Categoria: Leftover yarn

Time for inspiration: Free knitting patterns

Time for inspiration: Free knitting patterns

As Fall is approaching, it is time for inspiration and find new free knitting patterns for your new cozy garments to craft.

And while waiting for the novelties of your favorite local yarn store, you may start looking at your stash and browse through your preferred on-line magazines and/or Ravelry for inspiration. I find Ravelry particularly useful to combine inspiration and stash. I use to go directly to the advance search and start selecting the craft (knitting or crochet), weight, total yardage and number of colors of my stash, and keep browsing into the advance filter sections.

One of the interesting features of this advance filtering, is the “difficulty” rating. This is a good start for beginners, as most of the scored patterns are within the 3/10 threshold (easy) in this search option, and this rating is given by the actual ravelers that made a project out of the pattern. However, only 20% of the patterns are rated in this option. That means that either nobody has yet added a project or, in most of the cases, they forget to fill the “difficulty” attribute in the “about this pattern” section. Thus, dear ravelers, let me encourage you to fill as much information as possible on your projects to help our community!

Still there is another option to get the level of difficulty/skill level of a pattern, that is opening the pattern cover page. Here you will see more details about it, and some designers add this description in the notes section (end of the page). The difference here is that the scoring is made by the designer, and not the actual end-user. Being in both sides myself, I tend to believe that the designer scoring use to be biased towards the easy edge (:=).

In my designs, I like to combine colors and to offer easy and not too much yarn-consuming proposals. In previous posts I already added ideas useful for the fall ( Co-inspiration, Sari Wrap, Twisted Capelet, Greeny Poncho)l. Now, let me add some FREE new additions from my Ravelry store to help on your inspiration.

Texture Wrap: A collaboration with Infinite Twist with an ethereal texturized winged-shape shawl that combines different yarns, contrast color gradients and stitches to make a unique piece that will definitely will not go unnoticed. Skill Level: Intermediate.

Pi Poncho: A collaboration with Knotions Magazine with a basic poncho pattern is the perfect introduction to circular needles, knitting in the round, and easy lace patterns. Skill Level: Intermediate.

Happy crafting!

Sari Wrap

Sari Wrap

The Sari Wrap is my first collaboration with Knotions Magazine. The suggested themes in the call for submission were India and Garter Stitch.

My inspiration came from the colorful and ethereal saris from India. Saris are probably one of the most versatile outfits, as one size almost fits all and can be used practically all year around.

Since silk is the usual fiber used in their fabrics, I suggested a combination of Mohair-Silk to enhance the lightness and to allow enough dimension to be draped in different shapes. The piece is knitted in garter stitch with a needle size large enough to enhance this vaporous effect.

A distinctive feature of this piece is the color combination. Mohair-Silk gives a subtle glossy effect and texture that smooths the transition between the reddish and golden colors that you can see in this typical outfit. As a contrast in color and texture, black narrow stripes and a crab stitch finish in Alpaca-Silk are added as a nod to the kohl eyeliner.

The Sari Wrap pattern is available in Knotions and Raverly. In Ravelry you will also see several pictures of different ways of how to wear it. This is really an easy to make and with some imagination you can use all your mohair left overs !!! As with my previous suggestions (Mestral Purse & Top) , leave some free room in your stash for new goodies!!!.  

Greeny Poncho

Greeny Poncho

Following with my Pinterest inspiration (Board de Pinterest: Inspiration: rectangle knitting & crochet patterns), here you have another idea with a rectangular design: The Greeny Poncho.

The Greeny Poncho needs about 75 gr of Mohair, which makes it especially light, and with a simple lace stitch and 6 mm needles, which allows it to be used practically all year around. And as in other previous suggestions, useful to decrease your leftover yarn.

The pattern is available at Raverly in 3 languages ​​(Castellano, Català, English).

And remember that by subscribing to my NEWSLETTER you will receive the Pinky Poncho pattern by FREE!!

Greeny Ponxo

Greeny Ponxo

Continuant amb la inspiració de Pinterest (Board de Pinterest: Inspiration: rectangle knitting & crochet patterns), us proposo una altra idea amb un disseny rectangular: El Greeny Ponxo.

El Greeny Ponxo es fa uns 75 g de Mohair, que el fa especialment lleuger, i amb un senzill calat i agulles de 6 mm, la qual cosa permet que pugui utilitzar-se pràcticament durant tot l’any. I com en altres suggeriments anteriors, serveix per disminuir els “leftover yarn”.

El patró el teniu disponible a Raverly en 3 idiomes (Castellà, Català, English).

Recorda que si et suscrius a la NEWSLETTER rebràs de forma gratuïta el patró del Pinky Ponxo!

Bolsito Mestral/Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover yarn (II)

Bolsito Mestral/Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover yarn (II)

En el post anterior os sugería utilizar restos de ovillos para hacer un sencillo Top de verano con agujas circulares (Top Mestral). Como aun me sobraban unos 100 gramos, pensé en hacer algo aun mas simple, y esta vez en crochet. El resultado: el Bolsito Mestral, o Mestral Purse.

En este proyecto he utilizado una proporción de colores similar al Top, y unos puntos de crochet básicos. Al ser un bolsito pequeño, dependiendo del asa que le pongas, también lo podrás utilizar de riñonera. Al ser de tamaño pequeño, tejido en crochet y con puntos bastante tupidos, no hay necesidad de poner forro, aunque esto siempre va a gustos…

Los dos proyectos necesitan en total menos de 600 gramos en 4 colores. Una buena excusa para reducir vuestro stash!

Al igual que el Top Mestral, el patrón del Mestral Purse lo teneis en Ravelry y Etsy.

Recuerda que te puedes suscribir a mi NEWSLETTER para mantener el contacto!.

Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (II)

Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (II)

In the previous post I suggested using leftover yarn to make a simple Summer Top with circular needles (Mestral Top). Since I still had about 100 grams left, I thought of doing something even simpler, and this time in crochet. The result: the Mestral Purse.

In this project I have used a color ratio similar to the Top, and some basic crochet stitches. Being a small pouch, depending on the handle you put on it, you can also use it as a fanny pack. Being also small in size, knitted in crochet and with quite thick stitches, there is no need to add a lining, although this always depend on how you like it…

The two projects together need less than 600 grams in total in 4 colors. A good excuse to reduce your stash!

Like the Mestral Top, you have the pattern of the Mestral Purse in Ravelry and Etsy.

Remember that you can subscribe to my NEWSLETTER to keep in touch!

Bosseta Mestral/Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover yarn (II)

Bosseta Mestral/Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover yarn (II)

En el post anterior us suggeria utilitzar restes de cabdells per fer un senzill Top d’estiu amb agulles circulars (Top Mestral). Com encara em sobraven uns 100 grams, vaig pensar en fer encara més simple, i aquesta vegada en crochet. El resultat: la Bosseta Mestral, o Mestral Purse.

En aquest projecte he utilitzat una proporció de colors similar al Top, i uns punts de ganxet bàsics. Sent una bosseta petita, i depenent de la nansa que li posis, també ho podràs utilitzar de ronyonera. Sent de mida petita, teixit en ganxet i amb punts bastant tupits, no hi ha necessitat de posar folre, encara que això sempre va a gustos

Els dos projectes necessiten en total menys de 600 grams en 4 colors. Una bona excusa per reduir vostre stash!

A l’igual que el Top Mestral, el patró del Mestral Purse el teniu a Ravelry i Etsy.

Recorda que et pots subscriure a la meva NEWSLETTER per mantenir el contacte.

El Top Mestral: Stripes & Leftover yarn (I)

El Top Mestral: Stripes & Leftover yarn (I)

El Top Mestral utiliza una técnica muy sencilla para combinar colores utilizando restos de ovillos (“leftover yarn”): Las Rayas  (“Stripes”)

Existen diferentes técnicas para hacer proyectos de punto de media, o a 2 agujas, combinando varios colores (Intarsia, Stranded, Brioche,…). Sin embargo, para proyectos con restos de ovillos el tejido a rayas es el más fácil.

Las rayas son una de las formas más sencillas de tejer con varios colores, y la más fácil de utilizar con ovillos sobrantes. Basta con elegir la combinación de colores, la proporción de cada uno y empezar a tejer.

La combinación más adecuada

Para escoger la combinación de colores más adecuada es útil disponer de una rueda de colores (Color Wheel). Se pueden encontrar algunas sencillas apps gratuitas  en la AppStore.

Selecciona el color principal y, en función del tipo de prenda que quieras tejer o qué colores tienes disponibles, decide qué tipo de combinación (complementaria, complementaria dividida, tríada, análoga) encaja mejor.

Elige colores con contraste. Asegúrate de que uno de ellos sea relativamente claro / brillante y relativamente oscuro para que destaque en el proyecto. Puedes hacer una foto en blanco y negro de los ovillos juntos para apreciar mejor esta diferencia.

Los colores neutros (blanco, negro, gris, marrón, crudo y crema) combinan con todo y a veces son útiles para suavizar una composición demasiado vibrante.

La proporción más adecuada

Si quieres que tu proyecto tenga un color principal, al menos el 50 % del mismo debería ser de este color y el 40 % o menos del segundo color seleccionado. El tercer color, que se utilizaría para añadir contraste, no debería de superar el 10 %.

Si quieres utilizar más colores, en vez de añadir otros muy diferentes, puedes cambiar la saturación del color principal o secundario (haciéndolos más claros o más oscuros) y mantener la proporción> 50 / <40 /> <10.

El Top Mestral

El Top Mestral puede ser un ejemplo de cómo utilizar los ovillos sobrantes en un proyecto tejido a dos agujas.

Cuatro hilos de diferentes colores de grosor / composición similares (algodón L).

  • 70%: Verde azulado (turquesa) con 2 niveles de saturación=color primario
  • 20%: Neutro (crema)
  • 10%: naranja / mostaza=color complementario

Además, si tejes diferentes tipos de punto, te puede ayudar a disimular la utilización de ovillos de grosor (ligeramente) diferente.

Te animas a probar? Podrás encontrar el patrón del Top Mestral en Ravelry y Etsy. Además, también puedes encontrar otras ideas en mi Board de Pinterest.  

Suscríbete a mi NEWSLETTER para seguir en contacto!

El Top Mestral: Stripes & Leftover yarn (I)

El Top Mestral: Stripes & Leftover yarn (I)

El Top Mestral utilitza una tècnica senzilla per combinar colors utilitzant cabdells sobrants (“Leftover yarn”): Les Ratlles (“Stripes”)

Hi ha diferents tècniques per fer projectes de punt amb 2 agulles combinant colors (Intarsia, Stranded, Brioche,…). No obstant això, per als projectes amb restes de cabdells (“leftover yarn” ) les ratlles son les més fàcils.

Les ratlles es una de les tècniques mes fàcil per teixir amb diferents colors. Només cal triar la combinació de colors, la proporció de cadascun i començar a teixir.

La combinació mes adequada

Per escollir la combinació de colors mes adequada és útil tenir una roda de colors (Color Wheel). Podeu trobar algunes senzilles apps gratuïtes disponibles a l’ Appstore.

Trieu el color principal i, en funció de lo que voleu fer o quins colors teniu disponibles, decidiu el tipus de combinació (complementària, complementària dividida, tríada, anàloga) que mes us agradi.

Trieu colors amb contrast. Assegureu-vos que un dels colors sigui relativament clar / brillant i q relativament fosc perquè destaqui al projecte. A vegades es útil fer una foto en blanc i negre dels colors per veure aquest contrast.

Els colors neutres (blanc, negre, gris, marró, cru i crema) es combinen amb tot i de vegades són útils per suavitzar una composició massa vibrant.

La proporció mes adequada

Si voleu que el vostre projecte tingui un color principal, almenys el 50 per cent hauria de ser d’aquest color, el 40 per cent o menys del segon, i al voltant del 10 per cent hauria de ser del tercer color, que seria el q afegiria el contrast.

Si voleu fer servir mes colors, en comptes d’afegir-ne de diferents, podeu pensar en canviar la saturació del colors principal i/o de segon (fent-los més clars o més foscos), mantenint la proporció> 50 / <40 /> <10.

El Top Mestral

El Top Mestral pot ser un exemple de com utilitzar les restes de cabdells per a un projecte teixit a dos agulles.

Quatre cabdells de diferents colors de gruix / composició similars (cotó L).

  • 70%: Verd-blau (turquesa) amb 2 nivells de saturació
  • 20%: neutre (crema)
  • 10%: taronja / mostassa (complementari)

A més, teixint diferents tipus de punt, també us pot ajudar en el cas de que utilitzeu fils de gruix (lleugerament) diferent.

Us hi animeu? Podeu Podeu trobar el patró del Top Mestral a Ravelry i Etsy. A més a més, també podeu trobar algun altre idea al meu board de Pinterest.

Subscriviu-vos a la NEWSLETTER per seguir en contacte!

Mestral Top: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (I)

Mestral Top: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (I)

There are different techniques to make color kitting patterns (Intarsia, Stranded, Brioche,…). However, for leftover yarn projects stripes are the easiest. In this post you will find some ideas and a practical example: the Mestral Top.

Stripes are one of the simplest color knitting patterns, and the easier to use with leftover yarn. You just need to choose the right combination of colors, at the right proportion and start knitting.

Right Combination

To choose the right color combination is useful to have a color wheel. You can find some simple free apps available in Apple store.

Pick the main color, and depending on what you like to do or which colors you have available, you need to decide which type of combination (complementary, split complementary, triad, analogous,…) you want to make. 

Choose colors with high contrast. And make sure one of your colors is relatively light/bright and one is relatively dark so that the pattern will show up. You can take a black and white snapshot of your yarns together to see how well they contrast.

Neutrals colors (white, black, greys, browns, tans and cream) combine with everything and sometimes are useful to soften a too much vibrant composition.

Right Proportion

If you want your project to be in a main overall color, at least 50 percent of the chosen yarn should be in that color and 40 percent or less should be for the second one. Only around 10 percent should come from the third color, which will be the one to add contrast.

To increase the number of colors you may consider changing the saturation of your current main and second colors (making them lighter or darker), and maintain the >50/ <40/><10 proportion, rather than adding different ones.

The Mestral Top

The Mestral Top can be an example of how to use leftover yarn for a knitting project.

Four different color leftover yarns of similar weight/composition (cotton L).

  • 70%: Blue-green (Turquoise) with 2 levels of saturation.
  • 20%: Neutral (creme).
  • 10%: Orange/Mustard (complementary).

Moreover, adding different knitting stitches, may also help when your yarn has (slightly) different weights.

Do you want to try? You can find the Mestral Top pattern in my Ravelry and Etsy stores. In addition you may also find some more inspirations in my Pinterest board.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER to keep in touch!.