Free Pattern Friday – Kiki

Happy Friday! If you’re in the mood to create something cute, this week’s free pattern release is just for you!

Kiki the kitty was designed by Rachel Brockman and is knit using Ricorumi Nilli Nilli. This loveable plushie is ready for a hug!

Kiki is constructed by knitting in the round, beginning with the body. You’ll work upwards and shape the head next, then pick up stitches and create the legs. The arms and tail are also picked up and worked from the body, and the ears are made separately and sewn on.

Kiki’s face is embroidered on with a tapestry needle after everything is complete, with two safety eyes needed for finishing. I love the idea of customizing Kiki’s facial features! You could embroider a different style of mouth, or even cheek details to evoke an expression.

A circular shaped belly patch is knit separately and sewn to the body after you finish the construction. I love this adorable detail and how it makes the body even more three-dimensional. Kiki’s doll-like body shape makes it excellent for snuggling up at naptime, or just when you need some extra comfort.

Pictures are included in this free pattern to aid with the construction of this toy, so don’t fret if you haven’t knit a stuffed animal before! We know you’ll feel so proud of your finished friend.

Nilli Nilli is the newest addition to the Ricorumi yarn family! This velvety-soft DK weight chenille yarn is made of 100% polyester, and comes in adorable 25g mini skeins. With 30 colors to choose from, you can make Kiki uniquely yours! Ricorumi Nilli Nilli is a perfect option for crochet amigurumi projects as well, and we have two beautiful pattern books to support those who love to crochet!

Check out these adorable pattern books, Underwater World, and Mini Me from Ricorumi for even more inspiration on what can be made with Nilli Nilli and the other yarns in the Ricorumi family! We can’t wait to see what you’ll create next.

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

Flash Pattern Friday – Gingham Blankie

We are heading into summer by offering both a knit AND a crochet version of the Gingham Blankie for today’s Flash Pattern Friday.

Designed by Rachel Brockman, both versions of the Gingham Blankie are made in our soft, smooth Uptown Bamboo DK. These blankies are perfect for bringing along to your next park outing or as a whimsical addition to your home decor. Each blanket is comprised of 49 individual squares worked from the center out, making these the ideal portable project. The squares are sewn together to form the blankie, and the borders are applied as a finishing touch.

Each Gingham Blankie features 3 colors of Uptown Bamboo DK, a blend of 80% anti-pilling acrylic and 20% bamboo. This easy-care yarn has excellent stitch definition with the bamboo content adding a touch of sheen to your finished project. The crochet version is shown in 502 Lily, 507 Peach and 508 Coral while the knit version is shown in 502 Lily, 519 Bluebird and 521 Chill. With 36 colors to choose from, you can make a Gingham Blankie that is truly your own.

To get the Gingham Blankie patterns for free  use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page for the knit or crochet version. Once the pattern is in your cart, enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer is valid through Monday, May 27th to coincide with our Memorial Day Sale.

This weekend, our entire site (excluding Chiaogoo) is Buy 2 get 1 free! Ring in the summer with these special savings through Monday, May 27th.

Keep on crafting on!

Afifa

Free Pattern Friday – Fleetwood

Happy Friday, friends!
This week we have a flowy and fun crochet duster called Fleetwood, designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre. It’s named for Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, whose iconic, bohemian style includes all kinds of flowing garments like this one.

The pattern includes both a long version (pictured here) and a short version, that falls to about knee length. The main fabric is a crochet mesh that maximizes yardage, while creating an airy and summery vibe, and the whole thing is framed with cheery crochet granny square flower motifs.

The duster is made of Magnolia, a fingering weight yarn composed of 95% modal and 5% cashmere. The resulting fabric is silky smooth and boasts excellent drape. This yarn also excels at showing off gorgeous stitch definition! Check out our Sunkissed Summer collection, featuring five projects in Magnolia to see just how stunning this yarn is.

The flower motifs are made of Rico Design’s Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton. This dk weight yarn is made of 46% acrylic, 49% cotton, and 5% polyester. It’s spun with a solid ply and a variegated ply to create a sensational spectrum of color. I’ve paired three colors together to create flowers in inverse shades of each other which alternate around the duster – you can choose any that you like!

Fleetwood is free to download and is written in three, batched sizes which span from XS – 9X. The first size range includes XS-M, the second includes L-2X, and the third includes 3X-5X. Get your copy today, and be sure to pick up Magnolia and Rico Design’s Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton – both of which are 20% off their listed prices this weekend only!

That’s all for today, happy stitching!
Ashley Jane McIntyre

Free Pattern Friday – Left of Center Cardi

Happy Free Pattern Friday! Have you ever heard the phrase ‘everything old is new again’? Over the years, we make choices to discontinue yarns for various reasons, but whenever possible, we try to keep our timeless pattern designs alive and thriving.

This week, we are releasing a reimagined version of the popular baby pattern, the Left of Center Cardi. Knit anew in two colors of Bamboo Pop, this layering piece will provide a punch of summery colors to your kiddo’s wardrobe.

The Left of Center Cardi is a nice relaxing project for knitters of a variety of skill levels. A textured pattern is worked throughout, featuring basic increases, decreases, and color changes. My suggestion for this cardigan would be to choose two colors with quite a bit of contrast to ensure that the textured stitch pattern stands out.

Raglan shaping for the sleeves provides a great fit, and the wide button band featuring 10 cute buttons gives you customization options! For our sample, we chose colors 139 Sundae and 226 Fresh Cut. Using a solid color with a multi makes this pattern even more exciting to wear! I have some alternative color suggestions below.

The Left of Center Cardi is free to download and is sized from 3 months to 2 years. Tell us in the blog comments which color option you like the best!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

Free Pattern Friday – Speck Cowl

It’s the first Friday of May, and we have the perfect pattern for you! Today, the formerly paid-for Speck Cowl is now free forever! Originally featured in the Soft Simplicity E-Book, this accessory uses Uni Merino and Minou. There are two versions of the Speck Cowl, and both are free, so stick around as we learn more about this exciting freebie!

Uni Merino is a soft blend of superwash merino wool and nylon, while Minou is an eyelash yarn made from a blend of baby alpaca, merino wool, and nylon. When these two yarns collide, the result is an impressive texture that feels comfortable close to the skin. Plus, designer Rachel Brockman included two versions: Version A (left) uses two skeins of Minou for a fluffier texture, and Version B (right) uses just one skein of Minou.

Speck Cowl Version B

One of the most exciting parts of any project is picking out the hues you plan to use! Uni Merino has a wide color palette, and we want you to get creative! Below, we have a few ideas of color combinations that have you stepping out of your comfort zone but don’t worry, we think these would look breathtaking. 

For a more sophisticated look, Minou 102 Lynx and Uni Merino 127 Kingfisher are an exceptional pair. But, if you’re looking to make a bold statement, we think Minou 101 Borzoi and Uni Merino Neons 152 Neon Pink will do that and more!

This weekend, we’re offering 20% off the entire Uni Merino Family! Plus, get an additional 20% off Minou and Minou Bag Quantities. These offers expire Sunday, May 5th, at 11:59 PM EST, so shop with us today and make your own Speck Cowl for less!

Photo of Uni Merino and Minou

Let us know in the comments which of these color combinations you would choose!

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Whirligig Cardigan

A woman is posed on the left side, facing backwards showing the rear of a knit cardigan. the center of the image reads "Free Pattern Friday, Whirligig Cardigan knit in Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Speckles." The left side of the image shows the woman facing forward and showing a different angle of the knit cardigan.

Happy Friday, Friends!

This week we are releasing the Whirligig Cardigan, designed by Afifa Sayeed, which captures all of the whimsy and colors of spring! Two bold shades of Cotton Supreme collide with two punchy colors of Cotton Supreme Speckles to create swirly pinwheels all over.

Cotton Supreme is a ridiculously soft, worsted-weight, 100% cotton yarn. It’s available in a whopping 45 colors and is a dream to work with and wear, but its versatility is the real kicker. It’s suitable for homewares like baby blankets, washcloths, stuffed toys, and more. However, Cotton Supreme truly is most popular for garments and accessories worn close to the skin. It’s an approved yarn for sensitive skin types, and is used by many for chemo caps, like the Hope Hat.

Cotton Supreme Speckles is the variegated counterpart to Cotton Supreme. It has the same 100% cotton base and weight, and comes in 6 zippy colors, which can pair with their solid sisters in fun and exciting ways. The Whirligig Cardigan, and the Below blanket show off these complimenting abilities beautifully. If you’re unsure of which colors to pair up, rest assured that Cotton Supreme Speckles looks fabulous as a stand-alone-stunner. Check out the free Wildflower Tee pattern for inspiration!

We love all of the ways you can pair these yarns, and are so excited to feature them in this week’s Free Pattern Friday. The Whirligig Cardigan is an Easy pattern, suitable for adventurous beginners. It’s constructed of 52 individual squares that are knit on the bias. Once completed, they are sewn together based on a schematic, and finished with picked up stitches for sleeve hems and edging. I personally love projects that assemble from smaller pieces – they are so transportable! This is a great cardigan to make on-the-go.

So, what do you think you’ll make with Cotton Supreme or Cotton Supreme Speckles? Get both for your stash with our weekend sale! Today through Sunday 4/21 both of these yarns are 20% off on our website. Share your projects with us here in the comments, or send photos on social media – we love to see what you’re working on!

That’s all for now, happy stitching!
Ashley Jane

Free Pattern Friday – Ravishing Set

Happy Free Pattern Friday everyone! Today we are very excited to release the Ravishing Set perfect for your next day out on the town.

Designed by Afifa Sayeed, the Ravishing Set is knit using Rico Design Fashion Alpaca Superfine Heavens. This bulky-weight blend of alpaca and polyamide has a brushed, fluffy texture that is light, airy, and soft as a cloud. The six colorways of this stunning yarn feature self-shading hues that gently change from one to the next. Yarns like this are some of my absolute favorites to work with, they are such a treat!

The Ravishing Set is an on-trend beret and shrug duo. You’ll love the effortlessly chic results this pattern produces; it’s so easy to throw on over any outfit!

The Ravishing Set would be a great choice for beginner knitters looking to advance skills! Although you’ll be primarily working in simple stockinette stitch, both the beret and shrug feature a crochet provisional cast-on, shaping to create the silhouettes, and I-Cord bind offs for a polished finish. These skills can be applied to SO many knitting patterns.

I love a matching accessory set, don’t you? The shrug can also be styled more like a cowl if that is your preferred way to wear it. I think I’d choose color 005 Sundown if I were to knit this set for myself. Let us know which color you’d choose in the comments!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

Free Pattern Friday – Spring Forward Scarflette

With April now upon us (where did time go?), we’re excited for the warm weather on the horizon! Today, we’re showing off a one-skein-wonder featuring silky smooth Magnolia. The Spring Forward Scarflette, designed by Afifa Sayeed, is this week’s Free Pattern Friday, and we can’t wait to share with you all there is to love about this piece!

With satisfyingly simple stockinette stitch used throughout, you can shift your focus to the nupp detailed edges worked on both sides. Plus, tassels adorn each end to give your scarf a fun addition. This piece is truly perfect for spring and summer, thanks to Magnolia’s light and airy fiber blend of modal and cashmere!

If you’re not a fan of green, don’t worry; Magnolia has 15 hues to choose from! Try the Spring Forward Scarflette in 109 Brunch to give you an accessory that reminds us of the blue skies of summer. Or, use 104 Dreamsicle and bring a tropical vacation straight to your wardrobe!

Why should you use Magnolia for this project? Well, aside from its lovely drape and stunningly smooth texture, it’s 20% off! Imagine the spring and summer creations you could make with this yarn! We especially love Magnolia for patterns using lace and colorwork, just check out our Sunkissed Summer collection for proof (also 20% off this weekend)!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Mimosa Poncho

Happy Free Pattern Friday, Friends! Today, we bring you the Mimosa Poncho, the ideal transitional accessory for Spring.

The Mimosa Poncho is a light and airy layering piece that uses a simple zigzag lace for maximum effect. The poncho is knit flat from the bottom up, working along the narrowest side. Creative seaming after completion transforms a rectangular piece into a dazzling lightweight accessory.

This pattern makes the most of our highly variegated Sugar Saki yarn. Sugar Saki is a 50/25/25 blend of superwash merino, bamboo, and nylon and comes in a cheerful colorful palette of 5 colors inspired by sweet treats. The simple construction allows the yarn to do most of the work here, and the bamboo content gives your finished piece just the right amount of drape. This yarn is perfect for socks and lightweight accessories alike.

This weekend only, get 20% off Sugar Saki through Sunday, March 31st. Don’t miss out on your chance to get your hands on this fun yarn at a special discounted rate while you can.

Keep on crafting on!

Afifa

Free Pattern Friday – Hugs and Kisses Blanket

A crocheted blanket is draped on a chair with a stuffed unicorn sitting on top. Text reads "Free Pattern Friday. Hugs and Kisses Blanket, crocheted in Major."

Hi fiber friends, and happy Friday to you! It is officially spring and, we have a precious pastel blankie fit for the season. The Hugs and Kisses Blanket, designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre, is a crochet cutie that you can whip up in a flash.

This blanket uses simple double crochet and chain stitches to create an X’s and O’s stitch pattern throughout. It’s worked flat from the bottom up, then a double crochet border is added around the edge. If you are new to crochet, or just want a palette cleanser between projects, then this sweet blankie is for you! Give it as a gift, or keep it for your own little one. Wherever it lands, it’s sure to be a cherished keepsake for years.

This project features two skeins of Major in the color 124 Mermaid. This yarn is Oeko-Tex 100 Product Class 1 certified against harmful chemicals and substances, making it safe for your home and health. It’s a bulky weight yarn made of 100% acrylic, making it machine washable and easy to care for, and packs 328 yards per 200g skein. Major is available in 41 self-shading colors, each with depth and vibrancy suitable for any project!

I hope you enjoy this week’s Free Pattern Friday! Now through Sunday, March 24th at 11:59 PM EST, get 20% off Major. You can grab two skeins of any color for the Hugs and Kisses Blanket, or any other project you can dream up! Let us know in the comments what you’ll create with Major!

That’s all for now. Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane McIntyre