Can you believe it’s already the second Friday of March? Time flies when you’re stitching! This week, we have an exciting free pattern that you will love adding to your kitchen. The Terrific Tea Towels, to be exact. Using self-striping Cotton Supreme Waves, you’ll have a colorful homeware that is perfect as a dishcloth, washcloth, or just decoration. Let’s learn more about this exciting pattern!
There are many things to love about the Terrific Tea Towels, but we especially love how beginner-friendly this project is! You will use soothing stockinette stitch throughout the body of this cloth, with garter stitch edges for the top, bottom, and sides. With many colorways in Cotton Supreme Waves, including solids and speckles, you can customize your Terrific Tea Towels to match your personality!
Cotton Supreme Waves is one of three members of the Cotton Supreme Family! With a 100% cotton base, this yarn is incredible for homewares and wearable projects. The buttery soft and breathable fibers of Cotton Supreme Waves are a delight to work with and will lead to long-lasting creations due to the yarns durability!
Now through Sunday, March 10th, at 11:59 PM EST, get 20% off Cotton Supreme Waves! So, now the only question is, what will you create? Let us know in the comment section below!
May seems to be flying by, so there’s no better time to introduce Blur, our Free Pattern Friday for today. Designed by Rachel Brockman, this beautifully simple shawl uses Bamboo Pop in multi and solid color options. Let’s look at the pattern details so we can get you on your way to your next project!
The sample shown uses colors 112 Black (solid) and 225 Geode (multi) in a color-blocked design. The entirety of this shawl uses simple garter stitch so you can focus on the construction of this pattern. You will start by increasing from two stitches with the color of your choice. Once you reach the center, you will change colors and then decrease to complete the shawl.
Bamboo Pop is a summery blend of 50% bamboo and 50% cotton, with excellent drape for garments and accessories. If you’re not a fan of the colors used, don’t worry. Bamboo Pop has 42 solid colors and 19 multis to choose from, so you can make the accessory of your dreams!
This weekend with your purchase of Bamboo Pop, you will get 20% off your order. This yarn is widely versatile and perfect for garments and accessories. It’s machine washable and easy to care for, so baby projects are a fantastic idea with Bamboo Pop. Shop today!
Picking the perfect home accessory for spring is not an easy decision… until today! This week for Free Pattern Friday, we are happy to introduce the Seedling Washcloths in Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Speckles. The smooth cotton fibers of these yarns make for satisfying homewares, so let’s learn more about this unique project!
Color 623 Herb Green in Cotton Supreme is used for this washcloth!Color 1006 Green Bean in Cotton Supreme Speckles is used for this washcloth!
Spring brings new life, much like knitting can bring a project to life at your fingertips. The Seedling Washcloths are inspired by nature blooming all around us. You will use increases and decreases to form the beautiful leaf shape seen in the samples above. Plus, you will get to try a variety of engaging stitches to create the lace definition that brings an added element of excitement to this project. Let’s look at some color options so you can get started on this beautiful pair of washcloths!
The pattern calls for one skein of each of these yarns to create complimentary pieces for your home. These 100% cotton yarns are soft, durable, and machine washable and offer an expansive solid and multi-colored palette to work with. While leaves are often green in nature, there’s no reason you can’t bring your personality into this project. One color combination to try is Cotton Supreme color 515 Blue matched with Cotton Supreme Speckles color 1004 Pastel Pop (photographed above). The blue in this shade of Speckles is a very close match to the solid color of Cotton Supreme, too!
Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Speckles are 20% off this weekend (4/21 – 4/23)
Make your way over to our website to save 20% off both of these spring yarns – no node necessary. We can’t wait to see what you will make, and as always, please share your finished creations with us on social media!
As knitters and crocheters, we sometimes overlook the summer stitching season or wish away the heat in favor of sweater weather. Of course, that’s understandable considering we all spend so much time lovingly making sweaters, hats, shawls, and other cozy projects. But we don’t need to wish away the long, sunny days. We can beat the sweltering heat by choosing yarns perfect for the height of summer. So, although back-to-school is around the corner and fall will come in the blink of an eye, I still want to celebrate our staff picks for our favorite summer yarns.
Aubrey
“My favorite summer yarn is going to be a classic: Cotton Supreme. 100% cotton that is buttery soft means that anything you make is going to be comfortable to wear when the days are hot. And we all know how hot it gets here in the south! The matte look of this yarn makes it perfect for any project, dress it up or dress it down, and the extensive color palette offers so many options. I’ve wanted to design a knit dress, and this could be the perfect summer option.“
Ashley Jane (AJ)
“My favorite summer yarn is Truva. The marled and heathered look is so unique and its cotton/cashmere blend is soft and lightweight to work with. I love the idea that even a simple summer garment, like a tank, will undoubtedly turn out looking and feeling luxurious. I also can’t get over the colors! There may only be eight to choose from, but I still can’t pin down a favorite. Each one has a little something special to it that keeps me falling in love over and over again.”
Heather
“This may be an obvious choice since *everybody* loves this yarn, but I think my favorite warm weather yarn is Bamboo Pop. It’s so cool and smooth! Of the projects that I’ve made in this yarn, my personal favorite is the Maya Scarf. I’m friends with designer Amy Gunderson, and she was kind enough to help me pick out some good cool tones. It was an easy pattern to get into the rhythm of, and the yarn was so refreshing to knit with. I love the drape of the plant fibers and the sheen that the bamboo gives my projects! It’s easy to see why Bamboo Pop is so popular.”
Yonca
“Mine is Flax. With the perfect color palette from brights to pastels – Flax gives me lots of color options. I love the crisp sense of it while I am working with it and love the fact that it will get softer over time. It is perfect for keeping me cool during hot Carolina summers while still looking sharp. I am hoping to knit another summer top with it this summer. “
Rachel
One of my favorite things about Universal Yarn is the strong lineup of summer options. We honestly have such an amazing range of yarns perfect for warmer climates in a variety of fabulous fibers. It’s so challenging to choose a favorite – but since I asked everyone else to choose, I must also choose! My favorite summer yarn has to be Magnolia. This blend of modal and cashmere is one of the loveliest yarns I’ve had the pleasure of working with. It’s silky smooth, lightweight, and has perhaps the best drape of any yarn out there. I really mean that! The color palette is so juicy and fresh – with excellent options for neutrals. For a splash of color, don’t miss our gorgeous Sunkissed Summer collection!
And there you have it, folks, our favorite summer yarns! I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing a little bit about what makes each of these yarns special to us, and why we love working with them. What are your favorite summer yarns? Let us know in the comments!
Oh man, let me just start by saying this whole post will be a not-so-subtly glowing review of our new collection! I am absolutely in love with our new yarn, Noelle, and these pieces which show it off beautifully. Made from a blend of 26% merino wool, 26% alpaca, 29% polyester and 19% nylon, it feels like a dream – and with its light shimmer and gentle color changes it looks like a dream too!
Noelle
Our collection, Subtle Glow, features five projects that reveal the versatility of Noelle, by showing it off on its own, as well as blending it with other staple yarns. My favorite piece in the collection is the Carina sweater, by Rachel Brockman, which pairs Noelle with our Deluxe DK Superwash. The 100% superwash wool pairs brilliantly because it is still so soft to the touch, so you don’t feel like there is a strange blend when you hold or wear it. It also adds contrast in the colorwork, both because of the selection of colors used, as well as its pairing of flat and glistening fibers.
Carina sweater, in Noelle and Deluxe DK Superwash, designed by Rachel Brockman
My next favorite is our revamped Glisten Cowl, originally designed for our 12 Days of Winter Collection of 2018. We couldn’t let this stunning pattern fade when the original yarn was discontinued, so we gave it new life. This is another piece that blends Noelle with another yarn, Rozetti Yarns Cotton Gold, which adds an extra special sparkle with its sequins. This yarn is made of 65% cotton, 8% metallic, and 27% Payette. Its super-fine weight is perfect for carrying along with any yarn, but adds a twinkling magical effect to the already shining Noelle.
Glisten Cowl, with Noelle and Cotton Gold held together.
Last, but not least, I adore the Parlamak shawl, designed by Brittany Garber. The word ‘parlamak” translates as “to shine” in Turkish, and I can’t help but feel like it’s namesake captures its essence perfectly! Made from Noelle alone, this shimmering shawl features a beautiful crochet cable along one edge, while letting the blending of colors speak for itself through the rest of the fabric. The overall effect is an enchanting design that can pair with anything in your wardrobe – it’s soft, sophisticated, and stunning.
Parlamak, in Noelle, designed by Brittany Garber.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my 3 favorites from our Subtle Glow Collection! Tell me in the comments, which design is your favorite? That’s all for now – Happy Stitching! Ashley Jane
In what feels like no time at all, January has nearly passed and February is already upon us. With that in mind, and with freezing temperatures outside, we’d like to warm your heart with something special.
Remember the Be Mine Shawl? It was our 2018 Valentine’s Day project (link to blog post here). We’re excited to share that it has been knit up in a fresh combination of colors – one that reminds us of the transition from the icy winter to first signs of spring peeking through the snow.
Fibra Natura Papyrus has become a well-loved yarn, and for good reason! It’s a luxurious blend of ultra-soft cotton and silk. The muted palette is perfect for delicate projects, and we particularly enjoy using it for lace, twisted stitches, and textured patterns. The new sample features Cloud as the main color, Lily Pad and Ether for the contrasting heart repeats, and Tempest for a pop between each lace repeat.
Just look at that lovely drape!
Although I design with pink, it’s not actually one of my favorite colors. Don’t get me wrong, it is a fine color, but it’s earth tones and autumnal colors that I’m most drawn to. In any case, I love this crisp, new color combination. It’s a nice change. Plus, I love seeing our designs knit in different colors. Sometimes knitters are tempted to stick to the original sample – but with all the possible color combinations, I have to ask why?
Swatching is an excellent way to play with color.
Play with different colors when you’re visiting your local yarn shop. Put them side by side – add a color, subtract a color, try something unexpected – you never know what lovely combinations you might create. Even if your yarn shop doesn’t carry the color you’re looking for, they’re usually very happy to order a color for you. Visit our website (link) if you want to plan your color combinations before paying a visit to your LYS. Whatever colors you come up with, we hope you’ll share images of your beautiful shawls with us!
Ah, Spring. Â Time to plant the garden, spruce up the house, and experiment with cooler fabrics. Â Hence the paint job on the fence – and today’s Sunday Swatch.
Cotton Supreme DK is a lighter weight version of our favorite worsted weight Cotton Supreme. Â It knits up nicely on a US Size 5 or 6 needle.
The Cotton Supreme family isn’t tiring on the hands as some cottons can be – I knitted the Sea Breeze top shown at right for my daughter out of  Cotton Supreme and would happily do it again.
This design is part of Yumiko Alexander’s Warm Earth Book 3, which until recently was only available in print. Â We’re delighted to release the book and its patterns for sale as digital downloads from Ravelry and Craftsy. Â Yumiko’s patterns are always a pleasure to make, and we look forward to sharing more of them with you electronically.
If you’re looking for something free, there’s always the popular Fleurette Lace Pullover designed for Cotton Supreme DK.  Long sleeved but lacy on both front and back, it’s perfect for this time of year.
