Universal Yarn Creative Network
Inspiration By Design
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Ocean Breeze Cap in Yashi Iro.
Cute, right? This summery cap is crocheted in 100% raffia Yashi Iro (124yds/50g), the multi-colored sibling to solid Yashi (99yds/40g). We love this yarn. It’s great for home dec and accessories, and it’s really caught on with crocheters.
Here at Universal, we love our pets.
There’s Amy’s dog Suzy…
(That’s Suzy in front of Wall Candy in Deluxe Worsted)
my cat Calvin…
(That’s Calvin on Yumiko Alexander’s Poppies)
and various other animal friends that couldn’t be bothered to pose for us. That love of animals is why we want to draw attention to World Spay Day – and to share a free pattern.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Dreaming of Spring Hat in Classic Shades Frenzy.
Here at Universal Yarn, the plants are getting mixed signals. Is it time to bloom? We as crafters are getting mixed signals too – shall we turn to warm weather fibers, or bundle up just a little while longer?
We thought we’d split the difference – a warm hat, but a quick project, so we can enjoy it and then be done when more moderate weather rolls in. And because, like the flowers, we are ready to see the sun, we’re calling this one Dreaming of Spring.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the I Heart You Shawl in Naked Sock.
Me? Oh I have big plans for Valentine’s Day. A horse drawn carriage, a bottle of champagne, and a candlelit dinner on top of the Empire State Building.
I kid. I’m staying home and knitting, spending a quiet evening with my significant other. If you’re keeping it low-key too, here’s a gift from us to you, a great pattern for crafting on what it seems will be a very chilly night.
Here at Universal Yarn, we woke up to this headline this morning:
Well. We had been looking forward to some of the great new Spring designs out now in magazines (more on those another time) but it looks like we still need to think warm. Fortunately, we have a free e-book that is perfect for the weather!
We had a question come in recently that we want to address:
Q: “I know your Deluxe Superwash says you can machine wash and dry it, but can you really?”
A: Yes!
We know because we’ve done it ourselves. Take a look!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Back to Basics Socks in Wisdom Yarns Stanza.
As a rule, I don’t make socks for other people. The exceptions: family, and people I know will truly appreciate them. My father is both, so when he had a birthday, the choice of gift was a no-brainer. Enter the Back to Basics Socks.
Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – Back to Basics Socks”
More snow’s in the forecast – could you use a little knitspiration?
Our snow is over (for now) on the Eastern Seaboard, but there’s a blizzard forecast for the Midwest. I love snow, but I’m sure most folks have had enough of it.
We feature Red Birds in Snow because it’s a nice nod to our state bird here in North Carolina, the cardinal, which gives a lovely burst of color to the monochrome landscape. I also love it because it’s a good reminder that noticing the things around us is a good antidote to the winter doldrums. Seeing something so bright in an otherwise gray day can snap the world back into focus.
When we’re feeling trapped behind closed doors, it’s important to notice the things around us to bring texture and color back into our lives. These designs are perfect examples. Continue reading “Knitspiration – Red Birds in Snow”
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!
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!
