The holiday season is my personal favorite. The weather is crisp, people are cheerful, and cozy knitwear abounds! Though the holiday season is my favorite, it can also be very hectic. This year has been one like no other, and while everything feels topsy-turvy, it can be hard to figure out how to make the holidays feel special. I thought I’d share some last minute gift ideas that you can make and send off to your loved ones. There is truly nothing like a handmade gift to put a smile on someone’s face.
Accessories are always quicker projects that people love. Maybe a scarf they can cozy up in, or the perfect hat to throw on as they head out the door for work in the morning. Uptown Super Bulky is our 100% anti-pilling acrylic bulky weight yarn that is easy to care for and soft to wear.
The Flourish Scarf is a gorgeous lace scarf knit using Uptown Super Bulky. A lace pattern is repeated along the entire scarf; it’s a breeze! This is a project that feels delicate, yet cozy, and a perfect gift idea. I know I personally would love this one knit in color 408 Old Rose.
Another project in Uptown Super Bulky that makes a great gift is the Coffee Beans and Sugar Cubes hat. This is a fun, easy knit, and one ball of each color will make 2 hats as shown! Double the gifts, double the fun. Have a knitter on your gift list? This comes in a kit as well, with a few color options to choose from!
Merino Mist is a yarn that just feels like the holidays. It is plush and soft, with a little bit of metallic sheen that makes it easy to dress up or down. The Swivel Cowl (pictured here) is a 2 skein project that makes a great grab-and-go accessory. The beautiful cables combined with the yarn also make it a piece easily dressed up for a chilly night out. Bonus: also available as a kit for the knitter in your life.
Know someone who’s expecting? The Storytime Blankies, knit using Bella Chenille Big, is an ultra cozy baby blanket just perfect for snuggling up. We offer two color suggestions in this free pattern, and it is beginner-friendly as well. This ultra bulky weight chenille yarn knits up so fast, you can make a baby blanket in no time!
Adore is our 55% superwash merino, 45% acrylic blend yarn that makes an excellent choice for baby and adult projects alike. It has such a luxurious look and feel in a very affordable skein. Can you tell I Adore it? Excellent. Another great last minute gift idea for babies is Toasty Toes! Quick to knit and just oh so adore-able (I can do this all day), one skein of yarn makes approximately four pairs of tiny socks. Grab the free pattern by clicking the link above!
Meet one of our newest yarns on the block, Deluxe Stripes! This 75% superwash wool, 25% nylon worsted weight yarn does the work for you, as it stripes itself while you knit. With colors available well suited to anyone in your life, we’ve introduced some free patterns that make for quick gifting! The Citrus Hat pattern is sized from Child/teen to Adult Large, and the stripes make simple stockinette stitch more fun!
Sock knitters looking for fast and fun projects? Look no further. The Deluxe Socks are a free pattern using our brand new Deluxe Stripes yarn. With a heel flap and gusset and stockinette stitch foot, these socks are a weeknight knitting dream. Both of the patterns I just mentioned are also one skein wonders!
I wanted to give a bonus mention to some projects that may not be winter weather oriented, but they make amazing gifts. The Malawi Earrings are an adorable group of earrings made using our Yashi Iro and Yashi yarns. This raffia yarn is great for home decor and accessory projects. I love these earrings and would be so happy receiving them from a friend!
Maybe you know someone who has a new house, or who just loves bohemian style decor? The Shoreline Rug is a quick to work crochet project using our Clean Cotton Big yarn. This 85% recycled cotton, 15% cotton blend yarn is great for home decor and macrame projects. I think this would make an adorable entryway or bathroom rug!
My final mention: Ricorumi kits. Little crochet friends for you (or someone you love) to make! Each kit comes with all the supplies you need to make your chosen buddy. We also have Ricorumi pattern books, like Ricorumi Friends and the Ricorumi DK mini skeins, if someone you know loves to make amigurumi. Sometimes the best last minute gift is just the supplies you need to make the things you love! I hope this gives you the inspiration you need to get the holiday gifts going.
This is part 12 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
Well, somehow it’s already Day 12 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection! We’ve had so much fun sharing our annual collection of wintry kits with you, and we’re finishing things off with a fabulous little cowl designed by the wonderful Edie Eckman. To sweeten the deal, this kit comes with a pattern for both a knit version and a crochet version, too! You heard me right – whether you’re a knitter, crocheter, or both – this kit is perfection!
Left: Crochet Sugarplum Cowl; Right: Knit Sugarplum Cowl
The Sugarplum Cowls are created using lavish Fibra Natura Dona in colors #130 Steely, #111 Sweet Pea, and #134 Glacier. Dona is a yarn comprised of 100% extra fine superwash merino wool. This yarn boasts superb stitch definition and is an absolute joy to work with.
Crochet Sugarplum Cowl
If you’ve been following us for a while, you may recall that we asked for Edie’s contribution to our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection last year, too. Her Forest Garland also featured a knit and crochet version and was a hit. This year, I presented her with a similar challenge and asked her to share a bit about her design process with me. Here is what she had to say:
“Little design challenges can be good. If we let them, they can stretch our thinking and spark creativity.
A little design challenge is what Universal Yarn presented me with when preparing for this year’s 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection:
· Use three colors · Use no more than one ball each color · Create an accessory with both a knitted version and a crocheted version · Keep it to advanced beginner level skills
Knit Sugarplum Cowl
Having parameters like this makes me have to think more carefully. How can I incorporate and balance the colors, when I can use no more than one ball each? How can I make both a knitted and crocheted version so that they look similar? How do I keep it simple enough for beginners, but interesting enough for more experienced crafters? And maybe most importantly, how I can I make it attractive and wearable?
Left: Crochet Sugarplum Cowl; Right: Knit Sugarplum Cowl
Of course, having a beautiful yarn like Dona helps a lot. Those icy-winter colors and the smooth texture of the yarn enhance stitch definition, no matter what stitch you use. It’s such a great choice for so many types of projects!
For these Sugarplum Cowls, I settled on a chevron pattern, a classic for both crocheters and knitters. The increases and decreases that make the zig-zag pattern keep you on your toes just enough to maintain your interest, but not so much to cause frustration once you get the pattern established. And because it’s made in the round, there are no annoying seams to deal with!
Whether you choose to knit or crochet, I hope you enjoy making your Sugarplum Cowls. I certainly enjoyed the little design challenge.”
Crochet Sugarplum Cowl
I hope you enjoyed hearing about Edie’s design. We love working with her, and you can find even more of her patterns in some of our other yarns on our website.
We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed following along as we’ve highlighted each kit in the collection. Remember, you can find the Sugarplum Cowls and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you.
This is part 11 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s already Day 11 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. Time is flying by, and we’re all feeling the holiday spirit. Today we’re revealing a beautiful project: the Inkberry Shawl, knit in soft, plush Donnina. This shawl uses low-contrast, semi-complementary colors #215 Purple Beet and #227 Balsam for a beautiful effect.
This shawl was designed by the talented Jennifer Sadler. She has such a knack for creating designs that are welcoming for knitters of all skill levels, and this shawl is no exception. It’s a soothing project full of garter, simple stripes, and airy eyelets. I asked Jennifer to share a bit about her inspiration and design process. Here is what she had to say:
Garter stripes balance out the blocks of color on each end of this lovely shawl.
“When it comes to knitting during the holidays, I enjoy projects that allow me to knit while watching a holiday movie or enjoying a cup of hot tea or coffee while visiting with family. I wanted to design something that fit that bill, while also being a very cozy and wearable finished object. The Inkberry Shawl is perfect knitting for watching TV or chatting. The long sections of garter stitch are the best for zoning out a bit while still being productive!
We love the generous size of this scarf.
While I love garter stitch, I wanted to add in a bit of texture for both visual and knitting interest. The garter lace stitch I chose is an easy to memorize 4-row repeat. And to make it easier to continue to zone out while knitting this shawl, there are no purls at all!
The asymmetrical triangle shawl shape is hands down my favorite shawl shape. I find it to be the easiest to wear, and a shape that requires hardly any adjustment throughout the day because it lays so nicely. The lovely Donnina yarn, made up of 100% superwash extrafine merino, gives the shawl a bouncy and squishy feel. The finished shawl would make a wonderful gift, or a lovely addition to any wardrobe. My hope is that you enjoy knitting Inkberry while staying cozy this holiday season!”
Wrap the shawl snugly around your shoulders for extra warmth and comfort.
We’re so glad that Jennifer contributed her lovely design to this kit collection. She certainly achieved the goal she set out for when she created this design. I’d love to knit one for myself, and a mindless knit sounds perfect given the crazy year 2020 has been. Despite its generous size, it would knit up surprisingly fast thanks to the simple stitch work.
This is part 10 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s Day 10 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 4! Today is all about a nice throw to keep you warm and cozy all winter long. Say hello to the Lantern Throw. If snuggling up under a thick blanket with a cup of cocoa and a good book sounds like the perfect winter evening, you won’t want to miss this plush project!
The generous size of this blanket is perfect for sharing and is sure to cover your toes.
Chunky projects seem to be all the rage, and it’s no wonder, because projects made with super-bulky yarn work up satisfyingly fast. That’s certainly the case with the Lantern Throw. Blanket projects, even when knitting with worsted weight yarn, can be a big undertaking with progress that feels somewhat slow. However, add in some nice, thick yarn and it’s as though you’ve hit fast-forward. That’s why I chose to use Be Wool for this design. I love just that you can get such a large blanket out of less yarn than it takes to make most sweaters.
Snuggle up to this cozy blanket – it’s irresistable!Be Wool is a super soft, bouncy blend of 60% acrylic and 40% wool. It’s perfect for homewares because it’s machine-washable and easy to care for. We suggest US Size 17 (12 mm) needles for this yarn in order to create a fabric that isn’t too dense and has just the right amount of drape without sacrificing structure.
Chunky braided cables add to the beauty of this otherwise simple design.
The Lantern Throw is decorated with oversized cables throughout. The specific type of cables are Braided Cables in a motif in which each cable mirrors another. If you haven’t knit braided cables before, or if you are completely new to cable knitting, fear not because I’ve got your back. I’ve created a thorough tutorial where I show you exactly how to knit the cables used in this pattern.
I hope you enjoyed that tutorial and that it gets you on the right track for knitting your own Lantern Throw. Remember, you can find the Lantern Throw and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you.
This is part 9 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s already Day 9 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 4! Time is passing so quickly and we’ve been having so much fun sharing each of the projects in this collection with you. Today we’re highlighting the beautiful Tinsel Stole designed by the talented Adrienne Larsen.
The Tinsel Stole is knit in Merino Mist in #102 Chamomile.
The Tinsel Stole is knit in Merino Mist, a blend of 60% viscose, 20% superwash fine merino, and 20% acrylic. The result is a yarn that is lightweight, feather-soft, and features a gorgeous halo and soft shimmer. It boasts great stitch definition, which can clearly be seen in the lace motif of the Tinsel Stole.
The stitch definition of Merino Mist is evident in the intricate lace of the Tinsel Stole.
I asked Adrienne to share a little about her design, and here is what she had to say:
“It’s hard to predict where a pattern is going to end. This started out as a mission to find a nice lace for a sweater. I found a stitch pattern I mostly liked in “The Japanese Knitting Bible” that I wanted to tweak. So, I transferred the chart into Excel and made some adjustments. Depending on the difficulty of the stitch pattern, I usually have a pretty good idea of what it will look like knit up. This one was pretty complex though, so it took a bit more fussing than usual. I probably knit and frogged the pattern five or six times.
Originally, the lace pattern wasn’t going to have the breaks in it. It was just going to be the alternating triangles butted up next to each other over the whole body of the sweater. It was just visually too much that way though; the complexity of the stitch work got lost. So, I stole an idea from past me. I had liked the interrupted effect in my Slate Shawl, so I thought I would try that again here. And it worked! It worked so well that I thought, “It doesn’t need to be a sweater at all.” It was special enough to be the zazzle on the edges of a scarf. And the Tinsel Stole was born!”
It’s always fun to learn about the process for a design, and we are so honored to have Adrienne’s contribution once again this year. Remember, you can find the Tinsel Stole and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you.Â
This is part 8 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
Happy Day 8 of our 12 Days of Winter celebration! When I first started sketching up ideas for designs for this year’s kits, I knew I wanted to create a non-wearable project that would challenge me as a designer. Enter Coco, the loveable, snuggly bunny friend you can make up for someone you love (or for yourself).
Coco in Uptown Worsted 376 Umber, 303 Cream, 374 Beet, 324 Black
I love stuffed animals. Always have, always will. Although I don’t have anything close to a ‘collection’, the ones I do have all hold special meaning to me. Amigurumi are all the rage in the crochet world, but I wanted to knit up a larger stuffed animal that was ultra-snuggly. Uptown Worsted is our 100% anti-pilling acrylic yarn, and it was the obvious choice for Coco. Whether he is in little hands, a dog’s mouth, or just sitting on your desk (as he is mine now), Uptown Worsted is easy to care for and very soft. I chose colors for Coco that went with our palette for this year’s collection, and got to work!
Coco’s legs, arms, head, and ears are knit flat, while his body, the hat, and scarf are knit in the round. Little pom poms are made for his hat and tail, while his face is embroidered on as the final step. Small fringe are added to the scarf ends after seaming the tube together.
Look at that little tail!
I wanted Coco to be very cute and be able to sit on his own, so his feet are far bigger than the rest of his legs. Uptown Worsted has some ‘stick’ to it, which makes for easy putting together of Coco’s pieces. While he has lots of shape, all you need to know how to do to make Coco is increase, decrease, knit in the round, and use mattress stitch.
Coco is ready to be your new BFF.
Aren’t those floppy ears just irresistible? I just had to make them extra long. If you’re interested in how I embroidered Coco’s face, watch the video below! But feel free to make Coco your own, and embroider his face however you like! After all, he is your new buddy.
I hope Coco brings as much of a smile to your face as he does mine. You can grab the kit at your LYS! Click here to find a shop near you.
This is part 7 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s Day 7 of our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, and we’re over halfway there! Cables are a knitwear design staple for garments and accessories alike. I grew up in ballet lessons, so legwarmers were an essential item throughout my young years. In fact, they were the very first thing I knit! I’ve long left the pointe shoes life behind, but I was sparked with the idea to make some ultra-cute lounge legwarmers for this year’s kit collection.
The Forest Fir Legwarmers in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
The Forest Fir legwarmers are knit using Deluxe Worsted Superwash. The machine washable version of our Deluxe Worsted yarn is made of 100% superwash wool. It is available in a broad color palette, and will always keep you warm! The Forest Fir legwarmers are knit in the round, worked from the bottom up. An interlocking cable pattern decorates the front, while the back is reverse stockinette stitch. I imagine I’d wear these legwarmers while watching movies with my family during the holidays.
Once you reach the top, you work a row of eyelets, and then the final ribbing. Deluxe Worsted Superwash has excellent stitch definition, so all of your hard work is sure to shine! After your legwarmers are done, you will proceed to making the I-Cord tie. I wanted to design this feature not only to look very cute, but also for function! The tie helps them stay up on your leg, just like very old school socks had.
If you’ve never worked an I-Cord before, don’t fret! It has a bit of ‘magic’ to it, but it is a really simple process. Just watch the video below, and I’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Don’t forget that the 12 Days of Winter Kits including the Forest Fir legwarmers are available at your LYS. Click here to find an LYS near you. Happy Knitting!
This is part 6 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s Day 6 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 4. Today, treat yourself to a warm and inviting accessory set knit in luxurious Cashmere Lusso.
Personally, I think hats and mittens are excellent projects for building your skillset. They’re small and manageable but have endless possibilities. If you’re looking for a small project with intricate details, I’m sure you’ll love the Sugar & Sage Set.
The small cables in this pattern consist of ten different types of cables, ranging between two and three stitches wide. They’re easy to work, but it certainly takes some concentration to make sure you’re working the right stitch in all the right places. Don’t let that deter you, though, because the results are well worth the effort.
The cable pattern in both the hat and the mittens includes charts and written instructions. I know some knitters are intimidated by charts, but I encourage you to try and get comfortable with them. Especially in more complex patterns, they can help make things easier to read and to memorize. I think of charts as maps for knitting. Because charts are visual tools, they can help you conceptualize what your fabric will look like as you knit. I shared some useful tips and tricks for staying on track with charts in this blog post (link). Undulating cable panels decorate each mitt.
Each side of the cable panel featured on the hat mirrors the other. I love the way that it looks, but when I was designing the mitts I didn’t want them to replicate the motif perfectly. Instead, I broke the cable motif into two parts, split right down the center. Then I took each half and applied it to the mitts, so the Right and Left mirror one another, too. The result is a coordinating set of sisters in this accessory set.
Each edge of the mitts are worked in K1, P1 Twisted Ribbing.
Knit in Cashmere Lusso, a blend of 50% virgin cashmere and 50% recycled cashmere, the Sugar & Sage Set is decadent. The yarn is incredibly soft and it has excellent stitch definition. This is a yarn shines however you work it: cables, lace, or colorwork, you just can’t go wrong. This kit would be an excellent gift for the knitter in your life who is truly special – that could be you, or it could be a friend!
Crown view of the Sugar & Sage Hat
This kit has three options available: the Sugar & Sage Set (enough yarn for both patterns), the Sugar & Sage Hat, or the Sugar & Sage Mitts. Remember, you can find each version of the Sugar & Sage Kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you. Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Concord Scarf in Deluxe Worsted (pattern link here).
We’re going to keep this short and sweet today so that I can spend the day after Thanksgiving in the time-honored way: scarfing down leftovers. My daughter was inspired by the Great British Baking Show this year and now we have a lot of pie. With just the three of us from the immediate household for dinner this year, I’ll have to really work to eat my share. Such a sacrifice. But before grabbing a plate, let’s take a look at this gorgeous pattern!
The Concord Stole is called a stole because it can work well scrunched up as shown, or stretched wide to its full 20″ (51cm) width for more coverage. Designer Aubrey Busek cleverly used two complementary tones in Deluxe Worsted wool. 15002 Violet Rustic is the lighter main, and 15003 Grape Rustic is the stripe.
Deluxe Worsted 15002 Violet RusticDeluxe Worsted 15003 Grape Rustic
The Rustic colors in Deluxe Worsted are spun in an almost marled way, making them especially well-suited to work together. If purple’s not your bag, you might pair 15004 Teal Rustic & 15005 Turquoise Rustic, or if you’re a lover of subtler contrast and blue like I am, 15009 Blue Rustic & 15008 Twilight Rustic.
15009 Blue Rustic15008 Twilight Rustic
Regardless of color choice, this sweet stole is a satisfying project. An easily memorized four-row repeat worked on US size 8 (5mm) needles makes for rhythmic, calming crafting, something we could all use right now.
Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a piece of pie with my name on it in the fridge. Literally, since I stuck a note to it.
We hope you have a safe and pleasant weekend. Happy crafting!
This is part 5 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
Few things are more comforting than cuddling up with a good book while warmed by the heat of a fireplace. Growing up, I spent so many winter days doing just that. I would devour book after book, with the pages illuminated by the light of the fire, and it’s something I miss dearly about my childhood home. For the fifth installment of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, I wanted to create a design that conjures the comfort of the days when I could sit by the fire. The result? The Chimney Socks.
The Chimney Socks are cozy house socks that feature graphic colorwork and a knit-purl texture to match. The socks are knit using two colors of 100% wool, Deluxe DK Superwash. I chose #848 Coral Heather and #839 Smoke Heather to emulate billows of smoke emerging from a brick chimney.
The cuff features tidy twisted ribbing in grey. It is followed by a pretty stranded colorwork motif that reminds me of little houses. Then, the same motif is transformed into a textural pattern for the foot. The toes are knit using the contrast color to balance out the cuff and leg of the pattern.
The Chimney Socks are knit from the cuff down. They feature an Eye of Partridge heel flap and gusset, creating a sturdy sock with a perfect fit. I love how quickly these socks knit up. As someone with second sock syndrome, heavier socks are perfect for me because they knit up quickly. They also make great beginner socks for the very same reason. Plus, they are just ridiculously cozy. I have multiple pairs of DK-weight socks and I get so much wear out of them during the winter.
These socks feature an Eye of Partridge heel with a gusset.
You know what else is great about this kit? It includes enough yarn to knit two pairs of socks! Simply reverse the main color and contrast color for a coordinating set. It’s perfect for giving a gift to yourself and to a loved one!
Remember, you can find the versions of the Chimney Socks Kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you. Happy knitting!
