On the Importance of Details

I love simple patterns that include just one or two little details that make them really special. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to add those kinds of touches to my own designs, whether it’s an interesting hem line or a simple stripe or something a little more complex.

In the case of Schoonheid, a free pattern from Berroco, it’s a panel of lace that runs along the edge of an otherwise stockinette stitch triangular shawl. That little detail doesn’t boost the skill level significantly but it does make the project a lot more interesting and special than if it had been completely stockinette or worked with something like a garter stitch edging.

The yarn its worked in — Ultra Alpaca Light — is a beauty, too, reminding us once again that the yarn choice is super important when a project is simple because the quality of the yarn really shines through.

I may not ever knit this project but it sure has taught me a thing or two anyway!

[Photo via Berroco.]

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The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

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