Gunderson designed this darling piece for sizes 3-6 months (shown) up to 6 years. Check out how the wavy Feather and Fan section creates festive ripples of color!
Caretakers will appreciate the buttons on the shoulder. Bamboo Pop Sock is very stretchy, but it never hurts to have extra room when pulling a top over a wiggly baby’s head!
So here you go. A three-fer of fun knit projects for youngsters in a summer-friendly yarn. We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

We can’t believe it’s already Valentine’s Day! Where does the time go? We don’t have a new pattern for you this year because we wanted to revisit our older patterns that are perfect for the holiday. I don’t know about you, but I love taking time to revisit the things I’ve wanted to make for ages. I think it makes it very special to let your mind linger on a pattern for a while before casting on.
This year, I wanted to take a look at some of the patterns we have for the little ones in our lives – whether they’re your children, family, or friends, it’s always a joy to knit for little ones. I mean, who doesn’t love a quick-knit sweater?
For those of you interested in joining the Bamboo Pop-Along, how about the Big Heart Dress? This adorable design combines a customer favorite yarn using multis and solids for an adorable effect.
Amy Gunderson has designed some adorable patterns for children, and several of them are perfect for the holiday. First up, we have the Sweetheart Sweater worked in anti-pilling Uptown DK – a favorite for children’s projects because it’s so versatile and easy to care for.
Speaking of how versatile Uptown DK is, how about a little pouch to fill with Valentine’s candy? We love the Valentine Pouch designed by social media-er extraordinaire, Heather Hill.
Another perfect project is Love Patches – a darling pullover worked up in Little Bird with the cutest heart patches on the sleeves. This would look adorable in Bamboo Pop, too!
Finally, we have Firefly. There isn’t any red or pink in our sample, but this kid’s cowl features motifs that will warm your little one’s heart (and neck!). Worked up in Bella Cash, this cowl is luxurious but super easy to care for. It’s a perfect yarn for children’s projects.
If you’re looking for more, please feel free to take a look at the patterns offered on our website. There are plenty of Valentine-friendly projects such as the Be Mine Shawl, Valentina, and the Lovey Dovey Earflap Hat for adults, too. You can find the link to all of our patterns here (link).
We hope you have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy some candy alongside the company of your loved ones!

Free Pattern Friday – Checkerboard Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Checkerboard Pullover in Dona (pattern link here).

Things to love about this pullover:

It’s sized from 3-6 months all the way up to 10 years. Whether your little one is “ooh, look at the tiny toes!” or “I can’t believe they’re growing up so fast!” you can still make them a fun sweater.

The stranding is very predictable. If you like to do Fair Isle without having to constantly refer back to the pattern, you’re set. Put on an episode of This Is Us and knit away without missing the juicy bits.

It would be really easy to customize. Fibra Natura Dona has a range of bold colors, both dark and light.  Blue and white for a gingham look? Red and black for a classic checkerboard? Team colors for the little fan? There are a lot of possibilities!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

Kids e-book – Writing on the Wall

Looking for some cute kid gifts?  You’ll want to check out this new e-book!

cover of Writing on the Wall e-book showing knit and crochet kid projects

Writing on the Wall (Ravelry link here) is a brand new collection of kid projects to knit and crochet in Bella Cash.  We’re big fans of Bella Cash around here.  It’s soft, versatile, and (important for children’s projects) machine washable.  Let’s take a look-see at the patterns!

First, Dino! (Ravelry pattern link here).  Sized 2-14 years, for your budding paleontologist.  This one’s by Rachel Brockman, who also drew the dinosaurs.  Here’s what she has to say about her inspiration:

“As a kid, inspired by Dr. Alan Grant (ed note: Rachel’s first crush!) and Dr. Ellie Sattler, I was POSITIVE that I discovered a piece of a velociraptor in my backyard. I spent loads of time trying to dig around it and eventually discovered it wasn’t a fossil at all. A girl can dream, right?


Anyway, I’ve adored dinosaurs for as long as I can remember, so when Amy and I started putting together a kid’s collection, I knew a dinosaur was essential. Not only that, but even shopping for my niece it was hard to come by dinosaur-themed things that weren’t intended for girls, but for little boys.  I wanted to make a dinosaur top in colors I loved growing up.”

We love the matching “Tricera-topper” that she added.  Rawr!

 

Next, Firefly (Ravelry link here).

Rachel designed this one thinking of warm carefree evenings spent catching fireflies as a child.  Nonetheless, I’m making this one for myself.  It makes me think both of pleasant nights running in the back yard with cupped hands… and of the late great sci-fi TV show Firefly, of which I am a fan.

I’ve already knitted projects with Bella Cash (I love this yarn for socks) so I know making this cowl will be a treat.

 

Here’s Frilling! (Ravelry link here). We went through a few names on this – it was almost “The Frill of Victory.” The focus, obviously, is the frills at the raglan seams.

Knit the sweater top down, then pick up stitches and knit the ruffles outward.  Awfully adorable!

 

Meet your Imaginary Friend! (Ravelry link here)

This one might be my favorite – it’s so inventive and offbeat! The mis-matched eyes, the pocket in the front… everything about this is fun.  Work this colorblocked pullover flat from the top down, then add the pocket.  Teeth are duplicate-stitched on. So cute!

 

Here’s Kindersweater. (Ravelry link here)

Amy Gunderson’s tunic-length yoke sweater nods to traditional Norwegian colorwork sweaters. The colorwork yoke is comprised of a small pattern repeats, easy to memorize and to knit.

After finishing the yoke, keep knitting downward into the textured diamonds. For those wanting a project to keep their attention, it’s a nice alternative to plain stockinette.  A beautiful piece that will make a splash.

 

It’s Pipsqueak! (Ravelry link here)

This crochet pattern is actually a two-fer: it comes with both the cardigan and the Pipsqueak pal!

Both use spike stitch.  The mouse is worked in the round in joined rows…

…and the cardi is worked flat.  What child wouldn’t love their own matching little friend?

We hope this collection will jump start your imagination for gift crafting this season.  We’ve got more collections in the works that we can’t wait to share.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Stripe-o-saurus

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Stripe-o-saurus in Bamboo Pop (pattern link here).

This is a great example of how the right yarn can make a project really pop – no pun intended.

Striped green toddler pullover knitted in Bamboo Pop
“Rawr! I would knit this myself but my arms are too short.”

This Bamboo Pop pullover has two wide bands of color, broken by a single row knitted in the coordinating accent color used at the edges.  Without that thin line, it’s just not quite the same.

Blue toy dinosaur standing next to shoulder of green children's knit pullover
“Rawr! I can’t pick up stitches.  I can’t pick up anything!”

This sweater is worked flat from the bottom up and seamed. Neck edging stitches are picked up and worked in the round. A circular needle is used to work the body because there are times in which stitches will need to be slipped to the other end of the needle during the stripes (for that single line of color).

“Rawr! Maybe you could make me a tiny cape?”

Oh, good grief. Excuse me, I need to go knit something for a tiny blue dinosaur.

We hope you let your inner child out this weekend.

Happy crafting!

Still Summer – Cotton Supreme

Look, I know it’s September, but here in the South we still have hot and humid days where the great outdoors looks like a melting Dali painting.  True story: I once saw my cousin get stuck in an overheated parking lot when her high heels sank into liquefying asphalt, like a very fashionable mastodon caught in a tar pit.  For this reason, I’m not giving up on summertime projects yet.  Luckily, we have a really great selection of cottons, and some fabulous free patterns!

First up: The Little Sailor Pullover (pattern link here).

This cute top is sized from 1-10 years, and features a solid Cotton Supreme body with Cotton Supreme Batik for the stripes and the anchors on the sleeves.

The original black and white Cotton Supreme Batik has been retired, but there are some nice options available.  What about this in a different shade of blue, with 41 Navy Salute (below) for the detailing?

Actually, since Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Batik have exactly the same gauge, you could choose to go solid for both, or striped for both – there are a lot of options here!

Next, the All-Star Pullover (pattern link here).

This one’s quite similar to the Little Sailor – the differences are, a smaller needle for the ribbing (my edges tend to flare if I don’t do this!), and a different design on the sleeve.  I like these two interpretations of what is essentially the same pattern because it shows what a difference the details make!

Team Cap all the way.

You can see how this could also become a fantastic superhero costume if you shifted that star onto the chest and made the design in red, white, and blue.  Who wouldn’t want a tiny Captain America pullover?

Don’t get me wrong, we’re gearing up for Fall and winter.  There are some great designs in the works.  But as long as we’ve got some cute things to make, maybe it’s not so bad for summer to hang around a little longer.

Back to School Knits – the Cotton True Kids Collection

It’s that time of year again!  With very mixed feelings, we send our little ones off to school. We might be old hands at the transition, or it might be our very first time.  It’s almost guaranteed, though, that they’ve grown since last year.  Fortunately, we have a collection of kids’ tops to get you through the warm-to-cool transition, in a multitude of sizing!

Cover of knitting pattern e-book. Text on photo reads: Cotton True Kids: 6 adorable knits for little ones.

The Cotton True Kids Collection, featuring 6 knitting projects for kids (Ravelry e-book link here).

All are sized 1-12, and are made in Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport, a smooth and soft 100% Pima cotton.  (We know we have a lot of Bella Cash fans out there too, so we’ll mention that the gauge between the two yarns should match to a T.)

And speaking of tees (pardon my puns!)…

The Begonia Lace Tee (Ravelry link) is worked from the bottom up in pieces.

This sweet lace-shoulder tee would look pretty over a skirt, too.  Not too frou-frou, but still a good way to dress up a plain outfit.  A nice piece!  (Note: autocorrect wanted to call this “a niece piece” and now I’m wondering if I have a niece who would like this.  Hmm..)

Next up, Catkin (Ravelry link) is a pocketed smocked smock (say that five times fast).

Catkin is made in two pieces, tacked together under the arms and joined at the shoulder with buttons.  Easy to get on and off without having to work a wiggling preschooler’s head through the neckhole.  It has handy pockets: I am instantly reminded of Eeyore’s birthday gift of “a useful pot to put things in.” Even better from a parent’s point of view, Cotton True Sport is machine washable.  Easy to clean after a grand adventure.

The Climbing Vine Cardigan (Ravelry link) is a classic with some inspired touches.

Number one: pockets.  Yes.  Thank you. As a parent, I have had to tuck away many a souvenir (four-leaf clover, beach shell, random rock) to carry myself.  How much nicer for a child to carry their own tiny treasure.

Number two: The way the little vines grow out of the pockets, like they’re rising from a flowerpot.  Adorable.

Number three: buttons!  This is the piece that brought home to me how you can make a piece understated or bold, just by changing one detail. Cute with a capital C.

Lacy Leaves (Ravelry link) is a sophisticated lace-front vest (shown here in kid size 4).  We do recommend that you be able to “read” your knitting and be familiar with charts to make this one.

The lace pattern is charted only, because each size (1-12) has its own chart encompassing the entire front. You’ll also want to be able to maintain stitches in pattern at the armholes and neck, hence the “read your knitting” recommendation.  Hopefully, this didn’t scare anyone – once you get started in this pattern, it’s not hard to see what’s going on.

Whee! The Striped Lily Tee (Ravelry link) gets its fun texture from reverse stockinette.

The tee is worked from the bottom up and seamed, and features raglan shaping.  This would be great for warm weather, or as an extra “peel off” layer over a thin long-sleeved top.

The Sweet Lilac Hoodie (Ravelry link) is awfully cute in the 4-year size shown, but it would also give plenty of room to a diaper-bottomed toddler.

The way the lace hem coordinates with the i-cord ties is darling.  Is it too soon to be thinking about Easter?  This could be a really cute holiday gift that will still be wearable in the Spring.

Hit your LYS, grab some yarn, and put all that extra time to good use.  I can hear all the parents and caregivers yelling, “What extra time??”  We feel you – but try to find time to knit!

Free Pattern Friday – Little Hoodie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Gray knitted child-sized hoodie on black background

Today, the Little Hoodie in Bella Cash (pattern link).

We love a classic with a twist.  This hoodie is constructed traditionally, in pieces and seamed, but two things make it special: one, the balanced panels on front and back – the ssk and k2tog on right and left panels add a nice symmetry – and two, the yarn.

Back side of knit gray child hoodie

We’re big fans of Bella Cash (230yds/50g).  Its softness and machine washability make it perfect not just for baby garments, but also for adult projects and accessories.  (In fact, in a bit of a coincidence, we released our newest pattern collection today – Small Pleasures, featuring 7 knit accessories in Bella Cash.)

e-book cover titled Small Pleasures showing hands wearing blue knitted fingerless mitts

We’ll be talking more about these beauties in the days to come.  For now, back to today’s free pattern!

Gray children's hoodie knitted in Bella Cash yarn

We’ve sized this from 0-10 years, so you might choose to go with the classic pastels…

or something a little bolder.

Whatever you choose to do, we hope you have a great time knitting this fun hoodie.

Happy crafting!

Independence Day Giveaway!

Happy Independence Day, y’all!

We came in to the office today feeling patriotic and decided to share the love! From now until the end of July 5th, get a free Little Patriot top from Ravelry with code HAPPY4TH with no spaces. (Pattern link here)

Enter the code where you see the  “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.

This is such a cute Bamboo Pop pattern, isn’t it?  Sized 1-12 years, it works for both the little and not-so-little patriot in your life.

You know what makes it even cuter? It’s from an e-book of Bamboo Pop Kid designs… with a matching FREE e-book of doll designs!

Sized to fit 18″ dolls, these are quick tops in Bamboo Pop to use up your odds and ends after knitting the kid projects.

Matching kid and doll?  Too cute!

We’ll be closed for the 4th of July on Wednesday.  Have a safe and happy Independence Day.

Happy crafting!