Free Pattern Friday – Paint a Leaf Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Paint a Leaf Vest in Fibra Natura Dona (pattern link here). This is an Amy Gunderson pattern, formerly found in the Dona Loft Collection.
These bold, graphic knits look great in Dona extrafine merino, with its saturated colors. Its high twist also gives it great stitch definition, which works well in projects like this vest.
The traveling lines are created by working cable crosses. Sized Small to 3X, this is a fun, bright piece to layer for spring or fall.
We hope you have a fantastic, joyful weekend. Happy crafting!

Needles Out! Knits for Guys with Sweater Envy

Have we all seen Knives Out? Or at least seen photos of Chris Evans wearing The Sweater?

Mend those holes!!

This pullover became such a rage on the internet that Evans wound up getting one for his dog for Christmas.

Chris Evans and his dog wearing cream sweaters
Who wore it better?

Fortunately, as crafters, we can create this look on our own, no costume department needed. If you or someone you know has sweater envy, we’ve got five sweaters (and one vest) for the knitter who wants to cast on some fashionable cables!

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1. Infinite Diamonds

Image of man in black and blue cabled sweater knit in Dona yarn

We’re starting with the one that requires the least cabling, to ease into things. Infinite Diamonds (pattern link here) is knit in Fibra Natura Dona, a 100% superwash extrafine merino with a tight twist that really makes stitches pop.

No cables on the back, just plain stockinette. Infinite Diamonds is knit flat in pieces and seamed.

We love the windowpane effect given by the cables inside cables on the front panel. This is part of e-book The Dona Collection, featuring bold use of color blocking to create dramatic modern pieces. For a standalone design, though, let’s move to the world of magazines.

2. Anchorage Cardigan

© Interweave / Harper Point

Published in Interweave Knits Winter 2018 issue, the Anchorage Cardigan (Ravelry link) shares a few features with Infinite Diamonds. Both are designed by the amazing Amy Gunderson, and both feature Dona yarn.

© Interweave / Harper Point

The differences, though, are obvious. The Anchorage Cardigan features a textured back (in fact, a textured everything).

© Interweave / Harper Point

Saddle Shoulders create a lovely line. As you might guess from the shoulders, this sweater is worked in pieces and seamed.

© Interweave / Harper Point

Carrying the pattern onto the pockets is a thoughtful design detail. If you’re confident working twisted stitches without a cable needle, you need never have to use one at all. Let’s move on to another cabled cardi, from an entire collection full of cabled designs.

3. Greensboro Cardigan

Unlike the previous sweaters, the Greensboro Cardigan (pattern link here) is worked in Deluxe Worsted wool, on US size 7 (4.5mm) needles as opposed to size 6 (4mm).

This stitch pattern is very stretchy – something to keep in mind when picking your size.

As with the Anchorage Cardigan, if you’re proficient with crossing stitches, you can do this without using a cable needle. Amy Gunderson even has a blog tutorial for this design (and others from the Deluxe Cable Collection) on creating the set-in pockets and installing a zipper. She even made a special chart for the sleeve increases to help a new knitter here in the office.

4. Wesley Heights

For my money, this pullover is the most “Knives Out” one we’ve seen so far. Wesley Heights (pattern link here) is part of the same Deluxe Cable Collection that the Greensboro Cardigan above is in. (And friends, there are 17 designs in that e-book for $20, so if you love cables… I’m just saying.)

Like the Greensboro Cardi, this is a very stretchy stitch pattern knit in Deluxe Worsted wool. This one has a greater variety of stitch patterns, though, to satisfy your knitting itch.

Amy Gunderson knitted this one for herself, and shares little tips (do you know how to spit-splice?) on our blog.

5. Kerf

Image of man wearing green cable knit pullover

Kerf (pattern link here) is knit in Deluxe Worsted Superwash, the machine washable sibling to the Deluxe Worsted used in Wesley Heights, above.

Columns of classic cables are split by welting for a well-defined look.

LOVE the detailing where the shoulders meet the collar.

This was one of our most popular sweaters of the year, and it’s not hard to see why. Kerf is available on its own or as part of the Deluxe Men’s Collection.

…and one more for luck.

The Chapel Hill Vest (pattern link here) is a free pattern on our site!

Knit in Deluxe Worsted, the vest is worked in two pieces and seamed. Stitch patterns are written and charted.

The center cable is a fantastic focal point, surrounded by smaller cables and twisted stitches. Fabulous.

We hope you’re inspired to get your needles out, and cast on something warm and wonderful.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Chapel Hill Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Chapel Hill Vest in Deluxe Worsted (pattern link here). This is the second week in a row we’ve released a favorite Deluxe Cable Collection pattern for free. This one’s a favorite for several reasons. First, the name.
The Old Well at UNC-CH
Chapel Hill is home to the oldest public university in the United States. It’s also my alma mater. (Go Heels!)
The Quad, facing Wilson Library
In the best kind of coincidence, it’s also the alma mater of the model of the Chapel Hill sweater!
Rah rah, Carolina-lina!
The second thing to love here is the versatility of this piece. This is the perfect “dressy casual” piece for Fall. Sized Small to 3X, designer Amy Gunderson notes that the stitch pattern is very stretchy, making this suitable for a wide range of frames.
For me, the lattice along the sides calls to mind the brickwork paths that crisscross campus. The Chapel Cable in the front is both written and charted, and is reminiscent of old oak branches. It’s an absolutely stunning cabled knit, and I’m delighted that it’s now free.
We hope you have a relaxing weekend, full of good memories and wonderful new starts. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Duck Huntin’ Sue

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Duck Huntin’ Sue in Uptown Worsted and Uptown Worsted Tapestry (pattern link here).

This here’s the story of a girl named Sue.  No, the lady in the glasses isn’t Sue…

Sue is the fuzzy yeller dawg.  (I’m a native Southerner.  I can – and do – talk this way sometimes).  The Southern belle in the vest is Krista.  She’s a talented crafter, and was kind enough to model this camo crochet vest in Uptown Worsted Tapestry, with a knit border in solid Uptown Worsted.

This vest was first worn by Lily Chin as a presenter at Stitches, and now we’re releasing it as a free pattern to you!

Handy pockets, applied at finishing!

But wait, there’s more!

A crocheted quacker to match!

Sue says the duck should be hers, but we think that’s just a mallard of opinion.

Well, if she wants it that bad, it won’t ruffle our feathers.  Better to play with the duck than our stash.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – TNNA Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

man wearing light blue vest knit in Bamboo Pop yarn

Today, the TNNA Vest knit in Bamboo Pop (pattern link here).

This vest was inspired by an idea we had a couple of years ago.  In 2016, we designed the TNNA Cardi and all wore it to the National Needlearts Association’s tradeshow, the event where we get to meet with our LYS owner friends and show them what’s new for the sesaon.

Katie, Yonca, and Amy are ready to show off some yarn!

The cardi looked and fit great, but wasn’t really tailored to the guys attending.  This year, we’re fixing that!

The TNNA Vest is also knitted in Bamboo Pop color 107 Ocean (gotta match!), but it replaces lace with different stitch patterns.    The V panel in the center recalls the diagonal lace of the original cardi.  The largest size (4X) only takes 5 balls – Bamboo Pop goes a long way!

We’re heading to the show next week.  If you’ll be there, swing by booth 1032 and say hi.  We’d love to see you!

Have a great weekend.  Happy crafting!

brown haired man wearing light blue knitted vest smiling

Free Pattern Friday – Darcy Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Darcy Vest in Bella Cash.

This is a great transitional piece for the cool weather that’s coming up.  (Cool weather is coming up, right?  Because here in the South, we’re very ready.)

Yes, there is a key in the pattern.This vest is worked traditionally, from the hem up in pieces.  The Lovely Lace pattern lives up to its name – simple, but pretty.   It’s written and charted, and the pattern contains a schematic.

We’re big fans of Bella Cash here, as you may have gathered from recent Free Pattern Fridays like the Dulcet Wrap.  The yarn is a lightweight fine merino/nylon/cashmere blend that’s pleasant to work with and looks beautiful knitted or crocheted up.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern.  Have a great weekend, and happy knitting!

Free Pattern Friday – Special Twist Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Special Twist Vest blog

Today, the Special Twist Vest in Classic Shades Frenzy.

Yonca smiling_blogThe nice thing about having a sales manager who also knits and crochets is that a) she knows what crafters want, and b) sometimes she turns up at the office with amazing designs that we can convince her to share.  Here’s Yonca in one of her latest, The Special Twist Vest.  It’s another great example of letting the yarn do the colorwork.  Classic Shades Frenzy (158yds/100g) has enough variation that the piece shows soft stripes, not rigid ones.

armhole detail square_180When I saw this from afar, I thought it might be crochet, but it is in fact knitted.  Even better, it’s knitted in one big piece!  Start at one edge and work sideways, then bind off for the armholes.  On the next row, cast on across the bound-off stitches and keep knitting in pattern until you reach the next armhole.  After you’re done, go back and pick up the armhole stitches to add the seed stitch border.  Then fringe it!  A dramatic garment, particularly considering it’s essentially a big rectangle.  Well done, Yonca!

We hope you have a fabulous weekend.  Happy knitting!

Special Twist Vest rear blog

Throwback Thursday – Back to School Vest

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Back to School Vest

Today, we feature the Back To School Vest.  This vest was originally designed for Deluxe Worsted Concord Tweed, a member of the Deluxe Family that had flecks of color throughout.  It was exactly the same weight as Deluxe Worsted and Deluxe Worsted Superwash 100% wools, making it a perfect match for those yarns.

If you’re looking for a more tweedy look, I have to mention Llamalini. I mention it because it’s a gorgeous yarn, but also because we just got in four new colors and really, I’ll take any excuse to knit something out of Llamalini’s blend of linen, royal llama, and silk bourette.  So luxurious.

The Back to School Vest is knitted in the round up to the armholes, then back and forth to the shoulders.   This is pictured as a top, but would also work well as a layering piece.  I can see this with a pair of jeans over an untucked shirt for a look that says, “yes, I look this good without even trying.”

Happy knitting!

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

 

Free Pattern Friday – Cross the Night Sky Vest

Cross the Night Sky Vest - detail

It’s Free Pattern Friday, and we have a new design in Poems!

Cross the Night Sky Vest in Poems FacebookThe Cross the Night Sky Vest by Sandy Huff is worked in one piece from side to side, with stitches picked up for the arms, hem, and neck. The garter stitch tie that threads neatly through the crossed stitches is a nice accent.

Side to side construction creates flattering vertical stripes in self-shading Poems 100% wool – a great use of variegated yarn.