Universal Yarn Creative Network
Inspiration By Design
Have you seen the New Bern Cowl and wondered how I created that faux cable look? Today, I’ll show you how, step by step!
It is a very simple technique, but brace yourself knitters…it does involve a crochet hook! Don’t worry though, if you can do a simple chain, you can do this.
Pretty easy, right? I can’t wait for you to try it out on your very own New Bern Cowl!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Checked Hat and Scarf in Uptown Worsted and Uptown Worsted Mist.
In Little Women, Meg called November “the most disagreeable month in the whole year.” I’m inclined to disagree, though I will grant that the invention of electric heat makes it a lot easier these days. In fact, let’s add modern appliances like the washer and dryer, which make it a lot easier to do laundry without risking frostbite.
All of which brings us to today’s pattern. The Checked Hat and Scarf are an easy four-row repeat, worked flat for the scarf and in the round for the hat. We used Uptown Worsted and Uptown Worsted Mist (180yds/100g), both of which are machine washable and stand up well to wear, as well as being the softest acrylic I personally have used.
On frosty mornings, it’s a pleasure to wrap up warm in a hand-knitted set. It’s a luxury to return home, red-nosed, and shed layers, tossing them to the side without worrying about having to handwash them later.
We hope you enjoy what November has to offer – and then warm up again with more crafting in a cozy room.
Happy knitting!
If you’re a good little crafter, you’re already busy making your holiday gifts. Or you could be more like me and have the best intentions, but then somehow it’s the last minute and you’ve knocked out an emergency pair of Felted Scuffles and are frantically drying them with a hair dryer.
Somehow it seems that every year, one thing is true: in all the confusion, I never wind up knitting for myself.
Not this year.
Ever since this gorgeous book of Kristin Hansen knitted lace for Garden Metallic came out, I’ve had my eye on… well, on all of the patterns. I had the pleasure of helping prepare the garments for this photo shoot. Touching each delicate masterpiece was enough to make me fall in love. The one that sets my pulse racing, though, is the Midnight Sun Shawl, perhaps because it shares a name with one of my favorite songs.
https://youtu.be/pr5x7ivORUU?t=2m50s
The printed book is now also an e-book, as well as individual patterns. So this year, I’m going to myself something beautiful. I’m telling myself there’s still time this season, although realistically, I know myself and it will probably be next year before this sees the light of day. And I have nowhere to wear something this glamorous – but I have faith that if I make it, then the opportunity will present itself. Or perhaps I’ll be more likely to make my own opportunity.
If you’d like a lovely length of lace to call your own, don’t wait until everything else is done. It never will be. Do it now, just for you.
You’re worth it.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Briar Rose Capelet in Deluxe Bulky Superwash.
You’re familiar with the story of Briar Rose, right? She’s the girl who was pricked by a spindle and fell asleep for a hundred years. I’m sure many of us who have been bitten by the crafting bug and lost countless hours to projects can relate. Fortunately, this project goes more quickly than Briar Rose’s sleep.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the One Side Cowl in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.
Recently, we sent some stitching work to a talented local knitter and teacher, Sandy Harris. (Side note about Sandy – she’s also a creator of the knitting game Last Knitter Standing. If you haven’t tried it, you should – it’s a hoot.) When we got Sandy’s project back, we were delighted to also receive this – a new one-skein pattern in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints! She had picked up a skein of the yarn and been inspired. It’s not hard to see why – Steven Be’s custom colorways certainly fire the imagination.
Sandy has created a moebius cowl with judiciously spaced yarn overs for additional pizzazz. This cowl-with-a-twist uses a moebius cast-on, which may be a new technique for some of you. It certainly is for me! With that in mind, our newest designer, Tori Gurbisz, volunteered her hands to show us how it’s done. These photos cover Row 1 of the moebius cast-on in the pattern.
You’re going to wind up with a loop within a loop. Don’t worry, it’s supposed to be kind of “tied” to itself like that. This technique will put a half-twist in your finished cowl.
We hope you get the chance to try something new this weekend. And if you’ve got questions, let us know – we love to help!
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Special Twist Vest in Classic Shades Frenzy.
The nice thing about having a sales manager who also knits and crochets is that a) she knows what crafters want, and b) sometimes she turns up at the office with amazing designs that we can convince her to share. Here’s Yonca in one of her latest, The Special Twist Vest. It’s another great example of letting the yarn do the colorwork. Classic Shades Frenzy (158yds/100g) has enough variation that the piece shows soft stripes, not rigid ones.
When I saw this from afar, I thought it might be crochet, but it is in fact knitted. Even better, it’s knitted in one big piece! Start at one edge and work sideways, then bind off for the armholes. On the next row, cast on across the bound-off stitches and keep knitting in pattern until you reach the next armhole. After you’re done, go back and pick up the armhole stitches to add the seed stitch border. Then fringe it! A dramatic garment, particularly considering it’s essentially a big rectangle. Well done, Yonca!
We hope you have a fabulous weekend. Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Sizzle Scarf in Uptown DK.
We love this! So bright and summery. Two balls of Uptown DK (273yds/100g) in 139 Bright Salmon makes this long crescent-shaped scarf. As fun as this is in one color, can you imagine it in two? It’s knit from the bottom up, so how about switching to a second shade after working the leaf lace?
We hope you have a great weekend, and make every pattern you touch your own.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Florin Scarf in Cotton Gold.
Crocheted in Rozetti Yarns sparkling sequined Cotton Gold (200yds/25g), this scarf is named Florin after the golden coins you might find in a dragon’s hoard.
Wait, wrong hoard. Although I do want that hoard.
There we go. The glittering gold sequins catch the light in dramatic fashion. Having worked with this yarn personally, I can tell you that those sequins are really on there – I’ve never had one come loose.
Cotton Gold works great paired with another yarn to add some bling (Crinkle Cowl, anyone?), or on its own as in this one-ball scarf.
The body of the Florin Scarf is worked in two directions. First, the main scarf body is worked to one end, and the End Section is crocheted. Then the other End Section is crocheted into the beginning chain of the other side of the scarf body. Finally, a border is worked around the entire outer edge of the scarf. Lastly, put on your glittering masterpiece and feel like the fabulous person you are.
We hope you have an amazing weekend of crocheting and enjoying your yarn hoard!
