Saturday, September 29, 2018

Turnabout

Introducing a new FREE crochet pattern - Turnabout! I got this idea in my head a few weeks back, and I just couldn't stop myself from grabbing a hook and some yarn and getting started immediately! It came together just as I had hoped and in only 2 days!


I've named it Turnabout for a couple reasons. First, the unusual construction method incorporates an about-face where you'll go from steadily increasing to immediately decreasing again - working a flat square followed by a flat triangle, and together they magically form a round object! Secondly, for its versatility in styling. Is it a bandana cowl with a tassel in front? A hood with a tassel in back? You decide!


The basic premise is to start at the point and increase in the center to form a big square. When the distance across the diagonal reaches the circumference you would like for your cowl/hood, or when you've used about 55-60% of your yarn, whichever comes first, you'll join the two opposite corners. Then you'll start decreasing again, in the center and along the edges, to form a triangle and close up the circle. Not making sense? Don't worry! There are plenty more words and pictures in the pattern to walk you through it.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 27 inches
Long depth (excluding tassel): 27 inches
Short depth: 13.5 inches

MATERIALS
Universal Yarns Wisdom Yarn Poems Sock [75% wool, 25% nylon; 459yds/420m per 100g skein]; 1 skein in color #955
G/6 or 4.25mm hook
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
14 dc by 8 rows = 4 inches by 4 inches, after blocking

Download the FREE PATTERN now via Ravelry!

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Fringe Kiss

I'm pleased to present Fringe Kiss, a completely customizable shawl - any size, any gauge, no counting, no end-weaving, self-fringing, symmetrically faded (or striped)!


That's right! You can use any yarn you like in any amount of yardage. The pattern is written more like a recipe, so it's totally adaptable to your tastes!

This shawl begins at the bottom center point and expands outward. Extra stitches are cast on that will later be unraveled to create the fringe. At the halfway point, the edges are joined but the stitches are also split at what used to be the center, so you’re still working back and forth in rows, rather than in the round. This construction is a little unusual, so I’ve included diagrams at each stage to try to help you visual what you’re doing.



SIZE
Any size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Roughly twice as wide as it is tall, excluding fringe
Sample: 80 inches wide by 40 inches tall, excluding 6-inch fringe

GAUGE (after blocking)
Any gauge that produces a loose, drapey fabric in the yarn of your choice
Sample: 22 sts/32 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

MATERIALS
Any weight yarn in any amount you like
Sample: A Thing for String Merino Sock 75% merino, 25% nylon; 460yds/421m per 100g skein; 1 skein each in Taiga (A), Galaxy (B), and Eureka (C)
Circular needle in an appropriate size to give a loose, drapey fabric in the yarn of your choice
Sample: US #4/3.5mm circular needle, 32 inches/80cm in length
Small scale for weighing yarn
4 stitch markers
Sharp scissors

NOTE ON GAUGE: Although the entire shawl is worked in garter stitch, a quarter of the fabric is created by purling every stitch rather than knitting every stitch. It is important that your purled garter gauge be relatively close to your knitted garter gauge.

NOTE ON YARN CHOICES: Though this pattern is written for 3 coordinating yarns that fade together well, you could use a single gradient yarn instead and let it do the fading for you. Or use more than 3 yarns and fade more frequently. You could even try stash-busting all your leftover bits as simple stripes in lieu of fading. It’s up to you!
Best to avoid single ply, mohair, and other “grabby” yarns, as these could present a challenge when dropping stitches and laddering down to create the fringe.

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry!

But seriously, any yarn you want, any size you want - and you don't even have to fade it if you don't wanna. What are you waiting for?