Free Pattern Friday – Page 53 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

October 3, 2014October 3, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Go-Go! Hats

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Or should we say Free Patterns Friday? Because today, we have a quartet of toppers: the Go-Go! Hats.

Four different styles in one yarn, Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic. You can see how well the yarn lets the stitch patterns show through.

What really makes these hats, though, is the colorful fluffball topper on each of them. Those are our Luxury Fur Pom-Poms. They’re very handy for finishing off a garment that may need something a little more polished than a yarn pom-pom. Each pom-pom has a string attached to let you tie it right on to your work. Easy-peasy!

I’m not sure which of these is my favorite. I guess it partially depends on whether I’m in the mood for knit or crochet. For myself, I’m leaning toward the Lace Beanie on the lower right. Then again, the Honeycomb Ski Cap (with the pink pom-pom) would also be fun to make. Decisions, decisions.

Which one’s your favorite?

September 26, 2014September 26, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Goldfish School Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, a “pay” pattern set free! Michael del Vecchio’s Goldfish School Cowl appears in Bamboo Bloom Book 1: Backyard Blooms. When we brought it to a knitting retreat the participants were so taken with it that we decided it should be released into the wild.

Michael has wisely used a simple pattern to let the yarn shine. A basic 1×1 rib looks very striking in the thick/thin matte/shiny Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

We’re glad that last weekend’s knitters were so enthusiastic. They were right. This pattern needs to be shared!

Thanks for your hospitality, Baskets of Yarn. And keep knitting!

September 19, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Wall Candy

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Understated and elegant! Wall Candy is a straightforward knit packaged in a unique way.

Four strands of Deluxe Worsted 100% wool are knitted into a 10×10 stockinette square. Thick wire is run around the edges, then the square is framed. Don’t worry, the pattern contains directions and pictures showing how to attach the frame. If you’ve ever run blocking wire through the edge of a shawl, you can do this. If you haven’t… it’s time to learn!

Although this pattern is written for Deluxe Worsted, I’m looking back over some of my Sunday Swatches to see what else I might have suitable for framing. Maybe some Nettle Lana? Hmmm…

Universal Yarn offers many thanks to Suzy, the Sweetest Dog in the World for her kind hospitality on this photo shoot. Who’s a good dog, Suzy? You are!

Happy knitting, friends!

September 12, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Heavenly Henley

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

We’ve got a treat today! The Heavenly Henley by Emma Welford.

This is a great combination of solid Merino XF, a soft extra-fine merino, and Jubilation Kettle-Dye, also extra-fine merino but single-ply in a riot of bright colors. It’s a great way to use variegated yarn as a bold accent.

And speaking of accents, check out the back! I love this little detail. You could choose to include or omit it, depending on your taste.

Emma is a thoughtful designer, in that she considers the impact of the final piece as well as the process of knitting. If you haven’t seen her Convertible Cowl from our Poetry at Home e-book, take a gander.

This has been a popular garment because it’s so versatile. Like the Heavenly Henley, it’s a great use of multicolor yarn, in this case Poems 100% wool. We’re so happy to have the chance to work with Emma again.

Happy knitting, everyone!

September 5, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Superwash hats!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, a little love for both the knitters and the crocheters! Both use Deluxe Worsted Superwash (220yds/100g), the popular machine washable version of our Deluxe line of wools.

First, the knitted Here and There Hat. Amy Gunderson uses right and left twists to create colorful slanting columns up the length of this cap. A Luxury Fur Pom-Pom tops it off with an extra pop of color. I love these pom-poms. They’re pre-made with an attached thread that you can just tie onto your work.

Next, the crocheted Parfait Hat. Two colors of Deluxe Worsted Superwash topped off with a Luxury Fur Pom-Pom. Adorable! I tried this one on, and it looked really cute. Sometimes it’s hard not to steal the garments for myself!

On the other hand, making my own would be another excuse to crochet, and that’s always a good thing.

Happy crafting!

August 29, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Croc-a-Scarf!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Rawr! It’s the Croc-a-Scarf in Classic Shades!

This crochet piece is worked lengthwise in crocodile stitches, creating a crescent that follows the shape of your shoulders. Self-shading Classic Shades, shown here in colorway 733 “Jubilant,” provides effortless color. What a vibrant and fun crochet project!

August 22, 2014August 22, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Idyll Hat and Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Idyll Hat and Cowl in Ariana.

We just got a new yarn in, and as so often happens, we got super excited and had to make something new! Ariana (100g/91yds) is a unique yarn. It’s a kind of a mesh tube made of bamboo with a squishy polyamide filling. Based just on the pictures I’d seen, I knew it would have excellent stitch definition, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so soft to the touch. I’m always up for a bulky-weight squeezable yarn!

The pattern is both written and charted, and works up quickly on US size 10 needles (size 9 for the hat). Maybe my “to knit” list is getting too long, but I don’t care, this is getting added. There’s always room for a super-soft hat and cowl!

August 15, 2014August 15, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Back to School Backpack

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Are you ready for school? Me neither! But the Back To School Backpack is a reminder that it’s time to gear up for Fall.

I love the combination of self-shading yarn with a solid Deluxe Worsted Superwash accent and tie. The entire backpack is worked in one piece. Begin by knitting the back piece from the center out. Next, work the side and bottom sideways and attach to the back piece as you go. Stitches for the front piece are worked from the outside in. Voila! A minimum of seaming!

This design is made in our brand new Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g). When I say “brand new,” I mean that we literally just got our first shipment from the mill a few minutes ago. Classic Shades Metallic has the gorgeous self-shading tones and sheen of Classic Shades, plus metallic thread for extra bling.

Now that it’s arrived, there goes my productivity for the day.

Happy knitting!

August 8, 2014August 8, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Little Boy’s Bomber Cap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Little Boy’s Bomber Cap in Classic Shades.

Yesterday’s self-shading scarf and hat in Poems got us thinking of other self-shading projects! This adorable kid’s hat is worked flat on straight needles using Classic Shades, a self-shading wool/acrylic blend. With 197 yards to a skein of Classic Shades, this is easily a one-ball project with plenty left over.

The bomber cap is also part of Classic Shades Kids, a book of toddler and kid projects featuring Classic Shades. We just had to set this project free for everybody to try. Isn’t it fascinating how a colorful yarn selection can change the entire look of a project?

I’m already thinking about how this hat would look in different colors. Jeweltones? Neons? Hmmm…

August 1, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Bamboo Pop Dolls

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Did we say “free pattern?” Try five free patterns, part of Bamboo Pop Dolls!

Bamboo Pop Kids is such a popular E-Book for us, and no wonder – Bamboo Pop is a versatile yarn for kids and adults. One of the things we heard from stores was, “wouldn’t it be great if there were matching outfits for the kids’ dolls?” Once we were done squealing over the adorableness of that idea, we got to work!

The T-Ball Tee keeps the sweet little ties at the arms and shortens the body, making this a very quick lace knit. I can absolutely see the two little ladies above palling around town together! Matches the T-Ball Tee from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Pixie Skirt removes one tie from the shortened waist of the 18″ doll at left. It’s a shortened length of i-cord that can be made with either a crank machine or by hand. This is a great skirt to spin in. Matches the Pixie Skirt from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Little Patriot is all decked out and ready to go! For me, what really makes this top pop is the red edging around the star and the edges. Being a Southerner, I think this is a great top for a summer day of watermelon and fresh-churned ice cream. Matches the Little Patriot from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Fading Stripe Hoodie uses a slipped “pebble stitch” to give texture. Something just a touch warmer for the girl on the left as she wait for her friend to come home from school. Matches the Fading Stripe Hoodie from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Berry Blossom Pullover lends itself well to “dollification!” This is one of our most popular designs for girls, and it looks great on an 18″ doll, too. Matches the Berry Blossom Pullover from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

Many thanks to our store owners who brought us this great idea. We always love to hear what you have to say.

Happy knitting!