Cotton Supreme – Page 4 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

June 19, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Sprout Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sprout Tank in Cotton Supreme DK.

Hot enough for ya? It’s hot enough for most anyone, but that’s no reason to stop knitting. When little ones still want to get out and enjoy the day, we have the perfect match of pattern and temperature.

The Sprout Tank is knit in two pieces from the bottom up, then seamed. Pick up stitches around the armhole and knit the ruffled shoulder straps. The mock cable eyelets around the bottom are both written and charted. It’s a sweet detail that also gives a little more ventilation.

The suggested yarn is Cotton Supreme DK (100g/230yds), part of our popular Cotton Supreme family of yarns. It’s machine washable, soft, and long-lasting; a good choice for a kid on the go.

The whole tank takes just 2-3 hanks on US size 5 (3.75mm) needles. Knit it, pop it on your little one, then sit in the shade while they enjoy the sandbox. Don’t forget the hat and sunscreen for both of you – it’s a scorcher out there!

May 15, 2015May 15, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Water Ski Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Water Ski Scarf in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.

We featured Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray not too long ago in the popular Color Block Scarves, but it’s so perfect for the season that we couldn’t resist sharing it again.

I love this yarn, and I love this scarf. The pattern is knitted flat (obviously) and both written and charted. Lace on US size 6 (4mm) needles goes quickly, and the tassels make this such a fun and kicky piece.

Cotton is great for summer, of course, and the pastel tones of Seaspray go great with the current bright trends. We put together a couple of fantasy outfits below that would look great with the scarf.

First, toss on a tank and your keds and you’re ready to go, no fuss no muss. You could use pretty much any pastel top and then just a pop of whatever color you’ve made your scarf in at the bottom to pull it together.

Next, dress it up a little! Neutral sandals keep it from being too matchy-matchy. You could even do a nice braided leather bracelet, although I do like the melony orange accent with the gold here. The purse and turquoise/blue earrings bring it together.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern, and that you always feel fabulous in your handmades wherever you go.

Happy knitting!

May 4, 2015May 4, 2015

Knitspiration – Bannai Taku

It’s a glorious Monday morning. How about a little knitspiration?

I have no idea what this piece by Bannai Taku is called. It’s difficult to find information about this Japanese illustrator’s work, since I don’t speak Japanese. But something about this speaks to me.

Some of it is the fresh colors…

And some of it is the spirit of freedom in the outdoors.

It brings a feeling of lightness and peace.

When’s the last time you climbed on a bike and just rode? Were you still a child? Did you feel like you were flying?

Can you still capture that sense of joy in the world around you?

I hope that sometime today, you’ll step outside and pause for a moment. Look up. Take a deep breath. Let your mind be still and be in the moment.

Then take another deep breath and move through your day with a smile.

Edited to add: A reader who cycles informs us that the Japanese text for our cycling illustration translates to… Cycling. Thank you for letting us know!

April 17, 2015April 17, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Color Block Scarves

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Three Color Scarves in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.

It’s hard to believe that something so simple can look so stunning. We use the phrase “let the yarn do the work” a lot, but it’s very applicable here.

This is a very basic four row pattern consisting solely of knits, purls, and slipped stitches. It creates a pebbled texture – not quite a stockinette, not quite a garter stitch. A subtle pattern to match a subtly variegated yarn, Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (230yds/100g).

This 100% cotton drapes beautifully. The DK weight means it’s light enough to work for warmer weather, and to wrap around with adding a lot of bulk.

This scarf was a delight to style on our mannequin (we call her Molly), to the point that I had to stop myself from finding more ways to wear this. Three coordinating colors brighten up any outfit – mix and match to suit your style.

Happily, each scarf only takes about 40 grams of each color – less than half a hank. So you could easily get two scarves out of your color choice. Above, we use 306 Storm, 305 Ink Blue, and302 Sun Lime. Below we use, 301 Carmine, 304 Blue Skies, and 302 Sun Lime.

Not only is this going into my queue, I’ll also be recommending this to the newer knitters I know. There’s nothing like an easy project that looks smashing to build confidence.

Happy knitting!

March 9, 2015March 9, 2015

Knitspiration – Mast and Lines

Shall we have some Monday Knitspiration?

Mast and Lines with chips — Mast and Lines by Morris Blackburn (1902-1979)

The geometry is perfect here – the angles and colors, the twists of the sails.

Cotton Supreme for Masts — Cotton Supreme

Cornelia Lattice Cowl Poems Silk — Lattice Cowl in Poems Silk

The masts and lines of Blackburn’s piece call to mind the waves of Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton’s Lattice Cowl above. The combination reminds me of a family favorite poem, Sea Fever by John Masefield. It’s read beautifully here by Tom O’Bedlam.

In the poem, John Masefield wishes for “a merry yarn.” It may not be the kind that he’s thinking of, but we wish you much merry yarn as well.

Happy knitting.

January 16, 2015January 16, 2015

Gorgeous Giveaway!

Have you visited Annie’s Craft Store’s new site yet? I love features like Build-A-Kit, which makes it easy to grab everything I need for a project that catches my fancy. The stitch guides are a great help too – it’s nice to have that resource at my fingertips. Annie’s is proud of the new site too, with good reason, and they’re having a sale to celebrate!

From now until Jan 23rd, use the code NEWYARN at the Annie’s site and get 20% off any yarn purchase. This is great, because we all know, even if you’re on a yarn diet, sale yarn doesn’t count!

To keep the celebration rolling, they’re also giving away a subscription to Crochet! magazine. We’re partnering with them for one of our favorite projects from the Spring 2015 issue, Amy Gunderson’s Bruges Edged Round Throw shown below (Ravelry link here). What a great burst of color for Spring!

So here’s the deal: comment on this post and tell us your favorite kind of project to crochet. We’ll select one entry to win a year’s subscription to Crochet! magazine as well as enough yarn to make the Bruges Edged Round Throw. Enter by Jan 30th to be counted!

We can’t wait to hear from you!

November 4, 2014November 4, 2014

Holiday Helper – Light and Breezy

Halloween’s behind us, which means it’s time to kick our holiday knitting into high gear. Or, if you’re me, it’s time to actually *start* your holiday knitting. I’m sure all of you are busy weaving in ends on that heirloom blanket that you started back in January, but maybe – just maybe – you are in the same boat as I am and are suddenly remembering that one person you wanted to make something special for who slipped your mind.

Worry no more! From now through the end of the year we’ll be highlighting some relatively quick designs that will still satisfy your recipient without driving you crazy. This week, let’s look at a couple of light and easy projects in warm-weather yarns.

The free High Tide Shawlette is made in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray. This took just one hank, albeit with only a few yards left over. There’s still enough time to make this lovely triangular shawl on US Size 8 (5mm) needles before the holidays roll around. Denim print is going to be big next season, so it’ll be very on trend for your giftee.

The free Botanical Scarf takes just one skein of Good Earth Adorn cotton/linen blend. This is a luxury yarn that feels great but won’t break the bank. This is another one on US Size 8 (5mm) needles. With an easy-to-memorize pattern, this would be great to take along in the plane or car home for the holidays. And again, Good Earth Adorn has that subtle earthy look that’s going to stay in fashion for a long time to come.

My main problem with starting holiday gifts early is that they stay around my house and I think, “You know, this would look great on me.” And then I wind up having to knit another gift.

We wish you great willpower and happy knitting!

July 24, 2014July 23, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Set Sail Top

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, a perfect fit for summer – the Set Sail Top. Originally knit in our Links cotton, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme DK (100g/230yds). This is a particularly economical substitution – while it would have taken 20 balls of Links to make the largest size of this top, you could knit it with just 4 balls each of two colors in Cotton Supreme DK. Score!

This top is knit flat and stitched up, then the neck trim is crocheted and whipstitched to the neckline. Presto – a cool and breezy cotton top perfect for warmer weather.

We hope you enjoy this light and fun multi-craft project.

Happy knitting!

July 18, 2014July 18, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Pathways Vest in Cotton Supreme

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, we share the Pathways Vest by Amy Gunderson.

I love this vest. It combines so many different elements. The scarf-like front can be worn straight or draped. The ribbed back with its open expanse at the shoulders is dramatic and airy. And Cotton Supreme 100% cotton gives the whole piece a lovely drape.

The piece is knitted flat. The pattern includes a schematic and a picture of the vest laid out to make it easier to visualize exactly what’s going on with this piece. It seems complex, but it’s simple once you see it all put together.

We hope you take the time to knit something stylish for yourself. You deserve it!

Happy knitting!

Pathways Vest Cotton Supreme front view wrapped blog

June 26, 2014June 26, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Tea Party

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, the Tea Party sweater!

Awww! I love a cute kid in a cute sweater. Of course, this pattern is from 2008, so to fit this moppet now you’d have to knit the largest size!

Regardless of when it was first published, the pattern remains adorable. Originally meant for discontinued Bellagio, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme (100g/180yds) as a substitution. While Cotton Supreme won’t have quite the same sheen as the original yarn, it is soft and machine washable, making it a great choice for kid knits. And on size 7 needles, the gauge should work out just fine.

Tea Party is knitted flat and seamed, with the lace pattern both written and charted. All in all, a great knit for any little tyke.