Free Pattern Friday – Aubrey’s Summer Set

The dog days of summer may be upon us, but we have a brand new project that will easily get you through the remainder of the season with a smile! Aubrey’s Summer Set, designed by Afifa Sayeed, is now available for free download on our website. Using Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton from Rico Design, you’re going to love knitting this colorful and cute set.

Aubrey’s Summer Set includes a top written for sizes Extra Small through 5X, and a matching hat written for One Size that will fit most adults. These pieces are knit in the round, with the tee worked bottom up and the hat worked from the top down. The sugary hues of Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton bring joy to every stitch, leading to a final set you’ll wear summer after summer!

One glimpse at Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton, and we know you’ll be planning your next project! With its blend of 46% acrylic, 49% cotton, and 5% polyester, this yarn is perfect for summertime t-shirts, shawls, and more! Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton is a DK weight yarn that is 2-ply, and the beautiful hues in each skein bring joy to every project you decide to use it for!

In case you didn’t know, we have plenty of exciting patterns from Rico Design that feature Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton. Click your favorite one below to learn more!

We hope you indulge in this weekend’s offer and you add Aubrey’s Summer Set to your queue. In the meantime, stay cool, and we’ll see you next week with another free surprise!

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Cloudborn Cardigan

Photo of the Cloudborn Cardigan on a hook with text to the right saying "Free Pattern Friday - Cloudborn Cardigan"

It’s the first Friday of August, and you know what that means! The Cloudborn Cardigan is our free pattern for today, designed by Rachel Brockman. This exciting children’s pattern uses our stunning Wool Pop yarn to create a piece you can hand down from generation to generation. Let’s learn more!

The Cloudborn Cardigan is sized from 6 months to 6 years old, so whether you have a toddler roaming around or an older child, this pattern is for you! This garment uses an exciting garter stitch throughout, including the ruffle sleeves, providing a fun challenge for any knitter. The ruffle sleeves are created by picking up stitches around the armholes as you work in the round, incorporating increases to make the ruffles.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this project is that you get to tailor it to your liking with the expressive color palette! Our Wool Pop color palette includes 30 hues that look stunning in many different stitches, like the garter stitches used in this pattern. Pick your favorite color, and add the button of your choosing today. We know your little one will love their finished cardigan!

Photo of seven skeins of Wool Pop with the text to the right saying "Friday through Sunday - Woolly Weekend Savings - 20% OFF Wool Pop"

If you’re still questioning whether you should stash Wool Pop, our 20% off weekend savings make it the perfect time to splurge! This beautiful yarn is a blend of 50% bamboo, 35% superwash wool, and 15% polyamide in a DK weight. Wool Pop looks incredible in many stitch patterns, and the sheen of this yarn is sure to make your next piece stand out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Flash Pattern Friday – Feathered Vest

Another month has come and gone, meaning it’s Flash Pattern Friday! This weekend, we are thrilled to share with you the Feathered Vest, designed by Rachel Brockman. Knit in Minou, this trendy piece, is highly affordable and fun to make. Let’s learn more about this sweater vest!

The Feathered Vest is an elegant knit featuring stockinette stitch throughout, and a contrast color at the neck and hemline for some added pop. The fuzzy texture of Minou makes the Feathered Vest a wardrobe staple for crisp fall morning, as it can be worn as a layering piece or by itself on a warmer day.

Minou is a blend of 40% baby alpaca, 8% merino wool, and 52% nylon that is soft to the touch. Check out inspiring garment and accessory patterns in our Soft Simplicity E-Book, including the Feathered Vest. Shake up the hues for your sweater vest by browsing the eight Italian-spun color options available in Minou!

To get the Feathered Vest for free, use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer runs through Sunday, July 30th.

This weekend is the best time to stock up on Minou! This beautiful eyelash yarn is over 50% off through Sunday. Due to the gorgeous fluffy texture of Minou, we recommend simple stitches to allow the yarn to stand out! The sophisticated color palette of Minou would make it a fun option for anything from sweaters to slippers. Stash this beauty today before these savings expire!

Thanks for stopping by! Robert

Meet a Local Yarn Shop – The Tail Spinner

As you make your way to the coast of North Carolina, you might endeavor to a small town just north of Jacksonville. Richlands, North Carolina, to be exact. It may not be a bustling town, but there’s more than enough reason to stay if you’re a fiber artist. The Tail Spinner is our featured local yarn shop for July, and we can’t wait for you to learn more about the owner, Linda, and her store!

What are you waiting for? Let’s head inside The Tail Spinner!

When growing up, shop owner Linda Davis’s father told her she was “born to the needle”. She recalls the days of “sitting in front of the TV in 1973, and a PBS show came on with Elizabeth Zimmerman”. So it’s no coincidence we are now talking about her local yarn shop.

As Linda was preparing to open her shop by taking community college classes in business, she was demonstrating spinning from one of her Angora rabbits at the State Fair. One young lad was fascinated by this and began calling Linda the “tail spinner,” the rest is history. Since 2005, The Tail Spinner has been the destination for fiber artists in Richlands and beyond.

Throughout her time of ownership, Linda says the greatest joy of running the shop is seeing those finished projects! It’s an answer we hear often, and it shouldn’t be a surprise. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a customer leave with a skein of yarn and come back with a beautiful creation.

The Tail Spinner has a variety of unique yarns, including some favorites from Universal Yarn, like Bamboo Pop, Colorburst, and more! Linda notes that shopping for a curated collection of fibers for her store is challenging due to the options available. “One of my biggest challenges, though, is not to buy every yarn I see and touch!” Relying on customer opinions is what she has decided to lean into, and that has certainly paid off.

The Tail Spinner is a great place for those who love to weave!

We are pleased to say The Tail Spinner has participated in Universal Yarn’s Trunk Show Program. These trunk shows allow shops to get pattern samples to show off at their store. “I’ve hosted at least two or more trunk shows per year, and customers love to see yarns in finished projects.”

We are so excited The Tail Spinner let us learn more about their one-of-a-kind store. It’s truly a pleasure of ours to see the way each and every yarn shop provides a community to fiber artists everywhere.

The Tail Spinner does offer shipping, so head to their website and shop your favorite yarns from Universal Yarn today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Wildflower Tee

Photo of a person sitting down with the Wildflower Tee on with text to the left saying "Free Pattern Friday - Wildflower Tee"

If you’re looking for a delightful knit, we have some good news for you this Free Pattern Friday! The Wildflower Tee, designed by Rachel Brockman, is now available to download on our website. This stunning, floral-inspired t-shirt is the perfect knitting project for the season. Let’s learn why you need to add this beauty to your queue!

There’s no better way to beat the heat than with Cotton Supreme Speckles, consisting of 100% cotton fibers. Each hank is packed with exciting hues, ready to burst off of your finished garments and accessories. Reverse stockinette stitch gives this tee a touch of texture and a smooth look and feel. The edges of this tee are made of ribbing, and the top is detailed with a thoughtful, folded neckband for a finished look.

The sample shown uses the color 1004 Pastel Pop, but our Cotton Supreme Speckles yarn has six total colorways to choose from. The pattern includes sizing for XS through 5X with adjusted yarn recommendations for each size. Shop your favorite color of Speckles and get started on your newest tee today!

If you are a fan of Cotton Supreme, then Cotton Supreme Speckles is for you! It’s the same worsted-weight, 100% cotton base with speckled hues throughout each hank. This yarn is perfect for a plethora of projects like baby garments and accessories, t-shirts, blankets, and more. Shop today and save 20% off Speckles through Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Scallop Placemats and Coasters

Photo of the Scallop Placemats and Coasters with text to the right saying "Free Pattern Friday - Scallop Placemats and Coasters"

Accessorize your home in style this Free Pattern Friday with the Scallop Placemats and Coasters. Designed by Afifa Sayeed, this set of accessories uses environmentally-friendly Clean Cotton, and with our buy two get one free offer, you’re going to want to knit one for you and one for a friend! Let’s learn more about this week’s new pattern.

Clean Cotton’s blend of 85% recycled cotton and 15% recycled polyester makes it a staple yarn for homewares and summer accessories due to its durability and ideal texture for washcloths and dishcloths. The Scallop Placemats and Coasters are knit in the round from the center out with stunning spiral shaping and a loopy I-cord bind-off that creates the scalloped edge. The coasters have a diameter of 5″, and the placemats have a diameter of 12″.

This design is mesmerizing, and it’s easy to customize your hues with Clean Cotton’s 21 available solid color options. Knit yourself a set of placemats and coasters in an oceanic shade with 116 Bluebell, or go bright and bold with 107 Tiger Lily!

This weekend is the perfect time to stock up on Clean Cotton! With our buy two get one free offer, you can make a variety of exciting projects for less. Check out all of the Clean Cotton designs on Ravelry for more inspiration.

Looking for a three-skein project to make? Try the Fresh Air Washcloths (middle image), perfect for your kitchen or bathroom. To receive the buy two, get one free offer, add three or more skeins of Clean Cotton to your cart, and the price of one skein for each group of three will be deducted at checkout.

Make sure to share all of your Clean Cotton creations with us by using the #universalyarn on Instagram!

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

Flash Pattern Friday – Sailfin

Just like that, the month of June is over! That means it’s time to share our Flash Pattern for the month. Sailfin, designed by Rachel Brockman, is a gorgeous scarf knit in five different colors of Magnolia. You can get this pattern for free on Ravelry through Sunday (instructions below), and there’s no better time to stock up on Magnolia because we’re having a sitewide sale!

Photo of a person wearing the Sailfin wrap around their shoulders while sitting in a wooden chair

Inspired by the beautiful stripes of the saltwater sailfin fish, this accessory is a stunner. Using our silky smooth Magnolia yarn, Sailfin will be a delight to knit as you switch from one color to another. Relaxing stockinette stitch is used throughout this scarf, leading to a piece with a gorgeous drape and eye-catching color.

Magnolia is a blend of modal and cashmere, giving it a luxurious feel and sheen. Its excellent stitch definition makes this yarn perfect for any knit or crochet project you may have in mind. Sport Sailfin on your next stroll on the beach and watch as the compliments roll in.

Checkout instructions for Sailfin on Ravelry

To get Sailfin for free, use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer runs through Sunday, July 2nd. We hope you enjoy this astonishing accessory!

Photo of Magnolia in red, white, and blue stacked on each other with text to the left saying "Stars, Stripes, and Savings! - 20% OFF SITEWIDE - Through Tuesday, July 4th - *excluding ChiaoGoo"

Meanwhile, head to our website to get the best deals during our Stars, Stripes, and Savings Sale! Shop our wide selection of beautiful yarns and luxurious products from muud. This 20% off sitewide savings begins today and lasts through Tuesday, July 4th!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Firecracker Shawl

Photo of a person holding out the Firecracker shawl behind their back with the text to the right saying "Free Pattern Friday - Firecracker shawl knit in Sugar Saki"

Ready to accessorize in style this summer? Today is the day! With July soon to be upon us, our Design Team is excited to release a gorgeous red, white, and blue shawl to match the season. Firecracker Shawl, designed by Aubrey Busek, is today’s Free Pattern Friday!

Firecracker is a one-skein-wonder in our variegated Sugar Saki, released last fall. This accessory is knit flat from the top down, beginning with a garter tab. As you work with this yarn, you will see the gorgeous red, white, blue, and purple shades of color 505 Popsicle come to life, giving you an accessory perfect for summer!

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, don’t fret. This project is an excellent option for knitters of all skill levels. Firecracker features a rhythmic eyelet lace pattern that is easy to memorize and fun to work. Plus, with a single skein project like this, there’s plenty of room for you to make this shawl in several different colorways, thanks to our exciting palette in Sugar Saki, seen below!

This weekend, indulge in a deal as sweet as the yarn itself. Sugar Saki is 20% off Friday through Sunday. This yarn is a blend of superwash merino wool, bamboo, and nylon, perfect for garments and accessories, but we know you will love using it for shawl and sock projects in particular!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Bamboo Pop Dolls

Have you ever crocheted an amigurumi before? Well, the wait is over! Free Pattern Friday presents… the Bamboo Pop Dolls! This new crochet pattern features six individual amigurumis that make the perfect gift for a loved one in your life. Plus, each one of these dolls uses one of our six new colors of Bamboo Pop. Let’s learn more!

The Bamboo Pop Dolls, designed by Jacki Donhou, contain an exciting collection of seven individual patterns. One pattern gives instructions to make the doll’s body, which is the same for each doll, except for the colors of yarn used. Each one features a different shade of our six new neutrals released in Bamboo Pop. The remaining six patterns give instructions for each of the hairstyles, clothing, and accessories seen on each doll. All of the clothing and accessories are both removable and interchangeable, so you can create a doll as unique and special as you!

We loved these dolls as soon as we saw them and wanted to hear about what inspired the designer. Here is what Jacki had to say: “When I designed this Bamboo Pop doll collection, I wanted to incorporate a rainbow-like theme. Thinking about children and how unique each one is on the inside and the outside, I wanted to try and express that with color. From skin tones to clothing to each of their vibrant hairstyles, I wanted to show how different and beautiful children are.”

Bamboo Pop is a stash staple here at Universal Yarn, and now there are six more reasons for you to shop this favorite! Our design team recently released colors 143 Rosy, 145 Seashell, 148 Almond, 150 Penny, 151 Hickory, and 152 Chocolate to give more neutral options in this bamboo/cotton blend. We think these colors would look exceptional in any garment or accessory pattern. Check out the Espresso Bandana for a single skein project in color 152 Chocolate.

Now through Sunday, June 18th, you can save 20% off Bamboo Pop!

To stay connected, you can follow Jacki on Instagram and shop her adorable patterns on Etsy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Zesty Tank

The first Friday of June has arrived, and we have the perfect summer garment for you today! The Zesty Tank, designed by Rachel Brockman, is now available to download for free on our website. Using our thrilling Zesty Sock yarn, this beautiful tank top is full of fun colors that will come to life as you knit!

The Zesty Tank features simple twisted stitches that create a textured cable rib pattern throughout the garment. The tank is knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, and the front and back are separated at the underarms and worked flat. The silhouette of this garment is contemporary, and the lightweight fibers of our Zesty Sock yarn have gorgeous zips of color in each skein to give this garment a unique look.

The pattern offers inclusive sizing of Extra Small through 5X, and all that’s left is to pick your favorite shade of Zesty Sock and get started! Each color option of Zesty Sock has different shades of zips throughout – so you can customize this garment to your liking. Try out color 106 Iceberg if you are a fan of beautiful blues, or try 102 Sunset for warm summer shades. Check out the picture below, which shows all six colors of this exciting yarn!

Friday, June 2nd through Sunday, June 4th, you can save 20% off Zesty Sock! This yarn is a super fine-weight blend of superwash merino wool and nylon, giving it a soft and springy feel, perfect for socks, garments, and accessories. We have four free patterns already available in Zesty Sock – so you can stock up this weekend and add a couple of new patterns to your queue!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert