8/25/2014

Needlecrafts - Knit, Stripes of Color

8/25/2014
Needlecrafts - Knit, Stripes of Color
There are certain styles and patterns that jump out at us when we see them. This is definitely one of those designs. The moment I laid eyes on it, I knew this was a project I would be knitting.
No buttoning brings comfort foremost, just easy wrapping of the wide shawl collar makes it deliciously cosy for the fall season.
Fair isle banding up the shawl collar provides interest, giving you the opportunity to practise colorwork, go crazy with mismatched designs or more sensibly with matching sides.
Any shawl collared design can be easily modified to achieve this look. Widening the "collar" at the front by actually adding stitches to the fronts or just patterning the actual shawl area.
Several free patterns and suggestions given below give you an idea of how to accomplish this.
Weight of yarn is not a factor unless you wish to achieve a more traditional type of fair isle look.
Think of the basic sweater done in a chunkier yarn and the shawl worked in a finer yarn like a shawl or scarf attached to the sweater fronts.
Ideal for any season or yarn type, this design can work in cotton, solid or tweeded wools. Let your imagination run wild!

Read further to see for free patterns and tips on yarn dominance when knitting with color.

8/18/2014

Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet - Crossover Tops

8/18/2014
Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet - Crossover Tops
All images | Pinterest
All images | style.com and Pinterest
Personally, any style that hides this body's imperfections and at the same time is easy to wear hits the top of my list every time.
The crossover vest or pullover is just that, the fact that it can be stocking stitch simple or more textured as illustrated in the aran styles.
Short or long, you can layer this garment with a pretty cami whether it's the traditional slip version or a long sleeved style in the sheerest or laciest of fabrics.
Basically the fronts of this style are two rectangles that cross over and are sewn to the sides of the back either closer to the underarm or down nearer to the waist.
Try two different textures for each front or one side striped and the other side in a solid or marl.
Lifestyle lookbooks featured on retail sites such as Anthropologie try to tempt you with their new merchandise. These are definitely a good starting place for inspiration in styling, color and texture combinations.
Read further for different approaches to the crossover style and see schematics showing the basic construction.

8/11/2014

Needlecrafts - Knit, Shaping with Different Gauges

8/11/2014
Needlecrafts - Knit V-shaped Sweater
Vintage pattern | personal library
Uneven tension throughout a garment is not usually something a good knitter wants to see in her work. Certain vintage patterns did just that, whereby you would change from a smaller to a larger needle size in order to achieve a softer, looser fabric.
Mohair and brushed yarns were a good choice as the hairs filled in the more open looser areas.
This was also suggested in children's patterns to get the most of a pattern you had already purchased.
Shaping in this manner or using a larger needle for a finer yarn can have its drawbacks.
Certain yarns, when knit with too large a needle produce fabric that is just holey and not stable, which can lead to stretching.
The "condo" sweater pattern was a good example of this after knitters had not washed the garment carefully which was a disaster.
This is where a swatch is absolutely necessary to see how the yarn handles the difference in gauge and also how comfortable you are knitting in this manner.
The featured pattern is ideal as you can see how the gauge shapes the top and how the garter stitch opens up as you go up in needle size.

Read further to see the schematic and suggestions in making your top.

8/04/2014

Needlecraft - Knit, Crochet - Pocket Scarves

8/04/2014
Needlecrafts,Knit, Crochet - Pocket Scarves
Embellished pocket scarf | Pinterest
Scarf with V-shaped pockets | free pattern available here
Pocket scarf with cowl | pattern for purchase available here
A scarf with pockets always made good sense, a useful accessory you can knit, crochet or sew.
Sure, the pockets might not be suitable for anything you really don’t want to lose but who cares, they look fabulous.
Just the same, taking a walk or running a quick errand, you may need a handy spot for keys or a couple of dollars for coffee.
Making the pocket deep enough, adding buttons or a zipper will make the pockets more secure.
No gloves, no problem keeping hands toasty when the weather turns cold.
Make these scarves in cool cotton for spring and cozy, soft wool for fall and winter. They will definitely come in handy.

Read further for different style ideas, how they are constructed and lovely free patterns to knit and crochet.