Free Pattern Friday – Page 47 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

December 4, 2015April 3, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Lightning Strikes

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Lightning Strikes shawl in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted.

Is it corny to say that Lightning Strikes hit me like a bolt out of the blue? Too bad, because it did. Amy Gunderson created this luxurious shawl using variegated Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (154yds/100g) and Deluxe Worsted 100% wool (220yds/100g) It’s such a great combo. The Deluxe Worsted comes in a multitude of shades. It’s easy to find a color to bring out whatever tone in the Bamboo Bloom you wish.

Short rows are worked back and forth in the contrasting color to create widening and narrowing rows of solid color, bending to a V-shaped lightning fork across the shawl’s spine. The natural thick/thin quality of the Bamboo Bloom helps soften the edges of the short rows into more organic curves. I love the fringe – it reminds me of rain in a storm.

Calling for one hank of Deluxe Worsted and two of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, worked on size US Size 10½ (6.5 mm) needles, this is not a particularly time or money-intensive project, although it is one with electrifying results (pardon the pun). It’s also available as a kit from your LYS in the blue above, or with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints color 302 Koi Pond.

I’m considering making in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 319 Forest Light for a friend with a Spring birthday.

Like a new meadow. I’ll just sit here and sigh contentedly for a few minutes.

We hope you have a strikingly good weekend.

Happy knitting!

November 27, 2015November 27, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Winter Shades Hat and Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Winter Shades Hat and Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic and Uptown Worsted.

How’re we doing? Still working through Thanksgiving leftovers? I ask because right beside me, I have a slice of the pumpkin apple bread that has become traditional in our family. Here’s the recipe.

It makes two loaves, so you can keep one for yourself and bring one in to the office to be a hero. However, I’m writing this from home – Universal offices are closed today – and I can tell you there’s no way this bread will last until Monday. Sorry, co-workers.

Just because the offices are closed doesn’t mean we didn’t prepare a beautiful pattern for you!

The Winter Shades Hat and Scarf combine two lovely yarns: solid Uptown Worsted (180yds/100g) and self-shading Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g). Both hat and scarf are knitted flat in a surprisingly easy slip stitch pattern. Knit the edging on US size 6 / 4mm needles, then switch to US size 10/6mm for the patterning on the body of the hat and scarf. In the picture above, the brim of the hat is turned up. In the picture below, it’s turned down for a slightly different look.

That charming model, by the way, is Jordan, the newest member of our customer service team. We thought this ensemble would look great on her, and she graciously agreed to be our ~~guinea pig~~ model. Thanks, Jordan!

We hope you enjoy the afterglow of Thanksgiving. We’re so grateful for your enthusiasm, talent, and willingness to share your voices so we can become better crafting partners to you.

Happy knitting!

November 20, 2015November 20, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Grandmother’s Log Cabin

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Grandmother’s Log Cabin in Uptown Worsted.

After our recent spate of lace, we thought we’d go back to basics… almost. The Log Cabin is a classic design for a reason. It’s great for those who like simplicity in their knitting, and the finished result always looks good. But here, Amy Gunderson has given the Log Cabin a little twist.

By using wider and narrower strips of color, the squares move off-center for an updated look. Uptown Worsted (180yds/100g) features 55 colors from earth tones to neons so you can tailor the finished throw to the decor surrounding it. The colors Amy’s chosen here are:

5 skeins acorn #335 (G)
3 skeins sage #313 (E)
2 skeins hunter green #315 (B)
2 skeins Dijon #328 (C)
1 skein hot magenta #340 (A)
1 skein cranberry #325 (D)
1 skein steel grey #323 (F)

Personally, I love that little pop of magenta at the heart of each square.

This design was originally featured in the October 2013 Creative Knitting Magazine All Seasons Throws special issue. We’re delighted to make this pattern available now as a free download from our site.

We hope you find something (or someone) warm to snuggle up with this weekend.

Happy knitting!

November 13, 2015July 29, 2019

Free Pattern Friday – Whimsical Wrap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Whimsical Wrap in Universe (pattern link here).

Can you tell we love Universe (50g/246yds)? It’s our tenth anniversary offering, and we’ve been having great fun with it. In addition to today’s offering, we’ve recently released a collection of ornaments. If you haven’t seen our Universe of Snowflakes e-book yet, you owe it to yourself to check it out – the collection is available as an e-book or as individual patterns.

Universe excels at lace, and the Whimsical Wrap is proof. This center of this rectangular wrap is knit sideways from one end to the other. Then stitches are picked up from the perimeter of the center. The edging is worked as a knit-on edging. The last edging stitch is knit together with a stitch from the shawl body to attach.

The pattern is both written and charted.

We hope you’re able to bring something delicate and sparkling in your life this weekend, whether it’s glittering lace or a sky full of stars.

Happy knitting!

November 6, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Yiasou! Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Yiasou! Hat in Dona.

I designed this hat because I’ve been thinking about my father a lot lately. He has a milestone birthday coming up soon. I’d tell you what it is, but the running joke is that every birthday for the past mumble mumble years he has turned 39. Since I myself have passed that age, this is quite the feat.

When I was a kid, I loved going with my father to the many Greek restaurants here in Charlotte, NC. My father is an outgoing and friendly person, so he learned enough Greek to be able to greet the proprietors and to say “thank you.” I can still his his hearty “Tikanis!” (How are you?) as we would come through the doors. Dad makes friends wherever he goes.

This hat is named after his friendliness, and also our city’s huge annual Greek festival called Yiasou! (Hello!). It’s a fun event with friendly people.

For this hat, I worked 64 stitches on a size 7 needle. You could increase or decrease by 8 and have the Greek Key chart and the top decreases work out. (Picture of crown at right. Hey, you try to take a selfie of the top of your head.)

Dona (126yds/50g) was a good choice for this. It’s exceptionally soft and springy, machine washable, and the colors are vibrant and bold. I had enough Dona left over that I’m considering making another hat, but with the colors reversed.

Here’s hoping you connect with someone this weekend, whether an old friend or a new one, who puts a smile on your face.

Happy knitting!

October 30, 2015October 30, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Trellis Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Trellis Tee in Saki Silk.

What a great blend of knit and crochet! First, the front squares are crocheted, then the front, back, and sleeves are knitted, then the whole top is assembled and a crochet picot edging is added. I’m excited – I’ve done a knitted picot edging before, but not a crocheted one, and it looks so much easier!

The choice of Saki Silk (440yds/100g) for this was a good one. The monochrome 301 Shadowscape body matches the gray in 304 Giverney, but Giverney’s addition of purple gives it the pop of color it needs.

This would also look great with the front panel in 307 Hidden Lagoon (above), with its blend of gray and blue. Cool in several senses of the word.

Have a wonderful weekend of crafting, everyone.

October 23, 2015October 23, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Sunshine Shrug

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sunshine Shrug in Uptown Bulky.

I can hear what you’re saying. It’s Fall. To which I respond: so what? We need some color and light now more than ever. We’re crafters. When the days get short, we can make our own sunshine. And that’s what we’re doing with the lightweight Sunshine Shrug.

I love the colors in Uptown Bulky (87yds/100g) and the entire Uptown Line. They’re so rich and saturated. The browns are a bite of chocolate, the orange is a glossy pumpkin, the mint green belongs perched on the edge of a glass. The colors at the right make me think of a wildflower bouquet brought in to brighten the kitchen. And the bold but buttery yellow in today’s shrug shouts sunshine and dandelions.

This shrug is worked from the top down. Sleeves are shaped using raglan shaping. Stitches for the lace edging are worked after the body is complete. I love that the encircling lace is supported by the stockinette framework and garter edging. Practical and pretty.

This weekend, we hope you find a way to bring some warmth into a cool day.

Happy knitting!

October 16, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Be Knotty!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the one ball Be Knotty Scarf in Poems Uno.

We’re not kidding when we say it’s the easiest scarf ever. It’s a one row repeat, and on US Size 35/19mm needles, it goes in a flash.

Poems Uno Be Knotty Scarf detail_blog We call it the Be Knotty scarf for the obvious reason – it has a nice open lacy knotted look. We also call it that because you can “be naughty” and pretend that you slaved over it when in fact, you worked it up in an evening. That’s the nice thing about Poems Uno Superwash (90yds/150g) – it’s big, the colors are bold, and it works up fast. Instant results.

Please enjoy this easy and gratifying scarf.

Happy knitting!

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!