Free Pattern – Inchworm Baby Blanket

The Week of Major Patterns continues!

inchworm-blanket-blog

Today, the Inchworm Baby Blanket in Major.

We love this design for the way it uses Major’s self-striping qualities.  Two complementary colors, 103 Capri and 105 Aloe, are swapped every other row.  Crochet two rows with A, then two with B, etcetera.  There’s no need to cut colors, you can just carry them up the sides as you go.

This free pattern is written and charted.  It’s a six-row repeat that’s easy to memorize.  Pretty timely for those of us who need a jump start on making gifts!

Tune back in tomorrow for another Major pattern!  Happy crafting!

inchworn-blanket-with-major-blog

Free Pattern Friday – Sunbeam Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Good Earth Multi Sunbeam main hi-res

Today, the Sunbeam Tunic in Good Earth Multi.

And now, the weather.

Hurricane Hermine 2016-09-01t22-31-18-9z--1280x720__790188.nbcnews-ux-1080-600

That’s Hurricane Hermine, bearing down on us like a very wet, very angry freight train.  Chance of rain: 100%.  Chance of us holing up with some good yarn: also 100%.  It’s time to bring a little sunshine indoors until this all blows over.

Good Earth Multi Sunbeam detail square

The Sunbeam Tunic in Good Earth Multi features sunny motifs to brighten up a dreary day.  Good Earth Multi linen/cotton blend (170yds/100g) is a great choice for this – the plant fibers let the tunic drape and fall without bunching up or grabbing onto an inner fabric layer.   Thsi should keep you busy enough to forget about the weather, but on a size 9 (5.5mm) hook, it won’t take forever to finish.

If you’re in the path of the storm, we hope you stay safe, warm, and dry.  We wish you all sunbeams and rainbows!

Happy crafting!

Good Earth Multi Sunbeam side hi-res

Free Pattern Friday – Corner to Corner Throw

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Classic Shades Corner to Corner Throw 1 hi-res

Today, the Corner to Corner Throw in Classic Shades.

We are so, so lucky to work with so many amazing LYSes.  Case in point:  we can enjoy the talents of  Alice Gossette and Kat Koeller of The Thankful Ewe in New Bremen, Ohio.  This dynamic duo have appeared here before, with the free Summer Shawl in Bamboo Pop.  They’ve graciously shared this design with us as well.

Classic Shades Corner to Corner Throw detail blogIt’s called the Corner to Corner Throw because it’s crocheted… wait for it… corner to corner!  We love how they coordinated Classic Shades 731 Natural Glow with solid Uptown Worsted in 328 Dijon for the fringe.  It’s a great choice that takes the throw up a notch.

Working corner to corner means that the bands of color change height as the rows lengthen and shorten, an excellent use of self-striping yarn.  It’s a simple way to give even more interest to an already striking pattern.

We hope you find time to work on something beautiful this weekend, either for yourself or for someone you love.

Happy crafting!

Classic Shades Corner to Corner Throw flat blog

Free Pattern Friday – Berry Patch Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Berry Patch Cardi hi-res

Today, the Berry Patch Cardi in Whisper Lace.

This pattern comes to us from our Mexican distributor, Rebecca Pick.  In their magazine, they featured an absolutely stunning crochet design in Whisper Lace (440yds/50g) designed by Ángeles Uribe Salinas.  Rebecca Pick graciously shared it with us, and now we get to share it with you!

Berry Patch Cardi hem hi-resThis beautiful cardi is made of strips of delicate fan lace.  They’re joined as you go, with the bottom of the strips left loose to fall freely.   Can’t you imagine twirling around in this and seeing the little butterflies of lace fly?

The lace is written and charted, and a schematic is included for assembly.  We love how the multi-colored yarn works up into individual fans for a delicate and unique look.  This is a great skill showcase.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend.  Happy crafting!

Berry Patch Cardi shoulder hi-res

Free Pattern Friday – Summer Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

SummerShawl

Today, the crocheted Summer Shawl in Bamboo Pop.

This pattern comes to us courtesy of Alice Gossette and Kat Koeller of LYS The Thankful Ewe in New Bremen, Ohio.  It’s another example of why you should stop in at your local yarn shop – there are some really great ideas waiting for you there!

This is a five ball project in Bamboo Pop (292yds/100g) – 2 balls of 109 Clover for the large triangle, then 1 each of 108 Lime Green, 118 Marmalade, and 107 Ocean for the stripes nearer the top.  The designers note that the top stripe took almost all of the blue, so you might want to snag an extra ball, just in case.

I love the inclusion of the vibrant band of gold.  This would be an easy one to customize with your own personal palette, or to add a variegated color to.  Color 203 Golden Seas strikes a nice balance between all of the colors included here.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and find time to kick back with a project and take care of yourself.

Happy crafting!

TTE_bambooPopShawl2

Free Pattern Friday – Florin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Florin Scarf long blog

Today, the Florin Scarf in Cotton Gold.

Crocheted in Rozetti Yarns sparkling sequined Cotton Gold (200yds/25g), this scarf is named Florin after the golden coins you might find in a dragon’s hoard.

Now that's a stash.
Credit: Lauren aka IguanaMouth

Wait, wrong hoard.  Although I do want that hoard.

Credit: Blensig on DeviantArt

Florin Scarf detail blogThere we go.  The glittering gold sequins catch the light in dramatic fashion.  Having worked with this yarn personally, I can tell you that those sequins are really on there – I’ve never had one come loose.

Cotton Gold works great paired with another yarn to add some bling (Crinkle Cowl, anyone?), or on its own as in this one-ball scarf.

The body of the Florin Scarf is worked in two directions.  First, the main scarf body is worked to one end, and the End Section is crocheted.  Then the other End Section is crocheted into the beginning chain of the other side of the scarf body.  Finally, a border is worked around the entire outer edge of the scarf.  Lastly, put on your glittering masterpiece and feel like the fabulous person you are.

We hope you have an amazing weekend of crocheting and enjoying your yarn hoard!

Florin Scarf tied blog

Spotlight on Yashi

With Spring coming, we want to highlight a great yarn for warm weather.

Yashi and Yashi Iro 2 balls blog

Yashi is 100% raffia.  It has a papery but soft feel and works great for accessories and home decor.  Yashi Iro is its multi-colored companion, dyed in shades that coordinate with the solids.  Our Sales Director Yonca has made a video to tell us all about it.

In the video, she mentions Rick Mondragon’s Japanese Knot bag, which is now available as a free pattern on our website.

Yashi Bag Rick Mondragon_hi-res

This was originally available for STITCHESWest attendees, and we’re very grateful to Knitting Universe for sharing it with us. By the way, if you haven’t been to a STITCHES show yet, put it on your to-do list.  They’re a blast.

You can find the Japanese Knot Bag pattern at this link.

We hope you enjoy this fun free crochet pattern.  Happy crafting!

Deluxe Bulky Superwash – Two New Scarves

11 days until Christmas! 

Deluxe Bulky Superwash Tassel Scarf wrapped blog

I always seem to start these posts with, “are you ready for the holidays?” There’s a reason: I am never ready for the holidays. If, like me, you’re searching for something fresh that will work up quickly, we’ve got you covered!

We introduced Deluxe Bulky Superwash 100% wool (100g/106yds) this Fall.  It’s a little thicker than our favorite Deluxe Chunky, and, as the name implies, it’s machine washable. That’s two of my criteria for quick holiday projects met.

Deluxe Bulky Superwash Tassel Scarf blogBest of all, we’ve already introduced a couple of free knit and crochet patterns for this yarn.

At right, the Nesting Diamonds Scarf. This one might seem a little ambitious for Christmas, but do what I do: “I’d love to do the dishes/vacuum/shop for your mother’s gift but I need to finish this scarf.”  Boom. Extra knitting time and fewer chores.

On size 10 1/2(6.5mm) needles, this is a lovely tasseled scarf that won’t break the bank or take forever. The body simply knit and purl, with slipped stitches at the edges of the scarf to create a neater border.  The pattern is written and charted – take your pick of what’s more comfortable for you.

DBS Gray and Green Scarf long blogNext, the Ambrosia Scarf. Long and luscious, the scarf loops around for a dramatic look.  The puff stitch arcs make for a soft and inviting feel with a lot of visual interest.  Crocheted on a US Size N-15 (10 mm) hook, this is another one that will go quickly but still be satisfying to make.

We hope you take some time to make something beautiful for yourself as well.  You deserve a break to enjoy the holiday season!

Happy crafting!

DBS Gray and Green Scarf wrapped blog

 

Free Pattern Friday – Trellis Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

TrellisTee_front blog

Today, the Trellis Tee in Saki Silk.

What a great blend of knit and crochet!  First, the front squares are crocheted, then the front, back, and sleeves are knitted, then the whole top is assembled and a crochet picot edging is added.  I’m excited – I’ve done a knitted picot edging before, but not a crocheted one, and it looks so much easier!

Trellis Tee detail for blog

The choice of Saki Silk (440yds/100g) for this was a good one.  The monochrome 301 Shadowscape body matches the gray in 304 Giverney, but Giverney’s addition of purple gives it the pop of color it needs.

 This would also look great with the front panel in 307 Hidden Lagoon (above), with its blend of gray and blue.  Cool in several senses of the word.

Have a wonderful weekend of crafting, everyone.

TrellisTee_back blog