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August 7, 2015August 7, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Wandering Lace Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Wandering Lace Tee in Infusion Handpaints.

Mmmm. Lovely lace. Sometimes that can be hard to do in a variegated yarn. Who wants all their hard work to be lost in a sea of color? Fortunately, the tonal offerings in Infusion Handpaints are a little more subtle than some. We think this design would look great in any of these six “shade on shade” colors.

The design itself is smooth sailing. Knit the ribbing on smaller needles, then switch to US size 6/4mm needles (or whatever gets you gauge) and work up from hem to neckline. Do the same for back as you did for the front, then block, seam, and you’re ready to go.

This is a tee, but with a couple of tiny mods to the neck this would be a great vest to go over a button-down. Hmm… should I think of summer for this piece, or look ahead to Fall? Decisions, decisions…

Happy knitting!

July 31, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – PC538 Tapestry Toys and Cardigan

It’s still Free Pattern Friday!

This is Pattern Collecton PC538, Classic Worsted Tapestry Volume 2. Up until now, it’s never been available digitally, and never for free. Happy Friday!

We’ve had several requests for this leaflet, not least because although the original yarn, Classic Worsted Tapestry is gone, the colors in Uptown Worsted Tapestry are perfect matches for it. You could substitute Uptown Worsted Tapestry 809 Capri Breeze at right for Michele Wilcox’s Mr. Whiskers and the only difference would be that the Uptown feels softer.
Likewise, Purple Power, Emerald, and Mountain Blues are all available in Uptown Worsted Tapestry if you want to tackle Thanh Nguyen’s Cropped Cape-Cardi in its original color scheme.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this quadruple-dose of free patterns today.

Happy crafting!

July 31, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Exploded Pineapple Halter

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Exploded Pineapple Halter in Good Earth.

We’re calling this an intermediate project, good practice for crocheters who have never tried reading a crochet chart before to do so. One of our resident experts notes, “Crochet stitches can take on such organic form, that a chart really tells the story of the finished piece. Written instruction for crochet can be very clunky, especially in a large repeat pattern such as the exploded pineapple hem.”

Good Earth (204yds/100g) is an excellent choice for this layering piece. The cotton/linen blend is quite breathable, so even over another top it won’t leave you sweltering.

The piece is worked seamlessly. Crochet the hem first, then pick up for the body and continue upward. It’s easy to customize the length just by adding or subtracting a few rows of the v-stitch mesh.

I love the ribbon at the neck – that’s another bit that would be very easy to alter to your own taste.

We hope you enjoy this summertime project. Happy crocheting!

July 28, 2015

Knitspiration – Peter Rabbit

In honor of Beatrix Potter’s birthday, how about a little knitspiration?

Helen Beatrix Potter was born 149 years ago today. She had great success as a scientific illustrator and conservationist, but is best known today for her children’s books. Everyone has a favorite. Mine is Peter Rabbit. It’s such a nice mix of home and hearth – Peter’s mother even knits! – and mischief, as Peter gets himself into one fix after another.

Although I have enjoyed her work as both a child and a parent, I also enjoy her artistic talents. Her use of color is inspirational. From soft leafy-greens…

Whisper Lace Mitts — Little Victory Mitts in Whisper Lace

To the bright colors of the farm.

From fresh pastels of Spring…

Horseshoes and Twists Too Vest in Bamboo Pop

To warmer tones of a cozy home.

Fireplace Cardigan shoulder blog — Fireplace Cardigan in Amphora

Beatrix said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” I think we all know the same is true each time we pick up a ball of yarn. We hope all your crafting adventures are as enthralling as those Beatrix Potter wrote about.

July 24, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Summer Leaves Cloths

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Summer Leaves Cloths in Cotton Supreme.

These patterns come to us by special request from Jackie in Customer Service, who asked if we could add another one-ball project in Cotton Supreme (180yds/100g).

“The yarn is so soft! When people touch it, they fall in love with it. If we had another small pattern for it, then when I send kits as little prizes to our stores and customers, they’d get a chance to work with it and love it too.”

Jackie’s wish is our command. Voila, three lovely washcloths using leaf motifs. One is an all-over lace pattern, the second is four leaves rising from a central column, and the third is a single leaf in the center of a field of reverse stockinette. All three leaf lace patterns are charted, and all three cloths can be made from just one hank of Cotton Supreme.

When I look at these cloths, I can’t help but feel that they’d also make great afghan blocks, perhaps in Uptown Worsted or Deluxe Worsted Superwash on slightly larger needles. There’s nothing wrong with re-envisioning a design for your own purposes.

Thanks for the great suggestion, Jackie. We can always use another quick-to-knit pattern in our library.

Happy knitting!

July 17, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Knit and Crochet Market Bags

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Knit and Crochet Market Bags in Good Earth Adorn.

Good Earth Adorn Red Market Bag blog Something for all of our needlecrafting friends today! We chose Good Earth Adorn (204yds/100g) because the cotton/linen blend holds up well and isn’t going to felt with repeated rubbing as you carry it around. Each pattern takes just two hanks.

First up, the knitted bag, in 302 Adobe. It’s a simple four-row repeat for the eyelet mesh, then basic knitting with some k2tog shaping for the edges and handle.

The crochet bag in color 303 Lettuce uses a very basic double crochet mesh. You’ll make both sides, sew them together, then add the straps.

There’s actually a little sneak peek hiding in the green bag photographed – two new colors of Good Earth Adorn on the far right, never before seen, that we’ll be adding to the line next season. We’re very excited at all the new samples coming in and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Happy crafting!

July 10, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Ladders Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Ladders Tank in Flax.

Two crochet Free Pattern Fridays in a row? Well, we’re cheating just a little bit with this one – the edging at the neck, arm, and hem are knit. Crocheting purists are of course free to work their magic with an alternate trim. Those of us (like me) who are still polishing their crochet skills may stick with the edging as written. Someday I’ll be able to wing it, though!

The top is made in Flax (50g/137yds) which, as the name implies, is 100% linen. The ladder pattern combined with the flax fiber makes this a perfect tank for summer. Things I love about this piece: the Flax (which I’ll take any excuse to work with), the fact that it’s sized from Small to 3X, and the shaping, which of course you can customize to your own tastes.

We hope you’re having a great summer, and that you’re beating the heat. As for me, I’m going to make some fruit and yogurt ice pops and then cast on for a cool project.

Happy crafting!

June 26, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Firework Blankie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Firework Blankie crocheted in Little Bird and Little Bird Colors.

The 4th of July is almost upon us, making this a particularly appropriate free pattern. The Firework Blankie is crocheted in Little Bird Multi with rows of contrasting solid Little Bird (344yds/100g) every few rows for a bigger burst of color. And check out those adorable pom-poms on the points – like an extra little kapow!

We put together another couple of combinations of colors that could work, depending on whether you wanted to go bold or… slightly less bold.

Two different directions with the same multi colorway (201 Stroll), The one on the left is paired with 106 Go-Go Coral – the picture does not do justice to how almost neon-bright it is. The one on the right is paired with 111 Chinos, to tone it down a little but still be a contrast. Normally I’m in favor of subtlety, but with the Firework Blankie, I might go with the one on the left. This blanket says “playtime.”

Two more combos, both appealing to me since I favor cool tones. On the left is 204 Summer Story paired with 105 Wee Violet. I can easily see that thrown over a chair in a kid’s room. At right, 203 Grass Stain paired with 110 New Leaf. I’m imagining sitting out on the lawn with that green baby blanket spread out, toddler in a sunhat happily playing. No worries about the blanket on the grass – Little Bird is machine washable!

With gray as an increasingly popular color for baby projects, we also think 112 Ghostie Gray would be a good combination with pretty much any of the multis.

…You know, I thought I could make it through the whole post without saying it, but I just can’t.

Happy crocheting!

June 19, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Sprout Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sprout Tank in Cotton Supreme DK.

Hot enough for ya? It’s hot enough for most anyone, but that’s no reason to stop knitting. When little ones still want to get out and enjoy the day, we have the perfect match of pattern and temperature.

The Sprout Tank is knit in two pieces from the bottom up, then seamed. Pick up stitches around the armhole and knit the ruffled shoulder straps. The mock cable eyelets around the bottom are both written and charted. It’s a sweet detail that also gives a little more ventilation.

The suggested yarn is Cotton Supreme DK (100g/230yds), part of our popular Cotton Supreme family of yarns. It’s machine washable, soft, and long-lasting; a good choice for a kid on the go.

The whole tank takes just 2-3 hanks on US size 5 (3.75mm) needles. Knit it, pop it on your little one, then sit in the shade while they enjoy the sandbox. Don’t forget the hat and sunscreen for both of you – it’s a scorcher out there!

June 12, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Crosshatch Baby Blanket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Crosshatch Baby Blanket in Bella Chenille.

Bella Chenille (131yds/100g) is a favorite for baby and kid knits because it is soft and fuzzy, and because it is machine washable. I myself have knitted a sample, washed it, and laid it flat to dry. It looked just as good as when it was first knitted.

This pattern itself is a twelve row repeat that’s charted, along with a basic garter stitch border, giving you a sweet 40″ x 40″ square.

This blanket is soft and huggable. It’s resting beside my desk right now as I write this, and I keep reaching out to touch it. This would be a good one to make and have on hand for the inescapable surprise baby shower we’re all occasionally hit with. It would be nice to have a little security blanket nearby until it needs to be given away.

Happy knitting!