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Afghan Knitalong – Block Five

Square Five "Check It"

Block Five is called “Check It” (link here).

How’d we do with lace?  I have to say, that last square went pretty quickly for us in the office, with no major malfunctions.  I feel like we’ve mastered that technique.  Good thing, too, since we’re on to something new!

Block Five is called “Check It” for obvious reasons – it uses slipped stitches to create a colorful checkerboard.  It’s a clever way to create blocks of color without a lot of picking up and dropping of yarn as you go.  As usual, Amy Gunderson has provided us with a video to demonstrate.

Block Five "Check It" back sideHere’s a view of the back side that shows the stitches slipped across the wrong side of the work.

I’m very excited about this block.  Slip stitch is such an easy way to create a colorful design!

We’d love to see what you’ve done – share it here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group.  We’ll see you in two weeks with another great block!

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Sunday Swatch – Superwool

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Superwool.

Sunday Swatch Superwool_blog

Superwool is one of those yarns that you touch, then you pause and squeeze because you can’t quite believe what you’re feeling.  Superwool is super stretchy!  It’s an acrylic/nylon blend that’s specially spun to provide a lot of give.  Frankly, as, shall we say, a “substantial” knitter I am delighted to find a yarn that’s going to be kind to my curves – especially a super bulky one that knits up quickly.

Quick Cowls Lava Flow Cowl Superwool_blogThis swatch is a cable taken from the Lava Flow Cowl pictured at right, a one ball pattern that’s part of our free Quick Cowls e-book.  It works up very quickly on size 17 needles.  I knitted this swatch in a coffee shop and foolishly left my cable needle at home, so I wound up using a Sharpie magic marker to hold my stitches.  I felt quite resourceful.

If I hadn’t had my tools, I still could have made a quick project – this yarn works great for arm-knitting.  It’s simple to make this 50″ long “Supercowl” using just your hands and one skein.  Superwool’s elasticity makes it a natural fit for arm-knitting.  It’s very easy to move the yarn over your wrists.

I just might unravel this swatch and use it to teach my daughter how to arm-knit.  What a fun project in a fun yarn!

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Free Pattern Friday – Jest Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Jest Scarf

Today, it’s the Jest Scarf in Jubilation Kettle Dye and Deluxe Worsted Superwash.

Amy Gunderson brings us this whimsical design.  Colorful petals in Jubilation Kettle Dye Worsted are set against a neutral background of Deluxe Worsted Superwash.  There’s no purling in this pattern, just straight knitting back and forth with the curves created by short rows.

I love this unique design.  I can envision this in Jubilation color 108, yellows and reds and oranges, to create a cascade of falling leaves.  Regardless of color choice, this is definitely a design that tells people you’ve got a light spirit.  Surrounded by petals of yarn, how could you not smile?

Jest Scarf Wrapped

 

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Sunday Swatch – Little Bird Colors

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Little Bird Colors.

Little Bird Colors

This is color 203.  With a name like “Grass Stain” it just had to come outdoors to play.

Little Bird Colors, like its sibling Little Bird, is a smooth machine-washable 100% acrylic with a cottony feel.  This yarn  glided along my needles with ease.  Little Bird Colors comes 344 yards per 100g, so this swatch barely made a dent in the ball.

Little Dreamer PulloverThe stitch used is the same as in the free pattern Little Dreamer Pullover at right.  This baby and toddler sweater was designed for Little Bird solids, and I was curious as to how it would look with the stripes of Little Bird Color.  Answer – great!  The swatch was knitted to the same dimensions as the smallest size of the sweater – 61 stitches wide, with five rows of twisted rib on a US Size 3 needle and the body knitted on a slightly larger US Size 4.  I’m tempted to keep going, since baby shower season is upon us and it’s always a good idea to have a spare gift on hand.

For those curious as to what the back side of this slip stitch rib looks like, it’s even and smooth, as you can see.

Little Bird Colors Swatch back side_blog

This was also excellent practice in slip stitch – the next Afghan Knitalong block releases on May 12th and features this technique, so it was a good time to brush up.

We hope you spend a little time outdoors among green and growing things today.  Happy knitting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Day Trip Tote

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Day Trip Tote in Good Earth

Today’s Free Pattern Friday is the crocheted Day Trip Tote in Good Earth.  Can’t you feel yourself relaxing just looking at it?  I can’t decide – should I take it down to the beach, or sling it over a shoulder and bring it to the farmer’s market?

Southwest SunsGood Earth is a cotton/linen blend that’s perfect for cool and breezy projects.  Available in solids and multis, it’s a popular choice for crochet, as in the Southwest Suns shawl  at right from our Contrarian Shawls e-book.  Works great in knits too – the free pattern Lakeside Tee is in my queue.

We love this yarn.  In fact, we’re adding a new member to the Good Earth Family – Good Earth Adorn uses a spray-dyeing technique to give it interesting color without pooling.

We hope your weekend is filled with relaxation, and plenty of time to enjoy whatever craft you choose.

Good Earth group_blog

 

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Afghan Knitalong – Block Four

4 lace block Tree Family_blog

Block Four is called “Tree Family” (link here).

How did your first lace square go?  Feel like you have a handle on the basics?

Yonca Square Three_blog Heather Square 3_Blog

We had a good time with the last square in the office.  Once the chart reading “clicks” it really does make knitting lace easier.

Our new block is also lace with a good helping of stockinette, but it introduces one new stitch – the center double decrease.  You’ll slip two as if to knit, then knit a stitch, then pass those two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit.  This is a way of reducing three stitches into just one.  If you saw yesterday’s Sunday Swatch in Classic Shades Big Time, the mitered square used a centered double decrease to create the line of V-stitches running diagonally up the center of the block.

If this is your first time with this stitch, no worries!  Amy has put together a video on the center double decrease, as well as a handy tip on creating some decidedly low-tech stitch markers.

Amy also reveals the technique featured in our next block.  It will be… drumroll… slip stitch colorwork!

As always, you’re welcome to share what you’ve done here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group.  We can’t wait to see what you do!

Happy knitting!

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Sunday Swatch – Classic Shades Big Time

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Classic Shades Big Time.

Sunday Swatch Classic Shades Big Time_blog

Classic Shades Big Time is part of our popular Classic Shades family of yarns.  As the name implies, it’s the same wool/acrylic blend as Classic Shades, but BIG.  These were knit on a US size 11(8mm) needle, and you could easily go up to a US13.

Although this is a bulky yarn, the pattern is actually taken from the scrap sock yarn blanket at Luann’s Loose Threads.  Cast on 31 and follow the instructions for a single mitered square.

Sunday Swatch Classic Shades Big Time single square_blogI had planned to do just one, but it went so fast I wanted to keep going!

To hook two squares together as in the larger picture above, I finished one square and left my last stitch (upper right purple corner in the picture at right) on the needle, then did an e-loop cast on of an additional 15 stitches.  I knitted back across the stitches I had cast on, then picked up and knitted 15 stitches along the edge of the square I had just finished.  With 31 stitches on the needle I followed the directions for another square.  It would have been just as easy to line up the direction that the rows went by binding off that final stitch, then picking up along a different edge and starting a new square.

There are a lot of applications for these mitered squares.  Can’t you imagine a row of these for a scarf, or several strips or blocks for an afghan?  The color changes would be striking!  One 150g ball of Classic Shades Big Time will make five 6 1/2″ square blocks on a size 11 needle.

If you’re looking for something on even bigger needles, how about the free Skyscraper Shawl at right?  Two balls of Classic Shades Big Time on a size 15 needle – instant gratification!

We hope your week is filled with big, beautiful things!

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Swingy

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Swingy in Bamboo Pop

Today, Amy Gunderson brings us Swingy in Bamboo Pop.

Swingy sleeve detailAfter releasing our E-Book Bamboo Pop Kids we had quite a few requests for an adult pattern in Bamboo Pop (292yds/100g), our popular cotton/bamboo blend.  This lightweight swingy cardi fits the bill.

Worked with raglan shaping from the top down, there is no seaming involved.  This is the kind of loose, drapey jacket you reach for when you want comfort as well as style.

Happy knitting!

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Sunday Swatch – Cotton Supreme DK

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Cotton Supreme DK.

Sunday Swatch Cotton Supreme DKAh, Spring.  Time to plant the garden, spruce up the house, and experiment with cooler fabrics.  Hence the paint job on the fence – and today’s Sunday Swatch.

Cotton Supreme DK is a lighter weight version of our favorite worsted weight Cotton Supreme.  It knits up nicely on a US Size 5 or 6 needle.

Sea Breeze by Yumiko AlexanderThe Cotton Supreme family isn’t tiring on the hands as some cottons can be – I knitted the Sea Breeze top shown at right for my daughter out of  Cotton Supreme and would happily do it again.

This design is part of Yumiko Alexander’s Warm Earth Book 3, which until recently was only available in print.  We’re delighted to release the book and its patterns for sale as digital downloads from Ravelry and Craftsy.  Yumiko’s patterns are always a pleasure to make, and we look forward to sharing more of them with you electronically.

If you’re looking for something free, there’s always the popular Fleurette Lace Pullover designed for Cotton Supreme DK.  Long sleeved but lacy on both front and back, it’s perfect for this time of year.

Happy knitting!

 

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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!