knit – Page 37 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

July 14, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Blissful Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Blissful Tee in Cotton True Sport.

Just looking at this top makes me happy. It’s a charming design in our Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport, a 100% Pima cotton that’s quite pleasant to work with. It’s the kind of basic top that would look great with jeans or a skirt, plus maybe a little silver jewelry. The lace detail at the top, which is charted and written, keeps it from being too plain.

Work it from the hem up in two pieces, then join together. We call for a US Size 4 (3.5mm) needle for the body, but of course use whatever will get you gauge – 6 stitches per inch in this case. It makes a lightweight cotton fabric that’s perfect for summer.

We hope you enjoy this bit of knitted bliss.

Happy crafting!

July 9, 2017

Free Pattern – Dulcet Wrap

It’s Free Pattern… Sunday?

Sure, why not?

Today. the Dulcet Wrap in Bella Cash.

We couldn’t stop with just one Bella Cash pattern this week. The Dulcet Wrap is over six feet long, with a drapey fabric on size 5 needles. Bella Cash merino/cashmere/nylon gives it a lovely wispiness.

In order to knit the single stripes of the body, you’ll want circular needles. Knit a row in one color, then slide your stitches back to the end of the needle and knit a row in the second color. It gives a lovely effect. The wide mesh lace is a 4-row repeat. End it with Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off for a nice elastic edge.

We hope you enjoy this charming, fine-weight shawl pattern.

Happy knitting!

July 7, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Which Way is Up

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Which Way Is Up in Bella Cash.

Ladies and gentlemen, the faint of heart may wish to look away from this next sentence, lest it chill you to your very soul!

We’re more than halfway to Christmas.

I know. I’m sorry you had to read that.

But better to face it now, while there’s still plenty of time to start on holiday projects than later, when it’s a mad rush.

Fortunately, we’ve got some charming projects in the works that would be great for gifts, like this week’s pattern, Which Way is Up. Sized from newborn to 4-year, it’s a Fair Isle cardigan that calls for machine washable Bella Cash, a fine merino/cashmere/nylon blend. Knit the cardi bottom up, join the raglan sleeves and body, and add the button band. Classic and cute.

This would be a good small project to tackle to get ahead of the game, or just to be ready when the next baby shower takes you by surprise.

We hope you enjoy this stylish and adorable pattern.

Happy knitting!

June 9, 2017June 9, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Cardinal Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Cardinal Jacket in Major.

We love this versatile piece not just for its great use of self-shading bulky Major (328yds/200g) but also for its easy construction.

This cozy open front cardigan is knit sideways. Essentially, you’ll be knitting a big rectangle, binding off on one row and casting back on on the next to make holes for the arms. Sleeves are knit flat, joined to the armhole openings, and then seamed.

The stitch pattern is a twelve-row repeat called Shifting Horseshoes. It’s both written and charted. The fabric has a subtle wave, and it’s not too hard to read your stitches once you’re in the groove of knitting it.

Add a closure if you wish, or wear it open, or gather it with a shawl pin. It’s a versatile piece.

We hope you enjoy this loose and lovely cardi!

Happy knitting!

June 2, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Zephyr Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Zephyr Tank in Flax and Flax Lace.

I. Love. This. Because I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but here, it’s starting to get hot. All I’m saying is, this cat has the right idea.

But I still want to knit! Enter Flax and Flax Lace.

Flax Lace. Cool and fine. Just like you.

100% linen in DK and laceweight. I feel cooler just looking at it.

The Zephyr Tank has a body knit in Flax. It flares out at the hips for a nice silhouette. The Flax Lace edging at the hem is knitted on the same size needle as the body, giving it a nice drape.

Knit it in pieces, then whipstitch the contrasting edging to the wrong side of the hem afterward. Lovely.

The pattern runs from bust size 35¼ to 51¼. It’s written, and contains a schematic for assembly.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and that you enjoy this free pattern.

Happy knitting!

May 19, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Kaye Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Kaye Pullover in Cotton True Sport.

You may remember last Friday’s free pattern, the Kaye Cardigan. It took its inspiration from the mother of one of our LYS owners here in town. Well, we loved the way her cardigan turned out, and we thought it would make a great pullover. So, voila!

The Kaye Pullover is a nice warm-weather piece, with its openwork in Cotton True Sport (197yds/50g). Unlike the cardigan, the pullover has a picot neckline for an extra decorative touch. It keeps the same diamond patterning just above the cuffs and hem.

It’s such a great feeling to be able to customize a beloved design to make it work perfectly for you. We’re glad we were able to take inspiration from Kaye’s closet, and we’re delighted to be able to share it with you.

Happy knitting!

May 12, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Kaye Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Kaye Cardigan in Cotton True Sport and Garden 10 Metallic.

Today’s pattern takes its name from the lady who inspired it, Kaye. She’s the mother of Lyn, who owns a LYS just up the road from us, Cottage Yarn in Mint Hill, NC. Kaye had a cardigan that she just loved, and she wondered if we might come up with something similar. This is a family of knitters, after all, so it’s only natural that they’d want to take something special and customize it.

We were happy to oblige, and the Kaye Cardigan was born. We made this design in Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport, a great choice for the open laciness of the fabric. Then we added Garden 10 Metallic, because… bling! Held together, Cotton True Sport 108 Island Blue and the metallic 702-28 Turquoise were a dead-on match.

Kaye’s original cardigan had one button at neckline, but we added a full row. You could easily modify the pattern back to the original one-button design if you wished.

Next week we’ll dive back into Kaye’s closet, with another modification. Can’t wait!

Happy knitting!

May 5, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – BFF Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the BFF Scarf in Uptown Bulky and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

We’re calling this the BFF scarf because there are so many elements that play together as friends here. First, there’s the blend of multi-hued Bamboo Bloom Handpaints held together with solid Uptown Bulky.

Second, there’s the combination of two big yarns and US Size 17 (12 mm) needles, so the whole thing knits up fast.

And third, there’s the designer, Sandy Harris. A talented crafter and knitting teacher, she’s always been a friend to Universal, designing beauties like the One Side Cowl in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

Put it all together and you have a pattern that’s fun, quick, and easy. It’s a home run.

Happy knitting!

April 28, 2017May 2, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – KISS Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the KISS Scarf in Cotton Supreme Splash.

A while back, we had a request for a super-simple lace scarf for a beginner. Well, it doesn’t get much simpler than this. The KISS Scarf is a few rows of garter stitch, followed by a one-row k2tog,yo repeat with a garter stitch border on the edges. It’s fully reversible, and it only takes one half of a ball of Cotton Supreme Splash (100g/180yds) meaning it won’t take forever, even for a beginner.

(Edit: I was so excited about this pattern that I accidentally wrote k2, yo instead of k2tog yo*. The pattern was right, but the article was wrong – it would have led to a dramatically increasing row every time. Thanks to all of you eagle-eyed knitters!)

This pattern would work well with any of the yarns in the Cotton Supreme family. Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Batik both have the same yardage per ball, so they could be used interchangeably here. Go down a needle size for a slightly skinnier scarf (or just cast on more stitches in an even number) and use Cotton Supreme DK or DK Seaspray.

The remaining half a ball of Cotton Supreme Splash is sitting on my desk right now, tempting me. I could knit another… or I could use it to teach someone else to knit. Decisions, decisions.

Happy knitting!

April 21, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Aria Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Aria Cardigan in Universe.

This glorious, glittering garment is perfect for a night at the opera, or anywhere you want to make an entrance.

We designed this cardigan for sparkling Universe, the cotton/linen/glitter blend we created for our 10th anniversary. It’s got the perfect texture and shine for pieces that stand out in a crowd.