Aubrey – Page 11 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

May 5, 2021May 5, 2021

Flash Birthday Giveaway – Lollipop

Late in the day Tuesday, I was chatting with Universal Yarn’s Creative Lead, Rachel Brockman. We were discussing future blog posts when she dropped this little tidbit.

Oh, we’re doing something special, all right. Rachel’s a fantastic designer, and she deserves all the crafting love in the world. (Also, I did get her permission to write a blog post about her birthday, bless her camera-shy heart).

So everybody, here’s Rachel!

This is one of several times that we pressed Rachel into service as a model. This time, it was for her free design Olive (pattern link here), which combines a skein of Kingston Tweed with a skein of laceweight Penna to create a beautiful hazy, earthy effect.

Crochet? Yep, Rachel does that too, as with the free Alpine Wrap (pattern link here). Beautiful oversized lace goes quickly in Deluxe Bulky Superwash worked up on a US M/N (9mm) hook.

And we absolutely must mention one of our most popular free patterns, the stunning Jay Sweater (pattern link here) in Kingston Tweed. Rachel’s love of natural beauty shows through in this design…

…which was so pretty we couldn’t stop with just one color combination. Shown here: Kingston Tweed colors 101 Talc and 108 Amethyst.

So I’m sorry, Rachel, but we will be making a big deal out of your birthday, and we hope that everyone will join us!

We chose Lollipop for this giveaway because of its sweet birthday cake feel! Originally from e-book Sweet Treats, This boxy pullover uses twisted stitch cabling to create a three dimensional field along the body and sleeves.

This piece makes excellent use of superwash extrafine merino Donnina. Its high twist gives it great stitch definition, and the colors definitely pop!

To get the Lollipop Pullover free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code BIRTHDAY where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.

Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by midnight on 5/8 and we’ll get you taken care of. Feel free to share this giveaway!

Rachel in Knitty’s Iyokan, knitted in Wool Pop.

Many happy returns of the day, Rachel! Next year, we promise we’ll keep it low key!

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

Flash Friday – Violeta

It’s Free FLASH Friday!

We’re trying something new with Free Pattern Friday. The final Friday of the month will still have a free pattern, but it’ll be a limited time Flash! This week, we’re offering Violeta.

Violeta is a sweet, versatile cardi, part of the Spring Capsule Collection in Radiant Cotton.

The collection was designed with a nod to the desire we feel in spring to pare down and freshen up. It’s a set of knit essentials that are versatile enough to take you through your week in comfort and style. Radiant Cotton’s vibrant color looks amazing while keeping things cool.

Violeta fits the bill perfectly. It works as an open jacket to throw on over a neutral outfit…

…or clasped with a closure like this one from JUL Designs.

100% Egyptian cotton Radiant Cotton has amazing stitch definition, to let the work shine without detracting from the wearer.

To get Violeta 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 5/1 and we’ll get you taken care of. Feel free to share the giveaway – the more the merrier!

(PS – since it’s late in the day for some of our customers, we’re extending this through Saturday. Enjoy!)

April 23, 2021April 23, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Slushie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman in lavender loop stitch jacket leaning on a wall

Today, Slushie knitted in Uptown Baby Sport (pattern link here).

This is Free Pattern Friday, but really I feel like we’ve got multiple patterns here, because this super sweet jacket is sized for adults and kids!

I’m imagining a matching pair, with grownup and mini-me stepping out for a day of bonding over iced treats!

Designer Aubrey Busek is the princess of “pretty” around here, with a unique flair for fashionable projects that are fun to make and wear.

Aubrey uses a loop stitch to create a touchable fabric that looks like a million bucks. I’ve done this stitch before, and it’s easier than it looks. Once you see how it works, you feel very clever, and it flows easily as you knit.

Second, she uses two colors of Uptown Baby Sport held together. This does a several things. One, the nature of Uptown Baby Sport’s anti-pilling acrylic means that it won’t mat or show undue wear, even though individual strands of yarn are exposed. Two, using two colors together gives an extra depth to the piece. Three, holding two strands together gives extra plushness. Plus it makes it possible to use US8 (5mm) needles to get to your finished jacket faster!

We hope you enjoy this fun, flirty, and fashionable knit. We can’t help but wonder – what color will your Slushie be?

Next week, we’ll have another piece in purple that we think you’ll love.

Happy crafting!

April 16, 2021April 20, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Welkin

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing blue and white shawl knitted in Nymph

Today, Welkin in Rozetti Yarns Nymph (pattern link here).

If you’re wondering about the name of this week’s pattern, “welkin” comes from an old English word meaning the vault of the sky.

Rear view of woman wearing blue and white shawl knitted in Nymph

It’s an appropriate name for this shawl, with its cirrus-cloud stripes of white against the sky blue.

Graceful wings are formed by increasing from the starting tab on both right and wrong sides of the fabric, another nod to the lighter-than-air feel of this accessory.

Detail of lace edge of blue and white knitted striped shawl

And at the widest edge, lovely lace edged with crochet picot puffs resembling tiny clouds in a blue sky

Knitting this shawl in soft, downy Nymph, gives the piece an even more cloudlike quality. Cotton blend Nymph has a chainette construction, with fiber blown through its center for a lighter weight fabric on US 7 (4.5mm) needles. The yarn has a beautiful fuzz that softens the lines of Welkin’s stripes.

It’s a beautiful look for the season. And don’t limit yourself to blues and white – perhaps your Welkin will be a field of violets, or an ocean wave about to break. There are limitless possibilities.

Woman holding blue and white shawl knitted in Nymph

Have a wonderful weekend, full of light and life.

Happy crafting!

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Sandbar

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Sandbar crocheted in Cottonwood (pattern link here).

Sandbar was originally part of e-book Lakeside Retreat, a collection of knit and crochet designs in our Fibra Natura line of luxury natural yarns. We’re singling it out for release today because it’s uniquely appropriate to the season – and because it’s just so pretty!

Amy Gunderson had beautiful mornings by the beach in mind when she designed Sandbar. It’s the perfect piece to protect you from breezes coming off the water.

DK weight organic Cottonwood feels great against the skin. It’s a pleasant cotton to work with too.

You’ll start Sandbar from the center of that circular motif, then square it off. The wings are crocheted outward from two sides of the square, and then the border is added to the lower edge.

It’s a sumptuous and satisfying design in a luxurious yarn. We’re delighted to set Sandbar free.

Happy crafting!

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Damascus

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Young man wearing gray Damascus sweater knit in Kingston Tweed

Today, Damascus in Kingston Tweed (pattern link here).

After adorable Easter Earl earlier this week, we’re moving to something classic and refined.

Damascus is named after the ancient metalworking technique that created the strong and beautiful patterned designs known as Damascus steel.

It’s an apt name. At first glance, this unisex pullover might appear plain, but look closer – Kingston Tweed’s blend of wool, alpaca, and viscose gives it extra interest and a lightly tweedy, almost heathered feel.

Closeup of Kingston Tweed yarn hank in color Basalt 112

The sweater pictured is knitted in color 112 Basalt, one of a selection of sophisticated tones in Kingston Tweed.

Rear view of young man wearing gray Damascus sweater knit in Kingston Tweed

Knitted on US6 (4mm) needles, Damascus is a lightweight three-season sweater that works well on its own or as a layering piece.

Shoulder detail of young man wearing gray Damascus sweater knit in Kingston Tweed

Work this design seamlessly in the round from the top-down. The body and sleeves are separated at the armhole and worked separately.

We’re delighted to present this versatile piece for free.

Have a fantastic weekend, and happy crafting!

Image of Kingston Tweed yarn skein and wound ball

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Atrium Shawl

Image of woman wearing scarf. Text reads Free Pattern Friday, Atrium Wrap in Penna

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing pink scarf-style shawl crocheted in Penna

Today, Atrium crocheted in Penna (pattern link here).

Penna is one of our newer yarns. We found it at a mill in Italy and just had to have it.

See that halo? The suri baby alpaca in this yarn gives it the perfect fuzz to soften a silhouette. The extrafine merino keeps it soft and gentle. And the nylon gives it the strength you want in a beautiful finished object.

Closeup of stitch pattern in pink crocheted shawl

In Atrium, you can see how soft and romantic it makes this design feel. Designer Edie Eckman played to Penna’s strengths with this asymmetric piece. But then, that’s no surprise. We always feel lucky to have one of her designs in our yarns, like the recent free Piquilla Shawl crocheted in Wool Pop (pattern link here).

But back to Atrium! This may look like a scarf when it’s artfully draped, but it’s really more of a shawl or wrap. It’s 72″ long and 18″ wide at the larger end, for a modern, asymmetrical feel to go with its natural romance. You’ll work this light and lofty accessory flat, from the wider end to the narrower one. Three balls of Penna makes this airy scarf, perfect for a breezy spring day.

What color will you pick for your Atrium?

closeup of row of pastel Penna yarn balls

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

March 19, 2021March 19, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Confetti Cap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

The Confetti Cap is a quick and easy knit for the little one in your life. It takes just one ball of Bamboo Pop!

Today, the Confetti Cap in Bamboo Pop (pattern link here).

If you get our newsletter or follow us on social media, you’ve probably noticed all the Bamboo Pop love this week. And why not? It’s a great yarn for the warmer weather we’re all yearning for. Bamboo Pop’s bright colors make it a great choice for baby and toddler projects.

Knit pink and aqua baby dress in Bamboo Pop yarn

For instance, the Sakura Dress (free pattern link here) pictured above…

…or Spot the Tee (free pattern link here), shown in the same color 304 Watermelon Dots as today’s free pattern. They’d make an awfully cute set!

The Confetti Cap has sweet little sprinkles throughout, courtesy of the dots in this colorway of Bamboo Pop. The hat is sized newborn through 1-3 years, but only takes 1 ball for all sizes!

This sweet, simple knit cap would be a quick and easy gift when you need something quickly for a baby shower, charity project, or for that moment when you just get the itch to make something little and cute!

Have a great weekend. Here’s some confetti!

Happy crafting!

March 12, 2021March 12, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Drizzle Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Drizzle Sweater in Bella Cash (pattern link here).

I get excited every time we have another design in Bella Cash, because it’s another chance for me to sing the praises of one of my favorite yarns. Now me, I love it for socks, like Rachel Brockman’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.

We had great fun knitting along with these in our Mystery Sock KAL for Fall 2020.

It’s great for adult garments too, like the free Bellissima Cardi.

Classic construction, classic look. It’s beautiful in accessories, too – the colors in the palette play beautifully together – but you may be surprised to hear how popular it is for baby garments.

In addition to a touch of cashmere for extra softness, Bella Cash contains superwash extrafine merino, as well as some nylon for durability – very welcome in hard-wearing kid clothes. And since it’s machine washable, it’s easy care for parents.

The Drizzle Sweater is a classic top-down sweater knit in the round, with an easy slip stitch along the yoke accented at the cuffs. Sized 12-18 months through 4 years, it’s a fun and cozy sweater for little darlings.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern, and that you have a great weekend.

Happy crafting!

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Sashay Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the S ashay Cowl in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (pattern link here).

This pattern was originally part of e-book Rustic and Refined, a collection of 13 patterns that are down-home yet sophisticated.

E-book cover featuring man and woman in gray Fair Isle sweaters

The collection really does have something for everyone – from glorious shawls like Drifting Hap…

…to warm socks with beautiful shaping like Traverse.

Today, we’re setting one of the collection’s patterns free! Say hello to the Sashay Cowl.

Sashay, like all the items in the collection, uses Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash.

Ball of red Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash yarn

The tweedy flecks coordinate with each yarn, and give a nice rustic feel to projects. Here’s a closer look showing how well this works to give a softer look to the Fair Isle in Sashay.

Just peeking around the edges of the Fair Isle, in the solid bands of 418 Terracotta, you can see 3×3 cables that mimic the diagonals in the Fair Isle. It’s a great design element from creator Rachel Brockman.

Sashay starts with a provisional cast-on and is worked in the round (my favorite way to knit Fair Isle). Work it from one end to the other as a tube, then graft the ends together for a seamless, cozy cowl.

We hope you enjoy this gratifying project. Stay safe, and have a great weekend.

Happy crafting!