We’re so lucky to have another beautiful crochet design from Edie Eckman!
For this simple, classic design, Edie used Clean Cotton, which is 85% recycled cotton and 15% recycled polyester. It’s Earth-friendly and beautiful!
As well as solids, Clean Cotton is available in multis, for a lovely speckled effect in your projects.
Step one will be to make three individual squares, working in the round from the center out. Then join them at the edges to create the bag’s shape.
After joining, you’ll add a simple edging to the top for stability and a finished look.
Finally, add a handle. For ease, we used a handmade leather strap from Danish company muud, maker of fine leather bags. Here, we used a muud Hudson at 50cm (19.7″) long Hudson strap. You could also use the 70cm (27.5″) Hudson XL for additional length. They’re both available in black and in whisky on our site or from your LYS.
We love these straps because the simple swivel clasps are effortless to add and remove from your bag for easy care. Unclip the strap and toss your bag into the washing machine!
We hope you enjoy this beautiful, timeless crochet project. Have a great weekend – and happy crafting!
This is a pattern we’ve had a lot of requests for – a baby blanket, but not too big and heavy, and sized to drape over a little one’s lap during a car ride.
Something that’s simple to make. Something practical, but pretty. Designer Aubrey Busek ticked all those boxes here.
The basketweave pattern she uses is all knits and purls – great basic knitting that produces a beautiful textured fabric. It’s written and charted, so you can take your pick of what instructions work best for you.
Aubrey picked lightweight Cotton True Sport for this pattern, for good reason. This 100% pima cotton is soft, smooth, and machine washable. Anyone who has shaken out a blanket full of Graham cracker crumbs knows how important easy care is for these projects. The 100% cotton keeps your little one comfy but not too hot- a sweaty baby is a cranky baby!
Just three balls will make this perfectly-sized 25 ½” x 21 ½” (64.7cm x 54.6cm) blankie. This would make a great shower gift, or really an anytime gift, for a harried parent. To borrow a phrase, this project is practically perfect in every way.
We wish you a cool and comfortable weekend! Happy crafting!
Designer Rachel Brockman has once again channeled her love of nature into an inspiring design. This bright, warm-weather shawl took its name from beautiful Edisto Island.
No wonder – this breezy beauty would be the perfect accessory for a walk along a windswept beach.
Wool-free Bamboo Pop Sock is a great choice for this shawl – and just one ball of two colors is all it takes.
We love this shawl so much we made it in two colorways. The combination of 505 Tide Pool and 507 Breeze seen above…
…and the more subdued 502 High Tide and 503 Jetties shown here.
Both are stunning.
This is a lovely pattern, designed to make maximum use of your two balls of Bamboo Pop Sock. You’ll be knitting flat on US5/3.75mm needles (or whatever gets you gauge).
Then you’ll switch to US7 /4.5mm needles for the i-cord bind-off. It’s a tidy edge that adds extra polish to an already exquisite design.
Botany Bay beach at cloudy sunset, Edisto Island, South Carolina, USA. Nickolay Khoroshkov/stock.adobe.com
We hope your weekend is filled with natural beauty.
Why did we pick Seastar? Because today is the birthday of the designer, Aubrey Busek, and we think of her as the bright star on our design team! We also press Aubrey into service as a model sometimes, as with these free crocheted Ribbon Mitts in Kingston Tweed. Work it, Aubrey!
Seastar appeared earlier this year in the Seaside Supreme collection, and it really shows off Aubrey’s design sensibilities. It’s fun, upbeat, modern, and has great little details. Aubrey’s choice to echo the star’s color on the edging really pulls this design together.
The choice of soft, 100% cotton, worsted weight Cotton Supreme gives the top great breathability, and makes it very wearable for warm weather!
Seastar is sized from XS to 5X, and it includes options for short and long sleeves, for even more flexibility. We’re delighted to be able to offer this beauty for free this weekend!
To get Seastar free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.
Aubrey Busek’s Seastar shown with Rachel Brockman’s Yawl.
For this blog post, I wanted to highlight my dad, Hal Ozbelli, and the incredible work he has done for Universal Yarn. From building up a brand to coming up with creative, catchy yarn slogans, this guy has done it all!
Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Talya Ozbelli, and I am the daughter of Hal and Yonca Ozbelli, owners of Universal Yarn. You might have had the opportunity to meet them at a show, or maybe communicated with them over the phone/email. If not, I hope you get to meet them soon! I may be biased, but they really are some of the greatest people I know.
Top Right: Talya Ozbelli | Bottom Left – from left to right: Hal Ozbelli, Talya Ozbelli, Yonca Ozbelli, Kenan Ozbelli
In honor of Father’s Day, I wanted to spotlight my dad and what patterns from Universal Yarn collection I think he would like. Now, I am no yarn expert – I can barely tell the difference between a garter stitch and a purl (am I the only one that thinks it should be spelled “pearl”?) stitch. That being said, I am eager to learn more about hand-knitting yarns! This is based on my trusty eyes, as well as my keen and, ~dare I say~ really amazing fashion sense. Hey, I know a good looking sweater or scarf when I see one (especially if it uses Universal Yarn!)
Designed by Rachel Brockman, this sweater is one that will easily become a favorite go-to. With a versatile, classic yarn like Deluxe Worsted and a chic design, my dad would totally rock this look. The classic green and blue stripes along the bodice and sleeve cuffs give it character, and I can already see my dad’s approval with a simple nod and the words, “I like it” – so poetic.
Does this not scream “dad jokes” to you? Made with Deluxe Worsted, this intricate, detailed pattern and relaxed fit is a must in any man’s wardrobe. Deluxe Worsted has a variety of colors to pick from, so you can cater the pattern to whatever color you would like! My dad loves the color blue, so this cardigan pictured below would fit perfectly for his taste. Whether you prefer to wear it as an outer layer as you’re hiking up a mountain or relaxing by a fire pit, I believe it would be a great fit for anyone! I think this cardigan would be my dad’s favorite, now I just have to figure out how to knit it…
If there is one thing to know about Hal Ozbelli, it is how much he loves to be outdoors! Whether that be skiing, or sitting and relaxing in the backyard, this guy loves a good hat/scarf combo. Enter Compass; made from machine-washable Deluxe Worsted Superwash, this combo is the perfect solution if you’re not big on sweaters or cardigans. You can pretty much match it to any outfit you choose to wear, and bonus points if it matches your shoes! I know my dad would wear this combo all throughout fall and winter, and I am sure other men would too!
Okay. This tie definitely takes the cake. Made in Deluxe DK Tweed, I mean, what man does not love a good tie? Designed by Rachel Brockman, the tweedy and rustic nature of the yarn gives a casual yet refined look to this stylish neckwear. I can just picture my dad wearing it with one of his suits now! I just need to knit a matching bow so that we can be twins!
Father’s Day Tie
Those are my top picks on what I think my dad would wear! I hope your Father’s Day is filled with lots of dad jokes, grilling, and joy. Which men’s patterns are your favorites? Let us know!
Cowan is crocheted in one piece from the bottom up, separating at the armholes, and then rejoining for the upper portion of the vest. Its flowing outline makes it a great piece for its entire range of sizes, XS to 4X (it’s shown here in Small).
To get Cowan free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.
Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by midnight on 5/29 and we’ll get you taken care of. Feel free to share the giveaway – the more the merrier!
Recently, we’ve had requests for simple free patterns that are quick and easy. Well when it comes to lace, it doesn’t get much easier than this!
The Draft Scarves use a simple two-row repeat to create an airy, open mesh that’s perfect for summer. The wider black version above takes two balls of Fibra Natura Unity in color 110 Darkness…
…while the green, skinnier version takes just one ball of 103 Sage, and is still a generous 63″ without the fringe.
We chose Fibra Natura Unity as the yarn for this pattern for a couple of reasons. First, its thick and thin texture lends extra textural interest to the simple design. Second, the blend of wool, cotton, linen, and bamboo provides the perfect drape for a summertime scarf.
Unity 113 and Unity Beyond 208 Sunrise
If you were in the mood for extra color, Unity Beyond would make a great choice. Or what about Unity Beyond for the body, with a coordinating solid for the fringe? There are plenty of options for customization here!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, with time to sit and relax with some beautiful yarn.
Celeste is a lovely springtime layering piece with a straightforward construction.
Two rectangles are worked, with a tidy double double crochet at the borders for a neat finish. The rectangles are seamed, leaving space for the arms and neck (of course) to create a simple, classic silhouette.
As for the stitch pattern, it’s a gorgeous all-over lace that’s written and charted. You’ll get the rhythm of it in no time.
We used Fibra Natura Papyrus for this design. It’s a luxurious warm-weather blend of cotton and silk with an interesting texture.
The poncho is shown in 229-13 Celestial, but because I’m a sucker for blue-green, I’d probably make mine in the 229-19 Ether shown above. Either way, with that stitch pattern, the final result will be divine.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of beauty and joy.
Today, the Calm Waters Afghan in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted (pattern link here).
This design is a formerly-pay pattern, part of Bamboo Bloom 1: Backyard Blooms. The collection was such a fun group to design and photograph. We were lucky to be able to shoot in the whimsical back yard of local artist and photographer Deborah Triplett, the creative mind behind National Yard Art Day. (Thanks, Deborah!)
The square afghan starts in the center on DPNs in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, then builds in outward-moving ripples, bordered by rows of a coordinating shade of Deluxe Worsted. Here, designer Lorna Miser opted for vibrant 3677 Cobalt, but there are plenty of shades to choose from to make this design your own.
As a bonus, the pattern includes the simple Goldfish School Cowl, a one skein pattern for Bamboo Bloom Handpaints. Cast on, work k1, p1 ribbing in the round, then cast off. Easy peasy!
Personally, I think pairing that Goldfish School Cowl color 307 Red Maple with 317 Sensei shown above, and a beautiful falling leaf color of Deluxe Worsted would make a fantastic autumnal-themed afghan. Looks like my queue is getting longer again.
