Throwback Thursday – Celebrate Autumn Flora with Deluxe

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Deluxe Worsted e-book Big Leaf Mittens 1 - Fitzgerald

Autumn Flora E-book-1 coverWe’re not throwing back that far today, just a couple of years.  But it’s the perfect time of year to highlight the free e-book Autumn Flora with Deluxe.

This e-book features eight patterns perfect for staying toasty, all using the Deluxe family of 100% wool.

All the patterns below are part of this cozy collection of colorwork and cables.  Enjoy!

 

Wraparound Leaves Beret and Mitts

Pattern: Wraparound Leaves Beret and Mitts

Yarn:  Deluxe Worsted

• 12176 Teal Viper – 1 ball (MC)

• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (CC)

 

 

 

Deluxe Worsted e-book Sheaves of Wheat Scarf 2 blog

Pattern: Sheaves of Wheat Reversible Scarf

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 3704 Gold Spice – 2 balls

 

 

 

 

Deluxe Worsted e-book Poplar Beret 2 blogPattern: Poplar Beret

Yarn:  Deluxe Worsted

• 12182 Gold Spice – 1 ball (A)

Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted LP

• 06 Harvest – 1 ball (B)

 

 

Deluxe Worsted e-book Felted Leaf 1 blogPattern: Felted Leaf

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 1 ball will make multiple felted leaves

 

Deluxe Worsted e-book Big Leaf Mittens 2 blogPattern: Big Leaf Mittens

Yarn:  Renew Wool (Substitute Deluxe DK Superwash)

• 101 Sand – 1 ball (MC)
• 107 Cedar – 1 ball (CC1)
• 113 Garnet – 1 ball (CC2)

 

 

 

Deluxe Worsted Stranded Seed Pillow 1 blog

Pattern: Stranded Seed Pillow

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 91901 Oatmeal Heather – 2 balls (MC)
• 3749 Forest – 1 ball (CC)

(There’s a gorgeous cabled edge on this one!)

 

 

 

Deluxe Worsted e-book Autumn Leaves Cap 1_blogPattern: Autumn Leaves Cap

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 71601 Blue Ombre – 1 ball (A)
• 12501 Oatmeal Heather – 1 ball (B)

• 3649 Forest Green – 1 ball (C)
• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (D)
• 91477 Red Oak – 1 ball (E)
• 12188 Heather – 1 ball (F)
• 12180 Eggplant – 1 ball (G)
• 12282 Hunter Green – 1 ball (H)
• 12181 Bronze Brown – 1 ball (I)

Free Pattern Friday – Dive Into Fall Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Dive Into Fall Jacket_UptownBulky_wood_blog

Today, something for the wee ones!  The Dive Into Fall Jacket is sized for kids 12-18 months.   This garment has a lot of stretch, so parents of fast-growing toddlers should be able to get a fair amount of use out of it.

Kat Koeller and Linda Ridder designed this jacket in our Uptown Bulky 100% anti-pilling acrylic.  In addition to being exceptionally soft, it’s machine washable.  Anyone who has ever had to wipe down a toddler after a trip to Ben & Jerry’s will appreciate the practicality of this choice.

The jacket is knit in one piece from the top down – first the collar, then the raglan sleeves go on holders while you make the body, then you come back and add ribbing to the ends of the sleeves.  Interestingly, the fabric is fully reversible!

We hope you enjoy this beautiful weather.  Knit something for a little one in your life – but be sure to make something for yourself, too!

 

Free Pattern – Wee Pumpkins

Okay, it’s not Free Pattern Friday yet, but we just couldn’t resist sharing this free pattern.

Poems Pumpkins blog

These are the Wee Pumpkins.  We’re sharing them now so you have plenty of time to work one up by Halloween!  Or what about Thanksgiving ?  Wouldn’t these look great on a dining room table?

They’re made in self-shading Poems 100% wool, which has some great fall colors.  The purple/green one on the left is 577 Bramble and the orange-toned one is 585 Autumn.

Poems Pumpkins bottom shot blogThe pumpkins are knit sideways, with short rows making up the wedge sections.  Take a look at the bottom and you can see how it all comes together.

Never done short rows before?  This is a great project to get your feet wet.  Amy Gunderson shares a video in how to do the wrap and turn.

Also of interest in there is the SSP (slip, slip, purl).  I’ve made things with short rows before, and inevitably had one side look seamless and one side marred with a big bump.  I’m delighted to learn a technique to make both ends of my short row look smooth.

Often, we’ll loan our knits to local yarn stores for them to share in trunk shows, but it’s going to be hard to part with these.  They’re just so pretty!

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Go-Go! Hats

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Gray hats grid blog

Or should we say Free Patterns Friday?  Because today, we have a quartet of toppers:  the Go-Go! Hats.

Four different styles in one yarn, Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic.  You can see how well the yarn lets the stitch patterns show through.

What really makes these hats, though, is the colorful fluffball topper on each of them.  Those are our Luxury Fur Pom-Poms.  They’re very handy for finishing off a garment that may need something a little more polished than a yarn pom-pom.  Each pom-pom has a string attached to let you tie it right on to your work.  Easy-peasy!

Gray hats bottom 2 blogI’m not sure which of these is my favorite.  I guess it partially depends on whether I’m in the mood for knit or crochet.  For myself, I’m leaning toward the Lace Beanie on the lower right.  Then again, the Honeycomb Ski Cap (with the pink pom-pom) would also be fun to make.  Decisions, decisions.

Which one’s your favorite?

Throwback Thursday – A Walk in the Woods

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Walk in the Woods

Today, a beautiful cool-weather knit, A Walk in the Woods.  Originally knit in Eden Silk, this lightweight cardi would look great in either Uptown DK 100% anti-pilling acrylic or Deluxe DK Superwash wool.

I’ve been knitting a lot with Deluxe DK Superwash lately (I just need to bind off my ribbed Katrina top!) so for this, as a personal choice I think I’d go with the Uptown DK.  I’ve been making a long cowl in Uptown DK Colors, the striped version of the yarn, and have been very impressed with how soft it is (and yes, it really is not pilling).  I like the idea of an entire garment that luxurious.

This cardi is knit flat in the traditional style – back, then fronts, then sleeves.  The textured stitch in the pattern is written and charted and is fairly easy to “read” in your knitting as you go – it’s the same few rows, staggered by a few stitches.

We hope you’re able to bring your projects outdoors and enjoy this beautiful weather.  Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Goldfish School Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Ravelry Goldfish School Cowl 2

Today, a “pay” pattern set free!  Michael del Vecchio’s Goldfish School Cowl appears in Bamboo Bloom Book 1: Backyard Blooms.  When we brought it to a knitting retreat the participants were so taken with it that we decided it should be released into the wild.

Ravelry Goldfish School CowlMichael has wisely used a simple pattern to let the yarn shine.  A basic 1×1 rib looks very striking in the thick/thin matte/shiny Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

We’re glad that last weekend’s knitters were so enthusiastic.  They were right.  This pattern needs to be shared!

Thanks for your hospitality, Baskets of Yarn.  And keep knitting!

Throwback Thursday – Turtle Neck Cape

It’s Throwback Thursday!TT Turtleneck Cape

Today, we feature Thanh Nguyen’s Turtle Neck Cape.  This was originally knit in Contessa, a bulky-weight acrylic/mohair/nylon/polyester (whew!) blend.  We’re simplifying it a little by suggesting Uptown Bulky, our 100% anti-pilling acrylic as a good substitute.  Uptown Bulky has greater yardage than the original yarn, making it a better knit in terms of your budget, too.

Front and back are knit separately, then the collar is made and the whole shebang is stitched together.  From a color standpoint, I like this as a solid, but I can also see it with perhaps a few wide stripes for a dramatic, modern look.  Maybe something with a great deal of contrast?  I say, knit big or go home!

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Wall Candy

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Wall Hanging 2_blog

Understated and elegant!  Wall Candy is a straightforward knit packaged in a unique way.

Wall Hanging 1_crop

Four strands of Deluxe Worsted 100% wool are knitted into a 10×10 stockinette square.  Thick wire is run around the edges, then the square is framed.  Don’t worry, the pattern contains directions and pictures showing how to attach the frame.  If you’ve ever run blocking wire through the edge of a shawl, you can do this.  If you haven’t… it’s time to learn!

Nettle Lana SwatchAlthough this pattern is written for Deluxe Worsted, I’m looking back over some of my Sunday Swatches to see what else I might have suitable for framing.  Maybe some Nettle Lana?  Hmmm…

Universal Yarn offers many thanks to Suzy, the Sweetest Dog in the World for her kind hospitality on this photo shoot.  Who’s a good dog, Suzy?  You are!

Susie 1

Happy knitting, friends!

Throwback Thursday – Stuffed Hound

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT_Stuffed Hound side

Awww!  Such a cute little puppy!  The Stuffed Hound was originally made in Classic Chunky with a print for the belly and feet.  We’re recommending Deluxe Chunky as the new choice.  I love this selection not just because it’s a sturdy but soft wool, but because there are 120+ colors.  You could make your little wiener dog in any color of the rainbow.  Match a real life pooch or create a whimsical little buddy that’s one of a kind!

Stuffed Hound faceThe Stuffed Hound is knitted sideways.  Knit a front and back leg, then proceed around the body to knit the other legs.  Make the underside similarly, then knit the ears, tail, and other bits and pieces.  Knitting those parts separately gives you many opportunities to switch up colors.  How about a patchwork pup?  Or one different ear?

We hope you have a great time knitting a new four-legged friend!

Free Pattern Friday – Heavenly Henley

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Jubilation Heavenly Henley 5 blog

We’ve got a treat today!  The Heavenly Henley by Emma Welford.

Jubilation Heavenly Henley 4 back blogThis is a great combination of solid Merino XF, a soft extra-fine merino, and Jubilation Kettle-Dye, also extra-fine merino but single-ply in a riot of bright colors.  It’s a great way to use variegated yarn as a bold accent.

And speaking of accents, check out the back!  I love this little detail.  You could choose to include or omit it, depending on your taste.

Emma is a thoughtful designer, in that she considers the impact of the final piece as well as the process of knitting.  If you haven’t seen her Convertible Cowl from our Poetry at Home e-book, take a gander.

Convertible Cowl 4-shot 100

This has been a popular garment because it’s so versatile.  Like the Heavenly Henley, it’s a great use of multicolor yarn, in this case Poems 100% wool.  We’re so happy to have the chance to work with Emma again.

Happy knitting, everyone!