Aubrey – Page 49 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

February 13, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Seabird Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Seabird Shawl in Good Earth and Good Earth Adorn.

This shawl is aptly named! The colors are reminscent of sea and sand, and the triangular shape makes you want to spread your wings.

It’s a warm-ish weather shawl, designed for our cotton/linen blends Good Earth (103 Desert) and Good Earth Adorn (304 Breeze). A look at the back shows how Adorn works up into subtle variegated bands. It’s a nice touch.

It goes without saying that this would be good beach knitting – light on your lap as you soak in the sun. I’m looking at this shawl and dreaming of warmer days.

Happy knitting!

February 9, 2015February 9, 2015

Knitspiration – Happy Birthday Miss Jones

How about a special birthday Knitspiration?

Rockwell Happy Birthday Miss Jones colors — Happy Birthday Miss Jones – Norman Rockwell 1956 – with Deluxe Worsted Superwash

What I love about this picture – and about all of Norman Rockwell’s work – is that it tells a story. The eraser on the floor shows that her students wrote on her board in a rush and then had to scramble back to their seats. The eraser on the student’s head shows that maybe they’re not always little angels. And the fact that Miss Jones isn’t bothered that they’ve ruined all her multiplication problems shows that she’s the kind of teacher who values her children’s high spirits and appreciates their thoughtful intent.

Heather birthday tiara — You may address me as “Your Majesty.”

Today is my birthday, and like Miss Jones, I recognize this as an opportunity to reflect on generosity and intention. I am truly fortunate to have the kind of co-workers here at Universal who will bomb my office with streamers and present me with the traditional Universal Yarn Birthday Tiara.

This is a time to be thoughtful and ask: what opportunities can I seize in my life to show un-asked for care to others? Am I showing generosity to myself as well as to others?

Twist Collective – Aphelion in Good Earth

Today I will practice gratitude for the abilities that I have – to think, to craft, and to love. And I will be grateful, too, for those who appreciate those gifts.

knitwear Fall Winter 2013 kite-cardigan Deluxe Chunky — Interweave Knits – Kite Cardigan in Deluxe Chunky

What will you do today to bring joy to yourself or someone else? Whether you create a garment or a moment, know that what you do has value.

Twist Collective - Scribe Mittens in Deluxe Worsted — Twist Collective – Scribe Mittens in Deluxe Worsted

Happy knitting.

February 6, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Mary Layering Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Mary Layering Tee in Merino XF Superwash.

Mary Layering Tee_back_blog There’s an old song by George M. Cohan called “Mary.” It’s all about how these days, some girls named Mary might change their names to Marie to be cutting edge, but there’s something reassuring about sticking with Mary and having the confidence to know that you’re a classic.

That’s what we have in the Mary Layering Tee. It’s worked from the bottom up in pieces, with short row shaping at the hem. The front henley placket is decorative rather than functional. Overall, this design is sweet and simple, like the name Mary in the song.

Also sweet and simple is the called-for Merino XF Superwash. Very soft, but also practical in its ability to be machine washed. I did a swatch in this last February and can tell you that it is very pleasant to work with.

We hope you make time to appreciate the sweet and simple things in your life this weekend.

Happy knitting!

February 5, 2015February 6, 2015

Bamboo Pop Adult

It’s here! Our new e-book Bamboo Pop Adult is finally available for download from Ravelry and Craftsy. Patterns are also available individually.

Bamboo Pop is one of our most popular yarns. Our e-books Bamboo Pop Kids and Bamboo Pop Dolls were well-received, but we had a lot of people requesting grownup designs. Here they are!

The Boho Tank is an A-line top worked from the bottom up. Sandi Rosner provided the embroidery detail, showing once again that what designer Charles Eames said is true – “The details are not the details. They make the design.”

Craftsy Dewdrops1

The crochet Dewdrops Tank is worked in two pieces and seamed. While I love the bright contrasting colors Amy Gunderson chose for the “dewdrops,” this would be a great piece to customize. Just use your favorite colors as accents!

The Drape-Front Cardi above may be a candidate for “most wearable design.” The flow of the fabric flatters a range of frames.

Here’s my favorite – the Hospitality Tee! Down South, the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality, so as a native Southerner this feels like a very welcoming design to me. As a knitter, I appreciate details like the corrugated ribbing at the sleeves and hem and the pink applied crochet chain stripe that gives it an extra pop of color.

Love love love. The dramatic Staggered Shawl has the graphic styling that is so popular, and it’s so easy to knit. No purling – just garter stitch!

The Steeple Pullover has been an early favorite on Ravelry. Work it bottom-up in the round, then separate for the armholes. The pattern is written and charted, like all patterns in Bamboo Pop Adults (except the super-simple Staggered Shawl). Sized from extra small to 3X, this is a great breezy design to dress up or down when the weather has just a hint of chill.

Craftsy Surf1

Surf ‘n Stripe is a simple eyelet design accented with bands of color. Knit in two pieces and seamed, this slouchy and comfortable dolman-sleeved top strikes me as great vacation knitting!

Craftsy Tennis1

The Tennis Vest is a classic design. The twist cable and rib pattern is quite stretchy, making it a perfect layering piece. I hate feeling like a stuffed sausage when a sweater over a shirt doesn’t breathe with me – this is a great vest for looking as cool as you feel.

Craftsy ColorworkCardiHat2

From the cover, the Colorwork Cardi and Colorwork Hat featured on the cover are two super-cute coordinating patterns. The cardi is a top-down seamless sweater (with pockets!) and the hat can be customized to be taller or shorter as you wish by adding or subtracting pattern repeats.

I’m not sure what I’m going to knit first. I’m thinking maybe the Staggered Shawl. I’ve been wanting a very modern accessory, and that looks fabulous. We’d love to see what you make!

Happy knitting!

February 2, 2015

Knitspiration – Frozen Waterfall

If the groundhog is right, we’re in for six more weeks of winter. As lovers of yarn, we are undaunted!

We’re going to embrace our inner Elsa and love those cool tones.

We’re going to pull out the needles and hooks and savor every moment!

Skyscraper Shawl in Classic Shades Big Time

How about you? What will you make with your six weeks?

January 30, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Raglan Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Raglan Tee in Ariana.

As I was writing this post, our sales manager Yonca came in and saw the tee and smiled. I wanted to share what she said.

“This is the design that made me want to have this yarn. I saw a tee knit up and fell in love with the look and feel. It’s just perfect.”

So there you have it: this is the tee that inspired the yarn. The yarn in question is Ariana (100g/91yds), a smooth, sleek knitted tube that looks quite polished, especially in this ribbed tee.

The Raglan Tee is knit from the bottom upon circular needles. Separate at the armholes for the raglan shaping, then add the sleeves (knit separately). K1 p1 ribbing is very stretchy, and on US size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles this will go quickly.

It’s a great example of a simple design that doesn’t go out of style.

Happy knitting!

January 26, 2015

Knitspiration – Comestibles

Blizzard coming your way? Let’s warm up.

Comestibles Dorothy Dell Dennison 1952 with swatches_blog — Comestibles by Dorothy Dell Dennison (1952)

Not scorching, perhaps, but warm enough to want to stay in the shade. The open, inviting doorway is a connection rather than a divider between the two women. Although both are occupied with the tasks of day-to-day life, you can almost hear the conversation. Is the seated woman knitting? I’d like to think so.

Llamalini Comestibles — Fibra Natura Llamalini

This reminds me of the warm tones in Llamalini, a blend of royal alpaca, linen, and silk bourette spun in Argentina. There are some additional jeweltones rounding out the palette that you can see on our website.

What do these colors inspire you to make?

If you’re in the storm’s path, stay in. Pick up a project. Think thoughts of sunnier days.

Happy knitting.

January 23, 2015January 23, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Loft Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Loft Jacket in Allore.

Allore 101 Nero hi-res — Allore Color 101 Nero

Allore (109yds/50g) is new for Rozetti Yarns this season, and we love it. It’s light and lofty, with a brushed, slightly fuzzy appearance. But what takes it to the next level is a) it’s got lovely gradations in shade, and b) glitter! A metallic strand running through it makes it easy to make instant “dress up” pieces. Working on a US 9-11 needle means knits go fast.

This jacket is worked flat from the bottom up and then seamed. Regularly spaced twists give it just the right amount of texture. Add buttonholes at the collar or secure it with a pin, as we’ve done here.

I love this jacket. What a great mix of cozy and elegant.

Happy knitting!

January 19, 2015January 19, 2015

Knitspiration – Novella d’Andrea

Shall we have a little Monday knitspiration? Will you indulge me for a brief history lesson?

marie-eleonore-godefroid1778-1849 with palette_B — Novella d’Andrea by Marie-Éléonore Godefroid

I love those rich tones, warm and deep.

Deluxe Chunky Novella 96 — Deluxe Chunky

What would you make?

Shaves of Wheat Reversible Scarf in Deluxe Chunky

Inspired Dolman in Cotton Gold and Garden 5

Our inspirational painting speaks to me because it’s something rarely acknowledged in history: a portrait of a woman whose story was told by a woman and who was painted by a woman. All were notable figures in their day, but all have been largely ignored by history. It’s vital to remember the forgotten past.

The subject of the painting is Novella d’Andrea, a legal scholar in the early 1300s. She was educated by her father, a professor of law. When he fell ill, she is said to have taken over his lectures, teaching from behind a curtain lest her beauty distract the students.

Her story is known because of Christine de Pisan, a medieval author who lived around 1400. The portrait was painted by Marie-Éléonore Godefroid, a French artist active in the early 1800s. All three of these ladies did not fit the traditional mold of an artist. All three still gained success during their lifetimes. All three were left by the wayside after their deaths. In the last few decades, they’ve been discovered again.

The Seventh Book of Hows — The Seventh Book of “Hows” – 1911

As a crafter, it is satisfying to see the contributions of artists, authors, and teachers outside the mainstream recognized. Many of us do not fit the stereotypical picture of needlecrafters or perhaps have come to our craft through non-traditional means. Most of us do not have the recognition of the industry. However, we all have an important part to play in keeping the art and story of our craft alive. Each new pattern or technique you share, no matter how complex or simple, enriches us all.

Let’s all welcome others into the craft. Spread the word. Keep our art and history alive.

Craft on, friends.

January 16, 2015January 16, 2015

Gorgeous Giveaway!

Have you visited Annie’s Craft Store’s new site yet? I love features like Build-A-Kit, which makes it easy to grab everything I need for a project that catches my fancy. The stitch guides are a great help too – it’s nice to have that resource at my fingertips. Annie’s is proud of the new site too, with good reason, and they’re having a sale to celebrate!

From now until Jan 23rd, use the code NEWYARN at the Annie’s site and get 20% off any yarn purchase. This is great, because we all know, even if you’re on a yarn diet, sale yarn doesn’t count!

To keep the celebration rolling, they’re also giving away a subscription to Crochet! magazine. We’re partnering with them for one of our favorite projects from the Spring 2015 issue, Amy Gunderson’s Bruges Edged Round Throw shown below (Ravelry link here). What a great burst of color for Spring!

So here’s the deal: comment on this post and tell us your favorite kind of project to crochet. We’ll select one entry to win a year’s subscription to Crochet! magazine as well as enough yarn to make the Bruges Edged Round Throw. Enter by Jan 30th to be counted!

We can’t wait to hear from you!