accessory – Page 18 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

October 3, 2018

Kids e-book – Writing on the Wall

Looking for some cute kid gifts? You’ll want to check out this new e-book!

Writing on the Wall (Ravelry link here) is a brand new collection of kid projects to knit and crochet in Bella Cash. We’re big fans of Bella Cash around here. It’s soft, versatile, and (important for children’s projects) machine washable. Let’s take a look-see at the patterns!

First, Dino! (Ravelry pattern link here). Sized 2-14 years, for your budding paleontologist. This one’s by Rachel Brockman, who also drew the dinosaurs. Here’s what she has to say about her inspiration:

“As a kid, inspired by Dr. Alan Grant (ed note: Rachel’s first crush!) and Dr. Ellie Sattler, I was POSITIVE that I discovered a piece of a velociraptor in my backyard. I spent loads of time trying to dig around it and eventually discovered it wasn’t a fossil at all. A girl can dream, right?

Anyway, I’ve adored dinosaurs for as long as I can remember, so when Amy and I started putting together a kid’s collection, I knew a dinosaur was essential. Not only that, but even shopping for my niece it was hard to come by dinosaur-themed things that weren’t intended for girls, but for little boys. I wanted to make a dinosaur top in colors I loved growing up.”

We love the matching “Tricera-topper” that she added. Rawr!

Next, Firefly (Ravelry link here).

Rachel designed this one thinking of warm carefree evenings spent catching fireflies as a child. Nonetheless, I’m making this one for myself. It makes me think both of pleasant nights running in the back yard with cupped hands… and of the late great sci-fi TV show Firefly, of which I am a fan.

I’ve already knitted projects with Bella Cash (I love this yarn for socks) so I know making this cowl will be a treat.

Here’s Frilling! (Ravelry link here). We went through a few names on this – it was almost “The Frill of Victory.” The focus, obviously, is the frills at the raglan seams.

Knit the sweater top down, then pick up stitches and knit the ruffles outward. Awfully adorable!

Meet your Imaginary Friend! (Ravelry link here)

This one might be my favorite – it’s so inventive and offbeat! The mis-matched eyes, the pocket in the front… everything about this is fun. Work this colorblocked pullover flat from the top down, then add the pocket. Teeth are duplicate-stitched on. So cute!

Here’s Kindersweater. (Ravelry link here)

Amy Gunderson’s tunic-length yoke sweater nods to traditional Norwegian colorwork sweaters. The colorwork yoke is comprised of a small pattern repeats, easy to memorize and to knit.

After finishing the yoke, keep knitting downward into the textured diamonds. For those wanting a project to keep their attention, it’s a nice alternative to plain stockinette. A beautiful piece that will make a splash.

It’s Pipsqueak! (Ravelry link here)

This crochet pattern is actually a two-fer: it comes with both the cardigan and the Pipsqueak pal!

Both use spike stitch. The mouse is worked in the round in joined rows…

…and the cardi is worked flat. What child wouldn’t love their own matching little friend?

We hope this collection will jump start your imagination for gift crafting this season. We’ve got more collections in the works that we can’t wait to share.

Happy crafting!

September 25, 2018September 9, 2019

Knitflix – The Great British Bake Off

We were talking in the office the other day about the shows we love to sit and binge while we craft. We have such a diverse range! I’d like to share one that I fell in love with at first sight, the Great British Bake-Off

You might not think a baking show would have drama and suspense, but it does. It’s a wonderful reality show to watch with kids because there’s no backstabbing chicanery.

If you’re like me, you like to have the right project on hand when binge-watching shows. With this in mind, we present a pairing of projects perfect for puff pastry preparation.

#1: Macaron Cloths in Cottonwood (free pattern link here).

Why: Handy for cleaning up messes, of which there are plenty in this show.

Made in organic Fibra Natura Cottonwood, these are excellent little projects to knock out quickly. The i-cord edging and loop for hanging are decorative and practical. And best of all (to me), you can finish a set before the series is over.

#2: The Sweet Little Cowl in Cottonwood (free pattern link here).

Why: Who wouldn’t want to knit brioche during bread week?

This chocolate cherry combo makes my mouth water.

I’m actually knitting this now, in two shades of blue Cottonwood (41104 & 41128), and the pattern is a good match for watching TV.

Do a provisional cast-on, then start in with the brioche. Once you’re in the groove, it’s easy to divide your attention without losing your place. Come back around at the end to add that i-cord finish, and voila. A lovely knitted confection, and you haven’t missed the on-screen action.

We’ve got other shows we’d like to pair. Several have new seasons coming up and we want to be ready to settle in. If there’s one you’d like to see featured, let us know!

In the meantime, we’ll have a cup of tea ready and a project at hand as we enjoy the show, and appreciate the parallels between baking and crafting.

Happy crafting!

September 21, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Cosign Cap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Cosign Cap in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (pattern link).

Why cosign? Two reasons. 1, when I first saw this hat it was sideways, and the patterning looked like little cosine waves. 2, someone mentioned that they loved this pattern, and I immediately cosigned on that.

The pattern is written and charted, and contains a variation on cabling you might not have seen before – the right slipped cross and left slipped cross. You’re using a cable needle as with traditional cables, but instead of knitting both stitches, there’s a slip involved.

It creates an elongated stitch that slants left or right. Neat effect, and a useful tool to add to your cabling repertoire.

The crown keeps using slipped stitches without cabling, to continue the elongated stitches into the gathered top. A lovely finish to a charming topper, made even more charming by the little nubs in the Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash. Only one ball required.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of beauty and warmth.

Happy crafting!

August 31, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Citron Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Citron Scarf crocheted in Cottonwood (pattern link here).

This is a charming pattern in 100% organic Fibra Natura Cottonwood.

The diagonal bars rise in opposing directions from the center of the scarf like an arrow pointing toward that bright fringe.

You can wear it long, but the cotton fiber makes it cool enough to wear wrapped if you wish. And that fringe!

What a great example of how a contrasting detail can really make a design pop! We digitally colored a couple just to see some different looks.

I’m torn! It might be time to enjoy a Citron Pressé and mull the options.

We hope you have a refreshing weekend.

Happy crafting!

August 24, 2018February 10, 2020

Free Pattern Friday – Tamara Triangle

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Tamara Triangle in Papyrus (pattern link here).

There’s a sweet story behind today’s sweet design, so I’m going to let designer Rachel Brockman tell it in her own words.

“The Tamara Triangle is named after a dear friend of mine – one who inspired me to learn to knit (and one who has been pining for an oversized shawl).

“As such, this pattern goes out to all of the people in our lives who have inspired and encouraged the craft of knitting – whether it’s a family member, a friend, a local yarn shop, or yourself – I think we can all agree that it’s great to reflect and feel grateful for those influences. ”

The shawl is worked from the top down in cotton/silk Papyrus, beginning with a garter tab cast-on. Most of the shawl is worked in stockinette stitch, making it excellent for a knit night with friends.

The edging requires a bit more concentration, as the lace is worked on the right and wrong sides of the work. Fear not, though, the pattern is a repeat of just six rows. As a bonus, the lace is aesthetically reversible. If you prefer the look of reverse stockinette, flip it around.

We hope you have an excellent weekend, and find time to connect with old friends.

Happy crafting!

August 19, 2018

Small Pleasures – Blue Oak Shawl

A couple of weeks ago, I very briefly mentioned our new e-book, Small Pleasures. It’s a set of designs using what is fast becoming a favorite, Bella Cash.

This collection is perfect for me, because I am all about the accessories. I like instant gratification, and I’m always paranoid that I’m going to get to the end of a sweater and I will have miscalculated somewhere and it won’t fit. Not that this has ever happened to me. Ahem.

But let us not dwell on the failures of the past, let us move on to newer and more beautiful things – namely, my new shawl obsession, Blue Oak.

I asked designer Rachel Brockman about this, and she kindly shared her original swatch and concept.

“It all started with my playing with slip stitches and stripes, but wanting it to have a little something special. I’m a sucker for triangular shawls, too. They are easy to wear and soothing to knit. It was never my plan to make this in pink and white, as shown in my swatch – but I think it gets my design through quite well and I was thrilled about the final results.”

Rachel’s concept for the edge lace was inspired by the Blue Oak tree. The triangular shape of the shawl itself mirrors that.

Soothing indeed.

It sits nicely on the shoulders worn loose to the front…

…and is long enough to wrap for other styling options as well.

The grain pattern in this top-down piece is just a 4-row 2-stitch repeat. I cast on for this yesterday and knitted a bit, and it only took about five rows after the garter tab before I didn’t have to think about it any more.

Peach and dark purple balls of Bella Cash yarn and knitted slip stitch swatch — Colors: 122 Amethyst and 119 Apricot.

The pattern is broken up by a band of contrasting color in the middle and in the ending lace. Everything in the pattern is written and charted, except the grain pattern, which needs no chart.

Rachel offers some Bella Cash color suggestions:

“My choices for a personal project would have to be 126 Forest combined with 106 Oat or 116 Sage, as used in the sample. Of course, there is always 121 Cabernet and 124 Mustard (shown) if you’re feeling the Gryffindor love!”

Well, now I’m not sure whether to keep going with what I’ve got, or maybe go Ravenclaw blue. Decisions, decisions.

The Blue Oak Shawl is available on Ravelry as a single pattern, or as part of e-book Small Pleasures. This won’t be the last time we talk about this e-book. I’m a sock fiend, and there’s a pair in there I’m dying to cast on for.

Happy crafting!

August 17, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Incarnadine Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Incarnadine Shawl crocheted in Alpaculence (pattern link).

Combine a top-down triangular shell stitch pattern with self-striping yarn, and what do you get?

Gradually widening color repeats in a beautiful shawl.

The border is added afterwards, for narrow bands of color in glittering superfine Alpaculence.

You can easily adjust the size of this shawl, taking care to ensure you’re starting from a multiple of 8 plus 2 chain stitches. The pattern is both written and charted, for your convenience.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend full of beauty.

Happy crafting!

August 6, 2018January 8, 2020

Free Pattern – Halfway Home Shawl

When we launch a new yarn, as we did this year with Finn, we also publish free patterns made in that yarn so that crafters can have instant inspiration. Halfway Home was one of several published this Spring that never got their day on the blog. Time to fix that!

This is Amy Gunderson’s Halfway Home Shawl in Finn (pattern link).

It’s lovely worn, but I also had to take a picture of it here in the studio just to show its striking shape.

The corner that the model is holding is the starting point for this slightly oblong shawl. It begins with just 7 stitches. Five Herringbone Lace Columns grow out of the left side of the shawl and are continued up to the top edge.

Increases occur only at the left side of the piece, creating a right triangle shape. The lace pattern is an easy-to-memorize 4-row repeat.

We use Finn, a blend of acrylic, superwash merino, and enough alpaca to give it a bit of a halo. It’s a nice touch of luxury.

It’s easy to customize size in this shawl, as most of the body is maintained in garter stitch. Just be sure to reserve enough yarn for the final 10 rows of garter stitch and you’re good!

Have a great week – and happy crafting!

July 30, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern – Coastline Scarf

A free pattern was released this Spring, but it never got its day in the sun. Time to change that!

This is the Coastline Scarf in Unity and Unity Beyond (pattern link).

Continue reading “Free Pattern – Coastline Scarf”

June 29, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Tidal Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Tidal Shawl in Little Bird and Little Bird Colors (pattern link).

Shawl knitting in the summertime? Yes, please.

We hate to give up an entire category of projects, just because the temperature’s risen a little. That’s what makes Little Bird and Little Bird Colors great for this project. They’re 100% microfiber acrylic, so you won’t overheat with the project in your lap while knitting.

The Tidal Shawl uses one solid color and one self-striping, for a nicely coordinated feel. A textured stitch is combined with little eyelets for a texture that lets individual stitches of the solids and stripes show through each other – a nice blending of colors.