Free Pattern Friday – Prism Wrap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Prism Wrap in Alpaculence (pattern link here).

 

Lightweight and sparkly, this design takes one ball each in two colors of Rozetti Yarns Alpaculence.

Worked flat in one piece, you alternate colors every other row and carry them up – don’t bother to cut and weave in those ends.

This would be a great companion piece to the Ziggity Hat (pattern link), another free pattern using Alpaculence in zigzags.

A simple pattern with striking results.  We hope you enjoy it.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Duck Huntin’ Sue

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Duck Huntin’ Sue in Uptown Worsted and Uptown Worsted Tapestry (pattern link here).

This here’s the story of a girl named Sue.  No, the lady in the glasses isn’t Sue…

Sue is the fuzzy yeller dawg.  (I’m a native Southerner.  I can – and do – talk this way sometimes).  The Southern belle in the vest is Krista.  She’s a talented crafter, and was kind enough to model this camo crochet vest in Uptown Worsted Tapestry, with a knit border in solid Uptown Worsted.

This vest was first worn by Lily Chin as a presenter at Stitches, and now we’re releasing it as a free pattern to you!

Handy pockets, applied at finishing!

But wait, there’s more!

A crocheted quacker to match!

Sue says the duck should be hers, but we think that’s just a mallard of opinion.

Well, if she wants it that bad, it won’t ruffle our feathers.  Better to play with the duck than our stash.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Cichlid Hats

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Cichlid Hats in Deluxe Worsted Superwash and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (pattern link here).

Want a little color on a drab day?

Like the super-popular Hanasaku Cowl, this hat uses just one skein of variegated Bamboo Bloom Handpaints. Here it’s paired with a coordinating color of  Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the base and pompom that tie it all together.

A long, twisted rib upturned brim gives way to a basic stockinette body.  The difference in gauge between the two stitches means that the rib fits snugly, but the variegated Bamboo Bloom section is slouchy.  A neat solution to achieving the perfect fit.

We’ve shown it in two color options here, but I’m about to cast on for one for a friend, using an orange Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the base and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 317 Sensei for the body. 

It should be very autumnal.

We hope you have a colorful and fun weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Mod Tiles Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman in crocheted jacket leaning against wall

Today, the Mod Tiles Cardi in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (pattern link here).

This one’s a bit of an ugly duckling story, although of course the duckling was never ugly at all.

We had this garment in our studio for a long time, and kept looking askance at it.  Squares on a jacket?  We just weren’t sure about it, so it stayed on the shelf.

Then one day we were discussing upcoming Free Pattern Fridays, and someone picked up this cardi and put it on.  Wow!  It looked great!  The ugly duckling had been a swan all along – we just couldn’t see it until it spread its wings!

We love how the tweedy gray grounds the piece, but the colorful flowery motifs work with most anything.  This was a lucky discovery, with sweater weather finally here!

The Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash motifs are made separately, then seamed together.  The pattern is written and charted, and contains a schematic for piecing it together.

There’s a lesson here about looking past first impressions.  We’re certainly glad we gave this beauty a second chance.

Happy crafting!

Halloween Projects

It’s that time of year! Little ghouls and ghosties run amok in the neighborhood, and we love crafting fun things for them – and for us!  Let’s take a look at a few free patterns.

We want candy. More candy. And not the cheap stuff.

First, Clarice, Chunk, and Clyde in Uptown Worsted (pattern link here).

There is so much personality in these three crocheted monsters! Sized for children through adults, these friends are free patterns in machine washable Uptown Worsted.  We decided to make ours in the adult size, so we could have some fun here in the office!

selfie of three women wearing colorful crocheted hats with monster faces on them
(L-R: Amy, Rachel, and Heather, always up for some wholesome fun)
Photo of two knitted Halloween bowls filled with candy
I *guess* you can have some.

Next, Neon pumpkin and Skull Baskets in Uptown Worsted (pattern link here).

These Fair Isle knits have a piece plastic needlepoint canvas inside to help them hold their shape.  It’s optional, but we go through a lot of candy here, so we thought it was a good idea to help them stand up to the frequent “walk-by grabbing.”

Image of woman in knitted black cape looking over her shoulder
I don’t sparkle, but I’m still fierce!

Also, Batcape! in Uptown DK (pattern link here).

We released the Batcape last week and blogged about it.  Maybe you saw it, but if you didn’t, we don’t want you to miss it. 🙂

Cover of book 50 Knitted Gifts

Moving to printed patterns, there are some real gems in the book 50 Knitted Gifts for Year-Round Giving, from Sixth and Spring.  The book features great projects suitable for any occasion.  The Halloween selections do not disappoint!

Orange knitted boot toppers with spiderweb embroidery

Spiderweb Boot Toppers (Ravelry link)

Knit felted Jack-o-lantern Halloween decoration

Felted Trick-or-Treat Bag (Ravelry link)

Woman wearing light green knit hat with ghost face design

Ghoulish Ghost Hat (Ravelry link)

Knitted brooch in the shape of a black cat with hot pink eyes

and Black Cat Brooch (Ravelry link).

The book has some great patterns for Thanksgiving, too, but one holiday at a time.

The last thing we’re going to throw out there, for ultimate ease, is a crocheted color pooling scarf in Uptown Worsted Spirit Stripes color 509 MVP.

Image of orange and black skein of Uptown Worsted Spirit Stripes yarn

Hands off the candy corn, though.

We hope you have an appropriately spooky Halloween.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Clematis Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing long knitted purple sequined cowl

Today, the Clematis Cowl in Classic Shades Sequins Lite (pattern link here).

Rachel Brockman has created a simple pattern that makes a lovely twisted eyelet fabric.

It’s just a three stitch, four row repeat that’s easy to find the rhythm of, providing just enough texture to the self-shading, sparkling Classic Shades Sequins Lite.

There are several different ways to go on color here.  I love the flowery look of 405 Primrose shown here…

skein of red-orange Classic Shades Sequins Lite yarn

…or go full Autumn with color 403 Volcano…

Seven skeins of Classic Shades Sequins Lite yarn

…or try something less variegated, or even solid, for a more formal and wintry look.

This versatile piece looks great draped long, or wrapped to put more color and warmth in one spot.

We hope you have a great weekend, and that you find time to make something beautiful.

Happy crafting!

Image of woman wearing purple and green sequined cowl

Halloween Projects – Batcape!

Halloween is almost here – but there’s still time to make yourself something spooky!

Here’s a brand new pattern – the BATCAPE in Uptown DK (pattern link here)!

(I looked for a dramatic sound effect that could be played for maximum suspense.  This was the first hit, so here you go.)

The pattern is written for one size, but it can be easily scaled up or down by adding or subtracting multiples of 6 from the cast-on.

We’d also like to give credit to our model Lilly, because it was super hard to keep a straight face goofing around with this cape and wearing plastic fangs.

The chevron pattern is knit in one piece from the top down. A contrasting i-cord is added at the end.

Woman in knitted black Halloween cape.

The perfect accessory for handing out treats.  Or for trick-or-treating in.  We’re not going to judge.

Happy holidays!

Chunky Cables – Four Fabulous Knits in Deluxe Chunky

I love cables.  More than lace, more than mosaic, more than a dozen other techniques, cables just embody knitting for me.  When you pair them with a good quality wool, even better.  And when you make it a chunky wool so you can see your progress grow quickly, that’s a home run.  So with no further ado, four popular cabled projects in our Deluxe Chunky 100% wool!

First Valentina (pattern link here).

Honestly, I am forever astonished that this is a free pattern.  It’s just gorgeous, and filled with the excellent attention to detail that Amy Gunderson brings to all her designs.

Take a look at those saddle shoulders. They let the cables run unbroken from cuff to collar.

The moss stitch underside is where alterations for size are made, to avoid disturbing the bold and beautiful Dueling Cables design.

This one was made in Deluxe Chunky 91904 Pomegranate Heather, but I keep thinking of going green, maybe with 61635 Deep Jungle which has a bit of blue as well.

Next: the Catawba River Poncho (pattern link here).

This isn’t a free pattern, but it has remained a top 5 bestseller since its release.  Take a closer look and see why!

Sized Small to 2X/3X, the poncho is fastened with two buttons on each side.  You get good range of motion without looking like you’re swallowed up.

Lace is married to cables for the main body design – the best of two techniques joined together!

This is a pattern from Amy Gunderson.  Here she is posing in the Catawba River Poncho she knitted for herself, so you can see how it falls.  Really lovely!

Next, another bestseller: the Pine View Scarf (pattern link here).

We offered this scarf as a kit at the holidays last year, then as a paid pattern after the first of this year.

If you like cabling, but maybe not all over, or if you want to try it out in small doses, this is a great project.  The pines at both ends that give the scarf its name are cabled, but the background and borders are seed stitch and reverse stockinette.  Deluxe Chunky on US size 10 (6mm) needles goes fairly quickly in this simple, pretty scarf.

Finally, the Rutherford Beret (pattern link here).

I made my own Rutherford Beret in Deluxe Chunky color 91467 Tulipwood, and I can tell you it’s an easy one-hank pattern.  The cables are all single twists. And how cute is that little i-cord loop at the top? Easy to pull it off and hang it up by the door.

We had someone here in the office do a two-color version.  Neat idea!

We hope these designs provide a little knitspiration.

Keep on cabling!

Free Pattern Friday – Magic Mitts

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Magic Mitts in Uptown DK and Uptown DK Magix (pattern link here).

These mitts are magical in more than one way! First, the patterning in the main color, Uptown DK Magix works up effortlessly to add interest to an otherwise simple project. And second, it’s magic just how quickly these can be crocheted! One ball of solid Uptown DK and of coordinating Uptown DK Magix  will make at least two pairs.

This pattern is worked entirely in the round beginning at the lower edge of the cuff. The cuff is worked in back loop single crochet to give the appearance of ribbing, while the main mitt is worked in straight single crochet to keep the focus on the pretty yarn.

We hope you enjoy this quick and fun project.

Have a great weekend – and happy crafting!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a topic near and dear to us.  So many of our friends and relatives have been touched by this awful disease.  As crafters, our natural impulse is to reach out and comfort those we love with a gift from the heart.  Here are a few options.

This is the Cancer Comfort Cap in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

We designed this cap at the request of Yonca, our sales director.  When she requested this cap, it was for a friend who was about to undergo chemotherapy.  We wish we could say this was the last time a friend would need this kind of help.  According to breastcancer.org, 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer in the course of her lifetime (as well as 1 in 1000 men).

It’s knitted in the round in our Cotton Supreme DK, which we picked because it’s very soft, and chemo scalps can be quite sensitive – something to keep in mind when choosing yarn.

Next, Healing Vibes in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

Amy Gunderson designed this one.  She says she thinks of this as a knitted representation of rays of radiation zapping cancer away.  We hope someone wearing this will feel the strength and energy Amy has put into this design.

This hat was originally designed for Halos of Hope, a non-profit organization that provided hats to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Just published today, this is the Overcast Cap in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

This pattern is named for the shadow of cancer that affects the lives of so many. Cancer patients and their loved ones alike can feel like they are helpless and hopeless in their situations. We offer this hat pattern as a small token of comfort and a concrete action that can be taken – perhaps a knitting project will take your mind off of unpleasantries in your life, whether that means cancer or any other type of illness or grief.  We hope the sun will shine again for you soon.

If you have questions about breast cancer detection and treatment, the American Cancer Society has a helpful page.  Mammogram guidelines can also be found at CancerCare.org.

To all of our generous-hearted crafting friends, we wish you peace and good health.