We had a question come in recently that we want to address:
Q: “I know your Deluxe Superwash says you can machine wash and dry it, but can you really?”
A: Yes!
We know because we’ve done it ourselves. Take a look!
Knitspiration – Red Birds in Snow
More snow’s in the forecast – could you use a little knitspiration?
Our snow is over (for now) on the Eastern Seaboard, but there’s a blizzard forecast for the Midwest. I love snow, but I’m sure most folks have had enough of it.
We feature Red Birds in Snow because it’s a nice nod to our state bird here in North Carolina, the cardinal, which gives a lovely burst of color to the monochrome landscape. I also love it because it’s a good reminder that noticing the things around us is a good antidote to the winter doldrums. Seeing something so bright in an otherwise gray day can snap the world back into focus.
When we’re feeling trapped behind closed doors, it’s important to notice the things around us to bring texture and color back into our lives. These designs are perfect examples. Continue reading “Knitspiration – Red Birds in Snow”
Free Pattern Friday – Landscapes Sweater
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Landscapes Sweater in Poems Sock.
Happy Selfish Knitting Month! Yes, it’s January, and all the gift knitting is done, so it’s time to do something just for you. Enter, the Landscapes Sweater.
This entrelac pullover is based on another popular design we had in a discontinued yarn. We couldn’t let the sweater go, so we re-wrote it into the sock-weight version you see here and made it available for free!
The yarn is Poems Sock (459yds/100g), a strand of 75% wool/25% nylon that moves smoothly from shade to shade. I really like the choice of color 971 Earth and Sky for this. It works well for a full-sized garment – colorful but still grounded.
The Landscapes Sweater is constructed in pieces. The sleeves are worked lengthwise, so the stripes run the length of the arms. The entrelac front and basic stockinette back and sleeves are worked flat and then seamed. Sized from XS to 4X, the whole sweater takes from 3-6 balls of yarn.
We hope you enjoy this “just for you” pattern, and that you keep striking the right balance between challenging yourself and just kicking back and enjoying your projects.
Happy knitting!
Free Pattern Friday – Halo and Sparkle Sweater
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Halo and Sparkle Sweater in Amphora and Cotton Gold.
Happy New Year! Made any resolutions? I’ve resolved to knit from my stash more – mainly so I can have an excuse to add even more to that stash. There’s just so much good yarn out there!
Today’s free pattern combines two of those good yarns. The main yarn is Amphora (306yds/100g). Amphora was just featured on the cover of Vogue Knitting Winter 2015-2016 as part of Amy Gunderson’s fabulous Turtleneck Pullover. Another of my resolutions is to learn new things, and this Bohus colorwork technique looks like a great opportunity to do just that.
The secondary yarn is sequined Rozetti Cotton Gold (200yds/25g). Beautiful on its own or as a carry along, Cotton Gold is a cotton thread strung with glittering sequins and wrapped in a metallic thread. It’s an easy way to get maximum sparkle into a garment. I’m a big fan of this stuff. I’ve had problems in the past with durability of some sequined novelty yarns, but not with this one. I’m using it in a Crinkle Cowl and I haven’t lost a sequin yet.
This is such a great sweater for the new year. A traditional pullover that’s made in pieces and seamed, the color and the sparkle remind me of champagne. I like the slouchiness of the fit and the basic rolled cuffs and neck. It’s got that casual elegance that’s in style, but it will still be forgiving of any holiday excesses we haven’t yet worked off. This sweater says “effortlessly amazing.”
We hope your new year is off to a great start. We have no doubt this is going to be the best yet – for all of us.
Happy knitting!
Hello, Autumn.
And now it’s official. A gray, rainy day with a dropping temperature – even here in the South we can’t deny it anymore. Cold weather has settled in. It seems like a good time to share some of our favorite Fall patterns, especially ones that we think deserve more attention. Pull up something pumpkiny and spicy and let’s dive in.
Sandi Rosner’s Pacific Heights Pullover is a fave. Originally made with the now-discontinued Classic Shades Solids for the gray portion, This would work beautifully with Deluxe Worsted Superwash (220yds/100g). Keep the Classic Shades (197yds/100g) for the front and back panels, though.
Pick a bright color as Sandi has or something more subtle, depending on how much of a lift your mood needs to get you through these shortening days. I’m thinking maybe something dark for the main color, but then with my favorite 719 Midnight Ride (right) for the slip stitch panels.
The crocheted Hearth Rug in Deluxe Chunky (120yds/100g) is another unsung hero. I like how easy this is to customize. Add more motifs, change the color to match your decor – this is one that you could really make your own.
The motifs are made separately and then sewn together, making it a great large-scale project that can still fit in your project bag.
And speaking of project bags, Drew Emborsky designed the practical and beautiful Felted Flat Bottom Tote in Deluxe Worsted (220yds/100g). As the name implies, the bag sits flat, making it great not just as a take-along but as a bag to sit beside you as you knit on the couch on those cool nights.
Also from Drew Emborsky, the Felted Faux Entrelac Crochet Tote was originally done in discontinued Deluxe Worsted Long Print, but would look fabulous in any of the gazillion* colors of Deluxe Worsted that are available. (*note: it’s actually 138 colors. Gazillion is just how it looks all in one place.)
Formerly only available as part of a printed leaflet, we’ve made both of Drew’s felted patterns available for free exclusively for our local yarn store partners. Ask your LYS to download a copy for you.
We hope you find some inspiration to tide you through these gray days. Snuggle up with some good yarn and enjoy!
Happy crafting!
Free Pattern Friday – Siren Sweater
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Siren Sweater in Infusion Handpaints.
We named this the Siren Sweater because just as the mythical Sirens of old drew in sailors with their sweet song, this design captures attention with the contrast of its cabled top half and reverse stockinette body.
Infusion Handpaints (291yds/100g) is a good choice for this. It’s variegated, but not so busy that it’s going to obscure the lovely cablework.
The yoke is knit sideways from cuff to cuff. Then stitches are picked up, and the body of the sweater is reverse stockinette worked downward to the hem. Stitch up the sleeves and the sides, add edging for the neck, and you’re done. We predict this Siren Sweater will turn heads wherever you go.
Happy knitting!
Free Pattern Friday – Dip-Dyed Cardigan
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Dip-Dyed Cardigan in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.
Love this breezy, casual short-sleeved cardi! And love the choice of Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (100g/230yds) for it. It’s variegated but not wild, making it a perfect choice for those who want a balance of color and conservatism in their wardrobe.
Knit this cardi in pieces from the bottom up, starting with the contrasting band of reverse stockinette at the bottom. Work the raglan shaping, neck, and sleeves, then add the neck and sleeve edging and the button band. I like the way the color bands are staggered on the front – the asymmetry is interesting!
I’m not usually a pink person, but this might be nice with a band of 301 Carmine for the contrasting bit. There’s not really a wrong choice for this sweater.
Here’s hoping you cast on for something fun and exciting this weekend, just for you!
Happy knitting!
Free Pattern Friday – Acid Wash Pullover
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Acid Wash Pullover in denims.
If there’s a yarn that has captured the imagination of our customers this season, it’s denims. A bulky cotton/wool tape with hues ranging from sky blue to indigo, it’s perfectly on-trend for the current year. Looking at this pullover, you can see why it’s so popular.
This bulky-weight pullover knits up on 6.5mm needles, but the cotton content means you won’t swelter. Right twists and cables run the length of the body to a 1×1 ribbing at the hem and collar. The contrasting sleeves are a nice touch, as is the lowered back edge.
Worked in pieces and seamed, this pattern is both written and charted and contains a schematic. The right twists are easy as pie to do.
Having just finished a quick one ball project in this yarn, I’m eager for more. This would fit the bill nicely.
Happy knitting!
Free Pattern Friday – Picket Cardigan
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, 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!
Free Pattern Friday – Diamond Cross Pullover
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
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 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!
Happy knitting!