Free Pattern Friday – Page 52 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

July 4, 2014July 4, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Inspired Dolman

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

For the 4th of July, how about something with a little sparkle? Today, we feature the Inspired Dolman in Cotton Gold and Garden 5.

Cotton Gold (25g/200yds) is a lace weight yarn with plenty of pizzazz. Strung with a generous number of sequins, it’s great for dramatic projects that really catch the eye. Here it’s paired with Garden 5 (50g/175yds) cotton thread in a similar color so that it knits up easily into a more substantial garment. Several rows in the pattern repeat are knitted just with Cotton Gold, though, for an almost lacy texture.

This top is meant to fit with a few inches of positive ease and is sized from a 34″ to a 54″ bust. The stitch pattern is a snap. All in all, it’s a great piece to add some sparkle and punch to your wardrobe.

Happy Independence Day to all our American friends – and happy knitting every day to everyone!

June 27, 2014June 27, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Four Leaves Pillow

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s the Four Leaves Pillow in Uptown Bulky.

Thick and quick are the words of the day! Machine washable Uptown Bulky (100g/87yds) is a great choice for this home decor project. Its 100% anti-pilling acrylic is the perfect pick for a piece that’s going to be on display. Just two balls on size 13 needles and boom, you’re done!

The pillow is worked in one piece. It starts in the front, is worked from the center out to the edges, then decreases around the back. Start with DPNs (double pointed needles), then switch to a circular needle, then when the project is too small for circulars again go back to your DPNs.When you’re about 3/4 of the way done, you’ll slip a 12″ pillow inside and work around it. Finish up seamlessly for a polished look.

We hope you enjoy this, the perfect project to curl up on the couch with.

Happy knitting!

June 20, 2014June 20, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Lotus Shrug

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

I love knitting lace, but realistically there are only so many lace shawls I need, so I’m delighted to see the Lotus Shrug in Whisper Lace!

Whisper Lace (50g/440yds) is a member of our luxury Fibra Natura line. 70% wool + 30% silk = 100% love. It’s a joy to work with. And it’s a perfect match for a project that hits right in the sweet spot of my personal taste.

Knitted flat side to side, the arm seams are joined, then the edges are picked up along the edge of the body in the round to add the lace. Knitting outward from the edge creates a great sense of motion in the finished piece.

For me, it doesn’t hurt that it’s on size 5 needles, so I can see progress faster than on some lace projects. This one’s going in my queue.

Happy knitting!

June 13, 2014June 13, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Bodrum Beach Cover-up

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Everybody say hi to Yonca!

Yonca is our sales director, and also the designer of today’s free pattern, the Bodrum Beach Cover-up in Garden 3. You may recognize part of this pattern from this past week’s Sunday Swatch (right).

Yonca wanted to make a gift for her sister-in-law in Turkey, so she whipped up this colorful number in our Garden 3 cotton thread and graciously shared her pattern with us. Garden 3 ( 136yds/50g) is 100% mercerized Egyptian Giza cotton, a favorite for durable and beautiful garments and a great pick for this breezy summer project.

It’s called the Bodrum Beach Cover-up after the town of Bodrum in Turkey, a beautiful resort with gorgeous weather, a medieval castle, and of course the beach. I was so happy Yonca told us about this place – it’s one more spot to put on my bucket list.

We couldn’t resist sending Yonca on a virtual trip there, if only for this blog post. Have a great time, Yonca, and keep crocheting!

June 6, 2014June 6, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Sunflower Dress

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, something bright and summery for the crocheters! The Sunflower Dress in Garden 10 is a sunny delight.

Written and charted, this crochet confection uses our Garden 10 100% mercerized Egyptian Giza cotton thread. Garden comes in both 50 gram balls and in 500 gram cones, handy for larger projects.

This is exactly the kind of design that inspires me to stretch my wings when it comes to crochet. Just gorgeous.

Happy crocheting!

May 30, 2014May 30, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Netted Tank in Cotton Supreme

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today’s offering is the Netted Tank in Cotton Supreme.

I don’t know about where you are, but here in North Carolina today it is hot with a capital H-O-T. Great timing, then, for a breezy cotton tank!

The Netted Tank uses Cotton Supreme 100% cotton and a simple (k2tog, yo) repeat to create an open and airy mesh that’s a great coverup on a warm day. The twisted ribbing hem in a contrasting color is a great touch!

A great summertime knitting project is just the thing to distract from the heat. I’m thinking I may whip up a batch of something cool with my very favorite lemonade recipe (hint: cut the sugar just a bit), then sit out on the back porch and sip and knit. Ahhhh…

May 23, 2014May 23, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – A Week of Babies!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s a two-fer! We present the Professor Pullover (left) and Love Patches (right). How adorable are those little elbow patches? Both cute baby sweaters are knit in lightweight machine washable Little Bird 100% microfiber acrylic (344yds/100g). This yarn is exceptionally soft, making it a great choice for baby projects.

These two designs cap off an entire week of free baby and kid patterns. Sometimes it’s hard to find things that aren’t too froufrou for little kids, so we focused mainly on designs that didn’t have too many lacy details.

First, the Over and Out Vest in Infusion Handpaints wool/acrylic. Two skeins makes a sophisticated vest for a tyke who needs dress up a little but still keep those arms free for making mudpies. Did we mention Infusion Handpaints is machine washable?

Next, the Lil’ Grandpa Cardigan in Deluxe DK Superwash 100% wool. Sized for ages 1-10, this machine washable cabled cardigan would look very dignified paired with a bubble pipe and a golden retriever.

The Snowbaby Set is a snuggly soft hat and sweater in Bella Chenille. Sized for 3-24 months, it’s a simple project to knit in the round. The snap flap at the shoulder makes the sweater very easy to pull over baby’s head.

Finally… okay, something a little more frilly, because how could we resist? The Cutie Cardi is knit in Little Bird Colors 100% microfiber acrylic with a solid Little Bird crocheted border. The pleated pockets are an adorable accent.

We hope you find some inspiration from these sweet designs for little sweethearts!

May 16, 2014May 16, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Dockside Pullover in Flax

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s the Dockside Striped Pullover in Flax.

Ah, summer. It hits us here in the South a little sooner than the rest of y’all. But make no mistake, it’s on its way. With that in mind, we bring you something light and airy for the move to warmer weather.

The Dockside Striped Pullover uses a basic four row stitch pattern to create a breezy fabric. It’s an easy-to-memorize fabric stitch, great for porch knitting. Our Flax 100% linen is the perfect fiber for this, becoming more relaxed and comfortable with each washing – or accidental splash by the lake.

Stay cool – and keep on knitting!

May 9, 2014May 9, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Jest Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s the Jest Scarf in Jubilation Kettle Dye and Deluxe Worsted Superwash.

Amy Gunderson brings us this whimsical design. Colorful petals in Jubilation Kettle Dye Worsted are set against a neutral background of Deluxe Worsted Superwash. There’s no purling in this pattern, just straight knitting back and forth with the curves created by short rows.

I love this unique design. I can envision this in Jubilation color 108, yellows and reds and oranges, to create a cascade of falling leaves. Regardless of color choice, this is definitely a design that tells people you’ve got a light spirit. Surrounded by petals of yarn, how could you not smile?

May 2, 2014May 2, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Day Trip Tote

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today’s Free Pattern Friday is the crocheted Day Trip Tote in Good Earth. Can’t you feel yourself relaxing just looking at it? I can’t decide – should I take it down to the beach, or sling it over a shoulder and bring it to the farmer’s market?

Good Earth is a cotton/linen blend that’s perfect for cool and breezy projects. Available in solids and multis, it’s a popular choice for crochet, as in the Southwest Suns shawl at right from our Contrarian Shawls e-book. Works great in knits too – the free pattern Lakeside Tee is in my queue.

We love this yarn. In fact, we’re adding a new member to the Good Earth Family – Good Earth Adorn uses a spray-dyeing technique to give it interesting color without pooling.

We hope your weekend is filled with relaxation, and plenty of time to enjoy whatever craft you choose.