Free Pattern Friday – KISS Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

red lace cotton scarf on a tan dressform

Today, the KISS Scarf in Cotton Supreme Splash.

red lace cotton scarf tied at the neck on a dressformA while back, we had a request for a super-simple lace scarf for a beginner.  Well, it doesn’t get much simpler than this.  The KISS Scarf is a few rows of garter stitch, followed by a one-row k2tog,yo repeat with a garter stitch border on the edges.  It’s fully reversible, and it only takes one half of a ball of Cotton Supreme Splash (100g/180yds) meaning it won’t take forever, even for a beginner.

(Edit: I was so excited about this pattern that I accidentally wrote  k2, yo instead of k2tog yo*.  The pattern was right, but the article was wrong – it would have led to a dramatically increasing row every time.  Thanks to all of you eagle-eyed knitters!)

This pattern would work well with any of the yarns in the Cotton Supreme family.  Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Batik both have the same yardage per ball, so they could be used interchangeably here.  Go down a needle size for a slightly skinnier scarf (or just cast on more stitches in an even number) and use Cotton Supreme DK or DK Seaspray.

 

The remaining half a ball of Cotton Supreme Splash is sitting on my desk right now, tempting me.  I could knit another… or I could use it to teach someone else to knit.  Decisions, decisions.

Happy knitting!

A red lace scarf with one end thrown over the shoulder of a dressform. A silver shawl pin fastens the scarf together.

 

Free Pattern Friday – Aria Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Aria Cardigan in Universe.

This glorious, glittering garment is perfect for a night at the opera, or anywhere you want to make an entrance.

We designed this cardigan for sparkling Universe, the cotton/linen/glitter blend we created for our 10th anniversary.  It’s got the perfect texture and shine for pieces that stand out in a crowd.

 

This design is written and charted, and contains a schematic.

The Aria Cardigan makes our hearts sing.  We hope you enjoy it too.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Bienne Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Bienne Tee in Flax Lace.

This tee is named after the town of Bienne, Switzerland.  Both German and French are spoken there, and with its old Gothic architecture and modern high rises, the city is a beautiful blend of rustic and sophisticated.

Likewise, the Bienne Tee is a lovely mix of cables and lace in sturdy Flax Lace 100% linen, a classic plant fiber that softens with every wash.

It’s easy to see how good this would look over a tank or cami, with contrasting color capris  or jewelry.  Although it’s a classic in color 101 Taupe as pictured, I’m wondering how something more colorful might work.   There are a lot of lovely tones to choose from.

Happy knitting!

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – North Window Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the North Window Stole in Universe.

It’s a simple formula:  sparkly yarn+ crochet = gorgeous.

The three row body repeat creates a striking fabric in our 10th anniversary yarn Universe (246yds/50g), a blend of cotton, linen, and glitter wrapped in a polyamide thread for greater durability.

Ooh… aah…

Worked on a size C-2 (2.75mm) hook, this design features a pineapple edging with picots, adding  to the elegance of the stole.

Delicate and divine.

We hope you enjoy this gorgeous crochet lace piece.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Swift Current Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

swift-current-scarf-social-media-no-text

Today, the Swift Current Scarf in Classic Shades Frenzy.

I’m a sucker for blues and greens.  The beauty of multi-colored yarns is that I don’t have to pick between one or the other.  They’re both there, as in color 911 Stranded of Classic Shades Frenzy.  It reminds me of the rushing aquamarine waters of the  Soča river that runs through Slovenia and Italy.

I want to go to there.
Photo: Andreas Resch – Everyone grab a WIP and let’s go.

swift-current-scarf-detail-blogThe Swift Current Scarf uses crochet shells and open spaces – along with some aggressive blocking – to create an airy texture.  For symmetry, the scarf is worked from the middle out in two halves.  It’s a two-ball project- make one half with one ball, then go back to the first row to start the second half in the other direction.

We hope you have a glorious weekend, dreaming of beautiful places and making beautiful things.  As they say in Slovenian, se vidimo kasneje!

Wheeeeeee!

Just for you – Garden Metallic Lacy Knits

If you’re a good little crafter, you’re already busy making your holiday gifts.  Or you could be more like me and have the best intentions, but then somehow it’s the last minute and you’ve knocked out an emergency pair of Felted Scuffles and are frantically drying them with a hair dryer.

Somehow it seems that every year, one thing is true:  in all the confusion, I never wind up knitting for myself.

Not this year.

Kristin Hansen's Garden Metallic Lacy Knits

Ever since this gorgeous book of Kristin Hansen knitted lace for Garden Metallic came out, I’ve had my eye on… well, on all of the patterns.  I had the pleasure of helping prepare the garments for this photo shoot. Touching each delicate masterpiece was enough to make me fall in love.  The one that sets my pulse racing, though, is the Midnight Sun Shawl, perhaps because it shares a name with one of my favorite songs.

https://youtu.be/pr5x7ivORUU?t=2m50s

Fetch my wrap, dear. The night is young and so are we.

The printed book is now also an e-book, as well as individual patterns.  So this year, I’m going to myself something beautiful.  I’m telling myself there’s still time this season, although realistically, I know myself and it will probably be next year before this sees the light of day.  And I have nowhere to wear something this glamorous – but I have faith that if I make it, then the opportunity will present itself.  Or perhaps I’ll be more likely to make my own opportunity.

If you’d like a lovely length of lace to call your own, don’t wait until everything else is done.  It never will be.  Do it now, just for you.

You’re worth it.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern – Stonefall Poncho

week-of-major-blog

What can make you look forward to hump day?  The promise of a free pattern!

stonefall-poncho-blog

Today, the Stonefall Poncho in Major.
If you’ve been following our blog, you know that Major (200g/328yds) is a brand new big, bulky, beautiful yarn that we’re shipping to LYSes as we speak.  It’s great for both knit and crochet projects, like the one-ball crochet Zeppelin Scarf at right.

Today’s offering is a bulky weight lacy poncho knit on size 10 needles.  It’s worked flat in two pieces, then seamed at the shoulders.  Pick up around the neck to finish it off.

Major Color 118
Major Color 118

This poncho calls for three balls of color 118, Silver Blush.  It’s got a hint of pale peachy pink to set off the silver/gray of the darker bands.  It reminds me of stones that surprise you with bands of color.

Gneiss! (via sandatlas.org)
Gneiss! (via sandatlas.org)

We hope you have a great day, and find a little  inspiration in the world around you.  Happy crafting!

stonefall-poncho-three-quarters-blog

Free Pattern Friday – Interlacement Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

interlacementsweater2_deluxeworsted_hires

Today, the Interlacement Sweater in Deluxe Worsted.

The weather’s cooling down, and you know what that means.

https://vine.co/v/eQTpUzPxedi

At last!  Sweater weather! Who doesn’t love sweater weather?

Revenge will be mine.
That was a rhetorical question.

interlacementsweater4_deluxeworsted_hiresWell, we have something pretty and polished for you.  The Interlacement Sweater is designed for our Deluxe Worsted 100% wool (220yds/100g), which means it would work equally well in Deluxe Worsted Superwash or Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash if you’re looking for something you can toss in the washing machine.

Knitted flat and seamed, this pattern is written and charted and contains a schematic.  The lace inserts are right and left twists – no cable needle required.

We hope you enjoy this lovely project, and that you get to enjoy the Autumn breeze at least once this weekend.

Happy crafting!

corgi-in-sweater
Yes! Sweater weather!!

Free Pattern Friday – Sizzle Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

UptownDK Sizzle Scarf blog

Today, the Sizzle Scarf in Uptown DK.

We love this!  So bright and summery.  Two balls of Uptown DK (273yds/100g) in 139 Bright Salmon makes this long crescent-shaped scarf.  As fun as this is in one color, can you imagine it in two? It’s knit from the bottom up, so how about switching to a second shade after working the leaf lace?

We hope you have a great weekend, and make every pattern you touch your own.

Happy knitting!

UptownDK_NeonShawl2

 

Free Pattern Friday – Just Breathe

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Flax Natural Lace Pullover 180dpi

Today, Just Breathe in Flax.

Having a hard time with these hectic days?  Facebook feed full of politics?  Us too.  But you know what? It’s going to be okay.  Here’s what we’re going to do.

Take a deep breath, from all the way down in your belly….  then let it out.  Feel the tension drain away.  Repeat as necessary.  If you need a little technical help, close your door and take two minutes at calm.com to relax.

Here’s what else we’re going to do.  We’re going to push aside the needs of others, just for a while, and we’re going to hit the LYS.  We’re going to chat with the staff, walk the aisles and touch the yarn, and walk out with enough yarn to make something beautiful.

And that’s where this top comes in.

Flax Natural Lace Pullover detail 180dpi

Just Breathe is made in 100% linen Fibra Natura Flax (137yds/50g) in color 105 Natural.  Flax softens with each wash, making this a top that will get more and more comfortable with time.  The six-row horseshoe lace pattern will require some mindful attention, but not so much that you frown in frustration.  Just enough to keep you focused on the moment.

Make a little time away from the worries of the world to knit.  Your rewards will be a feeling of refreshment, and a beautiful, versatile lace pullover that will be a favorite for a long time to come.

Happy knitting.

Flax 105 Natural loose hi-res