afghan – Page 4 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

How did your first lace square go? Feel like you have a handle on the basics?

We had a good time with the last square in the office. Once the chart reading “clicks” it really does make knitting lace easier.

Our new block is also lace with a good helping of stockinette, but it introduces one new stitch – the center double decrease. You’ll slip two as if to knit, then knit a stitch, then pass those two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit. This is a way of reducing three stitches into just one. If you saw yesterday’s Sunday Swatch in Classic Shades Big Time, the mitered square used a centered double decrease to create the line of V-stitches running diagonally up the center of the block.

If this is your first time with this stitch, no worries! Amy has put together a video on the center double decrease, as well as a handy tip on creating some decidedly low-tech stitch markers.

Amy also reveals the technique featured in our next block. It will be… drumroll… slip stitch colorwork!

As always, you’re welcome to share what you’ve done here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. We can’t wait to see what you do!

Happy knitting!

April 14, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Three

How’d your intarsia go? Ready for something new? How do you feel about lace?

Block 3 is called “Step Up Your Game” (link here). It’s both written and charted so you can do whatever you prefer – but if you haven’t tried reading a chart before, we hope you’ll give it a go. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a handy skill to have.

Amy shares a video with us in which she talks about charts and walks us through the basic increases and decreases. Try out her modified ssk (slip, slip, knit) – it lays flatter than the traditional version for a neater look.

Continuing our theme of building blocks (no pun intended), our next square will be more lace, with one additional type of decrease.

We hope you learn something new – and have fun!

April 13, 2014April 13, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Uptown Worsted

Sunday Swatch is in Uptown Worsted.

Sunday Swatch will look very familiar to those of you who are joining us for the Afghan Knitalong. I thought I’d try Square Two, the “Do The Wave” block in different colors than my original color choice, just for kicks.

Why different colors? Well, we now have not one, not two, but THREE different people at Universal Yarn working on the Rocky Shore colorway selection.

Once again, all their blocks are different. But still – sometimes you want to mix things up a bit.

There’s something else different about the colorful block. It contains a noticeable mistake. The pattern itself is just fine, it’s just that I wasn’t paying close attention as I worked. So the choice before me was whether to unravel or to keep going.

These blocks are meant to be a learning experience, so that’s how I approached the decision. When I look at the finished afghan, do I need it to be perfect? Or will I enjoy looking at it and thinking about about the experience of making it?

In the end, I decided to let it go. It will be one block among many, so it probably won’t stand out. I’ll let this block be a lesson in accepting imperfection.

We’ll be back next week with block number three in our Afghan Knitalong. See you then!

March 31, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Two

It’s time for the next block!

“Do The Wave” is a slightly more complex design, but you can do it! It’s just a matter of shifting your color over by one or two stitches at a time.

Looking at the back of the block, you can see that the principle is the same as the first block’s little squares. You’re still twisting your stitches around each other to lock them in place as you pick up your new color and knit.

And speaking of the back side, Amy added a bonus to this square’s video – in addition to demonstrating diagonal intarsia, she also gives tips on weaving in ends.

If you’re not following us on Facebook, you may want to – we’ve had some great color combinations shared there. We also have a Ravelry afghan group going.

We’ll do a check in next week and see how we’re doing. After that, we’re moving on… to basic lace!

March 24, 2014March 24, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block One Check-in

Well, we’ve had some interesting developments here in the office! Two of our knitters chose the Uptown Worsted Rocky Shore colors, but they each went their own way with it.

First, let’s look at Jen’s block.

Jen chose 321 Chocolate Brown as her background. Having seen the light background of the Cupcake Parade example, this hadn’t occurred to me to do! It’s certainly a more sophisticated look.

And now Katie’s block.

It’s the exact same colorway, but she reversed the main color and the upper left block from Jen’s choice, making 303 Cream her background. It’s going to be fascinating seeing how these two variations on a theme turn out!

For my colors, I mixed and matched from several options.

The main color is 322 Silver Grey, with accents of 336 Coffee, 302 White Glow, and 331 Sapphire. It was a bit of a nail-biter picking a different group of colors, but I’m pleased so far. I’ve got another color to add in for the next block.

Of course the back side of all of our blocks is a bit of a nest.

Not to worry, though. Amy’s got a video coming up with tips on weaving in ends.

Want to join us? You can click here for a link to the first block pattern. Stop back by the afghan topic on our blog or check in on our Ravelry knitalong group to stay up to date. We’ll see you next week with the second intarsia square!

March 17, 2014March 17, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Let’s get started!

And away we go!

Amy Gunderson starts off our knitalong with a geometric square called “Cubed.” You can get the pattern at this link. It takes our “don’t be a square” theme and turns it on its head with squares within a square.

This square is a great basic introduction to intarsia, a method of working blocks of color without carrying your yarn over long stretches across the back of your work. We’ve put together a video tutorial to further explain.

Our next square in two weeks will be slightly more advanced intarsia (but only slightly!) and will also feature a video. Amy will also take us through some great methods for weaving in ends.

We’re casting on here at at the office and are already enjoying seeing how each others’ colors are working up! Feel free to share your own work here, or on Facebook or in our Ravelry afghan group.

Let’s get going!

March 15, 2014March 15, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Color Selection Part Two

I don’t know about you, but I continue to dither over my Afghan Knitalong colors! So since we at Universal Yarn have a warehouse full of gorgeous Uptown Worsted at our fingertips, our staff put together Amy Gunderson’s other three color selections to see how they struck our fancy.

I am torn between Rocky Shore (from the last afghan color post) and Be Green. They’re both muted and adult, and both would look great draped over my couch.

Cupcake Parade is the colorway that Amy is using in her afghan. Swatches and video demos will mostly feature this group of colors.

Bright primaries reminiscent of a rainbow or the colors in a crayon box. Gorgeous.

I’m considering doing Be Green, but in blue, substituting 318 Navy for the Hunter Green and a couple of lighter blues for the other two tones. Uptown Worsted has plenty of color options to choose from, so I think I can find something that will work well. We knitters are creative folks; we’re not obligated to follow the pack or color within the lines.

The first square goes live on Monday. We’ll have the pattern, as well as a video tutorial on the technique used in our first square – intarsia!

March 10, 2014March 10, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Color Selection Part One

First things first – we originally thought of starting the Don’t Be A Square Afghan Knitalong on the 15th. Then we looked at a calendar and realized that was a Saturday. We’d like to be here in the office to answer any questions, just in case, so we’re moving the start date to March 17th. What are we doing with the extra time? Picking colors!

Several of us here at the office are knitting along, and we’re mulling over the color selections in Uptown Worsted that Amy Gunderson has suggested.

First: Moderno!

As the name suggests, this is a very modern selection. The burst of color from the magenta provides a focal point for the afghan. The lime plays very well with the hot color, tying the neutrals together with the almost neon intensity for a very vibrant finished piece.

Next: Little One!

Obviously, an ideal pick for a baby or toddler’s room. Uptown Worsted is very soft, making it a suitable choice for something baby would be playing on or under. Pastel and sweet, this would look great draped over the arm of a rocking chair – or as part of a blanket fort down the line.

Finally: Rocky Shore!

This has been a popular choice in the office. We’ve had more than one person select this for themselves. Earth tones with a pop of color, but less showy than Moderno. Can’t you imagine curling up on the couch under this?

Of course, as Amy herself points out, there are endless color possibilities. You should make your afghan your own – choose and change whatever colors you wish until you have a selection that speaks to you.

We’ll be back with a look at Amy’s other choices. Personally, I’m torn between Rocky Shore and Be Green, which we’ll show next time. Maybe I can do both…

February 26, 2014February 26, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Don’t Be A Square!

It’s knitalong time!

Designer Amy Gunderson is guiding us through a new project: the Don’t Be A Square Afghan. This will be a geometry-themed project with a different square every other week.

What to expect: The squares will highlight different techniques and color combinations. Look forward to intarsia, cables, applied elements, and unique textures. We’ll be posting video tutorials – this will be a great opportunity to learn something new.

Skill level: There will be enough to interest an experienced knitter, but if you’re a newer knitter, don’t be afraid to jump in. We’ll guide you along the path. Instructions will be both written and charted.

As for timing, we’ll be done with the whole thing just in time for Mother’s Day next year. You’ll have a ready-made gift.

Want to get ready? Amy has highlighted some suggested color combinations in our Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic below. We strongly recommend at least four colors.

How much yarn? Amy: “Each block, barring heavily cabled blocks, will require about 30g of yarn. So the finished 20 blocks will require, at minimum, about 600g or 6 balls. I’d like to recommend preparing for 2 balls of each color if a person is using 5 or 6 colors because the 600g doesn’t take into consideration edging.”

Gauge: 17 sts x 21 rows = 4″ in St st.

Finished Size? Amy: “Made in Uptown Worsted, each square will be about 8½” square. The finished afghan will be 4 x 5 squares, or 34” x 42½ ”. Made in Uptown Baby Sport, the finished size would be about 75% of the size of the worsted afghan. Made in Uptown Bulky, it would be about 30% bigger.”

Pick your colors, grab your needles, and start swatching. We’ll be back in March with the first block and some handy tips!