LYS Exclusive – Hanasaku Cowl (large)

So you saw the Hanasaku Cowl in its short version, right? If not, you should go read about it now.

Go ahead. We’ll wait.

Luscious, right? Well, we also did a long version, for those who like to loop their cowls around.

This version uses one skein of Deluxe Worsted wool as a backdrop for the variegated Bamboo Bloom. We chose a more subdued color palette for this combo. The large version is the same height as the small, but twice as long. Here are the stats!
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Height: 15¼”
Circumference: 61”

MATERIALS
Large
Deluxe Worsted (100% wool; 100g/220 yds)
• 12235 Sidewalk Grey (MC) – 1 skein
Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (48% rayon from bamboo, 44% wool, 8% acrylic; 100g/154 yds)
• 303 Precious Jade (CC) – 2 hanks

Needles: US Size 11 (8 mm) 32” circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle

We’re loving this pattern and are having a great time with other color combinations as well. Here’s one that features two hanks of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints in 311 Bonsai and two skeins of Wisdom Yarns Poems in 602 Bruges.

The pattern is a simple linen stitch that you can easily master. In the coming days, we’ll be sharing other color combinations in this rewarding pattern.

The Hanasaku Cowl is a LYS Exclusive pattern – your local yarn shop can download it for you and help you put together a truly stunning color combo.

We hope you enjoy this vibrant and dramatic project.

Happy knitting!

May 27, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – All-Star Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the All-Star Pullover in Cotton Supreme.

Recently we had a shop mention that we hadn’t had a Free Pattern Friday in Cotton Supreme lately. Well, we can’t have that; we love this yarn!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve knitted with some cottons that left my hands feeling like they’d been through the wringer. Nobody should feel like crafting is something to slog through. It should be a pleasure. Fortunately, I’ve never had that problem with Cotton Supreme (180yds/100g). It’s easy to work with, machine washable, and the colors are to die for. All of which makes it a great choice for this little kid’s pullover. Knit it flat, seam it up, and send your little all-star out to play.

This one would be really easy to customize, too. Can’t you imagine this in team colors? Or… and this is just my inner geek talking… move the intarsia star to the chest and you’ve got a little Captain America.

Captain America colors blog — Sky Surf 927 and White 502, and add 509 Red if you wish. I could knit this all day.

I’m filing this idea away as a potential gift for superhero-loving parents and kids.

We hope you have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Happy knitting!

February 11, 2016

Free E-book – Hot Hats

Here at Universal Yarn, we woke up to this headline this morning:

5 inches of snow predicted for Charlotte on Monday

Well. We had been looking forward to some of the great new Spring designs out now in magazines (more on those another time) but it looks like we still need to think warm. Fortunately, we have a free e-book that is perfect for the weather!

Here’s the free Hot Hats E-book.

Continue reading “Free E-book – Hot Hats”

December 18, 2015December 18, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Diamonds are High

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Diamonds are High in Deluxe Bulky Superwash.

Earlier this week I posted two thick and quick scarf projects in our new yarn, Deluxe Bulky Superwash (100g/87yds). The more I handled this yarn, the more I wanted to make something with it myself. So here it is – Diamonds are High.

This Fair Isle hat is knit on size 11 needles at a little under 4 stitches per inch. To keep the ribbed brim from flaring, as can sometimes an issue, increase the number of stitches just after the k1p1 section. As long as your tension is good in the diamond sections, this is a nice, stretchy hat.

Credit where it’s due: I brought the hat to Amy Gunderson and said, “this needs something, but I don’t know what.” It was she who suggested “big pompom” and she was 100% right. It really takes it over the top, so to speak.

This might be someone’s gift, but then again, it might stay with me. Nothing brightens your day like a colorful hat with a giant puffball on the top. Although after making this hat, I’m pretty sure I have enough for a second one with the colors reversed. I could make a gift and keep one for me. It’s the best of all worlds!

Happy knitting!

November 21, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Coffee Beans and Sugar Cubes

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Coffee Beans and Sugar Cubes.

Two hats that can be completed with one ball of each color of Uptown Bulky 100% anti-pilling acrylic (100g/87yds). Cute! Knit on size 11 needles, these go quickly and are a good way to practice your Fair Isle.

I’m loving the color, too. That Uptown Bulky 416 Iron coordinates well with 421, Coral. The coral is at the forefront of style at the moment – Sherwin Williams just picked Coral Reef as their color of the year. Pretty!

We hope you enjoy this satisfying quick project. Happy knitting!

October 16, 2014October 16, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Celebrate Autumn Flora with Deluxe

It’s Throwback Thursday!

We’re not throwing back that far today, just a couple of years. But it’s the perfect time of year to highlight the free e-book Autumn Flora with Deluxe.

This e-book features eight patterns perfect for staying toasty, all using the Deluxe family of 100% wool.

All the patterns below are part of this cozy collection of colorwork and cables. Enjoy!

Pattern: Wraparound Leaves Beret and Mitts

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 12176 Teal Viper – 1 ball (MC)

• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (CC)

Pattern: Sheaves of Wheat Reversible Scarf

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 3704 Gold Spice – 2 balls

Pattern: Poplar Beret

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 12182 Gold Spice – 1 ball (A)

Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted LP

• 06 Harvest – 1 ball (B)

Pattern: Felted Leaf

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 1 ball will make multiple felted leaves

Pattern: Big Leaf Mittens

Yarn: Renew Wool (Substitute Deluxe DK Superwash)

• 101 Sand – 1 ball (MC)
• 107 Cedar – 1 ball (CC1)
• 113 Garnet – 1 ball (CC2)

Pattern: Stranded Seed Pillow

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 91901 Oatmeal Heather – 2 balls (MC)
• 3749 Forest – 1 ball (CC)

(There’s a gorgeous cabled edge on this one!)

Pattern: Autumn Leaves Cap

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 71601 Blue Ombre – 1 ball (A)
• 12501 Oatmeal Heather – 1 ball (B)

• 3649 Forest Green – 1 ball (C)
• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (D)
• 91477 Red Oak – 1 ball (E)
• 12188 Heather – 1 ball (F)
• 12180 Eggplant – 1 ball (G)
• 12282 Hunter Green – 1 ball (H)
• 12181 Bronze Brown – 1 ball (I)

May 12, 2014May 12, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Five

Block Five is called “Check It” (link here).

How’d we do with lace? I have to say, that last square went pretty quickly for us in the office, with no major malfunctions. I feel like we’ve mastered that technique. Good thing, too, since we’re on to something new!

Block Five is called “Check It” for obvious reasons – it uses slipped stitches to create a colorful checkerboard. It’s a clever way to create blocks of color without a lot of picking up and dropping of yarn as you go. As usual, Amy Gunderson has provided us with a video to demonstrate.

Here’s a view of the back side that shows the stitches slipped across the wrong side of the work.

I’m very excited about this block. Slip stitch is such an easy way to create a colorful design!

We’d love to see what you’ve done – share it here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. We’ll see you in two weeks with another great block!

April 13, 2014April 13, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Uptown Worsted

Sunday Swatch is in Uptown Worsted.

Sunday Swatch will look very familiar to those of you who are joining us for the Afghan Knitalong. I thought I’d try Square Two, the “Do The Wave” block in different colors than my original color choice, just for kicks.

Why different colors? Well, we now have not one, not two, but THREE different people at Universal Yarn working on the Rocky Shore colorway selection.

Once again, all their blocks are different. But still – sometimes you want to mix things up a bit.

There’s something else different about the colorful block. It contains a noticeable mistake. The pattern itself is just fine, it’s just that I wasn’t paying close attention as I worked. So the choice before me was whether to unravel or to keep going.

These blocks are meant to be a learning experience, so that’s how I approached the decision. When I look at the finished afghan, do I need it to be perfect? Or will I enjoy looking at it and thinking about about the experience of making it?

In the end, I decided to let it go. It will be one block among many, so it probably won’t stand out. I’ll let this block be a lesson in accepting imperfection.

We’ll be back next week with block number three in our Afghan Knitalong. See you then!

March 31, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Two

It’s time for the next block!

“Do The Wave” is a slightly more complex design, but you can do it! It’s just a matter of shifting your color over by one or two stitches at a time.

Looking at the back of the block, you can see that the principle is the same as the first block’s little squares. You’re still twisting your stitches around each other to lock them in place as you pick up your new color and knit.

And speaking of the back side, Amy added a bonus to this square’s video – in addition to demonstrating diagonal intarsia, she also gives tips on weaving in ends.

If you’re not following us on Facebook, you may want to – we’ve had some great color combinations shared there. We also have a Ravelry afghan group going.

We’ll do a check in next week and see how we’re doing. After that, we’re moving on… to basic lace!

March 28, 2014March 28, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Little Peep Dress

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, something adorable! The Little Peep Dress is designed in soft, smooth Little Bird. It’s a sleek, high quality 100% acrylic that knits up easily here on a US Size 3 needle.

Designer Amy Gunderson was inspired by the figures on the Little Bird label to create a cute set of feathered friends suitable for any little chickadee. This is a great warm-weather dress for Spring.

These birds are a classic example of the kind of designs you can make with intarsia. If you’re participating in our afghan knitalong, these would be a great use for your new skills (which we’ll be refining further with our new square on Monday).

Happy knitting!