Free Pattern Friday – Shaded Stripes

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Shaded Stripes in Major (pattern link here).

There’s a lot to love about this easy pullover.  The way the stripes look in reverse stockinette, the comfy fit, the interest provided by two colors of self-shading yarn… we could go on.

This is a good, basic sweater pattern that goes fairly quickly on US size 10 (6mm) needles.  Knit it in pieces, then seam.  If you’ve been a little leery of trying a sweater, this would be a good one to start on.

An image of a black and gray ball of yarn labeled MAJOR.

The sweater uses Major in two colors – 126 Honeydew and 117 Graphite (shown).   You could go wild with color combinations, or keep it grounded by sticking with monochrome 117 Graphite for one of your shades.  There are a lot of possibilities here.

We hope you have a stellar weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Collar Cowl in Major

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Collar Cowl in Major (pattern link).

Don’t you love it when a yarn does half the work for you?  Self-striping Major makes this knitting project super colorful.

This collar cowl is perfect as an extra layer just beneath your coat during blustery winter days. The cowl is worked in the round from the bottom-up with shaping intended to perfectly hug the neck and shoulders. The result is an especially warm accessory.

Worked in bulky-weight Major, this cowl is also a quick knit. Since one skein is enough for two cowls, why not make one for yourself and another as a gift for someone special?

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.  Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Garter Baskets

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Garter Baskets in Yashi and Yashi Iro (link here).

It’s been a while since we’ve shared something for the home.  These baskets are a quick and easy knitting project.

Worked from the center to edge, judicious placement of “wrap and turn” every few rows forms a curved edge.   100% raffia Yashi (solid) or Yashi Iro (multi) give a nice texture to the finished bowl.

We hope you enjoy this tasteful and decorative project.

Happy knitting!

E-book Color Fusion at a glance

Have you seen it? Amy Gunderson and Tori Gurbisz have released an e-book of seven colorful patterns designed for Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash.

Color Fusion is available on Ravelry as an e-book or individual patterns.

Take a look!

Free Pattern Friday – Boxtop

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Boxtop in Garden 10 (pattern link here).

Sometimes simple is good. That’s what we have here, a simple, boxy pullover, perfect over a tank top.  The asymmetrical placement of the neck causes the hem to hang lower in the back than the front.

As shown, it uses Garden 10 mercerized Egyptian Giza cotton thread, loosely knitted on a US size 4 (3.5mm) needle. We think this piece would also look great in Flax Lace.  Plant fibers provide a breathability and drape that work well with this sideways-knit top.

The body is knitted as a big rectangle, using intarsia for the color changes.  Seam together the edges of the color blocks to create armholes.  Easy work that’s good for knitting while chatting, but those color changes help keep things from getting dull.

This would be a great top to personalize with your own color choices.  Black and blue?  Peaches and cream?  The sky’s the limit.

Happy crafting!

Bamboo Bloom Handpaints – Limited Edition 329 Fugu

New and beautiful this season…

We had such a great time with our last limited edition Bamboo Bloom Handpaints that we decided to do it again. This time, it’s 329 Fugu.

Fugu is the Japanese word for pufferfish.  One minute it’s sleek and streamlined…

Hi there!

The next minute it’s quite a bit bulkier!

HI THERE!!

So it is with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, transitioning from smooth and silky to fluffy puffs and back again.  And given the cool blue ocean tones of this color, we thought it was appropriate.

When I got my hands on this, my immediate thought was, “this would make a beautiful Hanasaku Cowl.”  It led to a lot of joy, sorting through our stock of Poems to see what would pair well.  In the end it came down to two choices.

Poems 616 Chevron looks great with it, and I was curious to see how that yellow would interplay with the greens.  In fact, Yarn Bazaar in NJ has kitted up this combo!

In the end I went a different way.

I liked the darkness and overall violet-blue of Poems in Arles 601, and am pleased with how this turned out.

I still may go back and make one in the other combo.  Honestly, these slip-stitch cowls are fun and quick to make.  It’s a great go-to project for something colorful and impressive-looking.

The Hanasaku Cowl is available for sale on Ravelry – but if you hit your local yarn shop, they can download it for free for you.  You might want to grab a skein of Fugu while you can, too.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Hidden Treasure Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Hidden Treasure Poncho in Major (link here).

There’s actually not much hidden about today’s pattern. There is, however, a lot to treasure.  This poncho uses self-striping Major, which comes in ginormous 200g balls.  Here’s a picture – Amy Gunderson for scale.

Peekaboo!

This yarn is a favorite because it’s easy to get a substantial project out of very few balls.   Today’s design, for instance, calls for just three.

On size 10½ (6.5mm) needles, make two rectangles, then seam at the shoulders.  Pick up and knit around for the ribbed collar, and you’re done.  The stitch pattern is both written and charted, and doesn’t require a cable needle.

Last step: wear and treasure your work.

We hope you enjoy this gem of a poncho.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Java Jive Mug Rugs

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Java Jive Mug Rugs in Java (click for pattern page).

These are a knitting trifecta – quick, easy, and practical.  Wouldn’t they make a great housewarming gift?

100% hemp Fibra Natura Java is sturdy enough for this very usable home dec project, as well as being machine washable.

The pattern is a basic two-row slip stitch repeat that only uses one color per row.  Simple, but it gives a sophisticated, almost woven look.

While only four coasters are pictured, you can get a set of eight out of the required yarn – more if you do the fringe in a different color.  Like we say – quick and easy!

We hope you have a great weekend.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Darcy Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Darcy Vest in Bella Cash.

This is a great transitional piece for the cool weather that’s coming up.  (Cool weather is coming up, right?  Because here in the South, we’re very ready.)

Yes, there is a key in the pattern.This vest is worked traditionally, from the hem up in pieces.  The Lovely Lace pattern lives up to its name – simple, but pretty.   It’s written and charted, and the pattern contains a schematic.

We’re big fans of Bella Cash here, as you may have gathered from recent Free Pattern Fridays like the Dulcet Wrap.  The yarn is a lightweight fine merino/nylon/cashmere blend that’s pleasant to work with and looks beautiful knitted or crocheted up.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern.  Have a great weekend, and happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Hibiscus Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Hibiscus Scarf in Garden 10.

It’s summertime, but that’s no reason to skip the pretty accessories! This scarf calls for two balls of Nazli Gelin Garden 10 mercerized cotton, using one of the variegated shades in that yarn. The colors in this cotton are rich and saturated.

The body of this shallow shaped scarf is knitted at the same time as its border. As with all stockinette, this scarf will curl some, allowing bits of the lace to peek through depending on how you wear it.

This is a lovely lightweight piece that won’t sit heavy on your lap as you work it.

We hope you have a great weekend.  Happy knitting!