Free Pattern Friday – Just Breathe

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Flax Natural Lace Pullover 180dpi

Today, Just Breathe in Flax.

Having a hard time with these hectic days?  Facebook feed full of politics?  Us too.  But you know what? It’s going to be okay.  Here’s what we’re going to do.

Take a deep breath, from all the way down in your belly….  then let it out.  Feel the tension drain away.  Repeat as necessary.  If you need a little technical help, close your door and take two minutes at calm.com to relax.

Here’s what else we’re going to do.  We’re going to push aside the needs of others, just for a while, and we’re going to hit the LYS.  We’re going to chat with the staff, walk the aisles and touch the yarn, and walk out with enough yarn to make something beautiful.

And that’s where this top comes in.

Flax Natural Lace Pullover detail 180dpi

Just Breathe is made in 100% linen Fibra Natura Flax (137yds/50g) in color 105 Natural.  Flax softens with each wash, making this a top that will get more and more comfortable with time.  The six-row horseshoe lace pattern will require some mindful attention, but not so much that you frown in frustration.  Just enough to keep you focused on the moment.

Make a little time away from the worries of the world to knit.  Your rewards will be a feeling of refreshment, and a beautiful, versatile lace pullover that will be a favorite for a long time to come.

Happy knitting.

Flax 105 Natural loose hi-res

Free Pattern Friday – Cherish Baby Blanket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Striped Blanket hi-res A

Today, the Cherish Baby Blanket in Uptown DK Colors.

We’re in a kid frame of mind today!  We recently saw these Blinky Bears knitted by Joan and shared by Yarn Cloud in Virginia.

Yarn Cloud Petra Bietsch Blinky Bears by Joan

They’re knitted in Uptown Worsted Tapestry (180yds/100g).  Joan made a different bear for every grand kid so there wouldn’t be any arguments.  Is that a great idea or what?  The pattern is a Yarn Cloud exclusive by Pietra Bietsch and is available on Ravelry at this link.

Striped Blanket detail hi-resWe love these little guys and gals.  We’re also happy to share this extremely simple pattern in Uptown DK Colors (273yds/100g), which also uses the yarn’s color shifts to good advantage.  The Cherish Baby Blanket is a very easy four-row repeat perfect for beginners.  The self-striping yarn makes the color changes, so there’s no juggling multiple balls and there’s less weaving in ends.  A garter stitch border at the edges and a few rows of straight knitting at the top and bottom help keep it from curling.

We’re big fans of self-patterning and self-striping yarns for times when you want to add a little pizzazz to your work without having to fiddle with bobbins.  For instance, take a look at the Zig to the Zag Tee.

Zig to the Zag Tee_Craftsy_square_300dpi

Solid Uptown DK in 132 Night and Uptown DK Colors in 70319 Jubilee are alternated to make a very modern kid’s tee where the self-striping yarn automatically shifts through red and pink bands – one less thing for the knitter to worry about.  They can just concentrate on making a standout top for some little fashionista.

We hope you enjoy the free Cherish Baby Blanket, and think about unique ways you can use self-striping and self-patterning yarns.

Have a great weekend, and happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Summer Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

SummerShawl

Today, the crocheted Summer Shawl in Bamboo Pop.

This pattern comes to us courtesy of Alice Gossette and Kat Koeller of LYS The Thankful Ewe in New Bremen, Ohio.  It’s another example of why you should stop in at your local yarn shop – there are some really great ideas waiting for you there!

This is a five ball project in Bamboo Pop (292yds/100g) – 2 balls of 109 Clover for the large triangle, then 1 each of 108 Lime Green, 118 Marmalade, and 107 Ocean for the stripes nearer the top.  The designers note that the top stripe took almost all of the blue, so you might want to snag an extra ball, just in case.

I love the inclusion of the vibrant band of gold.  This would be an easy one to customize with your own personal palette, or to add a variegated color to.  Color 203 Golden Seas strikes a nice balance between all of the colors included here.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and find time to kick back with a project and take care of yourself.

Happy crafting!

TTE_bambooPopShawl2

Free Pattern Friday – Stitch Sampler Cloths

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Java Washcloth Set social media

Today, Stitch Sampler Cloths in Java.

We’re very excited about Fibra Natura Java (219yds/100g), our new 100% hemp yarn.  This is a perfect application for it too – it works great for home decor projects.
This is the first Free Pattern Friday we’ve done in this yarn, although we do have a few free patterns in Java that haven’t yet been highlighted.  Have you seen the Crochet Baskets at right?  Love ’em!

Java Washcloth 104 Pistachio squareThese cloths are designed to be basic samplers for those who are just getting their feet wet (no pun intended).  The cloth in color 104 Pistachio, right, uses increases and decreases, but the other four are strictly knit and purl.

All are written and charted, so they do double duty for those who want to try out reading charts without the risk of losing a stitch in a big lace project.  My reason for knitting them is simpler: the cloths are just plain pretty!

We hope you have a safe and happy Independence Day holiday.

Happy knitting!

Java Washcloth 101 Parchment square   Java Washcloth 102 Hazelwood square

Java Washcloth 103 Walnut square   Java Washcloth 105 Horizon Pink square

Free Pattern Friday – Spring Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Bamboo Bloom Handpaints Spring Pullover square hi-res GRAPHICS

Today, the Spring Pullover in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

What a great look for Spring, eh?  Cap sleeves, open neckline, and some lovely waist shaping for a more polished look.

You can juuust see the double eyelets accenting the neckline.

Bamboo Bloom Handpaints Spring Pullover detail_blog

This pattern is knitted flat.  Turn the hem up and stitch it to the inside for a nice non-rolly stockinette edge.   This is a great piece for warm weather, and the bright colors of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints really help set a bright mood.

We hope you find something colorful and fun to do this weekend.

Happy knitting!

UY YMN Bamboo Bloom

Free Pattern Friday – TNNA Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the TNNA Cardi in Bamboo Pop.

Here’s how this sweater happened.

“You know what we ought to do at this year’s National Needlearts Association Summer Show?  We ought to all wear matching outfits.”

“Yes!  And they should all be sweaters in our yarn!”

“Yes!!  And we should make them for the entire show staff!!”

Sometimes we get a little carried away.  But hey, go big or go home, right?  And thus was born the TNNA Cardi.

Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – TNNA Cardi”

Free Pattern Friday – Chasing Vines Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Chasing Vines Cowl in Cotton True Sport. We’ve had a recent rush of rain here, and everything is green and growing and glorious.  I was reminded of this again when looking at these photos from Jonas Farms, home to many a happy horse here in North Carolina. Their hay fields ready to be cut…
Hay fields at Jonas Farms, May 2016
And after more than a thousand bales have been put up.
“Last stack of over 1000 bales picked up in two days.”
Breathe deep, and imagine the glorious smell of cut grass, times infinity.  You can’t help but think of green and growing things. Enter the Chasing Vines Cowl. Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – Chasing Vines Cowl”

Free Pattern Friday – Beachhouse Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

BeachhouseTank_hires

Today, the Beachhouse Tank in Good Earth Adorn and Good Earth Solids.

http://www.thekitchn.com/summer-refreshment-sweet-basil-90805
This is the life.

I love this tank.  I can easily imagine myself sitting on a dock, wearing sandals and linen pants with with this top, sipping a lemonade while gazing out at the water through oversized sunglasses.  Maybe I’ll wear a Yashi sunhat, too.  Bliss.

(Have you tried adding basil to lemonade?  Sooo good, and we’re coming in to the season for fresh basil.  Here’s a recipe if you want to give it a try.)

BeachhouseTank_back_blogThe pattern calls for Good Earth Adorn (MC) and Good Earth Solids (CC), both cotton/linen blends that come 170 yards to the hank.  It’s a great yarn for summer, and perfect for this drapey A-line top.

Laurel Murphy’s design is worked in pieces and seamed. The straps are knit on the front piece only and then seamed to the back bind-off edge, as shown here.

We hope you have a relaxing and refreshing weekend, finding an opportunity to enjoy some fresh air and breathe deeply.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – All-Star Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Cotton Supreme Little Star Top blog square

Today, the All-Star Pullover in Cotton Supreme.

Recently we had a shop mention that we hadn’t had a Free Pattern Friday in Cotton Supreme lately.  Well, we can’t have that; we love this yarn!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve knitted with some cottons that left my hands feeling like they’d been through the wringer.  Nobody should feel like crafting is something to slog through.  It should be a pleasure.  Fortunately, I’ve never had that problem with Cotton Supreme (180yds/100g).  It’s easy to work with, machine washable, and the colors are to die for.  All of which makes it a great choice for this little kid’s pullover.  Knit it flat, seam it up, and send your little all-star out to play.

This one would be really easy to customize, too.  Can’t you imagine this in team colors?  Or… and this is just my inner geek talking… move the intarsia star to the chest and you’ve got a little Captain America.

Captain America colors blog
Sky Surf 927 and White 502, and add 509 Red if you wish. I could knit this all day.

I’m filing this idea away as a potential gift for superhero-loving parents and kids.

We hope you have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Happy knitting!

Cotton Supreme Little Star needles crossed_Instagram

Free Pattern Friday – Florin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Florin Scarf long blog

Today, the Florin Scarf in Cotton Gold.

Crocheted in Rozetti Yarns sparkling sequined Cotton Gold (200yds/25g), this scarf is named Florin after the golden coins you might find in a dragon’s hoard.

Now that's a stash.
Credit: Lauren aka IguanaMouth

Wait, wrong hoard.  Although I do want that hoard.

Credit: Blensig on DeviantArt

Florin Scarf detail blogThere we go.  The glittering gold sequins catch the light in dramatic fashion.  Having worked with this yarn personally, I can tell you that those sequins are really on there – I’ve never had one come loose.

Cotton Gold works great paired with another yarn to add some bling (Crinkle Cowl, anyone?), or on its own as in this one-ball scarf.

The body of the Florin Scarf is worked in two directions.  First, the main scarf body is worked to one end, and the End Section is crocheted.  Then the other End Section is crocheted into the beginning chain of the other side of the scarf body.  Finally, a border is worked around the entire outer edge of the scarf.  Lastly, put on your glittering masterpiece and feel like the fabulous person you are.

We hope you have an amazing weekend of crocheting and enjoying your yarn hoard!

Florin Scarf tied blog