Free Pattern Friday – Bamboo Pop Dolls

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

blog BambooPopDolls cover

Did we say “free pattern?”  Try five free patterns, part of Bamboo Pop Dolls!

Bamboo Pop Kids is such a popular E-Book for us, and no wonder – Bamboo Pop is a versatile yarn for kids and adults.  One of the things we heard from stores was, “wouldn’t it be great if there were matching outfits for the kids’ dolls?”  Once we were done squealing over the adorableness of that idea, we got to work!

 

Blog TBall Tee composite

The T-Ball Tee keeps the sweet little ties at the arms and shortens the body, making this a very quick lace knit.  I can absolutely see the two little ladies above palling around town together!  Matches the T-Ball Tee from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

Blog Pixie Skirt composite

The Pixie Skirt removes one tie from the shortened waist of the 18″ doll at left.  It’s a shortened length of i-cord that can be made with either a crank machine or by hand.  This is a great skirt to spin in.  Matches the Pixie Skirt from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

Blog Little Patriot composite

The Little Patriot is all decked out and ready to go!  For me, what really makes this top pop is the red edging around the star and the edges.  Being a Southerner, I think this is a great top for a summer day of watermelon and fresh-churned ice cream.  Matches the Little Patriot from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

Blog Hoodie composite

The Fading Stripe Hoodie uses a slipped “pebble stitch” to give texture.  Something just a touch warmer for the girl on the left as she wait for her friend to come home from school.  Matches the Fading Stripe Hoodie from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

Blog Berry Blossom compositeThe Berry Blossom Pullover lends itself well to “dollification!”  This is one of our most popular designs for girls, and it looks great on an 18″ doll, too.  Matches the Berry Blossom Pullover from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

Many thanks to our store owners who brought us this great idea.  We always love to hear what you have to say.

Happy knitting!

Throwback Thursday – Tea Party

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Tea Party_web

Today, the Tea Party sweater!

Awww!  I love a cute kid in a cute sweater.  Of course, this pattern is from 2008, so to fit this moppet now you’d have to knit the largest size!

Regardless of when it was first published, the pattern remains adorable.  Originally meant for discontinued Bellagio, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme (100g/180yds) as a substitution.  While Cotton Supreme won’t have quite the same sheen as the original yarn, it is soft and machine washable, making it a great choice for kid knits.  And on size 7 needles, the gauge should work out just fine.

Tea Party is knitted flat and seamed, with the lace pattern both written and charted.  All in all, a great knit for any little tyke.

Free Pattern Friday – A Week of Babies!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Little Bird Patch Pullovers together_blog

Today, it’s a two-fer!  We present the Professor Pullover (left) and Love Patches (right).  How adorable are those little elbow patches?  Both cute baby sweaters are knit in lightweight machine washable Little Bird 100% microfiber acrylic (344yds/100g).  This yarn is exceptionally soft, making it a great choice for baby projects.

These two designs cap off an entire week of free baby and kid patterns.  Sometimes it’s hard to find things that aren’t too froufrou for little kids, so we focused mainly on designs that didn’t have too many lacy details.

Infusion Over and Out Vest_blogFirst, the Over and Out Vest in Infusion Handpaints wool/acrylic.  Two skeins makes a sophisticated vest for a tyke who needs dress up a little but still keep those arms free for making mudpies.  Did we mention Infusion Handpaints is machine washable?

 

Lil Grandpa cardigan_blogNext, the Lil’ Grandpa Cardigan in Deluxe DK Superwash 100% wool.  Sized for ages 1-10, this machine washable cabled cardigan would look very dignified paired with a bubble pipe and a golden retriever.

 

Bella Chenille Snowbaby Set_blogThe Snowbaby Set is a snuggly soft hat and sweater in Bella Chenille.  Sized for 3-24 months, it’s a simple project to knit in the round.  The snap flap at the shoulder makes the sweater very easy to pull over baby’s head.

 

Little Bird Colors Cutie Cardi 1_blogFinally… okay, something a little more frilly, because how could we resist?  The Cutie Cardi is knit in Little Bird Colors 100% microfiber acrylic with a solid Little Bird crocheted border.  The pleated pockets are an adorable accent.

We hope you find some inspiration from these sweet designs for little sweethearts!

Free Pattern Friday – Little Peep Dress

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Little Peep Dress in Little BirdToday, something adorable!  The Little Peep Dress is designed in soft, smooth Little Bird.  It’s a sleek, high quality 100% acrylic that knits up easily here on a US Size 3 needle.

Little Bird 3 balls

Designer Amy Gunderson was inspired by the figures on the Little Bird label to create a cute set of feathered friends suitable for any little chickadee.  This is a great warm-weather dress for Spring.

These birds are a classic example of the kind of designs you can make with intarsia.  If you’re participating in our afghan knitalong, these would be a great use for your new skills (which we’ll be refining further with our new square on Monday).

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Starglow Ski Cap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Starglow Ski Cap in Little Bird

Today, we share the Starglow Ski Cap in Little Bird.  Little Bird is a smooth and soft 100% acrylic perfect for kid designs like this Fair Isle hat.  We love the border around the brim that coordinates with the tassels!

This free pattern is one we’ve waited a little while to share.  The one color of Little Bird we had not yet received from our mill was gray.  Yesterday, we received it (and a lot of other goodies).  For this pattern, the lack of one color could be a problem, but it’s also an opportunity for reflection.

Often when we see a pattern made up, we only want it in the color shown.  And that’s fine – sometimes, we just fall in love with something exactly as it is.  But sometimes, it’s healthy to stretch our imaginations and see it in other ways.  What would you do to make this pattern your own?