Free Pattern Friday – Cassia Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Cassia Cardigan in Good Earth and Good Earth Adorn (pattern link).

The weather here can’t decide what it wants to do.  One minute it’s Spring, the next it’s Summer.  We need something that will straddle the line.

The Cassia Cardigan is a geat layering piece over a tee.

Knit this piece flat in three pieces – the back, and each half of the front.  Then seam and add the solid border (shown in Good Earth cotton/linen).

Although the stitch pattern for this cardi is simple, you’ll still want to pay attention.  The detailed decreases that makes this such a striking piece occur at different rates in different places.  We’d recommend a read-through before starting to ensure smooth sailing later on.  Actually, we always recommend that, but we’re sometimes guilty of diving in first and winging it.  It’s just human nature when you have a beautiful project ready to go.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Citrus Pouch

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Citrus Pouch in Good Earth and Good Earth Multi (pattern link here).

I’ll tell you, we’re lucky to have found designer Rachel Brockman.  Here, she has created a practical and cute little notions pouch in Good Earth cotton/linen blend.

The pouch is worked in two separate rectangles which are seamed together.  Then add the zipper, and voila!

The orange sections are a 10-stitch repeat that’s charted in the pattern.   For those who loved last week’s Spring Stripe Rug but wanted some practice on tapestry crochet first, this is a great little project that uses the same technique.

We hope you have an awesome weekend.  Now I’m off to fix up a little Springtime Citrus Cooler – the Citrus Pouch gave me a craving!

Happy crafting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Sunbeam Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Good Earth Multi Sunbeam main hi-res

Today, the Sunbeam Tunic in Good Earth Multi.

And now, the weather.

Hurricane Hermine 2016-09-01t22-31-18-9z--1280x720__790188.nbcnews-ux-1080-600

That’s Hurricane Hermine, bearing down on us like a very wet, very angry freight train.  Chance of rain: 100%.  Chance of us holing up with some good yarn: also 100%.  It’s time to bring a little sunshine indoors until this all blows over.

Good Earth Multi Sunbeam detail square

The Sunbeam Tunic in Good Earth Multi features sunny motifs to brighten up a dreary day.  Good Earth Multi linen/cotton blend (170yds/100g) is a great choice for this – the plant fibers let the tunic drape and fall without bunching up or grabbing onto an inner fabric layer.   Thsi should keep you busy enough to forget about the weather, but on a size 9 (5.5mm) hook, it won’t take forever to finish.

If you’re in the path of the storm, we hope you stay safe, warm, and dry.  We wish you all sunbeams and rainbows!

Happy crafting!

Good Earth Multi Sunbeam side hi-res

Free Pattern Friday – Beachhouse Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

BeachhouseTank_hires

Today, the Beachhouse Tank in Good Earth Adorn and Good Earth Solids.

http://www.thekitchn.com/summer-refreshment-sweet-basil-90805
This is the life.

I love this tank.  I can easily imagine myself sitting on a dock, wearing sandals and linen pants with with this top, sipping a lemonade while gazing out at the water through oversized sunglasses.  Maybe I’ll wear a Yashi sunhat, too.  Bliss.

(Have you tried adding basil to lemonade?  Sooo good, and we’re coming in to the season for fresh basil.  Here’s a recipe if you want to give it a try.)

BeachhouseTank_back_blogThe pattern calls for Good Earth Adorn (MC) and Good Earth Solids (CC), both cotton/linen blends that come 170 yards to the hank.  It’s a great yarn for summer, and perfect for this drapey A-line top.

Laurel Murphy’s design is worked in pieces and seamed. The straps are knit on the front piece only and then seamed to the back bind-off edge, as shown here.

We hope you have a relaxing and refreshing weekend, finding an opportunity to enjoy some fresh air and breathe deeply.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Exploded Pineapple Halter

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Exploding Lace Halter front_blog

Today, the Exploded Pineapple Halter in Good Earth.

We’re calling this an intermediate project, good practice for crocheters who have never tried reading a crochet chart before to do so. One of our resident experts notes, “Crochet stitches can take on such organic form, that a chart really tells the story of the finished piece. Written instruction for crochet can be very clunky, especially in a large repeat pattern such as the exploded pineapple hem.”

Good Earth (204yds/100g) is an excellent choice for this layering piece.  The cotton/linen blend is quite breathable, so even over another top it won’t leave you sweltering.

The piece is worked seamlessly.  Crochet the hem first, then pick up for the body and continue upward.  It’s easy to customize the length just by adding or subtracting a few rows of the v-stitch mesh.

I love the ribbon at the neck – that’s another bit that would be very easy to alter to your own taste.

We hope you enjoy this summertime project.  Happy crocheting!

Exploding Lace Halter back_blog

Free Pattern Friday – Knit and Crochet Market Bags

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Good Adorn Both Market Bags blogToday, the Knit and Crochet Market Bags in Good Earth Adorn.

Good Earth Adorn Red Market Bag blogSomething for all of our needlecrafting friends today!  We chose Good Earth Adorn (204yds/100g) because the cotton/linen blend holds up well and isn’t going to felt with repeated rubbing as you carry it around. Each pattern takes just two hanks.

First up, the knitted bag, in 302 Adobe.  It’s a simple four-row repeat for the eyelet mesh, then basic knitting with some k2tog shaping for the edges and handle.

Good Earth Adorn Green Market Bag blogThe crochet bag in color 303 Lettuce uses a very basic double crochet mesh.  You’ll make both sides, sew them together, then add the straps.

There’s actually a little sneak peek hiding in the green bag photographed – two new colors of Good Earth Adorn on the far right, never before seen, that we’ll be adding to the line next season.  We’re very excited at all the new samples coming in and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Happy crafting!

Good Adorn Market Bag with new colors blog

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Billow Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Billow_GoodEarth_blogToday, the Billow Sweater in Good Earth.

Billow_GoodEarth_detail_rtWhat a great fit for the changing of the seasons.  Big and slouchy, but in the cool cotton/linen blend of Fibra Natura Good Earth (204yds/100g) so it won’t be sweltering in the Spring.  I love the natural, relaxed look of this piece – so comfy with a pair of jeans.

This is a lovely piece, but not a hard one.  Front and back pieces are worked from the bottom up. Stitches are cast on for sleeves and worked up in a single piece with front and back.  The hems feature 2×1 knit/purl ribbing moving up into a garter stitch body.  A seed stitch panel along the sides and along the outside of the arms keeps the design interesting.

This design would be as relaxing to make as to wear.  It’s calming just to think about.  Maybe tonight I’ll have a glass of mint tea and knit a swatch.  Bliss.

Happy knitting.

Billow_GoodEarth_back_blog

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Seabird Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Good Earth Adorn Seabird Shawl_blog

Today, the Seabird Shawl in Good Earth and Good Earth Adorn.

This shawl is aptly named!  The colors are reminscent of sea and sand, and the triangular shape makes you want to spread your wings.

Good Earth Adorn Seabird Shawl back_blogIt’s a warm-ish weather shawl, designed for our cotton/linen blends Good Earth (103 Desert) and Good Earth Adorn (304 Breeze).   A look at the back shows how Adorn works up into subtle variegated bands.  It’s a nice touch.

It goes without saying that this would be good beach knitting – light on your lap as you soak in the sun.  I’m looking at this shawl and dreaming of warmer days.

Happy knitting!

Knitspiration – The Knitting Lesson

Looking for a new project?  How about a little knitspiration?

The Knitting Lesson by Eugene de Blaas
The Knitting Lesson by Eugene de Blaas
Deluxe Worsted
Deluxe Worsted
Southwest Suns in Good Earth
Backstage Sweater in Mohair Mountain
Flowering Herb Scarf in Llamalini
Rosette Messenger Bag in Deluxe Worsted

 

Wall Hanging 1_crop
Wall Candy in Deluxe Worsted

 

What would you make in these colors?

Happy crafting!

Holiday Helper – Light and Breezy

Halloween’s behind us, which means it’s time to kick our holiday knitting into high gear.  Or, if you’re me, it’s time to actually *start* your holiday knitting.  I’m sure all of you are busy weaving in ends on that heirloom blanket that you started back in January, but maybe – just maybe – you are in the same boat as I am and are suddenly remembering that one person you wanted to make something special for who slipped your mind.

Worry no more!  From now through the end of the year we’ll be highlighting some relatively quick designs that will still satisfy your recipient without driving you crazy.  This week, let’s look at a couple of light and easy projects in warm-weather yarns.

Blue Seaspray Shawlette final back_blog

The free High Tide Shawlette is made in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.  This took just one hank, albeit with only a few yards left over.  There’s still enough time to make this lovely triangular shawl on US Size 8 (5mm) needles before the holidays roll around.  Denim print is going to be big next season, so it’ll be very on trend for your giftee.

Good Earth Adorn Scarf 1_blog

The free Botanical Scarf takes just one skein of Good Earth Adorn cotton/linen blend.  This is a luxury yarn that feels great but won’t break the bank.  This is another one on US Size 8 (5mm) needles.  With an easy-to-memorize pattern, this would be great to take along in the plane or car home for the holidays.  And again, Good Earth Adorn has that subtle earthy look that’s going to stay in fashion for a long time to come.

My main problem with starting holiday gifts early is that they stay around my house and I think, “You know, this would look great on me.”  And then I wind up having to knit another gift.

We wish you great willpower and happy knitting!