It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Trawler cap in Bella Cash (pattern link here).
I’m a big fan of brioche. Stretchy and sculptural, it looks beautiful, and it’s not as hard as you might think. After my first brioche hat, I felt so proud of myself – I wore it everywhere. But the truth is, once you’re into the rhythm of it, it’s just as easy to “read” in your knitting as standard ribbing.
In this seafarer-inspired cap, Rachel Brockman uses two colors of fine Bella Cash held together on a US4(3.5mm) needle for a marled, denimy effect.
So, here’s my confession: up until now, when I’ve done brioche in the round, I’ve winged the decreases and just kind of… hoped they came together okay. Rachel, however, has beautiful decreases marching neatly toward the crown. This is going to be a great technique to learn.
Bella Cash 122 Amethyst and 118 Orchid
I’m considering using different colors, though – maybe something violet? Amethyst and Orchid look awfully nice together.
We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!Shawl pin by Jul Designs.
Today, the Mountain Lights Shawl in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (pattern link here).
How beautiful is this?
The Mountain Lights Shawl has a body that uses ridges and texture to create a rustic feel…
But then… that border! It’s simple and symmetrical, but wide enough to really let the right bright color shine.
The inside is interesting, too. Wrap it around, and you’ll still have something to show off. Deluxe Worsted Superwash gives excellent evenness and stitch definition. Just one ball of each color will make the whole shawl.
The pattern produces a shawl that has its own voice. Just cast on and hear it sing.
Ready to fly across the mountain.
Happy crafting!
Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
No, it’s from the way the solid Adore surrounds striped Adore Colors to create cells of color.
Although what you sing while you knit it is your business.
Slipped stitches create the pattern here – no need to work more than color at a time. Using a striped yarn as the background gives it that extra burst – Uptown DK Colors would be a good choice to use, as well.
Looks complex, but in reality, it’s very easy. Knit a tube in the round, slipping stitches where appropriate, then seam up the ends. Voila!
We hope you have a wonderful weekend. Savor your freedom before Monday rolls back around! Happy crafting!
We sent out a newsletter letting folks know about our Bamboo Pop-along, and got back a cute note from Sheep’s Clothing in Kennewick, WA. They’re snowed in – Bamboo Pop tees aren’t exactly on their radar right now!
Oh, the weather outside is frightful…
Yikes! We feel for our friends to the North! While we’re enjoying Bamboo Pop, can we share a big, warm, fluffy hug with you?
There there.
This is the Warmth Stole in Revolutions (free pattern link here). There should be a picture of this next to “snuggly” in the dictionary.
Lace for miles
Things to love:
It’s on size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles, to help this mammoth stole go quickly
The lace is a simple 10-row 10-stitch repeat that you’ll quickly get the hang of
So pretty.
You could go with 101 Port shown in the pattern picture…
Pin by Jul Designs
…or pick something more monochrome or vibrant. It’s up to you.
Regardless, we hope everyone stays safe and warm. Happy crafting!
Normally this would be where I’d make some joke about it being cold, but at this point, the weather’s a bit beyond that. Anytime people are being advised “avoid taking deep breaths, and minimise talking” while outside, that’s serious.
So maybe it’s time to hunker down, stay in, and make something bulky out of wool.
The Alpine Wrap is a great mix of lace and big yarn – thick enough to wrap around and bundle up in, or to wear loose as a beautiful accessory.
This gorgeous wrap is more than 6 feet long, but it goes by quickly – and it’s much easier than you might think!
The lace is varied, but it’s composed of basic stitches. If you can single and double crochet, you can make this.
Work the middle widthwise in rows. Then make the three color border in rounds, along all sides of the center. And because you’re using Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool on a US Size M/N (9 mm) hook, it’s going to grow quickly.
Designer Rachel Brockman chose to go with neutrals accented by 925 Adobe, a muted take on the 2019 Color of the Year that works well in this substantial piece.
However, while you could easily make this with four colors as shown, you could also use just one, or any number you wish. I’m a big fan of cool tones, so maybe Honeydew, Pulp, and Petrol Blue?
913 Honeydew, 928 Pulp, 914 Petrol Blue
Everybody, please have a safe, warm, cozy weekend.
Designer Rachel Brockman pulls out all the stops for today’s pattern!
The theme here is magma, and nature lover Rachel takes it to its fullest extent. The stripes at the top represent bands of igneous rock pushed up by the force from beneath…
…while the lace below represents the flow of semi-solid lava.
The fuzzy fiber blend in Amphora ensures that this shawl will keep you warm – but not lava-hot!
Best, since the shawl is based on the garter stitch, it’s aesthetically reversible and pleasing on both sides. A big, beautiful winner of a design!
The inspiration for this piece was the living willow fences, or hedges, or “fedges” that are woven from supple saplings into elegant shapes in the garden.
Mind you, it’s still winter, so the Deluxe Worsted Superwash colors we chose reflect a dormant living fence, while still keeping a warm wood feel.
Oh, the magic of Fair Isle.
If you were one of those admiring Amy Gunderson’s Twisted Yoke Pullover from the Fall ’18 Vogue Knitting…
…you’ll be pleased to find this uses the same technique. Twisted stitches create a depth that (pardon the expression) raises the design to the next level.
Amy has written this pattern in two sizes – the small size shown here…
How’s everybody doing? All caught up on your handmade gifts?
There are two kinds of crafters.
If you are, then good for you! If you’re not… join the club! Fortunately, there are still some quick, good-looking projects that you (and I) can make at the last minute. And if you still can’t quite finish, well… we have some options at the end of this post.
I made one of these myself, and it was fun and easy. The Classic Shades Frenzy is a smart choice because it lends visual interest without extra work – always a consideration when you’re on a deadline.
I actually wound up keeping this one.
As a little holiday gift, we’re running a giveaway of the Latta Park Hat and Mittens. (Also, consider signing up for our newsletter. Subscribers already heard about this!)
You can enter this coupon code by going to the Latta Park Hat and Mittens page on Ravelry, and entering FRENZY at the “use a coupon code” link that appears during purchase. Use it by 12/23.
Finally, if you’re just not gonna make it, we still have some options. How about a card to let your giftee know that their gift is on the way? We made a few printable options for you.
Regardless of how your holiday gifting turns out, we hope you’ll be able to make time to slow down and enjoy the season as best you can.
This cowl is named for the Bobby Darin song, that talks about how the singer’s true love is waiting across the waves. But it also hearkens to song’s original French inspiration, La Mer, with its visions of the sea dancing along the shore, shimmering under the rain.
Mixing the warmth of Revolutions‘ alpaca and mohair halo with the glitter in sequined Cotton Gold captures the feel of the light sparkling on the waves.
The main pattern is a three row repeat using very basic crochet stitches, making this a suitable project for an adventurous beginner.
The finished product has a warm and relaxed fabric, both dressy and practical. It’s easy enough to widen this cowl, if desired. It uses an 8 stitch repeat, so just start with more stitches in that 8 stitch increment and you’re set.
A long, twisted rib upturned brim gives way to a basic stockinette body. The difference in gauge between the two stitches means that the rib fits snugly, but the variegated Bamboo Bloom section is slouchy. A neat solution to achieving the perfect fit.
We’ve shown it in two color options here, but I’m about to cast on for one for a friend, using an orange Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the base and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 317 Sensei for the body.Â
