Throwback Thursday – Bethany

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Bethany

Today, we have Bethany!  Originally this was a “pay” pattern, but we’ve released it into the wild as a free pattern and bring it to you today to enjoy.

First stitched in Fibra Natura Cottonwood, this would make a great cover-up in either Bamboo Pop or Little Bird, which would provide great drape for this piece.  You might also try Uptown Baby Sport anti-pilling acrylic.  Uptown Baby Sport’s palette features some very sweet pastels, and at 361 yards per ball you’d only need three balls to make the smallest size.

In this traditional knit-flat cardi, the easy lace pattern is featured on both front and back.  A great lacy sweater to start now and have ready when the first chill creeps back into the air.

Happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Swoop Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Bamboo Glam Swoop Tee final_blog

Today, we feature the Swoop Tee in Bamboo Glam.

Bamboo Glam 3-shot hi-res_cutout_RavBamboo Glam is brand new for us, although as you can tell from the model we’ve already gotten some advance samples and have had a blast working with it.  It’s 96% bamboo with 4% glitter for just the right amount of glam.  Our full stock is due to arrive any time now and we can’t wait!

Bamboo Glam Swoop Tee detailThis top is constructed in a bit of an unusual way.  First the mesh sleeve saddles are knit sideways.  Then stitches are picked up off the sides of the saddles and the back and front are worked down. They’re joined after a couple of inches and the body is worked in the round down to the hem.

The “Swoop” lace is on both the front and the back of the tee.

What a great warm-weather project!

Happy knitting!

 

 

 

Throwback Thursday – Set Sail Top

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Set Sail Top

Today, a perfect fit for summer – the Set Sail Top.  Originally knit in our Links cotton, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme DK (100g/230yds).  This is a particularly economical substitution – while it would have taken 20 balls of Links to make the largest size of this top, you could knit it with just 4 balls each of two colors in Cotton Supreme DK.  Score!

Set Sail Top DetailThis top is knit flat and stitched up, then the neck trim is crocheted and whipstitched to the neckline.  Presto – a cool and breezy cotton top perfect for warmer weather.

We hope you enjoy this light and fun multi-craft project.

Happy knitting!

 

Afghan Knitalong – Block Ten

Block Ten is live!

10 Carousel block_blogSo colorful!  Block Ten “Carousel” builds on the same center-out technique we learned in Block Nine “Best Buds.”  I love how Amy picked three colors for her block with high contrast – it’s so vivid!

Amy shares another video with us, this one on knitting in the round using one long circular and the “magic loop” method as opposed to DPNs (double-pointed needles).

This is the method I personally use for most of my socks and projects in the round.  For a small square like this, there’s not necessarily an advantage to circular vs. double-pointed needles, it’s all a matter of personal preference.  Give them both a try and see which one works best for you!

We have a bonus video as well, on weaving in ends to eliminate those pesky pointy corners, using last week’s block as an example.

Enjoy this second chance to knit from the center out.  We’ll be back again in a couple of weeks with our next technique!

Free Pattern Friday – Pathways Vest in Cotton Supreme

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Pathways Vest Cotton Supreme front view blog

Today, we share the Pathways Vest by Amy Gunderson.

Pathways Vest Cotton Supreme side view blogI love this vest.  It combines so many different elements.  The scarf-like front can be worn straight or draped.  The ribbed back with its open expanse at the shoulders is dramatic and airy.  And Cotton Supreme 100% cotton gives the whole piece a lovely drape.

Pathways Vest Cotton Supreme back view blogThe piece is knitted flat.  The pattern includes a schematic and a picture of the vest laid out to make it easier to visualize exactly what’s going on with this piece.  It seems complex, but it’s simple once you see it all put together.

We hope you take the time to knit something stylish for yourself.  You deserve it!

Happy knitting!

Pathways Vest Cotton Supreme front view wrapped blog

 

Throwback Thursday – Ultraviolet Stole

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Ultraviolet Stole

Something for the crocheters today!  The Ultraviolet Stole was originally designed for Endurance Sock, an offering from our Wisdom Yarns line.  Fortunately, we have a number of great yarns in the Wisdom family that would still work great with this pattern!

Saki Silk three balls B_100My personal favorite would be Saki Silk (100g/440yds), a merino/nylon/silk blend with a great sheen.  The yardage is about the same as Endurance Sock, so this would be an easy three-ball project.

If you wanted to venture outside the Wisdom family, Infusion Handpaints (100g/291yds) would be another good choice.

Regardless, there’s a lot to love about a gigantic loopy stole that’s a simple five-row repeat.  A big project that won’t tax your brain – excellent material to crochet while chatting with friends!

Free Pattern Friday – Ladder Scarf in Cirrus Cotton

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Ladder Scarf Cirrus Cotton wrapped blog

When is it okay to drop a stitch?  When you’re making today’s free pattern, the one ball Ladder Scarf in Cirrus Cotton!

Ladder Scarf Cirrus Cotton blogCirrus Cotton (50g/109yds) is a soft, fuzzy cotton with a unique construction that makes it downy soft.  Its extreme “touchability” makes it a favorite for baby projects, but we love it for grownup crochet and knit garments, too.

In this pattern, working some stitches through the back loop locks them into place, so that when the stitches are dropped to create the horizontal ladders, the scarf keeps its structure.  Drop those stitches without fear!

Happy knitting!

Throwback Thursday – Spring Snowflake Cardi

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Snowflake Cardi

This little cutie is wearing the Spring Snowflake Cardi.

Originally, this took about 300 yards of Morning Glory Cotton (a cotton/acrylic blend) on a size 6 needle.  We’re recommending several other machine washable options for this charming baby and toddler cardi.

DM_Morning_Glory Sparkling Snowflake Sweater_cu300Lightweight Little Bird, Bamboo Pop, and Uptown Baby Sport would all be good matches.  These yarns also have greater yardage per ball than the original yarn, making this sweater potentially a great one ball project!

Uptown Baby Sport has some really great pastels and kid-friendly color options.  You might even try doubling up Little Bird or Bamboo Pop solid and multi for an interesting color color combo.  Hmm… I feel a Sunday Swatch idea coming on.

Happy knitting!

Afghan Knitalong – Block Nine

Block Nine is live! 9-Best-Buds-block_blog_100

How are we doing, gang?  I loved cables, but I’m rarin’ to go on a new technique!

This time, Amy introduces knitting in the round!  Today’s counterpane block “Best Buds” goes from the center out, using the lace techniques and M1 increases we’ve already learned from previous blocks.

Amy shares this helpful video on starting your square on DPNs (double-pointed needles) and increasing as you work out.  It’s not something we’ve done before in this afghan, but it’s a very useful trick! We’ll also be sharing videos this month on weaving in ends, and on other ways to work center-out. I’m grabbing my DPNs and casting on.  It’s so exciting to move in a new direction – literally! See you next time!

Free Pattern Friday – Inspired Dolman

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Inspired Dolman 7_blog

For the 4th of July, how about something with a little sparkle?  Today, we feature the Inspired Dolman in Cotton Gold and Garden 5.

Cotton Gold (25g/200yds) is a lace weight yarn with plenty of pizzazz.  Strung with a generous number of sequins, it’s great for dramatic projects that really catch the eye.  Here it’s paired with Garden 5 (50g/175yds) cotton thread in a similar color so that it knits up easily into a more substantial garment.  Several rows in the pattern repeat are knitted just with Cotton Gold, though, for an almost lacy texture.

Inspired Dolman 10_blogThis top is meant to fit with a few inches of positive ease and is sized from a 34″ to a 54″ bust.  The stitch pattern is a snap.  All in all, it’s a great piece to add some sparkle and punch to your wardrobe.

Happy Independence Day to all our American friends – and happy knitting every day to everyone!