“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
It seems lately like there are a lot of things that fall under the “things I cannot change” heading. If you’ve already voted, and you’re following best COVID practices, and are generally doing the things that are within your power to take care of others, this is your moment to remember to take care of yourself, too. And as crafters, one of the ways we can do that is by sitting down and picking up our yarn and tools.
With that in mind, we have some recommendations for “comfort crafts.” These are projects that are big, fluffy, mindless, or some combination of the three. And to further keep stress at bay, they’re all free patterns.
Looks super cozy, doesn’t it? Well, it is. Here’s our Creative Lead Rachel Brockman wrapping herself up like a human burrito in this blanket and the Mosaic Cowl, also in Bella Chenille Big.
I’m not entirely sure Rachel would be thrilled with this picture being posted, but she’s off at a photo shoot and can’t object. As long as you don’t tell her, it’s all fine.
This may look like an enormous project, but it’s knit in Bella Chenille Big on US 15 (10mm) needles, so it goes faster than you think. Plus you have the advantage of being able to snuggle under it while you’re making it!
2. The Choux Cowl knit in Alaska
Honestly, Alaska is soothing just to touch. It’s one of those yarns that you find yourself stroking like it’s a tribble. And because of its construction, it’s surprisingly light and warm.
The Choux Cowl is worked as a tube in the round, with columns of slip stitch on the even rows making the plaid effect. The pattern provides options for seamed and seamless finishing. If you’re a crocheter who wants to use this yarn, may we suggest…
3. March Fog crocheted in Alaska
This sample took pretty much exactly two balls each of 902 Peach Puff and 905 Stormy. If you plan on making this any bigger, we’d recommend grabbing an extra ball of each color.
This is a light and lofty stole that would work equally well as a scarf. Its two row repeat is easy to memorize, for a great dose of calming crochet.
4. The Behemoth Scarf in Revolutions
Big? Check. Soft? Check. Easy? Check! Revolutions is a unique blend of fibers with a soft halo (thanks to the mohair and alpaca included). Each ball (wheel? roll?) includes four colors in stripes that go together beautifully.
Work the four-row shell pattern lengthwise. If you want to shorten your scarf, just subtract 10 from the stitch count. Easy peasy.
5. The Dappled Shawl knit in Be Wool
Big, squishable Be Wool is one of our newer yarns, and it’s proven to be a popular one. No wonder, when you can make projects like this so quickly!
If you want to try your first shawl, this is a great beginner project. If you’re an old pro, this will feel like coming home. Either way, on US size 17 (12mm) needles, it’s the definition of “instant gratification” comfort knits.
These are just a start. We’re sure you have some go-to projects that are favorites, and we’d love to hear about them. So make yourself some coffee-maker apple cider (works great in a crock pot, too) and settle in. Breathe, let go of stress, and enjoy the work of your hands.
Happy crafting.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Marley in Alaska and Whisper Lace (pattern link here).
Isn’t this just beautiful?
Marley manages to be cozy, while still being delicate.
The hem is worked in Fibra Natura Whisper Lace, a blend of silk and superwash wool with a luminous sheen. To keep the body and hem in color harmony, the Whisper Lace is held with a strand of Rozetti Alaska, a lofty yarn with a lovely alpaca halo.
So soft. Soooo soft.
It’s just the thing if you’re looking for warmth without weight, all with immaculate style.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend. Happy crafting!
This is part 6 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 3 Edition.
It’s Day 6 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. Today we’re sharing a show-stopping shawl that’s incredibly quick to knit, largely thanks to beautiful drop stitches. Say hello to the Icicles shawl, designed by Adrienne Larsen.
Knit up using Rozetti Yarns Cotton Gold and Alaska, held together as one strand, this project glistens and glows. Cotton Gold, with its luminous sequins, is one of our favorite carry-along yarns and adds magic to any project. Alaska is a super soft and featherweight yarn with a gorgeous halo. Together, these yarns are a match made in heaven.
Aside from the glorious yarn combination, the stripes of undulating dropped stitches make this pattern shine (literally!). We love how quickly drop stitches make any project knit up, and they’re easy to work. The Icicles shawl, thanks to the stitch pattern, would be a great last-minute gift for someone truly special. If you’re feeling intimidated by dropped stitches, fear not – these are the good kind of dropped stitches. Today, we have a tutorial on how to work each of the dropped stitches featured in the pattern.
Kw2 – Knit and wrap yarn around the needle two times.
To work a kw2 on a right side row, knit the next stitch, but wrap your working yarn around the needle two times. Pull through. On the wrong side of your work, a kw2 will look like two stitches on your needle, but you’re only going to work into one. The stitch you knit should be the first stitch on your needle, with the extra wrap behind it. Knit the stitch, and drop the wrap. Kw3 – Knit and wrap yarn around the needle three times. To work a kw3 on a right side, knit the next stitch, but wrap your working yarn around the needle three times. Pull through. On the wrong side of your work, a kw3 will look like three stitches on your needle, but you’re only going to work into one. The stitch you knit should be the first stitch on your needle, with the two extra wraps behind it. Knit the stitch, and drop the two extra wraps. Kw4 – Knit and wrap yarn around the needle four times. To work a kw4 on the right side, knit the next stitch, but wrap your working yarn around the needle four times. Pull through. On the wrong side of your work, a kw4 will look like four stitches on your needle, but you’re only going to work into one. The stitch you knit should be the first stitch on your needle, with the three extra wraps behind it. Knit the stitch, and drop the three extra wraps.
And that’s how you work each of the drop stitches – easy peasy. Depending on how these stitches are ordered in a stitch, you can get a variety of interesting shapes. Working sequentially from a kw2, kw3, and kw4, you create an upward slope in your knitting and working back drown from a kw4, kw3, and kw2 will give you a downward slope. This is how the wavy motif in the Icicles shawl is created. Fun, right?
We hope you’ve found this tutorial to be helpful – and that you’ll have a great time with this technique. Remember, you can find the Icicles shawl kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter Kits at your local yarn shop.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, March Fog in Alaska (pattern link here).
This is an apt day to introduce this pattern, because today, the 1st of March, it is indeed foggy in Charlotte.
But not quite this foggy.
It’s been more of a hazy mist, but the colors and fuzzy feel show where March Fog got its inspiration.
March Fog is wide enough to be a stole, but works well wrapped like a scarf, too.
Knit in Rozetti Yarns lofty Alaska, this crochet accessory is fluffy and warm, with a bit of foggy haze about it.
The stole is crocheted lengthwise in a very easy all-over mesh pattern. As written, this took exactly two balls of each color (902 Peach Puff and 905 Stormy). You might want to grab an extra ball, just for safety’s sake.
The ending edge of the mesh pattern naturally forms cute scallops. After the main stole is complete, an edging is added to the beginning edge so that the two sides match. Don’t forget to block to open up that lace!
Snuggle up against early Spring winds – and happy crafting!
The Contours Cowl features lofty, all-over cables. If you thought cables make for a dense fabric, think again – Alaska is featherweight and soft as down, countering the density you might expect from the usual cabled cowl. It’s perfect to loop around your neck once or twice – and each styling option will keep you warm and cozy.
Knit seamlessly from the bottom-up, this cowl features an easily memorizable cable and slip stitch pattern on a background of reverse stockinette.
We hope you enjoy this week’s free pattern! Have a wonderful, craft-filled weekend!
