Author: Aubrey

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Free Pattern Friday – Paper Flowers

Woman in knitted lace pullover. Text reads, Free Pattern Friday, Paper Flowers in Uptown Baby Sport

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing lace pullover knitted in Uptown Baby Sport

Today, Paper Flowers knitted in Uptown Baby Sport (pattern link here).

Do you love lace? Then today is for you! Rachel Brockman uses allover lace stitches on the body of this pullover to add extra elegance.

A lace body is offset by bracelet-length stockinette sleeves, and a boat neck enhances the piece’s overall vintage vibes. But this is a luxurious sweater with a secret!

Ball of Uptown Baby Sport yarn

This lacy delight is actually an affordable, easy care project, thanks to Uptown Baby Sport 100% anti-pilling acrylic! I have to tell you, I used to be a yarn snob, but the Uptown yarns converted me. They’re so soft! When I compare Uptown to the acrylics I used as a young crafter just starting out, it’s like night and day. And it’s hard to argue with results like this gorgeous project!

Absolutely beautiful. I think my queue just got longer again.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of inexpensive treats and priceless joy.

Happy crafting!
-Heather Hill

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Free Pattern Friday – Peony Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing pink vest knitted in Papyrus yarn

Today, the Peony Vest knitted in Papyrus (pattern link here).

Thanks to its loose fit and elegant waterfall silhouette, it’s easy to make a statement with the stylish Peony Vest.

How pretty is this texture? It’s a simple slip stitch pattern, but in cotton/silk Papyrus it adds a lot of depth.

Papyrus yarn balls

It’s got such a rich, almost nubbly look and feel. The added sheen of silk adds to the complexity of the yarn.

The Peony Vest is worked in three pieces – back, left front, and right front – and then seamed. This comfortable and elegant design includes thoughtful details like twisted ribbing at the bottom, and a tidy I-Cord edging to complete the look.

All together, the Peony Vest is a wonderful warm-weather accessory that will serve you well.

We hope you have a cool and relaxing weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

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Free Pattern Friday – Sunny Shells

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Multicolored crocheted small blanket draped over a chair.

Today, Sunny Shells crocheted in Deluxe Stripes (pattern link here).

How clever is this? I love the way designer Ashley Jane McIntyre used the self-striping nature of Deluxe Stripes to create little accents between the shells, breaking up the fields of color with complementary tones.

Deluxe Stripes a great yarn for this project. The stripes change crisply, and the 75% wool/25% nylon content means this blankie is machine washable and will last a long time. Deluxe Stripes is also Oeko-Tex 100 Product Class 1 certified, for the safety of the ones you love!

Sunny Shells is worked flat, from the bottom up. After finishing the body, you’ll go back and apply that lovely border in joined, unturned rounds.

Tip: As shown, this project took almost every bit of seven skeins of Deluxe Stripes. You might want to get another skein, just as insurance.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of brightness and joy.

Happy crafting!

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Flash Pattern Friday – Aoyagi

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s Aoyagi, knitted in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted (Ravelry link here).

Tori Gurbisz designed Aoyagi for our Bloom in Color collection of designs in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints. There are plenty of colorful designs in this collection – how could there not be, with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints? – but as you can see, Aoyagi made the cover!

Skeins of blue and purple Deluxe Worsted and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints yarn

Aoyagi combines two favorite yarns, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted. While the original color of Deluxe Worsted used in the shawl is now retired, we recommend two others: 12188 Heather or 14007 Indigo. We’ve put them side by side with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 318 Emperor above, and you can see how well they blend. Of course, with 90 shades in Deluxe Worsted, it’s not going to be hard to find a combination that works for you!

To get Aoyagi free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page linked here. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase, and click “apply.”

Graphic illustrating where to type FLASH code on Ravelry

Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 7/31 and we’ll get you taken care of.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of color that’s every bit as vibrant as you are!

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

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Free Pattern Friday – Tincture Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing knitted Tincture vest

Today, the Tincture Vest knitted in Vireo (pattern link here).

Talk about summertime style! Aubrey Busek’s versatile textured beauty features contrast-colored accents, a cozy fit, and easily doubles as a tank.

As is standard with our designs, Tincture is size-inclusive, running from XS to 5X. It uses my favorite construction: bottom up, in the round. And that texture!

Woman wearing textured Tincture vest

It’s an eight row repeat that’s very rhythmic and easy to get into, and it makes such a beautiful fabric! And the choice of yarn for this really makes that fabric glow.

Skeins of Vireo yarn

Vireo is made of 80% plant-based Tencel and 20% wool. The Tencel helps it stays cool in the summer, and gives it fabulous drape and stitch definition. The wool gives it a touch of springiness that’s just right for this piece.

I love this in the original 113 Macaron and 114 Jade Necklace. Just looking at the colors cools me down.

Three skeins of Vireo yarn
clockwise from top: 109 Featherlight, 107 Apricot Tart, 108 Marmelade

But Vireo has a lot of possibilities. A combination of any of these tones, Vireo colors 107 through 109, would look great. It reminds me of summertime peaches!

No matter what you choose for your Tincture, we know you’ll have a great time knitting it.

Have a great weekend, and keep crafting!

-Heather Hill

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Free Pattern Friday – Playground Hoodie

Child wearing striped knitted hoodie. Text reads. Free Pattern Friday, Playground Hoodie in Cotton Supreme Waves

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Boy wearing striped knitted hoodie pullover with pockets

Today, the Playground Hoodie knitted in Cotton Supreme Waves (pattern link here).

Whoosh!

Summer means kids in constant motion! And today’s free pattern is perfect for keeping young ones comfortable as they play.

Young boy seated in grass, wearing knitted striped hoodie and holding two toy airplanes
I’ll sit down, but I’m not tired!

Aubrey Busek’s Playground Hoodie is sized for kids two to twelve. It’s shown here in the four-year-old size. We’re happy to report that it met with the model’s seal of approval.

Young boy wearing striped hoodie knitted in Cotton Supreme Waves
Okay, playtime again!

Perfect for warm and cool weather alike, the practical hood and kangaroo pocket will allow your little one to ward off any breeze in the air. Machine washable 100% Cotton Supreme Waves creates a breathable fabric that’s practical spring through fall.

Image of skeins of Cotton Supreme Waves yarn with knitting needles and crochet hook
So many colors!

Color 910 Equator is used in the hoodie. It stripes up solidly, but there are also options that stripe up with a more speckled, variegated effect, like 916 Ice Cream that’s facing forward in the group of future WIPs above.

Closeup of young boy wearing v-necked striped hoodie
Did someone say ice cream?

Pro tip: Cotton Supreme Waves is a self-striping yarn. 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. You might need to wind off some yarn. We promise the results are worth the effort!

Rear view of boy wearing striped knitted hoodie with the hood up.
Do I hear the ice cream truck over there?

The Playground Hoodie is a sunshiney, practical kid project that looks good, feels good, and is fun to knit. What a perfect summertime treat!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of imagination and fun times.

Happy crafting!
-Heather Hill

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Free Pattern Friday – Seacoast Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Smiling woman wearing white cowl speckled with blue knitted in Bamboo Pop Yarn

Today, the Seacoast Cowl knitted or crocheted in Bamboo Pop (pattern link for both versions here).

It’s just the right time for this lightweight, breezy accessory in Bamboo Pop, and Rachel Brockman has outdone herself on the design! She’s created a knitted version, shown above…

…and a crocheted version, shown here! Both feature elongated stitches against a simple background, ornamented with eyelets…

…and both use just two balls of Bamboo Pop, our 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend. Rachel chose speckled color 305 Ocean Dots, but there are also solid and variegated selections, to match whatever your taste may be.

Three balls of Bamboo Pop yarn
From left: 209 Jungle Life, 205 Brilliant Blues, and 210 Orchid Smash

For msyelf, I might pick one of the variegated colors shown here. I’m a sucker for those bluish tones.

We hope you enjoy this sweet little warm-weather accessory, no matter which craft speaks to you most. Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

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Free Pattern Friday – Lucy Tote

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Image of blue crocheted tote holding bouquet of white flowers

Today, the Lucy Tote crocheted in Clean Cotton Multi (pattern link here).

We’re sharing this easy, practical, and lovely pattern today because it’s just perfect for summer.

The Lucy Tote is perfect for your next trip to the beach. Toss in your sunglasses, sunblock, and summer reading – you’re good to go!

Crocheted in our Clean Cotton or Clean Cotton Multi yarn, this accessory is quick to work up, sturdy, and durable – a tote to stand the test of time!

We hope you have a safe and joyful weekend.

Happy crafting!

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Flash Pattern Friday – Serafina

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s Serafina, knitted in Fibra Natura Ravello (Ravelry link here).

Serafina was designed by Rachel Brockman as part of the Perennial Knits collection, showcasing five timeless patterns in Ravello. We love this design so much we put it on the cover!

And what’s not to love? There’s a delicate, lacy hem with a touch of stranded colorwork…

…bordering a simple stockinette body, with raglan sleeves and constrating edging. All together, Serafina is graceful, polished, and beautiful.

Light green ball of Ravello yarn sitting on knitted lace

The gorgeous stitch definition and depth of color come from the yarn, Ravello. This 50% cotton/50% cashmere blend feels like a dream and works up smoothly and easily. This is one of my favorites from our Italian mill, because it is so versatile in warm weather, and because of the faint haze that the cashmere gives to the cotton. True luxury.

With its inclusive sizing and seamless construction, this pattern will appeal to a range of knitters. It certainly appeals to me. My queue continues to grow!

To get Serafina free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page linked here. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase. Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 6/26 and we’ll get you taken care of.

Have a safe and fun weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

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Free Pattern Friday – Delilah

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Delilah knitted in Flax (pattern link here).

Lightweight, lacy, and perfect for summer, Delilah is a linen luxury that’s tailor-made for warm weather.

This design comes to us from Aubrey Busek. If you know her work, it’s easy to see her creative touches: she always brings a certain flair to her designs, as with the bohemian tassels adorning this asymmetrical triangular shawl.

Aubrey chose Flax 100% linen yarn for this design, and no wonder: when it comes to summer fashion and comfort, you really can’t go wrong with linen.

Closeup of hanks of Flax linen yarn in shades of blue

Delilah is a perfect topper to any outfit you choose. We’ve paired it with a long summer dress here, but it’s simple to style any number of ways. Its 50″ length looks great wrapped over the bodice, draped loosely at your neck, or artfully thrown over one shoulder.

Delilah’s lace repeat is easy to memorize, and a great match for its soothing stockinette center. This shawl is just as fun to work up as it is to wear.

This is definitely a design to bump to the top of the queue.

We hope you have a cool and relaxing weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill