Wisdom – Page 2 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

August 28, 2015August 28, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Happy Magic Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Happy Magic Scarf in Wisdom Yarns Pix.

This one has a special place in my heart, mainly because I designed it myself. It was my carry-along knitting everywhere, and it got compliments while still in progress at quite a few coffeehouses.

Chevrons are everywhere in knitting, and with good reason. It’s an easy way to give a lot of visual interest without memorizing a complicated stitch pattern. When I saw samples of our new Pix yarn, the lighbulb went off. The colorful print is a great choice for a pattern that zigs and zags.

Chevron Scarf 5 detail blog It’s true that with 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, Pix is a bright and durable choice for socks, but there’s no reason to stop with just socks (although how great would this look as a pair of Jaywalkers?). This pattern is a very simple two-row repeat that shows off the somewhat “Fake Isle” printed quality of the stripes. I love that the color bands aren’t solid – a bit of other colors are mixed in to give the finished scarf a Bohemian quality.
This scarf only used 85 grams of a 100 gram ball. You could certainly lengthen or widen the scarf with no worries. Or keep thinking outside the box – I’m visualizing some chic sideways chevron wrist cuffs, maybe even with a tiny pocket to hold a key.

Hmm… where’d I put the rest of my Pix?

Happy knitting!

January 8, 2015January 9, 2015

Warm It Up!

Confession time! When it’s cold outside, sometimes we break into the trunk show garments.

But come on! How could we resist? We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful yarns and garments, and as knitters and crocheters we truly appreciate them. The happy knitter above is me, Heather. I’m wearing my own hat in Poems (1 ball of color 590 Sakura, US size 8/5mm needles, 84 stitch caston).

The cowl and mittens are part of Sandi Rosner’s Rose Quartz Set in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool. There’s a hat, too, but mine matches so well I stuck with it.

Sandi’s Rose Quartz set is available as a single pattern or part of the Walk in the Woods e-book, full of gorgeous colorwork and felted designs in Deluxe Worsted and Deluxe Chunky. It’s perfect for this time of year.

Also in Deluxe, I spotted our Design Lead in this stunning sweater the other day. Valentina is one of my favorites. It uses Deluxe Chunky 100% wool. The pattern is written and charted with design features like lovely saddle shoulders to show off the cables. It comes in sizes from 34″ to 54″ bust, and – believe it or not – is a free pattern. Home run!

Our Sales Manager can frequently be found in designs by Yumiko Alexander like Braided Fog, recently made available online as a download or as part of Yumiko Warm Earth Book 3. It also uses Deluxe Worsted. Are we wearing a lot of Deluxe? That’s not surprising – it’s great for cold weather. I suspect, however, that our sales manager wears this not because it’s warm but because it looks fabulous.

The best thing about being surrounded by these designs is that it’s inspirational. We find that seeing beautiful things awakens a desire to create something beautiful ourselves. We hope you find inspiration and happiness in your crafts throughout this new year.

Happy knitting!

July 17, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Ultraviolet Stole

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Something for the crocheters today! The Ultraviolet Stole was originally designed for Endurance Sock, an offering from our Wisdom Yarns line. Fortunately, we have a number of great yarns in the Wisdom family that would still work great with this pattern!

My personal favorite would be Saki Silk (100g/440yds), a merino/nylon/silk blend with a great sheen. The yardage is about the same as Endurance Sock, so this would be an easy three-ball project.

If you wanted to venture outside the Wisdom family, Infusion Handpaints (100g/291yds) would be another good choice.

Regardless, there’s a lot to love about a gigantic loopy stole that’s a simple five-row repeat. A big project that won’t tax your brain – excellent material to crochet while chatting with friends!

March 16, 2014March 16, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Poems Forte

Today’s swatch is in Poems Forte.

I say “swatch” but it seems to have turned into a scarf. I cast on at my local knit night and with all the good conversation and company, my little swatch ran away from me. I found myself at the end of the ball, wondering where the time had gone. And no wonder – on 10mm(US15) needles, this yarn knits up quickly.

This 12-stitch swatch used one ball of Poems Forte (colorway 1003 English Garden) and turned out to be 5 inches wide and 50 inches long – the 90 yards of super bulky wool went a long way.

This is a yarn I’ve been wanting to work with for a while. Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton uses Poems Forte in her popular design Camilla from Wisdom Book 4: Poems Windfall. I love the way she uses a system of yarn overs to create a fabric that is both thick and airy. What a lovely texture.

While poking around on Ravelry, I also stumbled across this gorgeous cowl knitted by raveler Miller1218. She modified the Swirling Cowl, a super-superbulky design to work on size 13 needles with less than a ball of Poems Forte in color 1007 Bursa, and the result is fabulous. This would be great to knock out at the next knit night. Based on experience, I know it’ll go quickly.

February 23, 2014March 2, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Saki Silk

Friday’s rain brought, predictably, mud, and a lot of shoes and boots left outside the door. Thankfully the sun’s back out here, so soon the never-ending battle for clean floors will turn in our favor.

But we take time out from cleaning to do what we love – namely, knitting! I pulled out my DPNs and started a pair of socks in Saki Silk, the superwash wool/nylon/silk blend that’s part of our Wisdom Yarns line. The nylon provides extra durability, and silk gives it a luxurious sheen.

I decided to go with the earth tones of our 303 Peach Cobbler colorway, but looking around on Ravelry, I noticed these gorgeous socks by SuzyZim that had me drooling.

Suzy chose colorway 302 Mystery Mars. They look fantastic! She’s following Susan B. Anderson’s top-down formula, which calls for a 64 stitch count for the leg and foot – the same as I’m using. The moral, of course, is always check your gauge. SuzyZim’s look just perfect on size 1 needles, while I’m getting gauge on size 0’s.

I love how my socks are turning out, but next time, I think I’ll take inspiration from Suzy’s socks and go for that extra burst of color. Colorful feet look great coming out of muddy boots.

February 7, 2014February 7, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Cross the Night Sky Vest

Cross the Night Sky Vest - detail

It’s Free Pattern Friday, and we have a new design in Poems!

The Cross the Night Sky Vest by Sandy Huff is worked in one piece from side to side, with stitches picked up for the arms, hem, and neck. The garter stitch tie that threads neatly through the crossed stitches is a nice accent.

Side to side construction creates flattering vertical stripes in self-shading Poems 100% wool – a great use of variegated yarn.

February 2, 2014February 23, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Poems Chunky

Yarn: Poems Chunky 100% wool

Needles: 10½ (6.5mm)

September 13, 2013February 17, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Brambleberry Hat and Mitts

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, we have a charming set in Saki Bamboo (462yds/100g), a newer member of the Wisdom Yarns family. Saki Bamboo is a blend of superwash merino, nylon, and bamboo. We predicted it would be popular for socks, but it’s become a yarn of choice for shawls and accessories, too. And no wonder, with colors this pleasing!

The Brambleberry Hat and Mitts each can be completed with one ball, two for the set. Both are worked in the round with a honeycomb pattern for an added dimension of texture.

Wouldn’t these be perfect to wear on a drab day to add a pop of color? What a rewarding project.