Knitspiration – The Long Fence

How about a little summer in the midst of winter?

The Long Fence by Romare Bearden
The Long Fence by Romare Bearden (1986)

Romare Bearden (1911-1988) has a special place in my heart.  He hails from my hometown of Charlotte, NC, just down the road from Universal Yarn.  He moved to New York and contributed to Harlem’s vibrant arts scene in the 30’s and 40’s, often using imagery from his home state.  Romare Bearden was that fortunate artist who gained respect and recognition in his lifetime, with his works displayed in important collections around the globe.  If you’re ever in Charlotte, take a pleasant stroll through Romare Bearden Park – then come up the road and see us.

His use of color is inspiring.

Uptown Worsted pinwheel

 

The bright colors…

Northanger Abbey_blog
Northanger Abbey Shawl in Garden 10
Goldenrod in Flax
Goldenrod in Flax from Back to Natura
Seashells Hoodie in Deluxe DK Superwash from Fall Classics
Seashells Hoodie in Deluxe DK Superwash from Fall Classics

…with more natural tones.

Timbers Hat in Uptown DK
Timbers Hat in Uptown DK from e-book Mountain Ridge Knits
Emerald Isle Lap Blanket in Deluxe Worsted from 50 Knitted Gifts
Emerald Isle Lap Blanket in Deluxe Worsted from 50 Knitted Gifts

So many choices.  So many directions to explore.

Happy knitting!

 

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Seabird Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Good Earth Adorn Seabird Shawl_blog

Today, the Seabird Shawl in Good Earth and Good Earth Adorn.

This shawl is aptly named!  The colors are reminscent of sea and sand, and the triangular shape makes you want to spread your wings.

Good Earth Adorn Seabird Shawl back_blogIt’s a warm-ish weather shawl, designed for our cotton/linen blends Good Earth (103 Desert) and Good Earth Adorn (304 Breeze).   A look at the back shows how Adorn works up into subtle variegated bands.  It’s a nice touch.

It goes without saying that this would be good beach knitting – light on your lap as you soak in the sun.  I’m looking at this shawl and dreaming of warmer days.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Mary Layering Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Mary Layering Tee_blog

Today, the Mary Layering Tee in Merino XF Superwash.

Mary Layering Tee_back_blogThere’s an old song by George M. Cohan called “Mary.”  It’s all about how these days, some girls named Mary might change their names to Marie to be cutting edge, but there’s something reassuring about sticking with Mary and having the confidence to know that you’re a classic.

That’s what we have in the Mary Layering Tee.  It’s worked from the bottom up in pieces, with short row shaping at the hem.  The front henley placket is decorative rather than functional.   Overall, this design is sweet and simple, like the name Mary in the song.

Also sweet and simple is the called-for Merino XF Superwash.  Very soft, but also practical in its ability to be machine washed.  I did a swatch in this last February and can tell you that it is very pleasant to work with.

We hope you make time to appreciate the sweet and simple things in your life this weekend.

Happy knitting!

 

Bamboo Pop Adult

BambooPopAdultCover_final

It’s here!  Our new e-book Bamboo Pop Adult is finally available for download from Ravelry and Craftsy.  Patterns are also available individually.

Bamboo Pop is one of our most popular yarns.  Our e-books Bamboo Pop Kids and Bamboo Pop Dolls were well-received, but we had a lot of people requesting grownup designs.  Here they are!

Craftsy Boho1

 

The Boho Tank is an A-line top worked from the bottom up.  Sandi Rosner provided the embroidery detail, showing once again that what designer Charles Eames said is true – “The details are not the details. They make the design.”

 

Craftsy Dewdrops1

 

The crochet Dewdrops Tank is worked in two pieces and seamed.  While I love the bright contrasting colors Amy Gunderson chose for the “dewdrops,” this would be a great piece to customize.  Just use your favorite colors as accents!

 

Craftsy DrapeFront1   Craftsy DrapeFront3 back

The Drape-Front Cardi above may be a candidate for “most wearable design.”  The flow of the fabric flatters a range of frames.

Craftsy Hospitality1Here’s my favorite – the Hospitality Tee! Down South, the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality, so as a native Southerner this feels like a very welcoming design to me.  As a knitter, I appreciate details like the corrugated ribbing at the sleeves and hem and the pink applied crochet chain stripe that gives it an extra pop of color.

 

Craftsy Staggered1   Craftsy Staggered3

Love love love.  The dramatic Staggered Shawl has the graphic styling that is so popular, and it’s so easy to knit.  No purling – just garter stitch!

Craftsy Steeple1The Steeple Pullover has been an early favorite on Ravelry.  Work it bottom-up in the round, then separate for the armholes.  The pattern is written and charted, like all patterns in Bamboo Pop Adults (except the super-simple Staggered Shawl). Sized from extra small to 3X, this is a great breezy design to dress up or down when the weather has just a hint of chill.

 

Craftsy Surf1

 

Surf ‘n Stripe is a simple eyelet design accented with bands of color.  Knit in two pieces and seamed, this slouchy and comfortable dolman-sleeved top strikes me as great vacation knitting!

 

 

Craftsy Tennis1

 

The Tennis Vest  is a classic design.  The twist cable and rib pattern is quite stretchy, making it a perfect layering piece.  I hate feeling like a stuffed sausage when a sweater over a shirt doesn’t breathe with me – this is a great vest for looking as cool as you feel.

 

 

Craftsy ColorworkCardiHat2

 

From the cover, the Colorwork Cardi and Colorwork Hat featured on the cover are two super-cute coordinating patterns.  The cardi is a top-down seamless sweater (with pockets!) and the hat can be customized to be taller or shorter as you wish by adding or subtracting pattern repeats.

 

I’m not sure what I’m going to knit first.  I’m thinking maybe the Staggered Shawl.  I’ve been wanting a very modern accessory, and that looks fabulous.  We’d love to see what you make!

Happy knitting!

Knitspiration – Frozen Waterfall

If the groundhog is right, we’re in for six more weeks of winter.  As lovers of yarn, we are undaunted!

Frozen Waterfall colorsWe’re going to embrace our inner Elsa and love those cool tones.

Flax
Flax

We’re going to pull out the needles and hooks and savor every moment!

Isadora in Poems Chunky
Isadora in Poems Chunky

 

Skyscraper Shawl in Classic Shades Big Time

 

Cruelty-Free Wrap in Bamboo Bloom
Lotus Shrug in Whisper Lace

How about you?  What will you make with your six weeks?

Free Pattern Friday – Raglan Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Ariana Ribbed Pullover_blogToday, the Raglan Tee in Ariana.

As I was writing this post, our sales manager Yonca came in and saw the tee and smiled.  I wanted to share what she said.

“This is the design that made me want to have this yarn.  I saw a tee knit up and fell in love with the look and feel.  It’s just perfect.”

So there you have it: this is the tee that inspired the yarn.  The yarn in question is Ariana (100g/91yds), a smooth, sleek knitted tube that looks quite polished, especially in this ribbed tee.

The Raglan Tee is knit from the bottom upon circular needles.  Separate at the armholes for the raglan shaping, then add the sleeves (knit separately).   K1 p1 ribbing is very stretchy, and on US size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles this will go quickly.

It’s a great example of a simple design that doesn’t go out of style.

Happy knitting!

 

Knitspiration – Comestibles

Blizzard coming your way? Let’s warm up.

Comestibles Dorothy Dell Dennison 1952 with swatches_blog
Comestibles by Dorothy Dell Dennison (1952)

Not scorching, perhaps, but warm enough to want to stay in the shade.  The open, inviting doorway is a connection rather than a divider between the two women. Although both are occupied with the tasks of day-to-day  life, you can almost hear the conversation.  Is the seated woman knitting?  I’d like to think so.

Llamalini Comestibles
Fibra Natura Llamalini

This reminds me of the warm tones in Llamalini, a blend of royal alpaca, linen, and silk bourette spun in Argentina.  There are some additional jeweltones rounding out the palette that you can see on our website.

What do these colors inspire you to make?

Generosity in Llamalini
Botanical Scarf in Good Earth Adorn
Southwest Suns Shawl in Good Earth
Yatomi Pullover in Nettle Lana

If you’re in the storm’s path, stay in.  Pick up a project.  Think thoughts of sunnier days.

Happy knitting.

 

 

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Loft Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Allore Loft Jacket_blog

Today, the Loft Jacket in Allore.

Allore 101 Nero hi-res
Allore Color 101 Nero

Allore (109yds/50g) is new for Rozetti Yarns this season, and we love it.  It’s light and lofty, with a brushed, slightly fuzzy appearance.  But what takes it to the next level is a) it’s got lovely gradations in shade, and b) glitter!  A metallic strand running through it makes it easy to make instant “dress up” pieces. Working on a US 9-11 needle means knits go fast.

This jacket is worked flat from the bottom up and then seamed.  Regularly spaced twists give it just the right amount of texture.  Add buttonholes at the collar or secure it with a pin, as we’ve done here.

I love this jacket.  What a great mix of cozy and elegant.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Sheldon Sheep & Friends

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Sheep group shot posed_blog

Today, Sheldon Sheep & Friends in Deluxe Chunky Naturals.

First things first: I am going to try to restrain myself from making sheep puns.  But no promises.  These little friends inspire a certain playfulness.

Our wooly friends made their debut at the Winter TNNA Trade Show, where we asked local yarn store owners as well as our Facebook family to help us name them.  And you delivered.  Meet Sheldon, Sheila, Sherry, Shirley, and Woolma!

Each is made in a shade of our Deluxe Chunky Naturals.  It’s particularly fitting, because those shades are completely undyed.  They come from different flocks, so each color of yarn is the color of the sheep that it came from.  In this case, the wool is literally going from one sheep to another!

Sheep single shot 1_blogThe construction on these is a blend of knit and crochet.  The limbs and face are knit in color 1900 Ebony, with the body and wool cap being crocheted in just one skein of the main color.  There are some nice details, like short row shaping on the heels for a more foot-like shape.

When crocheting the body and wooly cap, the wrong side faces you as you work.  The textured alternating triple crochet/single crochet naturally falls to the opposite side.  Simply turn the pieces inside out before completing.

Sheep cap_blogThe crochet cap surrounds the knitted face like a snug hood.  The ears are attached to the cap, but if you are a proficient crocheter you could surely leave openings for a completely removable cap.  We didn’t, though – we don’t want anyone’s head to get cold!

These guys and gals are adorable in the Naturals, but I’m also thinking about a technicolor toy in a non-natural shade of Deluxe Chunky.  Chartreuse sheep, anyone?

We hope you enjoy these adorable little friends.   Happy crafting!  Wool see you next time!

(Darn.  So close without a pun.)

Sheep two shot 1_blog
That was baaaaad.

Free Pattern Friday – Stairstep Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

StairstepTunic_ClassicShadesFrenzy_blog

Oh, look!  Another warm garment for me to steal!  The Stairstep Tunic in Classic Shades Frenzy is a cozy treat for this time of year.

The hem, cuffs, and collar all feature twists resembling tiny faux-cables.  Knit the front, back, and cap sleeves flat, then assemble.  The overlapping collar is knitted separately and attached last.  On US size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles, this isn’t a project that will drag on forever.

This is a good match of yarn and project – variegated Classic Shades Frenzy provides visual interest but doesn’t obscure the details.

I love this piece.  Instead of stealing it, I think I’ll make my own.

StairstepTunic_ClassicShadesFrenzy_blog_backHappy knitting!