knit – Page 62 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

June 15, 2014June 15, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Bamboo Pop

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Bamboo Pop colors 108 Lime Green, 208 Pink Joy, and 102 Cream.

Today’s swatch started as an experiment to see just how thick various i-cords were in Bamboo Pop. Bamboo Pop is one of our most popular yarns, a lightweight blend of 50% cotton and 50% bamboo.

The entire flower was knit on size 4 needles. The petals of the flower are one long 4-stitch i-cord, the stem is a 3-stitch i-cord, and the center is a 2-stitch i-cord curled around itself.

I took a picture of the back side so you can see how it’s assembled. I had hoped to put a chenille stem (pipe cleaner, for those of my generation) into the center for stability, but the i-cord was just a little too narrow to fit the jumbo-sized chenille stem that I had on hand, so instead I used some very thick floral wire for stability. The extra wire extending from the bottom lets it stand upright without causing the i-cord to push up on itself and wrinkle.

The leaves were a last-minute addition, but they’re a nice touch. Here’s the leaf pattern, done on size 4 needles:

CO 4

Row 1: k1, (kfb) twice, k1. (6 sts total)

Row 2: purl

Row 3: k2, (kfb) twice, k2 (8 sts total)

Row 4: purl

Row 5: k3, (kfb) twice, k3 (10 sts total)

Row 6: purl

Row 7: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1 (8 sts total)

Row 8: purl

Row 9: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1 (6 sts total)

Row 10: purl

Row 9: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1 (4 sts total)

Row 10: purl

Row 9: k2tog, ssk,(2 sts total)

Row 10: purl 2 tog (1 st total)

Pull yarn through remaining stitch to bind off.

I have some bits of Bamboo Pop in other colors, so I’m considering making an entire bouquet for an empty flowerpot. It would be a nice maintenance-free addition to the front porch.

Happy knitting – and gardening!

June 5, 2014June 5, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Rainforest Cardigan

Welcome to the first Throwback Thursday!

Starting this week, we’re going to be featuring designs in retired yarns that would still look great now!

Today we’re featuring the Rainforest Cardigan, originally in Sea Song.

Sea Song was a member of our Fibra Natura line of luxury organic yarns. It consisted of cotton and seacell, both plant fibers which give this garment a relaxed feel. We’re recommending another plant fiber yarn for this garment, Bamboo Pop.

The sideways construction of this cardi makes it especially well-suited for variegated yarns like Bamboo Pop, which also comes in solids. Although slightly thinner than the original yarn, Bamboo Pop will still give 5½ stitches to the inch, the required gauge for this pattern.

This is an easy to knit, easy to wear piece that would be a great accent for mild weather. It’s a classic design with a current look.

Happy knitting!

May 30, 2014May 30, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Netted Tank in Cotton Supreme

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today’s offering is the Netted Tank in Cotton Supreme.

I don’t know about where you are, but here in North Carolina today it is hot with a capital H-O-T. Great timing, then, for a breezy cotton tank!

The Netted Tank uses Cotton Supreme 100% cotton and a simple (k2tog, yo) repeat to create an open and airy mesh that’s a great coverup on a warm day. The twisted ribbing hem in a contrasting color is a great touch!

A great summertime knitting project is just the thing to distract from the heat. I’m thinking I may whip up a batch of something cool with my very favorite lemonade recipe (hint: cut the sugar just a bit), then sit out on the back porch and sip and knit. Ahhhh…

May 25, 2014May 25, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Bamboo Bloom Handpaints

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints color 310 Fuji.

The word of the day is “simplicity.” A very simple garter stitch swatch on size 9 needles. Knit every row and voila. A beautiful textured scarf that would look great with blue jeans and equally great dressed up. Add to your simplicity by kicking off your shoes and enjoying the great outdoors while you’re at it. Bamboo Bloom Handpaints has thick, soft wool sections interspersed with thin, shiny stretches of rayon from bamboo. It won’t weigh you down on a gorgeous summer day like today. There are beautifully coordinating solids in Bamboo Bloom, as well.

Our most popular free pattern for this yarn is Michael del Vecchio’s one ball Persephone Handpaints Cowl, pictured at right. It’s a simple knit on size 10 needles that really lets the texture of the yarn shine through.

We hope you are able to find some time today to appreciate the simple things in life – and to knit!

May 18, 2014May 18, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Classic Shades

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Classic Shades (197yds/100g).

Above, the start of a basic multi-directional scarf on size 8 needles in the founding member of our Classic Shades family of yarns. Classic Shades is a wildly popular yarn, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s got a very affordable price for its generous 197 yards – three balls easily makes Yumiko Alexander’s stunning Arizona Sunset cowl, double-wrapped in the picture at right.

Classic Shades is an acrylic/wool blend in a silky soft single. Durable and machine washable, it’s a great choice for those wanting a self-shading yarn with knockout color.

May 16, 2014May 16, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Dockside Pullover in Flax

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s the Dockside Striped Pullover in Flax.

Ah, summer. It hits us here in the South a little sooner than the rest of y’all. But make no mistake, it’s on its way. With that in mind, we bring you something light and airy for the move to warmer weather.

The Dockside Striped Pullover uses a basic four row stitch pattern to create a breezy fabric. It’s an easy-to-memorize fabric stitch, great for porch knitting. Our Flax 100% linen is the perfect fiber for this, becoming more relaxed and comfortable with each washing – or accidental splash by the lake.

Stay cool – and keep on knitting!

May 12, 2014May 12, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Five

Block Five is called “Check It” (link here).

How’d we do with lace? I have to say, that last square went pretty quickly for us in the office, with no major malfunctions. I feel like we’ve mastered that technique. Good thing, too, since we’re on to something new!

Block Five is called “Check It” for obvious reasons – it uses slipped stitches to create a colorful checkerboard. It’s a clever way to create blocks of color without a lot of picking up and dropping of yarn as you go. As usual, Amy Gunderson has provided us with a video to demonstrate.

Here’s a view of the back side that shows the stitches slipped across the wrong side of the work.

I’m very excited about this block. Slip stitch is such an easy way to create a colorful design!

We’d love to see what you’ve done – share it here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. We’ll see you in two weeks with another great block!

May 9, 2014May 9, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Jest Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s the Jest Scarf in Jubilation Kettle Dye and Deluxe Worsted Superwash.

Amy Gunderson brings us this whimsical design. Colorful petals in Jubilation Kettle Dye Worsted are set against a neutral background of Deluxe Worsted Superwash. There’s no purling in this pattern, just straight knitting back and forth with the curves created by short rows.

I love this unique design. I can envision this in Jubilation color 108, yellows and reds and oranges, to create a cascade of falling leaves. Regardless of color choice, this is definitely a design that tells people you’ve got a light spirit. Surrounded by petals of yarn, how could you not smile?

May 4, 2014May 4, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Little Bird Colors

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Little Bird Colors.

This is color 203. With a name like “Grass Stain” it just had to come outdoors to play.

Little Bird Colors, like its sibling Little Bird, is a smooth machine-washable 100% acrylic with a cottony feel. This yarn glided along my needles with ease. Little Bird Colors comes 344 yards per 100g, so this swatch barely made a dent in the ball.

The stitch used is the same as in the free pattern Little Dreamer Pullover at right. This baby and toddler sweater was designed for Little Bird solids, and I was curious as to how it would look with the stripes of Little Bird Color. Answer – great! The swatch was knitted to the same dimensions as the smallest size of the sweater – 61 stitches wide, with five rows of twisted rib on a US Size 3 needle and the body knitted on a slightly larger US Size 4. I’m tempted to keep going, since baby shower season is upon us and it’s always a good idea to have a spare gift on hand.

For those curious as to what the back side of this slip stitch rib looks like, it’s even and smooth, as you can see.

This was also excellent practice in slip stitch – the next Afghan Knitalong block releases on May 12th and features this technique, so it was a good time to brush up.

We hope you spend a little time outdoors among green and growing things today. Happy knitting!

April 28, 2014April 28, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Four

Block Four is called “Tree Family” (link here).

How did your first lace square go? Feel like you have a handle on the basics?

We had a good time with the last square in the office. Once the chart reading “clicks” it really does make knitting lace easier.

Our new block is also lace with a good helping of stockinette, but it introduces one new stitch – the center double decrease. You’ll slip two as if to knit, then knit a stitch, then pass those two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit. This is a way of reducing three stitches into just one. If you saw yesterday’s Sunday Swatch in Classic Shades Big Time, the mitered square used a centered double decrease to create the line of V-stitches running diagonally up the center of the block.

If this is your first time with this stitch, no worries! Amy has put together a video on the center double decrease, as well as a handy tip on creating some decidedly low-tech stitch markers.

Amy also reveals the technique featured in our next block. It will be… drumroll… slip stitch colorwork!

As always, you’re welcome to share what you’ve done here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. We can’t wait to see what you do!

Happy knitting!