Free Pattern Friday – Page 46 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

October 9, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Siren Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Siren Sweater in Infusion Handpaints.

We named this the Siren Sweater because just as the mythical Sirens of old drew in sailors with their sweet song, this design captures attention with the contrast of its cabled top half and reverse stockinette body.

Infusion Handpaints (291yds/100g) is a good choice for this. It’s variegated, but not so busy that it’s going to obscure the lovely cablework.

The yoke is knit sideways from cuff to cuff. Then stitches are picked up, and the body of the sweater is reverse stockinette worked downward to the hem. Stitch up the sleeves and the sides, add edging for the neck, and you’re done. We predict this Siren Sweater will turn heads wherever you go.

Happy knitting!

October 2, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Bias Stripe Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Bias Stripe Scarf in Flax and Universe.

We’re moving into party season, and we’re delighted to have a new yarn in stock that’s just perfect for the occasion. We designed Universe (246yds/50g) to celebrate Universal’s 10th anniversary, and we’re having a ball making new projects with it.

Universe’s colors coordinate with another popular yarn, Fibra Natura Flax (137yds/50g). Both are used together in this project. The matte bands of Flax linen are interspersed with the metallic glitter in Universe for a striking effect. Since the yarns match so well, it’s easy to carry the colors up the sides between sections without having an obvious color streak at the edge of your scarf. One ball of Universe and one hank of Flax – the only ends to weave in are at the beginning and end of your project.

Personally, I’m looking at another color combo, Universe 10-04 and Flax 09. The robin’s egg blue with a hint of aqua appeals to me, and I think it will look very striking with the black and metallic.

We have more projects in Universe to share with you in the coming weeks, including something very wintry. Hint: no two are alike.

Happy knitting!

September 25, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Crochet Coin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Crochet Coin Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic.

Something for crocheters in a yarn that we love. Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g) is the same great base as our Classic Shades, but with a metallic thread wrapped around it for even more bling. Here’s the colorway used in the scarf, 604 Tahitian. It’s a magical shade.

Classic Shades Metallic works up at exactly the same gauge as our regular Classic Shades, so if bling’s not your thing, it’s a snap to swap.

The scarf is worked lengthwise, then the coin fringe is added after the main body is complete. We call for an adjustable ring for the center of the coin. If you haven’t tried an adjustable ring for making center-out circles, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. CraftyDeb has a good photo tutorial, although nothing beats your local yarn shop for showing you how it’s done.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend of yarn and relaxation.

Happy crafting!

September 18, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Dip-Dyed Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Dip-Dyed Cardigan in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.

Love this breezy, casual short-sleeved cardi! And love the choice of Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (100g/230yds) for it. It’s variegated but not wild, making it a perfect choice for those who want a balance of color and conservatism in their wardrobe.

Knit this cardi in pieces from the bottom up, starting with the contrasting band of reverse stockinette at the bottom. Work the raglan shaping, neck, and sleeves, then add the neck and sleeve edging and the button band. I like the way the color bands are staggered on the front – the asymmetry is interesting!

I’m not usually a pink person, but this might be nice with a band of 301 Carmine for the contrasting bit. There’s not really a wrong choice for this sweater.

Here’s hoping you cast on for something fun and exciting this weekend, just for you!

Happy knitting!

September 11, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Interrupted Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!Today, the Interrupted Cowl in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

Recently we received a new color in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, our limited edition color 323 Hashi. I grabbed a hank to swatch with, but of course once I started swatching I realized I needed to make something. This yarn is just so pretty!

This cowl uses a popular technique for Bamboo Bloom. It’s the same technique we used a few years ago in our Bloomin’ Hat and Scarf set. We’ve also seen it in some great independent designs like the STASH Lounge’s Simple Rules Cowl and the lovely cowl from NC yarn shop The Tail Spinner shown at right (great addition of a solid at the edge). You can find some fabulous one-ball hats, scarves, and cowls using Bamboo Bloom’s unique texture on Ravelry.

The technique? As you come to the thin parts of the yarn on your left hand needle, knit them. As you come to the thick parts of the yarn on your left hand needle, purl them. It sounds very “internet” to say “just one simple trick!” but it’s true. That one simple trick makes the color really pop.

It seems to be a technique that many of the creative minds at local yarn shops came up with independently that’s spread like wildfire. And no wonder – it’s a great easy way to get a lot of pizzazz without a lot of effort.

Here at Universal, this yarn has turned the heads of some of our newer knitters, like graphic designer Jannie. She learned to purl just so she could make this cowl. Way to go, Jannie!

We hope you add a little pizzazz to your life this weekend.

Happy knitting!

September 4, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Denim Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Denim Tee in Fibra Natura denims.

A bit of a tee, a bit of a tunic with its split hem, this A-line top is a lovely piece. The sleeves are stockinette, and the lace pattern covers both front and back.

One of the things I love about this piece is that even though it’s sized from Small to 3X, the largest size only takes 10 balls because it’s knit on size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles. Since denims (109yds/100g) is a tape yarn, it’s not going to puff up and add a lot of bulk – a consideration for those of us with larger frames who like to knit with thick yarns.

There’s nothing more all-American than denim, so this may need to go into my queue for Labor Day knitting. We hope you have a safe and festive holiday.

Happy crafting!

August 28, 2015August 28, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Happy Magic Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Happy Magic Scarf in Wisdom Yarns Pix.

This one has a special place in my heart, mainly because I designed it myself. It was my carry-along knitting everywhere, and it got compliments while still in progress at quite a few coffeehouses.

Chevrons are everywhere in knitting, and with good reason. It’s an easy way to give a lot of visual interest without memorizing a complicated stitch pattern. When I saw samples of our new Pix yarn, the lighbulb went off. The colorful print is a great choice for a pattern that zigs and zags.

Chevron Scarf 5 detail blog It’s true that with 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, Pix is a bright and durable choice for socks, but there’s no reason to stop with just socks (although how great would this look as a pair of Jaywalkers?). This pattern is a very simple two-row repeat that shows off the somewhat “Fake Isle” printed quality of the stripes. I love that the color bands aren’t solid – a bit of other colors are mixed in to give the finished scarf a Bohemian quality.
This scarf only used 85 grams of a 100 gram ball. You could certainly lengthen or widen the scarf with no worries. Or keep thinking outside the box – I’m visualizing some chic sideways chevron wrist cuffs, maybe even with a tiny pocket to hold a key.

Hmm… where’d I put the rest of my Pix?

Happy knitting!

August 21, 2015August 20, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Fun Fringe Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Fun Fringe Scarf in Bamboo Pop.

Last week we featured Bamboo Pop knit, so this week we’re showing it in crochet. The scarf features double mesh crochet, a two-row repeat, for the length of the scarf. The finishing really makes the difference, though – the fun flowery fringe is just too adorable.

Bamboo Pop cotton/bamboo blend makes this a great warm weather piece.

We hope you enjoy this fun, kicky crochet piece.

Happy crafting!

August 14, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Easy Baby Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Easy Baby Cardi in Bamboo Pop.

Is it just me, or is everybody having babies at once? I have two friends in their third trimester (hi, Cristi and Casey!) and several more whose baby bumps and adoption processes are well underway. So yes, this is a perfect moment to introduce a basic but beautiful garter stitch baby sweater. The fact that it uses machine-washable Bamboo Pop (292yds/100g) is icing on the cake.

It’s a good basic design that would work well for boys or girls and would be easy to personalize with some fun buttons.

I’d like to offer a word of advice as a parent. When you’re considering baby shower gifts, it may be tempting to want to make the smallest size and be done in a hurry. Consider making the next size up, or even the one beyond that. Babies grow fast, and you want your recipient to be able to enjoy your gift longer than a week. Since this pattern takes just two balls for all sizes, there’s no additional cost (besides your time) involved in making the 12-month size and having a gift that the baby will be wearing after all the other presents have been outgrown.

Happy knitting!

August 7, 2015August 7, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Wandering Lace Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Wandering Lace Tee in Infusion Handpaints.

Mmmm. Lovely lace. Sometimes that can be hard to do in a variegated yarn. Who wants all their hard work to be lost in a sea of color? Fortunately, the tonal offerings in Infusion Handpaints are a little more subtle than some. We think this design would look great in any of these six “shade on shade” colors.

The design itself is smooth sailing. Knit the ribbing on smaller needles, then switch to US size 6/4mm needles (or whatever gets you gauge) and work up from hem to neckline. Do the same for back as you did for the front, then block, seam, and you’re ready to go.

This is a tee, but with a couple of tiny mods to the neck this would be a great vest to go over a button-down. Hmm… should I think of summer for this piece, or look ahead to Fall? Decisions, decisions…

Happy knitting!