Free Pattern Friday – Aeolis Throw

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Aeolis Throw in Deluxe Worsted Superwash and Classic Shades (pattern link here). What a crocheted beauty!
This beautiful throw was originally part of e-book Classic Shades Book 5: The Plaza Collection. Today, we’re setting it free!
This is the only crochet design from that collection, and it takes full advantage of Classic Shades‘ self-shading quality.
Amy Gunderson used solid Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the main body and the ebony border, then chose Classic Shades color 734 Cool Blazes which had just enough of those tones to tie it together, but still be bold.
The result is a centerpiece of home decor, something to wrap around when you want to keep off the chill but still feel the vibrance of Spring.
We hope you have a warm and wonderful weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Becca Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Becca Tank in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (pattern link here). If you’re looking for a cool summer tank, this is it. Lightweight, ultra-soft, and with just the right amount of color, this seamless top is as fun to knit as it is to wear.
Young adult female wearing a tank top knit from Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray
We love the misty effect of Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray. White and beautiful colors are dappled against one another. In this top, skeins are alternated to create subtle stripes.
Young adult female wearing a tank knit from Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.
The Becca Tank features I-cord straps that make the armhole depth completely adjustable. Plus, it looks great on its own or layered over another tank. The best part: this is a pretty fast knit! You’ll have plenty of time to both knit and wear this top before the warm weather disappears.
Back view of a tank top knit in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray
We hope you love this week’s free pattern. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Sparkler Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Sparkler Shawl in Fibra Natura Unity (pattern link here). We like going red, white, and blue around the 4th of July. Remember last year’s Independence Tank in Flax? This year, we’re sharing a burst of color in linen blend Unity.
This four-pointed shawl has a shape that’s incredibly easy to wear. It begins at the center, increasing to create three triangles that sit easily on your shoulders.
Summery blend Unity is paired with an open stitch pattern, making this the perfect shawl for warmer days.
One word of caution: the sample shown here weighs exactly 200g, meaning exactly two skeins of Unity. If your gauge is a little off, or you’re not a fan of “yarn chicken,” you may wish to purchase an additional skein to ensure you have enough yarn. Alternatively, you could work fewer garter rows along the border, though it will naturally result in a slightly smaller shawl.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of light and joy. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Halfway There

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
image of woman wrapped in pale green shawl crocheted in Flax
Today, Halfway There in Flax (pattern link here). This gorgeous crochet shawl was originally a pay pattern, part of the Contrarian Shawls 2 collection.
So many pretty patterns…
Now, we’re setting it free! This is a triangular shawl, but not in traditionally shaped. If you remember your geometry, it’s a scalene right angle triangle – one 90 degree angle, but sides of differing lengths.
The geometric theme is repeated in the stepped triangles along the border. Crocheted in 100% linen Flax, this is a great design for warm weather!
Written and charted, for your convenience.
A delicate, yet modern, design. It’s a delight to share it. We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

Monday Motivation – Hickory Grove

Need a little boost to get you going? How about a gorgeous and wearable cabled coat?
This is the Hickory Grove Cardigan (Ravelry link) in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool.
Check that patterning.
Since our last Monday Motivation was the colorful Mod Tiles Cardi, we thought we’d focus this time on what you can do with a solid knit fabric and a lot of creativity. Amy Gunderson used a variety of techniques to make this a breathtaking design. It begins at the hem with twisted rib, then moves to broken rib accented by 3×3 cables.
Then twisted stitches rise to make traveling diagonal lines that mimic an hourglass shape. Because of the large size of the repeat, this section is charted only.
Add the edging, and shape the collar with short rows. It’s the details that make a garment shine.

Cardigans not your thing? There’s also the Hickory Grove Pullover (Ravelry link), also in Deluxe Worsted wool. Like the cardigan, the pullover is knit in pieces and seamed.
It features the same elements as the cardigan – 3×3 cables and twisted stitches on the front, but for practicality’s sake the back is left plain. The beautiful color, 13113 Garnet, carries the show without need for embellishment.
Two innovative designs, featuring matching elements. Choose the one that suits your style.
Cover of knitting pattern e-book Deluxe Cable Collection
If you like these designs, you should check out Amy’s e-book Deluxe Cable Collection (Ravelry link). It’s full of classic knitted pieces with beautiful finishing touches. We hope your week is off to a great start, with many more good things to come. Happy crafting!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

We can’t believe it’s already Valentine’s Day! Where does the time go? We don’t have a new pattern for you this year because we wanted to revisit our older patterns that are perfect for the holiday. I don’t know about you, but I love taking time to revisit the things I’ve wanted to make for ages. I think it makes it very special to let your mind linger on a pattern for a while before casting on.
This year, I wanted to take a look at some of the patterns we have for the little ones in our lives – whether they’re your children, family, or friends, it’s always a joy to knit for little ones. I mean, who doesn’t love a quick-knit sweater?
For those of you interested in joining the Bamboo Pop-Along, how about the Big Heart Dress? This adorable design combines a customer favorite yarn using multis and solids for an adorable effect.
Amy Gunderson has designed some adorable patterns for children, and several of them are perfect for the holiday. First up, we have the Sweetheart Sweater worked in anti-pilling Uptown DK – a favorite for children’s projects because it’s so versatile and easy to care for.
Speaking of how versatile Uptown DK is, how about a little pouch to fill with Valentine’s candy? We love the Valentine Pouch designed by social media-er extraordinaire, Heather Hill.
Another perfect project is Love Patches – a darling pullover worked up in Little Bird with the cutest heart patches on the sleeves. This would look adorable in Bamboo Pop, too!
Finally, we have Firefly. There isn’t any red or pink in our sample, but this kid’s cowl features motifs that will warm your little one’s heart (and neck!). Worked up in Bella Cash, this cowl is luxurious but super easy to care for. It’s a perfect yarn for children’s projects.
If you’re looking for more, please feel free to take a look at the patterns offered on our website. There are plenty of Valentine-friendly projects such as the Be Mine Shawl, Valentina, and the Lovey Dovey Earflap Hat for adults, too. You can find the link to all of our patterns here (link).
We hope you have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy some candy alongside the company of your loved ones!

Bamboo Pop-Along!

Bamboo Pop-Along: A make-along using Bamboo Pop
North Carolina has been enjoying some really lovely weather. It has been a teaser that has everyone at the office itching to cast on a spring project that will be ready to wear as soon as things start to warm up! We’ve specifically been looking to Bamboo Pop, one of our best-selling yarns. It’s lightweight and perfect for any project you could think of. So grab your needles, your hooks, your patterns, and join us for our Bamboo Pop-Along!
Rear view of cabled Cora Crop knit in Bamboo Pop yarn
The Cora Crop, designed by Rachel Brockman, can easily be modified if you prefer a longer sweater.
This is a chance for you to knit, crochet, or weave anything you’d like using Bamboo Pop! We’re welcoming everyone – if you’re making something using Bamboo Pop, we want to see it! You have from February 6, 2019 until March 20, 2019 to complete your projects. Oh, and there will be prizes! You could win five balls of Bamboo Pop in the color of your choice! To be eligible for a prize please share photos of your finished projects in the Universal Yarn Ravelry Group (link). Only finished projects using Bamboo Pop will be entered to win. You can find the thread here (link). We cannot wait to see what projects you create!
Detail of sleeve on light blue short sleeve knit pullover
The idea started just yesterday. I decided that I wanted to make a project in time for Stitches West, held in Santa Clara from February 21st-24th. When I told Amy I wanted to knit the Cora Crop she decided she wanted to join me. And just like that, the idea for a Bamboo Pop-Along was born! Amy and I are knitting the Cora Crop. As a person who loves warm, autumnal tones, I’ve chosen to knit mine using 129 Winter Squash. It’s a dusty orange that I simply cannot resist.
Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop in 129 Winter Squash
Bamboo Pop 129 Winter Squash
Amy chose 117 Emerald for her tee. When asked why she said “I’ve always loved green. It’s my favorite color next to…black. It just makes me happy. Plus, my eyes are green/sometimes hazel, so I think wearing green brings out my eyes?” It definitely brings out your eyes, Amy!
Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop in 117 Emerald
Bamboo Pop 117 Emerald
If you want to join in, but aren’t sure Cora Crop is right for you, don’t worry! Like I said earlier, all sorts of yarny-projects are welcome. Perhaps you need some additional pattern inspiration? How about Amy Gunderson’s Right Turn Shawl? We love this graphic shawl and it’s a great project for playing with color. We know some of our customers have even hosted their own knit-along for this pattern. You can see all of the patterns we have using Bamboo Pop here (link).
Purple, gray, and white speckled knit shawl in Bamboo Pop yarn
The Right Turn Shawl, designed by Amy Gunderson, is a customer favorite that combines two solid colors of Bamboo Pop with Bamboo Pop Dots.
Are you active on social media? Use the hashtags #bamboopopalong, #bamboopop, & #universalyarn on social media so we can see your beautiful work. We’ll be sharing more about our progress, too.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

It’s Amy Gunderson’s birthday today, and we’re celebrating!

From now until Monday 3/26/18, grab one pattern from her e-book Bamboo Pop Adult 2 for free on Ravelry!  Just use code BIRTHDAYGIRL at checkout, where it asks if you want to apply a coupon.  This is a great collection of knit and crochet designs for Bamboo Pop, a lightweight bamboo/cotton blend perfect for (hopefully) warming weather.

Why are we doing this?

Amy’s the driving force behind our creative team – not only does she knit, crochet, weave, and sew, but she goes out of her way to nurture new talent and form partnerships that help bring our crafting community closer.  We want everyone to appreciate her as much as we do!

(Plus, she’s travelling to Germany for the H+H handcrafting show right now, and every time someone downloads one of her patterns it sends a message to her phone, and I think it’d be funny to blow up her inbox while she’s on the road. )

Have a happy birthday, Amy!  And many more!