Free Pattern Friday – Mermaid Shawl

As the weather gets chillier outside, there’s never been a better time for a woolly Free Pattern Friday! This weekend, we are thrilled to release the Mermaid Shawl, designed by Tori Gurbisz, featuring Deluxe DK Superwash and Colorburst. This oceanic-inspired shawl is wearable year-round thanks to the wool fibers and DK-weight of the respective yarns. Let’s dive right in and learn more about this gorgeous piece!

The Mermaid Shawl DK contains a solid upper portion using solely Deluxe DK Superwash, allowing the bottom of this shawl to stand out. The lower portion shows off slip-stitch edging as you combine Deluxe DK Superwash with Colorburst, creating the gorgeous mermaid scales that make this shawl so desirable!

The Mermaid Shawl DK is knit from the top down in relaxing stockinette stitch, with increasing throughout for shaping. Deluxe DK Superwash color 834 Cream provides the perfect canvas for your favorite hue of Colorburst to shine in this pattern. With two wool yarns for the Mermaid Shawl DK, you’ll want to sport this shawl year-round!

Now through Sunday, November 12th, Deluxe DK Superwash and Colorburst are 20% off! These two yarns have teamed up before to make beautiful creations like Slant, Virtuoso, the Ruby Shawl DK, and more! The superwash wool of solid Deluxe DK Superwash is the perfect match for the superwash fine merino and acrylic blend of self-shading Colorburst. Explore the color palettes of these respective yarns and let your imagination inspire your next project.

Make sure to share your creations with us on social media for a chance to be featured in stories or even on our feed!

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

Staff Picks – Favorite Fall Sweaters!

A man leans against a tree modeling a brown, knit sweater. Text on the image reads "Staff Picks. Favorite Fall Sweaters."

Now that we are in the midst of our summer plans and festivities, many of us are starting to look forward to fall. With colder weather on the horizon and fiber festivals to attend, this is a great time to start planning and making the perfect sweaters for the season. We have compiled a few favorites to help get you started with your selections!

Virtuoso in Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash, designed by Aubrey Busek.

Up first, Designer and Marketing Lead, Aubrey Busek is highlighting the brilliant cardigan, Virtuoso, designed by herself! Here is what she has to say about why she loves this piece so much for fall.

“Virtuoso is my favorite fall sweater because of the vibrant colors that I associate with autumn. Juicy yellows, dark pinks, and oranges reflect the changing colors of the foliage throughout the season. The way that our Colorburst yarn shifts in the stripes reminds me of a sunset and reflects the earlier darkening of the sky during the autumn season. Also, the practicality of the garment itself makes it my favorite. In the autumn season, you often deal with warm days and chilling mornings and nights. A long cardigan is perfect for layering and easy to change in and out to suit the quickly shifting temperatures.” – Aubrey.

This sweater calls for the solid yarn Deluxe DK Superwash combined with our self-shading Colorburst for this stunning striping effect. Deluxe DK Superwash is made of 100% superwash wool and is available in 50 colors, all of which have the potential to pair up with Colorburst for a unique and special garment. Some of these colors are currently on sale, so be sure to stash up before they are gone! Colorburst is made of 65% superwash fine merino wool and 35% acrylic and is available in 16 different shades to suit any maker.

Lumber in Deluxe Worsted, Designed by Amy Gunderson.

Next up is a pick from Robert, our Social Media Marketing Assistant, who is currently learning to knit! He selected Lumber, designed by Amy Gunderson, and shares why, below.

“My favorite sweater would have to be Lumber. Using just one color of Deluxe Worsted (non-superwash), Lumber highlights reliability over flash. As a guy who wears jeans often, I need a sweater that will help me sport a well-rounded outfit. And since I am always cold, the yarn choice of Deluxe Worsted is bound to keep me warm.” – Robert.

As he shares, this sweater uses Deluxe Worsted, which is 100% non-superwash wool, and it’s springy fibers do keep makers warm and cozy! There is an astonishing 90 colors to select from, so you are sure to find a favorite hue to make this sweater the one for you.

Peri in Truva, designed by Rachel Brockman.

Rachel Brockman, our Creative Lead, shares Peri, which she designed and plans to make for herself for autumn!

“This year, the autumn sweater I’m itching to cast on is Peri. The knit-purl centric design of this sweater is simple, which is perfect because lately, I’ve been craving soothing, rhythmic knits. The striped seed stitch texture looks phenomenal in two beautifully heathered shades of our cotton/cashmere blend, Truva. This blend is ideal for southern autumns because it stays pretty warm here year-round. As a perpetually chilly person, though, the roll neck and cozy sleeves of Peri are just what I need! Even though this is my design, I will probably modify the body length a bit because I’m a fan of a slight crop paired with high-waisted skirts or pants. Because this sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down, achieving the perfect body and sleeve length will be a breeze. Although I usually like to shake up colors from the original design, I don’t think I’m switching it up this time! The shades used in the sample, 108 Crocus and 107 Mandarin, are my favorites in the palette. Fans of blues might love pairing 102 Stormcloud with 104 Harbor, and I think 103 Chambray and 105 Aegean look lovely together, too (check out the Spearmint Tee to see for yourself!).” – Rachel.

Peri is made with Truva, a luxurious blend of 50% cashmere and 50% cotton that is perfect for every season. It comes in a bespoke offering of eight heathered and marled shades which are all as refined as the yarn itself.

Hanasaku Yoke in Deluxe Worsted Superwash, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, and Colorburst, designed by Universal Yarn Design Team.

Lastly, I’ll be sharing my pick! I’m Ashley Jane, a Design Associate here at Unversal Yarn. Below is a bit about why I love this sweater, the Hanasaku Yoke, designed by the UY Design Team.

“The Hanasaku Yoke is my pick for fall because of the combination of rich textures and colors that interplay throughout the sweater creating lots of room for fun and intrigue. The Bamboo Bloom varies in thickness throughout, making even simple stitches look deceptively intricate, while the color shifts of Colorburst offer potential for tonal or contrasting enhancement. All of this is set on a complimenting solid backdrop of Deluxe Worsted Superwash letting each of these yarns shine in their own way. I love how much potential there is to make this sweater over again in varying colors for this season and beyond!” – Ashley Jane

This sweater callsfor three different yarns. Deluxe Worsted Superwash is the slightly thicker version of the above mentioned Deluxe DK Superwash (used in Virtuoso). It also contains 100% superwash wool, but this yarn is available in 57 dazzling colors, giving you slightly more to choose from! Bamboo Bloom Handpaints is arguably one of our most unique yarns with its thick and thin, matte and shiny qualities throughout. It’s made of 44% wool, 48 rayon from bamboo, and 8% acrylic available in 15 soothing shades to choose from. Lastly, these yarns combine with Colorburst (also used in Virtuoso) to create the show-stopping combination seen in the Hansaku Yoke.

I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring some of these Fall Favorites! Will you try out any of these sweaters for yourself or someone you love? Don’t forget to share all your beautiful creations with us on social media!

That’s all for now! Happy Stitching,
Ashley Jane McIntyre

Meet a Local Yarn Shop – The Tail Spinner

As you make your way to the coast of North Carolina, you might endeavor to a small town just north of Jacksonville. Richlands, North Carolina, to be exact. It may not be a bustling town, but there’s more than enough reason to stay if you’re a fiber artist. The Tail Spinner is our featured local yarn shop for July, and we can’t wait for you to learn more about the owner, Linda, and her store!

What are you waiting for? Let’s head inside The Tail Spinner!

When growing up, shop owner Linda Davis’s father told her she was “born to the needle”. She recalls the days of “sitting in front of the TV in 1973, and a PBS show came on with Elizabeth Zimmerman”. So it’s no coincidence we are now talking about her local yarn shop.

As Linda was preparing to open her shop by taking community college classes in business, she was demonstrating spinning from one of her Angora rabbits at the State Fair. One young lad was fascinated by this and began calling Linda the “tail spinner,” the rest is history. Since 2005, The Tail Spinner has been the destination for fiber artists in Richlands and beyond.

Throughout her time of ownership, Linda says the greatest joy of running the shop is seeing those finished projects! It’s an answer we hear often, and it shouldn’t be a surprise. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a customer leave with a skein of yarn and come back with a beautiful creation.

The Tail Spinner has a variety of unique yarns, including some favorites from Universal Yarn, like Bamboo Pop, Colorburst, and more! Linda notes that shopping for a curated collection of fibers for her store is challenging due to the options available. “One of my biggest challenges, though, is not to buy every yarn I see and touch!” Relying on customer opinions is what she has decided to lean into, and that has certainly paid off.

The Tail Spinner is a great place for those who love to weave!

We are pleased to say The Tail Spinner has participated in Universal Yarn’s Trunk Show Program. These trunk shows allow shops to get pattern samples to show off at their store. “I’ve hosted at least two or more trunk shows per year, and customers love to see yarns in finished projects.”

We are so excited The Tail Spinner let us learn more about their one-of-a-kind store. It’s truly a pleasure of ours to see the way each and every yarn shop provides a community to fiber artists everywhere.

The Tail Spinner does offer shipping, so head to their website and shop your favorite yarns from Universal Yarn today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Spotlight: New Colors & New Patterns

A graphic with the words "Spotlight: New Yarns & New Patterns". Four images of a model are to the left of the text. She is wearing assorted knitted and crochet garments.

Twice a year, Universal Yarn launches lots of exciting new yarns, colors, and patterns to our customers. We bring our sales reps together for the first look, and shortly after we present you with all of these sweet surprises! (By the way, if you want some insight on a day in the life of a yarn sales rep, check out this blog post featuring one of our reps.) You may have noticed some new colors of some of our staple yarns at your local yarn store, or on our website. To go with these lovely new colors we’ve published some wonderful free patterns. Shall we dive in and explore these goodies?

Bamboo Pop

Our bestselling yarn, Bamboo Pop, features six gorgeous neutrals inspired by the diversity of our skin tones. These colors were created for doll projects, as seen in our Bamboo Pop Dolls released last week, and for Knitted Knockers, which are soft, comfortable knit prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Bamboo Pop is one of our approved yarns for these prosthetics. However, it’s a super versatile yarn that’s great for garments and accessories, too. These new neutral hues work well individually or paired with our other solids and multis. To demonstrate this, Ashley Jane McIntyre designed the Espresso Bandana, shown below.

This asymmetrical bandana is lightweight and perfect for warm weather thanks to Bamboo Pop’s smooth 50/50 blend of bamboo and cotton. It is crocheted flat, beginning at the tip and increasing to the widest edge. Slanting clusters and extended single crochet come together to create the richly textured Boxed Bead Stitch used throughout the fabric. We recommend wearing this accessory on your next trip to the café – you’ll enjoy your latte while receiving compliments from all around!

Colorburst

If neutrals aren’t your favorite, but colors make you sing, you’ll love our fresh new shade of Colorburst. This self-shading yarn features a variety of fun colors, but 120 Lollipop might be my new favorite. This colorway features creamy white as well as vibrant red, yellow, and turquoise.

We have plenty of patterns to support this yarn (check them out here), but how could I resist a sugary sweet new sweater? Ceres is a relaxed turtleneck that will keep you cozy and warm when chilly weather approaches. It features thoughtful details like a rolled hemline, texture on the lower body, and plush ribbing on the sleeve cuffs and neckband. The construction is bottom up, in the round, with options for seamed or seamless sleeves. It’s a great pattern for a first sweater, or any knitter looking for a satisfyingly simple project.

Kingston Tweed

Kingston Tweed, our soft yet rustic blend of 50% wool, 25% alpaca, and 25% viscose has long been one of my favorites. I love the subtle tweed and earthy palette, inspired by minerals and gemstones. It’s also the yarn featured in one of our most popular patterns: the Jay Sweater. This yarn is well suited to a variety of techniques including colorwork, lace, and textural motifs.

To celebrate new colors of Kingston Tweed, we’ve published two brand-new patterns. For those craving a coordinating accessory set, look no further than the Starling Set, designed by Aubrey Busek. This beginner-friendly project is knit using soothing slipped stitches and a touch of ribbing for tidiness. The hat and cowl are each knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. This project makes great use of yarn, requiring just one skein of each color!

Blake is a wardrobe essential. Classic, squishy Shaker Rib and colorful stripes make this an easy layering piece whether your office is perpetually frigid, or you want something ideal for autumn and winter. The knitting in this pattern is pretty simple throughout – the body is knit flat from the bottom up in one piece, and the sleeves are also knit flat. There is minimal shaping, except a little increasing at the sleeve cuffs to create the bishop sleeve effect. The stripes make it potato-chippy, so you’ll want to keep stitching away for the next color, and the next!

Major

Next, we have another bestseller: Major! This plush, soft acrylic yarn is self-shading and each colorway is sensational. Like Bamboo Pop, Major has been a staple of the Universal Yarn line for years and nearly 900 people have projects featuring this yarn in their Ravelry notebooks. We have loads of patterns that use this yarn, from the ever-popular Pineapple Peacock Shawl to the entrelac Woven Sky Throw and many more – we know you’ll find something you love. For the launch of our six new shades we’ve introduced two new patterns: the knitted Hedgerow wrap and crocheted Loch scarf, shown below.

Crocheted in 145 Feather and designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, Loch is warm and cozy. Beginners looking to elevate their skills will relish the Herringbone Half Double Crochet motif throughout the fabric. This one-skein project is gentle on your wallet with impressive results. It’s also a quick project, making it great for a last-minute gift (well, as last-minute as you can handle with something handmade!).

Aubrey Busek pairs the popular neutral 115 Stonewall with 141 Greenhouse in Hedgerow to create another stunning slip stitch pattern. My favorite element of this piece is how lavishly textured the fabric is. It delicately balances subtle drape with a fabric dense enough to ward off frosty winter air. Thoughtfully placed tassels make this wrap a statement piece that is guaranteed to win you major style points!

Uni Merino

Bonus! Fans of Uni Merino will love this new shade of green: 151 Pistachio. A blend of soft superwash merino and sturdy nylon make Uni Merino an excellent match for sock knitters, but it’s also ideal for fingering-weight sweaters, shawls, hats, and more. We don’t have a sample to show this color off yet, but we promise we will soon and your patience will pay off. In the meantime, find inspiration in projects like the crocheted Spice Market Shawl and the knitted Party Flag Socks.

Now that you’ve seen our selection of new colors and patterns, let us know which ones inspire you. Will you make one of our designs, or try something different? It’s always exciting to see what our customers create with our yarns, so stay in touch. You can always email us at patterns@universalyarn.com and we encourage you to tag us on Instagram (@universal_yarn).

Happy stitching!
-Rachel


Flash Pattern Friday – Slant

Photo of a person wearing the slant cardigan with the belt tied and a pink block with white text to the left saying "Flash Pattern Friday - Slant knit in Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash"

As we wrap up this month, it’s time we share our Flash Pattern – a normally paid-for pattern that you can get for free this weekend only. Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash collide to create a fantastic design from Rachel Brockman. Slant draws inspiration from her love for triangles and the excitement of pairing a self-shading yarn with a solid yarn. Let’s take a closer look at the brilliant characteristics of the Slant cardigan that will soon be on your needles.

The beautiful triangle motifs stand out the moment you place your eyes on Slant. They travel along the hemline and down the back to dress this cardigan with uniqueness. Intarsia is used for the colorwork of this piece to create a smooth, finished fabric inside and out. The remainder is knit with stockinette stitch bringing the color shifts of Colorburst to life.

Other qualities to love about Slant include its open silhouette and optional belt. Whether you are on the go or relaxing at home, this cardigan’s open design makes it easy to slip on so you can stay cozy all day. Read below to see how you can get this pattern for free this weekend!

Ravelry checkout instructions

First, head to Ravelry by following this link. Next, you will want to select the “buy it now” option to add it to your cart. Once added to your cart, add the coupon code “FLASH” during checkout to get this pattern at no cost to you. This offer is valid through Sunday, April 30th!

Colorburst color 112 Romance and Deluxe DK Superwash color 846 Mulberry Heather

Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash have collaborated more than once to create gorgeous garments and accessories – check out the Ruby Shawl DK and Virtuoso cardigan for more inspiration. These DK weight favorites are 20% off this weekend – head to our website to shop today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Meet a Local Yarn Shop – Wyoming Yarn

Meet a Local Yarn Shop with Wyoming Yarn - three hanks of Wool Pop with a black marble background

Browsing the shelves of your local yarn store to find the perfect yarn for your next project is a favorite pastime of many fiber artists. On the week of National Yarn Store Day (Saturday, April 29th), we are thrilled to share a gem found in Cody, Wyoming. We got the opportunity to interview Karista Low, owner of Wyoming Yarn, and learn more about her exciting new store!

Let’s head inside to see all that Wyoming Yarn has!

An auto shop turned yarn store may not be the most common history behind your local yarn shop, but for Wyoming Yarn and Karista Low, that’s how it all started. Starting as an independent dyer, Karista had a wealth of experience in the fiber arts industry. When she heard that her local yarn shop of choice was closing, she got the offer to take over the inventory and open what is now Wyoming Yarn!

Known for its proximity to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Wyoming, sees an influx of visitors in the summer months. Travelers from all around the world get their yarn fix inside the doors of Karista’s local shop. However, Wyoming Yarn has plenty of loyal customers that stick around during the frigid winter months, and their shop has plenty of events for them to pass the time.

A weekly knit group is available for customers looking to grow their skills and socialize, and the calendar of events is growing. Crochet classes are new to the offerings, as many people are learning. Karista and her staff also offer knitting technique classes, such as mosaic knitting and much more.

A weekly knit group is one of the ways Wyoming Yarn engages with the community

Inside the walls of Wyoming Yarn, you will find a host of Universal Yarn favorites. Woolly favorites like Colorburst and Cobblestone can be found on the shelves of this shop, as well as plant-based yarns perfect for summer, like Bamboo Pop and Bamboo Pop Sock, and you should too! And with blankets being a popular project at Wyoming Yarn, yarns like Major and Uptown Worsted will surely make their way into the hands of the crafters who shop there.

Nothing makes a store owner smile more than when a skein of yarn returns as a finished object. Many stores have shared with us the joy of watching the skills of their community grow, and we know that is such an exciting thing about the job. At Wyoming Yarn, you will find plenty of baby blankets, shawls, and socks, and we love to see every one of them!

Blankets are a popular project of choice at Wyoming Yarn

We are so excited to feature Karista and her store, Wyoming Yarn. With Local Yarn Store Day coming up, make sure to head to their website and support her business, which keeps our industry thriving. If you are interested in having your store featured, please email rferrel@universalyarn.com to learn more!

See more on Wyoming Yarn’s Instagram page, including a yarn unboxing and muud trunk show!

Full interview with Wyoming Yarn!

Free Pattern Friday – Jamie

Another Friday means another free pattern just for you! This week for Free Pattern Friday, we are featuring the Jamie Scarf. Using our eye-catching Colorburst yarn, you can wear this piece as a scarf or a wrap, depending on your preference. Let’s take a closer look at today’s Free Pattern Friday!

Jamie worn as a scarf

Perfect for any beginner looking to grow their skills, the Jamie scarf is knit from the bottom up along the widest edge, using a garter slip stitch textured pattern. Long repeats allow for the captivating colors of this yarn to shine. As you knit this accessory, you will see Colorburst come to life with dazzling color shifts from one gorgeous tone to another. This sample uses color 104 Horizon, but with 14 colors available, there is something for everyone!

Jamie worn as a wrap

Colorburst is an excellent choice for spring projects like the Jamie scarf. Its fiber content of 65% superwash fine merino and 35% acrylic means this accessory is machine-washable and easy to care for. This yarn is considered a “DK” or “light” weight – so this piece will make for a superb added layer on chilly days. Plus, each 200g skein has 660 yards of yarn, making it an incredible choice for bigger projects!

Colorburst in colors 112 Romance, 104 Horizon, and 119 Bursa

This weekend, you can save 20% off our Colorburst yarn to go along with Free Pattern Friday. Just one ball of color 104 Horizon is needed to knit the Jamie scarf!

Make sure to share your finished project with us on our social media!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Meet a Local Yarn Shop – The Artful Yarn

Meet a Local Yarn Shop with The Artful Yarn

When temperatures keep dropping, you need a local yarn shop with woolly fibers to keep you warm! These stores are the foundation of our industry, and we can’t thank them enough for the community they provide and the joy they bring to everyday life. Continuing our Meet a Local Yarn Shop series, we’re virtually heading north to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, to interview Tiffany Perry, owner of The Artful Yarn.

Front of The Artful Yarn building, you’ll see it covered in snow most of the winter season…

When you open the doors of The Artful Yarn, you can expect to be met by a host of fiber friends ready to help and encourage you. In addition to Tiffany, The Artful Yarn’s new shop owner, the store has five shop assistants that work throughout the week. This shop offers plenty of classes to help grow your skills in knitting and crocheting, and the shop has a very supportive environment – there is always someone to help with your yarn or project-related questions!

Tiffany showing off her beautiful shawl made with Cotton Supreme!

We weren’t too surprised to hear that some of our woolly yarns, like Colorburst, are popular at a shop that is located in Ohio. Cold, snowy winters mean you need colorful and cozy yarns to work with. This yarn is perfect for colorful garments and accessories, like the Café Cable Set. While wool-based yarns are very popular at most stores, we have some other fibers to talk about too!

Favorites like Bamboo Pop Sock (pictured below) and Uptown Worsted are also available at The Artful Yarn! Many of Tiffany’s customers like to make shawls and blankets, and who can blame them? If you want to add even more creativity to your project, try out Major, stocked on the shelves of this magnificent store. This multi-colored yarn is made of 100% acrylic fibers and is popular for projects like blankets and accessories.

A WIP with our Bamboo Pop Sock yarn!

Tiffany may be new to owning The Artful Yarn, but her transition into the ownership role has been a smooth one thanks to the experience of previously working in the shop and having the continued support of Cathy (not pictured), the prior owner. The store has taken advantage of our drop ship program, which allows customers to support their local yarn shop, all while getting the product of their choice from our inventory.

The inside of The Artful Yarn, here is where you can sit and chat while working on your project!

The Artful Yarn’s Instagram page is a great place to stay updated on everything new happening at this yarn shop. The store participates in many local fiber arts events hosted by many cities in the Northeast Ohio area. Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is a small town with just over 4,000 residents. Being in a place that isn’t densely populated, it’s no surprise that the community is so close-knit (Do you see what I did there). This town has many fun events for crafters, including the Yarn Discovery Tour. In 2022, we were able to create some exclusive patterns in Colorburst for this wonderful event! If you happen to be stopping by The Artful Yarn, be sure to ask about these kits!

It was a great honor to talk to Tiffany and learn more about her store. While she is new to ownership, her store has seen great success thanks to the support of the Chagrin Falls community. We encourage you to check out their website and follow them on social media! You can always order drop shipping from their store and get your favorite Universal Yarn products while supporting The Artful Yarn.

Free Pattern Friday – Hanasaku Yoke

It’s that magical day of the week – Free Pattern Friday! Huzzah!

Hanasaku Yoke Sweater in Deluxe Worsted Superwash 719, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 316, and Colorburst 114

This week, we have a really fun pattern to share with you – the Hanasaku Yoke sweater. This design uses three of our yarns, Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the solid colored base, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints which provides the thick and thin texture in the slip stitch motif, and Colorburst which brings the entire piece together.

Fans of our hugely popular Hanasaku Cowl are going to love this design; we adapted the slip stitch motif to work into a stunning yoke sweater full of color and texture. The simplicity in the textured stitch pattern allows for focus on the yarn, and the pops of color to sing.

Details of the yoke of the Hanasaku Yoke sweater

With Deluxe Worsted Superwash, Colorburst, and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints all being wool-based yarns, the different textures blend together in a harmonious way over the length of the yoke. Slipping stitches with Colorburst held in front creates the horizontal bars between the textured sections. This is one of my favorite details of the Hanasaku Yoke pattern.

Back of the Hanasaku Yoke sweater

The Hanasaku Yoke sweater is worked in the round from the top down. The body and sleeves are separated at the underarm, with the body being worked in the round and the sleeves being worked flat and seamed. Working the body and sleeves in Deluxe Worsted Superwash in soothing stockinette stitch makes for some excellent TV knitting. Perhaps over your Thanksgiving holiday weekend once its time to relax?

Picking colors of yarn for a pattern is probably my favorite thing about knitting, it is so customizable! However, it can also be intimidating, especially with a pattern that uses multiple yarns. I put together a couple of alternative color palettes (seen above) for the Hanasaku Yoke sweater that I think would look just as beautiful as the original sample. With two of the yarns in this pattern being multicolored, your options are virtually endless! I hope you have fun choosing the colors that speak to you.

The Hanasaku Yoke is a wonderful pattern to work on right now, the beautiful colors are sure to brighten up any cold winter day. Have fun knitting, and be sure to share your projects with us on Ravelry and social media. We love seeing what you create!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

Free Pattern Friday – Ruby Shawl DK

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today’s free pattern is the Ruby Shawl DK, which combines two colors of beautiful self-shading Colorburst with Deluxe DK Superwash. This is a dynamic shawl perfect for the chilly days ahead!

Ruby Shawl DK in Deluxe DK Superwash 841, Colorburst 106, & Colorburst 119

The Ruby Shawl DK was created based on the original Ruby Shawl pattern, which appeared in the e-book Noda Knits. The original shawl was a popular pattern, and we wanted to give it a fresh, lighter-weight update for the season.

The Ruby Shawl DK was designed by Amy Gunderson, and features a modular construction and bold stripes. This shawl is fantastic for a variety of skill levels, as the stripes worked use just garter and stockinette stitches. The modular construction will offer the beginner knitter a way to advance their skills, and will also keep any seasoned knitter’s interest.

Beautiful stripes created with self-shading Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash

What I love most about the Ruby Shawl DK is the gorgeous shifts in color throughout the piece. That is thanks to 65% superwash merino wool / 35% acrylic blend Colorburst. This single-ply yarn has long color shifts that create a stunning array of shades in any project. Two different colors, 106 Earth and Sky, and 119 Bursa were used to bring the Ruby Shawl DK to life. With over 600 yards in each skein, you’re guaranteed to have some leftover yarn. Perhaps you can create a matching hat to go with your shawl?

Colorburst is complimented by workhorse yarn Deluxe DK Superwash. This 100% superwash wool yarn is great for just about any project, and has excellent stitch definition, clearly evident in the Ruby Shawl DK. The warm tone of 841 Pomegranate Heather is lovely for the autumn season, but with an extensive color palette available, you can customize your shawl to best suit your wardrobe.

Ruby Shawl DK and muud Sara bag

The best thing about creating your own accessories is the infinite possibilities of wearing them. It is a great way to express your personal style, and show off something you are proud of creating. No matter how you choose to rock your Ruby Shawl DK, I am sure you will get compliments on your hard work!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and have fun picking out your favorite colors of yarn for this project!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey