Category: Free Pattern Friday

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Free Pattern Friday – Drizzle Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Drizzle Sweater in Bella Cash (pattern link here).

I get excited every time we have another design in Bella Cash, because it’s another chance for me to sing the praises of one of my favorite yarns. Now me, I love it for socks, like Rachel Brockman’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.

We had great fun knitting along with these in our Mystery Sock KAL for Fall 2020.

It’s great for adult garments too, like the free Bellissima Cardi.

Classic construction, classic look. It’s beautiful in accessories, too – the colors in the palette play beautifully together – but you may be surprised to hear how popular it is for baby garments.

In addition to a touch of cashmere for extra softness, Bella Cash contains superwash extrafine merino, as well as some nylon for durability – very welcome in hard-wearing kid clothes. And since it’s machine washable, it’s easy care for parents.

The Drizzle Sweater is a classic top-down sweater knit in the round, with an easy slip stitch along the yoke accented at the cuffs. Sized 12-18 months through 4 years, it’s a fun and cozy sweater for little darlings.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern, and that you have a great weekend.

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Sashay Cowl

Woman in knitted Fair Isle cowl. Text: Free Pattern Friday, Sashay Cowl Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sashay Cowl in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (pattern link here).

This pattern was originally part of e-book Rustic and Refined, a collection of 13 patterns that are down-home yet sophisticated.

E-book cover featuring man and woman in gray Fair Isle sweaters

The collection really does have something for everyone – from glorious shawls like Drifting Hap…

…to warm socks with beautiful shaping like Traverse.

Today, we’re setting one of the collection’s patterns free! Say hello to the Sashay Cowl.

Sashay, like all the items in the collection, uses Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash.

Ball of red Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash yarn

The tweedy flecks coordinate with each yarn, and give a nice rustic feel to projects. Here’s a closer look showing how well this works to give a softer look to the Fair Isle in Sashay.

Just peeking around the edges of the Fair Isle, in the solid bands of 418 Terracotta, you can see 3×3 cables that mimic the diagonals in the Fair Isle. It’s a great design element from creator Rachel Brockman.

Sashay starts with a provisional cast-on and is worked in the round (my favorite way to knit Fair Isle). Work it from one end to the other as a tube, then graft the ends together for a seamless, cozy cowl.

We hope you enjoy this gratifying project. Stay safe, and have a great weekend.

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Anemone Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Rear view of woman wearing triangular shawl knit in Major

Today, the Anemone Shawl knit in Major (pattern link here).

Here at Universal, this time of year always leaves us feeling torn. On the one hand, the chill in the air lets us keep knitting with warm yarns, which is one of the joys of wintertime. On the other hand… we’re ready for spring! And spring is exactly what designer Aubrey Busek was thinking of when she created the Anemone Shawl.

Field of anemone flowers
Photo via https://www.dutchgrown.com/

The anemone shawl is named after the delicate anemone wildflowers that bloom spring and fall. What a wonderful way to bring some color inside!

This lovely triangular lace shawl is knit from the top down, starting with a garter tab. The lace sections are both written and charted for your convenience. The entire project will take just two balls of Major.

While Aubrey chose color 136 Caladium to mimic the spring greens and purples of the anemones, there are other floral tones you could use.

135 Toile has beautiful peach/apricot vibes with seafoam accents…

…while 128 Valentine is a glorious array of roses.

Regardless of your choice, this floral-inspired shawl is a perfect bridge between the seasons. We hope you enjoy it.

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Frame

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Frame mitts in Rozetti Yarns Cinema (pattern link here).

Frame is named in part as a nod to the yarn used, and in part because it was originally a pattern in the “In The Spotlight” collection of designs in Cinema.

They’re all gorgeous – I really covet the Director sweater – but Frame was chosen to be set free because it’s a great first mitts project in a beautiful yarn.

Cinema is a bulky-weight single with wool, nylon, and just enough cashmere to give it maximum “squeezability,” which is a technical term that I just made up. Cinema comes in both multis and solids, so you can easily mix and match. I did this with the free Hoarfrost Scarf, and was very pleased with the results.

With Frame, though, you won’t need to mix and match, since it’s a one-skein pattern! Worked on US9 (5.5mm) needles, these twisted stockinette mitts are perfect for keeping your fingers free. Maybe free for more knitting? Hmm…

We hope you have a great weekend, and stay warm and dry.

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Big Hug Throw

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Plush red crocheted throw draped over white chair

Today, the Big Hug Throw in Bella Chenille Big (pattern link here).

Earlier this week, we shared a pretty pink pullover for Galentine’s Day. Now we’re sharing a big warm hug for Valentine’s Day!

Plush crocheted red blanket folded on upholstered white chair

Don’t you just want to dive right in? Fortunately, it’s very easy to do just that! This beginner-friendly crochet pattern is all all single crochet, with a single crochet border around the edge for a tidy finish.

skein of merlot Bella Chenille Big yarn

Worked in touchable Bella Chenille Big on a US Size P/Q (10mm) hook, this pattern goes fast.

Plus, you have the joy of relaxing under it while you’re making it!

We hope you have a Valentine’s Day filled with laughter and love. Be sure to show yourself some love, too!

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Bouquet Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Bouquet Scarf in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (pattern link here).

You probably heard – the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter.

Bleak, Bill. Bleak. We prefer to think of it as six more weeks of working with beautiful cozy wool, while still looking with hope toward brighter days. Enter, the Bouquet Scarf.

This bright and beautiful scarf has has enough substance to keep you warm – especially in Deluxe Worsted Superwash wool – but also acts as a harbinger of spring. Check out the blossoms in the lace!

They remind me of tulips, which start to bloom in our area in mid-March. That’s just about the time the groundhog says we should be emerging from winter.

Multicolored field of tulips
Via https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/

The scarf uses 1×3 cable crosses and increase/decrease combinations to create definition around the lace elements. We’re classing this as an intermediate pattern. You’ll probably want to use markers around the repeats, just to help keep track. The final result will be well worth the effort.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, staying safe and warm, and doing things that you love.

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Ambrosia Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Ambrosia Cowl in Odette (pattern link here).

“Subtle” is the name of the game here. Knitted in the round lengthwise from one edge to the other, two colors of Odette are worked in a simple slipped stitch rib to create vertical stripes on one side, and horizontal bands of color on the other.

The secret to the beautiful blending is in the yarn. Odette is a mix of alpaca and superwash fine merino, blown into a nylon tube for strength. The result is a set of tones that seem rimed with frost, like a kiss of ice on flowers or stones.

The special construction means you get loft and warmth without extra weight. A great way to stay warm without sweltering!

The Ambrosia Cowl is a simple, easy-to-knit design that only takes one skein each of the main color and contrast color. What would you pick?

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of warmth and cheer. Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Amaranth Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

woman wearing cabled hat knit in Wool Pop

Today, the Amaranth Hat in Wool Pop (pattern link here).

The Amaranth Hat takes its name from the amaranth plant, with its gorgeous red spikes.

Image: rareseeds.com. This is definitely going in the garden this year.

In addition to being colorful, amaranth is useful, as a dye, a grain, a leafy green… there’s a lot going on with this showy beauty. And there’s a lot to love about this pattern, too.

Cables, ribbing, texture, and more… all in a piece that takes just one skein of Wool Pop! It’s everything you could want in one package. Rachel Brockman really outdid herself with this design.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of beautiful things.

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Winter Rib Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Winter Rib Set in Deluxe Bulky Superwash (pattern link here).

Big, beautiful, and oh so warm! This set uses 1×1 rib for a thick fabric that’s fun and functional.

The pattern calls for Deluxe Bulky Superwash 100% wool, a yarn I have a special fondness for. I made my daughter a Sequoia sweater (free pattern link) in it a little over a year ago and she still loves it. That sweater has gone through the washer and dryer repeatedly since then, and has held up beautifully.

The main shade here is 332 Icy Grey, with a few rows in 314 Petrol Blue worked at the beginning and end of the project for contrast. There are plenty of ways to make this garment pop, just by changing that border color.

The entire set is worked on circular needles, or use whatever method you prefer when you’re making garments in the round. Knitted on a US size 10 (6mm), it goes pretty fast!

I’m a sucker for something fast, easy, and beautiful. This ticks all those boxes.

Next week we’ll be back with a beautiful accessory in a lighter yarn. We’ll bet you could finish an entire Winter Rib Set before then!

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – January Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing Fair Isle pullover knit in Nymph yarn

Today, the January Pullover in Rozetti Yarns Nymph (pattern link here).

So here we are, with the second Free Pattern Friday of the year. (The first was the kid through adult-sized Spun Sugar Hat in Uptown Baby Sport, on New Year’s Day.) The January Pullover is another gorgeous design from Rachel Brockman.

Rachel was inspired by the magical snows of her childhood in the northeastern U.S. While this pullover would look striking in any color combo, she chose monochrome tones to bring out the muted feel of a silent world being dusted by swirling flurries. Her choices were Nymph colors 114 Goblet (MC), 115 Blacksmith (CC1), and 113 Swan (CC2).

Rozetti Yarns Nymph was another inspired choice here – its unique construction gives it a soft halo. Nymph is a wool-free yarn, making it a great selection for those who are allergic to wool or prefer non-animal fibers. The model commented that it was warm, while also cottony-soft.

The January Sweater, sized XS-5X, is knit seamlessly from the top down. After working the yoke, you’ll separate for the body and sleeves and work those separately.

We’d like to thank the model, Rachel’s sister, for being willing to indulge us over her winter break and show off this sweater. I hear that she wanted to keep it, which is high praise for both the yarn and the design. I don’t know if there’s a January sweater in the queue for her, but I know I’ll be making one for myself.

Next week: more wintry goodness, but big and bulky. We can’t wait to share!

Happy crafting!