Free Pattern Friday – Yiasou! Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Yiasou social media graphic

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.

Yiasou Crown selfie 1For 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!

Yiasou Hat blog laugh

Free Pattern Friday – Trellis Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

TrellisTee_front blog

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!

Trellis Tee detail for blog

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.

TrellisTee_back blog

 

 

Hello, Autumn.

Amphora Bowl 1 with graphic 150

And now it’s official.  A gray, rainy day with a dropping temperature – even here in the South we can’t deny it anymore.  Cold weather has settled in.  It seems like a good time to share some of our favorite Fall patterns, especially ones that we think deserve more attention.  Pull up something pumpkiny and spicy and let’s dive in.

PacificHeightsPullover_ClassicShades_2_359_PY_Ruffles

Sandi Rosner’s Pacific Heights Pullover is a fave.  Originally made with the now-discontinued Classic Shades Solids for the gray portion, This would work beautifully with Deluxe Worsted Superwash (220yds/100g).  Keep the Classic Shades (197yds/100g) for the front and back panels, though.

Classic Shades 719 Midnight Ride ball_blogPick a bright color as Sandi has or something more subtle, depending on how much of a lift your mood needs to get you through these shortening days.  I’m thinking maybe something dark for the main color, but then with my favorite 719 Midnight Ride (right) for the slip stitch panels.

Hearth Rug with skein 1_150

Hearth RugThe crocheted Hearth Rug in Deluxe Chunky (120yds/100g) is another unsung hero.  I like how easy this is to customize.  Add more motifs, change the color to match your decor – this is one that you could really make your own.

The motifs are made separately and then sewn together, making it a great large-scale project that can still fit in your project bag.

Deluxe Worsted Felted Flat Bottom Tote__detail_blog

And speaking of project bags, Drew Emborsky designed the practical and beautiful Felted Flat Bottom Tote in Deluxe Worsted (220yds/100g).  As the name implies, the bag sits flat, making it great not just as a take-along but as a bag to sit beside you as you knit on the couch on those cool nights.

Deluxe Worsted Felted Faux Entrelac  Crochet Tote__detail_blog

Also from Drew Emborsky, the Felted Faux Entrelac Crochet Tote was originally done in discontinued Deluxe Worsted Long Print, but would look fabulous in any of the gazillion* colors of Deluxe Worsted that are available.  (*note: it’s actually 138 colors.  Gazillion is just how it looks all in one place.)

Formerly only available as part of a printed leaflet, we’ve made both of Drew’s felted patterns available for free exclusively for our local yarn store partners.  Ask your LYS to download a copy for you.

We hope you find some inspiration to tide you through these gray days.  Snuggle up with some good yarn and enjoy!

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Sunshine Shrug

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Uptown Bulky Sunshine Shrug blogToday, 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.

Uptown Bulky Stack blogI 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.

Uptown Bulky Sunshine Shrug back_blogThis 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!

Free Pattern Friday – Be Knotty!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Be Knotty for social media

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_blogWe 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!

Poems Uno Be Knotty Scarf long_blog

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Bias Stripe Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Universe Diagonal Scarf 1 blog

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 Diagonal Scarf detail blogUniverse’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.

Universe 10-04 and Flax 09 blogPersonally, 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!

Universe Diagonal Scarf white 1 blog

Free Pattern Friday – Crochet Coin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

CS Metallic Crochet Coin Scarf 2 blog

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.

CS Metallic Crochet Coin fringe blogThe 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!

CS Metallic Crochet Coin Scarf 1 blog

 

Free Pattern Friday – Dip-Dyed Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

DipDyedCardigan 2 blog

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!

DipDyedCardigan back blog

Free Pattern Friday – Interrupted Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!Interrupted Cowl wrapped blogToday, 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.

Jannie with Cowl_blogIt 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!

Interrupted Cowl long blog

 

50 Garter Stitch Gifts Giveaway!

Labor Day weekend is the traditional start of Fall – a time when thoughts turn to warmer wools and holiday knitting. Fortunately, we’ve got just the thing to start you off with a bang!

50 Garter Stitch kit blogWe’re giving away a copy of the popular 50 Garter Stitch Gifts to Knit.  All the patterns feature our Deluxe Worsted wool (220yds/100g), a favorite stash staple that comes in 120+ colors.

Zigzag Mosaic ScarfTo fire your imagination, we’re including enough Deluxe Worsted to make the ZigZag Mosaic Scarf, a lengthwise-knit scarf that makes clever use of slipped stitches to create a mosaic effect.

To enter, just comment on this post and answer this question: what’s the longest a project has stayed unfinished in your WIP pile?  I’ll start the ball rolling by saying that during a recent cleaning binge I conceded defeat and ripped out the baby blanket that I started… a couple of decades ago.  That baby is long grown.

There are no wrong answers, and there’s no shame here.  What there is, is a desire to jump start your holiday crafting, assuming you’re not already neck-deep in projects.  Comment by Monday, Sept 21st for your chance to win.  We’ll randomly select one entry to receive the prize.

Good luck – and happy knitting!