Knitspiration – Red Birds in Snow

More snow’s in the forecast – could you use a little knitspiration?

Red Birds in Snow 1959 composite
Red Birds in Snow by Adolf Dehn, 1959

Our snow is over (for now) on the Eastern Seaboard, but there’s a blizzard forecast for the Midwest.  I love snow, but I’m sure most folks have had enough of it.

Photo: Snowy Perch by Nate Zeman

We feature Red Birds in Snow because it’s a nice nod to our state bird here in North Carolina, the cardinal, which gives a lovely burst of color to the monochrome landscape.  I also love it because it’s a good reminder that noticing the things around us is a good antidote to the winter doldrums. Seeing something so bright in an otherwise gray day can snap the world back into focus.

When we’re feeling trapped behind closed doors, it’s important to notice the things around us to bring texture and color back into our lives. These designs are perfect examples. Continue reading “Knitspiration – Red Birds in Snow”

Free Pattern Friday – Dip-Dyed Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

DipDyedCardigan 2 blog

Today, the Dip-Dyed Cardigan in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.

Love this breezy, casual short-sleeved cardi!  And love the choice of Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (100g/230yds) for it.  It’s variegated but not wild, making it a perfect choice for those who want a balance of color and conservatism in their wardrobe.

Knit this cardi in pieces from the bottom up, starting with the contrasting band of reverse stockinette at the bottom.  Work the raglan shaping, neck, and sleeves, then add the neck and sleeve edging and the button band.  I like the way the color bands are staggered on the front – the asymmetry is interesting!

I’m not usually a pink person, but this might be nice with a band of 301 Carmine for the contrasting bit.  There’s not really a wrong choice for this sweater.

Here’s hoping you cast on for something fun and exciting this weekend, just for you!

Happy knitting!

DipDyedCardigan back blog

Free Pattern Friday – Easy Baby Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Bamboo Baby flowery blog

Today, the Easy Baby Cardi in Bamboo Pop.

Bamboo Pop ballIs it just me, or is everybody having babies at once?  I have two friends in their third trimester (hi, Cristi and Casey!) and several more whose baby bumps and adoption processes are well underway.  So yes, this is a perfect moment to introduce a basic but beautiful garter stitch baby sweater.  The fact that it uses machine-washable Bamboo Pop (292yds/100g) is icing on the cake.

It’s a good basic design that would work well for boys or girls and would be easy to personalize with some fun buttons.

I’d like to offer a word of advice as a parent.  When you’re considering baby shower gifts, it may be tempting to want to make the smallest size and be done in a hurry.  Consider making the next size up, or even the one beyond that.  Babies grow fast, and you want your recipient to be able to enjoy your gift longer than a week.  Since this pattern takes just two balls for all sizes, there’s no additional cost (besides your time) involved in making the 12-month size and having a gift that the baby will be wearing after all the other presents have been outgrown.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – PC538 Tapestry Toys and Cardigan

It’s still Free Pattern Friday!

 

This is Pattern Collecton PC538, Classic Worsted Tapestry Volume 2.  Up until now, it’s never been available digitally, and never for free.  Happy Friday!

Uptown Worsted Tapestry swatch blogWe’ve had several requests for this leaflet, not least because although the original yarn, Classic Worsted Tapestry is gone, the colors in Uptown Worsted Tapestry are perfect matches for it.  You could substitute Uptown Worsted Tapestry 809 Capri Breeze at right for Michele Wilcox’s Mr. Whiskers and the only difference would be that the Uptown feels softer.
CroppedCapeCardi_blogLikewise, Purple Power, Emerald, and Mountain Blues are all available in Uptown Worsted Tapestry if you want to tackle Thanh Nguyen’s Cropped Cape-Cardi in its original color scheme.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this quadruple-dose of free patterns today.

Happy crafting!

MrWhiskers_front_blog

 

 

 

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Picket Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Little Bird Picket Cardigan 1 blogToday, the Picket Cardigan in Little Bird.

More than one person walked by my desk this week and picked this up to fondle it.  Little Bird (100g/344 yds) gives it a lovely sheen, and the smoothness of the fiber really makes those cables and ribs stand out.  It’s not stiff or bulky at all, but very soft and comfy.  The machine washability makes it a home run for baby knits.

This cardigan is knit in pieces and seamed. The back and sleeves are worked in plain stockinette stitch, while the fronts are cabled.  The pattern is written and charted and contains a schematic.

This would look great on a little girl or a little boy. The buttonholes can be placed on either side – although truthfully I always forget which is which.  Eh, the baby won’t care.

Happy knitting!

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Kauai Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Kauai cardi_blogToday, the Kauai Cardigan in Alana.

Summertime… and the livin’ is easy.  This cardi makes me feel like I should be strolling on the boardwalk in my sandals with a frosty beverage in my hands.  Maybe  I could wear a giant Yashi Sunblock hat with it.

It’s made in Alana (164yds/100g) , a tropically colorful viscose blend.  It’s a great choice for bright color with a sheen.  Speaking from personal experience, I haven’t noticed pooling or flashing – just bright colors and happy hues.

And since we’re talking about free patterns, here’s one that flew under the radar!

The Butterfly Scarf is also in Alana.  We released this fun broomstick lace design a couple of weeks ago, but never actually made it part of a Free Pattern Friday.  Consider it a bonus wish for warm, leisurely days.

Happy crafting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Loft Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Allore Loft Jacket_blog

Today, the Loft Jacket in Allore.

Allore 101 Nero hi-res
Allore Color 101 Nero

Allore (109yds/50g) is new for Rozetti Yarns this season, and we love it.  It’s light and lofty, with a brushed, slightly fuzzy appearance.  But what takes it to the next level is a) it’s got lovely gradations in shade, and b) glitter!  A metallic strand running through it makes it easy to make instant “dress up” pieces. Working on a US 9-11 needle means knits go fast.

This jacket is worked flat from the bottom up and then seamed.  Regularly spaced twists give it just the right amount of texture.  Add buttonholes at the collar or secure it with a pin, as we’ve done here.

I love this jacket.  What a great mix of cozy and elegant.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Frog Hoodie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Bella Chenille Frog Hoodie wide blog

Today, a great project to leap into the new year with.  The Frog Hoodie in Bella Chenille!

Bella Chenille (131yds/100g) is a fuzzy polyester chenille that’s very soft and easy to work with.  I used this for a Sunday Swatch a while back, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that it machine washes well.  This is a great yarn choice for a kid project.

Knit the sleeves in the round and put them aside, then work the body and attach the sleeves.  Work upward to the neck and hood, then add the frog eyes.  The coordinating buttons are nice and big for little hands to fasten.

Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Insulate Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Insulate Cardigan_blogToday, the Insulate Cardigan in Superwool.

Insulate Cardigan back blogYesterday on the blog we were talking about how slowly knitting could go with tiny needles and tiny yarn.  This, on the other hand, could not go faster.  The cardigan is actually knit as one rectangle.  That’s it.  Knits and purls, worked straight from end to end, then folded and seamed, creating this neat swallowtail hem.  If you’re looking for a quick and easy project, we’ve got you covered.

Insulate Cardigan mannequin_blogSuperwool (100g/66yds) is a super-bulky, springy wool blend that stretches and moves with you.  This is a great project to wrap yourself up in, nice and cozy.

Our sales manager Yonca designed and knitted this cardigan, and we passed it around the office modeling it.  Our accounting manager tried it on upside down, and guess what – it still looked great!  Here it is “upside down” on a mannequin.  Pretty versatile for one long rectangle.

Happy knitting!

 

 

Throwback Thursday – A Walk in the Woods

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Walk in the Woods

Today, a beautiful cool-weather knit, A Walk in the Woods.  Originally knit in Eden Silk, this lightweight cardi would look great in either Uptown DK 100% anti-pilling acrylic or Deluxe DK Superwash wool.

I’ve been knitting a lot with Deluxe DK Superwash lately (I just need to bind off my ribbed Katrina top!) so for this, as a personal choice I think I’d go with the Uptown DK.  I’ve been making a long cowl in Uptown DK Colors, the striped version of the yarn, and have been very impressed with how soft it is (and yes, it really is not pilling).  I like the idea of an entire garment that luxurious.

This cardi is knit flat in the traditional style – back, then fronts, then sleeves.  The textured stitch in the pattern is written and charted and is fairly easy to “read” in your knitting as you go – it’s the same few rows, staggered by a few stitches.

We hope you’re able to bring your projects outdoors and enjoy this beautiful weather.  Happy knitting!