Free Pattern Friday – Wild Thyme Popover

Happy Free Pattern Friday, yarniacs! Can you believe it’s May already? We’re loving the warm sunshine and fragrant blossoms, so we’re thrilled to share a new design that’s sure to become a springtime staple – the Wild Thyme Popover!

This adorable top by Andi Javori features lace, texture, and variegated tones in one perfect package. With its beginner-friendly construction and oversized, boxy silhouette, the Wild Thyme Popover is the epitome of easy breezy. And it’s versatile too! Stay cool and casual when you style Wild Thyme as a tee, paired with jeans, shorts, or a skirt. Or layer over long sleeves to continue sporting your favorite new sweater into the autumn and winter months.

The Wild Thyme Popover gets its rustic charm and beautiful blend of color from Fibra Natura Cobblestone. This 100% superwash merino wool yarn twists a colorful variegated ply with a coordinating solid ply to create unique hues with a handspun appearance. With a palette ranging from bold brights to pretty pastels and everything in between, you can customize your Wild Thyme Popover with a color that’s just right for you!

This weekend only, Fibra Natura Cobblestone is on sale at 20% off. Grab a few skeins to make your popover, and a few more for socks, shawls, hats, you name it!

Happy knitting!

Alex

Collection Spotlight: Petit Chou

Delicate, charming, and endlessly wearable, the Petit Chou Mini Shawl Collection is a sweet celebration of effortless style. Featuring soft, lightweight designs knit in Fonty’s cozy yet refined yarns, these mini shawls are perfect for adding a pop of color to any outfit.

Hello! Alex here! I’m thrilled to debut my first-ever designs for Universal in this collection! First, meet Cherie (above), a narrow scarf knit in luxurious Moustache, an oh-so-soft blend of merino, mohair, and silk. The yarn lends a floaty, ethereal quality to this piece, while the diagonal ridge stitch adds depth and texture. My favorite detail is Cherie’s distinctive pointed ends, designed to resemble the feather fletching on an arrow.

Delfine (above left) is the epitome of elegance, with its graceful, elongated-crescent silhouette, edged in romantic lace. Cloud-like Ombelle bathes the shawlette in a halo of delicate fluff, enhancing the softness and sophistication of the piece. With 60 stunning shades to choose from, you can make a Delphine shawlette to complement any piece in your wardrobe.

Add a burst of color and style to your neckline with the beginner-friendly Solange mini shawl (above right). This chic little number features eyelet stripes spanning a stockinette background, neatly framed with a garter border and knit up in soft and sleek Soyeuse yarn. Cute and casual, Solange is the cherry on top of any ensemble!

Hiya, this is Afifa! My contributions to this collection start with Cielle – a mini kerchief knit with cozy and luxurious Mongolia 5. Cielle is soft, light, and just the right size to toss on for that effortlessly chic “I just threw this on” vibe. Whether you’re taming flyaways, jazzing up a simple outfit, or need a neck warmer for chilly mornings, this cutie’s got your back (or neck or head!). Plus, knitting it up is quick and satisfying—like a little treat for your needles.

Meet Daphne (above left)- as delightful to knit as it is to wear! Crafted with Tartan 3, a 100% superwash fine wool yarn, Daphne offers a soft, cozy feel with a touch of elegance. This charming accessory features an engaging lace pattern that adds a hint of sophistication to any outfit. Whether you’re dressing up for a night out or adding a stylish layer to your everyday look, Daphne is the perfect companion. Plus, with Tartan 3’s slightly mottled, tone-on-tone colors, you can choose the perfect shade to match your style.

Knit with Aubusson, Violette (above right) offers unparalleled softness and warmth. Available in a wide range of colors, Aubusson allows you to personalize Violette to match your style perfectly. This plump yarn is a joy to knit with and super quick to boot.

Reine marks our first design collaboration. Our love of texture and lace allowed us to use this opportunity to combine our collective passions with our individual styles to create something truly unique. The merino and yak strands of Mongolia 3 bring beautiful stitch definition to this piece, while mini tassels add a touch of whimsy.

We hope you enjoy this little labor of love as much as we do!

Alex and Afifa

March’s Spotlight Friday – Happy Joy Hoodie

It’s the second Friday of the month, and that means it’s time to spotlight another one of our all-time faves! This month, we’ve chosen a pattern that’s sure to make your little one the envy of the playground – the adorable Happy Joy Hoodie by our very own Universal Yarn Design Team!

This comfy cardi is knit flat in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. Stitches are picked up to add a cozy hood and ribbed button band. The Happy Joy Hoodie is knit in two colors of our popular Bamboo Pop yarn – one solid and one multi – to create vibrant stripes. Garter rows bring a playful texture to the sweater.

This cute little number is sure to elicit a smile from your kiddo when they see the beautiful, bright colors and feel the silky softness of Bamboo Pop. And just think how sweet they’ll look bundled up in their favorite new hoodie!

Bamboo Pop is a blend of 50% bamboo and 50% cotton, making it ideal for light-weight, multi-season garments and accessories. And with its soft feel, machine-washability, and palette of over 60(!!) colors, Bamboo Pop is the perfect choice when crafting for children. You’ll love knitting with this yarn as much as your little one loves wearing it!

Enjoy $3 off each skein of Bamboo Pop purchased through Monday, March 17th. And while you’re at it, check out all the amazing deals on select yarn and muud products in our St. Patrick’s Day Sale!

Happy knitting!

Alex

Free Pattern Friday – Reminisce Blankie

Happy Free Pattern Friday, crafters! This week, we’re all heart eyes for the adorable Reminisce Blankie, designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre!

This cute and cuddly crochet wonder is made up of individual squares, each adorned with a darling bobble heart, making it a great travel project to keep in your bag. Once complete, the squares are seamed together and a single crochet edge is worked around the finished piece.

The pattern includes options for a small size car seat blanket or a larger nap blanket. No matter which size you make, your little one will love snuggling up under this super-soft and cozy blankie.

Our Mystical Marl yarn brings the perfect balance of softness, durability, and a beautiful marled effect to the Reminisce Blankie. Made of 50% cotton and 50% anti-pilling acrylic, this yarn is both warm and breathable, as well as machine-washable, making it a perfect choice for baby projects.

Available in a dozen muted, marled colors, we love Mystical Marl for everything from garments to homeware and accessories. And this weekend only, you can stock up on this marvelous yarn at 20% off!

Happy crocheting!

Alex

Free Pattern Friday – Argentite Sweater

Hello and happy Friday, yarn lovers! Today, we’re making all your color block dreams come true with the fabulous new Argentite Sweater by Andi Javori!

This fashion-forward pullover features a cozy cowl neck and wide sleeves that put a modern spin on the classic drop-shoulder silhouette. Large sections of seed stitch color blocking, paired with the beautiful texture of Fibra Natura Kingston Tweed yarn, create a visually striking piece.

Knit flat in pieces and seamed, the Argentite Sweater is a great first intarsia project for anyone wanting to learn this useful technique. And crafters of all levels will enjoy the simple, meditative nature of the stockinette and seed stitch patterning. Perfect TV knitting for when you want to kick back and relax!

The timeless beauty of Kingston Tweed adds a polished, sophisticated look to any garment or accessory. Ideal for textured and colorwork pieces, this must-have yarn is available in a palette of 19 elegant hues inspired by nature. Choose from neutrals, like the smoky greys featured in the Argentite Sweater, or go bold with jewel tones and brights. Grab your two favorite shades and cast on today!

This weekend only, Fibra Natura Kingston Tweed yarn and all Kingston Tweed Kits are 20% off! With five show-stopping designs to choose from, it’s a great time to stock your stash and save on your next project, now through Sunday, January 26th! 

Happy knitting!

Alex

Free Pattern Friday – Wind and Waves Top

Happy Free Pattern Friday, crafters! This week, we’re dreaming of sunny days and seaside getaways, so we’re sharing a perfect pattern to cast on now and have ready in time for the summer season or your next beach vacation. Previously an LYS exclusive, the Wind and Waves Top by Yonca Ozbelli is now available as a free pattern for you to enjoy!

Like watching waves lap the shore, you’ll be captivated by the meditative undulating lace pattern in stripes of oceanic blues. And you’ll stay cool and comfortable in our luxuriously soft Cotton Supreme yarn, an excellent choice for warm weather knitting. Ideal for styling with a pair of shorts or your favorite skirt, you’ll be reaching for the Wind and Waves Top all summer long.

Knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up and featuring a simple boxy construction, this easy-breezy tee is an approachable and entertaining project for knitters of all skill levels. Dive in and be delighted by all this gorgeous design has to offer!

Made of 100% cotton, Cotton Supreme is a smooth and sumptuous worsted-weight yarn that works up beautifully in a palette of vibrant shades. This buttery-soft yarn gets even softer with each wash (that’s right, it’s machine washable and dryable!), making it a perfect pick for next-to-skin garments and accessories for adults and children alike.

To celebrate 2025 and the release of the Wind and Waves Top, our Cotton Supreme family of yarns is 25% off this weekend! Get a head start on your summer wardrobe and save on Cotton Supreme, Cotton Supreme Speckles, and Cotton Supreme Waves, now through Sunday, January 12th!

Happy knitting!

Alex

Free Pattern Friday – Warm and Toasty Trio

Happy Friday, crafters! Ready your needles for triple the fun, because this week’s Free Pattern Friday is three patterns in one! The Warm and Toasty Trio by Andi Javori will keep you cozy all winter long with a soft and snuggly pullover, cowl, and scarf!

The pullover is knit in pieces from the bottom up and features richly textured Seersucker Stitch sleeves, which really pop in our Deluxe Bulky Superwash yarn. Deep ribbing across the neckline and drop shoulders adds visual interest to this eye-catching sweater. The Seersucker Stitch coordinates with the patterning on the cowl and scarf, making for a stylish and cohesive look that you can mix, match, and layer to your heart’s content.

Simple shaping and an easy-to-memorize stitch pattern make all three projects enjoyable and accessible for knitters of any skill level. Knit in bulky yarn on size US 11 needles, these pieces work up quickly and live up to their name, guaranteed to keep you comfy! The Warm and Toasty Trio is sure to be your new go-to set this season!

Beautiful, durable, and machine washable, Deluxe Bulky Superwash lends long-lasting elegance to all sorts of projects, whether you’re crafting for yourself, your home, or making a special holiday gift for a loved one. With its excellent stitch definition, this 100% superwash wool yarn is well suited for textured patterns, cables, and colorwork. And its palette of over 30 shades offers endless possibilities to let your creativity shine!

As an extra treat for you, our entire Deluxe family of yarns is 30% off this weekend! It’s a great time to stock up on Deluxe Bulky Superwash and the rest of these stash-staple yarns, now through Sunday, December 15th!

Happy knitting!

Alex