Universal Yarn Creative Network – Page 81

October 16, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Be Knotty!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the one ball Be Knotty Scarf in Poems Uno.

We’re not kidding when we say it’s the easiest scarf ever. It’s a one row repeat, and on US Size 35/19mm needles, it goes in a flash.

Poems Uno Be Knotty Scarf detail_blog We call it the Be Knotty scarf for the obvious reason – it has a nice open lacy knotted look. We also call it that because you can “be naughty” and pretend that you slaved over it when in fact, you worked it up in an evening. That’s the nice thing about Poems Uno Superwash (90yds/150g) – it’s big, the colors are bold, and it works up fast. Instant results.

Please enjoy this easy and gratifying scarf.

Happy knitting!

October 10, 2015October 9, 2015

IRL – Llamalini Love

I was so excited to see Katie this week in her Miranda Cardigan.

This is a project from the spring 2015 issue of Interweave Knits. It’s worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning at the back collar. I am so proud of Katie! She knits a lot of accessories but not as many garments. And she tends to have a bit of a wandering eye when it comes to WIPs (who doesn’t?!), hence my pride at her finishing it.

The best part about this sweater (aside from Katie’s perseverance) is that it’s made in Fibra Natura Llamalini. It takes very little prompting to get me to start gushing about this yarn. A blend of royal llama, silk bourette, and linen, it has a very unique feel. It is delicate, warm yet breathable, scrumptiously diverse, and drapes well. If you’re not ready for a garment in this luxury yarn, check out our 3-skein accessory project, the Ellery Reversible Cowl.

Way to go Katie!

October 9, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Siren Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Siren Sweater in Infusion Handpaints.

We named this the Siren Sweater because just as the mythical Sirens of old drew in sailors with their sweet song, this design captures attention with the contrast of its cabled top half and reverse stockinette body.

Infusion Handpaints (291yds/100g) is a good choice for this. It’s variegated, but not so busy that it’s going to obscure the lovely cablework.

The yoke is knit sideways from cuff to cuff. Then stitches are picked up, and the body of the sweater is reverse stockinette worked downward to the hem. Stitch up the sleeves and the sides, add edging for the neck, and you’re done. We predict this Siren Sweater will turn heads wherever you go.

Happy knitting!

October 2, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Bias Stripe Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Bias Stripe Scarf in Flax and Universe.

We’re moving into party season, and we’re delighted to have a new yarn in stock that’s just perfect for the occasion. We designed Universe (246yds/50g) to celebrate Universal’s 10th anniversary, and we’re having a ball making new projects with it.

Universe’s colors coordinate with another popular yarn, Fibra Natura Flax (137yds/50g). Both are used together in this project. The matte bands of Flax linen are interspersed with the metallic glitter in Universe for a striking effect. Since the yarns match so well, it’s easy to carry the colors up the sides between sections without having an obvious color streak at the edge of your scarf. One ball of Universe and one hank of Flax – the only ends to weave in are at the beginning and end of your project.

Personally, I’m looking at another color combo, Universe 10-04 and Flax 09. The robin’s egg blue with a hint of aqua appeals to me, and I think it will look very striking with the black and metallic.

We have more projects in Universe to share with you in the coming weeks, including something very wintry. Hint: no two are alike.

Happy knitting!

September 25, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Crochet Coin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Crochet Coin Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic.

Something for crocheters in a yarn that we love. Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g) is the same great base as our Classic Shades, but with a metallic thread wrapped around it for even more bling. Here’s the colorway used in the scarf, 604 Tahitian. It’s a magical shade.

Classic Shades Metallic works up at exactly the same gauge as our regular Classic Shades, so if bling’s not your thing, it’s a snap to swap.

The scarf is worked lengthwise, then the coin fringe is added after the main body is complete. We call for an adjustable ring for the center of the coin. If you haven’t tried an adjustable ring for making center-out circles, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. CraftyDeb has a good photo tutorial, although nothing beats your local yarn shop for showing you how it’s done.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend of yarn and relaxation.

Happy crafting!

September 18, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Dip-Dyed Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Dip-Dyed Cardigan in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.

Love this breezy, casual short-sleeved cardi! And love the choice of Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (100g/230yds) for it. It’s variegated but not wild, making it a perfect choice for those who want a balance of color and conservatism in their wardrobe.

Knit this cardi in pieces from the bottom up, starting with the contrasting band of reverse stockinette at the bottom. Work the raglan shaping, neck, and sleeves, then add the neck and sleeve edging and the button band. I like the way the color bands are staggered on the front – the asymmetry is interesting!

I’m not usually a pink person, but this might be nice with a band of 301 Carmine for the contrasting bit. There’s not really a wrong choice for this sweater.

Here’s hoping you cast on for something fun and exciting this weekend, just for you!

Happy knitting!

September 11, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Interrupted Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!Today, the Interrupted Cowl in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

Recently we received a new color in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, our limited edition color 323 Hashi. I grabbed a hank to swatch with, but of course once I started swatching I realized I needed to make something. This yarn is just so pretty!

This cowl uses a popular technique for Bamboo Bloom. It’s the same technique we used a few years ago in our Bloomin’ Hat and Scarf set. We’ve also seen it in some great independent designs like the STASH Lounge’s Simple Rules Cowl and the lovely cowl from NC yarn shop The Tail Spinner shown at right (great addition of a solid at the edge). You can find some fabulous one-ball hats, scarves, and cowls using Bamboo Bloom’s unique texture on Ravelry.

The technique? As you come to the thin parts of the yarn on your left hand needle, knit them. As you come to the thick parts of the yarn on your left hand needle, purl them. It sounds very “internet” to say “just one simple trick!” but it’s true. That one simple trick makes the color really pop.

It seems to be a technique that many of the creative minds at local yarn shops came up with independently that’s spread like wildfire. And no wonder – it’s a great easy way to get a lot of pizzazz without a lot of effort.

Here at Universal, this yarn has turned the heads of some of our newer knitters, like graphic designer Jannie. She learned to purl just so she could make this cowl. Way to go, Jannie!

We hope you add a little pizzazz to your life this weekend.

Happy knitting!

September 5, 2015September 8, 2015

50 Garter Stitch Gifts Giveaway!

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck – and happy knitting!

September 4, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Denim Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Denim Tee in Fibra Natura denims.

A bit of a tee, a bit of a tunic with its split hem, this A-line top is a lovely piece. The sleeves are stockinette, and the lace pattern covers both front and back.

One of the things I love about this piece is that even though it’s sized from Small to 3X, the largest size only takes 10 balls because it’s knit on size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles. Since denims (109yds/100g) is a tape yarn, it’s not going to puff up and add a lot of bulk – a consideration for those of us with larger frames who like to knit with thick yarns.

There’s nothing more all-American than denim, so this may need to go into my queue for Labor Day knitting. We hope you have a safe and festive holiday.

Happy crafting!

August 29, 2015August 28, 2015

IRL – Gradient Garden

Talented Jen has done it again! Our Garden 5 + a tie-dye kit = awesome!

By nature I am a cool colors kind of girl. Jen’s color choices really speak to me in this crochet masterpiece. I also love the color-block effect and the definitive lines. Here is Jen in her own words on this striking shawl project:

I had a bunch of white Garden 5 laying around the house, you know, like you do. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to make with plain white cotton so I decided to play around with dyeing it. I bought one of those three color tie-dye kits at the local big box store and went to town.

I split my yarn into three hanks and dyed each hank with a separate color so that I could crochet a shawl with super long color stripes. Once the yarn was dry I Russian joined all of them together and wound a big giant ball on my ball winder. I don’t recommend doing that since it broke my ball winder, but I had an absurdly giant ball of yarn at the end, which was kind of cool.

There is a fantastic free shawl pattern on Ravelry called the Seraphina Shawl by Doni’s Stuff. It’s super easy once you have the repeat down and it looks awesome in just about any yarn and gauge. This is the third time I’ve used it and I really love how it came out. The shape of the shawl makes it easy to wear over your shoulders without it falling off and depending on the yarn you use it can be super warm for cold weather or a great layering piece for in-between weather. I’m excited for the weather to cool down a little so I can wear it.

Thanks for sharing, Jen! We bow down to your fine crochet skills.