Inspiration By Design
The “mystery” in this KAL should be what the finished product will look like – it shouldn’t be confusion about gauge and fit. So the folks at 30 Day Sweater have provided a video to go along with the Universal knitalong with helpful hints on making your finished sweater the perfect fit for you.
Thanks, guys! We hope this inspires people to try new things with their knitting!
Have you heard about the 30 Day Sweater Challenge? During the month of October, the folks at – wait for it – 30 Day Sweater Challenge are hosting a massive knitalong. You pick your pattern and yarn, and join others who are also making top-down seamless sweaters at the same time, trading tips and tricks.
We couldn’t resist joining in the fun, so we’re hosting a Mystery Knit-Along for those in search of a project! Designer Amy Gunderson has created a top-down pattern sized for men and women that fits the bill. Amy says, “The knitting itself should be ideal: enough going on for it not to be boring, but not so much going on that you can’t watch your favorite tv show while working on it.”
To help keep you motivated, we’re also offering a contest! If you complete your sweater in a Universal yarn by November 14th and send us a photo, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a set of Deborah Norville interchangeable needles. These are very pleasant needles to work with – smooth and quick to use, and perfect for your *next* top-down sweater!
Amy has given us the info we need to get started selecting yarn and swatching for gauge.
To fit bust/chest 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)” you will need approximately 1000 (1175, 1330, 1525, 1700, 1875) yards.
Gauge: 18 sts/24 rows in St st
We’ll be knitting along in the office, too. We’ve picked these yarns for ourselves:
• Classic Shades
• Classic Shades Solids
• Classic Worsted
• Deluxe Worsted
• Deluxe Worsted Concord Tweed
• Deluxe Worsted Superwash
• Nettle Lana
• Uptown Worsted
• Llamalini
• Poems
• Poems Silk
• Poems Silk Solids
We’ll post 2 clues per week, given on Monday/Tuesday and also on Thursday/Friday, for a total of 10 clues. The first clue will be on Tuesday Oct 1st, and the last clue will be on Thursday Oct 31st.
We’re swatching for gauge (you do swatch for gauge, don’t you?), but we can’t start our top-down sweaters until Amy gives us the go-ahead on October 1st.
Join the Ravelry Mystery KAL group to share your progress. We can’t wait to cast on!
Happy knitting!
It’s a Free Pattern Friday two-fer!
First, there’s the Painted Wings Shawlette. It takes less than one skein of Infusion Handpaints (291yds/100g), our sport weight variegated yarn that’s proving popular for socks and accessories. The dropped stitches really let you make the most of your yarn. At the end, work the edging at the same time you cast off!
Next, the Flowering Herb Scarf in Fibra Natura Llamalini (109yds/50g). Llamalini is a yarn that has made its way into the stashes of quite a few Universal Yarn employees! The heathering gives a great deal of depth to a wide variety of designs. This lacy crochet scarf is just the thing to show it off.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, we have a charming set in Saki Bamboo (462yds/100g), a newer member of the Wisdom Yarns family. Saki Bamboo is a blend of superwash merino, nylon, and bamboo. We predicted it would be popular for socks, but it’s become a yarn of choice for shawls and accessories, too. And no wonder, with colors this pleasing!
The Brambleberry Hat and Mitts each can be completed with one ball, two for the set. Both are worked in the round with a honeycomb pattern for an added dimension of texture.
Wouldn’t these be perfect to wear on a drab day to add a pop of color? What a rewarding project.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, we want to give you a knitted hug. The Comfort Bargello Shawl wraps you up warm and cozy in soft Classic Shades (100g/197yds).
The design is from Patty Nance, the author of Bargello Knits, a book of designs incorporating self-striping and solid yarn to beautiful effect. This design is no exception. It’s knit from one side of the triangle to the opposite point, with the added fringe as a crowning touch.
Classic Shades is a great choice for this design. The coordinating Classic Shades Solids make this an easy pattern to customize in terms of color, so you can design your own knitted hug.
Many thanks to Patty Nance for such a gorgeous design!