My Favorite Yarns (so far)

Hi everyone! My name is Robert Ferrel, and I am a new employee here at Universal Yarn. In May of 2022, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Go Niners), and a week later I started my role here as the Social Media Marketing Assistant! In college, I majored in marketing and wanted the opportunity to grow my skill set and I have found that at UY.

Picture of me (Robert) in Uptown Charlotte (Photo Credit: Zachary Allred Photography)

I have greatly enjoyed my first few months here and have learned so much about the industry. Growing up, you never would have found me knitting or crocheting, and I didn’t know many people who did, but I have grown to appreciate the art. I have created content for so many yarns already, so it may be hard for me to pick just one as my favorite, so instead, I will list my top 3.

Clean Cotton is one of my favorite yarns here at UY. One of the things I love about this yarn is the fact that it is environmentally friendly, with the fiber contents being 85% recycled cotton and 15% recycled polyester. This yarn is very affordable and is perfect for making useful kitchen accessories. As a recent college graduate, the Mosaic Dish Towels and Fresh Air Washcloths can help keep my kitchen appliances clean… and maybe convince my mother that I am no longer an unorganized college kid. “Love you, mom.” It is great for any season because it is so versatile in the types of projects it can create, and there are plenty of colors to choose from, including neutral, but also some bolder and brighter colors.

Mosaic Dish Towels using Clean Cotton

Another favorite of mine here at Universal Yarn is Deluxe Stripes. I’m not going to lie, when I first saw the Deluxe Stripes skeins, I was a bit intimidated by all the different colors, but when worked up, this yarn created a lot of beautiful garments and accessories. I don’t have the patience to hand wash my clothes or accessories, so the fact that it is machine washable makes it much easier to care for. The 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon mix make it great for socks. The Deluxe Socks is a free pattern and if you’re anything like me, wearing socks around the house has become a must. With 9 different colorways available, it’s hard to pick what I want on my feet, but you can’t go wrong with any of these colors.

Deluxe Socks using Deluxe Stripes

Lastly, I will give a shout-out to Bella Chenille. This yarn has been my favorite from the time I started here. It is incredibly soft and there are 29 different solid colors to choose from. My favorite has to be 117 Red Apple because it literally reminds me of an apple, which is one of the most delicious fruits. There are plenty of fun patterns to try with Bella Chenille, but my favorite is Peanut Butter and Jelly. These stuffed bears are an excellent creation to have by your side day and night.

Peanut Butter and Jelly in Bella Chenille

I can’t help but feel blessed to be a part of the Universal Yarn team, and I look forward to learning more about yarn, knitting, crocheting, and everything in-between!

Free Pattern Friday – Peony Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing pink vest knitted in Papyrus yarn

Today, the Peony Vest knitted in Papyrus (pattern link here).

Thanks to its loose fit and elegant waterfall silhouette, it’s easy to make a statement with the stylish Peony Vest.

How pretty is this texture? It’s a simple slip stitch pattern, but in cotton/silk Papyrus it adds a lot of depth.

Papyrus yarn balls

It’s got such a rich, almost nubbly look and feel. The added sheen of silk adds to the complexity of the yarn.

The Peony Vest is worked in three pieces – back, left front, and right front – and then seamed. This comfortable and elegant design includes thoughtful details like twisted ribbing at the bottom, and a tidy I-Cord edging to complete the look.

All together, the Peony Vest is a wonderful warm-weather accessory that will serve you well.

We hope you have a cool and relaxing weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

Flash Pattern Friday – Aoyagi

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s Aoyagi, knitted in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted (Ravelry link here).

Tori Gurbisz designed Aoyagi for our Bloom in Color collection of designs in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints. There are plenty of colorful designs in this collection – how could there not be, with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints? – but as you can see, Aoyagi made the cover!

Skeins of blue and purple Deluxe Worsted and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints yarn

Aoyagi combines two favorite yarns, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted. While the original color of Deluxe Worsted used in the shawl is now retired, we recommend two others: 12188 Heather or 14007 Indigo. We’ve put them side by side with Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 318 Emperor above, and you can see how well they blend. Of course, with 90 shades in Deluxe Worsted, it’s not going to be hard to find a combination that works for you!

To get Aoyagi free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page linked here. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase, and click “apply.”

Graphic illustrating where to type FLASH code on Ravelry

Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 7/31 and we’ll get you taken care of.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of color that’s every bit as vibrant as you are!

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

Free Pattern Friday – Seacoast Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Smiling woman wearing white cowl speckled with blue knitted in Bamboo Pop Yarn

Today, the Seacoast Cowl knitted or crocheted in Bamboo Pop (pattern link for both versions here).

It’s just the right time for this lightweight, breezy accessory in Bamboo Pop, and Rachel Brockman has outdone herself on the design! She’s created a knitted version, shown above…

…and a crocheted version, shown here! Both feature elongated stitches against a simple background, ornamented with eyelets…

…and both use just two balls of Bamboo Pop, our 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend. Rachel chose speckled color 305 Ocean Dots, but there are also solid and variegated selections, to match whatever your taste may be.

Three balls of Bamboo Pop yarn
From left: 209 Jungle Life, 205 Brilliant Blues, and 210 Orchid Smash

For msyelf, I might pick one of the variegated colors shown here. I’m a sucker for those bluish tones.

We hope you enjoy this sweet little warm-weather accessory, no matter which craft speaks to you most. Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

Free Pattern Friday – Lucy Tote

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Image of blue crocheted tote holding bouquet of white flowers

Today, the Lucy Tote crocheted in Clean Cotton Multi (pattern link here).

We’re sharing this easy, practical, and lovely pattern today because it’s just perfect for summer.

The Lucy Tote is perfect for your next trip to the beach. Toss in your sunglasses, sunblock, and summer reading – you’re good to go!

Crocheted in our Clean Cotton or Clean Cotton Multi yarn, this accessory is quick to work up, sturdy, and durable – a tote to stand the test of time!

We hope you have a safe and joyful weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Delilah

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Delilah knitted in Flax (pattern link here).

Lightweight, lacy, and perfect for summer, Delilah is a linen luxury that’s tailor-made for warm weather.

This design comes to us from Aubrey Busek. If you know her work, it’s easy to see her creative touches: she always brings a certain flair to her designs, as with the bohemian tassels adorning this asymmetrical triangular shawl.

Aubrey chose Flax 100% linen yarn for this design, and no wonder: when it comes to summer fashion and comfort, you really can’t go wrong with linen.

Closeup of hanks of Flax linen yarn in shades of blue

Delilah is a perfect topper to any outfit you choose. We’ve paired it with a long summer dress here, but it’s simple to style any number of ways. Its 50″ length looks great wrapped over the bodice, draped loosely at your neck, or artfully thrown over one shoulder.

Delilah’s lace repeat is easy to memorize, and a great match for its soothing stockinette center. This shawl is just as fun to work up as it is to wear.

This is definitely a design to bump to the top of the queue.

We hope you have a cool and relaxing weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

Free Pattern Friday – Exhilarate Revisited

Woman facing away from camera wearing a triangular shawl knitted in Bamboo Pop Sock yarn. Text reads Free Pattern Friday, Exhilarate Revisited in Bamboo Pop Sock

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Exhilarate Revisited, in Bamboo Pop Sock and Bamboo Pop Sock Solids (pattern link here).

The “Revisited” in this pattern’s name is because it is a re-imagining of an existing sock yarn shawl, Exhilarate. We loved the way it used panels of varying widths in self-striping yarn to create different lengths of stripes. It led us to think, “hmmm… this would look great in Bamboo Pop Sock!”

(L-R) Bamboo Pop Sock colors 506 Rip Tide and 503 Jetties

Bamboo Pop Sock has plenty of options for stripe combinations. We went with 506 Rip Tide and 503 Jetties for the color band sections, bordered with bluish-gray Bamboo Pop Sock Solids 620 Moondust for the borders. It’s a cool, beachy combo with bright pops of purple!

Perfect for a confident beginner, Exhilarate Revisited uses garter stitch and lets the color do the work. Looking to build your skills? We’ve implemented a touch of intarsia for a colorful effect sure to turn heads. The tidy edge is created by an i-cord bind-off. It’s a handy tool to have in your knitter’s bag of tricks!

This shawl is worked modularly in 4 sections. A diagram is included to help you visualize the construction. You’ll create the stripes, then pick up stitches to add the solid border along the two shorter sides.

This accessory is so lightweight and drapey in wool-free Bamboo Pop Sock – it’s perfect for summer.

We hope you have an exhilarating weekend!

Happy Crafting!

-Heather Hill

Flash Pattern Friday – Delphi Stole

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s the Delphi Stole crocheted in Cotton True Sport (Ravelry link here).

Woman with light green filet crochet shawl draped over her shoulders

Amy Gunderson designed this as part of Contrarian Shawls 2, a collection of charming knit and crochet shawls designed in our Fibra Natura line of yarns. It’s a lovely filet crochet pattern. If you’ve never tried filet crochet before, this is your lucky day! When this pattern was first released, Amy shared blog posts on how to work filet crochet, and on how to create edging for this shawl.

Thanks, Amy!

For this design, Amy chose Cotton True Sport, a smooth, fine 100% Pima cotton yarn which lends itself well to knitting, weaving, and crochet.

Shown: 106 Summer Green

The Delphi Stole is a great summertime accessory, and we’re delighted to make it free this weekend!

To get the Delphi Stole free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page linked here. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase. Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 5/29 and we’ll get you taken care of.

Have a safe and happy weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

Free Pattern Friday – Daffodil Vest

Smiling blonde woman in white button down and pale yellow knitted lace top. Text reads: Free Pattern Friday, Daffodil Vest in Uptown Baby Sport

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman facing away from camera. She is wearing a white blouse and a pale yellow knitted vest.

Today, the Daffodil Vest in Uptown Baby Sport (pattern link here).

Designer Aubrey Busek took her inspiration from a field of blooming spring flowers, creating a lovely lacy repeat in this spring popover.

Closeup of daffodil field
Daffodil fields at Parson’s Reserve

Uptown Baby Sport was the perfect yarn choice for Aubrey’s design. This 100% anti-pilling acrylic is machine washable, wears well, and is very soft. I’ll admit, I used to turn up my nose at acrylic, but the Uptown family of yarns has turned that attitude around. I’ve been delighted with the quality of everything I’ve made in Uptown yarns.

Woman in white blouse with rolled up sleeves, and pale yellow knitted vest.

Looking at the sunny, pale yellow field of flowers that roam across this vest, you can’t help but have your spirits lifted. It reminds me of the last stanza of a favorite poem by Wordsworth, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, in which the writer unexpectedly encounters a beautiful field of daffodils, and holds the memory of that sudden riot of color as a balm against dark days.

“For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”

Smiling woman wearing white button-down top and pale yellow vest knitted in Uptown Baby Sport.

We hope you enjoy this sunny, uplifting pattern. Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting,

Heather Hill

Sunkissed Summer Collection Review

This week we released the bright and flirty Sunkissed Summer collection! It features five summery projects to knit and crochet, and trust me – you’ll want to make all five.

Sunkissed Summer: the Magnolia spring collection

This collection highlights our light and luxurious Magnolia yarn. Its modal and cashmere blend makes for projects that are silky, smooth, and perfect for the warm weather of the season. Some fiber friends have shared that it’s hard to stay motivated to work on projects when it’s warm, but it’s actually the perfect time to set aside wool and welcome in this lighter alternative. It is a delight to work with, and finished projects boast a beautiful sheen and incredible drape. Plus the colors are all so juicy and fun. With names like Dreamsicle, Brunch, and Key Lime, you feel like you’re indulging in all the best parts of summer while you work!

Magnolia

The first project I’d like to feature is the crocheted Paradise Pouchmy own design! This was a joy to create and I’m thrilled to have the chance to share a bit about it. The bag features two identical panels with a vibrant central mandala that is rhythmic to create. You’ll explore post-stitch work along with texture-rich rounds to make this mesmerizing accessory. For added intrigue there are colorful tassels that frame your work with fun!

Paradise Pouch designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre

Next up, lets take a look at Sunburst by Aubrey Busek. Its design captures the radiance of a rising sun with curved sections reaching like rays towards the burst of fringy tassels along the edge. The lace and bold colors create dynamic lines and shapes that can spice up any outfit you choose. When you drape this piece around you, you’ll feel transported to a breezy beach which you can carry with you wherever you go.

Sunburst Shawl by Aubrey Busek

Lastly, lets check out Sailfin, a striped stunner by Rachel Brockman. This colorful scarf is inspired by the glorious stripes of the saltwater sailfin fish. The scarf’s eye-catching colors and pattern are just as captivating as its underwater muse. The smooth texture allows for the colors and drape of Magnolia to stand out and shine. Pair this accessory with your favorite summer outfit and be ready to receive joyful compliments all day!

Sailfin by Rachel Brockman

There are still two other projects, the Painted Sunset shawl and the Seagrass top, yet to explore in this collection. Which one is your favorite? If you’re like me and you are having a hard time choosing, then get them all! The collection bundle is just $20 compared to $6 for each accessory pattern, and $7 for the Seagrass top. Until Friday 5/13 there is even more savings on our Ravelry page. To celebrate this collection release, you can snag an extra 15% off – no code needed!


That’s all for now, friends. Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane