Why did we pick Seastar? Because today is the birthday of the designer, Aubrey Busek, and we think of her as the bright star on our design team! We also press Aubrey into service as a model sometimes, as with these free crocheted Ribbon Mitts in Kingston Tweed. Work it, Aubrey!
Seastar appeared earlier this year in the Seaside Supreme collection, and it really shows off Aubrey’s design sensibilities. It’s fun, upbeat, modern, and has great little details. Aubrey’s choice to echo the star’s color on the edging really pulls this design together.
The choice of soft, 100% cotton, worsted weight Cotton Supreme gives the top great breathability, and makes it very wearable for warm weather!
Seastar is sized from XS to 5X, and it includes options for short and long sleeves, for even more flexibility. We’re delighted to be able to offer this beauty for free this weekend!
To get Seastar free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.
Aubrey Busek’s Seastar shown with Rachel Brockman’s Yawl.
For this blog post, I wanted to highlight my dad, Hal Ozbelli, and the incredible work he has done for Universal Yarn. From building up a brand to coming up with creative, catchy yarn slogans, this guy has done it all!
Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Talya Ozbelli, and I am the daughter of Hal and Yonca Ozbelli, owners of Universal Yarn. You might have had the opportunity to meet them at a show, or maybe communicated with them over the phone/email. If not, I hope you get to meet them soon! I may be biased, but they really are some of the greatest people I know.
Top Right: Talya Ozbelli | Bottom Left – from left to right: Hal Ozbelli, Talya Ozbelli, Yonca Ozbelli, Kenan Ozbelli
In honor of Father’s Day, I wanted to spotlight my dad and what patterns from Universal Yarn collection I think he would like. Now, I am no yarn expert – I can barely tell the difference between a garter stitch and a purl (am I the only one that thinks it should be spelled “pearl”?) stitch. That being said, I am eager to learn more about hand-knitting yarns! This is based on my trusty eyes, as well as my keen and, ~dare I say~ really amazing fashion sense. Hey, I know a good looking sweater or scarf when I see one (especially if it uses Universal Yarn!)
Designed by Rachel Brockman, this sweater is one that will easily become a favorite go-to. With a versatile, classic yarn like Deluxe Worsted and a chic design, my dad would totally rock this look. The classic green and blue stripes along the bodice and sleeve cuffs give it character, and I can already see my dad’s approval with a simple nod and the words, “I like it” – so poetic.
Does this not scream “dad jokes” to you? Made with Deluxe Worsted, this intricate, detailed pattern and relaxed fit is a must in any man’s wardrobe. Deluxe Worsted has a variety of colors to pick from, so you can cater the pattern to whatever color you would like! My dad loves the color blue, so this cardigan pictured below would fit perfectly for his taste. Whether you prefer to wear it as an outer layer as you’re hiking up a mountain or relaxing by a fire pit, I believe it would be a great fit for anyone! I think this cardigan would be my dad’s favorite, now I just have to figure out how to knit it…
If there is one thing to know about Hal Ozbelli, it is how much he loves to be outdoors! Whether that be skiing, or sitting and relaxing in the backyard, this guy loves a good hat/scarf combo. Enter Compass; made from machine-washable Deluxe Worsted Superwash, this combo is the perfect solution if you’re not big on sweaters or cardigans. You can pretty much match it to any outfit you choose to wear, and bonus points if it matches your shoes! I know my dad would wear this combo all throughout fall and winter, and I am sure other men would too!
Okay. This tie definitely takes the cake. Made in Deluxe DK Tweed, I mean, what man does not love a good tie? Designed by Rachel Brockman, the tweedy and rustic nature of the yarn gives a casual yet refined look to this stylish neckwear. I can just picture my dad wearing it with one of his suits now! I just need to knit a matching bow so that we can be twins!
Father’s Day Tie
Those are my top picks on what I think my dad would wear! I hope your Father’s Day is filled with lots of dad jokes, grilling, and joy. Which men’s patterns are your favorites? Let us know!
Designed by Rosann Fleischauer, the Painted Canvas Poncho is a re-imagining of two of Rosann’s previous designs: her Harvest Cocoon published in 2018 and the bottom-up Painted Canvas published in 2020. Each iteration of this design features the unique, origami-like construction method paired with gloriously self-shading yarns like now-retired Classic Shades, as seen in the Harvest Cocoon, or Colorburst, as seen in today’s feature pattern.
This pattern is comprised of two pieces that are sewn together. Each piece is worked sideways in linen stitch, allowing Colorburst to create vertical stripes across the piece. Linen stitch is soothing and easy even for novice crocheters like me. Plus, there is something so addictive about working with self-shading yarns. I love watching the colors shift from one hue to the next.
This is an excellent garment for year-round wear. It works wonderfully over a light summer dress as pictured, but it will keep you warm and cozy during cool weather thanks to the soft warmth of the superwash merino in Colorburst.
We hope you have a wonderful, yarn-filled weekend!
It’s World Ocean Day! The ocean is our planet’s life source. Covering about 70% of the Earth’s surface, our oceans produce more than half of the world’s oxygen, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and are home to at least a million species, though we don’t really know the true number. We can all agree that a resource so vital to our well-being should be cared for and celebrated. So, in honor of World Ocean Day, we’re sharing some sen-sea-tional patterns inspired by our oceans and a few tips on simple actions you can take to help preserve this precious resource.
Seastar in Cotton Supreme
Did you know that sea stars can live up to 35 years? Amazing! These colorful invertebrates are one of the most recognizable sea creatures, so it’s no surprise that so many designers have created patterns inspired by them. In fact, we have three super cute patterns where starfish are the star of the show.
Our own Aubrey Busek took inspiration from these aquatic creatures when she designed Seastar (pattern link) for our Seaside Supreme ebook. This graphic sweater is a statement knit featuring intarsia and lace. It is knit using our popular Cotton Supreme yarn. I love that this pattern is written with both long and short sleeve options, making it easier to personalize.
As fiber artists, we have the power to create many long-lasting, durable items that are inherently less wasteful. For example, that handmade sweater is destined to last much longer than any sweater you buy in a department store. It’s an heirloom piece that you can wear for years and pass down, minimizing some of the waste created by fast fashion. Is there a sweater in your wardrobe you don’t wear often anymore, or perhaps that doesn’t fit the way you imagined? Instead of taking that sweater to the thrift store, consider unraveling it and recycling the yarn for another project. You can even make dryer balls from old sweaters and non-superwash yarn, like our Deluxe Worsted.
If you want something a little more whimsical that’s a nice complement to your collection of seashells, consider making the cute and free Seahorse and Starfish set (pattern link) by Michele Wilcox. Like Seastar, this pattern uses Cotton Supreme. One skein will take you very far with this pattern. I think it would be adorable to string several of them together to create a garland or mobile to decorate your home, reminding you of the ocean even if you live far from it!
Looking for a cute scrubby pattern for yourself or a loved one? Look no further than the Starfish and Shell patterns (link) by Rico Design using Creative Bubble. This yarn is perfect for creating scrubbies that are more durable and eco-friendly than disposable rags or sponges. They work as well for scrubbing your countertops as they will for exfoiliating your skin. Plus, your little one will love these projects as bath toys!
Narwhal & Seal from the Ricorumi Wild Wild Animals book.
I’ve always been fascinated by the Arctic. It amazes me that life can exist in parts of the world so frigid and seemingly barren. Yet, some creatures have evolved to be perfectly equipped to brave the harsh climate. With a knack for creating charming patterns, Rico Design pays homage to polar-dwelling seals and narwhals in the Wild Wild Animals pattern book (link). Both of these crochet amigurumi projects use Ricorumi Cotton DK. The Narwhal pattern is even available as a kit! Eco-conscious tip: instead of using poly-fil for your stuffed animal projects, try using scrap yarns and fabric instead!
The Betta Swetta Set
One of my favorite books as a young child was The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. This cute storybook about sharing mesmerized me with its beautiful illustrations. Perhaps thanks to that book, I’ve always been excited to spot a fish in any body of water and had a fishtank of my own growing up. I still love visiting the aquarium to marvel at their colors, shapes, and sizes. With that inspiration in mind, I designed the free Betta Swetta Set (pattern link) in Adore. This duo was inspired by all of the fishies in the ocean.
The Atlantic Ocean, as seen on a rainy November day at Daytona Beach. If you want to learn more about World Ocean Day, you can explore the website here (link).
Many of the species these patterns celebrate are threatened, and it’s our responsibility to do what we can to preserve the health of the ocean. You can create reusable bags for carrying the grocery items that will allow you to say “goodbye” to plastic bags for good. As I mentioned earlier, many of the handmade washcloths, towels, and other home items are more durable than store-bought or disposable options. Plus, you probably have the skills to mend your handmade items (and store-bought items) on your own, making them last even longer! If you’re looking for more inspiration, don’t miss my recent blog post about our most eco-friendly yarns and accompanying patterns.
I hope you’re feeling inspired to honor the ocean today, and every day! Do you have any tips you’d like to share on how to make your crafting more environmentally friendly? Do you have a favorite type of project that helps eliminate waste? We’d love to know!
It’s early June, which means that summer is here (in my book, even if not officially!). And while there are numerous things I love about summer, one thing that’s always exciting is the introduction of new yarns for the upcoming Fall season! For the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of our great new offerings, starting this week with Bamboo Pop Sock – Solids.
Yep, you heard me correctly – solids! We’ve had lots of requests from customers who fell in love with our self-shading version of Bamboo Pop Sock. When we introduced the yarn with eight splashy, self-striping colors in 2019 it was an instant hit, so we swiftly added another eight colors in solid, gradually shifting stripes. This yarn has become beloved for being a wool-free alternative to other sock yarns, so it’s great for vegan knitters or those with sensitivities to animal fibers. This yarn blends bamboo, cotton, and PBT to create a cool, comfortable, and elastic yarn. While it’s fantastic for socks, we’ve fallen in love with it for baby projects, garments, accessories, and more! To celebrate the introduction of our 22 solid colors (20 of which are available now), I want to highlight some beautiful free patterns featuring Bamboo Pop Sock solids.
Fairway in #614 Celestial, #612 Sky, & #616 Fern
I mentioned that people began to love Bamboo Pop Sock for baby projects, like the popular Playtime Dress in color #404 Wildflowers. Aubrey simply couldn’t resist adding to the collection of baby patterns using this yarn, so she designed Fairway (pattern link). This cute little sweater features bold blocks of color and texture using colors that remind me of a sunny day playing Par 3 golf with my dad. It’s perfect! Fairway is sized from 0-6 months through 4 years, and only takes one ball of each color across all sizes.
Crimson Tee in #608 Pomegranate
With an eye for feminine details, Aubrey perfectly finds the balance between elegant and casual apparel in the Crimson Tee (pattern link). It features a botanically-inspired lace motif along the hem, sleeves, and in the panels featured on the front and back. We love it styled with a French tuck (as pictured), allowing the scalloped hem to show along the sides and back.
Lace details on the Crimson Tee.
Looking for an accessory instead? Try the lovely Serendipity shawl (pattern link), also designed by Aubrey. This asymmetrical triangular shawl is knit flat on the bias, and it only takes one ball of yarn! The fabric is covered in a lovely little lace motif. The design illustrates how magical the drape of this Bamboo Pop Sock is. It creates a silky, smooth effect that perfectly hugs your neck and shoulders. Toss this shawl over your favorite summer tank or dress and you’re good to go!
I hope you’ve enjoyed a peek at new patterns in Bamboo Pop Sock! Which of these do you plan to knit first? The yarn and patterns are available now, so be sure to head to your local yarn store or our website to start your new favorite project!
Cowan is crocheted in one piece from the bottom up, separating at the armholes, and then rejoining for the upper portion of the vest. Its flowing outline makes it a great piece for its entire range of sizes, XS to 4X (it’s shown here in Small).
To get Cowan free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.
Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by midnight on 5/29 and we’ll get you taken care of. Feel free to share the giveaway – the more the merrier!
Recently, we’ve had requests for simple free patterns that are quick and easy. Well when it comes to lace, it doesn’t get much easier than this!
The Draft Scarves use a simple two-row repeat to create an airy, open mesh that’s perfect for summer. The wider black version above takes two balls of Fibra Natura Unity in color 110 Darkness…
…while the green, skinnier version takes just one ball of 103 Sage, and is still a generous 63″ without the fringe.
We chose Fibra Natura Unity as the yarn for this pattern for a couple of reasons. First, its thick and thin texture lends extra textural interest to the simple design. Second, the blend of wool, cotton, linen, and bamboo provides the perfect drape for a summertime scarf.
Unity 113 and Unity Beyond 208 Sunrise
If you were in the mood for extra color, Unity Beyond would make a great choice. Or what about Unity Beyond for the body, with a coordinating solid for the fringe? There are plenty of options for customization here!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, with time to sit and relax with some beautiful yarn.
Celeste is a lovely springtime layering piece with a straightforward construction.
Two rectangles are worked, with a tidy double double crochet at the borders for a neat finish. The rectangles are seamed, leaving space for the arms and neck (of course) to create a simple, classic silhouette.
As for the stitch pattern, it’s a gorgeous all-over lace that’s written and charted. You’ll get the rhythm of it in no time.
We used Fibra Natura Papyrus for this design. It’s a luxurious warm-weather blend of cotton and silk with an interesting texture.
The poncho is shown in 229-13 Celestial, but because I’m a sucker for blue-green, I’d probably make mine in the 229-19 Ether shown above. Either way, with that stitch pattern, the final result will be divine.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of beauty and joy.
With everyone practicing social distancing and staying at home over the past year, we’ve seen a tremendous growth in crochet and knitting. Whether you’re new to the crafts or not, you probably already know how comforting the rhythm of creating stitches with your yarn and weapon (hook or needle) of choice can be. The art of making has always influenced ready-to-wear trends, but we’re seeing the influence more and more. Trends like “cottagecore,” “grannycore,” and “soft retro” are popping up in ready-to-wear fashion. One way these trends have been expressed has been through granny squares, and it has us all inspired to crochet beautiful projects!
Too often when people refer to crochet patterns I hear “this is not your grandma’s crochet,” but in truth, it is your grandma’s crochet with a modern twist and there is no doubt that it should be celebrated! Just take a look at some of the statement pieces pictured above. Each of these garments contains granny squares, though some are infused with knit and fabric accents. My favorite is definitely the Flower Stripe Crochet Sweater by Farm Rio. It’s bright, bold, and beautiful! This trend embraces delicate floral motifs with soft pastels and vibrant pops of color with more traditional motifs alike.
Yonca is working on some delightfully colorful granny squares to create a crochet cardigan of her own. She’s using Wool Pop in an assortment of fun colors, all accented with cream.
As I mentioned earlier, everyone in the office is currently drooling over these unique designs. Yonca, our amazing sales director, was so inspired by the crochet pieces she noticed at Anthropologie that she decided to start her own. I always love Yonca’s designs and admire her ability to improvise when designing. She does this stuff on the fly and it’s so impressive. By contrast, I tend to plan and write most of my patterns in advance because I’m usually not the person actually knitting or crocheting my designs. Although, when I get to make them myself, I definitely improvise a bit!
This cute little square features a circular center in colors that remind me of a gorgeous, sunny day. She’s creating these motifs in a variety of colors of Wool Pop. The colors in the square pictured here are 602 Cream, 624 Blueberry, and 621 Dijon.
While we patiently await Yonca’s completed design, let’s take a look at a couple of patterns we offer that feature glorious granny squares.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a crochet expert, but granny squares are my favorite thing to crochet. They’re so quick and satisfying and are perfectly portable for when you’re on the go. When we were working on designs for our Lakeside Retreat collection in 2019 I knew I wanted to play with granny squares. One of my favorite pieces in the collection is the Cove cardigan worked in Unity and Unity Beyond. Generally speaking, crochet pieces add interest to any ensemble, but the yarn used in this design takes it a step further. The thick-thin, slightly nubby characteristics of Unity and Unity Beyond create texture that can really elevate simple pieces.
Simple, solid granny square motifs in two colors make up the lower portion of this design. A lacy motif decorates the shoulders and tops of the sleeves, allowing you to enjoy the breeze. The edging and sleeves are worked in double crochet. If you’re looking for the perfect spring cardigan, there is no doubt that Cove is for you!
Another personal favorite is the Mod Tiles Cardi, worked using Deluxe DK Tweed. This design is perfect for autumn. Sure, it may be spring, but it’s never too early to get a kick-start for cool weather. Plus, this would be perfect for chilly evenings throughout the spring and summer.
The classic collar, button-front, and floral motifs definitely give this design a retro vibe, but cropped sleeves and drop shoulders transform it into a modern piece. Deluxe DK Tweed features flecks of tweed and offers a rustic appeal. However, if you favor a brighter, bolder color scheme, you might enjoy the saturated hues of Dona instead. The cardigan requires six colors – one main color and five contrasting colors. If you’re feeling really playful, pick an even larger palette of colors – the options are endless!
While I wanted to focus specifically on garments today, I couldn’t let the opportunity to share a few other granny square patterns pass. A great, lightweight accessory is the Rita Cowl in Donnina. This mobius design features three neutral colors in beautiful motif – it’s lightweight and loose-fitting, making it great for rainy spring days. If garments and accessories aren’t your thing, the Oasis Blanket in Adore will surely sate your desire to make granny squares. Finally, Jennifer Olivarez created the clever Roundabout Bag using Yashi. I love how her color pairing and the way the striped squares wrap around the sides of the bag. This is a modern and sophisticated bag – what’s not to love?
Are you feeling inspired to create your own granny-square projects? We’d love to hear which of these lovely projects are your favorites!
