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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Free Pattern Friday – Cotton Candy Swirl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, enjoy Cotton Candy Swirl in Cobblestone (pattern link here).

Sometimes the simplest things are the sweetest. Such is the case with today’s free pattern, Cotton Candy Swirl. The open, boomerang-shaped shawl is a lively accessory to brighten up any day.

I feel pretty… oh so pretty…

A field of triple crochet creates this colorful, fun accessory. One big beehive-style ball of soft, variegated Fibra Natura Cobblestone does the colorwork for you!

I’m such a fan of blues and greens that I think my personal shawl would be in color 106 Meadow, shown above. This would be such a great project for a crochet neophyte, or for anyone who wants to crochet while their attention is divided by good conversation.

Lovely, simple, and sweet, this free pattern is pretty and perfect.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Bonfire Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Bonfire Scarf in Nordic Tapestry (free pattern link here).

It doesn’t get much sweeter or simpler than today’s free pattern. Take one ball of self-patterning Nordic Tapestry. Cast on. Knit every row.

Voila! A gorgeous scarf that’s suitable for beginners, or for those who want to make something pretty while chatting with their friends or watching the Great British Baking Show. (Our house is rooting for Crystelle.)

Image of three balls of Nordic Tapestry yarn

The secret is the yarn. Nordic Tapestry has varying lengths of coordinating shades, broken by shorter runs that mimic the look of Fair Isle. It makes a simple project look colorful and dynamic. Just cast on, and then knit until you’re done!

We hope you have a warm and wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

Flash Pattern Friday – Calm Cardigan

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 Calm Cardigan in Dona (Ravelry link)!

This yummy design was released as part of the Elegant Ease Collection, a set of seven cozy projects perfect for mornings in and evenings out.

Worked with two strands of 100% superwash extrafine merino Dona held together, this duster-length cardigan is luxurious, warm, and incredibly comfortable.

A wealth of thoughtful details, like pockets, belt with belt loops, and coordinating solid colored cuffs and edging make this a perfectly polished design.

To get the Calm Cardigan 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 10/31 and we’ll get you taken care of.

We hope you have a safe and festive weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – The Kobuk Cowl

Today, the Kobuk Cowl (pattern link here).

This is a fun and fast project that you can work up in a matter of hours! Using our super chunky Be Wool and Be Wool Multis always leads to full, soft, and quick work.

I recommend this as a great beginner crochet project! This cowl features V stitches, and a faux ribbing created using front and back post work. If you haven’t tried these stitch techniques a go before, definitely jump in. They are easy-peasy but look somewhat complex. It will be sure to have your friends asking the fun question “Oh my gosh, did you make that!?”

The Kobuk Cowl is named after the Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska. The natural colors featured in this design reminded us of the cool blue waters, arctic chill, and rusted golden landscape seen in this majestic place. The second I tried in on I, was itching for some colder weather adventure. Granted, I may not make it all the way to Alaska this season, but I’ll be dreaming about it when I hike around the beautiful mountains in North Carolina!

Image from Google Search of Kobuk Valley

Well there you have it! Have you ever been out to a National Park? Which one? I’d love to hear about your experience!
That’s all for now,
Happy Stitching!
AJ