Free Pattern Friday – Corner to Corner Throw

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Classic Shades Corner to Corner Throw 1 hi-res

Today, the Corner to Corner Throw in Classic Shades.

We are so, so lucky to work with so many amazing LYSes.  Case in point:  we can enjoy the talents of  Alice Gossette and Kat Koeller of The Thankful Ewe in New Bremen, Ohio.  This dynamic duo have appeared here before, with the free Summer Shawl in Bamboo Pop.  They’ve graciously shared this design with us as well.

Classic Shades Corner to Corner Throw detail blogIt’s called the Corner to Corner Throw because it’s crocheted… wait for it… corner to corner!  We love how they coordinated Classic Shades 731 Natural Glow with solid Uptown Worsted in 328 Dijon for the fringe.  It’s a great choice that takes the throw up a notch.

Working corner to corner means that the bands of color change height as the rows lengthen and shorten, an excellent use of self-striping yarn.  It’s a simple way to give even more interest to an already striking pattern.

We hope you find time to work on something beautiful this weekend, either for yourself or for someone you love.

Happy crafting!

Classic Shades Corner to Corner Throw flat blog

Free Pattern Friday – Special Twist Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Special Twist Vest blog

Today, the Special Twist Vest in Classic Shades Frenzy.

Yonca smiling_blogThe nice thing about having a sales manager who also knits and crochets is that a) she knows what crafters want, and b) sometimes she turns up at the office with amazing designs that we can convince her to share.  Here’s Yonca in one of her latest, The Special Twist Vest.  It’s another great example of letting the yarn do the colorwork.  Classic Shades Frenzy (158yds/100g) has enough variation that the piece shows soft stripes, not rigid ones.

armhole detail square_180When I saw this from afar, I thought it might be crochet, but it is in fact knitted.  Even better, it’s knitted in one big piece!  Start at one edge and work sideways, then bind off for the armholes.  On the next row, cast on across the bound-off stitches and keep knitting in pattern until you reach the next armhole.  After you’re done, go back and pick up the armhole stitches to add the seed stitch border.  Then fringe it!  A dramatic garment, particularly considering it’s essentially a big rectangle.  Well done, Yonca!

We hope you have a fabulous weekend.  Happy knitting!

Special Twist Vest rear blog

Free Pattern Friday – Dreaming of Spring

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Dreaming of Spring blog

Today, the Dreaming of Spring Hat in Classic Shades Frenzy.

Here at Universal Yarn, the plants are getting mixed signals.  Is it time to bloom?  We as crafters are getting mixed signals too – shall we turn to warm weather fibers, or bundle up just a little while longer?

We thought we’d split the difference – a warm hat, but a quick project, so we can enjoy it and then be done when more moderate weather rolls in.  And because, like the flowers, we are ready to see the sun, we’re calling this one Dreaming of Spring.

Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – Dreaming of Spring”

Free Pattern Friday – Quilt

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

CS Metallic Quilt Throw blog

Today, the Quilt in Classic Shades Metallic.

Today, we have a great use of color in a very simple design.  Two complementary colors of Classic Shades Metallic (100g/175yds) are used in this basic but colorful quilt.

CS Metallic Quilt Throw detail blogEach square is knit individually, then stitched together in an eye-pleasing way.  A diagram is provided in the pattern for easy assembly.

It’s unusual to find a four foot long  blanket that’s such perfect on-the-go knitting, but the small size of the individual squares (4 1/2″ along each side) makes it easy to knock out a piece of the quilt wherever you are.

This could also be a fun group project that could include all levels of knitter – get together with your friends for a quilting bee to gab and knit individual squares, and sew them together.  Begin at one corner of the square, increase to the middle, switch colors, then decrease and bind off in the opposite corner.  Toss your square on the pile, take a sip of wine, and start up another one.

Other great choices of yarn for this would be self-shading Poems wool and regular Classic Shades.  There are nearly limitless color combinations.

Happy knitting!

CS Metallic Quilt Throw center square

Free Pattern Friday – Winter Shades Hat and Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

CS Metallic hat and cowl 1 blog

Today, the Winter Shades Hat and Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic and Uptown Worsted.

pumpkin apple bread
Heaven… I’m in heaven…

How’re we doing?  Still working through Thanksgiving leftovers?  I ask because right beside me, I have a slice of the pumpkin apple bread that has become traditional in our family.  Here’s the recipe.

It makes two loaves, so you can keep one for yourself and bring one in to the office to be a hero.  However, I’m writing this from home – Universal offices are closed today – and I can tell you there’s no way this bread will last until Monday.  Sorry, co-workers.

Just because the offices are closed doesn’t mean we didn’t prepare a beautiful pattern for you!

The Winter Shades Hat and Scarf combine two lovely yarns: solid Uptown Worsted (180yds/100g) and self-shading Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g).  Both hat and scarf are knitted flat in a surprisingly easy slip stitch pattern.  Knit the edging on US size 6 / 4mm needles, then switch to US size 10/6mm for the patterning on the body of the hat and scarf.  In the picture above, the brim of the hat is turned up.  In the picture below, it’s turned down for a slightly different look.

That charming model, by the way, is Jordan, the newest member of our customer service team.  We thought this ensemble would look great on her, and she graciously agreed to be our guinea pig model.  Thanks, Jordan!

We hope you enjoy the afterglow of Thanksgiving.  We’re so grateful for your enthusiasm, talent, and willingness to share your voices so we can become better crafting partners to you.

Happy knitting!

CS Metallic hat and cowl 2 blog

Hello, Autumn.

Amphora Bowl 1 with graphic 150

And now it’s official.  A gray, rainy day with a dropping temperature – even here in the South we can’t deny it anymore.  Cold weather has settled in.  It seems like a good time to share some of our favorite Fall patterns, especially ones that we think deserve more attention.  Pull up something pumpkiny and spicy and let’s dive in.

PacificHeightsPullover_ClassicShades_2_359_PY_Ruffles

Sandi Rosner’s Pacific Heights Pullover is a fave.  Originally made with the now-discontinued Classic Shades Solids for the gray portion, This would work beautifully with Deluxe Worsted Superwash (220yds/100g).  Keep the Classic Shades (197yds/100g) for the front and back panels, though.

Classic Shades 719 Midnight Ride ball_blogPick a bright color as Sandi has or something more subtle, depending on how much of a lift your mood needs to get you through these shortening days.  I’m thinking maybe something dark for the main color, but then with my favorite 719 Midnight Ride (right) for the slip stitch panels.

Hearth Rug with skein 1_150

Hearth RugThe crocheted Hearth Rug in Deluxe Chunky (120yds/100g) is another unsung hero.  I like how easy this is to customize.  Add more motifs, change the color to match your decor – this is one that you could really make your own.

The motifs are made separately and then sewn together, making it a great large-scale project that can still fit in your project bag.

Deluxe Worsted Felted Flat Bottom Tote__detail_blog

And speaking of project bags, Drew Emborsky designed the practical and beautiful Felted Flat Bottom Tote in Deluxe Worsted (220yds/100g).  As the name implies, the bag sits flat, making it great not just as a take-along but as a bag to sit beside you as you knit on the couch on those cool nights.

Deluxe Worsted Felted Faux Entrelac  Crochet Tote__detail_blog

Also from Drew Emborsky, the Felted Faux Entrelac Crochet Tote was originally done in discontinued Deluxe Worsted Long Print, but would look fabulous in any of the gazillion* colors of Deluxe Worsted that are available.  (*note: it’s actually 138 colors.  Gazillion is just how it looks all in one place.)

Formerly only available as part of a printed leaflet, we’ve made both of Drew’s felted patterns available for free exclusively for our local yarn store partners.  Ask your LYS to download a copy for you.

We hope you find some inspiration to tide you through these gray days.  Snuggle up with some good yarn and enjoy!

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Crochet Coin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

CS Metallic Crochet Coin Scarf 2 blog

Today, the Crochet Coin Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic.

Something for crocheters in a yarn that we love.  Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g) is the same great base as our Classic Shades, but with a metallic thread wrapped around it for even more bling.  Here’s the colorway used in the scarf, 604 Tahitian.  It’s a magical shade.

Classic Shades Metallic works up at exactly the same gauge as our regular Classic Shades, so if bling’s not your thing, it’s a snap to swap.

CS Metallic Crochet Coin fringe blogThe scarf is worked lengthwise, then the coin fringe is added after the main body is complete.  We call for an adjustable ring for the center of the coin.  If you haven’t tried an adjustable ring for making center-out circles, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot.  CraftyDeb has a good photo tutorial, although nothing beats your local yarn shop for showing you how it’s done.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend of yarn and relaxation.

Happy crafting!

CS Metallic Crochet Coin Scarf 1 blog

 

Free Pattern Friday – Guadalupe Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!CS Sequins Lite Crochet Shawl 1_blogToday, the Guadalupe Stole in Classic Shades Metallic.

CS Sequins Lite Crochet Shawl 2_blogI love this loose and airy crochet shawl.  It’s long and luxurious, and the Classic Shades Metallic gives it just the right amount of sparkle in the light.  Of course, if you’re not a glam kind of person, Classic Shades works up to exactly the same gauge, so you can still get the great color shifts without the bling.

This stole is comprised of 18 Motifs that are joined as you go on round 3.  Amy used almost all of four balls of Classic Shades Metallic for this, so you may want to grab another ball just for safety.

If I were pairing this shawl up with an outfit, I think I might try to pull out the lavender as an accent color.  Actress Minka Kelly (photo from denimology) has a good base outfit here that many of us could also pull off.  Top it with this shawl, maybe pick up another color with some cute earrings, and you’re ready to turn heads.

Happy crocheting!

 

CS Sequins Lite Crochet Shawl detail_blog

 

 

Free Pattern Friday – Stairstep Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

StairstepTunic_ClassicShadesFrenzy_blog

Oh, look!  Another warm garment for me to steal!  The Stairstep Tunic in Classic Shades Frenzy is a cozy treat for this time of year.

The hem, cuffs, and collar all feature twists resembling tiny faux-cables.  Knit the front, back, and cap sleeves flat, then assemble.  The overlapping collar is knitted separately and attached last.  On US size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles, this isn’t a project that will drag on forever.

This is a good match of yarn and project – variegated Classic Shades Frenzy provides visual interest but doesn’t obscure the details.

I love this piece.  Instead of stealing it, I think I’ll make my own.

StairstepTunic_ClassicShadesFrenzy_blog_backHappy knitting!