Be Mine Revisited

Fibra Natura Papyrus
In what feels like no time at all, January has nearly passed and February is already upon us. With that in mind, and with freezing temperatures outside, we’d like to warm your heart with something special.
Fibra Natura Papyrus
Remember the Be Mine Shawl? It was our 2018 Valentine’s Day project (link to blog post here). We’re excited to share that it has been knit up in a fresh combination of colors – one that reminds us of the transition from the icy winter to first signs of spring peeking through the snow.
Fibra Natura Papyrus
Fibra Natura Papyrus has become a well-loved yarn, and for good reason! It’s a luxurious blend of ultra-soft cotton and silk. The muted palette is perfect for delicate projects, and we particularly enjoy using it for lace, twisted stitches, and textured patterns. The new sample features Cloud as the main color, Lily Pad and Ether for the contrasting heart repeats, and Tempest for a pop between each lace repeat.
Be Mine Shawl
Just look at that lovely drape!
Although I design with pink, it’s not actually one of my favorite colors. Don’t get me wrong, it is a fine color, but it’s earth tones and autumnal colors that I’m most drawn to. In any case, I love this crisp, new color combination. It’s a nice change. Plus, I love seeing our designs knit in different colors. Sometimes knitters are tempted to stick to the original sample – but with all the possible color combinations, I have to ask why?
Fibra Natura Papyrus
Swatching is an excellent way to play with color.
Play with different colors when you’re visiting your local yarn shop. Put them side by side – add a color, subtract a color, try something unexpected – you never know what lovely combinations you might create. Even if your yarn shop doesn’t carry the color you’re looking for, they’re usually very happy to order a color for you. Visit our website (link) if you want to plan your color combinations before paying a visit to your LYS. Whatever colors you come up with, we hope you’ll share images of your beautiful shawls with us!
Fibra Natura Papyrus

Monday Motivation – Mod Tiles Cardi

Image of portion of crocheted cardigan. Text reads Monday Motivation.
Need a little push into the week? Want something pretty or challenging to inspire you toward your next project? Welcome to Monday Motivation!
Today, we’re highlighting the Mod Tiles Cardi (free pattern here). As I write this, the team is freshly back from VKLive in New York. We had a blast talking with folks and seeing what’s new in the world of fiber. And, in the case of this cardi, getting schooled.
We partnered with Yarn Bazaar in Ewing, NJ, to share booth space and display goods. The owner, Jo Ellen, said, “you know, you should bring that crocheted cardi that was a Free Pattern Friday recently.”
We love this cardi… now. When we first saw it folded on the corner of a desk here in the office, we were less enthusiastic. It wasn’t until someone here put it on that we said, “Wow!” So bringing it to a show? We weren’t sure.
Well, the lesson here is “trust your LYS” because Jo Ellen was right. The crocheters at VKLive immediately saw its fabulousness. They. Went. Bananas for this cardi.
And really, up close, it’s easy to see why. It uses Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash for standout colors that also blend just a bit, thanks to the complementary-toned flecks in each ball.
Motifs are open at the edges to let the top you’re wearing beneath it peek through, and really bring your outfit together. And look at those long spike single crochet stitches running through the center of each motif!
The whole thing is written, charted, and contains a schematic. Make each of the flower motifs separately (great on the go work!) and then join together. It’s sized from Small/Medium to 3X/4X/5X. There’s something to love for everyone here.
Have a fantastic week, and try to challenge yourself with something new, just for you!

Free Pattern Friday – Magma Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing large half-circle tri-color shawl knitted in Universal Yarn Amphora

Today, the Magma Shawl in Amphora (pattern link here).

Designer Rachel Brockman pulls out all the stops for today’s pattern!

The theme here is magma, and nature lover Rachel takes it to its fullest extent. The stripes at the top represent bands of igneous rock pushed up by the force from beneath…

…while the lace below represents the flow of semi-solid lava.

The fuzzy fiber blend in Amphora ensures that this shawl will keep you warm – but not lava-hot!

Best, since the shawl is based on the garter stitch, it’s aesthetically reversible and pleasing on both sides. A big, beautiful winner of a design!

We hope you have a dynamite weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Pinnacle

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing dark blue, sea green, and lavender knitted slouchy cap.

Today, Pinnacle in Angora Lace (pattern link here).

Pinnacle is a lightweight slouchy topper with beautiful colorwork. Here’s a little peek at the inside.

Although it’s a three-color design, you’re never working with more than two colors at the same time.

This hat has a lovely haze, courtesy of the angora content in Angora Lace. It softens the design without letting any detail be lost. Beautiful.

Each color repeat points upward, eventually coming together at the crown and creating a star motif.

The color repeats are easy to memorize and addictive to knit – it may be worked at a fine gauge, but we’re sure you’ll knit it up in no time at all!

Have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Weightless Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

woman wearing pale pink and grey pullover knit in Universal Yarn Revolutions

Today, the Weightless Pullover in Revolutions (pattern link here).

Revolutions

This design was inspired by the silhouette of two of my favorite ready-to-wear tops. Both have enjoyed many years in my wardrobe and shall enjoy many more to come. I just love cozy, boxy tops. The Weightless Pullover ticks off all of the right boxes for me (box pun intended).

Knit in Revolutions, this sweater is so warm and has the loveliest halo that’s perfect for staying cozy during one of the coldest months of the year. It’s also feather-light. Seriously – the sample weighs just under 200 grams!

Universal Yarn Revolutions

This will be a really quick, soothing project, but you’ll have left-over yarn in the end. You’ll need to manipulate the self-shading yarn a bit. Revolutions features slow color shifts that allow you to concentrate on knitting. However, to ensure your project looks as close to the sample as possible when breaking and rejoining yarn, be sure to visually match the point at which you’re rejoining. This may require you to wind off some yarn. The results are worth it – don’t you agree?

Universal Yarn Revolutions

Feeling unsure what to do about your left-over yarn? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Depending on how much yarn you have remaining, you could whip out another project! Grab your crochet hook and make a Beyond the Sea Cowl. Prefer knitting needles? Reduce the number of horizontal repeats and you could easily create a scarf from the Warmth Stole.

Stay warm friends. We hope you have a craft-filled weekend!

Free Pattern Friday – Willowwork Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

A tan and gray Fair Isle knitted cowl against a brown background.

Today, the Willowwork Cowl in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (pattern link here).

The inspiration for this piece was the living willow fences, or hedges, or “fedges” that are woven from supple saplings into elegant shapes in the garden.

Photo of diamond lattice bent willow hedge
Photo of bentwood willow fence hiding clothesline.
Woven willow fence.

Mind you, it’s still winter, so the Deluxe Worsted Superwash colors we chose reflect a dormant living fence, while still keeping a warm wood feel.

Tan and gray stranded fabric knit in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
Oh, the magic of Fair Isle.

If you were one of those admiring Amy Gunderson’s Twisted Yoke Pullover from the Fall ’18 Vogue Knitting…

Here’s the Ravelry link.

…you’ll be pleased to find this uses the same technique. Twisted stitches create a depth that (pardon the expression) raises the design to the next level.

Amy has written this pattern in two sizes – the small size shown here…

…and a larger size suitable for wrapping.

We hope this graceful design hits its mark.

Read more about willow artist “Anna and the Willow” here.

Happy crafting!