Pattern – Page 34 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

February 3, 2016February 3, 2016

Knitspiration – Red Birds in Snow

More snow’s in the forecast – could you use a little knitspiration?

Red Birds in Snow 1959 composite — Red Birds in Snow by Adolf Dehn, 1959

Our snow is over (for now) on the Eastern Seaboard, but there’s a blizzard forecast for the Midwest. I love snow, but I’m sure most folks have had enough of it.

We feature Red Birds in Snow because it’s a nice nod to our state bird here in North Carolina, the cardinal, which gives a lovely burst of color to the monochrome landscape. I also love it because it’s a good reminder that noticing the things around us is a good antidote to the winter doldrums. Seeing something so bright in an otherwise gray day can snap the world back into focus.

When we’re feeling trapped behind closed doors, it’s important to notice the things around us to bring texture and color back into our lives. These designs are perfect examples. Continue reading “Knitspiration – Red Birds in Snow”

January 29, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Quilt

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Quilt in Classic Shades Metallic.

Today, we have a great use of color in a very simple design. Two complementary colors of Classic Shades Metallic (100g/175yds) are used in this basic but colorful quilt.

Each square is knit individually, then stitched together in an eye-pleasing way. A diagram is provided in the pattern for easy assembly.

It’s unusual to find a four foot long blanket that’s such perfect on-the-go knitting, but the small size of the individual squares (4 1/2″ along each side) makes it easy to knock out a piece of the quilt wherever you are.

This could also be a fun group project that could include all levels of knitter – get together with your friends for a quilting bee to gab and knit individual squares, and sew them together. Begin at one corner of the square, increase to the middle, switch colors, then decrease and bind off in the opposite corner. Toss your square on the pile, take a sip of wine, and start up another one.

Other great choices of yarn for this would be self-shading Poems wool and regular Classic Shades. There are nearly limitless color combinations.

Happy knitting!

January 22, 2016January 25, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Warmth Wrap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Warmth Wrap in Rozetti Yarns Allore.

Folks, I don’t think we could have planned this week’s free pattern better if we’d tried! As I write this, the weather here in North Carolina is doing some sort of sleeting-icing-freezing rain kind of thing. And baby, for the south, it’s cold! This is a perfect day for wrapping handknitting around ourselves, no?

The Warmth Wrap is a relatively simple knit and goes pretty darn quick in bulky weight Allore and size 10 1/2 needles. The Eyelets lace pattern is just a 4 row repeat and is easy to memorize and keep track of.

Allore is a yarn that is right on trend. It’s also brushed, which we’ve been seeing a lot of in the yarn world this past year. Plus, it incorporates a metallic strand for an understated sophistication. It’s a complex light and lofty yarn and very easy to work with.

As shown, the Warmth Wrap requires 6 balls of Allore for a large, snuggly, almost blanket-like wrap. If you prefer a narrower scarf, just cast on 35 stitches instead of 65, and you’ll only need 3 balls.

And look – if you can’t find a shawl pin to close your wrap, just skewer in your needles and call it done. Stay safe and warm this wintery weekend!

January 15, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Jump for Joy Hoodie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Jump for Joy Hoodie in Cotton Supreme Batik.

We heard recently from a shop owner in Southern California, talking about how cute a pair of mittens in Amy Gunderson’s Crocheted Mitts and Mittens were – and how little use she’d get out of them in her neck of the woods. True! It may be snowing in some places, but in others it’s bright and sunny. Enter this adorable cotton hoodie.

Cotton Supreme Batik (180yds/100g) is a self-striping 100% cotton that’s very easy on the hands to work with. The bright colors lend themselves well to kid knits as well as adult pieces (Michael del Vecchio’s Poppies Scarf is definitely on my wish list).

This cute hoodie is sized from newborn to eight years. It’s constructed in pieces and seamed, with the button band garter edging added afterward.

If you want the stripes to match on the sleeves, you may want to pick up an extra ball, just to be sure you can hit the same spot in the color repeats. That shouldn’t be as much of an issue in the colorways of Cotton Supreme Batik that feature fewer shades per ball. Wouldn’t 39, Green Apple, make a great Spring piece for a toddler?

We hope you’re staying warm – but not too warm! Happy knitting!

January 8, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Landscapes Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Landscapes Sweater in Poems Sock.

Happy Selfish Knitting Month! Yes, it’s January, and all the gift knitting is done, so it’s time to do something just for you. Enter, the Landscapes Sweater.

This entrelac pullover is based on another popular design we had in a discontinued yarn. We couldn’t let the sweater go, so we re-wrote it into the sock-weight version you see here and made it available for free!

I had to take it outside into the sun. So pretty.

The yarn is Poems Sock (459yds/100g), a strand of 75% wool/25% nylon that moves smoothly from shade to shade. I really like the choice of color 971 Earth and Sky for this. It works well for a full-sized garment – colorful but still grounded.

The Landscapes Sweater is constructed in pieces. The sleeves are worked lengthwise, so the stripes run the length of the arms. The entrelac front and basic stockinette back and sleeves are worked flat and then seamed. Sized from XS to 4X, the whole sweater takes from 3-6 balls of yarn.

We hope you enjoy this “just for you” pattern, and that you keep striking the right balance between challenging yourself and just kicking back and enjoying your projects.

Happy knitting!

January 1, 2016January 1, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Halo and Sparkle Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Halo and Sparkle Sweater in Amphora and Cotton Gold.

Happy New Year! Made any resolutions? I’ve resolved to knit from my stash more – mainly so I can have an excuse to add even more to that stash. There’s just so much good yarn out there!

Today’s free pattern combines two of those good yarns. The main yarn is Amphora (306yds/100g). Amphora was just featured on the cover of Vogue Knitting Winter 2015-2016 as part of Amy Gunderson’s fabulous Turtleneck Pullover. Another of my resolutions is to learn new things, and this Bohus colorwork technique looks like a great opportunity to do just that.

The secondary yarn is sequined Rozetti Cotton Gold (200yds/25g). Beautiful on its own or as a carry along, Cotton Gold is a cotton thread strung with glittering sequins and wrapped in a metallic thread. It’s an easy way to get maximum sparkle into a garment. I’m a big fan of this stuff. I’ve had problems in the past with durability of some sequined novelty yarns, but not with this one. I’m using it in a Crinkle Cowl and I haven’t lost a sequin yet.

This is such a great sweater for the new year. A traditional pullover that’s made in pieces and seamed, the color and the sparkle remind me of champagne. I like the slouchiness of the fit and the basic rolled cuffs and neck. It’s got that casual elegance that’s in style, but it will still be forgiving of any holiday excesses we haven’t yet worked off. This sweater says “effortlessly amazing.”

We hope your new year is off to a great start. We have no doubt this is going to be the best yet – for all of us.

Happy knitting!

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!

December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

Deluxe Bulky Superwash – Two New Scarves

11 days until Christmas!

I always seem to start these posts with, “are you ready for the holidays?” There’s a reason: I am never ready for the holidays. If, like me, you’re searching for something fresh that will work up quickly, we’ve got you covered!

We introduced Deluxe Bulky Superwash 100% wool (100g/106yds) this Fall. It’s a little thicker than our favorite Deluxe Chunky, and, as the name implies, it’s machine washable. That’s two of my criteria for quick holiday projects met.

Best of all, we’ve already introduced a couple of free knit and crochet patterns for this yarn.

At right, the Nesting Diamonds Scarf. This one might seem a little ambitious for Christmas, but do what I do: “I’d love to do the dishes/vacuum/shop for your mother’s gift but I need to finish this scarf.” Boom. Extra knitting time and fewer chores.

On size 10 1/2(6.5mm) needles, this is a lovely tasseled scarf that won’t break the bank or take forever. The body simply knit and purl, with slipped stitches at the edges of the scarf to create a neater border. The pattern is written and charted – take your pick of what’s more comfortable for you.

Next, the Ambrosia Scarf. Long and luscious, the scarf loops around for a dramatic look. The puff stitch arcs make for a soft and inviting feel with a lot of visual interest. Crocheted on a US Size N-15 (10 mm) hook, this is another one that will go quickly but still be satisfying to make.

We hope you take some time to make something beautiful for yourself as well. You deserve a break to enjoy the holiday season!

Happy crafting!

December 11, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Holly Jolly Socks or Stockings

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Holly Jolly Socks or Stockings in Uptown Worsted Tapestry.

Ho ho ho! Have you been very good? A little bit good? Well, Knitting Santa says you’ve been good enough, so we offer this holiday sock/stocking pattern as a gift!

Uptown Worsted Tapestry (180yds/100g) is a machine washable favorite for babies and adults, but there are a couple of colors that really stand out for the holidays.

812 Yule Time, with its classic red, white, and green color scheme, is used in the popular free Elfkin set for sizes 6 months to 6 years at right. We’re also partial to color 806 Emerald, which has a lovely blue spruce feel to it that fits right in under the tree.

These socks are worsted weight, knitted on US size 6(4mm) double-pointed needles. As you can see, they’re small enough to fit as socks great for sliding across the floor to see what Santa left you. They also include a small crochet loop so you’re free to hang them as stockings if you wish. We use size 6 needles for a tight fabric so no little gifts fall through the holes.

Knitted toe-up with a Turkish heel, one ball of Tapestry and one ball of Uptown Worsted 302 White Glow for the heels and toes ought to do it for small sizes. If your feet are longer than 9″, consider grabbing an extra ball of Tapestry. This handy guide to foot sizes from the Craft Yarn Council may be helpful in estimating, although I wear a US women’s size 8 1/2 or 9 with 9 1/2″ long feet and these socks fit me just fine.

We hope you have a great weekend of crafting and good times.

Happy knitting!

December 4, 2015April 3, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Lightning Strikes

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Lightning Strikes shawl in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted.

Is it corny to say that Lightning Strikes hit me like a bolt out of the blue? Too bad, because it did. Amy Gunderson created this luxurious shawl using variegated Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (154yds/100g) and Deluxe Worsted 100% wool (220yds/100g) It’s such a great combo. The Deluxe Worsted comes in a multitude of shades. It’s easy to find a color to bring out whatever tone in the Bamboo Bloom you wish.

Short rows are worked back and forth in the contrasting color to create widening and narrowing rows of solid color, bending to a V-shaped lightning fork across the shawl’s spine. The natural thick/thin quality of the Bamboo Bloom helps soften the edges of the short rows into more organic curves. I love the fringe – it reminds me of rain in a storm.

Calling for one hank of Deluxe Worsted and two of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, worked on size US Size 10½ (6.5 mm) needles, this is not a particularly time or money-intensive project, although it is one with electrifying results (pardon the pun). It’s also available as a kit from your LYS in the blue above, or with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints color 302 Koi Pond.