It sometimes feels like it’s my professional obligation to peruse Ravelry. I’m constantly amazed by the abundance of creativity out there, by people churning out patterns steadily and beautifully. I take note, mark favorites and occasionally add to my queue. On a week like this week, when I’m struggling for blog inspiration, I thought I’d take a look at some of my favorite new patterns on Ravelry. Of course, I’m going to narrow it down further by only sharing the free patterns. Who doesn’t love something free?
Espace Tricot is often responsible for our free-pattern finds on Ravelry. They tend to be simple and timeless and well-written, so it’s not surprising that they have two pieces on my list this week.
Remember last year’s Turtle Dove? This sweater was so popular and I ended up making two of it. They came up with a lighter weight version for 2019, with an aran-weight yarn at a gauge of 16 stitches/4”. This opens up lots of options for knitting it up, but the two first coming to mind are Lana Grossa’s Fusione and Juniper Moon’s Stargazer Brushed. I’m wearing my second Turtle Dove as I write this, and I can easily find myself thinking “I could use another!” Since I just had the amazing idea to knit this up in a combination of Shibui’s two new yarns, Nest and Tweed Silk Cloud, I think I’ll get this done as soon as I have some time for some selfish knitting.
The second piece from Espace Tricot is called Gather Round. It’s a short-sleeve sweater with a round yoke and a tie at the waistline. And…. Um… I love it. Waistlines are back in style, we tuck in shirts, etc etc, and I love that this sweater gives us some space to do this without it being a cropped sweater. It would be easy enough to modify it and make it long sleeve, but you also get great versatility with it being short-sleeved. It’s got enough ease that you can easily layer it over a tailored shirt or a blouse. This piece is knit up mixing together a fingering-weight yarn with a silk-mohair, and I think this is an excellent excuse for you to pull up some Shibui Tweed Silk Cloud or Silk Cloud and mix it with any beautiful fingering weight yarn, whether it be Peerie, Loft, Squishy, Tosh Merino Light or La Jolla (to name a few)
In case you didn’t notice from this week’s newsletter, but we really love to use Malabrigo’s Rios for baby knits, and we really love the First Winter Blanket, too. This blanket has buttons strategically placed so it can button up into a snuggly stroller cozy. One skein each of three different colors will give you graphic effect that is visually striking. Of course, you should use Rios for this project. If you opt for something else, make sure it’s machine washable since it’s for a baby. Other possible yarns include SimpliWorsted and Spud & Chloe Sweater.
Another adorable blanket pattern is the Baby Blanket With Hood and Bunny from Churchmouse Yarns & Tea. I’m not sure if I’d start with the Bunny or the Blanket on this two-for-one project, but I love the idea of a snuggly hooded blanket. It reminds me of towels we used on my kiddos when they were babies, so I feel like it should be knit up in something that could be used as such like Blue Sky’s Organic Worsted Cotton.
The Kansas Cowl caught my attention because it’s named from my hoe state. Upon closer look, I learned that it was written by a woman married to my high school physics partner! I trust that he’s still a good egg since he married a knitter. I love this cowl. It has a cool texture and is written for a bulky yarn, making it a quick and satisfying knit. Finch calls the stitch pattern “half-way to full brioche” – and I appreciate that here’s a person that’s easing knitters into a technique that tends to intimidate them. Finch uses a bulky yarn for this, so consider Sequoia, Quarry, or even Cloud 9 Fibers’ Vivace.
One more is a beautiful piece from Barbara Benson – her Rasta Cowlette. Let’s talk about all the good things with this pattern: free pattern, beautiful lace, super-bulky knitting, just uses one skein of that super soft and pretty Malabrigo Rasta. This is another great gift knitting project, and a wonderful project for someone who wants to build some lace skills – on a small scale.
There’s always so much to see in Ravelry-land. I hope this starts your journey to inspiration. Whether you find something small, a learning piece or something you end up making for yourself and wearing all the time, there’s a little of everything out there for you!
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