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

 

Free Pattern Friday – Inside Job

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Inside Job hat blog

Today, the Inside Job hat in Uptown Bulky.

Inside Job Hat in Uptown Bulky blogSometimes you just want to make something fun and quick, you know?  Inside Job fits the bill.

This basic hat flies by in our Uptown Bulky anti-pilling acrylic yarn (87yds/100g).  It’s worked from the bottom up in the round, with US Size 11 (8mm) needles for the ribbing and US Size 13 (9mm) needles for the brim.  Top it with a cute pompom, and voila!

What makes this hat a little different is that it’s worked in reverse stockinette.  The plain striping shows on the inside, and the more intricate patterning shows on the exterior.  Hence the name “Inside Job.”

We hope you enjoy this quick and thick topper.

Happy knitting!

Inside Job Hat brim up blog

Free Pattern Friday – Peony Ridge Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

peony-ridge-jacket-adore-blog

Today, the Peony Ridge Jacket in Adore Colors.

Self-striping yarn looks so cute in baby knits!  It’s a great way to add color without complicating the design.  Adore Colors is a great choice for this, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a soft, machine washable blend of our anti-pilling acrylic and superwash merino.  Lucky baby.  Well, not just baby – this jacket is sized up to 6 years.

adore-colors-3-shot-square-blog

Work the cardi from the bottom up in one piece until you get to the yoke. Sleeves are worked flat to the yoke. Then join the sleeves and the body and work upward.  You’ll want three or four buttons, depending on size.  There’s one button hidden under the collar, so you can fasten it closed around the neck in case of really cold weather.

We hope you enjoy this cute little jacket – and that you and yours stay warm!

Happy knitting!

peony-ridge-jacket-adore-closeup-blog

Free Pattern Friday – Linen Stitch Clutch

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

java-linen-clutch-blog

Today, the Linen Stitch Clutch in Java.

java-linen-clutch-detail-blogSo cute!  This little envelope purse is made in Fibra Natura Java (219yds/100g), a 100% hemp yarn.  Fast-growing and vegan, hemp is a natural fiber that’s easy on the environment.  It works beautifully in this quick-to-knit project.

The clutch is worked flat, then seams, edging, and a button loop are added in single crochet.  No lining is needed.

We hope you enjoy this stylish little free project.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Chevron Wrap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

chevronwrap_uptownworstedhires

Today, the Chevron Wrap in Uptown Worsted.

Even though we’re in the depths of winter, that doesn’t mean things have to be drab and bleak.  This Chevron Wrap is a colorful delight, and the selection of Uptown is a good one.  With 60+ colors, Uptown Worsted anti-pilling acrylic is a great choice for mixing and matching stripes for whatever palette pleases you.  As pictured, this features four of our brand new colors for Spring:

chevronwrap1_uptownworstedhires• 358 Pale Orchid (MC) – 2 skeins
• 360 Midnight (CC1) – 1 skein
• 361 Olive (CC2) – 1 skein
• 359 Pink Punch (CC3) – 1 skein

This is an easy knit.  It’s a two-row repeat with only one color per row.  The stitch repeat is a piece of cake – knit a few, increase, knit a few, decrease.  The centered decreases create the columns of stitches that rise into the next color.

Wouldn’t this also look lovely widened, as a colorful home decor throw?

We hope you enjoy this pleasant project.

Happy knitting

Free Pattern Friday – Munchkin Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

uw-tapestry-baby-set-square

Today, the Munchkin Set in Uptown Worsted Tapestry.

This set shows why we love self-patterning Uptown Tapestry so much.  A basic knit turns colorful so easily!

This is a cute little 3-skein set.  A classic kid cardi, with hat and booties.

uw-tapestry-baby-booties-squareThe cardi is knit in one piece from the bottom up.  If you want to get sleeves and each bootie to match, you’ll want to find the same place in the patterning on your balls.  Of course, babies look awfully cute in hand-knits, matching or not.

We hope you enjoy this cute little set.  Happy knitting!

uw-tapestry-baby-set-detail-hi-res