Free Pattern Friday – Bloom Shawl

Woman wearing long triangular striped shawl knit in Bamboo Bloom and Poems Sock
Today, Bloom in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Poems Sock (pattern link here).
We’ve reached that point in late winter where we’re sick of all the drab gray. Fortunately, as needlecrafters, we can do something about that!
woman wearing colorful blue and fuchsia knit shawl
This pattern is written in two sizes, large (shown), and small. If you’re more of a blanket-sized shawl person, go wild with the large.
It’s a very simple pattern, using basic garter stitch for its foundation. The magic comes from the self-shading Poems Sock (the fuchsia bands) and variegated thick and thin Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (the lighter bands). It’s fun to watch the colors emerge.
With the right yarn, a basic stitch takes on character and depth.
We hope you have a bright and beautiful weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Alpine Wrap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!https://universalyarn.com/products/alpine-wrap

Today, the Alpine Wrap crocheted in Deluxe Bulky Superwash (pattern link here).

Normally this would be where I’d make some joke about it being cold, but at this point, the weather’s a bit beyond that. Anytime people are being advised “avoid taking deep breaths, and minimise talking” while outside, that’s serious.

So maybe it’s time to hunker down, stay in, and make something bulky out of wool.

The Alpine Wrap is a great mix of lace and big yarn – thick enough to wrap around and bundle up in, or to wear loose as a beautiful accessory.

This gorgeous wrap is more than 6 feet long, but it goes by quickly – and it’s much easier than you might think!

The lace is varied, but it’s composed of basic stitches. If you can single and double crochet, you can make this.

Work the middle widthwise in rows. Then make the three color border in rounds, along all sides of the center. And because you’re using Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool on a US Size M/N (9 mm) hook, it’s going to grow quickly.

Designer Rachel Brockman chose to go with neutrals accented by 925 Adobe, a muted take on the 2019 Color of the Year that works well in this substantial piece.

However, while you could easily make this with four colors as shown, you could also use just one, or any number you wish. I’m a big fan of cool tones, so maybe Honeydew, Pulp, and Petrol Blue?

913 Honeydew, 928 Pulp, 914 Petrol Blue

Everybody, please have a safe, warm, cozy weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Magma Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing large half-circle tri-color shawl knitted in Universal Yarn Amphora

Today, the Magma Shawl in Amphora (pattern link here).

Designer Rachel Brockman pulls out all the stops for today’s pattern!

The theme here is magma, and nature lover Rachel takes it to its fullest extent. The stripes at the top represent bands of igneous rock pushed up by the force from beneath…

…while the lace below represents the flow of semi-solid lava.

The fuzzy fiber blend in Amphora ensures that this shawl will keep you warm – but not lava-hot!

Best, since the shawl is based on the garter stitch, it’s aesthetically reversible and pleasing on both sides. A big, beautiful winner of a design!

We hope you have a dynamite weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Pinnacle

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing dark blue, sea green, and lavender knitted slouchy cap.

Today, Pinnacle in Angora Lace (pattern link here).

Pinnacle is a lightweight slouchy topper with beautiful colorwork. Here’s a little peek at the inside.

Although it’s a three-color design, you’re never working with more than two colors at the same time.

This hat has a lovely haze, courtesy of the angora content in Angora Lace. It softens the design without letting any detail be lost. Beautiful.

Each color repeat points upward, eventually coming together at the crown and creating a star motif.

The color repeats are easy to memorize and addictive to knit – it may be worked at a fine gauge, but we’re sure you’ll knit it up in no time at all!

Have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Weightless Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

woman wearing pale pink and grey pullover knit in Universal Yarn Revolutions

Today, the Weightless Pullover in Revolutions (pattern link here).

Revolutions

This design was inspired by the silhouette of two of my favorite ready-to-wear tops. Both have enjoyed many years in my wardrobe and shall enjoy many more to come. I just love cozy, boxy tops. The Weightless Pullover ticks off all of the right boxes for me (box pun intended).

Knit in Revolutions, this sweater is so warm and has the loveliest halo that’s perfect for staying cozy during one of the coldest months of the year. It’s also feather-light. Seriously – the sample weighs just under 200 grams!

Universal Yarn Revolutions

This will be a really quick, soothing project, but you’ll have left-over yarn in the end. You’ll need to manipulate the self-shading yarn a bit. Revolutions features slow color shifts that allow you to concentrate on knitting. However, to ensure your project looks as close to the sample as possible when breaking and rejoining yarn, be sure to visually match the point at which you’re rejoining. This may require you to wind off some yarn. The results are worth it – don’t you agree?

Universal Yarn Revolutions

Feeling unsure what to do about your left-over yarn? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Depending on how much yarn you have remaining, you could whip out another project! Grab your crochet hook and make a Beyond the Sea Cowl. Prefer knitting needles? Reduce the number of horizontal repeats and you could easily create a scarf from the Warmth Stole.

Stay warm friends. We hope you have a craft-filled weekend!

Free Pattern Friday – Willowwork Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

A tan and gray Fair Isle knitted cowl against a brown background.

Today, the Willowwork Cowl in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (pattern link here).

The inspiration for this piece was the living willow fences, or hedges, or “fedges” that are woven from supple saplings into elegant shapes in the garden.

Photo of diamond lattice bent willow hedge
Photo of bentwood willow fence hiding clothesline.
Woven willow fence.

Mind you, it’s still winter, so the Deluxe Worsted Superwash colors we chose reflect a dormant living fence, while still keeping a warm wood feel.

Tan and gray stranded fabric knit in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
Oh, the magic of Fair Isle.

If you were one of those admiring Amy Gunderson’s Twisted Yoke Pullover from the Fall ’18 Vogue Knitting…

Here’s the Ravelry link.

…you’ll be pleased to find this uses the same technique. Twisted stitches create a depth that (pardon the expression) raises the design to the next level.

Amy has written this pattern in two sizes – the small size shown here…

…and a larger size suitable for wrapping.

We hope this graceful design hits its mark.

Read more about willow artist “Anna and the Willow” here.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Colorburst Cap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing crocheted cap.

Today, the Colorburst Cap in Classic Shades Frenzy (pattern link here).

Earlier this season we released e-book NoDa Knits (Ravelry link), a collection of knitting projects in colorful Classic Shades Frenzy. But we didn’t want to leave out crocheters!

Rear view of woman wearing cap crocheted in Classic Shades Frenzy.

So here is the crocheted Colorburst Cap, the grand finale free pattern of the year!

Detail of fabric in crocheted cap.
Ooh… aah…

This pretty project takes 1-2 balls of variegated Classic Shades Frenzy, one of our favorites to design with. The pattern is written and charted. Work it sideways, flat, for vertical stripes, then slip stitch the edges together.

Crocheted cap with skein of Classic Shades Frenzy yarn.

Gather up the top, and you’ve created a lovely slouchy accessory to carry you through the seasons. Magnifique!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend. We’ll see you in the new year with even more beautiful designs and patterns!

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Sequoia

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Thick green cabled pullover knit in Deluxe Bulky Superwash yarn

Today, Sequoia in Deluxe Bulky Superwash (pattern link here).

Looking at this pullover, it’s easy to see where it gets its name.

Huge cables rise dramatically up the front, carried up through the collar. It’s big, and cozy, and just the thing for midwinter.

The raglan-sleeved sweater is knit hem-up in pieces and seamed, with the cowl neck added in the round afterward. Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool makes the piece easy to care for.

Universal will be closed Monday and Tuesday for the holidays, and this might be the project that I grab some yarn for during the extended break. Cozy!

We hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Magical Mystery Throw

Image of brightly colored throw knitted in Uptown DK Colors

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

colorful striped square knitted throw draped over chair

Today the Magical Mystery Throw in Uptown DK Colors (pattern link).

We designed this throw to show off one of our three new colors in Uptown DK Colors, a soft, cottony anti-pilling acrylic.

Uptown DK Colors #70322 Tropical

The stripes that work up so evenly in a fixed-width piece do some amazing things when the rows start to grow, as in this center-out throw.

The longer the row, the narrower the band of color.

Until by the end, you’ll end up with multiple colors per row.  Such a great effect!  Of course, you could go with a less varied palette…

Uptown DK Colors #70320 Sapphire Road

….or really pull out all the stops with a rainbow-themed throw to display with pride.

Uptown DK Colors #70321 Rainbowz

No matter what you choose, it’s great fun to see the design emerge as you knit this kaleidoscope of color.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

Image of folded tropical-colored afghan knit in Uptown DK Colors.

Free Pattern Friday – Beyond the Sea Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Blue and aqua crocheted cowl with sequins

Today, the Beyond the Sea Cowl in Revolutions and Cotton Gold (pattern link here).

This cowl is named for the Bobby Darin song, that talks about how the singer’s true love is waiting across the waves. But it also hearkens to song’s original French inspiration, La Mer, with its visions of the sea dancing along the shore, shimmering under the rain.

Mixing the warmth of Revolutions‘ alpaca and mohair halo with the glitter in sequined Cotton Gold captures the feel of the light sparkling on the waves.

The main pattern is a three row repeat using very basic crochet stitches, making this a suitable project for an adventurous beginner.

The finished product has a warm and relaxed fabric, both dressy and practical.  It’s easy enough to widen this cowl, if desired.  It uses an 8 stitch repeat, so just start with more stitches in that 8 stitch increment and you’re set.

We wish you a warm and bright weekend.

Happy crafting!