January 2016 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

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 26, 2016January 20, 2020

Amy Answers – Going Places Shawl

We got a question recently about how to do a technique in our Going Places Shawl, this lovely triangular shawl knit in anniversary yarn, Universe.

If you look closely at the diamond motifs in the shawl, you’ll see that there is a little decorative “blip” in the middle of each.

To achieve this “blip”, you will knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, and then knit the same 3 stitches together. If you’ve never done a seemingly acrobatic knitting maneuver like this before, it can seem a little daunting! Check out this video for a demonstration of the stitch in question:

And be sure to check out all of our beautiful patterns in Universe. We think you’ll be dazzled!

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!