Our 2024 Crafting Goals

We hope you accomplished all the crafting goals that you set out for in 2023, but if not, 2024 is a new opportunity! Our team has gathered together to come up with exciting personal crafting goals for the new year, and we want to hear yours as well. We invite you to take a peek below to check our teams aspirations for the year ahead!

Aubrey: “In 2024, I hope to get back into doing more hand embroidery on knitwear and ready-to-wear clothing! I loved designing the Verbena Pullover and getting to do the hand embroidery on that sample, so it would be exciting to expand my knowledge of hand embroidering on knits this year. We have some yarns in our line that will work fabulously for this, like Magnolia. This fingering weight yarn is delicate enough to show off complex embroidery designs and has a silky-smooth finish. Embroidery adds a touch of uniqueness to your projects or your everyday clothes, and the customization element makes them feel extra special and artistic.”

Ashley Jane: “I am a crocheter, but I have been taking on more and more knit projects. This year, my big resolutions are to try some new projects that would help me grow my knitting skills! First up, I want to try out the Forager Socks, designed by Rachel Brockman. They feature some beautiful lacework, which I have yet to try, so I am very excited about them. These socks call for Filly, which is a blend of 46% cotton, 33% superwash merino, 12% polyamide, and 9% PBT. It comes in 6 self-shading hues that are perfect for springtime. I think the color choices, along with the open lace design will make for a perfect warm-weather pair.

The other skill I want to try is cables, so I want to make myself the Carillon sweater, designed by Aubrey Busek Gray. I adore the twisting design on the front, and the overall elegance of this piece, which is enhanced by the 100% wool yarn, Deluxe Worsted. This yarn is available in over 80 colors, some of which are natural, undyed marvels. While the cabling may be a new challenge for me, I think the hardest part of this sweater will be choosing a favorite color!”

Afifa: “I knit my very first pair of socks last year and am now obsessed and want to hone my sock-knitting skills. I am excited to work on the Tempera Socks designed by Aubrey Busek. I love the combination of stripes and lacework in this pattern. The pattern is designed for Uni Merino, a blend of soft superwash merino wool and nylon, perfect for socks. With the wide range of shades available, the potential color combinations are endless. Here’s to having a drawer full of hand-knit socks by the end of the year!”

Robert: “As someone who never crafted much before my time here, 2023 was full of trying new things. As 2024 continues, I would like to take more time to weave and crochet, as I find these crafts relaxing. Universal Yarn has a beautiful display of yarns, but I am eyeing Zesty Sock for a few squares on the Zoom Loom.”

Zesty Sock

We want to hear from you! What are your crafting goals for 2024? Let us know in the comments below.

We love to see customer projects! Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see the creativity that exists in the crafting community. Plus, use #universalyarn when using our yarn for a chance to be shared in stories or on our feed!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

12 Days of Winter – 2023 Kit Collection

Assortment of Knits with text "12 Days of Winter, the 2023 Kit collection"

Hello, December! It’s that time of year again, when we present to you our annual 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. And, with bittersweet news, this is our last kit collection of this type. Join me today as I reflect on year’s past and share the exciting refreshed and new kits we are offering for 2023.

The cover from our very first edition of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, from 2017.

In 2017, when I first began working at Universal Yarn, we conceived the exciting idea to create twelve wintry accessories featuring a variety of our yarns to support our local yarn stores through the gift-giving season. These kits were designed to be beautiful, thoughtful finished objects to give a loved one, or to be a present for your best fiber friend. The designs were all centered around winter, and primarily meant to be useful beyond the holiday season. We dreamt of frozen lakes, snowy forests, the warmth and crackle of the fireplace, and twinkling lights. Then, we took that imagery and created a collection of twelve designs to inspire.

Top Left: Series 1 Snowflake Mitts / Top Right: Series 2 Mistletoes
Middle Left: Series 3 Mountain Pines / Middle Right: Series 4 Chai Latte Set
Bottom Left: Series 5 Crochet Cinnamon Swirl Stole / Bottom Right Series 6 Hubble the Winter Wolf

Pictured above are some of the highlights our the past six years of 12 Days of Winter. In those years, we have published a total of 76 knitting and crochet patterns to celebrate the season. From mitts and hats to scarves and stuffies, we truly have something for everyone in these collections. As we reflected on which of these patterns were best loved for Series 7, we wanted to rekindle the joy they brought you. With that said, we are so proud to share our latest 12 Days of Winter Kit collection, which features old favorites and new patterns alike.

The Cover of our 12 Days of Winter 2023 Kit Collection

First, let’s talk about some of the oldies but goodies. Eight of the patterns in this collection were revisited from previous years. We’ve refreshed them with exciting new yarns. Take Aspen, for example. This beloved classic cabled scarf was a hit during our third year of the kit collection. It’s intricately winding cables are impressive, but easier to achieve than one might expect. This year, we’ve paired it with a yarn destined to shine in cables: Yarn Vibes Cliffs of Moher. Its rustic, plump hand gives the cables such a warm and woolly texture.

The popular Forest Garland, which has both a knit and crochet version, was reimagined using our Cotton Supreme and Cotton Gold yarns held together. The shimmering sequins of Cotton Gold make it look just like twinkly lights or beautiful bulbs decorating a Christmas tree.

New yarns are just part of revisiting our previous years of patterns. As you can see so far, we’ve been swapping colors as well. That’s the case for each of these patterns, and I especially love how it worked out for the Blue Spruce Socks and Snow Day Set. We opted for unexpected yarns and icy shades to maximize the wintry impact. The Blue Spruce Socks use two strands of Uni Merino together, and the Snow Day Set takes Rico Design’s Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed on a frosty adventure!

Originally from Series 2, We Three Hats and Snowfolk were especially favored among our in-house team and our customers. We kept the yarn for We Three Hats the same, but played around with cool shades of sugarplum and icy blues. This outstanding kit is like three in one, because you’ll have enough Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash to make all three hats and enjoy a sampling of fun techniques! Similarly, one kits gets you all three Snowfolk, lovingly named Agnes, Dorothy, and Maureen. This year, these ladies got a makeover with all new accessories in best-selling Uptown Worsted to keep cozy on a cold winter’s day.

Although all of the kits we’ve revisited so far were featured in previous 12 Days of Winter Kit Collections, not all of those from this year are. In fact, we’ve taken two stunning kits from discontinued yarns and gave them new life! The Holiday Stockings and the Illuvia Shawl were once part of our Dona color kits. Their techniques made them a perfect fit for the collection. The stranded Holiday Stockings, now knit in Rico Design Baby Dream DK Uni are a joyful home décor project just waiting to be stuffed with little trinkets. The colorful Illuvia Shawl, now knit in Wool Pop, features a sampling of exciting stitches that will delight you as you knit, and impress your giftee!

Finally, we’re happy to introduce some brand new patterns to you! The last four kits I’ll touch on were designed to round out this year’s collection. The first two, Mini Marshmallow and the Twilight Socks, are special because they combine different yarns for impact. Mini Marshmallow is actually a tiny version of his big brother, Marshmallow, from Series 5. This little best friend would make the sweetest gift for your little one. I can easily see their little body popping out of the aforementioned Holiday Stockings on Christmas morning, just waiting to be hugged! Mini Marshmallow is knit using plush, soft Bella Chenille, and their stylish sweater is knit with colorful Rico Design Creative Melange Chunky.

The Twilight Socks are the advanced sock knitter’s dream. The intricate motif combines twisted stitches and mosaic knitting, and the results couldn’t be more jaw-dropping. Here, we’ve paired the variegated marls of Cobblestone with the saturation of Uni Merino into one amazing pair of socks.

The next two accessories will keep your neck and shoulders toasty and warm all season long! Crochet enthusiasts will absolutely adore Milky Way, a cozy cowl featuring the brilliant self-shading hues of Colorburst. The spike stitches blend the colors together and create a finished piece as impressive as the galaxy we call home. Unlike the kaleidoscope of colors seen in Milky Way, the knitted Snowstorm scarf looks a bit more neutral in Kingston Tweed. Gray and navy tones in a mosaic colorwork pattern will remind you of a nighttime blizzard, and the soft pink edges bring to mind rosy cheeks out in the cold.

There you have it – our designs for the final edition of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collections. We deeply appreciate all of your enthusiasm for these patterns and kits over the years. We hope each one has filled you with warmth and holiday cheer. And if these collections were something you looked forward to each year, fear not – we promise we will have many more festive treats in store for you in the years to come!

Be merry, my fiber friends, and have a wonderful holiday season!
-Rachel

Flash Pattern Friday: Peri

It’s Flash Pattern Friday! On this holiday weekend, we’re sharing Peri (link), knit in our sumptuous Truva yarn.

Peri is part of our On the Line pattern collection, available at this link. This top-down, seamless pullover with raglan shaping has gentle bishop sleeves that are gathered at the wrists. The yoke is dotted with striped seed stitch to create textural interest. Purl ridges divide the seed stitch from the rest of the sweater, which is worked in stockinette stitch and K1, P1 ribbing using solid colors.

Like I mentioned earlier, Peri is knit using our 50/50 cashmere/cotton blend, Truva. This yarn is easily one of my favorites for its heathered hues and soft hand. The blend also makes it a wonderful choice for garments worn Autumn through Spring. For a yarn with so much depth in color, its smooth structure lends itself to excellent stitch definition, so we love it in patterns with simple texture. You can see this in Peri, but also in each of the other pieces in the On the Line collection.

To get Peri for free, use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page. Once the pattern is in your cart, enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer runs through Monday, November 27th.

The deals don’t stop there, though! In addition to getting Peri for free, you can pick up any of the patterns you’ve been eyeing in our Ravelry store for 50% off, no code needed. And while you’re sorting out your pattern queue, stock up on yarn, needles, and notions on our website, where we’re holding a sale! Take 30% off yarn, kits, and muud products, and 15% off ChiaoGoo products. All of these deals last through Monday, November 27th. We’re thankful for you, and you deserve these savings!

What do you plan to cast on this weekend? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Happy stitching,
Rachel

Pattern Spotlight: Wee Pumpkin

Happy Wednesday fiber folks! We hope you’re enjoying your autumn so far. Crisp, breezy days paired with fiery foliage add to the fall magic, and we’re all looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday next week. To celebrate, we’ve decided to revisit an oldie but a goodie: the free Wee Pumpkin pattern (link), designed by Amy Gunderson.

Originally designed in 2014 for the now-discontinued Poems yarn, we thought the pattern would be the perfect match for Rico Design’s Creative Melange Chunky. This machine-washable blend of virgin wool and acrylic is a soft, cushiony single ply yarn. It’s a joy to knit because of the self-shading print that makes every stitch exciting as you travel from one color to the next. Creative Melange features a palette of 31 colors, and one of the newest colors seemed like the ideal match for the Wee Pumpkin pattern – #075 Autumn. The warm harvest shades of this colorway reminded us of the many varieties and colors found in everyone’s favorite fall fruit: the pumpkin!

The pattern is a fun knit for adventurous beginners and seasoned knitters alike. Skills to indulge in include wrap and turn short rows, picking up stitches, basic increases and decreases, and seaming. The Wee Pumpkin begins with the pumpkin body, which is worked sideways and features wedges shaped with short rows. If you haven’t tried short rows before, this pattern would be great for dipping your toes into the technique. After the body is complete, a little seaming around the sides and base forms the pumpkin body. Then, stitches are picked up from around the top to create the stem. It’s finished with an adorable curlicue and leaf that are sewn to the top of the pumpkin.

Requiring just over one ball of Creative Melange, you’ll get a pumpkin that’s a bit larger than “wee.” The finished piece is about 7″ tall and 8″ in diameter. It’s the perfect size to decorate your fireplace mantel. Or, use it with other fall decorations to make a show-stopping centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. You could even add some safety eyes and make it a precious little pumpkin to give your own little one.

Remember, you can download the Wee Pumpkin pattern for FREE at this link. And while we’re on the subject of pumpkins, allow me to recommend this smashing pie recipe to bake this Thanksgiving. While you’re waiting for the pie to bake, you can work on stitching this project! We’d love to know your favorite thing about pumpkins – let us know in the comments!

Happy stitching!
Rachel

Free Pattern Friday – High Line Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday! Today we’re sharing the High Line Shawl (pattern link), designed by Rachel Brockman (me!) and knitted in Uni Merino Neons and Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk.

Small Version of the High Line Shawl

Inspired by city lights and New York City’s High Line park, the High Line Shawl is the perfect project to add to your knitting needles this season. The luminescent pop of color in each version of the shawl is reminiscent of the glow of a city at night, with electrifying lights in an array of colors. The lace motif creates striking diagonal lines parallel to one another, traveling across the shawl like the tracks of the historically active rail line that has been converted to a beautiful public park.

Large Version of the High Line Shawl

Let’s talk yarn! No doubt about it, neon colors have returned and surged in popularity. Whether it’s because our world is growing increasingly digital, 90’s nostalgia, or a longing for endorphin-inducing brights to add a bit of cheer to stressful times in the world, we’re fully embracing the trend here at Universal Yarn. So much so that we recently introduced Uni Merino Neons to our lineup! This 4-ply sock yarn is comprised of soft, smooth 75% superwash merino wool and 25% nylon. It has excellent stitch definition and comes in five saturated, acidic shades. Although it’s stunning by itself, we’ve amped up the impact of this shawl by adding a strand of luxurious Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk by Rico Design. The 70% super kid mohair and 30% silk blend adds an ethereal, fluffy halo and makes projects even more insulating, which is ideal for the cold months ahead. This laceweight yarn is an excellent carry-along companion for Uni Merino Neons, and the yarns are held together throughout the project. There are plenty of coordinating colors to use with Uni Merino Neons, too. It’s a match made in heaven!

While the upbeat bright colors and luxe yarn may be enough to give you the itch to cast on the High Line Shawl, the knitting itself is just as enticing. This shawl features an all-over lace motif that will captivate your attention. The lace pattern is a simple eight stitch by eight row repeat, with lace worked on both the right side and wrong side of the work. It’s a great way to dip your toes into more complicated lacework while keeping things approachable. The results are also well worth the effort because the stitches create a striking, open fabric that will turn heads.

Another unique feature of the shawl is its asymmetrical shape. Like many shawls, it is triangular, but the increases in this pattern create more of a scalene triangle. Yarnover increases are worked every right side row on one edge, and every other right side row on the opposite edge. The lace motif is framed by a simple garter stitch edge and border. This pattern also provides instructions for both a small and large size, and each size makes the most of each yarn.

Ready to get started on the High Line Shawl? Lucky for you, both yarns required for this project are 20% off on our website (link), today through Sunday, 10/22/23, only! Get your needles ready and cast on today!

Happy crafting!
-Rachel

Pattern Spotlight: Shelob Sweater.

A woman wearing a purple and orange pullover with spider motifs sits on a chair.

Happy Wednesday, fellow crafters!

My name is Afifa, and I joined the Universal Yarn design team in February. I’ve been knitting since I was 10 years old and started designing in 2016 (you can follow me on Instagram here and see my portfolio of work here). I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be introducing myself with a Halloween post! Spooky season is my absolute favorite time of the year with the dip in temperature signaling sweater weather.

And, boy, do I have a sweater for you to cast on while getting cozy and binge-watching The Lord of the Rings Trilogy! Say hello to the free Shelob Sweater knit in Deluxe Worsted. Nothing embodies spooky season for me more than the frightening creatures portrayed in this epic high fantasy trilogy. From Gollum lurking around corners, jumping out, and yelling ‘my precious’ to the Orcs and the great spiders of Mirkwood. The mother of these spiders, Shelob, was the inspiration for this sweater. This ancient creature’s lair lies in Cirith Ungol (the pass of the spider) leading into Mordor, avoided by all but Gollum. While her offspring terrorize all who dare to enter the forest of Mirkwood.

The Shelob Sweater is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down. It starts with a dramatic drop stitch mesh pattern that mimics a spiderweb and is inspired by the extensive webs woven by the sweater’s namesake. The yoke incorporates both circular and raglan shaping, allowing the yoke to lay like a capelet on the shoulders. This mesh pattern also brings in one of the hottest trends in knitwear – openwork. Layered over simple everyday pieces, this trend keeps you warm and insulated on crisp autumn mornings and evenings, but cool and comfortable in the afternoon.

Shadowy spiders representing Shelob’s spawn drop down from the yoke to add to the spooky aesthetic of this statement piece, with additional spiders on the cinched cuffs of the balloon sleeves. The spider motifs are made using only knits and purls, worked from a chart, and decorate both the front and back of the garment. Deluxe Worsted truly accentuates every aspect of this design. From the 1×1 ribbing to the dropped stitch yoke to the spider motifs, I love how the smooth, 4-ply structure of this base creates exquisite stitch definition.

This was my first experience knitting with Deluxe Worsted. And, let me tell you, this 100% non-superwash wool yarn is a pleasure to work with. It’s soft, pillowy and blooms beautifully after blocking. In addition to that, this yarn is extremely durable – something I tested out while unraveling the dropped stitches and pulling apart the ones that ‘stuck’. This sturdy yarn will stand the test of time, allowing your stitches to stay crisp and you’ll be able to wear your Shelob Sweater year after year!

Even with 90 colors to choose from, it was easy to pick the colors for this project! Though black is traditionally associated with spiders and the spooky season in general, with a little help from Rachel, our Creative Lead, we settled on Rhapsody, for a more modern twist on Halloween. Pumpkin seemed like the obvious choice for an accent color to really tie the spooky theme together. This lovely bright orange screams Halloween and plays beautifully with the rich purple of Rhapsody. For my next Shelob Sweater, I chose Blue Splash and Bashful Pink as a subtle nod to the fictional Marvel character Ghost Spider. What colors will you pick?

Keep on knitting on!

Afifa

Collection Spotlight: Lakeside Bundle

Happy Wednesday, Fiber Friends!

Today, we’re introducing our latest pattern collection: the Lakeside Bundle! The two featured patterns, the Cattail Cardigan and Subtle Shell Ruana, make the most of the beautiful palette, subtle sheen, and smooth stitches of our new Uptown Bamboo DK yarn.

Three skeins of Universal Yarn Uptown Bamboo DK.
Uptown Bamboo DK: a beautiful blend of our beloved anti-pilling acrylic with a touch of bamboo for drape.

Uptown Bamboo DK is perfect for the early days of autumn. It is lightweight and features the cool touch of bamboo, but at the same time, is warm and insulating. It’s one of those beautifully versatile yarns that work amazingly well in any project. I attribute that to it’s plump, multi-thread construction featuring plies of thread that are then again plied together to create a bouncy, round yarn. The results are perfectly crisp stitches, demonstrated so well in both of the projects in the Lakeside Bundle. Let’s take a closer look.

The first piece in the collection is the Cattail Cardigan, designed by Rachel Brockman. It is named for its vertical lines, reminiscent of cattail plants stretching tall above the water, and for the zig-zap motif that reminds us of a breeze gently lapping the lakeshore. In this primarily knitted cardigan, an airy lace motif is interrupted with crisp rows of garter stitch, constructed sideways to create the vertical stripes. Each side is the mirror image of the other because it is knit in two pieces, beginning at the sleeve cuffs and meeting at the center back. Those who dabble in both knit and crochet, or who want to, will love the retro granny stripe collar. This cardigan is graded for sizes XXS/XS to 5X/6X.

A young woman sitting by a lake brushes her hair to the side, showing the details of the Cattail Cardigan, a pattern hand knit and crocheted in Universal Yarn Uptown Bamboo DK.

As I mentioned earlier, the impeccable stitch definition of Uptown Bamboo DK is on full display here, giving the twisted ribbing and contrast between lace and garter a sculptural feel. This yarn’s soft color palette also contributes to the beauty of the Cattail Cardigan. For this pattern, we opted for #508 Coral as the main color, with #534 Chinchilla and #527 Seaglass as the contrast colors. This color scheme reminds us of early mornings by the lakeside – watching the sunrise and mist float above the open water.

The second pattern offered in Lakeside Bundle is the crocheted Subtle Shell Ruana, designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre. Named after the tiny freshwater shells found along the waterfront, this drapey design is excellent for warding off the breeze on a windy day. Like the Cattail Cardigan, this accessory is constructed sideways and meets at the center back, creating a beautiful focal point.

A close-up detail of the back of the crocheted Subtle Shell Ruana, made in Universal Yarn Uptown Bamboo DK.

Graded for sizes Small/Medium through 4X/5X, this pattern is easy and beginner-friendly. It features a rhythmic stitch motif comprised of double V-stitches, no shaping, and simple color changes. The results are indeed sensational! The Subtle Shell Ruana uses Uptown Bamboo DK in three colors: #502 Lily, #527 Sea Glass, and #531 Savanna. I love how these colors work together – subtly echoing the intersection of cool water and a sandy bank.

The cover of the ebook, Lakeside Bundle. It features text that reads: "Lakeside Bundle: A Breezy Due of Knit and Crochet Patterns in Uptown Bamboo DK". The Universal Yarn logo is in the lower left corner, and in the lower right corner text reads "Uptown Bamboo DK, Fall 2023". A woman stands on the right side/center of the photo and wears the crocheted Subtle Shell Ruana.

We know these patterns will have you dreaming of a day stitching by the docks. Each pattern is available individually, or save $5.00 when you purchase the bundle on our website (link) for just $8.00!

Which pattern do you plan to start first? Let us know in the comments!

Happy stitching,
Rachel

Spotlight: Crazy for Carry-Alongs

Happy Wednesday, fiber friends! Have you ever wanted to customize your yarn for the next project on your hook or needles? If the answer is yes, this post is for you! Today we’re spotlighting some of our favorite carry-along yarns.

First things first – what exactly makes a yarn a carry-along yarn? Well, the truth is any yarn can be one if you’re holding at least two strands together at once. But more precisely, I would consider a carry-along to be a thread to laceweight yarn with an interesting characteristic that transforms a “base” yarn into something totally new. It could be that the yarn adds a lofty halo, touch of texture, pop of color, or glitz and glam. A “base” yarn is often a stash staple, such as a smooth, solid 4-ply yarn. But that’s not a rule! You can use ANY yarn as a base, and the more playful you get, the more exciting the results.

Today we’re going to talk about some brand new options, as well as some old favorites. From neon and glittery threads to classic silk-mohair, let’s take a look at some of our favorite carry-along yarns based on the characteristic you want to add.

Yarn for a Lofty Halo

One of the most commonly seen carry-along yarns are mohair/silk blends. They’ve been incredibly trendy over the past few years, and we don’t see their popularity slowing down. This blend adds a fluffy halo and the subtlest ethereal sheen. We offer two options: Rico Design Essentials Loves Silk and Essentials Love Silk Print. Loves Silk is great for pairing solids in coordinating colors. Choosing Loves Silk Print will yield interesting results thanks to the slow fade from one color to another. Both of these yarns are a combination of 70% mohair and 30% silk. These luxury yarns are warm and insulating, take dye beautifully, and are durable and hard-wearing.

Ola, knit in Deluxe Worsted held together with Penna

Although mohair/silk blends are the perfect choice for many fiber artists, there are some who may find their skin is a bit sensitive to the high proportion of mohair. If you love the look and feel of those yarns, but are looking for a mohair-free alternative, we can’t recommend Penna enough! Penna is a blend of 50% baby suri alpaca, 28% extra-fine merino, and 22% nylon that offers a light, fluffy texture, but unlike the Loves Silk line, it has more of a matte finish. When held with other yarns, such as Deluxe Worsted (pictured in the classic Ola sweater, designed by Adrienne Larsen, above), it contributes a feathery halo that’s kitten soft.

Yarn for Glimmer and Glamour

Whether you’re knitting for a wedding, evening out, or just to enjoy a bit of sparkle, we’ve made it easy to make your favorite projects twinkle like stars in the night sky. Let’s take a closer look at a brand new yarn and an irresistible fan favorite.

First, a longtime favorite for jaw-dropping impact: Cotton Gold. Cotton Gold is a laceweight yarn comprised of 65% cotton, 27% payette (sequins), and 8% metallic. If dramatic sparkle is what you’re aiming for, you cannot go wrong with this yarn. We’ve been using this yarn as a carry-along for a long time, and customers are always drawn to it when we attend festivals and shows. It’s softer than you might imagine for a sequinned yarn, and it’s especially pleasant to work with when held together with another yarn. The free Midnight Top, designed by Aubrey Busek, is an outstanding example of the level of glamour this yarn provides. Knit with Cotton Supreme DK (on sale!), it’s a fast and easy top to get you through the end of summer. Preparing for autumn and winter? Try the Glisten Cowl, designed by yours truly. Here, it’s paired with glittering Noelle (also on sale!) for maximum impact. As you can see in both projects, this yarn doesn’t impede the stitch patterns – in fact, we think it enhances them!

Next, a brand new addition: Rico Design Metallic No. 40! This embroidery thread is a blend of 70% polyamide, and 30% polyester available in nine colors. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest knitting or crocheting with this yarn by itself (it’s great for embroidery and hand sewing), but the results are impressive when used as a carry-along. This yarn is excellent for understated shimmer. In the swatch pictured above, I’ve held Uni Merino together with Metallic No. 40 to show how it appears in a superfine yarn with light and dark coordinating colors. I love the subtle marl in the lighter stripes (#107 Conch) and the subdued sparkle in the darker stripes (#138 Black Cherry). Although we don’t have any patterns for this yarn just yet, I can assure you this little swatch will grow up into something beautiful. The best thing about this yarn? The impact on gauge is minimal. I suggest trying it out in your winter sweater pattern!

Yarn for a Pop of Color

To put the icing on the cake, we’ve also introduced a soft, smooth thread in brilliant neon shades to add a zing of vibrant color to your next project. Say hello to Rico Design Creative Make it Neon! This thread is comprised of several loosely spun plies, so it’s soft to the touch and pleasant to work with. Its construction also gives it a touch of bounce that more closely matches yarns such as the new Essentials Merino Plus DK. It is 100% polyester and comes in three lively neon shades: Orange, Pink, and Green. Unlike the carry-alongs where you have the option to coordinate similar shades for new textures or sparkle, Creative Make it Neon is designed to introduce a marled fabric. Keep in mind that the neon could easily be lost if you choose a similar color to your base yarn. Contrast is key for working with this one.

I was so smitten with this yarn that I immediately cast on a new design. In the coming weeks, you’ll get to combine Essentials Merino Plus DK with Creative Make it Neon for a squishy cabled hat. Perfect for welcoming autumn, so stay tuned!

There you have it: five of our favorite carry-along yarns! Remember, any yarn can be a carry-along: just take a look at Pattern 1020 by Rico Design for another example. Get creative and go crazy with color and texture. Consider mixing several of these carry-alongs together in the same project. The options are truly limitless and inspiring. Let us know what you would create with these yarns in the comment section below!

Happy crafting!
-Rachel

Staff Picks – Favorite Fall Sweaters!

A man leans against a tree modeling a brown, knit sweater. Text on the image reads "Staff Picks. Favorite Fall Sweaters."

Now that we are in the midst of our summer plans and festivities, many of us are starting to look forward to fall. With colder weather on the horizon and fiber festivals to attend, this is a great time to start planning and making the perfect sweaters for the season. We have compiled a few favorites to help get you started with your selections!

Virtuoso in Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash, designed by Aubrey Busek.

Up first, Designer and Marketing Lead, Aubrey Busek is highlighting the brilliant cardigan, Virtuoso, designed by herself! Here is what she has to say about why she loves this piece so much for fall.

“Virtuoso is my favorite fall sweater because of the vibrant colors that I associate with autumn. Juicy yellows, dark pinks, and oranges reflect the changing colors of the foliage throughout the season. The way that our Colorburst yarn shifts in the stripes reminds me of a sunset and reflects the earlier darkening of the sky during the autumn season. Also, the practicality of the garment itself makes it my favorite. In the autumn season, you often deal with warm days and chilling mornings and nights. A long cardigan is perfect for layering and easy to change in and out to suit the quickly shifting temperatures.” – Aubrey.

This sweater calls for the solid yarn Deluxe DK Superwash combined with our self-shading Colorburst for this stunning striping effect. Deluxe DK Superwash is made of 100% superwash wool and is available in 50 colors, all of which have the potential to pair up with Colorburst for a unique and special garment. Some of these colors are currently on sale, so be sure to stash up before they are gone! Colorburst is made of 65% superwash fine merino wool and 35% acrylic and is available in 16 different shades to suit any maker.

Lumber in Deluxe Worsted, Designed by Amy Gunderson.

Next up is a pick from Robert, our Social Media Marketing Assistant, who is currently learning to knit! He selected Lumber, designed by Amy Gunderson, and shares why, below.

“My favorite sweater would have to be Lumber. Using just one color of Deluxe Worsted (non-superwash), Lumber highlights reliability over flash. As a guy who wears jeans often, I need a sweater that will help me sport a well-rounded outfit. And since I am always cold, the yarn choice of Deluxe Worsted is bound to keep me warm.” – Robert.

As he shares, this sweater uses Deluxe Worsted, which is 100% non-superwash wool, and it’s springy fibers do keep makers warm and cozy! There is an astonishing 90 colors to select from, so you are sure to find a favorite hue to make this sweater the one for you.

Peri in Truva, designed by Rachel Brockman.

Rachel Brockman, our Creative Lead, shares Peri, which she designed and plans to make for herself for autumn!

“This year, the autumn sweater I’m itching to cast on is Peri. The knit-purl centric design of this sweater is simple, which is perfect because lately, I’ve been craving soothing, rhythmic knits. The striped seed stitch texture looks phenomenal in two beautifully heathered shades of our cotton/cashmere blend, Truva. This blend is ideal for southern autumns because it stays pretty warm here year-round. As a perpetually chilly person, though, the roll neck and cozy sleeves of Peri are just what I need! Even though this is my design, I will probably modify the body length a bit because I’m a fan of a slight crop paired with high-waisted skirts or pants. Because this sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down, achieving the perfect body and sleeve length will be a breeze. Although I usually like to shake up colors from the original design, I don’t think I’m switching it up this time! The shades used in the sample, 108 Crocus and 107 Mandarin, are my favorites in the palette. Fans of blues might love pairing 102 Stormcloud with 104 Harbor, and I think 103 Chambray and 105 Aegean look lovely together, too (check out the Spearmint Tee to see for yourself!).” – Rachel.

Peri is made with Truva, a luxurious blend of 50% cashmere and 50% cotton that is perfect for every season. It comes in a bespoke offering of eight heathered and marled shades which are all as refined as the yarn itself.

Hanasaku Yoke in Deluxe Worsted Superwash, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, and Colorburst, designed by Universal Yarn Design Team.

Lastly, I’ll be sharing my pick! I’m Ashley Jane, a Design Associate here at Unversal Yarn. Below is a bit about why I love this sweater, the Hanasaku Yoke, designed by the UY Design Team.

“The Hanasaku Yoke is my pick for fall because of the combination of rich textures and colors that interplay throughout the sweater creating lots of room for fun and intrigue. The Bamboo Bloom varies in thickness throughout, making even simple stitches look deceptively intricate, while the color shifts of Colorburst offer potential for tonal or contrasting enhancement. All of this is set on a complimenting solid backdrop of Deluxe Worsted Superwash letting each of these yarns shine in their own way. I love how much potential there is to make this sweater over again in varying colors for this season and beyond!” – Ashley Jane

This sweater callsfor three different yarns. Deluxe Worsted Superwash is the slightly thicker version of the above mentioned Deluxe DK Superwash (used in Virtuoso). It also contains 100% superwash wool, but this yarn is available in 57 dazzling colors, giving you slightly more to choose from! Bamboo Bloom Handpaints is arguably one of our most unique yarns with its thick and thin, matte and shiny qualities throughout. It’s made of 44% wool, 48 rayon from bamboo, and 8% acrylic available in 15 soothing shades to choose from. Lastly, these yarns combine with Colorburst (also used in Virtuoso) to create the show-stopping combination seen in the Hansaku Yoke.

I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring some of these Fall Favorites! Will you try out any of these sweaters for yourself or someone you love? Don’t forget to share all your beautiful creations with us on social media!

That’s all for now! Happy Stitching,
Ashley Jane McIntyre

Spotlight: New Colors & New Patterns

A graphic with the words "Spotlight: New Yarns & New Patterns". Four images of a model are to the left of the text. She is wearing assorted knitted and crochet garments.

Twice a year, Universal Yarn launches lots of exciting new yarns, colors, and patterns to our customers. We bring our sales reps together for the first look, and shortly after we present you with all of these sweet surprises! (By the way, if you want some insight on a day in the life of a yarn sales rep, check out this blog post featuring one of our reps.) You may have noticed some new colors of some of our staple yarns at your local yarn store, or on our website. To go with these lovely new colors we’ve published some wonderful free patterns. Shall we dive in and explore these goodies?

Bamboo Pop

Our bestselling yarn, Bamboo Pop, features six gorgeous neutrals inspired by the diversity of our skin tones. These colors were created for doll projects, as seen in our Bamboo Pop Dolls released last week, and for Knitted Knockers, which are soft, comfortable knit prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Bamboo Pop is one of our approved yarns for these prosthetics. However, it’s a super versatile yarn that’s great for garments and accessories, too. These new neutral hues work well individually or paired with our other solids and multis. To demonstrate this, Ashley Jane McIntyre designed the Espresso Bandana, shown below.

This asymmetrical bandana is lightweight and perfect for warm weather thanks to Bamboo Pop’s smooth 50/50 blend of bamboo and cotton. It is crocheted flat, beginning at the tip and increasing to the widest edge. Slanting clusters and extended single crochet come together to create the richly textured Boxed Bead Stitch used throughout the fabric. We recommend wearing this accessory on your next trip to the café – you’ll enjoy your latte while receiving compliments from all around!

Colorburst

If neutrals aren’t your favorite, but colors make you sing, you’ll love our fresh new shade of Colorburst. This self-shading yarn features a variety of fun colors, but 120 Lollipop might be my new favorite. This colorway features creamy white as well as vibrant red, yellow, and turquoise.

We have plenty of patterns to support this yarn (check them out here), but how could I resist a sugary sweet new sweater? Ceres is a relaxed turtleneck that will keep you cozy and warm when chilly weather approaches. It features thoughtful details like a rolled hemline, texture on the lower body, and plush ribbing on the sleeve cuffs and neckband. The construction is bottom up, in the round, with options for seamed or seamless sleeves. It’s a great pattern for a first sweater, or any knitter looking for a satisfyingly simple project.

Kingston Tweed

Kingston Tweed, our soft yet rustic blend of 50% wool, 25% alpaca, and 25% viscose has long been one of my favorites. I love the subtle tweed and earthy palette, inspired by minerals and gemstones. It’s also the yarn featured in one of our most popular patterns: the Jay Sweater. This yarn is well suited to a variety of techniques including colorwork, lace, and textural motifs.

To celebrate new colors of Kingston Tweed, we’ve published two brand-new patterns. For those craving a coordinating accessory set, look no further than the Starling Set, designed by Aubrey Busek. This beginner-friendly project is knit using soothing slipped stitches and a touch of ribbing for tidiness. The hat and cowl are each knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. This project makes great use of yarn, requiring just one skein of each color!

Blake is a wardrobe essential. Classic, squishy Shaker Rib and colorful stripes make this an easy layering piece whether your office is perpetually frigid, or you want something ideal for autumn and winter. The knitting in this pattern is pretty simple throughout – the body is knit flat from the bottom up in one piece, and the sleeves are also knit flat. There is minimal shaping, except a little increasing at the sleeve cuffs to create the bishop sleeve effect. The stripes make it potato-chippy, so you’ll want to keep stitching away for the next color, and the next!

Major

Next, we have another bestseller: Major! This plush, soft acrylic yarn is self-shading and each colorway is sensational. Like Bamboo Pop, Major has been a staple of the Universal Yarn line for years and nearly 900 people have projects featuring this yarn in their Ravelry notebooks. We have loads of patterns that use this yarn, from the ever-popular Pineapple Peacock Shawl to the entrelac Woven Sky Throw and many more – we know you’ll find something you love. For the launch of our six new shades we’ve introduced two new patterns: the knitted Hedgerow wrap and crocheted Loch scarf, shown below.

Crocheted in 145 Feather and designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, Loch is warm and cozy. Beginners looking to elevate their skills will relish the Herringbone Half Double Crochet motif throughout the fabric. This one-skein project is gentle on your wallet with impressive results. It’s also a quick project, making it great for a last-minute gift (well, as last-minute as you can handle with something handmade!).

Aubrey Busek pairs the popular neutral 115 Stonewall with 141 Greenhouse in Hedgerow to create another stunning slip stitch pattern. My favorite element of this piece is how lavishly textured the fabric is. It delicately balances subtle drape with a fabric dense enough to ward off frosty winter air. Thoughtfully placed tassels make this wrap a statement piece that is guaranteed to win you major style points!

Uni Merino

Bonus! Fans of Uni Merino will love this new shade of green: 151 Pistachio. A blend of soft superwash merino and sturdy nylon make Uni Merino an excellent match for sock knitters, but it’s also ideal for fingering-weight sweaters, shawls, hats, and more. We don’t have a sample to show this color off yet, but we promise we will soon and your patience will pay off. In the meantime, find inspiration in projects like the crocheted Spice Market Shawl and the knitted Party Flag Socks.

Now that you’ve seen our selection of new colors and patterns, let us know which ones inspire you. Will you make one of our designs, or try something different? It’s always exciting to see what our customers create with our yarns, so stay in touch. You can always email us at patterns@universalyarn.com and we encourage you to tag us on Instagram (@universal_yarn).

Happy stitching!
-Rachel