Yarn Spotlight: Adore

This week I want to chat a little about one of our favorite staple yarns: Adore. Comprised of 55% superwash merino and 45% anti-pilling acrylic, Adore is soft and easy to care for. It is exactly the type of yarn you reach for repeatedly because it ticks all the boxes. It has a broad palette of beautiful colors making it great for multi-color projects. This four-ply yarn is round and springy, giving it excellent stitch definition. It’s there for you whether you want to create a selfish sweater or the perfect gift for that upcoming baby shower.
Speaking of perfect for baby projects – let’s take a look at some of the great baby patterns we have for Adore.
Crosscut (sweater) and Parallelogram (blanket)
I’m pretty sure the quintessential handmade gift for babies is a blanket. Knit or crochet, if you’re a fiber artist, you’ve probably made one for a little one in your life. It’s easy to see why. Baby blankets tend to be fast (certainly faster than an afghan!) and you can be sure the little one won’t grow out of a blanket in a month or two.
Parallelogram in Adore: #130 Cream, #105 Cloud Grey, #111 Banana, & #110 Turquoise
For the knitters, we have Parallelogram. This is one of my designs, and it was inspired by quilts. It’s modern and graphic but is primarily comprised of garter stitch. It’s an incredibly easy pattern. It is knit in six strips that are sewn together. The way the stripes are arranged in each strip creates the larger blocks of color in the finished piece. If you’re looking for a mindless project with a bit of impact, Parallelogram is right for you.
Oasis Blanket in Adore #105 Cloud Grey, #101 Peony, #110 Turquoise, & #103 Capri
For the crocheters, we have the Oasis Blanket. This one is a personal favorite. Admittedly, I haven’t finished mine (yet!), but it’s so fun! It is created by making granny square motifs, sewing them together, and then working a border around the edges. What I love about this project is how portable it is. You can whip out your yarn and knock out a square any time and in any place.
Besties
Although blankets may get used for longer than a sweater, you can’t argue with the fact that lil’ babes are ADORE-able (see what I did there?) in sweaters. And baby sweaters are extremely satisfying projects. Raise your hand if you like saying you completed a whole sweater in a few days!

We have no shortage of cute baby sweaters that use Adore. If you enjoy combining garter stitch, stripes, and cute buttons, you’ll love the Besties cardigan. This simple pattern is seamless and quick. With Adore’s broad palette, the color options are endless.
Crosscut in Adore #105 Cloud Grey
If you’re looking for a sweater pattern with interesting construction, why not try Crosscut? This sweater is knit from cuff to cuff and has a striking cable panel along the sleeves and seed stitch along the neck and hem. We love the way Adore makes the cable and texture pop.
Cozy Kid Set in Adore #102 Pale Pink
Lovers of texture and twisted stitches will find the Cozy Kid Set on their needles in no time. This zippered cardigan is a great layering piece for fall and has a coordinating hat, too!
Special Gift Jacket in Adore #111 Banana
The Special Gift Jacket is a precious, crochet wrap cardigan. Scrunch stitches give it a beautiful, all-over texture. The delicate side ties might be my favorite detail!
Don’t have time to make a sweater or blanket? No worries! Why not try out the Mini Mittens or Toasty Toes? Better yet, why not make both? These are so fast! You can work them up in a matter of hours and they are sure to be your go-to projects for every baby in your life.
So, those are my picks for baby patterns using Adore. There is more where that came from, too, so be sure to peruse our website for patterns that suit all ages! Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Daisy Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Daisy Cardi in Cotton Supreme Sapling (pattern link here). How cute is this little darling?
Sized from 3-6 months to 18-24 months, this adorable little sweater is made in Cotton Supreme Sapling, perfect for the cusp of warm and cold weather.
Work it flat, then pick up for the button band and collar. Pick out some sweet buttons to take it to the next level!
On US 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles, this one works up quickly and takes only 2-3 skeins of Cotton Supreme Sapling. A great, quick gift for any “quarantine babies” that may be coming this winter!

Have a wonderful weekend. Stay safe and happy!

Free Pattern Friday – Storytime Blankies

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Storytime Blankies in Bella Chenille Big (pattern link here).
Even though this is one pattern, we’re going with Blankie(s), plural, because we couldn’t resist making this up in two color choices.
Whether you choose the cream and pink, the blue and white, or your own choice (indigo and daffodil?), the texture on this blanket in Bella Chenille Big will still be divine.
Couldn’t you just sink into it like a big fluffy cloud?
The twisted stockinette body and the garter column stripe are each a two-row repeat. Easy to memorize, and quick to work up on US size 15 (10mm) needles. If you want instant gratification, or need a quick baby gift, this is your pattern.
Please do squeeze the blanket.
Plus, who doesn’t like tassels? 🙂 We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of softness and warmth. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Trailhopper Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Trailhopper Hat in Mini Saki (pattern link here). You’ve all met the world’s cutest baby, right? Parker is the son of our warehouse shipping chief, and she brought him in when we needed a wee one to do a little modeling. A sweet little cherub for a sweet little hat!
The Trailhopper Hat starts at the very bottom, with those i-cord ties. Work your way up to the earflaps, then cast on for the brim. Rachel Brockman included a detail that is sometimes overlooked – casting on more for the front than the back, to be sure those earflaps are back just a bit from the face to give proper coverage.
Faux cable/right twist ribbing gives way to symmetrical decreases at the top. It all comes together to make a hat that looks neat on the noggin. All with just one 230yd ball of Mini Saki.
Just one more – here we see Parker, just before we realized it wasn’t a great idea to give him tissue paper. When you’re seven months old, everything is edible.
If you’re wondering about that fantastic sweater, by the way, it’s the Crosscut Pullover in Adore (free pattern link here). It’s sized 3-6 months through 4-6 years. Rachel Brockman has been on a roll with the baby garments! We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of good things. We also hope you find the strength to keep the tissue paper out of your mouth.
Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Purls & Triangles Blanket

A blanket knit in Adore draped over a chair.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
A blue blanket knit using Universal Yarn Adore.
Today, the Purls & Triangles Blanket in Universal Yarn Adore (pattern link here). Looking for a simple project with visual impact? This blanket is for you!
A blue blanket knit in Adore folded on a chair.
Adore is a super soft blend of machine-washable merino and anti-pilling acrylic – making this a seriously baby friendly project. Bonus: this yarn has great stitch definition, so it is ideal for designs with texture. In this blanket, knit and purl stitches join forces to create an all-over triangle pattern with just a touch of seed stitch along the border. The stitch pattern is easily memorized and it’s great for new and seasoned knitters alike.
A detail shot of a blanket knit in Adore draped over a chair.
We’ve chosen 120 Jade for this blanket, but I think it would look equally spectacular in 113 Apricot or 117 Hazel. What can I say, I love warm colors! With 32 colors to choose from, you have plenty of options. Which will you choose? Happy crafting, friends!

Free Pattern Friday – Itty Bitty Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Itty Bitty Set in Bamboo Pop Sock (pattern link here). Bamboo Pop Sock is a new yarn for us this season. We love it for wool-free socks. Check out these beauties from Birdhouse Yarns in Tucson, or these ankle socks from The Twisted Knitter in Mebane, NC. But as much as we love it for socks, we knew as soon as we touched it that it would also be great in kid projects. So, let’s have a few bonus free patterns!
The Easy Stripe Pullover (pattern link here) lives up to its name! Shown here in the 6-12 month size, this pattern will use 1-2 balls of the sleeve color (402 Acid Wash) and 1 ball of the torso (406 Florals).
Ah, the beauty of self-striping yarn. No color changing at the ends of rows (except between the blues and the purples at the cuffs), but you still get those nice crisp stripes. And did we mention this is machine washable? Like we said, great for kid projects.
The Playtime Dress (pattern link here) uses just one color of Bamboo Pop Sock, 404 Wildflowers. Amy Gunderson designed this darling piece for sizes 3-6 months (shown) up to 6 years. Check out how the wavy Feather and Fan section creates festive ripples of color!
Caretakers will appreciate the buttons on the shoulder. Bamboo Pop Sock is very stretchy, but it never hurts to have extra room when pulling a top over a wiggly baby’s head!
So here you go. A three-fer of fun knit projects for youngsters in a summer-friendly yarn. We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Besties

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Besties in Adore (pattern link here). Awww! This sweater is sized from 3 months to six years, so whatever size your little best pal is, you’re set.
Not only do these work in a variety of colors, but there’s also plenty of opportunity to customize yours with adorable buttons.
We show them in machine washable Adore in the traditional pink or blue, but I think these would look awfully nice in neutrals. How about 130 Cream, with 129 Sand and 128 Gingerbread? Or go even darker with 127 Hickory?
That would be one spiffy-looking little Bestie. We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Checkerboard Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Checkerboard Pullover in Dona (pattern link here).

Things to love about this pullover:

It’s sized from 3-6 months all the way up to 10 years. Whether your little one is “ooh, look at the tiny toes!” or “I can’t believe they’re growing up so fast!” you can still make them a fun sweater.

The stranding is very predictable. If you like to do Fair Isle without having to constantly refer back to the pattern, you’re set. Put on an episode of This Is Us and knit away without missing the juicy bits.

It would be really easy to customize. Fibra Natura Dona has a range of bold colors, both dark and light.  Blue and white for a gingham look? Red and black for a classic checkerboard? Team colors for the little fan? There are a lot of possibilities!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Stripe-o-saurus

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Stripe-o-saurus in Bamboo Pop (pattern link here).

This is a great example of how the right yarn can make a project really pop – no pun intended.

Striped green toddler pullover knitted in Bamboo Pop
“Rawr! I would knit this myself but my arms are too short.”

This Bamboo Pop pullover has two wide bands of color, broken by a single row knitted in the coordinating accent color used at the edges.  Without that thin line, it’s just not quite the same.

Blue toy dinosaur standing next to shoulder of green children's knit pullover
“Rawr! I can’t pick up stitches.  I can’t pick up anything!”

This sweater is worked flat from the bottom up and seamed. Neck edging stitches are picked up and worked in the round. A circular needle is used to work the body because there are times in which stitches will need to be slipped to the other end of the needle during the stripes (for that single line of color).

“Rawr! Maybe you could make me a tiny cape?”

Oh, good grief. Excuse me, I need to go knit something for a tiny blue dinosaur.

We hope you let your inner child out this weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Playtime Blankie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Knitted baby blanket with dry Cheerios spilled on it

Today, the Playtime Blankie in Bella Chenille Multi (pattern link).

This soft, squeezable square 38″ x 38″ blanket is perfect for tender-skinned babies.

Square white speckled baby blanket knit in Bella Chenille.

I wish you could reach through the screen and feel how soft the Bella Chenille Multi is. The wrapped stitches give it just a little extra thickness and texture.

White blue and orange speckled baby blanket fabric knit in Bella Chenille
Pet me.

Tip: Because Bella Chenille is a bulky weight yarn, you may wish to securely sew down ends with matching sewing needle and thread. In our experience, the fabric is quite sturdy, so you should be fine just weaving in ends, but it’s another way to finish if you think your project might get a little tough love.

Corner of knitted chenille baby blanket

There are plenty of solid Bella Chenille options too, if you want to mix and match or give a different feel. Maybe “bold” is more your style.  It’s up to you!

Gray and red balls of Bella Chenille yarn.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!