Tag: Sweater

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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!

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Mermaid Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Lumen Mermaid Tunic blogToday, the Mermaid Tunic in Lumen.

We were actually going to wait for warmer weather to release this, but it got so much love at Stitches West that we just had to set it free.

This tunic is worked in pieces from the bottom up and seamed.   The lace pattern is a simple six-row repeat – no cable needle needed for those twists.

Lumen 3 ball stack blogIt’s designed for Rozetti Lumen (134yds/50g), a chained cotton ribbon with shiny viscose stretches.  Its vivid color is delicious.  There’s a multi version, too.

We hope you enjoy this little burst of Spring in the midst of winter.

Happy knitting!

 

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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!

 

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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!

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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!

 

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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!

 

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Warm It Up!

Confession time!  When it’s cold outside, sometimes we break into the trunk show garments.

Trunk Show warmup 1

But come on!  How could we resist?  We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful yarns and garments, and as knitters and crocheters we truly appreciate them.  The happy knitter above is me, Heather.  I’m wearing my own hat in Poems (1 ball of color 590 Sakura, US size 8/5mm needles, 84 stitch caston).

The cowl and mittens are part of Sandi Rosner’s Rose Quartz Set in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool.  There’s a hat, too, but mine matches so well I stuck with it.

Sandi’s Rose Quartz set is available as a single pattern or part of the Walk in the Woods e-book, full of gorgeous colorwork and felted designs in Deluxe Worsted and Deluxe Chunky.  It’s perfect for this time of year.

Also in Deluxe, I spotted our Design Lead in this stunning sweater the other day.  Valentina is one of my favorites.  It uses Deluxe Chunky 100% wool.  The pattern is written and charted with design features like lovely saddle shoulders to show off the cables.  It comes in sizes from 34″ to 54″ bust, and – believe it or not – is a free pattern.   Home run!

 

Our Sales Manager can frequently be found in designs by Yumiko Alexander like Braided Fog, recently made available online as a download or as part of Yumiko Warm Earth Book 3.  It also uses Deluxe Worsted.  Are we wearing a lot of Deluxe?  That’s not surprising – it’s great for cold weather.  I suspect, however, that our sales manager wears this not because it’s warm but because it looks fabulous.

The best thing about being surrounded by these designs is that it’s inspirational.  We find that seeing beautiful things awakens a desire to create something beautiful ourselves.  We hope you find inspiration and happiness in your crafts throughout this new year.

Happy knitting!

Trunk Show warmup 2

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Free Pattern Friday – Four Stripes Pullover and Legwarmers

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Four Stripe Pullover with legwarmers_blog

 

So cute for Fall!  The Four Stripes Pullover includes matching legwarmers, perfect for staying warm on a crisp day.

Four Stripe Pullover back_blogThe set is designed for Merino XF (137yds/50g), an extrafine merino that’s machine washable and very soft.  The pullover is worked flat and seamed, with short rows shaping the curved rear hem.  Seed stitch borders the cuffs, hem, and neckline.

I love these cool tones.  This is one design where I wouldn’t change a thing.

Happy knitting!

Four Stripe Pullover front_blog

 

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Throwback Thursday – A Walk in the Woods

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Walk in the Woods

Today, a beautiful cool-weather knit, A Walk in the Woods.  Originally knit in Eden Silk, this lightweight cardi would look great in either Uptown DK 100% anti-pilling acrylic or Deluxe DK Superwash wool.

I’ve been knitting a lot with Deluxe DK Superwash lately (I just need to bind off my ribbed Katrina top!) so for this, as a personal choice I think I’d go with the Uptown DK.  I’ve been making a long cowl in Uptown DK Colors, the striped version of the yarn, and have been very impressed with how soft it is (and yes, it really is not pilling).  I like the idea of an entire garment that luxurious.

This cardi is knit flat in the traditional style – back, then fronts, then sleeves.  The textured stitch in the pattern is written and charted and is fairly easy to “read” in your knitting as you go – it’s the same few rows, staggered by a few stitches.

We hope you’re able to bring your projects outdoors and enjoy this beautiful weather.  Happy knitting!

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Throwback Thursday – Jenna Cardigan

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT JennaFall is almost here – or so they tell me.  Those of us here in the South still have a little longer to wait.  Maybe knitting a lovely cool weather design will help hurry things along!

Enter the Jenna Cardigan.  Originally knit in Dolce Merino, this would look great in both Merino XF and Deluxe DK Superwash wool.  The nice thing about the substitution is that while this would have taken 16 balls of Dolce Merino for a size 2X, it uses fewer than eight balls of Deluxe DK Superwash.  I love a beautiful sweater that won’t break the bank!

We wish you breezy fall weather – and happy knitting!