Free Pattern Friday – Silver Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
gray crochet poncho in Radiant Cotton
Today the Silver Poncho in Radiant Cotton (pattern link here).
This is one of those patterns that’s both pretty and easy.
It’s composed of two rectangles, crocheted separately and then seamed at the edges, leaving space in the seams for head and arms.
What helps keeps this lively instead of boring is the use of two different crochet patterns in each rectangle. It gives the piece texture and holds your attention as you work. Radiant Cotton works very well in this piece – it’s a smooth non-splitty Egyptian cotton with a light sheen. The definition it gives is a boon to crochet work.
Beautiful Spring colors!
(Knitters wanting to try this yarn – we actually have a brand new Radiant Cotton collection geared toward basic wardrobe pieces that you can pair with anything, called Spring Capsule. You can find it at this link on Ravelry.)
woman wearing short sleeved top crocheted in Radiant Cotton yarn
We hope you have an amazing weekend, full of yarn and joy. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Mountain Lights Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
gray shawl with violet lace border
Shawl pin by Jul Designs.
Today, the Mountain Lights Shawl in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (pattern link here).
How beautiful is this?
The Mountain Lights Shawl has a body that uses ridges and texture to create a rustic feel…
But then… that border! It’s simple and symmetrical, but wide enough to really let the right bright color shine.
The inside is interesting, too. Wrap it around, and you’ll still have something to show off. Deluxe Worsted Superwash gives excellent evenness and stitch definition. Just one ball of each color will make the whole shawl.
The pattern produces a shawl that has its own voice. Just cast on and hear it sing.
Ready to fly across the mountain.
Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Paper Doll Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
girl modeling pink knitted pullover
Today, the Paper Doll Sweater in Dona (pattern link here). When our Sales Director Yonca was with family for Thanksgiving, her niece asked for a custom made sweater.
(She didn’t actually write a note – it was more of a “puppy dog eyes” situation.)
She wanted a top kind of like what Yonca was wearing, but different in this way and that way, and a pullover, not a cardi… before long, it was an entirely new sweater. Fortunately, Yonca’s niece is very knitworthy.
Yonca designed the sweater in Fibra Natura Dona, a machine-washable 100% extra fine merino. It’s an excellent choice for luxurious projects that you won’t have to baby when they get a little dirty.
This sweater features a cabled yoke that goes all the way around.
And here it is, modeled by the giftee!
Girl wearing pink cabled pullover sweater knit in Dona
She was so excited to receive it! The only feeling better than getting a treasured handmade gift is giving one. We foresee other projects in this charming young lady’s future!
printable paper doll sheet
If you’d like to print a sweater to match the real thing, here’s a paper doll sheet, with some accessories for good measure. We hope you make time for play as well as work this weekend. Happy crafting!

Luck ‘O The Hat

St. Patrick’s Day is nearly upon us, my fiber friends! For most folks celebrating this Irish holiday, this is going to mean green, green, and more green!
I can remember showing up to elementary school one day (yes, a very long time ago) on March 17th sans green. I quickly learned that this was quite dangerous, as anyone who noticed was pinching me relentlessly! I found a green marker and made several green shamrocks on my hands, arms, and face so that I could avoid the torture of the pinch.
If you’re finding yourself with nothing green to wear this year, why not crank out a knitted green hat? Patty’s Hatty is knit in extrafine superwash merino DK weight Dona. Dona is soft and squishy and feels great on the skin.

You’ve got a few days left – what are you waiting for?

Free Pattern Friday – Cell Block Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Image of dark red and striped knitted cowl on dressform
Today, the Cell Block Cowl in Adore and Adore Colors (pattern link here). Where does it get its name? From Chicago’s Cell Block Tango?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkODKl7jOrE
He had it comin’.
From Elvis?

Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
No, it’s from the way the solid Adore surrounds striped Adore Colors to create cells of color.
Although what you sing while you knit it is your business.
Slipped stitches create the pattern here – no need to work more than color at a time. Using a striped yarn as the background gives it that extra burst – Uptown DK Colors would be a good choice to use, as well.
Closeup view of knitted fabric
Looks complex, but in reality, it’s very easy. Knit a tube in the round, slipping stitches where appropriate, then seam up the ends. Voila!
We hope you have a wonderful weekend. Savor your freedom before Monday rolls back around! Happy crafting!

Monday Motivation – Hickory Grove

Need a little boost to get you going? How about a gorgeous and wearable cabled coat?
This is the Hickory Grove Cardigan (Ravelry link) in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool.
Check that patterning.
Since our last Monday Motivation was the colorful Mod Tiles Cardi, we thought we’d focus this time on what you can do with a solid knit fabric and a lot of creativity. Amy Gunderson used a variety of techniques to make this a breathtaking design. It begins at the hem with twisted rib, then moves to broken rib accented by 3×3 cables.
Then twisted stitches rise to make traveling diagonal lines that mimic an hourglass shape. Because of the large size of the repeat, this section is charted only.
Add the edging, and shape the collar with short rows. It’s the details that make a garment shine.

Cardigans not your thing? There’s also the Hickory Grove Pullover (Ravelry link), also in Deluxe Worsted wool. Like the cardigan, the pullover is knit in pieces and seamed.
It features the same elements as the cardigan – 3×3 cables and twisted stitches on the front, but for practicality’s sake the back is left plain. The beautiful color, 13113 Garnet, carries the show without need for embellishment.
Two innovative designs, featuring matching elements. Choose the one that suits your style.
Cover of knitting pattern e-book Deluxe Cable Collection
If you like these designs, you should check out Amy’s e-book Deluxe Cable Collection (Ravelry link). It’s full of classic knitted pieces with beautiful finishing touches. We hope your week is off to a great start, with many more good things to come. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – March Fog

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Woman with crocheted lace stole in Rozetti Yarns Alaska draped over her shoulders.
Today, March Fog in Alaska (pattern link here). This is an apt day to introduce this pattern, because today, the 1st of March, it is indeed foggy in Charlotte.
image of Charlotte, NC shrouded in fog
But not quite this foggy.
It’s been more of a hazy mist, but the colors and fuzzy feel show where March Fog got its inspiration.
March Fog is wide enough to be a stole, but works well wrapped like a scarf, too.
Knit in Rozetti Yarns lofty Alaska, this crochet accessory is fluffy and warm, with a bit of foggy haze about it.
woman wearing pink and blue shawl knit in Alaska yarn

The stole is crocheted lengthwise in a very easy all-over mesh pattern. As written, this took exactly two balls of each color (902 Peach Puff and 905 Stormy). You might want to grab an extra ball, just for safety’s sake.
The ending edge of the mesh pattern naturally forms cute scallops. After the main stole is complete, an edging is added to the beginning edge so that the two sides match.  Don’t forget to block to open up that lace!
woman's face framed by crocheted March Fog stole in Alaska yarn
Snuggle up against early Spring winds – and happy crafting!