Author: Heather

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Flash Pattern Friday – Pointillé

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

Rear view of woman wearing knitted shawl

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 Pointillé in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (Ravelry link here).

How absolutely stunning is this? Named after a form of surface decoration, Rachel Brockman’s aptly named Pointillé Shawl is dotted with rich, textural stitch patterns throughout.

This crescent-shaped beauty started with a garter tab at the center top. Increases on both the right and wrong side give this shawl its “wings.” The whole thing is finished with a graceful picot edging.

The piece is designed in our Deluxe Worsted Superwash 100% wool, in colors 766 Teal Rustic, 754 Shamrock Heather, and 748 Oatmeal Heather. This beautiful yarn has a non-superwash sister, Deluxe Worsted, that can be used interchangeably.

All in all, Pointillé is superbly designed, combining the modern with the classic, for an accessory that’s a delight to make and to wear.

To get Pointillé free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. 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 1/30 and we’ll get you taken care of.

Have a warm and wonderful weekend!
Happy Crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Baby Bloom Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Baby Bloom Set in Bella Cash (pattern link here).

There’s just one word to describe this pattern – adorabobble!

You can see why – these sweet little clusters of fun that adorn the sweater hem and the brim of the hat. They’re like sweet little flower buds ready to bloom!

Designer Rachel Brockman used Bella Cash for this design. It’s one of our favorite yarns for… well, for everything, but especially for baby and child garments. The cashmere content makes it irresistibly soft, and the machine washability means it’s practical for the most adventurous little tyke.

Stitch definition to die for!

Sized from 3-6 up to 24 months, this sweet little set takes 2-3 balls of Bella Cash for the cardigan, and just one for the hat.

This set is almost as cute as the baby you’ll make it for!

Have a great weekend – and happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Petal Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

woman wearing gold triangular shawl crocheted in Ravello yarn

Today, the Petal Shawl crocheted in Fibra Natura Ravello (pattern link here).

♫I’ve got sunshine… on a cloudy day…♫
Never has that been truer than with today’s free pattern!

Designer AJ McIntyre brought extra vibrance to this already stunning accessory by using Fibra Natura Ravello, our Italian blend of cotton, extrafine merino, and recycled cashmere. The blend of premium fibers creates a depth of color that catches the light beautifully. AJ went with color 105 Honeypot to really let the sun shine in.

two balls of Ravello yarn stacked one atop the other
Above: colors 113 Nori and 112 Sage Leaf, the colors I’m considering for mine. I can’t resist a good green!

If you’re still building your crochet skills, don’t fret – we’ve rated this pattern as easy. The shawl is worked flat from the top down, beginning with the widest edge, and decreasing to the point. During finishing, you’ll apply a single crochet border. There’s a diagram for the gauge swatch that you can use as a reference when you’re making the actual shawl.

This is a head-turner of a shawl in a rich, saturated yarn. You can’t go wrong!

We hope you have a safe and happy weekend.
Stay warm, and happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Moor Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

woman wearing green and light blue knitted hat

Today, the Moor Hat in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (pattern link here).

This week, a clever, reversible design from Rachel Brockman!

As a nature lover, Rachel took her design cue from the great outdoors. Inspired by the mossy, grassy vegetation of moorland habitats, the Moor Hat is cushiony, warm, and versatile. Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash is a fitting choice of yarn. Its tweedy flecks of color fit the natural vibe of this pattern.

Woman wearing knitted lace hat. The lace is light blue, and the brim is forest green.
Brim and interior: 405 Pine (MC) – 1 skein, Lace: 415 Cloud Blue (CC) – 1 skein

Worked as a tube, this hat can be worn with the decorative lace on the outside, featuring a contrast rib that mimics a horizon line dividing the treeless landscape and cloud blue skies.

Rear view of woman wearing forest green knitted hat
Like a walk in an evergreen forest.

For more casual outings, simply turn the work inside out and show off the tweedy nubs of Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash on a background of Stockinette stitch.

Want a more autumnal feel? Consider incorporating color 419 Merlot.

Simple, versatile, and beautiful. The perfect accessory project.

We hope you have a warm and wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

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Flash Pattern Friday – A Universe of Snowflakes

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 on Ravelry. Today, it’s A Universe of Snowflakes in Universe (Ravelry link here).

Snowflake #6, in Universe color 10-06 Candy

We originally designed these as part of a LYS Yarn Crawl here in the Charlotte, NC area. Participants could go to each of eleven shops and get a different snowflake pattern. Personally, I feel like just getting to go to multiple local yarn shops is awesome. Adding a free pattern to it is the icing on the cake!

Snowflake #3 in Universe 10-03 Crystal Ball

We chose Universe for the designs, because its cotton-linen structure works well for ornaments. They don’t need a wooly “bounce” as much as they need to keep their shape. For that, we used fabric starch to stiffen them during blocking. The beautiful metallic thread that gives Universe its sparkle isn’t affected, continuing to shine through beautifully!

If you’re looking for other ways to stiffen your snowflakes, Irarott Designs has good tips here. We’ve used the thinned glue technique with good results.

Snowflake #2 in Universe color #10-02 Cotton

This weekend, we’re offering this entire set of 11 snowflakes in Universe for free!

To get the Universe of Snowflakes free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. 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 1/2 and we’ll get you taken care of.

We wish you a happy New Year. May 2022 be your best and brightest year yet!
Happy Crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Turkish Delight

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

image of woman wearing colorful shawl

Today, Turkish Delight knit in Colorburst (pattern link here).

rear view of a woman wearing a colorful striped knitted shawl
Bright but not saccarine-sweet, this is a design that marries sophistication with whimsy.

Winter doesn’t have to be drab and gray. Today’s free pattern proves that!

closeup image of ball of purple and blue Colorburst yarn color 112
Colorburst color 119 Bursa

Colorburst’s big, beautiful 660-yard “beehive” style balls make it easy to create this design with just one ball of each colorway. Designer Rachel Brockman alternated two different colors to give maximum impact. She chose one light tone – 112 Romance, and one dark – 119 Bursa, for strong contrast between the stripes.

Beautiful geometry and rhythm, offset by gentle changes within the shades.

Simple stripes are broken by mosaic-knit squares, the “Turkish Delight” confection that gives the shawl its name. They add interest to an already fascinating shawl!

imgae of Turkish Delight candy squares
Looking for a recipe?

Turkish Delight are a popular treat in the office breakroom around this time of year. They’re a sweet but sophisticated treat, just like this shawl.

Work it from tip to widest edge and watch how the color repeats change!

Have a wonderfully sweet weekend, and may your days be as merry and bright as this shawl!

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Embers Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Embers Hat in Be Wool and Be Wool Multi (pattern link here).

So how about it? Done with all your gift knitting this year? I’m not – I still have a single requested Towanda Sock to go. But there’s still time to squeeze in some quick handmade projects, when you choose those projects carefully!

The Embers Hat ticks all my boxes for a quick gift.

  • Thick yarn
  • Looks harder than it is (got to impress the recipient!)
  • Fun pom pom. I’m a sucker for a pom pom!
Be Wool Multis 201 Desert

Thick yarn? Check! Solid Be Wool and its color-flecked sibling Be Wool Multis are a perfect matching pair. Each is a thick, soft wool/acrylic blend that works up lightning-fast.

So cozy!

You’ll cast on with US Size 15 (10 mm) 16″ circular for the 2×2 ribbed brim, then move to US Size 17 (12 mm) needles for the body of the hat.

Big and beautiful.

The Fair Isle diamonds pattern is simple enough. The use of multi-colored yarn creates a more syncopated rhythm to the color than straight solid-on-solid, although you could certainly use a coordinating Be Wool color in place of the Multis. I’m wondering how 109 Tango, a rich red, would look!

Pom pom-tastic!

Pom pom? Check! And I do love how Be Wool Multis creates a variegated topper without any extra work on the crafter’s part. It’s literally the crowning touch!

Whether you’re looking for a last minute gift, or a fun, fast project for yourself, the Embers Hat has you covered.

We hope you have a stress-free weekend, full of joy.

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Holiday Cheer Throw

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Holiday Cheer Throw in Bella Chenille Big Glimmer (pattern link here).

This is a special design for several reasons! First, it’s just so festive! Who wouldn’t want a big, beautiful crocheted throw to snuggle up with on a frosty night?

Second, this is the inaugural free pattern in a brand new yarn, Bella Chenille Big Glimmer!

Original Bella Chenille Big is loved for home decor, accessories, and more. We heard from more than one person saying, “you know the only thing that could make this better is… bling!”

What a great idea! So here it is, in all its glittery glory. But the Holiday Cheer Throw isn’t the only free pattern in this yarn released today. There’s also…

The knitted Gemstones Scarf (pattern link here), aka the softest scarf you’ll ever wear.

The Snowy Night Pillow Cover (pattern link here), which I really want to make with red ‘snowflakes’ to create poinsettias.

Snug as a Bug (pattern link here), the perfect robe to wrap up in on the weekend.

If you’re a fan of the annual 12 Days of Winter kit sets, you’ll love Marshmallow, shown here knitted up in Bella Chenille Big Glimmer, sporting a stylish Bella Chenille pullover. He’s one of this year’s kits, available only through your LYS. His designer, Aubrey Busek, will be posting more about him on Monday.

We are so excited by this fun yarn, and by all the possibilities it reveals. We hope you enjoy today’s free pattern(s)! Have a wonderful weekend, full of sparkle and joy!

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Flash Pattern Friday – Gingerbread Stocking

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 on Ravelry. Today, it’s Gingerbread Stocking in Deluxe Bulky Superwash (Ravelry link).

This gorgeous holiday stocking was part of our 2019 12 Days of Winter Kit Series, a popular collection of kits that we publish each year. Our fifth annual series is out now, available exclusively from your LYS! It seemed like a great time to revisit this festive favorite.

Beautiful Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool gives great definition, and its high quality construction means this heirloom will last for years to come. You’ll start from the cuff and work your way down, moving from the mock cables to Fair Isle starting with sweet XO “hugs and kisses.”

The gingerbread house-inspired colors and shapes continue to the toe. You’ll go back and pick up the afterthought heel, and add an i-cord edging and loop top the cuff to finish it off. Perfect for hanging on the mantel!

To get the Gingerbread Stocking free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. 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 11/28 and we’ll get you taken care of.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend, full of friends, family, and fun.
Happy Crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Wind Song Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Wind Song Cowl in Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print (pattern link here).

Whenever we introduce a new yarn with long color repeats, I’m always curious to see how it works up in long rows. So when Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print landed on my desk, I knew I’d be knitting something pretty from it as soon as possible.

Ball of Rico Design Essentials Kid Mohair Loves Silk in color 009 Retro
Color 008 Retro

I chose a basic knit/purl design, to really show off those color changes. Here it is in progress, at about the time I was thinking, “surely, this must be a full ball I’ve used.” Nope, this yarn kept giving.

The WIP rode around in my purse unprotected and came out looking great.
There was no matting or damage from the wear. It speaks well of the yarn’s sturdiness!

One ball of Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print went a long way. Even though it’s a laceweight yarn, when it’s worked on larger needles or hook, the mohair halo fills in the spaces in the stitches. On a US size 7 (4.5mm) needle, it was light and airy, but not overly loose-looking. The stitch definition was just fine, even at that gauge, and it was pleasant to work with. And check out the fabric it made!

With beautiful bounce and stretch, this is an easy cowl to wear long and loose, or to wrap for a different style. Alternating sections of knit and purl work with the 70% mohair content to let the cowl curl up into little ridges, but the yarn’s 30% silk adds extra drape to allow the piece to expand into a beautiful, wide fabric.

The purl ridges push different bands of color forth, so while this piece is reversible, you’ll get an ever-so-slightly different effect based on which side you have facing out.

So if you’re looking for a really simple project with striking color, that only requires you to knit and purl in the round, here it is. Beautiful, basic, and bold, the Wind Song Cowl in Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print has your back.

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

Happy crafting!