Heather – Page 52 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

July 24, 2014July 23, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Set Sail Top

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, a perfect fit for summer – the Set Sail Top. Originally knit in our Links cotton, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme DK (100g/230yds). This is a particularly economical substitution – while it would have taken 20 balls of Links to make the largest size of this top, you could knit it with just 4 balls each of two colors in Cotton Supreme DK. Score!

This top is knit flat and stitched up, then the neck trim is crocheted and whipstitched to the neckline. Presto – a cool and breezy cotton top perfect for warmer weather.

We hope you enjoy this light and fun multi-craft project.

Happy knitting!

July 21, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Ten

Block Ten is live!

So colorful! Block Ten “Carousel” builds on the same center-out technique we learned in Block Nine “Best Buds.” I love how Amy picked three colors for her block with high contrast – it’s so vivid!

Amy shares another video with us, this one on knitting in the round using one long circular and the “magic loop” method as opposed to DPNs (double-pointed needles).

This is the method I personally use for most of my socks and projects in the round. For a small square like this, there’s not necessarily an advantage to circular vs. double-pointed needles, it’s all a matter of personal preference. Give them both a try and see which one works best for you!

We have a bonus video as well, on weaving in ends to eliminate those pesky pointy corners, using last week’s block as an example.

Enjoy this second chance to knit from the center out. We’ll be back again in a couple of weeks with our next technique!

July 18, 2014July 18, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Pathways Vest in Cotton Supreme

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, we share the Pathways Vest by Amy Gunderson.

I love this vest. It combines so many different elements. The scarf-like front can be worn straight or draped. The ribbed back with its open expanse at the shoulders is dramatic and airy. And Cotton Supreme 100% cotton gives the whole piece a lovely drape.

The piece is knitted flat. The pattern includes a schematic and a picture of the vest laid out to make it easier to visualize exactly what’s going on with this piece. It seems complex, but it’s simple once you see it all put together.

We hope you take the time to knit something stylish for yourself. You deserve it!

Happy knitting!

Pathways Vest Cotton Supreme front view wrapped blog

July 17, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Ultraviolet Stole

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Something for the crocheters today! The Ultraviolet Stole was originally designed for Endurance Sock, an offering from our Wisdom Yarns line. Fortunately, we have a number of great yarns in the Wisdom family that would still work great with this pattern!

My personal favorite would be Saki Silk (100g/440yds), a merino/nylon/silk blend with a great sheen. The yardage is about the same as Endurance Sock, so this would be an easy three-ball project.

If you wanted to venture outside the Wisdom family, Infusion Handpaints (100g/291yds) would be another good choice.

Regardless, there’s a lot to love about a gigantic loopy stole that’s a simple five-row repeat. A big project that won’t tax your brain – excellent material to crochet while chatting with friends!

July 13, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Cirrus Cotton

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Cirrus Cotton.

I know, we just did Free Pattern Friday in Cirrus Cotton (50g/109yds), but I found it inspirational! The multis and the solids in this light and fuzzy yarn coordinate so well that it got me thinking about color work. A baby blanket in a bulky and soft yarn seems like a good combo.

Based on this color selection, I’m thinking about a landscape – a variegated green grass with a blue sky and creamy clouds. Maybe add a yellow sun with an embroidered face for extra charm. Something bright and sunny for the nursery!

Happy crafting!

July 11, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Ladder Scarf in Cirrus Cotton

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

When is it okay to drop a stitch? When you’re making today’s free pattern, the one ball Ladder Scarf in Cirrus Cotton!

Cirrus Cotton (50g/109yds) is a soft, fuzzy cotton with a unique construction that makes it downy soft. Its extreme “touchability” makes it a favorite for baby projects, but we love it for grownup crochet and knit garments, too.

In this pattern, working some stitches through the back loop locks them into place, so that when the stitches are dropped to create the horizontal ladders, the scarf keeps its structure. Drop those stitches without fear!

Happy knitting!

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Spring Snowflake Cardi

It’s Throwback Thursday!

This little cutie is wearing the Spring Snowflake Cardi.

Originally, this took about 300 yards of Morning Glory Cotton (a cotton/acrylic blend) on a size 6 needle. We’re recommending several other machine washable options for this charming baby and toddler cardi.

Lightweight Little Bird, Bamboo Pop, and Uptown Baby Sport would all be good matches. These yarns also have greater yardage per ball than the original yarn, making this sweater potentially a great one ball project!

Uptown Baby Sport has some really great pastels and kid-friendly color options. You might even try doubling up Little Bird or Bamboo Pop solid and multi for an interesting color color combo. Hmm… I feel a Sunday Swatch idea coming on.

Happy knitting!

July 7, 2014July 7, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Nine

Block Nine is live!

How are we doing, gang? I loved cables, but I’m rarin’ to go on a new technique!

This time, Amy introduces knitting in the round! Today’s counterpane block “Best Buds” goes from the center out, using the lace techniques and M1 increases we’ve already learned from previous blocks.

Amy shares this helpful video on starting your square on DPNs (double-pointed needles) and increasing as you work out. It’s not something we’ve done before in this afghan, but it’s a very useful trick! We’ll also be sharing videos this month on weaving in ends, and on other ways to work center-out. I’m grabbing my DPNs and casting on. It’s so exciting to move in a new direction – literally! See you next time!

July 6, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Llamalini

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Llamalini color 106 Lotus.

Yes, it looked like a smiley face, so I had to take a picture of it like that because I am a big old dork. But I can’t help it, I’m smiling too. I got to knit with Llamalini! This particular swatch is the stitch pattern from this week’s Throwback Thursday, the Zig Zag Lace Scarf. It worked up nicely on US Size 7 (4.5mm) needles and was quite an easy pattern to keep track of.

Llamalini (50g/109yds) is a blend of linen, royal llama, and silk bourette that’s just as decadent as it sounds. The linen gives it a little drape, and the silk bourette provides a tweedy texture for added visual interest. The royal llama is there for extra fabulousness.

Llamalini is featured prominently in our Contrarian Shawls e-book, but I also want to show off a free pattern designed for it. The Diagonals Tee is a popular design with an interesting yoke. The only sewing is stitching up the underarms, which you can see are quite short. Raveler Nytate (real name, Latisha) did a great version of this top (pictured right), and in fact is doing a KAL/class on it at her local shop, Sheep’s Clothing in Kennewick, WA. Nice work!

Have a great weekend, and happy knitting!

July 4, 2014July 4, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Inspired Dolman

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

For the 4th of July, how about something with a little sparkle? Today, we feature the Inspired Dolman in Cotton Gold and Garden 5.

Cotton Gold (25g/200yds) is a lace weight yarn with plenty of pizzazz. Strung with a generous number of sequins, it’s great for dramatic projects that really catch the eye. Here it’s paired with Garden 5 (50g/175yds) cotton thread in a similar color so that it knits up easily into a more substantial garment. Several rows in the pattern repeat are knitted just with Cotton Gold, though, for an almost lacy texture.

This top is meant to fit with a few inches of positive ease and is sized from a 34″ to a 54″ bust. The stitch pattern is a snap. All in all, it’s a great piece to add some sparkle and punch to your wardrobe.

Happy Independence Day to all our American friends – and happy knitting every day to everyone!