“Subtle” is the name of the game here. Knitted in the round lengthwise from one edge to the other, two colors of Odette are worked in a simple slipped stitch rib to create vertical stripes on one side, and horizontal bands of color on the other.
The secret to the beautiful blending is in the yarn. Odette is a mix of alpaca and superwash fine merino, blown into a nylon tube for strength. The result is a set of tones that seem rimed with frost, like a kiss of ice on flowers or stones.
The special construction means you get loft and warmth without extra weight. A great way to stay warm without sweltering!
The Ambrosia Cowl is a simple, easy-to-knit design that only takes one skein each of the main color and contrast color. What would you pick?
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of warmth and cheer. Happy crafting!
We were about two minutes into 2018’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople when this sweater appeared onscreen and I gasped. Fortunately for cat lovers, the film’s costume designer hired a knitter to recreate the pattern and made it free on Ravelry. You’ve got to have some confidence to wear a sweater like this, but I think we all know someone who could pull it off. In my case, that person is me, and I’m putting this in my queue to make in Adore.
Often, though, it seems like the really spectacular sweaters are on men. I’d like to look at five outstanding pullovers on masculine frames, both the obscure and the famous (I’m looking at you, Chris Evans). Let’s go in chronological order!
Wash’s Sweater from Firefly
This sweater showed up in two separate episodes of sci-fi TV show Firefly, giving it enough exposure for viewers to reverse engineer the cabled design. Never bet against Firefly fans – they’re a devoted and persistent bunch.
Is the show set in England? Expect good knits. This cabled jumper sported by John Watson from the BBC’s Sherlock proves the rule. It didn’t take long for this pullover to be recreated:
And of course, free patterns sprang up. While the original was machine-knit, this pattern on Ravelry has hand-knit versions worked in the round or flat. As for yarn, there are several ways to go: 100% wool with Deluxe Worsted Superwash, or Uptown Worsted anti-pilling acrylic, which is also machine washable (John Watson doesn’t seem like a man who is careful with his laundry).
3) John Watson’s Ugly Christmas Jumper from Sherlock
Can you tell I recently re-watched Sherlock? I’ll confess I lightened up this image so you could really see the power and majesty of this design. It’s meant to be an “ugly Christmas sweater” in the show, but it’s really up to you as to whether you love it or hate it.
The original might have been knit in a bulkier yarn, but this pattern on Ravelry calls for a DK weight, to make it more versatile in other climates. If I were knitting this, I’d use Deluxe DK Superwash in 838 Twilight, 837 Christmas Red, and 828 Pulp.
4) Ransom Drysdale’s sweater in Knives Out
This is the one the knitting internet lost their collective minds over.
Chris Evans’ actual dog wearing a cabled sweater. It’s the ultimate “who wore it better?”
Part of the key here is that it’s not hard to make a sweater look good when you’re Chris Evans, but the other part here is that it was shown from so many angles and in such detail, it was easy to get a good look at it. In terms of screen accuracy, Caryn Shaffer did a bang-up job with her version here on Ravelry.
What yarn to pick for this design? Deluxe Worsted, all day long. To get the perfect color, choose from the Naturals options, 40001 Cream Undyed. It’s got just a bit of buttery warmth to it, which matches the tones of the original. Also, as the name suggests, it’s undyed. The color of the yarn is the color of the sheep, which is exactly the kind of detail that would appeal to the rich young man wearing this in the movie.
I. Love. This. Sweater. I love the color, I love the pattern, and I love that there’s some random Mon Calamari fish-person in a Star Wars show wearing a beautiful cable-knit piece. But here’s what’s killing me. I can’t find a reverse-engineer of this pattern anywhere! Do any of you know of one? Am I going to have to try it myself?
I mean, come on. It’s a fisherman’s sweater on a literal fish-man. What’s not to love?
How about you? What’s a knit or crochet piece that you’ve seen that made you think, “I should make that!” We’d love to know!
The Amaranth Hat takes its name from the amaranth plant, with its gorgeous red spikes.
Image: rareseeds.com. This is definitely going in the garden this year.
In addition to being colorful, amaranth is useful, as a dye, a grain, a leafy green… there’s a lot going on with this showy beauty. And there’s a lot to love about this pattern, too.
Cables, ribbing, texture, and more… all in a piece that takes just one skein of Wool Pop! It’s everything you could want in one package. Rachel Brockman really outdid herself with this design.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of beautiful things.
Big, beautiful, and oh so warm! This set uses 1×1 rib for a thick fabric that’s fun and functional.
The pattern calls for Deluxe Bulky Superwash 100% wool, a yarn I have a special fondness for. I made my daughter a Sequoia sweater (free pattern link) in it a little over a year ago and she still loves it. That sweater has gone through the washer and dryer repeatedly since then, and has held up beautifully.
The main shade here is 332 Icy Grey, with a few rows in 314 Petrol Blue worked at the beginning and end of the project for contrast. There are plenty of ways to make this garment pop, just by changing that border color.
The entire set is worked on circular needles, or use whatever method you prefer when you’re making garments in the round. Knitted on a US size 10 (6mm), it goes pretty fast!
I’m a sucker for something fast, easy, and beautiful. This ticks all those boxes.
Next week we’ll be back with a beautiful accessory in a lighter yarn. We’ll bet you could finish an entire Winter Rib Set before then!
Today I’d like to highlight one of our more recent pattern collections, Still Life (link). It’s always fun to put together a pattern collection. This one is especially close to my heart because this is the last collaborative collection between our former creative director, the amazing Amy Gunderson, and myself. That means this collection has also been a long time in the making. Originally, these patterns were developed for another yarn, but sometimes things just don’t work out the way you originally planned. When we had to say goodbye to the intended yarn, we didn’t want to say goodbye to this collection. How could we? The pieces are all so beautiful. That’s why we reimagined them in our Deluxe Worsted Superwash and Deluxe Worsted Tweed. Today I’m going to share each of these projects with you and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
The first pattern in the collection is a contribution by Amy Gunderson. The show-stopping Chiaroscuro (pattern link). This seamless, top-down pattern features a bold slip-stitch colorwork motif across the circular yoke. I’ve always been a fan of mock-neck and turtle neck sweaters. As someone who is perpetually chilly, they maximize my comfort during the winter months. So, the high, ribbed neckband of Chiaroscuro is perfect for me. I also love the contrast color rolled stockinette trim that decorates the hem and sleeve cuffs. This is a casual piece that is begging to be knit. Our sample uses Deluxe Worsted Tweed which gives it a rustic appeal. However, if tweedy nubs aren’t your thing, simply use Deluxe Worsted Superwash instead – the yarns are totally interchangeable!
Chiaroscuro by Amy Gunderson in Deluxe Worsted Tweed
Next, we have Delft (pattern link), knit in Deluxe Worsted Superwash. This is my design, and while I don’t mean to boast, I have to say I just love it! I’ve worn the original sample of this design so much! It’s the perfect layering piece. The raglan shaping ensures a great fit. Twisted ribbing pops along with the hem and button bands, but what I love most are the horizontal bars created by using slipped stitches. Delft is another seamless pattern and is knit from the bottom up. You work the body and sleeves separately and join them at the underarms and complete the sweater in one piece.
Delft by Rachel Brockman in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
Those who love a good sampler project will enjoy Leyster (pattern link), designed by Amy Gunderson. This lengthy scarf is perfect for wrapping around your shoulders during the cool months of autumn and winter. The design is loaded with textural motifs that are a blast to knit, and you won’t get bored because the motifs alternate frequently. Leyster is an excellent project for a beginner knitter ready to tackle something more interesting than garter stitch.
Leyster by Amy Gunderson in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
Although I always say I favor knitting sweaters and hats, shawls are also high on the list of my favorite things to knit. They come in all shapes and sizes with varied construction methods. I’ve never really been bored with a shawl. Angular, asymmetrical triangles are a popular shawl shape, likely because of their modern design appeal. Verdigris (pattern link) falls into the asymmetrical triangle category, but with a twist. Stitches are actually increased on two sides of a cable panel, breaking this pattern up into beautiful and interesting sections.
Verdigris by Amy Gunderson in Deluxe Worsted Tweed
The final piece in the collection is another pullover: Vermillion (pattern link) in Deluxe Worsted Tweed. This pullover features bracelet length sleeves, slip stitches, cables, and a sweet split hem on the front. I designed the hem so that the ribbing shifts neatly into the center panels. I’m pretty sure this piece is going to be a favorite of mine to wear during the transitional seasons!
Vermillion by Rachel Brockman in Deluxe Worsted Tweed
I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look at the patterns in the Still Life collection! We’re so happy with how this collection turned out. Which projects do you plan to put on your knitting needles? Do you have a favorite piece in the collection? We’d love to know in the comments!
So here we are, with the second Free Pattern Friday of the year. (The first was the kid through adult-sized Spun Sugar Hat in Uptown Baby Sport, on New Year’s Day.) The January Pullover is another gorgeous design from Rachel Brockman.
Rachel was inspired by the magical snows of her childhood in the northeastern U.S. While this pullover would look striking in any color combo, she chose monochrome tones to bring out the muted feel of a silent world being dusted by swirling flurries. Her choices were Nymph colors 114 Goblet (MC), 115 Blacksmith (CC1), and 113 Swan (CC2).
Rozetti Yarns Nymph was another inspired choice here – its unique construction gives it a soft halo. Nymph is a wool-free yarn, making it a great selection for those who are allergic to wool or prefer non-animal fibers. The model commented that it was warm, while also cottony-soft.
The January Sweater, sized XS-5X, is knit seamlessly from the top down. After working the yoke, you’ll separate for the body and sleeves and work those separately.
We’d like to thank the model, Rachel’s sister, for being willing to indulge us over her winter break and show off this sweater. I hear that she wanted to keep it, which is high praise for both the yarn and the design. I don’t know if there’s a January sweater in the queue for her, but I know I’ll be making one for myself.
Next week: more wintry goodness, but big and bulky. We can’t wait to share!
Happy New Year! We can’t believe the holidays have passed and that we’re nearly a week into January. After the trying times of 2020, many of us are pleased to welcome the new year. While I’ve never been big into resolutions for the new year, I do hope to press pause more often and savor the present more. That doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to the new and exciting things the future holds, though.
Here at Universal Yarn, we’re busy working on the upcoming seasons – new yarns, pattern collections, and more, and as always we’ll be thrilled when we can share them with you. Speaking of new yarns, I thought I’d take today to showcase Nymph, the most recent addition to our yarn lineup. And, with new yarns come new patterns. Shall we get started?
When a sample of Nymph first made its way onto my desk, I was immediately smitten. As soon as I touched it I knew we had to add it for an upcoming season. It was so soft that I found myself petting the skein frequently while it sat on my desk. I couldn’t wait to knit with it!
Nymph is a blend of 84% cotton and 16% polyamide. It is a chainette yarn. Chainette yarns are made up of narrow plies that are actually knit into a hollow tube, making them resemble a tiny I-cord. In Nymph, the chainette is comprised of cotton, but the magic comes from the fine polyamide fibers blown into the hollow core of the chainette, creating a gorgeous, fluffy halo that is kitten-soft. Not only is it soft, but the construction makes the cotton feel lighter and airier than more traditional cotton yarns. Knitting and crocheting with this yarn is truly a joy.
Notice the gorgeous halo and chainette structure of Nymph.
Currently, this yarn is available in seven beautiful colors and we have eight more that will be available later this year. Exciting! As with every new yarn we introduce, we also include free patterns. After all, what’s a yarn without a sprinkling of inspiration for what to make with it? We have two patterns available on our website now and another one dropping this Friday, but you’ll get a lucky sneak peek today. Let’s take a look at the offerings.
Our current color offerings for Nymph.
First up, the Rosette Cowl (pattern link). As I mentioned earlier, my relationship with this yarn was love at first sight. After creating my initial swatches, I knew this yarn needed to be knit into something cozy to wear around your neck. That’s how the Rosette Cowl came to be. I opted for an easily-memorizable twisted stitch pattern framed by simple K2, P2 Ribbing. The result is a textural cowl that is irresistibly cozy. One of the things I love about Nymph is the fantastic stitch definition. The honeycomb motif is clear and beautiful in this yarn.
We love the textural pattern in the Rosette Cowl.
The Rosette Cowl requires three skeins of Nymph in color #104 Antique Rose to make the sample size. This pattern is easy to adjust, too. You could reduce the depth to get a smaller cowl with just two skeins. Alternatively, you can increase the number of stitches you cast on in increments of four to create a cowl with a larger circumference. Just remember – you’ll need a bit more yarn if you want to increase the size.
Nymph has such a lovely drape, as is evident in this photo of the Rosette Cowl.
Next up, the Velvet Dreams pullover (pattern link). I adore this cute little sweater! It is precious and feminine – featuring a lace panel along the center of the front and back. My favorite feature, however, is the lacy ruffle that decorates each sleeve. The sample is knit using color #102 Salvia. It is modeled by my darling niece, Malaika. She is five and a half years old and is wearing the 4-6 year size. Malaika fully approves of this sweater, and she was a bit bummed when I told her she couldn’t keep it. I guess that means I need to make one for her soon!
A lovely lace panel adorns the front and back of this pullover.
Velvet Dreams is sized from 1-2 years to 6-8 years and would be a great gift for any little one in your life. It is knit flat from the bottom up and seamed. After assembling the body, stitches for the sleeve ruffles are picked up and worked flat. Finally, the neckband stitches are picked up and knit in the round.
The sleeve ruffle on Velvet Dreams is almost too cute to handle…and so is the model, but I’m biased!
I promised a sneak peek at the next pattern we’re revealing in Nymph, so here it is: the January Sweater! This wintry pullover features stranded colorwork, proving that Nymph is a well-rounded yarn great for a variety of techniques. This seamless, top-down design is pretty straight-forward and I suspect that fans of the Jay Sweater will also enjoy this pattern. It would be great as a first sweater or first colorwork project.
This January Sweater is shown modeled by my sister, Amber, who happens to be Malaika’s mama, too. She loved the feel of this yarn. So there you have it, Nymph is kid-tested and mother-approved!
That’s all I’m going to reveal for now – you’ll have to tune back in on Friday to grab a copy of the pattern and read more about it here on the blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a closer look at Nymph. It’s definitely a new favorite of mine! You can find Nymph on our website (link) and at your local yarn store (store locator link).
