Need a little push into the week? Want something pretty or challenging to inspire you toward your next project? Welcome to Monday Motivation!
Today, we’re highlighting the Mod Tiles Cardi (free pattern here).
As I write this, the team is freshly back from VKLive in New York. We had a blast talking with folks and seeing what’s new in the world of fiber. And, in the case of this cardi, getting schooled.
We partnered with Yarn Bazaar in Ewing, NJ, to share booth space and display goods. The owner, Jo Ellen, said, “you know, you should bring that crocheted cardi that was a Free Pattern Friday recently.”
We love this cardi… now. When we first saw it folded on the corner of a desk here in the office, we were less enthusiastic. It wasn’t until someone here put it on that we said, “Wow!” So bringing it to a show? We weren’t sure.
Well, the lesson here is “trust your LYS” because Jo Ellen was right. The crocheters at VKLive immediately saw its fabulousness. They. Went. Bananas for this cardi.
And really, up close, it’s easy to see why. It uses Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash for standout colors that also blend just a bit, thanks to the complementary-toned flecks in each ball.
Motifs are open at the edges to let the top you’re wearing beneath it peek through, and really bring your outfit together. And look at those long spike single crochet stitches running through the center of each motif!
The whole thing is written, charted, and contains a schematic. Make each of the flower motifs separately (great on the go work!) and then join together. It’s sized from Small/Medium to 3X/4X/5X. There’s something to love for everyone here.
Have a fantastic week, and try to challenge yourself with something new, just for you!
Designer Rachel Brockman pulls out all the stops for today’s pattern!
The theme here is magma, and nature lover Rachel takes it to its fullest extent. The stripes at the top represent bands of igneous rock pushed up by the force from beneath…
…while the lace below represents the flow of semi-solid lava.
The fuzzy fiber blend in Amphora ensures that this shawl will keep you warm – but not lava-hot!
Best, since the shawl is based on the garter stitch, it’s aesthetically reversible and pleasing on both sides. A big, beautiful winner of a design!
Pinnacle is a lightweight slouchy topper with beautiful colorwork. Here’s a little peek at the inside.
Although it’s a three-color design, you’re never working with more than two colors at the same time.
This hat has a lovely haze, courtesy of the angora content in Angora Lace. It softens the design without letting any detail be lost. Beautiful.
Each color repeat points upward, eventually coming together at the crown and creating a star motif.
The color repeats are easy to memorize and addictive to knit – it may be worked at a fine gauge, but we’re sure you’ll knit it up in no time at all!
This design was inspired by the silhouette of two of my favorite ready-to-wear tops. Both have enjoyed many years in my wardrobe and shall enjoy many more to come. I just love cozy, boxy tops. The Weightless Pullover ticks off all of the right boxes for me (box pun intended).
Knit in Revolutions, this sweater is so warm and has the loveliest halo that’s perfect for staying cozy during one of the coldest months of the year. It’s also feather-light. Seriously – the sample weighs just under 200 grams!
This will be a really quick, soothing project, but you’ll have left-over yarn in the end. You’ll need to manipulate the self-shading yarn a bit. Revolutions features slow color shifts that allow you to concentrate on knitting. However, to ensure your project looks as close to the sample as possible when breaking and rejoining yarn, be sure to visually match the point at which you’re rejoining. This may require you to wind off some yarn. The results are worth it – don’t you agree?
Feeling unsure what to do about your left-over yarn? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Depending on how much yarn you have remaining, you could whip out another project! Grab your crochet hook and make a Beyond the Sea Cowl. Prefer knitting needles? Reduce the number of horizontal repeats and you could easily create a scarf from the Warmth Stole.
Stay warm friends. We hope you have a craft-filled weekend!
The inspiration for this piece was the living willow fences, or hedges, or “fedges” that are woven from supple saplings into elegant shapes in the garden.
Mind you, it’s still winter, so the Deluxe Worsted Superwash colors we chose reflect a dormant living fence, while still keeping a warm wood feel.
Oh, the magic of Fair Isle.
If you were one of those admiring Amy Gunderson’s Twisted Yoke Pullover from the Fall ’18 Vogue Knitting…
…you’ll be pleased to find this uses the same technique. Twisted stitches create a depth that (pardon the expression) raises the design to the next level.
Amy has written this pattern in two sizes – the small size shown here…
Earlier this season we released e-book NoDa Knits (Ravelry link), a collection of knitting projects in colorful Classic Shades Frenzy. But we didn’t want to leave out crocheters!
So here is the crocheted Colorburst Cap, the grand finale free pattern of the year!
Ooh… aah…
This pretty project takes 1-2 balls of variegated Classic Shades Frenzy, one of our favorites to design with. The pattern is written and charted. Work it sideways, flat, for vertical stripes, then slip stitch the edges together.
Gather up the top, and you’ve created a lovely slouchy accessory to carry you through the seasons. Magnifique!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend. We’ll see you in the new year with even more beautiful designs and patterns!
Looking at this pullover, it’s easy to see where it gets its name.
Huge cables rise dramatically up the front, carried up through the collar. It’s big, and cozy, and just the thing for midwinter.
The raglan-sleeved sweater is knit hem-up in pieces and seamed, with the cowl neck added in the round afterward. Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool makes the piece easy to care for.
Universal will be closed Monday and Tuesday for the holidays, and this might be the project that I grab some yarn for during the extended break. Cozy!
How’s everybody doing? All caught up on your handmade gifts?
There are two kinds of crafters.
If you are, then good for you! If you’re not… join the club! Fortunately, there are still some quick, good-looking projects that you (and I) can make at the last minute. And if you still can’t quite finish, well… we have some options at the end of this post.
I made one of these myself, and it was fun and easy. The Classic Shades Frenzy is a smart choice because it lends visual interest without extra work – always a consideration when you’re on a deadline.
I actually wound up keeping this one.
As a little holiday gift, we’re running a giveaway of the Latta Park Hat and Mittens. (Also, consider signing up for our newsletter. Subscribers already heard about this!)
You can enter this coupon code by going to the Latta Park Hat and Mittens page on Ravelry, and entering FRENZY at the “use a coupon code” link that appears during purchase. Use it by 12/23.
Finally, if you’re just not gonna make it, we still have some options. How about a card to let your giftee know that their gift is on the way? We made a few printable options for you.
Regardless of how your holiday gifting turns out, we hope you’ll be able to make time to slow down and enjoy the season as best you can.
Seasons Greetings from the Universal Yarn Team! Today, we’re pleased to share a special free pattern with you for the Christmas season: the Carolina Holly hat (pattern link)! Holly – like poinsettias, mistletoe, and ivy – conjures images of the holidays. The spiky plant is evergreen and beautiful, and it was the inspiration for the Carolina Holly hat.
Playing with pine cones, as one does.
This free pattern is a load of fun to knit. It takes three skeins of Deluxe Worsted – and that’s enough to make two hats. Of our line of yarns, Deluxe Worsted might just be my favorite. It’s excellent for every type of project, creates long-wearing fabric, and perfectly balances softness with the crunch of pure wool that I love. Plus, there are so many colors to choose from. For this hat I chose Sangria, City Turf, and Slate, but there are so many shades of red, green, and grey in the palette. I encourage you to find the combination that leaves you feeling inspired! Prefer superwash wool? You’re in luck – our machine-washable Deluxe Worsted Superwash would work perfectly as a substitute.
Baby Bobbles!
I wanted to give this hat some special touches. A double-thick brim ensures a warm and comfortable fit. A row of mini-bobbles knit in a rich red create little holly berries, and a large red pom-pom balances out the pop of red. Finally, to incorporate the grey used in the brim, the same color is used to add speckles to the pom-pom. The speckled pom-pom idea was not my own. I was inspired by designer Kiyomi Burgin, who has used this technique in her own work. You can find her post on speckled pom-poms here (link).
Subtle grey speckles in a big, poufy pom-pom – what’s not to love?
For your convenience, I’ve also created a tutorial. I hope you find it to be helpful! You’ll need to make your pom-pom before starting. If you haven’t done this before, don’t worry! You can find Amy’s tutorial on how to make pom-poms here (link).
To get started you’ll need a pom-pom, scissors, tapestry needle, and contrast color yarn. Step 1: Cut your contrast color yarn into lengths of approximately 12″. In the pattern I’ve directed you to cut 15 pieces. Fold each piece in half. Step 2: Keeping the strand of yarn folded, thread the tapestry needle.Step 3: Insert the tapestry needle through the center of the pom-pom. Step 4: Pull one end of the strand through the pom-pom, but be sure to secure the other end.Step 5: You should be able to hold each end of the strand as shown. Repeat Steps 1-5 until you’ve used each of the strands you cut. If desired, add more! When you finish you’ll have a medusa-looking pom-pom. Give your pom-pom a trim so that the contrast color ends are flush with the rest of the pom-pom. Finished! Now you can secure your pom-pom to the hat.
