Attire to Adore

Attire to Adore isn’t only the name of our recent Spring 2017 ebook, it’s also what we hope you think of it! The six knit garments in this collection run the range from vest to pullovers to cardigans. All projects are knit in one of our newer yarns, Adore.

Adore is a blend of superwash merino and anti-pilling acrylic. The anti-pilling acrylic component is the key in a garment that is easy to care for and still looks great after wearing and washing. Adore is a great basic – it has both a luxurious and a practical side, is fantastic to work with, and doesn’t break the bank.

Let me walk you through the projects, all designed by Tori Gurbisz and myself (Amy Gunderson):

Sienna Vest is the quickest knit in the book because – no sleeves! If you ever get worn out by a full sweater project by the time the body is done, a vest might just be the garment for you.

The lower hem is split in the front and a cable starts twisting up the center front like magic! Okay, it’s not magic, but it’s cool. This same cable eventually diverges at the neckline, maintaining the same ribbing as the cable. This ribbed edging that is worked at the same time as the shoulders means there is no need to work an additional neck edging.

 

 

Aurelia Peplum is a sweet little raglan pullover shaped through the inherent nature of dense cables.

This sweater is knit from the bottom up. The peplum portion of the sweater could easily be made a bit longer if you prefer to wear this with leggings.

 

A short-row curved hem and traveling cable panels are the defining features of Crisanta.

Slightly oversized, you’ll want to snuggle the day away in this cozy sweater. A fun little detail is the traveling cable which is echoed in the folded turtleneck collar.

 

Willow Cardigan has the benefit of set-in sleeves without the actual setting in part.

This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down using Barbara Walker’s method of simultaneous set-in sleeves. If you’ve never tried this technique before you’re going to love it – trust me!

 

A nondescript cable running up each sleeve brings subtle interest to Jora.

Jora is knit from the bottom up in pieces and seamed, making it a great travel project. This raglan sweater is another wardrobe staple that’s easy to throw on with just about any outfit.

 

The collection’s second cardigan, Sorrell rounds out the group.

The drop shoulder design incorporates two lace patterns for easy knitting without the stress of much shaping in pattern. Who doesn’t love a lace cardigan, particularly one you can throw in the washing machine?

Free Pattern Friday – Hibiscus Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Hibiscus Scarf in Garden 10.

It’s summertime, but that’s no reason to skip the pretty accessories! This scarf calls for two balls of Nazli Gelin Garden 10 mercerized cotton, using one of the variegated shades in that yarn. The colors in this cotton are rich and saturated.

The body of this shallow shaped scarf is knitted at the same time as its border. As with all stockinette, this scarf will curl some, allowing bits of the lace to peek through depending on how you wear it.

This is a lovely lightweight piece that won’t sit heavy on your lap as you work it.

We hope you have a great weekend.  Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Graphite Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Graphite Tank in Radiant Cotton.

What a lovely piece for summer!

This swingy A-line tank is worked from the bottom up in pieces and then seamed.  Fibra Natura Radiant Cotton keeps it nice and cool.

Although we’ve made this monochrome, It could look really cute with different colors at the hem.  For instance…

Image of three shades of blue Radiant Cotton Yarn
Radiant Cotton 820, 818, 817
Image of three shades of Radiant Cotton from magenta to purple
Radiant Cotton 801, 802, 803

So many possibilities.

Have a great weekend – and happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Blissful Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Blissful Tee in Cotton True Sport.

 

Just looking at this top makes me happy.  It’s a charming design in our Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport, a 100% Pima cotton that’s quite pleasant to work with.  It’s the kind of basic top that would look great with jeans or a skirt, plus maybe a little silver jewelry.  The lace detail at the top, which is charted and written, keeps it from being too plain.

 

Work it from the hem up in two pieces, then join together.  We call for a US Size 4 (3.5mm) needle for the body, but of course use whatever will get you gauge – 6 stitches per inch in this case.  It makes a lightweight cotton fabric that’s perfect for summer.

We hope you enjoy this bit of knitted bliss.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern – Dulcet Wrap

It’s Free Pattern… Sunday?

Sure, why not?

Today. the Dulcet Wrap in Bella Cash.

We couldn’t stop with just one Bella Cash pattern this week.  The Dulcet Wrap is over six feet long, with a drapey fabric on size 5 needles.  Bella Cash merino/cashmere/nylon gives it a lovely wispiness.

In order to knit the single stripes of the body, you’ll want circular needles.  Knit a row in one color, then slide your stitches back to the end of the needle and knit a row in the second color.  It gives a lovely effect.  The wide mesh lace is a 4-row repeat.  End it with Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off for a nice elastic edge.

We hope you enjoy this charming, fine-weight shawl pattern.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Which Way is Up

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Which Way Is Up in Bella Cash.

Ladies and gentlemen, the faint of heart may wish to look away from this next sentence, lest it chill you to your very soul!

We’re more than halfway to Christmas.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I know.  I’m sorry you had to read that.

But better to face it now, while there’s still plenty of time to start on holiday projects than later, when it’s a mad rush.

Fortunately, we’ve got some charming projects in the works that would be great for gifts, like this week’s pattern, Which Way is Up.  Sized from newborn to 4-year, it’s a Fair Isle cardigan that calls for machine washable Bella Cash, a fine merino/cashmere/nylon blend. Knit the cardi bottom up, join the raglan sleeves and body, and add the button band.  Classic and cute.

This would be a good small project to tackle to get ahead of the game, or just to be ready when the next baby shower takes you by surprise.

We hope you enjoy this stylish and adorable pattern.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Vane Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Vane Shawl crocheted in Cotton True Sport.

Summertime can lead to a bit of crafting doldrums.  We may not feel like covering our lap with a huge in-progress blanket when the days are long and warm.  But there’s no reason to put down the hook and needles – there are plenty of great warm-weather yarns and projects out there!

Take today’s for instance.  The Vane Shawl calls for an E-4 (3.5mm) hook and 6 balls of Cotton True Sport, a light 100% Pima cotton that practically radiates “cool.”  The pattern itself is my favorite kind of shawl – worked from the top down.  Fewer repeats on rows as you get to the final point means that progress gets faster as you go.

The fringe is a fun, summery detail.  A nice touch on a pleasant project that won’t weigh you down.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Skylark Capelet

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Skylark Capelet in Radiant Cotton.

A few days ago we had someone on Facebook point out (correctly) that we’ve been offering more knit than crochet patterns, and that we need to be sure to show our crocheting friends some love.  It’s a point well-taken, and I was delighted that we had something coming up so quickly that fit the bill!

The Skylark Capelet calls for three hanks of Radiant Cotton, a smooth 100% Egyptian cotton with a light sheen somewhere between mercerized and matte.  It’s a pleasure to work with.

What I love about this capelet is that just by varying the number of buttons and where you choose to fasten them, you could easily turn this from a capelet into a buttoned cowl, or really into any shape you wish.  The edging lends itself particularly well to buttoning.

There’s no limit to what you can do with this versatile crochet piece.

We hope you have a great weekend, and take time to make something just for you!

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Mingle Cowl

Today, we have a small piece of heaven for you in the Mingle Cowl.

This cowl soothes my psyche with its shades of blue and gray. Two strands are held together throughout the cowl making this a pretty quick project, too. Knit up in our new fall yarn, Bella Cash, this piece is soft as a newborn kitten making it perfect for a piece that will be worn against bare skin.

Bella Cash is a 2/sport weight, comes in 20 solid colors, and is machine washable. Oh wait, and did I mention – there is cashmere, too! Mmmmm.

Blue not your thing? How about 102 Blush + 109 Snow?

Or 107 Coffee + 106 Oat?

I also like classic 108 Ebony + 109 Snow.

Happy knitting and happy weekend!

Free Pattern Friday – Cardinal Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Cardinal Jacket in Major.

We love this versatile piece not just for its great use of self-shading bulky Major (328yds/200g) but also for its easy construction.

This cozy open front cardigan is knit sideways.  Essentially, you’ll be knitting a big rectangle, binding off on one row and casting back on on the next to make holes for the arms. Sleeves are knit flat, joined to the armhole openings, and then seamed.

The stitch pattern is a twelve-row repeat called Shifting Horseshoes.  It’s both written and charted. The fabric has a subtle wave, and it’s not too hard to read your stitches once you’re in the groove of knitting it.

Add a closure if you wish, or wear it open, or gather it with a shawl pin.  It’s a versatile piece.

We hope you enjoy this loose and lovely cardi!

Happy knitting!

Thanks for the shawl pin, JUL Designs!