Month: October 2014

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Free Pattern Friday – Dive Into Fall Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Dive Into Fall Jacket_UptownBulky_wood_blog

Today, something for the wee ones!  The Dive Into Fall Jacket is sized for kids 12-18 months.   This garment has a lot of stretch, so parents of fast-growing toddlers should be able to get a fair amount of use out of it.

Kat Koeller and Linda Ridder designed this jacket in our Uptown Bulky 100% anti-pilling acrylic.  In addition to being exceptionally soft, it’s machine washable.  Anyone who has ever had to wipe down a toddler after a trip to Ben & Jerry’s will appreciate the practicality of this choice.

The jacket is knit in one piece from the top down – first the collar, then the raglan sleeves go on holders while you make the body, then you come back and add ribbing to the ends of the sleeves.  Interestingly, the fabric is fully reversible!

We hope you enjoy this beautiful weather.  Knit something for a little one in your life – but be sure to make something for yourself, too!

 

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Plaid, Part Two

A few weeks ago, Katie started on her plaid blanket using 6 different colors of Deluxe Worsted Superwash. After weaving 3 identical panels, sewing them together along the selvedges, and blocking, here is her reward:

Katie plaid blanket finished 1078 blog

 

 

After blocking, each panel measured about 12″ wide  x 48″ high. The finished blanket is 36 x 48, a perfect size for a couch throw or even a baby blanket.

Katie plaid blanket flat 1090 blog

 

Just 8 balls of Superwash and a few hours of weaving later, and Katie gets this awesomely colorful throw for her living room.

Katie, greys and greens and blues would look great in my house…hint hint. Kidding!

Next time, join me as I incorporate some beads and felting into my weaving!

 

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Free Pattern – Wee Pumpkins

Okay, it’s not Free Pattern Friday yet, but we just couldn’t resist sharing this free pattern.

Poems Pumpkins blog

These are the Wee Pumpkins.  We’re sharing them now so you have plenty of time to work one up by Halloween!  Or what about Thanksgiving ?  Wouldn’t these look great on a dining room table?

They’re made in self-shading Poems 100% wool, which has some great fall colors.  The purple/green one on the left is 577 Bramble and the orange-toned one is 585 Autumn.

Poems Pumpkins bottom shot blogThe pumpkins are knit sideways, with short rows making up the wedge sections.  Take a look at the bottom and you can see how it all comes together.

Never done short rows before?  This is a great project to get your feet wet.  Amy Gunderson shares a video in how to do the wrap and turn.

Also of interest in there is the SSP (slip, slip, purl).  I’ve made things with short rows before, and inevitably had one side look seamless and one side marred with a big bump.  I’m delighted to learn a technique to make both ends of my short row look smooth.

Often, we’ll loan our knits to local yarn stores for them to share in trunk shows, but it’s going to be hard to part with these.  They’re just so pretty!

Happy knitting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Go-Go! Hats

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Gray hats grid blog

Or should we say Free Patterns Friday?  Because today, we have a quartet of toppers:  the Go-Go! Hats.

Four different styles in one yarn, Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic.  You can see how well the yarn lets the stitch patterns show through.

What really makes these hats, though, is the colorful fluffball topper on each of them.  Those are our Luxury Fur Pom-Poms.  They’re very handy for finishing off a garment that may need something a little more polished than a yarn pom-pom.  Each pom-pom has a string attached to let you tie it right on to your work.  Easy-peasy!

Gray hats bottom 2 blogI’m not sure which of these is my favorite.  I guess it partially depends on whether I’m in the mood for knit or crochet.  For myself, I’m leaning toward the Lace Beanie on the lower right.  Then again, the Honeycomb Ski Cap (with the pink pom-pom) would also be fun to make.  Decisions, decisions.

Which one’s your favorite?

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Throwback Thursday – A Walk in the Woods

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Walk in the Woods

Today, a beautiful cool-weather knit, A Walk in the Woods.  Originally knit in Eden Silk, this lightweight cardi would look great in either Uptown DK 100% anti-pilling acrylic or Deluxe DK Superwash wool.

I’ve been knitting a lot with Deluxe DK Superwash lately (I just need to bind off my ribbed Katrina top!) so for this, as a personal choice I think I’d go with the Uptown DK.  I’ve been making a long cowl in Uptown DK Colors, the striped version of the yarn, and have been very impressed with how soft it is (and yes, it really is not pilling).  I like the idea of an entire garment that luxurious.

This cardi is knit flat in the traditional style – back, then fronts, then sleeves.  The textured stitch in the pattern is written and charted and is fairly easy to “read” in your knitting as you go – it’s the same few rows, staggered by a few stitches.

We hope you’re able to bring your projects outdoors and enjoy this beautiful weather.  Happy knitting!