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

Free Pattern Friday – TNNA Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the TNNA Cardi in Bamboo Pop.

Here’s how this sweater happened.

“You know what we ought to do at this year’s National Needlearts Association Summer Show?  We ought to all wear matching outfits.”

“Yes!  And they should all be sweaters in our yarn!”

“Yes!!  And we should make them for the entire show staff!!”

Sometimes we get a little carried away.  But hey, go big or go home, right?  And thus was born the TNNA Cardi.

Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – TNNA Cardi”

Free Pattern Friday – Chasing Vines Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Chasing Vines Cowl in Cotton True Sport. We’ve had a recent rush of rain here, and everything is green and growing and glorious.  I was reminded of this again when looking at these photos from Jonas Farms, home to many a happy horse here in North Carolina. Their hay fields ready to be cut…
Hay fields at Jonas Farms, May 2016
And after more than a thousand bales have been put up.
“Last stack of over 1000 bales picked up in two days.”
Breathe deep, and imagine the glorious smell of cut grass, times infinity.  You can’t help but think of green and growing things. Enter the Chasing Vines Cowl. Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – Chasing Vines Cowl”

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

Free Pattern Friday – Reversa-Lace Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

CS Batik Reversible Lace Scarf over shoulder blog

Today, the Reversa-Lace Scarf in Cotton Supreme Batik.

Self-striping yarn can be a blessing or a curse.  It looks so pretty, but sometimes when you actually knit it up it does unexpected things… and not in a good way.  That’s one reason Cotton Supreme Batik is a great choice for this pattern.  The striping repeats are very predictable, and they don’t overpower the lace pattern.

CS Batik Reversible Lace Scarf one wrap blogThis two-ball scarf in color 37 Mint Flower uses k2tog and yo to create its eyelets, making this a good basic lace pattern for beginners.  It’s more sophisticated than a simple netting, but there’s nothing too fiddly to deal with.

I love the way the striping matches up on both sides, and the way the lace shows rather than the yarn.  If you’re going to bother with a pattern, you want your work to show!

We hope you have a great weekend, with plenty of time to enjoy this beautiful May weather.

Happy knitting!

CS Batik Reversible Lace Scarf passthrough square

Free Pattern Friday – Poppy Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Red Stole long blog

Today, the Poppy Stole in Cotton True Sport.

Red Stole wrapped blogLast week we featured the simplest possible pattern, so we thought it was time to share something more complex.  Gorgeous, right?  And in Cotton True Sport (100% Pima cotton; 50g/197 yds) it’s seasonally appropriate.

This scarf is a 20 row repeat, charted across all 93 stitches.  Increase over the first half of the repeat and decrease for the second to create the diamond border.  The panels in between are simple yarn overs combined with k2tog to create an airy eyelet.

We hope you enjoy this lovely free pattern from Amy Gunderson.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Eyelet Skirt

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Flax Eyelet Skirt 2 blog

Today, the Eyelet Skirt in Flax.

And… twirl!  This sweet summery skirt is knit in our 100% linen Flax (137yds/50g) and is flattering to a wide variety of body types.

Flax Eyelet Skirt 1 detail_hi-resThis is a 4 panel skirt knitted flat and seamed, with easy eyelet lace at the flaring hem. This is a good first project in lace as the patterning is worked on right side rows only. The lace is charted, but simple to follow even if you’re not an expert chart reader.  Fit is easy in the waist using your choice of drawstring tie or elastic.

We hope you enjoy this bit of lovely linen.

Happy knitting!

Flax Eyelet Skirt 1 blog

Free Pattern Friday – Spring Rain

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Alana Spring Rain blogToday, the Spring Rain Tank in Alana.

This summery tank is knit in one piece from the bottom up. Work the lower body in the round, then separate at the armholes to work front and back.

See that V-neck?  Believe it or not, there is no neck shaping involved. The stretchy lace stitch pattern combined with the drape of viscose blend Alana (158yds/100g) causes the shoulders to naturally fall into place.

Amy Gunderson calls for a Twisted German Cast-On in this pattern, due to its greater flexibility.  She says, “The lace pattern is fairly open and stretchy, and I didn’t want it to be constrained by a too-tight cast-on.”

It’s not a hard technique.  If you can do a long-tail cast-on, you can do this.  I used this recently for a pair of top-down socks and loved it.  It’s a Goldilocks cast-on.  Not too tight, not too loose, just right.  The Knit Witch has a good how-to video on this technique.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern.  Happy knitting!

 

Free Pattern Friday – Starry Road Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Universe Starry Road Shawl loose blog

Today, the Starry Road Scarf in Universe.

Breathtaking, isn’t it? Universe (246yds/50g) is the yarn we created specifically for our tenth anniversary, and it’s unlike anything else out there.  A cotton/linen blend held with a metallic strand, wrapped in polyamide for greater strength, it’s perfect for lacy shawls and scarves like the Starry Road Scarf.

Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – Starry Road Scarf”

Free Pattern Friday – Swirling River Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Swirling RiverCardigan_front_blog

Today, the Swirling River Cardigan in Uptown DK.

This is a great light sweater for Spring in a lovely lightweight yarn.  Uptown DK (273yds/100g) is 100% anti-pilling machine washable acrylic.  Even if you’re a fiber snob, as I confess I sometimes am, you’ll be surprised by just how pleasant it is to work with, and just how nicely it knits up.

SwirlingRiverCardgan_back_blogThis cardi is traditionally constructed, knit in pieces from the bottom up.  The collar and button band are picked up and knitted after finishing the garment.  The Little Swirl and Big Swirl lace repeats are both written and charted.

We love this sweet piece, perfect for the cusp of the changing seasons.  We hope you do too.

Happy knitting!