Spring Yarns For Your Stash

April 17, 2024April 15, 2024

Spring Yarns For Your Stash

Spring has sprung, and we’re thrilled to share some of our favorite yarns for the season with you! There are many things to look out for when searching for the perfect yarn for spring, including fiber content, weight, and color palette. If you haven’t heard of the yarns below, let today be the day you try something new! Let’s go ahead and get started with the newest addition to the Uptown Family of Yarns!

Photo of three colors of Uptown Bamboo DK — Uptown Bamboo DK

Photo of a person wearing the Subtle Shells Ruana — Uptown Bamboo DK

Uptown Bamboo DK is a fiber blend of 80% anti-pilling acrylic and 20% bamboo in a DK weight. Each 100g skein has 284 yards of yarn, with 38 different colors to select from. Bamboo fibers are highly breathable and moisture-wicking, allowing you to keep cool in warmer weather. Uptown Bamboo DK is machine-washable, making it an excellent option for wearable pieces and baby projects. The color palette of this yarn includes plenty of beautiful hues for spring, like 515 Wisteria and 528 Breeze.

Photo of Cotton Supreme Speckles in two different colorways — Cotton Supreme Speckles

Photo of a person wearing the WIldflower Tee — Cotton Supreme Speckles

Cotton Supreme Speckles is the newest member of the Cotton Supreme Family, and it’s already receiving so much love! This yarn is made up of 100% cotton fibers in a worsted weight, just like Cotton Supreme, but with speckles! Cotton is a plant-based fiber that is excellent for spring and almost any project you can think of. Due to the durability of cotton, Cotton Supreme Speckles is phenomenal for homewares, like the Seedling Washcloths. Additionally, this yarn makes for beautiful wearable pieces, like the pictured Wildflower Tee.

Photo of three different colors of Bamboo Pop — Bamboo Pop

Photo of a person wearing the Sabal poncho — Bamboo Pop

Naturally, we wanted to include one of our staple yarns, so say hello to Bamboo Pop! We already talked through the benefits of bamboo and cotton fibers, and guess what? Bamboo Pop is a blend of both! With that being the case, this yarn is breathable, soft, and exceptional for any project. One of our favorite things about Bamboo Pop is the versatile color palette. Both solids and multis are available, and many pair faultlessly with each other! Try a fun accessory with this staple, with the pictured Sabal poncho. Plus, if you love to make baby projects, you will want to add Bamboo Pop to your stash; it’s a customer favorite for such patterns!

Photo of Rico Design Baby Dream DK and Rico Design Baby Dream DK Uni — Rico Design Baby Dream DK

Photo of the Besties cardigan — Rico Design Baby Dream DK

Speaking of baby projects, Rico Design’s Baby Dream DK is next on deck! With a fiber blend of 50% polyacrylic and 50% polyamide, Rico Design Baby Dream DK is incredibly soft and easy to care for. Solids and multis are available in this yarn, with a range of gorgeous colors, especially pastels. The polyacrylic and polyamide fibers mean that Baby Dream DK is machine-washable, so it’s ideal for your little one. We love the idea of a baby blanket or cardigan, like the pictured Besties pattern!

Photo of Rico Design Creative Fluffily DK in two colors — Rico Design Creative Fluffily DK

Photo of a person wearing the top from Pattern 1016 Top and Shawl - Rico Design — Rico Design Creative Fluffily DK

You may have never heard of Rico Design’s Creative Fluffily DK, but we’re thrilled to introduce you! With a fiber blend of cotton, polyester, acrylic, and wool, Creative Fluffily DK is sensationally soft, machine-washable, and includes a subtle sparkle! Each 150g cake of this yarn contains 459 yards of yarn, making it great for larger projects like pullovers and shawls. There are 14 shades to choose from, and we can’t wait to see what you will make with Creative Fluffily DK!

Which one of these yarns would you work with first? Let us know in the comments! We can’t wait to hear your response.

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

April 10, 2024April 9, 2024

Universal Yarn Publication Highlight – April 2024

We love seeing Universal Yarn featured in the spotlight! Three designs using your favorite yarns from our brand are available and we’re so excited to show them off. The Coral Canopy Cardigan (right), designed by Nazanin S Ford, using Uni Merino, the Sunny Bloom Blanket (middle), designed by Willow Crochet, using Uptown Worsted, and the Lattice Cloche Hat, designed by Sheila Pfeiffer, using Bamboo Pop. Let’s learn more about these gorgeous patterns!

Featured in “I Like Crochet” Magazine’s April 2024 issue, the Coral Canopy Cardigan is stunning! This piece is perfect for spring, with a breathtaking leaves pattern, a v-neckline, and three-quarter length sleeves. The soft, superwash merino wool and nylon blend of Uni Merino will make this cardigan a summer staple, whether you’re at the beach or relaxing at home!

Next, we’ll look at Willow Crochet’s beautiful Sunny Bloom Blanket! Using stash staple Uptown Worsted, this homeware is full of color and is as soft as can be with 100% anti-pilling acrylic fibers. This graphgan uses seven hues of Uptown Worsted, so you can practice transitioning colors like never before. To get this pattern for free, visit Knitty!

The Lattice Cloche Hat is available on Ravelry using customer-favorite Bamboo Pop! An engaging slip-stitch technique creates a lovely lattice overlay effect that will have you receiving compliments left and right. Bamboo Pop’s color palette is vast, so you can choose the hues that best match your personality and make a hat for you and a friend!

We hope you enjoyed hearing about these exciting designs! We invite you to share all of your projects with us by tagging us @universal_yarn on Instagram. Stay tuned for next month’s publication spotlight!

April 5, 2024April 3, 2024

Free Pattern Friday – Spring Forward Scarflette

With April now upon us (where did time go?), we’re excited for the warm weather on the horizon! Today, we’re showing off a one-skein-wonder featuring silky smooth Magnolia. The Spring Forward Scarflette, designed by Afifa Sayeed, is this week’s Free Pattern Friday, and we can’t wait to share with you all there is to love about this piece!

With satisfyingly simple stockinette stitch used throughout, you can shift your focus to the nupp detailed edges worked on both sides. Plus, tassels adorn each end to give your scarf a fun addition. This piece is truly perfect for spring and summer, thanks to Magnolia’s light and airy fiber blend of modal and cashmere!

If you’re not a fan of green, don’t worry; Magnolia has 15 hues to choose from! Try the Spring Forward Scarflette in 109 Brunch to give you an accessory that reminds us of the blue skies of summer. Or, use 104 Dreamsicle and bring a tropical vacation straight to your wardrobe!

Why should you use Magnolia for this project? Well, aside from its lovely drape and stunningly smooth texture, it’s 20% off! Imagine the spring and summer creations you could make with this yarn! We especially love Magnolia for patterns using lace and colorwork, just check out our Sunkissed Summer collection for proof (also 20% off this weekend)!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

April 2, 2024April 2, 2024

Tutorial – Downloading Paid Patterns

If you have been having problems finding or downloading paid patterns from Rico Design, Yarn Vibes, and Universal Yarn E-Books immediately after purchase, this blog post is for you!

We have made a picture-based tutorial to help guide you and make sure you download the pattern you paid for. If you are mainly purchasing patterns on your desktop, pay attention to the screenshots below. If you are purchasing patterns on your iPhone or Android, please scroll to the bottom to see video tutorials for each device.

Step 1 – After your pattern purchase, an order confirmation page will appear. Once on this page, click the blue “Download Now” button shown beneath the name of the pattern you just purchased. Please note – it may take a few seconds for this button to appear.

Step 2 – Depending on your computer, you will either see a popup to save your purchased pattern (right image), or you will have to click the three dots in the top right corner of your internet browser window (we are showing this using Google Chrome), and then click “Downloads” (left image).

Step 3 – After downloading your pattern, another way to view the PDF is via files. For Windows, this will be “File Explorer” application and for Mac, this will be the “Finder” application. Once you have this open, simply select the downloads folder.

Step 4 – Within the downloads folder, you will see a PDF document for your purchased pattern. Upon clicking this document, your PDF will open and you can start stitching!

Important Note – After your purchase of any paid pattern, you will also receive an email confirmation of purchase that contains a download link. You can also click this link to access your pattern.

Keep in mind, files can be downloaded a maximum of three times. This does not mean you can only open the PDF three times, rather, you will only see the pattern download on your first three attempts of clicking the download button. Check your downloads folder after your first download attempt to avoid reaching the maximum number of downloads.

ANDROID USERS

IPHONE USERS

We hope this tutorial answers any questions you may have, however, if you still have questions, please email us at patterns@universalyarn.com and we will be happy to assist.

March 8, 2024March 7, 2024

Free Pattern Friday – Terrific Tea Towels

Can you believe it’s already the second Friday of March? Time flies when you’re stitching! This week, we have an exciting free pattern that you will love adding to your kitchen. The Terrific Tea Towels, to be exact. Using self-striping Cotton Supreme Waves, you’ll have a colorful homeware that is perfect as a dishcloth, washcloth, or just decoration. Let’s learn more about this exciting pattern!

There are many things to love about the Terrific Tea Towels, but we especially love how beginner-friendly this project is! You will use soothing stockinette stitch throughout the body of this cloth, with garter stitch edges for the top, bottom, and sides. With many colorways in Cotton Supreme Waves, including solids and speckles, you can customize your Terrific Tea Towels to match your personality!

Cotton Supreme Waves is one of three members of the Cotton Supreme Family! With a 100% cotton base, this yarn is incredible for homewares and wearable projects. The buttery soft and breathable fibers of Cotton Supreme Waves are a delight to work with and will lead to long-lasting creations due to the yarns durability!

Now through Sunday, March 10th, at 11:59 PM EST, get 20% off Cotton Supreme Waves! So, now the only question is, what will you create? Let us know in the comment section below!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

February 9, 2024February 7, 2024

Free Pattern Friday – Seeded Scarflette and Beret

What do you think of when you see pink? Whether it’s Barbie, Mean Girls, Breast Cancer Awareness, or your old highlighter set from elementary school, the point is that pink makes a statement! This Friday, we have a bright, bold, and beautiful set that will bring joy to your wardrobe. The Seeded Scarflette and Beret, designed by Rachel Brockman, is this week’s freebie. Let’s learn more about this pair!

Whenever you combine Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk and any of our Uni Merino yarns, expect breathtaking results! The soft and warm merino wool base of Uni Merino is a perfect match for the ethereal halo of Mohair Loves Silk. If you’re not a fan of neon, don’t worry; these two yarns have many complimentary colors; see below for inspiration!

Hinted upon in the name, this set features a stunning seed stitch pattern. Plus, you’ll notice the gorgeous spiral decreases in the beret, giving it elevated elegance!

There’s no better time to knit the Seeded Scarflette and Beret. This weekend only, Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk and our Uni Merino family of yarns are 20% off! The mohair and silk blend of Mohair Loves Silk makes it an excellent partner in crime for the superwash merino and nylon blend of Uni Merino. This offer expires on Sunday, February 11th, at 11:59 PM EST, so shop today or use it as an excuse to shop on Super Bowl Sunday (if you REALLY don’t want to watch the game)!

Alternative color suggestions below!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Shop Mohair Loves Silk

Shop Uni Merino Family

January 19, 2024January 18, 2024

Free Pattern Friday – Clairvoyance

If you’re looking for a striking accessory to top off your outfit, Free Pattern Friday is here for you! This week, flashy carry-along Cotton Gold combines with our beloved Bamboo Pop to create Clairvoyance. Designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, this accessory will turn heads and have you receiving compliments left and right. Let’s read more about this week’s featured crochet pattern!

Cotton Gold is one of our featured carry-along yarns, and it looks incredible when held against the bamboo and cotton fibers of Bamboo Pop! The lacey pattern of Clairvoyance makes it perfect for spring and summer, giving you a breathable accessory.

While the sample shown uses two sage colorways, you can mix it up to match your personality! How about the beautiful combination of Cotton Gold 1095 and Bamboo Pop 112? This would be a perfect piece for New Year’s Eve parties for years to come!

Or, try two gorgeous blues with Cotton Gold 1100 and Bamboo Pop 111!

The choice is yours, and we know that regardless of what you choose, you’re going to look great!

This weekend, save 20% off Cotton Gold and Bamboo Pop through Sunday, January 21st at 11:59 PM EST! The possibilities are endless when you create with these two customer-favorites. The best part is you can hold Cotton Gold with Bamboo Pop in both simple and complex stitches. Whether you want to stick to garter stitch or try something with lace, the dazzling sequins will stand out, especially when they catch the light. Create something that will last a lifetime today with Cotton Gold and Bamboo Pop!

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

January 12, 2024January 10, 2024

Free Pattern Friday – Neptune Mitts

There’s nothing like keeping warm with a hand-knit project during the coldest days of January! Today, for Free Pattern Friday, we present the Neptune Mitts, designed by Afifa Sayeed. These comfortable, cloud-like mitts use Rico Design’s Madly In Love Luxury Baby Alpaca and Merino Chunky to create an accessory that will keep your hands toasty for the rest of the winter season! Let’s learn more about this exciting free pattern.

There’s so much to love about the Neptune Mitts. Perhaps what is most eye-catching in this one-skein project is the gorgeous bobbles. This beautiful feature can be seen along each end and down the front side of these mitts.

Additionally, cables dress the front of the Neptune Mitts. The cable pattern provides an excellent compliment to the bobbles and gives these mitts an irresistible texture! All that’s left for you to do is pick your favorite color of Rico Design’s Madly In Love!

This weekend, save 20% off on a newbie from Rico Design. Once you get your hands on Madly In Love, you can’t help but think of the project possibilities. This yarn is a beautiful blend of alpaca, polyamide, and wool in a bulky weight. Whether you want to knit or crochet something simple or complex, Madly In Love is a high-quality option. But hurry, these savings end on January 14th at 11:59 PM EST.

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

January 10, 2024January 9, 2024

Our 2024 Crafting Goals

We hope you accomplished all the crafting goals that you set out for in 2023, but if not, 2024 is a new opportunity! Our team has gathered together to come up with exciting personal crafting goals for the new year, and we want to hear yours as well. We invite you to take a peek below to check our teams aspirations for the year ahead!

Aubrey: “In 2024, I hope to get back into doing more hand embroidery on knitwear and ready-to-wear clothing! I loved designing the Verbena Pullover and getting to do the hand embroidery on that sample, so it would be exciting to expand my knowledge of hand embroidering on knits this year. We have some yarns in our line that will work fabulously for this, like Magnolia. This fingering weight yarn is delicate enough to show off complex embroidery designs and has a silky-smooth finish. Embroidery adds a touch of uniqueness to your projects or your everyday clothes, and the customization element makes them feel extra special and artistic.”

Ashley Jane: “I am a crocheter, but I have been taking on more and more knit projects. This year, my big resolutions are to try some new projects that would help me grow my knitting skills! First up, I want to try out the Forager Socks, designed by Rachel Brockman. They feature some beautiful lacework, which I have yet to try, so I am very excited about them. These socks call for Filly, which is a blend of 46% cotton, 33% superwash merino, 12% polyamide, and 9% PBT. It comes in 6 self-shading hues that are perfect for springtime. I think the color choices, along with the open lace design will make for a perfect warm-weather pair.

The other skill I want to try is cables, so I want to make myself the Carillon sweater, designed by Aubrey Busek Gray. I adore the twisting design on the front, and the overall elegance of this piece, which is enhanced by the 100% wool yarn, Deluxe Worsted. This yarn is available in over 80 colors, some of which are natural, undyed marvels. While the cabling may be a new challenge for me, I think the hardest part of this sweater will be choosing a favorite color!”

Afifa: “I knit my very first pair of socks last year and am now obsessed and want to hone my sock-knitting skills. I am excited to work on the Tempera Socks designed by Aubrey Busek. I love the combination of stripes and lacework in this pattern. The pattern is designed for Uni Merino, a blend of soft superwash merino wool and nylon, perfect for socks. With the wide range of shades available, the potential color combinations are endless. Here’s to having a drawer full of hand-knit socks by the end of the year!”

Robert: “As someone who never crafted much before my time here, 2023 was full of trying new things. As 2024 continues, I would like to take more time to weave and crochet, as I find these crafts relaxing. Universal Yarn has a beautiful display of yarns, but I am eyeing Zesty Sock for a few squares on the Zoom Loom.”

We want to hear from you! What are your crafting goals for 2024? Let us know in the comments below.

We love to see customer projects! Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see the creativity that exists in the crafting community. Plus, use #universalyarn when using our yarn for a chance to be shared in stories or on our feed!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

December 15, 2023December 13, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Chamarel

We’re halfway through December, so it’s time to bundle up! There’s nothing quite like a knit scarf you can wear for a night out ice skating with loved ones. Free Pattern Friday is here with Chamarel, designed by Patty Olson, and we can’t wait to see your very own version. Let’s learn more about this accessory packed with gorgeous hues!

When you get your hands on Rico Design’s Creative Melange Chunky, you can’t help but be inspired. This self-shading blend of virgin wool and acrylic looks beautiful in garment and accessory projects, like Charamel. The captivating slip-stitch colorwork pattern uses three colors of this yarn to create a bulky scarf you can wear on the coldest winter nights!

Creative Melange Chunky from Rico Design is a must-have for fiber artists! This self-shading yarn is full of vibrant hues, both bright and subdued. Its bulky weight makes it excellent for winter projects, like sweaters, hats, and scarves!

This yarn is sensational for all types of stitch patterns. Creative Melange Chunky looks incredible in cables and textured patterns while also standing out in simple stockinette and garter stitch. This weekend, save 20% off your order of Rico Design Creative Melange Chunky. This offer expires on Sunday, December 17th at 11:59 PM EST.

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert