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Collection Spotlight: Cozy Utility

So far, this winter has been absolutely perfect for knitting. Even in the south, we’ve had some wintry weather, and throughout the nation, there is more to come. So – are you staying warm? Are you staying…cozy? Well – if not, our latest pattern collection is sure to keep you both warm and cozy. Say “hello” to Cozy Utility!

Today, I’m going to highlight some of my favorite features of each design in the Cozy Utility collection. Whether you’re looking for a comfy cardigan, warm shawl, or soft stole – we have you covered. Each piece in this collection features our gorgeous Posh Alpaca yarn. This gently spun roving yarn blends wool, superfine alpaca, and acrylic to create a yarn that is light, lofty, and supremely warm. Upon its Fall 2021 release into the Universal Yarn line, Posh Alpaca became a fast favorite. And it’s no wonder – as you’ll see in the patterns I’m about to share, this yarn makes everything from soothing stockinette stitch to dense cables look absolutely amazing. Let’s take a look!

Beautiful Posh Alpaca – such a chic yarn.

First up: the Asher Set. Matching sets are everywhere, and when designer Aubrey Busek dreamt up the mood board for this collection, this concept along with two-mile wear was on her mind. Who doesn’t love some crisp coordination, after all? It’s an irresistible hat and shawl duo. I love the clever construction and unique shape of the shawl. You simply work two right triangles in two separate colors – both drenched in a beautiful textural motif. Then, join them together at the cast-on edge. The result is a color-blocked, diamond-esque shaped shawl that’s perfect for wrapping around your neck and shoulders. Aubrey gave this piece special attention to detail as she even chose to color block the crochet edging along the edges of the shawl. I told you it’s clever!

Aren’t the contrasting wings just beautiful?

I said this was a matching set, though – so let’s not give all of the attention to the shawl. Asher features a complimentary beanie complete with a pom pom. What’s not to love? When you’re ready to transition from home to the local cafe, or simply out on a snowy walk, tuck the shawl around your neck and pop on the cap. You’re ready to go. The hat begins with a contrasting ribbed brim and quickly turns to the diamond motif from the shawl. A background of reverse Stockinette stitch on both pieces truly makes the patterns pop.

You can wear the hat slightly slouchy, as pictured above, or close to your head for a more snug fit.

Next, we have one of my proudest designs to date: Corbin. Here at Universal Yarn, we strive to produce plenty of inspiring designs to support each of our yarns. Of course, we’re a small team and wear many hats, so occasionally it can be challenging to find the time to genuinely play with design. (Yes, you’re getting a behind-the-scenes confession.) I truly let my creativity flow with Corbin. It’s a statement piece complete with traveling cables that wind through the design. Because of its large motif, this pattern is primarily charted. However, the charts aren’t overwhelming thanks to the large gauge of Posh Alpaca. The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down – a construction adored by many.

The cables in Corbin are featured on the sleeves, front, and back.

Another matching set in the collection, I included a coordinating cowl to take Corbin from warm and comfortable to supremely cozy. You’ll ward off the breeze with ease when you take this piece on the go. The cables in the cowl mimic the center front motif on the pullover. The fabric is double-thick, but you could easily work just one vertical repeat of the motif for a more lightweight piece.

Wear the cowl as a standalone accessory, or partner it with the pullover to elevate the design to the next level.

My other contribution to the collection is Evi. Crochet granny squares are everywhere. Although the classic motifs have traditionally been used for blankets, in the past year we’ve seen them more and more in garments and accessories. It’s a trend I don’t see going anywhere soon, and thank goodness for that. With Evi, I wanted to make a modern, high-contrast piece. Bold stripes alternate with granny squares in this partially-modular design. Night and day, colors #101 Birch and #106 Blacksmith complement each other perfectly and will never go out of style. But there are plenty of gorgeous colors in the palette to make your own. Just imagine this as an autumnal version reminiscent of fall foliage, using a combination such as #102 Oak and #108 Velveteen.

Evi is a striking project well-suited for beginners and advanced crocheters alike.

One of my favorite pieces from Cozy Utility is Hadley, designed by Aubrey Busek. Featuring soft bishop sleeves, knit-purl texture, and bountiful bobbles, this open and cushy cardigan will make you feel so relaxed. This is the type of piece that is easy to dress up or wear more casually. On those unexpectedly warm days, it can serve as a jacket all on its own. Knit flat in pieces and seamed, Hadley has just the right amount of structure to ensure longevity. This is a piece to last a lifetime.

Hadley features an optional, removable belt.

Finally, we have a show-stopping cardigan designed by the talented Melissa Leapman. Miranda is a richly cabled design featuring braided cables, cushiony K1, P1 Ribbed edgings, and pockets. Who doesn’t love pockets? The tunic length makes this piece almost robe-like, and like Hadley, it works fantastically as an outerwear piece. Set-in sleeves provide a perfect fit.

The cables in Miranda are framed with Double Seed Stitch – a classic complement to cables.

We simply adore this fresh collection and hope you do, too. Whether you’re a lover of garments or accessories, there is something for you. We’re also certain you’ll fall in love with Posh Alpaca the moment you touch it. I can say with full confidence, that this collection is full of designs that are a match made in heaven for the yarn.

So, which of these designs is your favorite? Have you worked with Posh Alpaca before? Let us know in the comments!

Happy Crafting!

-Rachel

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Free Pattern Friday – Baby Bloom Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Baby Bloom Set in Bella Cash (pattern link here).

There’s just one word to describe this pattern – adorabobble!

You can see why – these sweet little clusters of fun that adorn the sweater hem and the brim of the hat. They’re like sweet little flower buds ready to bloom!

Designer Rachel Brockman used Bella Cash for this design. It’s one of our favorite yarns for… well, for everything, but especially for baby and child garments. The cashmere content makes it irresistibly soft, and the machine washability means it’s practical for the most adventurous little tyke.

Stitch definition to die for!

Sized from 3-6 up to 24 months, this sweet little set takes 2-3 balls of Bella Cash for the cardigan, and just one for the hat.

This set is almost as cute as the baby you’ll make it for!

Have a great weekend – and happy crafting!

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New Trends Inspiring Design – Pinterest Predicts 2022

At the start of the year, we are often thinking of all things ‘new’. Goals to achieve, new hobbies or projects, and maybe even a new trend we’d like to try out. Although many of these things are quite personal, one thing is for sure, new trends affect us all. I think the word ‘trend’ has a sort of interestingly taboo tone to it. Some people see the word ‘trend’ and think of things that are temporary, fleeting, and disposable. Though it is true that trends come and go, in design based industries, we look to them as a source of inspiration for the way forward into new seasons. Trends are a reflection of culture, time and place, and how the world is moving. They influence the colors and styles companies choose for new products and trickle into almost every industry imaginable in various ways great and small.

At Universal Yarn, trend forecasting helps us develop things like new yarns, colors, and pattern collections for each season. Outside of industry forecasting services, different social media and search engines can be a great way to source inspiration. I took a look at Pinterest’s own trend report for 2022 and decided to pick a couple trends that I thought would be inspirational to me as a designer this year. I’m pairing those chosen trends with a yarn from our line, and a design idea to go with it. I also thought it would be fun if a couple of my colleagues shared their choices and ideas too!

Starting with me (Aubrey):

Night Moves trend collage made by Pinterest

Night Moves was the first trend on Pinterest’s 2022 report that caught my eye. To be honest, I found something inspiring in each of the trends listed, so I had such a hard time choosing only two. On the trend page for Night Moves it says: ” The most memorable adventures will happen after sundown in 2022. People will turn to the quiet of the after-hours to invest in their travel bucket lists and nature excursions.”. I love adventure, and the idea of quiet nighttime turning into something fun and exciting. This brought my mind to breezy summer nights, and cozy knit and crochet projects to wear walking along a beach or by the lake. So, the yarn I am inspired to use for this trend is our Cotton Supreme. This worsted weight cotton yarn is so soft and pleasant to work with. We have some fantastic neutrals and beautiful bright colors in this yarn that I think would make a perfect match for the Night Moves trend. Plus, it is easy to go adventuring wearing breathable cotton! For this trend, I am inspired to design a long open cardigan that is easy to throw on or take off as your adventure requires. Perhaps with wide bell sleeves to mimic the shapes of the mushrooms in the Pinterest collage? I’d absolutely hold sparkling Cotton Gold alongside the solid Black color of Cotton Supreme to mimic a starry sky at night, like I did for my Midnight Top free pattern design! Here’s my chosen color scheme below.

For a cold weather appropriate yarn option for this fabulous trend, I would lean to working with Uptown Worsted! This 100% anti-pilling acrylic yarn is cozy and easy to care for, making it perfect for adventuring at night, and has a wonderful color palette to choose from with plenty of bright options well suited to the Night Moves trend.

Batter Up trend collage made by Pinterest

Batter Up is the next trend I was inspired by when I looked at Pinterest’s 2022 report. I know you may not immediately see cakes and desserts and think of knitting or crochet projects, but it is wildly often that I am inspired by tasty treats for designs, color schemes, and color names! Food is comforting and touches a part of your soul that sparks memories and good feelings. In my free time I am always cooking or baking something new. I find it to be one of those necessary things in life that sparks a lot of joy for me. Food feels like a constant source of inspiration as there are endless things to make and try, and that inspiration has trickled a lot into my work here at Universal Yarn.

In fact, we have a whole pattern collection inspired by desserts called Sweet Treats, which features our Donnina yarn. I am also getting married in April, so cake related anything feels extremely appropriate. Our Ravello yarn immediately came to mind when thinking about the Batter Up trend. It is small and sweet like a pretty cake, and the fibers look and feel absolutely delectable. Spun in Italy, this merino, cotton, and cashmere blend is perfect for trans-seasonal garments and accessories. For this trend, I think some kind of lace textured shawl or stole would be my ideal design, with botanical lace shapes like the cake icing above. I love romantic color schemes, so I came up with a soft color palette for this design idea.

Let’s see what my colleagues have to say!

Ashley Jane (AJ) –

Cuppa Time trend collage made by Pinterest

In my world, “Cuppa Time” perfectly sums up the saying “Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice.”  I am an avid tea drinker, enjoying at least 3 to 4 cups a day switching from spiced cinnamon and chai in the afternoon over to sweet and soothing herbal teas at night. After my morning coffee, I just can’t stop holding a nice warm beverage in my hands! In an almost ritualistic way, I’ll thread my fingers through the handle of my mug so I can wrap my palm around the cup, reach my other hand up to hug the other side, then lift the steamy drink up to my face and do that deep, eyes-closed, inhale that resets your whole day. It is genuinely the one product in the world, next to yarn, that I feel a borderline addictive joy towards. Both yarn and tea come with endless variety, make you feel warm and cozy, and bring you a sense of calm that nothing else can.  They can both also have a fun social element! 

Fiber and textile arts have long been associated with guilds which help join creative minds together to preserve and pass on skills. Tea drinking has a long-standing history of the “High Tea,” gathering socialites together to enjoy snacks, pastries, and fabulous loose-leaf blends. When I think about what type of yarn is inspired by tea, I’m drawn to the pastels and polished aesthetic of a vintage tea party, and immediately am drawn to Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print. The colors available remind me of flowers painted on vintage tea sets, and the buoyant, fluffy texture is akin to plump macarons stacked on a cake tower. My make for the occasion would be the Inner Light shawl in color Sphere 007. With its 70% Mohair and 30% silk composition, it is the perfectly posh and polished yarn to compliment a gathering for afternoon tea!

Rachel –

Chequer Yourself trend collage made by Pinterest

I found something so inspiring in each of the trends listed in the Pinterest Predicts report. And if I’m honest, the predictable source of inspiration for me is surely the Biophilic Design trend. Nature inspires so much of my design – and there is more to come on that in our fall collections. So, instead of gushing about Flax and Flax lace as yarns essentially built for that theme, let’s celebrate all things Checkerboard with the “Chequer Yourself” trend!

I’ve been loving all of the checkers I’ve been seeing around. From the ultra-classic Vans slip on shoes to bold checkered prints, it simply brings a smile to my face. I recently purchased a ready-to-wear vest with black and white checks (not quite checkered) and it has been one of my favorite layering pieces. Regarding my own designs, I’ve dabbled a bit in Checkerboard patterning already – perhaps you’ve seen Lipsky or the Checkerboard Pullover, both in Dona. However, these two designs feature mini-checkers. For 2022, I’d love lean into the forecast for oversized checkers and would love to design a simple, but brightly hued statement pullover pairing three colors of Nymph: 109 Secret Garden and 107 Taiga for the squares, and trim accents of either #111 Rare Books or #113 Swan. It would be a divinely soft combination in a yarn that’s perfect for transitional seasons.

Beyond that, I’m envisioning scrap yarn projects – perhaps some socks with bits and bobs of Bella Cash? Or a fantastically hued multi-color crochet throw in Deluxe Bulky? With squares big and small as a key theme this year, the possibilities are virtually limitless!

I (Aubrey) really enjoyed seeing which trends my colleagues chose, as I think it is a great indicator of our personal aesthetics and visual preferences. As a designer, this is also a great challenge to spark new ideas! I know I find each and every one of the trends inspiring in some way, and feel like I am brimming with ideas for designs in 2022.

I’d love to hear which of the Pinterest Predicts 2022 trends you’d choose and what you’d like to make inspired by it!

Happy Crafting!

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Fibertinis: Old Fashioned Meets Tweed

Hi Fiber Friends!
I’m so excited to introduce you to a new blog segment I’ve been dreaming up called “Fibertinis” where I match popular cocktails with our yarn for a perfect pairing! For my first segment, I’m matching up our Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash with an Old Fashioned.

Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash and an Old Fashioned (Image Credit Taste.com)

Both of these classics have a long and rich history. According to Clan, by Scotsweb, Tweed as a name was first used in 1826 when a London cloth merchant clerk received a misspelled invoice which was meant to read “tweel,” the Scottish name for the fabric twill. Legend says that he presumed it was meant to be a brand name for the woolen fabrics hailing from the Tweed River region so they advertised them as such, and it stuck! Regardless of the nomenclature, tweed has always held an iconic and polished status since the woolen fabric elevated from a Scottish practical peasant garb, to a symbol of wealth and royalty with the rise of Estate Tweed in 1835.

Pilger designed by Rachel Brockman

Nowadays, tweed is still coveted both as a symbol of refinement, or its casual and cool rustic appeal. In a word, it’s a classic. It is for this reason that Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash is the perfect pairing with an Old Fashioned – a timeless, classic cocktail. According to a ranking of the 50 Most Popular Cocktails in the World in 2021, the Old Fashioned was the number one most popular cocktail in the world. The Old Fashioned’s beginnings are a bit hazy as its namesake has also been used as a catchall for any cocktails including bourbon or whiskey, which were considered old fashioned before the art of cocktail making was refined. As far as I can tell though, the general recipe of spirits, bitters, water, sugar, and citrus have been around and in demand since the 1880s. Even the origins of this pair land on a relatively similar timeline!

Drifting Hap designed by Rachel Brockman

Just as tweed has always been a blend of practicality and posh, our Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash is made from 90% superwash wool, 3% viscose, and 7% acrylic, making it both easy to care for and sophisticated. The soft and springy feel of the wool and beautiful stitch definition are the things I love most about this yarn. With 20 colors to choose from, and plenty of pattern support, there’s no reason not to make something perfectly classic for yourself or a loved one! Some of my favorite designs to try come from our collection Rustic and Refined, including Pilger and the Drifting Hap, featured in photos above. This robust collection has 13 total patterns, so you are sure to find quite a few things you won’t be able to live without. In addition to those I’ve already named, I also really like the Traverse Socks, and Sojourn Tunic, seen below.

Traverse Socks, designed by Rachel Brockman and Sojourn Tunic designed by Amy Gunderson

Now that I’ve researched a bit about the origins of my chosen cocktail and fiber, I truly feel they are a match made in heaven! I can picture it now – curled up in a booth of a cozy tavern sipping some citrusy bourbon goodness and stitching along on my next make. Won’t you join me?! I hope you’ve enjoyed this first edition of our Fibertinis Series! Let us know in the comments what tweed project you’d make, or what cocktail & yarn we should pair up next!
Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane

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New Year’s Craftsolutions

Happy New Year! Last year flew by and we’re nearly a week into 2022 – how wild is that? When January 1st rolls around, many of us think about our goals for the new year. Personally, I don’t make a lot of resolutions and just strive to grow, always. I like silly or mini resolutions, nothing dramatic. With that said, my favorite and most successful resolutions always revolve around crafting, and that’s what I’m here to chat about today! I asked our team to dish about their crafty goals for the year. From stash busting, to building design skills, to completing old and new projects alike – we have plenty of goals to strive for this year!

Yonca – Managing Director

Top, from left to right: No. 1 Pullover, Jay Sweater, Wheel of Life.
Bottom: Snowy forest (photo by Laine Publishing).

“Every year I promise myself to use the beautiful yarns I stashed before I came on board to help my husband to run Universal Yarn, but each year they get pushed back with other irresistible yarns we introduce to Universal Yarn! This year my goal is to use at least one stash yarn in a project of my choice while finishing up all the WIPs (works in progress):

My WIPs include:

It is ambitious … so wish me luck!”

Heather – Social Media

From left to right: Sequoia, Lightning (photo by John Felgate), Heather’s artist rendering of her future Lightning Sweater.

“I’ve knitted dozens of socks, hundreds of hats, and several sweaters for other people. Most recently on the sweater front, I made the free Sequoia Sweater in Deluxe Bulky Superwash for my adult daughter, and it looked awesome!  But never have I ever made a sweater for myself. This year will be different! I’m looking at Lightning from the Fall 2021 Knitty. And because I feel like I should make a splash with my first sweater, I’m thinking Uptown Worsted in #324 Black for the body and vibrant, neon-ish 338 Living Green for the bolts of lightning.  It’ll be a statement piece, and that statement is “HECK YES I KNITTED THIS MYSELF.”  Go big or go home, I say.”

Aubrey – Design & Social Media

Left to right: Carillon, Herbal Lace Socks (photo by Victoria Galkina)

“The year 2022 brings with it some big goals for me. As well as being a knitwear designer, I am also an avid sewer and love historical textile arts like hand embroidery and beading. My main goals this year are to continue expanding my skillset as a designer and maker, complete more projects (lots of various textile interests don’t help me finish things easily!), and really push myself to learn new things each month. Here are some of those goals:

  • Learn punch needle embroidery and develop some of my own designs using Universal Yarn!
  • Learn Tablet Weaving (I’ve desired to learn this type of weaving for so many years and just never invested in a loom).
  • Once I am married in April, design and make a sweater for my husband, Nathan! He is crazy tall and has a hard time finding clothes that fit him well, so I know he would treasure a handmade sweater that fits him perfectly. (Waiting until we’re officially married due to the sweater curse, haha!) I plan to use Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash in #901 Garnet because he loves red.
  • Design a knit dress – perhaps a dress version of my design, Carillon, knit in Deluxe Worsted.
  • Knit a pair of knee or thigh high, super lacy socks, like the Herbal Lace Socks designed by Victoria Galkina.”

Ashley Jane (AJ) – Design & Trunk Show Coordinator

From left to right: Evermore Dress (photo by Stephanie Erin),
Traveler Fair Isle Sweater (photo by Briana K Designs)

“I have made up my own “Out of this World UFO” list! “UFO” meaning unfinished objects, and out-of-this-world meaning I have at least one large project bagged and tagged for each month of 2022, which is ambitious! One of the projects I am most excited about is making the Evermore Dress, designed by Stephanie Erin, for an upcoming wedding that I’ll be in! I’m also excited to make the Traveler Fair Isle Crochet Sweater this year using a beautiful earthy-toned stash of Deluxe Worsted. I’ll be sure to post pictures of my journey on my Instagram and Ravelry, so feel free to follow along!”

Rachel (That’s me!) – Creative Lead

Top, from left to right: Argil (photo by Pom Pom Publishing), Saven (photo by Hudson + West Co), my Snowy Forest WIP. Bottom: My Argil WIP.

I’m going to start by saying that this is my tenth knitting anniversary! It was my 2012 New Year’s Resolution to learn, and oh boy, I never imagined how much it would transform my life! I’ve got to say, it was my most successful resolution ever! I have so many fibery goals for this year, and I hope I can achieve most of them.

Like Yonca and AJ, I want to work from my stash and I want to complete some UFOs (unfinished objects). I have three on my list – to be honest, there are a couple more but the reality is that I’m going to frog them.

  • Snowy Forest by Midori Hirose: I’m actually super close on this one. This is the sweater that Yonca, Aubrey, and myself are knitting together. I’m ahead of them, but I also started first and convinced them to knit it with me. This ticks off a little bit of stash, too! I’m using our Deluxe Worsted in #71051 Toast and carrying it along with a mystery mohair/silk blend from my stash. If you also fancy a mohair/silk blend, don’t miss Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk. I’ve been busy creating a few design proposals and an upcoming design for spring, so I briefly put this project on pause. However, this weekend I’ll be on sleeve island, and hopefully will finish my own Snowy Forest. You can see it in the gallery above.
  • John’s Cardi – by me!: Okay, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve only ever knit my husband, John, one sweater, and I’m even more embarrassed that I have been working on this design for over a year. In fact, first it was meant to be his anniversary gift last year, then his birthday gift, and now I hope to have it finished in time for our 10th wedding anniversary on March 10th. Fingers crossed! I don’t have a photo to share of this design, but I am using Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash in #413 Smoke and #405 Pine. It features some simple colorwork, steeking, a shawl collar, and some inset pockets. I’ll definitely publish the pattern, so be on the lookout…someday!
  • Argil by Clare Lakewood: For this one, I sincerely hope my gauge hasn’t changed because this is a 2019 project – oof! I’m using our Ready to Dye 03 that I naturally dyed with pokeberry along with Flax Lace held double in color #116 Jungle. I made such a silly mistake on it and just set it aside for ages. It will be so perfect for our hot and humid summers, so maybe I can finish this one by May.

I have so many design goals for the year that I don’t know where to begin. I want to become more well-rounded in knitwear design and work on my crochet skillset. I’m always designing because it’s simply my passion, but I’ve really enjoyed knitting projects by other designers, too. There is always something to learn from other designers – new techniques, how to word things, and more. I’ll call this part of my goal to become more well-rounded as a designer. One of the designs I have my eye on for 2022 is Saven by the mega-talented Meghan Babin. It’s unisex, so I’ll either make it for myself or for John. If I make it myself, I’m definitely using Deluxe Worsted from my stash – in either #12281 Clay or #41795 Nectarine.

Although my list goes on, I’ll stop here because I’m being quite the chatterbox. I guess I’m just very excited for all the crafty things I expect 2022 to bring. What are your craftsolutions for the new year? We would absolutely love to hear them, and we can’t wait to share many exciting things with you, too!

Happy crafting!

-Rachel

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Three Glowing Favorites

Oh man, let me just start by saying this whole post will be a not-so-subtly glowing review of our new collection! I am absolutely in love with our new yarn, Noelle, and these pieces which show it off beautifully. Made from a blend of 26% merino wool, 26% alpaca, 29% polyester and 19% nylon, it feels like a dream – and with its light shimmer and gentle color changes it looks like a dream too!

Noelle

Our collection, Subtle Glow, features five projects that reveal the versatility of Noelle, by showing it off on its own, as well as blending it with other staple yarns. My favorite piece in the collection is the Carina sweater, by Rachel Brockman, which pairs Noelle with our Deluxe DK Superwash. The 100% superwash wool pairs brilliantly because it is still so soft to the touch, so you don’t feel like there is a strange blend when you hold or wear it. It also adds contrast in the colorwork, both because of the selection of colors used, as well as its pairing of flat and glistening fibers.

Carina sweater, in Noelle and Deluxe DK Superwash, designed by Rachel Brockman

My next favorite is our revamped Glisten Cowl, originally designed for our 12 Days of Winter Collection of 2018. We couldn’t let this stunning pattern fade when the original yarn was discontinued, so we gave it new life. This is another piece that blends Noelle with another yarn, Rozetti Yarns Cotton Gold, which adds an extra special sparkle with its sequins. This yarn is made of 65% cotton, 8% metallic, and 27% Payette. Its super-fine weight is perfect for carrying along with any yarn, but adds a twinkling magical effect to the already shining Noelle.

Glisten Cowl, with Noelle and Cotton Gold held together.

Last, but not least, I adore the Parlamak shawl, designed by Brittany Garber. The word ‘parlamak” translates as “to shine” in Turkish, and I can’t help but feel like it’s namesake captures its essence perfectly! Made from Noelle alone, this shimmering shawl features a beautiful crochet cable along one edge, while letting the blending of colors speak for itself through the rest of the fabric. The overall effect is an enchanting design that can pair with anything in your wardrobe – it’s soft, sophisticated, and stunning.

Parlamak, in Noelle, designed by Brittany Garber.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my 3 favorites from our Subtle Glow Collection! Tell me in the comments, which design is your favorite?
That’s all for now – Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane

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Have a Very Peri New Year

What better way to prep for the new year than to start imagining all of the projects you want to make!?! Each year I like to challenge myself to make certain projects as part of my resolutions, and start seeking inspiration as New Year’s Eve approaches. This year, I’ll be committing to a project in the Pantone Color of the Year 2022 “Very Peri.” Won’t you join me? Read along as I explore pattern and palette options, then help weigh in with what inspires you!

Image from pantone.com

There are so many ways you can build a color palette around this soothing color. In fact, Pantone has already created four palettes featuring Very Peri so that you can take some of the guesswork out, and get to making some beautiful pieces!

Pantone Color Palette “Balancing Act”

A pattern I suggest that feels specifically befitting of their suggested palette “Balancing Act” is our beautiful graphic jacket Slant, designed by Rachel Brockman, from our collection Chroma. This jacket uses our Colorburst yarn in the color #112 Romance which already features some beautiful notes of periwinkle, and is complimented with the solid #846 Mulberry Heather in Deluxe DK Superwash. Another beautiful example of a pattern utilizing a palette with Peri is the Windsong Cowl, by Heather Hill, made with Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print in the color #008 Retro.

Slant by Rachel Brockman

If working off of a palette isn’t your thing, we also have some beautiful pieces in solid shades of the soon-to-be-favorite Very Peri, like the ultra fun jacket Slushie, designed by Aubrey Busek, made in our Uptown Baby Sport combining the colors #212 Princess and #214 Violet – which comes in children’s sizes for the most adorable “Mommy and Me” matchy-matchy moment you could ever ask for!

Slushie, modeled in Adult Small, and held in a children’s age 6-8. Designed by Aubrey Busek.

While we are on the topic of items for kiddos, the Carseat Blankie, by Aubrey Busek is another perfectly-peri addition to this trendy lineup. It’s made using just 3 balls of our incredibly soft and durable Cotton True Sport in the color #111 Violet, making for the perfect baby gift.

Carseat Blankie by Aubrey Busek

There are plenty more inspired patterns to choose from, or you could simply browse for your favorite pattern and pick a Peri color palette of your own. Or instead of a palette, just stick with the exact color using our Deluxe Worsted in the color #12277 Periwinkle! Our patterns page on our site has almost endless options to choose from – many of which are free! What pattern do you think you’ll try out? I’m honestly still undecided!

Deluxe Worsted in #12277 Periwinkle

That’s all for now, Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane

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Day 12 of Winter – Series 5 Edition

This is part 12 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition.

Can you believe it’s already December 12th, and this is our final blog post highlighting our 12 Days of Winter Kit collection? Time flies when you’re having fun! Some of these projects are short and sweet, so I’m sure you can tackle them as a last-minute gift that’s handmade with love, such as Marshmallow, the Sleigh Ride Set, or the Gingersnap Hats. Or, as a time saver and perfect gift for fellow fiber artists – simply pick up a kit and give it as is!

Today, I’m going to highlight the final accessory in the collection: the Snowfall Shawl. I shouldn’t choose favorites, and this is, in my opinion, perhaps our best ever 12 Days of Winter Collection (though I say that every year!). Of my own designs, I think I’m most smitten with Snowfall. It’s sparkly, hazy, and features such a lovely lace motif. It’s hard to think of a more perfect shawl for the season!

The tonal shades of Noelle and surprisingly crisp stitch definition makes for some truly dreamy lace knitting.

Snowfall is a semi-triangular shawl that’s worked from the top-down. However, unlike your traditional triangular shawl, it starts with a large amount of cast-on stitches to ensure a perfect fit over your neck and shoulders, making it especially easy to style.

You’ll get to indulge in the following techniques for this pattern:

  • basic decreases
  • yarnovers
  • knitting flat
  • garter stitch
  • creating tassels
I love styling my shawls with a point at the front in a “bandana” fashion. It keeps them looking modern, fresh, and oh-so-cozy!

For Snowfall, I chose Noelle for the yarn. Noelle is a DK-weight blend of merino wool, baby alpaca, polyester, and nylon. It features a tubular construction, with the softest fibers blown through the tube to create an exquisite halo. The color 301 Elida, used in the pattern, is a tonal grey with a dazzling silver sparkle.

The glimmer of Noelle perfectly complements the crystalline qualities of snowflakes.

Our 12 Days of Winter collections always lean into wintry themes: snow, coniferous trees, delicious holiday treats, and colors that vibe with the season. I really wanted to create an elegant shawl with lacy snowflakes, so I looked to close-up images of the icy natural phenomena.

How beautiful are the ice crystals in snowflakes? I’m inspired to make even more lace patterns that reflect them!

I thought about the different types of snowfall, which is why I opted for both a small and large motif. The upper portion featuring smaller flakes nods to gentle flurries, a sight that always fills me with joy. The final portion of larger, more dramatic snowflakes reminds me of heavy snowfall – the type with large flakes that tempted you to catch them with your tongue as a child. Finally, the tassels that drop down from each tip echo the movement of snow falling from the sky. Oh, how nature is so inspiring and magical!

I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing a bit about my inspiration for the Snowfall Shawl, and that you’ve had fun reading each of our posts over the past two weeks. It’s always such a pleasure to share this collection every year. Our team truly puts our heart into it – it’s a large collection and lots of work. We hope you enjoy every stitch!

Remember, these exclusive kits can be purchased at local yarn store retailers near you. Not in stock at your local shop? Ask them about drop shipping – order through them, and we ship to you! Each kit comes with the pattern, the yarn required to make it, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy crafting!

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Day 10 of Winter – Series 5 Edition

This is part 10 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition.

Are you new to lace knitting, or are you already a fan? Either way, you’re in for a treat today as we take a closer look at the oversized, extra cozy Evergreen Shawl!

Beautiful and oversized, you’ll be so cozy in the blanket-y shawl.

First, though, let’s chat about this lovely design and all the special details. When I wear shawls, I love an oversized one, especially in the winter. You can wrap them around your neck and shoulders a couple of times – and you can’t have too many layers, wouldn’t you agree? 😉 I chose Deluxe Worsted, our classic, 100% non-superwash wool yarn, in the color 12296 Green Leaf for this piece. Since the shawl is covered in lacy fir trees, the color seemed like the perfect fit.

Just take a look at how large, yet still elegant, this Everygreen Shawl is!

In this pattern, you’ll get to indulge in the following techniques:

  • yarnovers
  • basic increases and decreases
  • right and left twists
  • knitting flat

This shawl does indeed have perhaps the simplest of shapes: a right triangle with decreases along one edge. The straight edge of the shawl has a gorgeous lace diamond motif, which although beautiful, does cause stitch counts to fluctuate throughout the pattern. So, as you’re decreasing along one edge to shape the shawl, you’ll also need to ensure that you maintain the stitch patterns as established. It’s a nice balance of rhythm and engagement, perfect for someone who wants to stay focused through a knitting pattern.

Although I’d consider this pattern Intermediate level, don’t fret if you’re a beginner who’s craving a challenge.  I’m the very last person to discourage someone from trying something new. So, if you have little or no lace experience, or even if you have a bunch, I have a few handy tips for knitting lace that will get you started on the right foot.

The lacy tree motif makes this shawl perfect for winter. Just imagine yourself in a snowy forest with those pops of green peeking out beneath the piles of snow atop the boughs.

My first tip is to sharpen your chart reading skills. This pattern includes helpful charts and written instructions, but I find that charts are a great way to visualize exactly what you’re doing. Back in our first series of the 12 Days of Winter Kit collection, before we even knew it would be a tradition, I shared some tips for reading charts. You can find that blog post at this link.

My next tip is to use sharp needles. I have so many favorite needles that it’s hard to choose a brand. I’m a bit of a needle nerd and I love everything from Addi Lace Tips to any of the ChiaoGoo lines and have had great experiences with Hiya Hiya Sharps. But in truth, your favorite needle brand probably has an option for sharp tips and that’s what you really want. Why? Simply because it makes working those decreases much easier! In this pattern, usually, you’ll only work two stitches together; however, some lace patterns have you work more than that – three, even four together (as in the Dusk Poncho). And if you must do a purl decrease through the back loop, you’ll thank yourself for the investment, trust me!

Insert lifelines as you knit to give you a safety zone if you make a mistake and must rip back your work.

My final tip for lace knitting is a lifeline – because it’s a lifesaver! I feel like a pro whenever it comes to correcting mistakes in cable knitting or most textured stitches, however, I always find correcting mistakes in lace to be a bit more tricky. As a result, I often tink back (knit backward – get it?) my work or simply rip back until I get to the row where I made the mistake. When you have lots of decreases and yarnover increases, it’s really easy to lose your place. My suggestion is to insert a lifeline. What’s a lifeline? It’s simply a strand of yarn to place through your stitches as a safe spot to unravel your work if needed because all of those stitches will be secure with a strand of scrap yarn threaded through.

Option 1: This is probably the most preferred method, especially if you’re knitting lace. Before you start knitting your row, thread a piece of scrap yarn that’s about six to eight inches wider than your work and simply glide the tapestry needle through each live stitch without removing the needles. You’ll work just below the knitting needle, as pictured in the example photo above. The ideal place for a lifeline is before a fresh row repeat – this way you know exactly where to start once you unravel your work.

You can always insert a lifeline after you work your rows, too.

The second option is great for moments when you’ve forgotten to insert a lifeline…or if you were overly confident only to find out you made a mistake later. Oops! And I have to say, I’m GUILTY! Have no fear, though, because you can still insert a lifeline any amount of rows below (see above photo). This time, all you’ll do is thread the tapestry needle the same way you did in the first option I described. Then, carefully thread the needle through one leg of each stitch across the row. Picking up each leg of the stitch from below is a bit trickier, but if you take your time you’ll be good to go, I promise. Then you can rip back all the way to the lifeline and your stitches will remain secure.

The tip detail shows how the tree motif transforms into a chevron lace motif, and the final shaping is just so pretty!

That’s it for my lace knitting tips and I hope you find them to be very useful. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us because we’re always happy to help. Do you have any lace tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember, these exclusive kits can be purchased at local yarn store retailers near you. Each kit comes with the pattern, the yarn required to make it, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy crafting!

Posted on

Day 9 of Winter – Series 5 Edition

This is part 9 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition

Hello there! As we inch closer and closer to the end of the Holiday Season, you are likely on the go non-stop with errands like shopping, running to the post office, sprinting for groceries and more. With that in mind, this project is the perfect way to stay creative while staying moving. Winterworld is a crochet table runner (or beautiful accessory!) that is made from many small twinkling snowflake motifs assembled as a statement piece that you’ll cherish for years to come.

Winterworld Table Runner

The snowflakes are made using Bella Cash and Universe held together. I love this combination so much, the Bella Cash is made from Merino, cashmere and nylon making it ultra soft, yet very sturdy to work with. The Universe is made from cotton, linen, polyamide and glitter creating a blend that has depth and a bit of sparkle.

Some techniques you’ll explore working on this project are:

  • Working with 2 yarns held together
  • Working in the round
  • Using a picot to create a motif

The end result makes beautiful snowflakes with an understated twinkle – perfect for bringing the magic of the season into your home.

Snowflake motif up close with Bella Cash and Universe held together.

The finished piece also makes for a very fun wrap or stole if you’re looking to add some festivity to your look!

Winterworld used as a beautiful and cozy stole.

Winterworld was intentionally designed so that you can work on it anywhere and everywhere! Bella Cash and Universe are each wound into 50 g balls which are the perfect size for stashing into a small project bag with your crochet hook. With each snowflake being made individually, you only have to worry about 1 of each yarn at a time being with you, and making little snowflakes is quick and easy no matter where you are!

Individual Snowflake Motifs

For getting out and about with yarn, I’m obsessed with some of the muud handcrafted leather products that we carry! For this project specifically, I recommend the Hope crochet box or the Heaven bag. Hope is perfect for tucking in to a larger bag as it has a sleek shape, room for the 2 balls of yarn, and an elastic band for up to 6 hooks. It is compact, tidy, and just what you need for bringing a project along to any occasion.

Bella Cash and Universe in the project box, Hope

Heaven is my personal favorite. It comes with a strap to turn this project case into its own bag! Don’t worry about tucking and transferring a project bag into a tote, and just make this your all-in-one project purse! The two sides zip fully open to reveal compartments suited for small projects like Winterworld, as well as your daily essentials. With fiber in mind, the bag was designed to have holders for hooks or needles, as well as interior zip compartments and pockets.

One side of the bag, Heaven, used for the Winterworld kit
One side of the bag, Heaven, used for daily essentials

There are plenty of options for having your Winterworld project with you as you navigate holiday parties, shopping and more. Tell us in the comments, what are your favorite places to bring your on-the-go projects!?

Heaven and Hope, size comparison for on-the-go projects

Remember, these exclusive kits can be purchased at local yarn store retailers near you. Not in stock at your local shop? Ask them about drop shipping – order through them, and we ship to you! Each kit comes with the pattern, the yarn required to make it, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Warmly, Ashley Jane McIntyre