Today, the Bonfire Scarf in Nordic Tapestry (free pattern link here).
It doesn’t get much sweeter or simpler than today’s free pattern. Take one ball of self-patterning Nordic Tapestry. Cast on. Knit every row.
Voila! A gorgeous scarf that’s suitable for beginners, or for those who want to make something pretty while chatting with their friends or watching the Great British Baking Show. (Our house is rooting for Crystelle.)
The secret is the yarn. Nordic Tapestry has varying lengths of coordinating shades, broken by shorter runs that mimic the look of Fair Isle. It makes a simple project look colorful and dynamic. Just cast on, and then knit until you’re done!
Today I’m excited to introduce our latest collection of patterns: Joyful Stitches! The e-book contains six quick-knit projects using Deluxe Bulky Superwash.
At this point, it goes without saying that the past year has been tough on the world with the presence of coronavirus. We have all made big adjustments in our lives, and with social distancing in mind, many of us have been spending more time in the comfort of our homes. The needle arts industry has seen significant growth throughout this time. More and more people are dipping their toes into the world of knitting and crochet, and as a company, we’ve said “hello” to many new customers, even during a time of so much self-isolation. It’s not surprising, either. Longtime crafters know how knitting and crochet can introduce comfort during times of stress, and newbies are figuring that out!
With all of that in mind, Joyful Stitches was born! My plan for this collection was simple: create fun staple items that are a breeze to knit. These patterns feature knit and purl stitches only, but introduces basic shaping and knitting in the round, too.
Why Deluxe Bulky Superwash? Many new knitters enjoy using heavier-weight yarns. It’s very easy to see stitches clearly and the pieces work up at a satisfying speed. Our Deluxe Bulky Superwash is 100% wool that’s machine-washable, making it easy to care for. Whether you’re knitting for the first time or you’re a longtime knitter, you’ll love working with this plump, bouncy wool yarn. Now that you know why we chose this yarn as the foundation of the collection, let’s take a look at the patterns!
Gene in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #939 Burgundy, #917 Summer Sky, & #916 Nitrox Blue
I’m going to introduce these patterns in order of ease and skill level, starting with Gene. Although it’s probably the simplest pattern in the collection, it might just be my favorite. I love the bold colors and graphic stripes, which were inspired by Color Field painter, Gene Davis. All you need to know for this pattern is how to work the knit stitch – that’s really it! Worked sideways, you cast on the length of the scarf. That makes it super easy to modify. I’ve written the pattern for two lengths, but you can easily make the scarf shorter by casting on fewer stitches. After you’ve cast on, all there is to it is knit a few rows, change colors, and repeat. This garter stitch glory will be your go-to winter accessory!
Damson in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #919 Purplish Blue
Next up we have Damson. I’m categorizing this pattern as slightly more difficult than Gene, simply because you’ll need to know how to both knit and purl, plus you’ll get to apply fringe at each end of the scarf. Damson is blanketed with Moss stitch – a personal favorite of mine. This simple texture is created with a four-row repeat that you’ll quickly memorize. It creates a gorgeous, reversible texture, making it easy to style and wear. If you’ve never made fringe before, you’re in for a treat. Fringed scarves have a boho feel, but personally, I also think fringe makes the scarf look more “complete”. Like Gene, Damson is easy to modify. I’ve also written this one to have two lengths, but you can customize the length of your scarf by simply stopping when you reach your desired length or just keep on knitting for a scarf length that will remind you of the Fourth Doctor (minus the amazing stripes, of course).
The Checkmate Mitts in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #935 Ebony and #928 Pulp
Next up, the Checkmate Mitts. The shape and construction of this pattern are incredibly simple: make a rectangle, fold, sew the sides leaving room for the thumb, and repeat to make two mitts! If you enjoyed the easy pattern repeat of Damson, you’ll probably enjoy these mitts, too. Pairing a simple textured pattern with stripes and the effect is simply mesmerizing, creating the illusion of vertical and horizontal stripes. This pattern was inspired by the stitch patterns included in Cecelia Campchiaro’s genius book, Sequence Knitting. Sized for children and adults, the Checkmate Mitts are a perfect gift-knit. One ball of each color will be enough to create more than one pair – make a pair for yourself and for a loved one. Double the fun!
Bruna in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #920 Grape Taffy
Ready to knit in the round for the first time? Look no further than Bruna! I personally love a big, cozy cowl and this one ticks all of my boxes. It fits fairly close to the neck, yet leaves enough space for a bit of drape and breathing room. The depth is perfectly suited for folding inwards to create an additional layer of warmth, too. Bruna is comprised of a broken rib formed by a two-row repeat. This project is perfect for knit nights or catching up on your favorite tv show, as you can seamlessly knit across each round, never stopping to turn your work!
Once you’ve tackled Bruna, you’ll be ready to start your first hat project! Streetlight is a fun hat that will introduce simple shaping to your knitting toolbox. All of my favorite hats feature a deep, folded brim and Streetlight is no exception. Add a bit of color blocking and a fluffy pom pom and you’ve got a simple hat that still makes a statement! Although these days I’m predominantly a sweater knitter, I love knitting hats. They are fast, addictive, and are honestly the perfect gift. Hats are also great for charity knitting, so be sure to explore your local area for organizations that accept donations for wintry accessories! (If you don’t have a donation site locally, consider donating to the Charlotte Region Arts, Fibers, & Textiles (C.R.A.F.T.) who is currently running a community project and is accepting red hats to support a community blood drive!)
The Checkmate Shawl in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #935 Ebony and #928 Pulp
Rounding out the Joyful Stitches collection is the Checkmate Shawl – a perfect companion for the Checkmate Mitts! This shawl is the largest piece in the collection, and while it is simple, it introduces shaping while maintaining a stitch pattern. If that sounds complicated, don’t stray too far! This shawl begins by casting on at the widest edge and simply repeating the same eight rows until you reach the point. Easy peasy! I opted for tassels on each point for a touch of drama, and it really completes the look.
Recently, we’ve had requests for simple free patterns that are quick and easy. Well when it comes to lace, it doesn’t get much easier than this!
The Draft Scarves use a simple two-row repeat to create an airy, open mesh that’s perfect for summer. The wider black version above takes two balls of Fibra Natura Unity in color 110 Darkness…
…while the green, skinnier version takes just one ball of 103 Sage, and is still a generous 63″ without the fringe.
We chose Fibra Natura Unity as the yarn for this pattern for a couple of reasons. First, its thick and thin texture lends extra textural interest to the simple design. Second, the blend of wool, cotton, linen, and bamboo provides the perfect drape for a summertime scarf.
Unity 113 and Unity Beyond 208 Sunrise
If you were in the mood for extra color, Unity Beyond would make a great choice. Or what about Unity Beyond for the body, with a coordinating solid for the fringe? There are plenty of options for customization here!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, with time to sit and relax with some beautiful yarn.
Have you ever had that moment in a yarn store when you find yourself standing before a wall of stunning sock yarn? Solid-color or variegated – the colorful skeins just call your name. As you stand there, you think about the magic of sock yarn. Each skein boasts generous yardage, so a single skein is plenty for shawls, hats, mitts, cowls, and most obviously, socks! I could go on and on about the wonderful sock yarns we offer. We really have something for everyone, but today I wanted to focus on a perfect, potato-chippy, self-patterning yarn: Pix.
Pix in #108 Techno, pictured with the Happy Magic Scarf.
Pix features a classic sock yarn base: a blend of 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. Both fibers are incredibly durable with just the right amount of bounce and memory. It is a smooth, worsted-spun 4-ply yarn that boasts crisp, well-defined stitches. These characteristics make Pix perfect for hard-wearing accessories. But what really makes this yarn stand out? Well, it’s a self-patterning yarn in a playful array of colors!
Pix Simple Sock shown in #103 Paisley (top sock) and #101 Citrus Slide (bottom sock).
The simplest and most straight-forward way to use Pix is for knitting socks. We prefer a nice vanilla sock because it allows the colorful patterns to shine. Many sock knitters have their own preferences and recipes for plain Stockinette stitch socks, but if you aren’t armed with one, we have you covered. The free Pix Simple Sock (pattern link) is knit in the round from the toe up. It features a classic K2, P2 Ribbed cuff.
Pro-tip: I prefer socks that are sisters and not twins, but if you want your socks to match perfectly you’ll need to wind off the skein so you start the second sock in the same section of the print.
Euphoric in Pix #108 Techno and Whisper Lace #111 Ebony
Socks aren’t the only way to play with this gorgeous yarn. Just take a look at the funky and fun Euphoric scarf (pattern link), designed by Amy Gunderson. This design cleverly pairs Pix with Whisper Lace in #111 Ebony for bold, high-contrast stripes to break up sections of color. The intarsia method is used to create an unexpected, staggered stripe effect. Cute twists of fringe decorate the long edges of this piece. Although it’s pictured with long sleeves above, I think this would be perfect to layer over a simple dress for springtime.
The Happy Magic Scarf in #105 Street Art
The Happy Magic Scarf (pattern link), designed by Heather Hill, magnificently displays how neat the color changes are when you throw in a chevron motif. The stitch pattern is soothing and is easily memorized, making this a great project for unwinding after a long day. This design has been well-loved in the office and by our customers for years now (it was published in 2015!). This one-skein wonder exemplifies just how far 459 yards will take you!
Pix features a palette of 8 fantastic colors – with combinations that include everything from bright and punchy to earthy, soothing, and warm. You’re sure to find a color you’ll love…and I’m sure you won’t stop at one! You can nab some Pix at your local yarn store or on our website. What will you make with it?
Penna is one of our newer yarns. We found it at a mill in Italy and just had to have it.
See that halo? The suri baby alpaca in this yarn gives it the perfect fuzz to soften a silhouette. The extrafine merino keeps it soft and gentle. And the nylon gives it the strength you want in a beautiful finished object.
In Atrium, you can see how soft and romantic it makes this design feel. Designer Edie Eckman played to Penna’s strengths with this asymmetric piece. But then, that’s no surprise. We always feel lucky to have one of her designs in our yarns, like the recent free Piquilla Shawl crocheted in Wool Pop (pattern link here).
But back to Atrium! This may look like a scarf when it’s artfully draped, but it’s really more of a shawl or wrap. It’s 72″ long and 18″ wide at the larger end, for a modern, asymmetrical feel to go with its natural romance. You’ll work this light and lofty accessory flat, from the wider end to the narrower one. Three balls of Penna makes this airy scarf, perfect for a breezy spring day.
You probably heard – the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter.
Bleak, Bill. Bleak. We prefer to think of it as six more weeks of working with beautiful cozy wool, while still looking with hope toward brighter days. Enter, the Bouquet Scarf.
This bright and beautiful scarf has has enough substance to keep you warm – especially in Deluxe Worsted Superwash wool – but also acts as a harbinger of spring. Check out the blossoms in the lace!
They remind me of tulips, which start to bloom in our area in mid-March. That’s just about the time the groundhog says we should be emerging from winter.
Via https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/
The scarf uses 1×3 cable crosses and increase/decrease combinations to create definition around the lace elements. We’re classing this as an intermediate pattern. You’ll probably want to use markers around the repeats, just to help keep track. The final result will be well worth the effort.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, staying safe and warm, and doing things that you love.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Concord Scarf in Deluxe Worsted (pattern link here).
We’re going to keep this short and sweet today so that I can spend the day after Thanksgiving in the time-honored way: scarfing down leftovers. My daughter was inspired by the Great British Baking Show this year and now we have a lot of pie. With just the three of us from the immediate household for dinner this year, I’ll have to really work to eat my share. Such a sacrifice. But before grabbing a plate, let’s take a look at this gorgeous pattern!
The Concord Stole is called a stole because it can work well scrunched up as shown, or stretched wide to its full 20″ (51cm) width for more coverage. Designer Aubrey Busek cleverly used two complementary tones in Deluxe Worsted wool. 15002 Violet Rustic is the lighter main, and 15003 Grape Rustic is the stripe.
Deluxe Worsted 15002 Violet RusticDeluxe Worsted 15003 Grape Rustic
The Rustic colors in Deluxe Worsted are spun in an almost marled way, making them especially well-suited to work together. If purple’s not your bag, you might pair 15004 Teal Rustic & 15005 Turquoise Rustic, or if you’re a lover of subtler contrast and blue like I am, 15009 Blue Rustic & 15008 Twilight Rustic.
15009 Blue Rustic15008 Twilight Rustic
Regardless of color choice, this sweet stole is a satisfying project. An easily memorized four-row repeat worked on US size 8 (5mm) needles makes for rhythmic, calming crafting, something we could all use right now.
Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a piece of pie with my name on it in the fridge. Literally, since I stuck a note to it.
We hope you have a safe and pleasant weekend. Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Imprint Scarf in Wool Pop (pattern link here).
Happy Friday, y’all! Wait, what’s that you say?
Oof. Okay then. Let’s not tempt fate with teeny tiny cabled lace. How about we keep things nice and calm, with an easy pattern in a knitter-favorite yarn?
The Imprint Scarf uses simple knits and purls to create a slanted block texture. It’s written and charted to make things easier.
Lightweight Wool Pop has a bit of a sheen from its bamboo content, giving this scarf a lovely feel. If you’re a beginner, or if you just prefer simple projects (and don’t we all, sometimes?) then this is a great project for you.
We hope you have a calm and relaxing weekend. Stay safe, and happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Perpendicular crocheted in Lina (pattern link here).
Perpendicular made its debut in the e-book Lina: Every Which Way.
As you can see, we liked it so much we put it on the cover! This mini-collection of designs showcases graphic designs in Lina, a luscious cotton/linen blend.
It’s a joy to crochet with, and because it’s plant fiber, it has the perfect drape for this design. Check out the fabric as it’s flipped over the shoulder!
Perpendicular starts with a single foundation chain. Then you’ll work in the round outward, cutting colors as you change them.
Finish the edge with a puff stitch, and you’ve got a colorful accessory that lets you carry a bit of crocheted joy with you, even when the weather’s warm!
We hope you have a safe and fun weekend.
Happy crafting!
