Anuenue Sampler: A Closer Look

Hello! I am back again with another post about my Bamboo Pop collection. This week we’ll do a deeper dive on the Anuenue Sampler Scarf. It’s a great project for someone just learning crochet or a nice palate cleanser with small tastes of different stitches. Let’s get to it!

As I said in my previous post, this was my first crochet design and crochet is not my primary craft. I wanted to create a project that would be fun to design and fun to make, especially for newer or more sporadic crocheters like myself. I actually held my first crochet hook long before I ever picked up knitting needles. My grandmother, a very prolific crocheter, taught me how to chain when I was 5 years old. Unfortunately, until a few years ago I never went further than that. When I started knitting over 10 years ago, it basically took over my world and I completely forgot about crochet. A few years ago I decided to teach myself how to crochet, to help round out my fiber arts skill set.

This pattern will take you through 7 different stitch patterns and colors; along with an edging all around the scarf. If you are learning to read crochet charts, this pattern is a great choice. Both written and charted instructions are included for the 6 main sections. Can I just take a moment to say how brilliant the charts are, too? Amy made these amazing charts for the pattern…they are color coded by section and shaded to indicate different rows. They are definitely the prettiest charts that I have ever seen!

When choosing stitches for this sampler there was a lot to consider. First, I knew I wanted a ton of colors and I wanted them to be bright and tropical. To create an almost graphic quality, I chose black to separate the sections and edge the scarf. Next, the stitches needed to play well with each other, having comparable stitch repeats and multiples to create sections of similar width.  Finally, I wanted to choose stitches that were fun! Since you are only getting a small segment to work, I wanted the stitches to have great visual interest but also be different enough from each other to prevent boredom or overwhelm. Knowing that after a few more rows you get to work on something else can be a great motivator.

Picking up and working edging around a piece can be a love/hate thing. For this reason I chose to keep the edging fairly simple. At this point you are in the home stretch, and the simple but pretty edging will bring your scarf to a wonderful finale!

Which did you learn first, knit or crochet? Do you do both? Is there one that you prefer more than the other?

We Have Winners!

In case you missed it, we had a contest! To celebrate the release of Dora Ohrenstein’s new book (in which there are two gorgeous pieces crocheted in our yarns!), we offered Whisper Lace and Infusion Handpaints to the lucky winners. Dora and Storey Publishing are also sending these winners a copy of the book.

topdowncrochetcover

Our winners are:

Sarah Lawson who will receive Whisper Lace in the color of her choice, and Ruthann P who gets Infusion Handpaints in her favorite color.

Congratulations – enjoy!

Free Pattern Friday – Be Knotty!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Be Knotty for social media

Today, the one ball Be Knotty Scarf in Poems Uno.

We’re not kidding when we say it’s the easiest scarf ever.  It’s a one row repeat, and on US Size 35/19mm needles,  it goes in a flash.

Poems Uno Be Knotty Scarf detail_blogWe call it the Be Knotty scarf for the obvious reason – it has a nice open lacy knotted look.  We also call it that because you can “be naughty” and pretend that you slaved over it when in fact, you worked it up in an evening.  That’s the nice thing about Poems Uno Superwash (90yds/150g) – it’s big, the colors are bold, and it works up fast.  Instant results.

Please enjoy this easy and gratifying scarf.

Happy knitting!

Poems Uno Be Knotty Scarf long_blog

 

 

50 Garter Stitch Gifts Giveaway!

Labor Day weekend is the traditional start of Fall – a time when thoughts turn to warmer wools and holiday knitting. Fortunately, we’ve got just the thing to start you off with a bang!

50 Garter Stitch kit blogWe’re giving away a copy of the popular 50 Garter Stitch Gifts to Knit.  All the patterns feature our Deluxe Worsted wool (220yds/100g), a favorite stash staple that comes in 120+ colors.

Zigzag Mosaic ScarfTo fire your imagination, we’re including enough Deluxe Worsted to make the ZigZag Mosaic Scarf, a lengthwise-knit scarf that makes clever use of slipped stitches to create a mosaic effect.

To enter, just comment on this post and answer this question: what’s the longest a project has stayed unfinished in your WIP pile?  I’ll start the ball rolling by saying that during a recent cleaning binge I conceded defeat and ripped out the baby blanket that I started… a couple of decades ago.  That baby is long grown.

There are no wrong answers, and there’s no shame here.  What there is, is a desire to jump start your holiday crafting, assuming you’re not already neck-deep in projects.  Comment by Monday, Sept 21st for your chance to win.  We’ll randomly select one entry to receive the prize.

Good luck – and happy knitting!

 

Bamboo Bloom Handpaints- Limited Edition 323 Hashi

 

Hashi 323 blog

One of the best things about my job is coming in in the morning to a brand new batch of yarn, fresh from the mill.  This is an absolutely beautiful example.  Bamboo Bloom Handpaints in color 323 Hashi.

Hashi means “bridge” in Japanese, and this colorway represents two meanings of the word.  It’s evocative of a passage from one place to another – a bridge that we walk across step by step.

Misty fieldIt’s also meaningful as a passage from one time to another, a bridge that we cross simply by living our lives.  The muted buttery yellows and oranges of Autumn are there, along with an oaky brown.  But they’re connected by shining strands of cream and silver, a nod to winter frost, fallen leaves, and a sun that has to work a little bit harder to warm us.
Bamboo Bloom color 323 Hashi is here as a limited edition.  When it’s gone, it’s gone.  And that, too, is fitting for the passing of the seasons.  The season to come will be just a little bit different than every one before.

VK Fall 2015 Llamalini Bamboo Bloom Stripes Raglan PulloverBamboo Bloom is a popular yarn for its thick/thin quality and shiny/matte blend, and because of the many easy accessory patterns out there.  Designers enjoy it as well.  Take, for example, Vanessa Putt’s Striped Raglan Pullover in the Fall 2015 Vogue Knitting.  It combines lightly heathered Llamalini (royal llama/linen/silk bourette) 101 Birchbark with coordinating Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 309 Nagano for an aesthetically pleasing blend of color and texture, perfect for this top-down loose-fitting bohemian pullover.

Llamalini and Bamboo Bloom for sweater blogLooking at our new colorway 323 Hashi, I couldn’t help but think that it would be a great match for Llamalini color 107 Porpoise.  The two together are a great earthy blend.

I’m currently making myself a one-ball cowl in Hashi.  Since it’s a limited edition I couldn’t resist grabbing a hank while we still had some.  When it’s all done, I’ll share it on our Facebook page.

Here’s hoping you enjoy the changing seasons, and find some inspiration in the world around you.

Happy crafting!

Gorgeous Giveaway!

Annies yarn-shop_banner_500x400

Have you visited Annie’s Craft Store’s new site yet?  I love features like Build-A-Kit, which makes it easy to grab everything I need for a project that catches my fancy.  The stitch guides are a great help too – it’s nice to have that resource at my fingertips.  Annie’s is proud of the new site too, with good reason, and they’re having a sale to celebrate!

From now until Jan 23rd, use the code NEWYARN at the Annie’s site and get 20% off any yarn purchase.   This is great, because we all know, even if you’re on a yarn diet, sale yarn doesn’t count!

To keep the celebration rolling, they’re also giving away a subscription to Crochet! magazine.  We’re partnering with them for one of our favorite projects from the Spring 2015 issue, Amy Gunderson’s Bruges Edged Round Throw shown below (Ravelry link here).   What a great burst of color for Spring!

Crochet Spring 2015 Cotton Supreme Bruges-Edged Round Throw_B

So here’s the deal:  comment on this post and tell us your favorite kind of project to crochet.  We’ll select one entry to win a year’s subscription to Crochet! magazine as well as enough yarn to make the Bruges Edged Round Throw.  Enter by Jan 30th to be counted!

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Warm It Up!

Confession time!  When it’s cold outside, sometimes we break into the trunk show garments.

Trunk Show warmup 1

But come on!  How could we resist?  We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful yarns and garments, and as knitters and crocheters we truly appreciate them.  The happy knitter above is me, Heather.  I’m wearing my own hat in Poems (1 ball of color 590 Sakura, US size 8/5mm needles, 84 stitch caston).

The cowl and mittens are part of Sandi Rosner’s Rose Quartz Set in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool.  There’s a hat, too, but mine matches so well I stuck with it.

Sandi’s Rose Quartz set is available as a single pattern or part of the Walk in the Woods e-book, full of gorgeous colorwork and felted designs in Deluxe Worsted and Deluxe Chunky.  It’s perfect for this time of year.

Also in Deluxe, I spotted our Design Lead in this stunning sweater the other day.  Valentina is one of my favorites.  It uses Deluxe Chunky 100% wool.  The pattern is written and charted with design features like lovely saddle shoulders to show off the cables.  It comes in sizes from 34″ to 54″ bust, and – believe it or not – is a free pattern.   Home run!

 

Our Sales Manager can frequently be found in designs by Yumiko Alexander like Braided Fog, recently made available online as a download or as part of Yumiko Warm Earth Book 3.  It also uses Deluxe Worsted.  Are we wearing a lot of Deluxe?  That’s not surprising – it’s great for cold weather.  I suspect, however, that our sales manager wears this not because it’s warm but because it looks fabulous.

The best thing about being surrounded by these designs is that it’s inspirational.  We find that seeing beautiful things awakens a desire to create something beautiful ourselves.  We hope you find inspiration and happiness in your crafts throughout this new year.

Happy knitting!

Trunk Show warmup 2

Holiday Helper – Pattern Sale!

Holiday crafting going okay?  Maybe you’re still looking for just the right design.  Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

Pattern Sale 1BIt’s our first online pattern sale!  From now through Monday December 1st, 2014, take 30% off of all purchases from our Ravelry store.  Just enter code 2014HOHOHO at checkout.

This includes e-books, pattern collections, and individual patterns.  Pick from favorites like Bamboo Pop Kids and Contrarian Shawls, gorgeous designs from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton and Yumiko Alexander, and lovely cool-weather knits in the Deluxe family of yarns.

I just have to point out, there are quite a few great options in Garden Book 5.  That one book could knock out a lot of your gift crafting.  The fact that they’re very satisfying projects to make is a nice bonus.

We hope you’ll take this opportunity to pick out a great pattern, swing by your local yarn store (Small Business Saturday is this weekend!) and make something gorgeous for the people you love.  And include yourself in that list of people!

Happy crafting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Leaf by Leaf Triangular Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Leaf By Leaf Shawl in Soft Payette

I know, I know.  I’m squealing too.

This is the Leaf by Leaf Triangular Shawl in Soft Payette.  Formerly available only as part of a printed pattern collection, today we release it “into the wild” as a free pattern.

Sequined Soft Payette (224yds/100g) adds the perfect amount of sparkle to this gorgeous lace shawl, which knits up quickly on US Size 9 (5.5mm)needles.  I like the model shown in 158-02 Pearl, but am leaning toward 158-16 Lapis for my own.  Those blue sequins on blue yarn are just my style.

Have fun making this shawl your own.  Happy knitting!