Have you ever had a favorite sweater that you loved, and were sorry to put away when the weather warmed up? That’s the origin of today’s beauty, the Holiday Jay.
Our Managing Director Yonca Ozbelli was in love with the Jay Sweater, designed by Rachel Brockman in Kingston Tweed.
Shown in Kingston Tweed 110 Beryl (MC) and 102 Calcite (CC).
Yonca’s not alone – this sweater’s gotten a lot of love from the knitting community. We were so taken with it that we had to make more than one .
Shown in Kingston Tweed 101 Talc (MC) and 108 Amethyst (CC).
When temperatures started to climb here in North Carolina, Yonca decided to adapt the pattern in one of our favorite summertime yarns, Cotton True Sport.
She opted to call this short-sleeved version the Holiday Jay, because the colors and Fair Isle yoke feel very wintry. We love it when Yonca wears her “Christmas in July” sweater – it’s inspirational to see all the ways we can make a pattern just right for our own tastes and circumstances!
Shown in Cotton True Sport 102 Bright Red (MC) and 117 Bright White (CC)
Like the original Jay sweater, Holiday Jay is sized from XS through 5X. Yonca’s chosen red and white combo is delightful, although this would look equally striking in many other bright/dark contrasting combos. Maybe 112 Boysenberry and 118 Marshmallow, to make a bubbly cobbler a la mode version?
…and just like that, I’ve talked myself into another project. Can’t wait to cast on!
Cowan is crocheted in one piece from the bottom up, separating at the armholes, and then rejoining for the upper portion of the vest. Its flowing outline makes it a great piece for its entire range of sizes, XS to 4X (it’s shown here in Small).
To get Cowan free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.
Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by midnight on 5/29 and we’ll get you taken care of. Feel free to share the giveaway – the more the merrier!
Recently, we’ve had requests for simple free patterns that are quick and easy. Well when it comes to lace, it doesn’t get much easier than this!
The Draft Scarves use a simple two-row repeat to create an airy, open mesh that’s perfect for summer. The wider black version above takes two balls of Fibra Natura Unity in color 110 Darkness…
…while the green, skinnier version takes just one ball of 103 Sage, and is still a generous 63″ without the fringe.
We chose Fibra Natura Unity as the yarn for this pattern for a couple of reasons. First, its thick and thin texture lends extra textural interest to the simple design. Second, the blend of wool, cotton, linen, and bamboo provides the perfect drape for a summertime scarf.
Unity 113 and Unity Beyond 208 Sunrise
If you were in the mood for extra color, Unity Beyond would make a great choice. Or what about Unity Beyond for the body, with a coordinating solid for the fringe? There are plenty of options for customization here!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, with time to sit and relax with some beautiful yarn.
Sandbar was originally part of e-book Lakeside Retreat, a collection of knit and crochet designs in our Fibra Natura line of luxury natural yarns. We’re singling it out for release today because it’s uniquely appropriate to the season – and because it’s just so pretty!
Amy Gunderson had beautiful mornings by the beach in mind when she designed Sandbar. It’s the perfect piece to protect you from breezes coming off the water.
DK weight organic Cottonwood feels great against the skin. It’s a pleasant cotton to work with too.
You’ll start Sandbar from the center of that circular motif, then square it off. The wings are crocheted outward from two sides of the square, and then the border is added to the lower edge.
It’s a sumptuous and satisfying design in a luxurious yarn. We’re delighted to set Sandbar free.
After adorable Easter Earl earlier this week, we’re moving to something classic and refined.
Damascus is named after the ancient metalworking technique that created the strong and beautiful patterned designs known as Damascus steel.
It’s an apt name. At first glance, this unisex pullover might appear plain, but look closer – Kingston Tweed’s blend of wool, alpaca, and viscose gives it extra interest and a lightly tweedy, almost heathered feel.
The sweater pictured is knitted in color 112 Basalt, one of a selection of sophisticated tones in Kingston Tweed.
Knitted on US6 (4mm) needles, Damascus is a lightweight three-season sweater that works well on its own or as a layering piece.
Work this design seamlessly in the round from the top-down. The body and sleeves are separated at the armhole and worked separately.
We’re delighted to present this versatile piece for free.
Today the sun is shining bright and the temperature is reminding me that spring is well on its way. Here in North Carolina, some of the spring flowers are starting to emerge and I can see buds beginning to appear on the maple tree in my front yard. The days are getting longer and I couldn’t be more thrilled. This early spring weather has me tempted to pull out my warm-weather knits. Or, at the very least, it has me tempted to cast on something perfect for when the weather is consistently warm! I’m not quite ready to say hello to linen, but a nice blend of plant and animal fibers should do the trick!
Ravello in #112 Sage Leaf.
Last year we introduced Ravello, and I immediately fell in love. It is a blend of cotton, extra-fine merino, and recycled cashmere. This blend is the perfect companion for spring weather, keeping you warm during the chilly mornings yet remaining lightweight enough to keep you comfortable when the sun is shining high. This plied yarn features a subtle halo and the palette ranges from soft pastels to rich heathers.
When I saw the submission call for the Spring 2021 issue of Interweave Knits, I knew I had to propose a design that uses Ravello. The mood board features botanical motifs and soft colors. Ravello is beautiful in a variety of stitch patterns, but it excels in lace. So, with my graph-paper notebook and knitting needles in hand, I began brainstorming and playing with some ideas.
Left: My preliminary swatch for Subtle Spring. Right: My digital sketch that was included in the proposal.
A yoke tee seemed like the perfect playground for a lace design. The motif could grow in size – starting small around the neckline and sprouting into something larger and even more beautiful. I looked to leaves and vines for inspiration. Initially, I suggested Sage Leaf for the design – a literal interpretation of sprouting spring plants. As you can see from the swatch pictured above, I thought about using a contrasting color for the hem, neckline, and sleeve cuffs for an added element of interest. Additionally, each sleeve would feature a row of eyelets before the crisp twisted ribbing.
Subtle Spring Tee, image courtesy of Interweave Knits.
Eventually, my swatches and sketches grew up to be the Subtle Spring Tee. The final design stayed remarkably true to my vision. Collaboratively, the editor and I opted to pass on the idea of contrast color ribbing, thinking it might distract a little from the lace motif that decorates the yoke. Instead of using Sage Leaf, we decided to lean towards warmth and romance by choosing 104 Soft Clay instead.
Rows of eyelets border the ribbing along each edge. Image courtesy of Interweave Knits.
I opted to include the row of eyelets to the bottom hem and around the neckband instead of just the sleeves. This sweater begins with a provisional cast-on and is knit from the top-down. During finishing you unpick the provisional cast-on and work the neckband from the bottom-up. I’m so glad I wrote the pattern this way because, in the original draft of the pattern, I didn’t include eyelets around the neckband. When I received the garment from my sample knitter, I decided there needed to be more continuity between the lace yoke and the neckband. So, I unraveled the neckband and added the row of eyelets. Sometimes it’s the little details that bring a design together.
Yoke details on the Subtle Sprint Tee. Image courtesy of Interweave Knits.
I love when a design comes together just the way I envisioned. I hope you enjoyed this peek into my design process.
This is part 12 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
Well, somehow it’s already Day 12 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection! We’ve had so much fun sharing our annual collection of wintry kits with you, and we’re finishing things off with a fabulous little cowl designed by the wonderful Edie Eckman. To sweeten the deal, this kit comes with a pattern for both a knit version and a crochet version, too! You heard me right – whether you’re a knitter, crocheter, or both – this kit is perfection!
Left: Crochet Sugarplum Cowl; Right: Knit Sugarplum Cowl
The Sugarplum Cowls are created using lavish Fibra Natura Dona in colors #130 Steely, #111 Sweet Pea, and #134 Glacier. Dona is a yarn comprised of 100% extra fine superwash merino wool. This yarn boasts superb stitch definition and is an absolute joy to work with.
Crochet Sugarplum Cowl
If you’ve been following us for a while, you may recall that we asked for Edie’s contribution to our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection last year, too. Her Forest Garland also featured a knit and crochet version and was a hit. This year, I presented her with a similar challenge and asked her to share a bit about her design process with me. Here is what she had to say:
“Little design challenges can be good. If we let them, they can stretch our thinking and spark creativity.
A little design challenge is what Universal Yarn presented me with when preparing for this year’s 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection:
· Use three colors · Use no more than one ball each color · Create an accessory with both a knitted version and a crocheted version · Keep it to advanced beginner level skills
Knit Sugarplum Cowl
Having parameters like this makes me have to think more carefully. How can I incorporate and balance the colors, when I can use no more than one ball each? How can I make both a knitted and crocheted version so that they look similar? How do I keep it simple enough for beginners, but interesting enough for more experienced crafters? And maybe most importantly, how I can I make it attractive and wearable?
Left: Crochet Sugarplum Cowl; Right: Knit Sugarplum Cowl
Of course, having a beautiful yarn like Dona helps a lot. Those icy-winter colors and the smooth texture of the yarn enhance stitch definition, no matter what stitch you use. It’s such a great choice for so many types of projects!
For these Sugarplum Cowls, I settled on a chevron pattern, a classic for both crocheters and knitters. The increases and decreases that make the zig-zag pattern keep you on your toes just enough to maintain your interest, but not so much to cause frustration once you get the pattern established. And because it’s made in the round, there are no annoying seams to deal with!
Whether you choose to knit or crochet, I hope you enjoy making your Sugarplum Cowls. I certainly enjoyed the little design challenge.”
Crochet Sugarplum Cowl
I hope you enjoyed hearing about Edie’s design. We love working with her, and you can find even more of her patterns in some of our other yarns on our website.
We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed following along as we’ve highlighted each kit in the collection. Remember, you can find the Sugarplum Cowls and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you.
This is part 11 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s already Day 11 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. Time is flying by, and we’re all feeling the holiday spirit. Today we’re revealing a beautiful project: the Inkberry Shawl, knit in soft, plush Donnina. This shawl uses low-contrast, semi-complementary colors #215 Purple Beet and #227 Balsam for a beautiful effect.
This shawl was designed by the talented Jennifer Sadler. She has such a knack for creating designs that are welcoming for knitters of all skill levels, and this shawl is no exception. It’s a soothing project full of garter, simple stripes, and airy eyelets. I asked Jennifer to share a bit about her inspiration and design process. Here is what she had to say:
Garter stripes balance out the blocks of color on each end of this lovely shawl.
“When it comes to knitting during the holidays, I enjoy projects that allow me to knit while watching a holiday movie or enjoying a cup of hot tea or coffee while visiting with family. I wanted to design something that fit that bill, while also being a very cozy and wearable finished object. The Inkberry Shawl is perfect knitting for watching TV or chatting. The long sections of garter stitch are the best for zoning out a bit while still being productive!
We love the generous size of this scarf.
While I love garter stitch, I wanted to add in a bit of texture for both visual and knitting interest. The garter lace stitch I chose is an easy to memorize 4-row repeat. And to make it easier to continue to zone out while knitting this shawl, there are no purls at all!
The asymmetrical triangle shawl shape is hands down my favorite shawl shape. I find it to be the easiest to wear, and a shape that requires hardly any adjustment throughout the day because it lays so nicely. The lovely Donnina yarn, made up of 100% superwash extrafine merino, gives the shawl a bouncy and squishy feel. The finished shawl would make a wonderful gift, or a lovely addition to any wardrobe. My hope is that you enjoy knitting Inkberry while staying cozy this holiday season!”
Wrap the shawl snugly around your shoulders for extra warmth and comfort.
We’re so glad that Jennifer contributed her lovely design to this kit collection. She certainly achieved the goal she set out for when she created this design. I’d love to knit one for myself, and a mindless knit sounds perfect given the crazy year 2020 has been. Despite its generous size, it would knit up surprisingly fast thanks to the simple stitch work.
This is part 6 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s Day 6 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 4. Today, treat yourself to a warm and inviting accessory set knit in luxurious Cashmere Lusso.
Personally, I think hats and mittens are excellent projects for building your skillset. They’re small and manageable but have endless possibilities. If you’re looking for a small project with intricate details, I’m sure you’ll love the Sugar & Sage Set.
The small cables in this pattern consist of ten different types of cables, ranging between two and three stitches wide. They’re easy to work, but it certainly takes some concentration to make sure you’re working the right stitch in all the right places. Don’t let that deter you, though, because the results are well worth the effort.
The cable pattern in both the hat and the mittens includes charts and written instructions. I know some knitters are intimidated by charts, but I encourage you to try and get comfortable with them. Especially in more complex patterns, they can help make things easier to read and to memorize. I think of charts as maps for knitting. Because charts are visual tools, they can help you conceptualize what your fabric will look like as you knit. I shared some useful tips and tricks for staying on track with charts in this blog post (link). Undulating cable panels decorate each mitt.
Each side of the cable panel featured on the hat mirrors the other. I love the way that it looks, but when I was designing the mitts I didn’t want them to replicate the motif perfectly. Instead, I broke the cable motif into two parts, split right down the center. Then I took each half and applied it to the mitts, so the Right and Left mirror one another, too. The result is a coordinating set of sisters in this accessory set.
Each edge of the mitts are worked in K1, P1 Twisted Ribbing.
Knit in Cashmere Lusso, a blend of 50% virgin cashmere and 50% recycled cashmere, the Sugar & Sage Set is decadent. The yarn is incredibly soft and it has excellent stitch definition. This is a yarn shines however you work it: cables, lace, or colorwork, you just can’t go wrong. This kit would be an excellent gift for the knitter in your life who is truly special – that could be you, or it could be a friend!
Crown view of the Sugar & Sage Hat
This kit has three options available: the Sugar & Sage Set (enough yarn for both patterns), the Sugar & Sage Hat, or the Sugar & Sage Mitts. Remember, you can find each version of the Sugar & Sage Kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you. Happy knitting!
This is part 1 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
In all of the madness that 2020 has had to offer, I’m amazed by how quickly it is passing by. We’re already well into mid-November and the holidays are just around the corner. For the fourth year in a row, we are absolutely thrilled to share that we are offering twelve wintry kits available exclusively through your local yarn store. Right now, local yarn stores need our support more than ever, so we hope all of the kits we reveal over the next twelve days will have you sprinting to yours! And with that said, let me introduce you to the first kit in the collection: the Boreal Hat!
The Boreal Hat in the Lilac option.
This year our palette for the kits took inspiration from the soft pastels of frost and the rich green boughs of evergreen trees. In the case of the Boreal Hat, I took inspiration from imagery of the northern lights glimmering in the sky above the spruces and firs of the boreal forests.
Northern Lights Over Boreal Forest, photograph by Ingo Arndt
The a striking colorwork motif is an 8-stitch repeat that is rhythmic to knit. It does require a little concentration to make sure you’re on track from row to row, but it also isn’t overly complex and the results are well worth the effort.
The Boreal Hat in the Icy Blue option.
Yarn management is a breeze in this cozy accessory. Although the hat uses three colors, only two colors are used on any given row. The floats are no longer than three stitches wide, so there is also no need to trap your floats. All of the crown shaping is worked using a single color, so you also don’t need to incorporate shaping into the colorwork section. If you’re interested in some colorwork tips and tricks, don’t miss my blog post from Series 2 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection.
Crown shaping is simple in this hat.
There are two versions of this kit for you to choose from: Lilac and Icy Blue. Both versions use one of my favorite yarns, Kingston Tweed. This rustic yet soft yarn blends wool, alpaca, and viscose. The result is a beautiful yarn with a slight halo that’s perfect for textural and colorwork projects. It’s lightweight but retains warmth, so it’s perfect for wintry projects.
The brim of this hat is knit in a contrast color and features K2, P1 Ribbing.
The Icy Blue version of the kit comes with a skein each of colors #110 Beryl, #114 Serpentine, and #111 Shale. The Lilac version comes in colors #107 Quartz, #114 Serpentine, and #102 Calcite. Honestly, I’m not sure which version I like more. The muted, frosty colors in each version pop beautifully against the deep forest green. The Boreal Hat kit would be a great last-minute gift for a loved one, or for yourself.
