It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Dragonfly Pullover in Angora Lace (pattern link here).
I was delighted when Pantone made Basic Blue their color of the year for 2020. I’m all about blue in all its shades. So this lace-hemmed pullover in Angora Lace color 212 Denim is a dream come true.
Lovely details like drop shoulders and 3/4 length sleeves give this a simple and calm, but engaging, feel.
And that body! A surprising and fun hemline, leading to islands of interlocking lace, rising to a sea of fine stockinette. It’s a great way to show off your knitting while still letting the piece do what every sweater should do – show YOU off to your best advantage.
Angora Lace 211 PeacoatAngora Lace 210 Cerulean
If you really want to lean into the blue, Angora Lace has several tones, including these two solids which echo 2020’s Basic Blue beautifully.
Angora Lace 111 Calm
Or go with a multi for all or part of it. There are so many options.
We hope you have a fantastic, stress-free weekend, and find time to embrace some peace and joy for yourself. Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Woodlands Yoke Pullover in Deluxe Chunky (pattern link here).
This beauty by Sandi Rosner has been in my queue for a while, but with forecasts of an especially chilly winter this year, I think it’s finally getting bumped to the top.
The main color here is Deluxe Chunky 5003 Musket. The neat thing about this color is that it’s undyed – this is the actual color from the sheep. It’s got a heathering effect that it gives good color depth even to large fields of knitting.
Sandi Rosner has designed a beautiful Fair Isle pattern here. There are actually quite a few colors in the Deluxe Chunky palette that would go nicely in this sweater, depending on whether you wanted to stick with the original autumnal shades or go more toward jeweltones or monochromes. I’m still mulling mine over – another reason it keeps slipping from the top of the queue – dithering over too many good options!
Maybe 91905 Rust Heather? I don’t know!!
We hope you stay comfy and cozy this weekend.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Beechnut Pullover in Fibra Natura Papyrus (pattern link here).
This week, we’re thrilled to have a new design from Amy Gunderson. The Beechnut Pullover is an elegant square-necked pullover with a unique construction.
The sleeve panels are knit first, then the body stitches and sleeve stitches are picked up along the panel edge and worked from the top-down.
With the challenge of the lace sleeves out of the way, it’s stockinette down to the hem. This will obviously be an easy one to lengthen, if you wish. Our model is wearing the Small size, with 4 1/2 inches of positive ease.
Let’s take a closer look at those sleeves. The depth of color in Fibra Natura cotton/silk Papyrus adds a touch of shimmer to the fabric, without obscuring the design. It’s one of the things that makes the yarn a designer favorite. We love that Amy decided to do a double column of the leafy lace, to help make this piece a three-season standout.
We hope you enjoy this sophisticated piece. Have a wonderful weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Pebbled Path Pullover in Deluxe DK Superwash (pattern link here).
Next up in our “best of” August re-releases, this great autumn sweater! Originally part of e-book Deluxe Superwash: Fall Classics, this pattern is now free.
This relaxed pullover is just the layering piece you’ll want for an autumn walk in the park. A beautiful openwork panel decorates the front, with the back left plain. Deluxe DK Superwash wool keeps you cozy and comfy!
Throw this on top of your favorite button-down, jeans, and a pair of boots and you’re all set!
We hope you’re able to get out and enjoy nature this weekend. Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Paper Doll Sweater in Dona (pattern link here).
When our Sales Director Yonca was with family for Thanksgiving, her niece asked for a custom made sweater.
(She didn’t actually write a note – it was more of a “puppy dog eyes” situation.)
She wanted a top kind of like what Yonca was wearing, but different in this way and that way, and a pullover, not a cardi… before long, it was an entirely new sweater. Fortunately, Yonca’s niece is very knitworthy.
Yonca designed the sweater in Fibra Natura Dona, a machine-washable 100% extra fine merino. It’s an excellent choice for luxurious projects that you won’t have to baby when they get a little dirty.
This sweater features a cabled yoke that goes all the way around.
And here it is, modeled by the giftee!
She was so excited to receive it! The only feeling better than getting a treasured handmade gift is giving one. We foresee other projects in this charming young lady’s future!
If you’d like to print a sweater to match the real thing, here’s a paper doll sheet, with some accessories for good measure. We hope you make time for play as well as work this weekend.
Happy crafting!
This design was inspired by the silhouette of two of my favorite ready-to-wear tops. Both have enjoyed many years in my wardrobe and shall enjoy many more to come. I just love cozy, boxy tops. The Weightless Pullover ticks off all of the right boxes for me (box pun intended).
Knit in Revolutions, this sweater is so warm and has the loveliest halo that’s perfect for staying cozy during one of the coldest months of the year. It’s also feather-light. Seriously – the sample weighs just under 200 grams!
This will be a really quick, soothing project, but you’ll have left-over yarn in the end. You’ll need to manipulate the self-shading yarn a bit. Revolutions features slow color shifts that allow you to concentrate on knitting. However, to ensure your project looks as close to the sample as possible when breaking and rejoining yarn, be sure to visually match the point at which you’re rejoining. This may require you to wind off some yarn. The results are worth it – don’t you agree?
Feeling unsure what to do about your left-over yarn? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Depending on how much yarn you have remaining, you could whip out another project! Grab your crochet hook and make a Beyond the Sea Cowl. Prefer knitting needles? Reduce the number of horizontal repeats and you could easily create a scarf from the Warmth Stole.
Stay warm friends. We hope you have a craft-filled weekend!
Looking at this pullover, it’s easy to see where it gets its name.
Huge cables rise dramatically up the front, carried up through the collar. It’s big, and cozy, and just the thing for midwinter.
The raglan-sleeved sweater is knit hem-up in pieces and seamed, with the cowl neck added in the round afterward. Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool makes the piece easy to care for.
Universal will be closed Monday and Tuesday for the holidays, and this might be the project that I grab some yarn for during the extended break. Cozy!
It’s sized from 3-6 months all the way up to 10 years. Whether your little one is “ooh, look at the tiny toes!” or “I can’t believe they’re growing up so fast!” you can still make them a fun sweater.
The stranding is very predictable. If you like to do Fair Isle without having to constantly refer back to the pattern, you’re set. Put on an episode of This Is Us and knit away without missing the juicy bits.
It would be really easy to customize. Fibra Natura Dona has a range of bold colors, both dark and light. Blue and white for a gingham look? Red and black for a classic checkerboard? Team colors for the little fan? There are a lot of possibilities!
Looking for some cute kid gifts? You’ll want to check out this new e-book!
Writing on the Wall (Ravelry link here) is a brand new collection of kid projects to knit and crochet in Bella Cash. We’re big fans of Bella Cash around here. It’s soft, versatile, and (important for children’s projects) machine washable. Let’s take a look-see at the patterns!
First, Dino! (Ravelry pattern link here). Sized 2-14 years, for your budding paleontologist. This one’s by Rachel Brockman, who also drew the dinosaurs. Here’s what she has to say about her inspiration:
“As a kid, inspired by Dr. Alan Grant (ed note: Rachel’s first crush!) and Dr. Ellie Sattler, I was POSITIVE that I discovered a piece of a velociraptor in my backyard. I spent loads of time trying to dig around it and eventually discovered it wasn’t a fossil at all. A girl can dream, right?
Anyway, I’ve adored dinosaurs for as long as I can remember, so when Amy and I started putting together a kid’s collection, I knew a dinosaur was essential. Not only that, but even shopping for my niece it was hard to come by dinosaur-themed things that weren’t intended for girls, but for little boys. I wanted to make a dinosaur top in colors I loved growing up.”
We love the matching “Tricera-topper” that she added. Rawr!
Rachel designed this one thinking of warm carefree evenings spent catching fireflies as a child. Nonetheless, I’m making this one for myself. It makes me think both of pleasant nights running in the back yard with cupped hands… and of the late great sci-fi TV show Firefly, of which I am a fan.
I’ve already knitted projects with Bella Cash (I love this yarn for socks) so I know making this cowl will be a treat.
Here’s Frilling! (Ravelry link here). We went through a few names on this – it was almost “The Frill of Victory.” The focus, obviously, is the frills at the raglan seams.
Knit the sweater top down, then pick up stitches and knit the ruffles outward. Awfully adorable!
This one might be my favorite – it’s so inventive and offbeat! The mis-matched eyes, the pocket in the front… everything about this is fun. Work this colorblocked pullover flat from the top down, then add the pocket. Teeth are duplicate-stitched on. So cute!
Amy Gunderson’s tunic-length yoke sweater nods to traditional Norwegian colorwork sweaters. The colorwork yoke is comprised of a small pattern repeats, easy to memorize and to knit.
After finishing the yoke, keep knitting downward into the textured diamonds. For those wanting a project to keep their attention, it’s a nice alternative to plain stockinette. A beautiful piece that will make a splash.
This crochet pattern is actually a two-fer: it comes with both the cardigan and the Pipsqueak pal!
Both use spike stitch. The mouse is worked in the round in joined rows…
…and the cardi is worked flat. What child wouldn’t love their own matching little friend?
We hope this collection will jump start your imagination for gift crafting this season. We’ve got more collections in the works that we can’t wait to share.
This is a great example of how the right yarn can make a project really pop – no pun intended.
“Rawr! I would knit this myself but my arms are too short.”
This Bamboo Pop pullover has two wide bands of color, broken by a single row knitted in the coordinating accent color used at the edges. Without that thin line, it’s just not quite the same.
“Rawr! I can’t pick up stitches. I can’t pick up anything!”
This sweater is worked flat from the bottom up and seamed. Neck edging stitches are picked up and worked in the round. A circular needle is used to work the body because there are times in which stitches will need to be slipped to the other end of the needle during the stripes (for that single line of color).
“Rawr! Maybe you could make me a tiny cape?”
Oh, good grief. Excuse me, I need to go knit something for a tiny blue dinosaur.
We hope you let your inner child out this weekend.
