Free Pattern Friday – Sweet Dumplin’ Socks

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Sweet Dumplin’ Socks in Bella Cash (pattern link here).
If you’ve been knitting along with us on our Bella Cash Socktober Mystery Knitalong, then you’re already familiar with today’s free pattern. However, you may not have seen the socks in their full glory!
Bella Cash was developed for garments and accessories. It wasn’t until one of us said, “you know… this would make great socks” that the light bulb went on.
I mean, who wouldn’t want machine washable socks with a touch of cashmere? I use Bella Cash for the knitworthy people in my life. Including me. (And yes, they really are machine washable. I’ve tossed my Bella Cash socks in the washer and dryer many times.))
Rachel Brockman designed the Sweet Dumplin’ Socks to be a fun sampler of techniques – right and left twists on the cuffs, Fair Isle on the leg, and a lovely texture on the foot.
She used her favorite heel – the afterthought – to finish it off. And she picked colors and patterns that shout “autumn.” I’ve been knitting along, and these have been a joy to work on.
We hope you have a great weekend, maybe with some old-fashioned apple dumplings with a side of ice cream. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Olive

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Olive in Kingston Tweed and Penna (pattern link here).
First things first: the model for this hat is also the designer, Rachel Brockman. Rachel is a big fan of the outdoors, and takes a lot of inspiration from her time in nature.
We have it on good authority that one of her favorite yarns is Kingston Tweed – you’ve probably seen her fantastic Jay Sweater. For this hat, she took that rustic yarn and gave it extra flair by combining it with laceweight Penna.
We’re sharing the picture of the yarn to show exactly what Penna brings to the design – a slight blur to the edges from its soft alpaca halo.
You can see the gentle feel it imparts to this cable and rib delight.
Start with the cable panel, worked flat. Seam the ends together, and it becomes the brim of this hat.
Pick up stitches from the edge, and work broken rib in the round upwards to the crown. Love those decrease swirls!
It’s a gentle beauty of a design. We hope you enjoy it.

Have a great weekend – and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Atotoztli

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
woman in blue pullover with Fair Isle sleeves
Today, Atotztli in Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash (pattern link here). Atotztli was originally part of Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash: The Aztec Collection. The collection features gorgeous graphic knits in – you guessed it – Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash.
In Atotztli, texture, stripes and fun Fair Isle come together in fun ways. Check out that funnel neck!
In this pullover, the front and back are worked flat. The sleeves are worked in the round up until the raglan shaping. The shoulder join appears as a striking demarcation between solid and stranded color work, for even greater visual impact.
We like how Amy Gunderson softened the colors by using a tweedy yarn that features elements of several of the colors, to unify the piece. This is a gorgeous piece for fall!
We hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Taradiddle

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Taradiddle in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (pattern here).
This great autumn project doesn’t take a lot of yarn. We’re calling for Deluxe Worsted Superwash, a soft, machine-washable, all purpose wool.
The Fair Isle colorwork is a simple 10-stitch repeat knit on US 7 (4.5mm) needles, or whatever needle size gets gauge.
It’s the perfect thing to keep handy in case your ears get cold. And best, if you reverse the colors, you can easily make more than one from one skein of each color!
Different colors for your different moods – or easy gifts for friends!
We hope you have a safe and fun weekend.
Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Perpendicular

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Woman wearing green scarf crocheted in Lina yarn
Today, Perpendicular crocheted in Lina (pattern link here). Perpendicular made its debut in the e-book Lina: Every Which Way.
Cover of e-book "Lina: every which way"
As you can see, we liked it so much we put it on the cover! This mini-collection of designs showcases graphic designs in Lina, a luscious cotton/linen blend.
Fibra Natura Lina
It’s a joy to crochet with, and because it’s plant fiber, it has the perfect drape for this design. Check out the fabric as it’s flipped over the shoulder!
Perpendicular starts with a single foundation chain. Then you’ll work in the round outward, cutting colors as you change them.
Finish the edge with a puff stitch, and you’ve got a colorful accessory that lets you carry a bit of crocheted joy with you, even when the weather’s warm!
We hope you have a safe and fun weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Marley

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Marley in Alaska and Whisper Lace (pattern link here). Isn’t this just beautiful?
Marley manages to be cozy, while still being delicate.
The hem is worked in Fibra Natura Whisper Lace, a blend of silk and superwash wool with a luminous sheen. To keep the body and hem in color harmony, the Whisper Lace is held with a strand of Rozetti Alaska, a lofty yarn with a lovely alpaca halo.
So soft. Soooo soft.
It’s just the thing if you’re looking for warmth without weight, all with immaculate style.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Paint a Leaf Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Paint a Leaf Vest in Fibra Natura Dona (pattern link here). This is an Amy Gunderson pattern, formerly found in the Dona Loft Collection.
These bold, graphic knits look great in Dona extrafine merino, with its saturated colors. Its high twist also gives it great stitch definition, which works well in projects like this vest.
The traveling lines are created by working cable crosses. Sized Small to 3X, this is a fun, bright piece to layer for spring or fall.
We hope you have a fantastic, joyful weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Watermelon Blanket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Watermelon Blanket in Cotton Supreme (pattern link here).
Simple and sweet are the words that apply to this charming little throw.
It’s an easy knit on size US8 (5mm) needles, in a quickly memorized stitch pattern. Machine washable Cotton Supreme makes it super practical, too!
Cotton Supreme 510 Magenta and 607 Blush
There are a lot of ways you can go with the colors for this pattern. If you choose not to stick with watermelon, tone on tone to match someone’s nursery would be a nice choice.
We hope you enjoy this soft, calming blanket. Have a safe and pleasant weekend! Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Blooming Chorus

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Blooming Chorus in Uptown Super Bulky (pattern link here). Blooming Chorus was originally part of the popular collection, Uptown Favorite Afghans 2.
There are some real beauties in here, both knit and crochet, all using the Uptown family of 100% anti-pilling acrylic yarns.
Personally, I love Uptown Super Bulky. I’ve made several Coffee Beans and Sugar Cubes hats in this, and the yarn is so thick that they fly by. And since this blanket is crocheted on a US Size K-10 ½ (6.5 mm) hook, it ought to go pretty quickly too.
There are two sizes included here, the smaller on the child’s bed, and the bigger one in red/grey/navy/white above.
What a fun bit of texture! And if you’re thinking of trying your own color combo, the pattern comes with its own coloring page to let you try it out before putting your hook into motion.
If this blanket is a blooming chorus, what song do you think it sings? Personally, I think it might be this one. (Hey, if I can’t have fun on the Friday before a 3-day weekend, then when can I have fun?)
Have a safe and happy Labor Day. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Wakame Placemats

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Two placemats knit in raffia Yashi yarn.
Today, the Wakame Placemats in Yashi and Yashi Iro (pattern link here). The Wakame placemats take their name from a kind of edible seaweed, a nod to both the blue green color Ocean Dreams, and to the 100% raffia plant fiber of solid Yashi and multi Yashi Iro.
Closeup of knitted raffia fabric
We love Yashi and Yashi Iro for home decor projects, both knitted like the free Garter Baskets, and crocheted like Rick Mondragon’s clever Japanese Knot Bag.
Image of placemat underside
These are a very simple stitch. They’re worked flat, with just knits, purls, and slips to create a tweedy effect. You’re only using one color at a time.
Corner of Yashi placemat showing aqua fringe
When you’re done, give it a light spritz with water and pin it flat to block. Then, add the fringe for the perfect summery touch. Such a fun and simple pattern!
We hope you have a safe, fun, and festive weekend.
Happy crafting!