adult – Universal Yarn Creative Network

September 9, 2022September 9, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Sedona Cardigan

Woman wearing knitted cardigan. Text reads Free Pattern Friday - Sedona in Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sedona Cardigan knitted in Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash (pattern link here).

Can’t wait for fall? Neither can designer Rachel Brockman! Rachel often takes her inspiration from nature. For this autumnal design, she drew from the geology of the southwest, with cables, twisted stitches, and seed stitch echoing the sandstone formations of the land near Sedona, Arizona.

With the fabric accented by the flecks in Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash, the design is the perfect encapsulation of the season.

For this design, Rachel chose one of our newest colors in Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash, 927 Ourangutan, the ball shown with the label in this picture. The yarn’s tweedy nubs are excellent at capturing the spirit of fall in any project. For me personally, because I’m all about the blue tones, I’m very drawn to 922 Great Lakes. It reminds me of skipping stones as a child along the Susquehanna river.

closeup of pocket in Sedona Cardigan — “Thanks, it has pockets!”

This design has great details to keep your interest as you knit. Seed stitch decorates the hem and placket, which is worked simultaneously with the body. A slipped stitch selvedge offers an especially tidy finish. And off course it has pockets. They’re essential for holding the little treasures you find as you walk through the woods!

We hope you enjoy this free pattern! If you still have a craving for tweedy fall projects, you can see more patterns using Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash on our site at this link.

Have a great weekend, full of cool weather and warm delights.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

August 19, 2022August 19, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Paper Flowers

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing lace pullover knitted in Uptown Baby Sport

Today, Paper Flowers knitted in Uptown Baby Sport (pattern link here).

Do you love lace? Then today is for you! Rachel Brockman uses allover lace stitches on the body of this pullover to add extra elegance.

A lace body is offset by bracelet-length stockinette sleeves, and a boat neck enhances the piece’s overall vintage vibes. But this is a luxurious sweater with a secret!

This lacy delight is actually an affordable, easy care project, thanks to Uptown Baby Sport 100% anti-pilling acrylic! I have to tell you, I used to be a yarn snob, but the Uptown yarns converted me. They’re so soft! When I compare Uptown to the acrylics I used as a young crafter just starting out, it’s like night and day. And it’s hard to argue with results like this gorgeous project!

Absolutely beautiful. I think my queue just got longer again.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of inexpensive treats and priceless joy.

Happy crafting!
-Heather Hill

April 15, 2022April 15, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Norwood

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Norwood knitted in Whisper Lace (pattern link here).

Rachel Brockman’s gorgeous Norwood was originally a pay-only pattern, but today we’re setting it forever free!

It was first published as part of the Lakeside Retreat collection of patterns designed in our Fibra Natura line of natural fiber yarns.

Rachel’s penchant for creating a simple, clean design and then adding a decorative twist is beautifully realized here. The majority of the body is a field of simple stockinette…

…with one side panel graced with decorative cables, lending a whole new dimension to the design.

The eight row cable repeat is both written and charted. Use what works best for you. You may notice something else about this pullover.

It’s very light! In luxurious laceweight wool/silk blend Whisper Lace, worked here on US3 / 3.25mm needles, Norwood is a perfect piece for those spring and fall days when the weather isn’t quite sure what it wants to do, or when you want to cut the chill of the breeze coming off the water. Rachel leans into that intention with graceful three-quarter length sleeves.

All together, Norwood is a beautiful, versatile design in a luxurious and surprisingly affordable yarn.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

April 8, 2022April 8, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Lunaria Socks

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

For our Easter special, we present Lunaria in Bamboo Pop Sock Solids (pattern link here).

We were thrilled to work with designer Allison Lutes, fieldwonderful on Instagram, to bring you these special spring socks!

Allison writes, “For style inspiration, the Lunaria Socks draw on the floral dresses and ruffled cotton socks I wore to childhood Easter celebrations, updated with tiny bobbles and microstripes.”

Written for four teen/adult sizes, these top-down socks feature a picot edge and a heel flap and gusset. There are also two versions of the chart included, one with the light color as contrast (as shown) and one with the dark color contrasting, so you can pick which look you prefer.

Since they’re designed for spring, these cute ankle socks call for Bamboo Pop Sock Solids, a wool-free yarn that won’t leave you overheated.

We added a little PBT to its bamboo/cotton blend, which gives extra elasticity for a beautiful fit. Together, these fibers make a great warm weather yarn, good for socks, accessories, and garments of all kinds!

What a fun, festive, floral way to usher in the season! We love these socks, and we think you will too.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

March 4, 2022March 4, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Gravel

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing black and white knitted sweater

Today, Gravel knitted in Cobblestone and Donnina (pattern link here).

Gravel is the perfect pullover for everyday wear. The simple, classic raglan silhouette is already a favorite among knitters, but add the marled, variegated fabric created by our Cobblestone yarn, and you really have something special!

closeup image of texture of Cobblestone yarn balls

Cobblestone is spun with two plies. One ply is variegated, with a variety of harmonious colors, and the second ply is a solid color. In the case of 108 Tuxedo, the black, gray, and white create monochromatic variations, for a fabric with plenty of depth and interest!

Designer Rachel Brockman smartly chose to create the coordinating solid cuffs, collar, and hem in 100% superwash fine merino Donnina. The saturated deep black is a great tonal compliment to the body of this pullover, and Donnina’s stitch definition really makes that twisted rib stand out!

The result is a comfortable, timeless top that works in any casual situation, no matter what colors you choose.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

October 29, 2021October 29, 2021

Flash Pattern Friday – Calm Cardigan

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 on Ravelry. Today, it’s Calm Cardigan in Dona (Ravelry link)!

This yummy design was released as part of the Elegant Ease Collection, a set of seven cozy projects perfect for mornings in and evenings out.

Worked with two strands of 100% superwash extrafine merino Dona held together, this duster-length cardigan is luxurious, warm, and incredibly comfortable.

A wealth of thoughtful details, like pockets, belt with belt loops, and coordinating solid colored cuffs and edging make this a perfectly polished design.

To get the Calm Cardigan free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. 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 10/31 and we’ll get you taken care of.

We hope you have a safe and festive weekend. Happy crafting!

September 24, 2021September 23, 2021

Flash Pattern Friday – Pilger

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 on Ravelry. Today, it’s Pilger in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (Ravelry link)!

Pilger is part of e-book Rustic and Refined, a collection of classic knits in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash. There’s a lot to love in this collection, but we picked Pilger for today because the weather has finally turned cooler here, and it’s a classic autumnal look.

Pilger is definitely not a boring project! An assortment of textures at the color-blocked hems become twisted cables in the sleeves and body (no cable needle required) to keep your mind engaged.

In addition to being a pleasant knit, Pilger is very wearable. Sized men’s XS to 4X, the sweater features clever design touches that further elevate the piece, like that handsome shawl collar. Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash provides a the perfect touch of rustic charm, as well as making this beautiful pullover easy to care for.

To get Pilger free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. 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 9/26 and we’ll get you taken care of.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Celeste

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

woman wearing light blue poncho crocheted in Papyrus yarn

Today, Celeste crocheted in Papyrus (pattern link here).

Celeste is a lovely springtime layering piece with a straightforward construction.

Woman wearing Celeste poncho crocheted in Papyrus yarn

Two rectangles are worked, with a tidy double double crochet at the borders for a neat finish. The rectangles are seamed, leaving space for the arms and neck (of course) to create a simple, classic silhouette.

Closeup of crochet stitch pattern in Celeste poncho

As for the stitch pattern, it’s a gorgeous all-over lace that’s written and charted. You’ll get the rhythm of it in no time.

We used Fibra Natura Papyrus for this design. It’s a luxurious warm-weather blend of cotton and silk with an interesting texture.

Closeup image of light blue green Papyrus yarn color 229-19 Ether

The poncho is shown in 229-13 Celestial, but because I’m a sucker for blue-green, I’d probably make mine in the 229-19 Ether shown above. Either way, with that stitch pattern, the final result will be divine.

Rear view of woman wearing poncho crocheted in Papyrus yarn.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of beauty and joy.

Happy crafting!

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

Flash Friday – Violeta

It’s Free FLASH Friday!

We’re trying something new with Free Pattern Friday. The final Friday of the month will still have a free pattern, but it’ll be a limited time Flash! This week, we’re offering Violeta.

Violeta is a sweet, versatile cardi, part of the Spring Capsule Collection in Radiant Cotton.

The collection was designed with a nod to the desire we feel in spring to pare down and freshen up. It’s a set of knit essentials that are versatile enough to take you through your week in comfort and style. Radiant Cotton’s vibrant color looks amazing while keeping things cool.

Violeta fits the bill perfectly. It works as an open jacket to throw on over a neutral outfit…

…or clasped with a closure like this one from JUL Designs.

100% Egyptian cotton Radiant Cotton has amazing stitch definition, to let the work shine without detracting from the wearer.

To get Violeta free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. 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 midnight on 5/1 and we’ll get you taken care of. Feel free to share the giveaway – the more the merrier!

(PS – since it’s late in the day for some of our customers, we’re extending this through Saturday. Enjoy!)

April 23, 2021April 23, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Slushie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman in lavender loop stitch jacket leaning on a wall

Today, Slushie knitted in Uptown Baby Sport (pattern link here).

This is Free Pattern Friday, but really I feel like we’ve got multiple patterns here, because this super sweet jacket is sized for adults and kids!

I’m imagining a matching pair, with grownup and mini-me stepping out for a day of bonding over iced treats!

Designer Aubrey Busek is the princess of “pretty” around here, with a unique flair for fashionable projects that are fun to make and wear.

Aubrey uses a loop stitch to create a touchable fabric that looks like a million bucks. I’ve done this stitch before, and it’s easier than it looks. Once you see how it works, you feel very clever, and it flows easily as you knit.

Second, she uses two colors of Uptown Baby Sport held together. This does a several things. One, the nature of Uptown Baby Sport’s anti-pilling acrylic means that it won’t mat or show undue wear, even though individual strands of yarn are exposed. Two, using two colors together gives an extra depth to the piece. Three, holding two strands together gives extra plushness. Plus it makes it possible to use US8 (5mm) needles to get to your finished jacket faster!