Tag: Pattern

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Free Pattern Friday – Picket Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Little Bird Picket Cardigan 1 blogToday, the Picket Cardigan in Little Bird.

More than one person walked by my desk this week and picked this up to fondle it.  Little Bird (100g/344 yds) gives it a lovely sheen, and the smoothness of the fiber really makes those cables and ribs stand out.  It’s not stiff or bulky at all, but very soft and comfy.  The machine washability makes it a home run for baby knits.

This cardigan is knit in pieces and seamed. The back and sleeves are worked in plain stockinette stitch, while the fronts are cabled.  The pattern is written and charted and contains a schematic.

This would look great on a little girl or a little boy. The buttonholes can be placed on either side – although truthfully I always forget which is which.  Eh, the baby won’t care.

Happy knitting!

 

 

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Lluxurious Llamalini

For me, there are more than a few yarns here in the office that inspire daydreams of beautiful projects.  One of those is Llamalini, a decadent blend of linen, royal llama, and silk bourette.  I’m not the only one – designers are picking up on this gem too.  May we show you what our own Amy Gunderson has done recently?

Dichotomy_Llamalini_1_cropped

Dichotomy looks great with the very in-style color blocks that meander up the body and across the arm.  Worked flat in pieces from the bottom up, it uses a circular needle strictly to accommodate the large number of stitches required for a pullover with up to 10″ of positive ease.  Sleeve cuffs are worked by picking up stitches off the sides of the body piece and knitting downward.

Dichotomy_Llamalini_2_blogColor changes are achieved with the intarsia method.  The contrasting “line” is formed by working increases and decreases in the blocks of color – no cabling required.

You can purchase this pattern on Craftsy or Ravelry.  (Puppy not included)

In the Spring/Summer 2015 knit.purl, the Swingback Hoodie is turning heads.  Amy wrote an in-depth guest blog post about her design process for this piece.

Gunderson_Swingback_Hoodie_1  knitpurl Summer 2015 Gunderson_Swingback_Hoodie_5

A dramatic feather-and-fan panel makes a pointed back hem. The hood, fronts, and back are worked from the top down, while sleeves are worked from the bottom up.

As part of the knit.purl blog post, Lisa Shroyer asked for Amy’s suggestions for personal styles that would work well with this cardi.  We got a little happy in the studio with Amy modeling.  We couldn’t resist giving you all a little taste of the fun we had.

Happy knitting!

Swingback-Loop-GIF

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Free Pattern Friday – Color Block Scarves

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Three Color Scarf B 1 blogToday, the Three Color Scarves in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.

Three Color Scarf B 2 blogIt’s hard to believe that something so simple can look so stunning.  We use the phrase “let the yarn do the work” a lot, but it’s very applicable here.

This is a very basic four row pattern consisting solely of knits, purls, and slipped stitches.  It creates a pebbled texture – not quite a stockinette, not quite a garter stitch.  A subtle pattern to match a subtly variegated yarn, Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (230yds/100g).

Three Color Scarf B 3 blogThis 100% cotton drapes beautifully.  The DK weight means it’s light enough to work for warmer weather, and to wrap around with adding a lot of bulk.

This scarf was a delight to style on our mannequin (we call her Molly), to the point that I had to stop myself from finding more ways to wear this.  Three coordinating colors brighten up any outfit – mix and match to suit your style.

Three Color Scarf A 1 blog

Happily, each scarf only takes about 40 grams of each color – less than half a hank.  So you could easily get two scarves out of your color choice.  Above, we use  306 Storm,  305 Ink Blue,  and302 Sun Lime.  Below we use, 301 Carmine, 304 Blue Skies, and 302 Sun Lime.

Not only is this going into my queue, I’ll also be recommending this to the newer knitters I know.  There’s nothing like an easy project that looks smashing to build confidence.

Happy knitting!

Three Color Scarf A 2 closeup blog

 

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Kauai Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Kauai cardi_blogToday, the Kauai Cardigan in Alana.

Summertime… and the livin’ is easy.  This cardi makes me feel like I should be strolling on the boardwalk in my sandals with a frosty beverage in my hands.  Maybe  I could wear a giant Yashi Sunblock hat with it.

It’s made in Alana (164yds/100g) , a tropically colorful viscose blend.  It’s a great choice for bright color with a sheen.  Speaking from personal experience, I haven’t noticed pooling or flashing – just bright colors and happy hues.

And since we’re talking about free patterns, here’s one that flew under the radar!

The Butterfly Scarf is also in Alana.  We released this fun broomstick lace design a couple of weeks ago, but never actually made it part of a Free Pattern Friday.  Consider it a bonus wish for warm, leisurely days.

Happy crafting!

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Solitaire Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Lumen Multi Solitaire Stole wrapped_blogToday, the Solitaire Stole in Lumen Multi.

Lumen Multi 202 Essence_blogWow.  If there’s a match of design and yarn more suited to Spring, then I don’t know what it could be.  Lumen (right) and its variegated sibling Lumen Multi (134yds/50g) are both a great warm-weather blend.  Mostly matte cotton with stretches of shimmering viscose, it’s got just the right amount of shine to be eye-catching. While it’s perfect in the pastel 204 Reflect, I’m also wondering how it would look in a solid – or even with a variegated body and a solid border, picking up a new color as you knit across.

Lumen Multi Solitaire Stole_blog

This rectangular stole is worked sideways in one piece.  The Diamond Border pattern begins with 25 stitches. On WS rows 2-24, 1 stitch is increased at the beginning of every row. On rows 25-47, stitches are decreased back down.  The border pattern is charted and easy to anticipate without referring to the pattern once you’ve got the hang of it.

This is a great wrap for a brisk evening, when the weather’s a little uncertain but you still want to be prepared.  This is going on my list – after our Rocked knitalong is done!

Happy knitting!

 

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Amy Answers – Basketry Handbag

I got a call today from Ginger at In Sheep’s Clothing, a friendly LYS in Torrington, CT.  She told me about a customer of hers who is working on the Basketry Handbag in Yashi and is having trouble with the Basketry stitch pattern.

Yashi Purse 2_DSC1262

The main stitch pattern on the bag body is really cool looking. In Yashi (100% raffia), it creates a rustic woven look. The stitch pattern is easy enough once you get the hang of it, but can be tricky to wrap your head around it by reading the text instructions only. I decided the best way to help Ginger’s customer was to take a short video demonstrating the technique.

One key piece of advice I have on knitting this handbag in Yashi, is to keep the work very loose on the needles. Yashi is not elastic, so if you’re not conscious of the tautness of the work, things go downhill very fast.

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Sunday Swatch – Uptown Worsted Tapestry

Today’s Sunday swatch is in Uptown Worsted Tapestry.

Uptown Worsted Tapestry swatch blogWhat a pleasure to knit with.  We developed Uptown Worsted Tapestry (180yds/100g) in response to many requests from local yarn stores mourning the loss of Classic Worsted Tapestry, a wool/acrylic blend.  We took the dozen most popular colors of that yarn and brought them back in our Uptown line.

Uptown Worsted Tapestry has the same soft hand and pleasant feel as Uptown Worsted, and can be used interchangeably for gauge, making it a seamless transition when placing a burst of patterning in a solid background.  The free His and Hers Yoke Sweaters shown here are a great example of this.

PC548 main imageBecause this yarn is such a spot-on color match, we’re re-releasing some favorite patterns originally designed for Classic Worsted Tapestry.  Playful Accessories and Throw was formerly a pay collection only available in print.   We’ve made it available now as a free download.  Any of these would work perfectly in Uptown Worsted Tapestry.

These three designs by Michele Wilcox and one by Amy Gunderson are charming ways to add some whimsy and color to your life.  We’ll be releasing more patterns in the weeks to come.

We hope you’ll enjoy this old favorite, given new life.

Happy knitting!

0027Sideways Short Row Hat Tapestry  Afghan Tapestry

0151Raccoon Hat and Mittens Tapestry  0054Chicken Hat and Mitts Tapestry

 

 

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Diamond Cross Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Ariana Diamond Cross Pullover Today, the Diamond Cross Pullover in Ariana.

Things I love about this pattern:

  • The way the lace crosses over each other, as if it’s woven.
  • The fact that it’s made on 6.5mm needles, so it’s a quick knit.
  • The choice of yarn is Ariana (91yds/100g), so it’s a bulky weight yarn in lightweight materials.

Ariana color 108 GrapeAriana is a bamboo tube with light polyamide fibers inside, achieving its size without a lot of weight to stretch and drag.   It’s great fun in accessories like the 2 ball Rivel Cowl (free pattern!) and in larger garments as well.

Sometimes laceweight is great, but sometimes, I want to knock out something gorgeous in a hurry.  I’m keeping this pattern in mind next time I get that urge.

Let’s hear it for big yarn!

PHAT KNITS BY BAUKE KNOTTNERUS
Phat Knits by Bauke Knottnerus

 

Happy knitting!

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Billow Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Billow_GoodEarth_blogToday, the Billow Sweater in Good Earth.

Billow_GoodEarth_detail_rtWhat a great fit for the changing of the seasons.  Big and slouchy, but in the cool cotton/linen blend of Fibra Natura Good Earth (204yds/100g) so it won’t be sweltering in the Spring.  I love the natural, relaxed look of this piece – so comfy with a pair of jeans.

This is a lovely piece, but not a hard one.  Front and back pieces are worked from the bottom up. Stitches are cast on for sleeves and worked up in a single piece with front and back.  The hems feature 2×1 knit/purl ribbing moving up into a garter stitch body.  A seed stitch panel along the sides and along the outside of the arms keeps the design interesting.

This design would be as relaxing to make as to wear.  It’s calming just to think about.  Maybe tonight I’ll have a glass of mint tea and knit a swatch.  Bliss.

Happy knitting.

Billow_GoodEarth_back_blog

 

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Varia Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Varia Sweater in Llamalini_blogToday, the Varia Pullover in Llamalini.

Llamalini ComestiblesI may have mentioned this before, but Fibra Natura Llamalini (109yds/50g) is a favorite around here.  A blend of royal llama, linen, and silk bourette, it has a rich, heathered depth of color.  I’ve got a hank of Mulberry on my desk right now that I snuck out of our samples (don’t tell!) just so I can look at it and think about what it wants to be.

Varia Sweater shoulder_blogOur sales manager Yonca clearly had bigger plans than me when she came up with this design.  She’s got a good eye – we note that the upcoming Vogue Knitting has several solid cable sweaters with stripe detailing.  This design is very on trend.

Varia Swater pocket_blogThe garment is knitted in pieces and seamed, and the pockets are added afterward, so it’s easy to leave them off if you prefer.  For myself, I love the bursts of color that they lend, breaking up the line in a way that’s flattering for those of us who might be wearing something, let’s say, a little bigger than the extra-small size.

This is a great transitional piece – the Llamalini is warm but not stifling, and the half sleeves would work well in Spring or Fall.

Maybe I should grab a few more skeins from our samples and dream a little bigger…

Happy knitting!