Free Pattern Friday – Goldfish School Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Ravelry Goldfish School Cowl 2

Today, a “pay” pattern set free!  Michael del Vecchio’s Goldfish School Cowl appears in Bamboo Bloom Book 1: Backyard Blooms.  When we brought it to a knitting retreat the participants were so taken with it that we decided it should be released into the wild.

Ravelry Goldfish School CowlMichael has wisely used a simple pattern to let the yarn shine.  A basic 1×1 rib looks very striking in the thick/thin matte/shiny Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

We’re glad that last weekend’s knitters were so enthusiastic.  They were right.  This pattern needs to be shared!

Thanks for your hospitality, Baskets of Yarn.  And keep knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Idyll Hat and Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

_DSC0075_Ariana hat and cowl_blog

Today, the Idyll Hat and Cowl in Ariana.

We just got a new yarn in, and as so often happens, we got super excited and had to make something new!  Ariana (100g/91yds) is a unique yarn.  It’s a kind of a mesh tube made of bamboo with a squishy polyamide filling.  Based just on the pictures I’d seen, I knew it would have excellent stitch definition, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so soft to the touch.  I’m always up for a bulky-weight squeezable yarn!

The pattern is both written and charted, and works up quickly on US size 10 needles (size 9 for the hat).  Maybe my “to knit” list is getting too long, but I don’t care, this is getting added.  There’s always room for a super-soft hat and cowl!

 

Throwback Thursday – Garter Rib Cowl

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Garter Rib Cowl

Today, we share the Garter Rib Cowl.  Originally designed for Cashmere Fleur de Lys, this pattern would provide plenty of style in any worsted weight yarn, particularly one with a bit of spring to it.

This would be a great two ball project in Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic, as well as Deluxe Worsted or Deluxe Worsted Superwash 100% wool.  It would be a three ball project with a bit more drape in Llamalini, but with the heathered tones of that linen/llama/silk bourette blend, it would be a great look.

I’ve got some Deluxe Worsted left over from my 30 Day Sweater KAL project, and this looks like the perfect project for it.  A simple two-row repeat on size 9 needles sounds like a great break from back-to-school insanity.  Let’s all knit and relax!

Sunday Swatch – Poems Forte

Today’s swatch is in Poems Forte.

Poems Forte swatch

I say “swatch” but it seems to have turned into a scarf.  I cast on at my local knit night and with all the good conversation and company, my little swatch ran away from me.  I found myself at the end of the ball, wondering where the time had gone.  And no wonder – on 10mm(US15) needles, this yarn knits up quickly.

Sunday Swatch - Poems Forte

This 12-stitch swatch used one ball of Poems Forte (colorway 1003 English Garden) and turned out to be 5 inches wide and 50 inches long – the 90 yards of super bulky wool went a long way.

Camilla from Poems Windfall

This is a yarn I’ve been wanting to work with for a while.  Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton uses Poems Forte in her popular design Camilla from Wisdom Book 4:  Poems Windfall.  I love the way she uses a system of yarn overs to create a fabric that is both thick and airy.  What a lovely texture.

Miller 1218's Swirling Cowl

While poking around on Ravelry, I also stumbled across this gorgeous cowl knitted by raveler Miller1218.  She modified the Swirling Cowl, a super-superbulky design to work on size 13 needles with less than a ball of Poems Forte in color 1007 Bursa, and the result is fabulous.  This would be great to knock out at the next knit night.  Based on experience, I know it’ll go quickly.

Free Pattern Friday – Rambling Crochet Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Rambling Cowl in Classic Shades Frenzy

Today, we share the Rambling Crochet Cowl.  Just two balls of bulky Classic Shades Frenzy on a 6.5mm hook means that this works up in a flash.  We love the texture that the double crochet clusters provide, and the way the cowl looks wrapped up snug or hanging freely.

Rambling Cowl in Classic Shades Frenzy unwrapped

We’re really feeling the crochet love today, so let’s make it a two-fer.  Check back in later today for another free pattern!