Universal Yarn Creative Network
Inspiration By Design
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Playtime Blankie in Bella Chenille Multi (pattern link).
This soft, squeezable square 38″ x 38″ blanket is perfect for tender-skinned babies.
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.
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.
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!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Lounge Pullover in Bella Chenille (pattern link).
First off, a big shout-out to our model Darian.
When we have a model that’s this great to work with (and she really was great), we’re always happy that we can have something comfy and fun for them to wear.
The Lounge Pullover is knitted in Bella Chenille, a soft and fuzzy bulky-weight yarn that’s popular for baby and home decor projects. However, we recently added some more grown-up colors (like the 119 Misty used here), and we wanted to show what else this yarn can do!
This roomy sweater is knit in pieces from the bottom-up. Shoulders are joined using the 3-needle bind-off, then the sleeves are picked up and knit from the top-down.  The cables are written and charted.
Such a wonderful piece to slip into – like a big fuzzy hug!
We hope you have a cozy and rewarding weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Crosshatch Baby Blanket in Bella Chenille.
Bella Chenille (131yds/100g) is a favorite for baby and kid knits because it is soft and fuzzy, and because it is machine washable.  I myself have knitted a sample, washed it, and laid it flat to dry.  It looked just as good as when it was first knitted.
This pattern itself is a twelve row repeat that’s charted, along with a basic garter stitch border, giving you a sweet 40″ x 40″ square.
This blanket is soft and huggable. Â It’s resting beside my desk right now as I write this, and I keep reaching out to touch it. Â This would be a good one to make and have on hand for the inescapable surprise baby shower we’re all occasionally hit with. Â It would be nice to have a little security blanket nearby until it needs to be given away.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, a great project to leap into the new year with. Â The Frog Hoodie in Bella Chenille!
Bella Chenille (131yds/100g) is a fuzzy polyester chenille that’s very soft and easy to work with. Â I used this for a Sunday Swatch a while back, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that it machine washes well. Â This is a great yarn choice for a kid project.
Knit the sleeves in the round and put them aside, then work the body and attach the sleeves. Â Work upward to the neck and hood, then add the frog eyes. Â The coordinating buttons are nice and big for little hands to fasten.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, we have not one, but two new patterns! Â First, in honor of Halloween, the Little Cub Hoodie in Bella Chenille. Â I’m a sucker for baby clothes that look like little animals. Â This one is sized from six months up to four years, so it’ll fit a variety of little cubs.
Bella Chenille is a great choice for this – I did a Sunday Swatch in Bella Chenille back in June and put my piece through the washing machine and laid it flat to dry.  It came out just as soft as it was when it was first knit.  I’d have no hesitation making a baby garment in Bella Chenille.
Next, the It’s A Party! Onesie in Bella Chenille Multi. Â The Multi coordinates with the solid very well, as you can see in the detail on the cuffs and neckline. Â Front and back are knit flat separately, then the sleeves are added. Â Adorable, and a quick knit on US size 10 1/2 needles.
We hope you enjoy these two soft projects. Â Happy knitting!
Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Bella Chenille colors 109 Blueberry and 111 Clover.
Bella Chenille is a superbulky supersoft chenille. Â I dare you to pick up a skein and not squeeze it. Â It’s also available in a multi version with sweet pastel tones.
We love this yarn for baby knits. Â Not only is it very soft, but it’s also machine washable. Â The swatch shown above ran through my front-loader before being laid out to dry, and as you can see it came through with flying (vibrant!) colors.
The pattern above was originally meant to be a circle, although unblocked it came out more of a soft flower shape – it almost reminds me of a poppy.  It’s based on instructions in the Alyoops! blog post linked here, although this swatch used two size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) circular needles rather than double-points.  Wouldn’t this make a great throw or baby blanket?  I can even see sewing a few ribbons on the edges to make a “wooby” for a toddler to carry around.
There are more free ideas for kid projects on our website, like the Lil’ Lightning Baby Blanket in Bella Chenille and Bella Chenille Multi at right.
We wish you soft, sweet, pretty things in your life.  Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, it’s a two-fer! We present the Professor Pullover (left) and Love Patches (right).  How adorable are those little elbow patches? Both cute baby sweaters are knit in lightweight machine washable Little Bird 100% microfiber acrylic (344yds/100g). This yarn is exceptionally soft, making it a great choice for baby projects.
These two designs cap off an entire week of free baby and kid patterns. Sometimes it’s hard to find things that aren’t too froufrou for little kids, so we focused mainly on designs that didn’t have too many lacy details.
First, the Over and Out Vest in Infusion Handpaints wool/acrylic. Two skeins makes a sophisticated vest for a tyke who needs dress up a little but still keep those arms free for making mudpies. Did we mention Infusion Handpaints is machine washable?
Next, the Lil’ Grandpa Cardigan in Deluxe DK Superwash 100% wool. Sized for ages 1-10, this machine washable cabled cardigan would look very dignified paired with a bubble pipe and a golden retriever.
The Snowbaby Set is a snuggly soft hat and sweater in Bella Chenille. Sized for 3-24 months, it’s a simple project to knit in the round. The snap flap at the shoulder makes the sweater very easy to pull over baby’s head.
Finally… okay, something a little more frilly, because how could we resist? The Cutie Cardi is knit in Little Bird Colors 100% microfiber acrylic with a solid Little Bird crocheted border. The pleated pockets are an adorable accent.
We hope you find some inspiration from these sweet designs for little sweethearts!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, something soft and sweet for baby. The Lil’ Lightning Baby Blanket is a simple two-row pattern repeat in plush Bella Chenille and Bella Chenille Multi (131yds/100g). Knit on size 11 needles, this is a project that goes fast – perfect for those times you need a baby shower gift in a hurry!