Free Pattern Friday – Augustine Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Augustine Scarf in Whisper Lace.

I was so excited to see this piece in our office.  Fibra Natura Whisper Lace (440g/50yds) is one of my favorite yarns, and accessories like this, which are gorgeous but still very achievable to the novice lace knitter, are always welcome.

When the time came to photograph this, I brought a shawl pin from home.  I picked up this JulDesigns shawl pin from an LYS here in Charlotte, and have been waiting for the perfect occasion to break it out.  Jul’s designs are so beautiful, and I wanted to show what the right accessory can do for an already lovely garment.

We’re not affiliated with Jul. We just think her stuff is pretty.

But back to the scarf!  The stitches are simple – knit, purl, yo, and ssk (slip, slip, knit).  The 4-row pattern is written and charted.  The scarf is knit on the bias, and once you’ve done a couple of repeats it’s easy to see what’s coming up next.

This is also a great example of what blocking can do for a scarf.  Look at how wide it gets!  There are plenty of options with a fabric this sheer.  Spread it wide or gather it for a more casual look.

If you’re looking for something that’s simple but delicate, this is a great choice.  We hope you enjoy it.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – North Window Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the North Window Stole in Universe.

It’s a simple formula:  sparkly yarn+ crochet = gorgeous.

The three row body repeat creates a striking fabric in our 10th anniversary yarn Universe (246yds/50g), a blend of cotton, linen, and glitter wrapped in a polyamide thread for greater durability.

Ooh… aah…

Worked on a size C-2 (2.75mm) hook, this design features a pineapple edging with picots, adding  to the elegance of the stole.

Delicate and divine.

We hope you enjoy this gorgeous crochet lace piece.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Sunday Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sunday Cardigan in Radiant Cotton.

Universal Yarn is headquartered in Harrisburg, NC, just outside of Charlotte.  It was a balmy 72 degrees here yesterday.  Let’s take a look at the forecast for the rest of the week, shall we?

Dress in layers. Lots of layers.

So tell us:  is it Spring?  Is it winter?  What’s a crafter supposed to do with this??

I think what we’ll choose to do this week is hit the LYS for any wool we need to finish cold weather projects, but also pick up some cotton because warm weather is coming, no matter what.

Enter the Sunday Cardigan in Radiant Cotton (203yds/100g).  It’s a classic knitted lace sweater, perfect for the warmer weather we know is just around the corner.

This pattern is written and charted, and contains a schematic.  It has the classic construction – knitted flat and seamed.   Right twists give the Tight Braid pattern extra interest.  This is a great everyday piece, or one that works to dress up a plain outfit on the weekends, as the name suggests.

I love this in the pale pastel of 807 First Bloom, but I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if you turned up the saturation a little bit, maybe with color 806 Calypso.

It’s going to be hard to go wrong with this design.

No matter what the weather is doing in your neck of the woods, we hope you enjoy this charming free pattern.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Rising Tide Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Rising Tide Scarf in Major.

You’ve got to love the ones that are easier than they look.

This slip-stitch knit pattern is worked in two colors of our bulky Major acrylic.   Because this yarn comes in big 200g/328yd skeins, you only need one skein of each color.  Even though it’s a wide scarf, it’s made on a size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needle so it goes pretty quickly.

It’s always gratifying to see the next color come up in a pattern with self-shading yarn, isn’t it? The travelling slipped stitches mean the color carries up into the next row, even though each section only uses one color of yarn at a time.  Knit it lengthwise, add the fringe, and voila!  A lovely accessory.

We hope you enjoy this project and your weekend.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Chapel Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Chapel Stole in Radiant Cotton.

Depending on where you are, either it’s warm enough for Spring projects, or you’re dreaming that it’s warm enough.  It’s time to get a little headstart with this beautiful lace wrap.

Knit on US Size 7 (4.5mm) needles in Radiant Cotton (203yds/100g),  it’s a generous 84″ (seven feet!) as shown.  It would be easy to lengthen or shorten – just add or remove a repeat or two from the central section.  The crocheted picot edging is applied after finishing the piece.

This lovely sampler also comes in a narrower scarf version at about half the width.

There are some really bright Spring colors in Radiant cotton that would look lovely with this.  Maybe 819 Sky Blue?

Or maybe something lighter and more delicate, like 807 First Bloom.

It’s a good feeling to be spoiled for choice.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Whirlpool Throw

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Whirlpool Throw in Major.

There are little whirlpools…

Who pulled out the stopper?

There are big whirlpools…

Maelstrom of Saltstraumen. Lifeguard not on duty.

And then there is this.

Dive right in.

The 52″ Whirlpool Throw is crocheted with two balls each of two shades of Major (328yds/200g), colors 115 Stonewall and 114 Coastal.   Start at the center with an adjustable ring and work out, alternating colors every row.

This is not a difficult pattern, being primarily double crochet, but the results are dramatic.   There are quite a few color combos you could choose. I like 101 Verdant and 102 Underwater for a green “fairy ring” kind of feel.  It’s hard to go wrong.

We hope you enjoy this beautiful crochet pattern.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Suddenly, Gradiently!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s Suddenly, Gradiently! in Deluxe Bulky Superwash.

We loved the way this simple color-changing scarf looked, so we knitted up several options to see how it looked in different colors. It was no hardship.  The pattern is easy enough for a beginner and is worked on US size 10 1/2 needles in our Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool.

I’m a sucker for blues and greens, so the five-color version in those tones really speaks to me.  Those who want to go bolder might try the six-color version, shown in purple, pink, and green.  And those who want something classic and understated can knit the three-color version in shades of white and gray.

We’re not kidding when we say the welting pattern on this is easy.  It’s a four row repeat knitted flat which goes: knit a row, purl a row, purl a row, knit a row.  Great for beginners, or for those who want a project to knit that doesn’t require their full attention.  (I still haven’t gotten to see the latest season of Sherlock; this would be ideal for that!)

As I look at this scarf, I also wonder how it would look with a couple of different colors of a self-shading yarn, like Poems Chunky.   I’ve been searching for the perfect project for our newest color.

Hm.  I think my queue just got longer.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Pomtastic Hat and Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Pomtastic Hat and Scarf in Major.

We like this combo for two reasons.

First, it’s a neat example of how to work the same stitch pattern flat or in the round.  Row one is the same on both, but of course when you’re working in the round things are a bit different because you’re never reversing directions.  In row 2, stitches are knitted for the flat back-and-forth of the scarf, but purled in the round for the hat.

The second reason to like this set:

Pom-pom!

It’s pretty cool what you can do with a pom-pom maker and a self-striping yarn like Major.  You can plan out the colors, or just go with the flow.  This little half-and-half topper happened organically.

Plus, let’s face it, what isn’t improved by the addition of pompoms?

C'mon team, play rrrruff!

We rest our case.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – EKG Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

EKG Cowl Set main blog

Today, the EKG Set in Deluxe Worsted.

Why EKG?  The little zigs and zags reminded us of a heartbeat.  Plus, the love we have for this sweet pattern makes our hearts race just a little bit.

This may look like Fair Isle, but the color changes are actually slipped stitches.  The pattern is both written and charted for your convenience.

Tori in cowl blogThe entire four-color set takes two skeins of the gray, plus one skein of each other color in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool (220yds/100g).

The cowl looks great doubled over and scrunched – or if you’re in a silly mood like designer Tori Gurbisz, wear it however you please.  Very “Cat in the Hat,” Tori.  You’ll definitely turn heads.

We hope you enjoy this stylish set.

Happy knitting!

EKG Cowl solo 180dpi

Free Pattern Friday – Sunfire Bag

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Java Sunfire Bag flat blog

Today, the Sunfire Bag in Java.

What a pretty, practical crochet project!  Two balls of Fibra Natura 100% hemp Java makes this charming bag.  Make each side separately from the center out, then use the halves as templates for cutting out a lining.  Join the second side to the first, then add the lining and handles and you’re good to go.

Java Constant Contact no what's new

Java Washcloth Set social media

We’re big boosters of Java, partly because it’s such an earth-friendly yarn.  Hemp is a hard-wearing renewable plant fiber that will soften some with washing.  We like it for all sorts of home decor projects, like the knit sampler washcloths pictured at right.

Without a lining, this crochet piece would make a good market bag.  With the lining, it’s a versatile warm-weather accessory.

We hope you enjoy this charming crochet project.

Happy crafting!

Java Sunfire Bag square blog