Collection Spotlight: Soft Simplicity

A pile of sweaters and accessories on a red fabric background, with the words "Soft Simplicity".

Happy September! While I’m not one to wish away the summer, I cannot help but feel so excited about the things we’re sharing this autumn season. Even if it’s still hot out, the sun is setting earlier and even a few leaves are beginning to turn. These things signal what may collectively be a knitter’s favorite season: autumn! And what better way to celebrate than with a lovely new pattern collection? Say hello to Soft Simplicity!

A woman wearing a blue-grey cardigan knit from Universal Yarn Minou. The words "Soft Simplicity" are in the upper right corner. This is the cover of an ebook.
The cover of our latest ebook, Soft Simplicity.

This collection features projects that make our gorgeous yarn, Minou, the star of the show. Minou is our take on eyelash yarns – and there are few yarns out there that can compare! This kitten-soft yarn features fluffy strands of baby alpaca and merino wool that jut gently out of the nylon thread base. The strands are just about 1/4″ long – just enough length to make a statement without being over the top.

A rectangular, wooden bowl with several balls of Universal Yarn Minou in three colors. It is resting on a red fabric background.
Minou in shades 108 Tanager (red), 107 Heron (grey-blue/green), and 101 Borzoi (cream).

Because Minou is so fluffy and furlike, it’s a great choice for soothing, simple stitches. It’s a match for garter and stockinette stitch on its own, or as a carry-along with your other favorite yarns. You’ll see it featured as a single strand, held together with another yarn, and in stranded colorwork in this collection. Let’s take a closer look.

A woman seated on blankets and pillows wearing red pants and a camel-color vest with red details, knit using Universal Yarn Minou.
The Feathered Vest.

First up: the Feathered Vest. This vest is casual and cozy. In the early days of Autumn, wear it as a top that just hints at cooler days ahead. When it’s a bit chilly, it makes a fabulous layering piece. The knitted vest has made quite a resurgence in the past year or two, and we don’t see any reason that should change. I knew this collection wouldn’t feel complete without one. Rather than stick to a solid color, I opted for a pop along the hem and neckband. It’s just enough color to elevate this piece from drab to fab.

This vest is constructed seamlessly from the bottom up in one piece. The front and back are separated at the underarms and worked flat. Then, the shoulders are joined using the three-needle bind-off. Finally, stitches are picked up along the armhole and neckband for a tidy finish.

A person wearing a fluffy pair of brown socks knit with Universal Yarn Minou and Bamboo Pop Sock Solids. They are sitting with their feet crossed and holding a cup of coffee or tea.
The Forest Slipper Socks.

The Forest Slipper Socks are a great addition to your sock drawer. Comfy and casual, you’ll love wearing these around the house on a Saturday morning. For this design, I actually did choose a stitch motif, and it’s faintly visible. That’s because its functionality is really what I was after. These slipper socks feature a garter rib that provides a bit of memory and stretch, which is what you want in a pair of socks. In this design, I’ve paired Minou with Bamboo Pop Sock Solids. Bamboo Pop Sock is a customer favorite, and its PBT content adds extra elasticity and helps your socks maintain their shape over time. Because you hold a strand of each yarn together throughout the project, these work up pretty quickly, too!

These socks are knit seamlessly in the round from the cuff down. They feature a heel flap and gusset. Simple shaping forms the toe, then the toe is closed using Kitchener stitch. It’s the most complex pattern in the collection, and it would be helpful if you are already familiar with basic sock techniques before diving in because it can be a little tricky to read your knitting (more on that later!).

A woman glances downward and to the side while wearing a blue-grey cardigan knit in Minou over a white tank top. She is standing and holding the cardigan edges.
The Pacific Cardigan.

Next up is my favorite piece in the collection: the Pacific Cardigan. This minimalist cardigan is open, features almost no shaping, and is just so easy to wear. I’m perpetually chilly indoors, so cardigans like this are perfect for me year-round. The silhouette is fairly boxy – with sleeves slightly more fitted at the upper arm, but are loose and open at the cuffs. Although it’s simple, Minou’s gorgeous color and texture take this cardi to the next level.

The body of the Pacific Cardigan is worked flat in one piece, beginning with the back hem and working up and over the shoulders. The left and right front are separated at the shoulders and worked separately. After sewing the sides of the body together, the stitches for the sleeves are picked up from around the armholes and worked in the round from the top down.

Finally, we have the Speck Cowl. A yarn like Minou simply begs to be worn around your neck – it’s just so lush and cozy! I wanted the design to incorporate low-contrast stranded colorwork, using Minou to make little specks of fluff to decorate the piece. Funny story, though, is that my very trusty sample knitter accidentally swapped the colors in the pattern. I noticed her sneak peek photo was more fluffy than my swatch, but I actually loved it. We chatted a bit and decided it would be great to show both options. So, two versions of this cowl were born! You can see both versions in the photo above – Version B (right) shows Minou as the non-dominant yarn, and the “speck” effect is more apparent. Version A (left) shows Minou as the dominant yarn – notice how much fluffier it is than Version B! I can’t choose a favorite – for the same pattern, the results are strikingly different.

The Speck Cowls are knit in the round from the bottom up. They incorporate a very simple stranded colorwork motif. The top and bottom border feature a few rows of garter stitch. This is probably the perfect “entry-level” Minou pattern. Speaking of “entry-level”, I’ve included some tips and tricks for working with Minou that are helpful whether you’re a newbie or a longtime fiber artist. I hope you find them helpful!

Tips and Tricks for working with Minou
Most of the patterns in this collection are pretty easy, featuring little more than the foundational skills of knits, purls, color changes, and basic decreases. However, being so fluffy, it can be challenging to read your work while knitting with Minou. Counting rows and picking up stitches isn’t as easy as it is with a round, smooth yarn (such as our beloved Deluxe Worsted or Bamboo Pop, for example). Here are a few tips to ensure your project goes smoothly.

  1. Work in bright light. This will make it easier to see your fabric, especially when picking up stitches or seaming.
  2. Swatch! Yes – you need to do it, and not just because your swatch will determine your sweater fit. In the case of Minou and other eyelash yarns, a swatch will help you practice simply by getting a feel for what it’s like to work with the yarn.
  3. When swatching, it can be difficult to count the number of rows and stitches you’ve worked. Take notes regarding the exact number of stitches and rows you knit, and measure the piece you knit rather than counting individual stitches or rows (see next tip!)
  4. Use a row counter, especially when shaping the armholes or neckband. Often, our patterns tell you to work until the piece measures a specific length. We typically include a little buffer of even length to account for any differences with the row gauge. If you use a row counter, you’ll easily be able to track exactly how many rows you worked to achieve the specific length, and thus can ensure the sides and front/back of the piece are perfectly symmetrical.
  5. If the pattern is knit flat, like the body of the Pacific Cardigan, use a removable marker to denote the Right Side and Wrong Side of the work. Because the yarn is fluffy, reverse Stockinette stitch and Stockinette stitch can end up looking very similar, so this tip is especially helpful.
  6. Take your time! We all know knitting isn’t a speedy endeavor, but it’s especially important to slow down when working with eyelash yarns like Minou. This will help you process everything you’re doing more easily, and you’ll be less likely to make mindless mistakes. (Learn from me, I’m the queen of mindless knitting mishaps!)
  7. If you make a mistake, take a deep breath. Although it can be difficult to see your stitches with Minou, the flip side is that it will also hide your mistakes very well. Now, I’m not advocating that we just ignore every knitting mistake we make – it’s good practice to fix your knitting. If you need to frog any part of your work, just take it slow and be careful not to rip back aggressively so as not to damage the yarn. With that said, it is also very much okay to embrace the imperfection and move forward.

Thanks for joining me today as I dished about our new collection, Soft Simplicity. I hope you enjoy each pattern and find the tips and tricks for working with Minou helpful. Be sure to check out all of the ways we’ve been using Minou, too! You can see all of our offerings at this link.

Have a wonderful, fiber-filled day!

-Rachel

Free Pattern Friday – Seacoast Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Smiling woman wearing white cowl speckled with blue knitted in Bamboo Pop Yarn

Today, the Seacoast Cowl knitted or crocheted in Bamboo Pop (pattern link for both versions here).

It’s just the right time for this lightweight, breezy accessory in Bamboo Pop, and Rachel Brockman has outdone herself on the design! She’s created a knitted version, shown above…

…and a crocheted version, shown here! Both feature elongated stitches against a simple background, ornamented with eyelets…

…and both use just two balls of Bamboo Pop, our 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend. Rachel chose speckled color 305 Ocean Dots, but there are also solid and variegated selections, to match whatever your taste may be.

Three balls of Bamboo Pop yarn
From left: 209 Jungle Life, 205 Brilliant Blues, and 210 Orchid Smash

For msyelf, I might pick one of the variegated colors shown here. I’m a sucker for those bluish tones.

We hope you enjoy this sweet little warm-weather accessory, no matter which craft speaks to you most. Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

Tiny Textures: Knit Projects For Littles Ones

This week we released our newest collection, Tiny Textures, which is truly the cutest little gathering of knitwear items I’ve seen all spring! There are five easy projects to knit up and give to a baby or toddler in your life – whether for your own munchkins, or as a gift for others in your life, each design is sure to be a cherished keepsake for years to come.

Tiny Textures Collection

All of the projects are made with our Uptown Worsted Hues yarn. It’s the newest addition to the Uptown line of yarns, featuring beautifully blended pastel colors that look great in any piece! From baby items, to adult garments, accessories, and homewares, this yarn is a wonderful way to bring a burst of color into the mix. Uptown Worsted Hues anti-pilling, 100% acrylic composition and Standard 100 certification by Oeko-Tex made this yarn an easy choice for a kids collection though. It can handle the rough-and-tumble nature of kiddos well, as it is fully machine washable and easy to care for.

Uptown Worsted Hues

One of my favorite pieces to come out of this collection is the Peyton cardigan. It has such a playful take on a sophisticated “grown up cardigan” by featuring squiggly lines, made of cable cross stitches, where one may expect to see more typical cables. Plus there’s room for more unexpected fun by incorporating buttons! You may choose to go with a clean look by using cohesive, round wooden buttons from Katrinkles, like we did. Or you could get quirky by browsing some of her more eccentric options, or by sourcing some from wherever you’d like! No matter where they are from, buttons are always a great way to make a piece feel truly unique and special.

Peyton Cardigan

The other teeny temptation creeping onto my make-list is the Elouise set. The hat and cowl have sweet little details that make them look quite polished for being so small. The hat features a little cinched gathering at the brim that hints at old-glam style, while the cowl sports a button closure, leaving room for more of that individual refinement we talked about above. The slip stitch pattern worked on both the hat and cowl has just the right amount of texture to give this set a certain je ne sais quoi that would simply lack if it were done in a smooth stockinette. Wouldn’t you agree?

Elouise Set

Be sure to check out all 5 of the tiny textured pieces, and start plotting which ones you’ll make today! Which one do you think you’ll make first?
That’s all for now, Happy Stitching y’all,
Ashley Jane

Comfy Day Crafts

Here at Universal Yarn, we are gearing up for a big day of “Comfy-ness” this Sunday for National Comfy Day! With the holiday season behind us, we are now in the full spring-swing of preparing some amazing new designs and collections to share with everyone! It’s always exciting to keep looking ahead, but it is also important to take a day to slow down, get super cozy, and unwind. I plan to do this by staying in my coziest lounge clothes and enjoying some Combo Cuppa-Crafty time. (If you caught Aubrey’s focus on Pinterest trends in her recent Blog Post, you know that I’m a fan of a nice Cuppa Tea!) Now, the only problem with setting a whole day aside to craft, is I don’t know what to make yet! Read along and help me pick a project!

By the Fire Slippers by Rachel Brockman

My first pick is the By the Fire Slippers by Rachel Brockman. I have recently picked up knitting again and my main desire has been to make myself socks and slippers! This design is from our 12 Days of Winter – Series 5, which starts each season as an LYS exclusive kit offering and releases to the public after the holidays. As luck would have it – this collection just released over Valentine’s Day! I think these slippers would be a fantastic cozy cast-on for National Comfy Day, don’t you?

The yarn used in these slippers is our popular Deluxe Worsted Superwash. It has a robust palette, leaving me with plenty of options to choose from if I wanted to go off book and choose my own colors. It’s also machine wash friendly, so I get the best of both worlds with a springy soft feeling for my feet combined with easy care after walking around. Granted, I may not do much walking in them – does a Netflix marathon count as exercise?

Asher Set by Aubrey Busek

My second pick is the Asher Set by Aubrey Busek. It’s another knit project, and would stretch me a bit outside of my comfort zone with knitting a hat to match the beautiful shawl, but I do love a challenge! Even though I’m ready to relax, I think it could be nice to have a calm headspace to learn some new techniques.

The yarn used in the Asher Set is our plump and perfect Posh Alpaca. This blend of wool, super fine alpaca, and acrylic makes for a thick roving style yarn that sets the stage for minimal and texture-heavy patterns alike. I love the idea of having a go-to piece for wrapping up and snuggling indoors, or for grabbing attention while I’m out and about.

Pothos Cowl by Courtney Mulcahy

My last choice is the Pothos Cowl by Courtney Mulcahy. While the idea of “comfy” inspires pieces that make me want to sink into the sofa and sip my tea, I also can see myself using my Comfy Day to start preparing for warmer weather! With spring around the corner, I’m starting to get excited for some live music out by the water, and sunsets at the park with my pup. This cowl could be the perfect accessory for any activity! Plus it’s crochet, which is already my preferred craft. I could probably do this as a fun one-day project!

It’s made with our new, silky-soft Vireo, a blend of Tencel and wool that is both sustainable and season-appropriate for the warmer days I’m envisioning. The palette reminds me of berry bowls and ice cream – I just can’t pick a color, they are all so sugary and delightful. If I can land on a color choice, this may be the project for me after all – or maybe I should just make a few of them?

So which should it be? You tell me! I can’t wait to hear what project you think I should try, and what project you’ll be crafting on National Comfy Day on Sunday!

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

Collection Spotlight: Cozy Utility

So far, this winter has been absolutely perfect for knitting. Even in the south, we’ve had some wintry weather, and throughout the nation, there is more to come. So – are you staying warm? Are you staying…cozy? Well – if not, our latest pattern collection is sure to keep you both warm and cozy. Say “hello” to Cozy Utility!

Today, I’m going to highlight some of my favorite features of each design in the Cozy Utility collection. Whether you’re looking for a comfy cardigan, warm shawl, or soft stole – we have you covered. Each piece in this collection features our gorgeous Posh Alpaca yarn. This gently spun roving yarn blends wool, superfine alpaca, and acrylic to create a yarn that is light, lofty, and supremely warm. Upon its Fall 2021 release into the Universal Yarn line, Posh Alpaca became a fast favorite. And it’s no wonder – as you’ll see in the patterns I’m about to share, this yarn makes everything from soothing stockinette stitch to dense cables look absolutely amazing. Let’s take a look!

Beautiful Posh Alpaca – such a chic yarn.

First up: the Asher Set. Matching sets are everywhere, and when designer Aubrey Busek dreamt up the mood board for this collection, this concept along with two-mile wear was on her mind. Who doesn’t love some crisp coordination, after all? It’s an irresistible hat and shawl duo. I love the clever construction and unique shape of the shawl. You simply work two right triangles in two separate colors – both drenched in a beautiful textural motif. Then, join them together at the cast-on edge. The result is a color-blocked, diamond-esque shaped shawl that’s perfect for wrapping around your neck and shoulders. Aubrey gave this piece special attention to detail as she even chose to color block the crochet edging along the edges of the shawl. I told you it’s clever!

Aren’t the contrasting wings just beautiful?

I said this was a matching set, though – so let’s not give all of the attention to the shawl. Asher features a complimentary beanie complete with a pom pom. What’s not to love? When you’re ready to transition from home to the local cafe, or simply out on a snowy walk, tuck the shawl around your neck and pop on the cap. You’re ready to go. The hat begins with a contrasting ribbed brim and quickly turns to the diamond motif from the shawl. A background of reverse Stockinette stitch on both pieces truly makes the patterns pop.

You can wear the hat slightly slouchy, as pictured above, or close to your head for a more snug fit.

Next, we have one of my proudest designs to date: Corbin. Here at Universal Yarn, we strive to produce plenty of inspiring designs to support each of our yarns. Of course, we’re a small team and wear many hats, so occasionally it can be challenging to find the time to genuinely play with design. (Yes, you’re getting a behind-the-scenes confession.) I truly let my creativity flow with Corbin. It’s a statement piece complete with traveling cables that wind through the design. Because of its large motif, this pattern is primarily charted. However, the charts aren’t overwhelming thanks to the large gauge of Posh Alpaca. The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down – a construction adored by many.

The cables in Corbin are featured on the sleeves, front, and back.

Another matching set in the collection, I included a coordinating cowl to take Corbin from warm and comfortable to supremely cozy. You’ll ward off the breeze with ease when you take this piece on the go. The cables in the cowl mimic the center front motif on the pullover. The fabric is double-thick, but you could easily work just one vertical repeat of the motif for a more lightweight piece.

Wear the cowl as a standalone accessory, or partner it with the pullover to elevate the design to the next level.

My other contribution to the collection is Evi. Crochet granny squares are everywhere. Although the classic motifs have traditionally been used for blankets, in the past year we’ve seen them more and more in garments and accessories. It’s a trend I don’t see going anywhere soon, and thank goodness for that. With Evi, I wanted to make a modern, high-contrast piece. Bold stripes alternate with granny squares in this partially-modular design. Night and day, colors #101 Birch and #106 Blacksmith complement each other perfectly and will never go out of style. But there are plenty of gorgeous colors in the palette to make your own. Just imagine this as an autumnal version reminiscent of fall foliage, using a combination such as #102 Oak and #108 Velveteen.

Evi is a striking project well-suited for beginners and advanced crocheters alike.

One of my favorite pieces from Cozy Utility is Hadley, designed by Aubrey Busek. Featuring soft bishop sleeves, knit-purl texture, and bountiful bobbles, this open and cushy cardigan will make you feel so relaxed. This is the type of piece that is easy to dress up or wear more casually. On those unexpectedly warm days, it can serve as a jacket all on its own. Knit flat in pieces and seamed, Hadley has just the right amount of structure to ensure longevity. This is a piece to last a lifetime.

Hadley features an optional, removable belt.

Finally, we have a show-stopping cardigan designed by the talented Melissa Leapman. Miranda is a richly cabled design featuring braided cables, cushiony K1, P1 Ribbed edgings, and pockets. Who doesn’t love pockets? The tunic length makes this piece almost robe-like, and like Hadley, it works fantastically as an outerwear piece. Set-in sleeves provide a perfect fit.

The cables in Miranda are framed with Double Seed Stitch – a classic complement to cables.

We simply adore this fresh collection and hope you do, too. Whether you’re a lover of garments or accessories, there is something for you. We’re also certain you’ll fall in love with Posh Alpaca the moment you touch it. I can say with full confidence, that this collection is full of designs that are a match made in heaven for the yarn.

So, which of these designs is your favorite? Have you worked with Posh Alpaca before? Let us know in the comments!

Happy Crafting!

-Rachel


Three Glowing Favorites

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

Day 3 of Winter – Series 5 Edition

This is part 3 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition.

Do the evenings of winter inspire you to knit more? It’s certainly the case for me. I’ve always loved the magic of a starry night. I know the shorter days can cause some to feel weary, but I find a special type of comfort in the longer, colder nights. I love how early you’re able to see the glittering stars decorate the winter night sky. It’s so fun to point out beautiful constellations and cross your fingers in hopes of catching sight of a shooting star in the cool, crisp air.

The wintry skies of the north were my inspiration for the third installment of this year’s 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, the Polar Nights Cowl, which I’m thrilled to share with you today!

In this kit, you’ll get to explore the following techniques:

  • knitting in the round
  • stranded colorwork
  • slipped stitches

As I mentioned earlier, I have always loved the starry skies of the winter. But more than that, I’ve also had a lifelong fascination with the polar regions of the world. Yep – it’s a dream of mine to visit both the Arctic and Antarctica and this year I came so very close. So close, in fact, that I’ve been able to tick the Northern Lights off my lifetime bucket list when I visited Alaska in September.

The experience of seeing the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, is one I’ll treasure forever. The trip, in general, was so impactful and special to me for so many reasons, and I was inspired to design something to remind me of it. Our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection was the perfect fit for this design!

The Polar Nights Cowl uses three gorgeous yarns: Fibra Natura Donnina and Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk held together as one and Rico Design Ricorumi Lamé DK held on its own. Donnina and Loves Silk held together in a deep, dark navy serve as the background. On their own, each yarn is incredibly soft, but when combined it truly creates a world of magic – Donnina’s plump, soft extrafine merino is pillowy soft, and the feathery mohair and silk blend of Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk adds an ethereal halo. The Ricorumi Lamé DK in a glistening gold is used to create the stranded colorwork motif that’s inspired by beautiful Norweigian Marius sweaters – yet another nod to the polar regions of our world.

I love the contrast between the gold and blue in this cowl. As the light hits the stitches, the shimmering effect is simply stunning. Dare I say this cowl is almost as breathtaking as a starry sky? It’s up for debate, but what certainly isn’t is how much you’ll love knitting this kit!

Here is what our lovely 12 Days of Winter Kits look like – perfect for scooping up as a gift for another knitter, or for yourself!

Remember, these exclusive kits can be purchased at local yarn store retailers near you. Not in stock at your local shop? Ask them about drop shipping – order through them, and we ship to you! Each kit comes with the pattern, the yarn required to make it, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy crafting!


Free Pattern Friday – Wind Song Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Wind Song Cowl in Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print (pattern link here).

Whenever we introduce a new yarn with long color repeats, I’m always curious to see how it works up in long rows. So when Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print landed on my desk, I knew I’d be knitting something pretty from it as soon as possible.

Ball of Rico Design Essentials Kid Mohair Loves Silk in color 009 Retro
Color 008 Retro

I chose a basic knit/purl design, to really show off those color changes. Here it is in progress, at about the time I was thinking, “surely, this must be a full ball I’ve used.” Nope, this yarn kept giving.

The WIP rode around in my purse unprotected and came out looking great.
There was no matting or damage from the wear. It speaks well of the yarn’s sturdiness!

One ball of Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print went a long way. Even though it’s a laceweight yarn, when it’s worked on larger needles or hook, the mohair halo fills in the spaces in the stitches. On a US size 7 (4.5mm) needle, it was light and airy, but not overly loose-looking. The stitch definition was just fine, even at that gauge, and it was pleasant to work with. And check out the fabric it made!

With beautiful bounce and stretch, this is an easy cowl to wear long and loose, or to wrap for a different style. Alternating sections of knit and purl work with the 70% mohair content to let the cowl curl up into little ridges, but the yarn’s 30% silk adds extra drape to allow the piece to expand into a beautiful, wide fabric.

The purl ridges push different bands of color forth, so while this piece is reversible, you’ll get an ever-so-slightly different effect based on which side you have facing out.

So if you’re looking for a really simple project with striking color, that only requires you to knit and purl in the round, here it is. Beautiful, basic, and bold, the Wind Song Cowl in Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print has your back.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of ease and joy.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – The Kobuk Cowl

Today, the Kobuk Cowl (pattern link here).

This is a fun and fast project that you can work up in a matter of hours! Using our super chunky Be Wool and Be Wool Multis always leads to full, soft, and quick work.

I recommend this as a great beginner crochet project! This cowl features V stitches, and a faux ribbing created using front and back post work. If you haven’t tried these stitch techniques a go before, definitely jump in. They are easy-peasy but look somewhat complex. It will be sure to have your friends asking the fun question “Oh my gosh, did you make that!?”

The Kobuk Cowl is named after the Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska. The natural colors featured in this design reminded us of the cool blue waters, arctic chill, and rusted golden landscape seen in this majestic place. The second I tried in on I, was itching for some colder weather adventure. Granted, I may not make it all the way to Alaska this season, but I’ll be dreaming about it when I hike around the beautiful mountains in North Carolina!

Image from Google Search of Kobuk Valley

Well there you have it! Have you ever been out to a National Park? Which one? I’d love to hear about your experience!
That’s all for now,
Happy Stitching!
AJ

Joyful Stitches in Deluxe Bulky Superwash

Today I’m excited to introduce our latest collection of patterns: Joyful Stitches! The e-book contains six quick-knit projects using Deluxe Bulky Superwash.

At this point, it goes without saying that the past year has been tough on the world with the presence of coronavirus. We have all made big adjustments in our lives, and with social distancing in mind, many of us have been spending more time in the comfort of our homes. The needle arts industry has seen significant growth throughout this time. More and more people are dipping their toes into the world of knitting and crochet, and as a company, we’ve said “hello” to many new customers, even during a time of so much self-isolation. It’s not surprising, either. Longtime crafters know how knitting and crochet can introduce comfort during times of stress, and newbies are figuring that out!

Streetlight in Deluxe Bulky #933 Sweatshirt Grey, #906 Marigold, & #932 Icy Grey

With all of that in mind, Joyful Stitches was born! My plan for this collection was simple: create fun staple items that are a breeze to knit. These patterns feature knit and purl stitches only, but introduces basic shaping and knitting in the round, too.

Why Deluxe Bulky Superwash? Many new knitters enjoy using heavier-weight yarns. It’s very easy to see stitches clearly and the pieces work up at a satisfying speed. Our Deluxe Bulky Superwash is 100% wool that’s machine-washable, making it easy to care for. Whether you’re knitting for the first time or you’re a longtime knitter, you’ll love working with this plump, bouncy wool yarn. Now that you know why we chose this yarn as the foundation of the collection, let’s take a look at the patterns!

Gene in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #939 Burgundy, #917 Summer Sky, & #916 Nitrox Blue

I’m going to introduce these patterns in order of ease and skill level, starting with Gene. Although it’s probably the simplest pattern in the collection, it might just be my favorite. I love the bold colors and graphic stripes, which were inspired by Color Field painter, Gene Davis. All you need to know for this pattern is how to work the knit stitch – that’s really it! Worked sideways, you cast on the length of the scarf. That makes it super easy to modify. I’ve written the pattern for two lengths, but you can easily make the scarf shorter by casting on fewer stitches. After you’ve cast on, all there is to it is knit a few rows, change colors, and repeat. This garter stitch glory will be your go-to winter accessory!

Damson in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #919 Purplish Blue

Next up we have Damson. I’m categorizing this pattern as slightly more difficult than Gene, simply because you’ll need to know how to both knit and purl, plus you’ll get to apply fringe at each end of the scarf. Damson is blanketed with Moss stitch – a personal favorite of mine. This simple texture is created with a four-row repeat that you’ll quickly memorize. It creates a gorgeous, reversible texture, making it easy to style and wear. If you’ve never made fringe before, you’re in for a treat. Fringed scarves have a boho feel, but personally, I also think fringe makes the scarf look more “complete”. Like Gene, Damson is easy to modify. I’ve also written this one to have two lengths, but you can customize the length of your scarf by simply stopping when you reach your desired length or just keep on knitting for a scarf length that will remind you of the Fourth Doctor (minus the amazing stripes, of course).

The Checkmate Mitts in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #935 Ebony and #928 Pulp

Next up, the Checkmate Mitts. The shape and construction of this pattern are incredibly simple: make a rectangle, fold, sew the sides leaving room for the thumb, and repeat to make two mitts! If you enjoyed the easy pattern repeat of Damson, you’ll probably enjoy these mitts, too. Pairing a simple textured pattern with stripes and the effect is simply mesmerizing, creating the illusion of vertical and horizontal stripes. This pattern was inspired by the stitch patterns included in Cecelia Campchiaro’s genius book, Sequence Knitting. Sized for children and adults, the Checkmate Mitts are a perfect gift-knit. One ball of each color will be enough to create more than one pair – make a pair for yourself and for a loved one. Double the fun!

Bruna in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #920 Grape Taffy

Ready to knit in the round for the first time? Look no further than Bruna! I personally love a big, cozy cowl and this one ticks all of my boxes. It fits fairly close to the neck, yet leaves enough space for a bit of drape and breathing room. The depth is perfectly suited for folding inwards to create an additional layer of warmth, too. Bruna is comprised of a broken rib formed by a two-row repeat. This project is perfect for knit nights or catching up on your favorite tv show, as you can seamlessly knit across each round, never stopping to turn your work!

Streetlight in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #933 Sweatshirt Grey, #921 Honeysuckle, & #932 Icy Grey

Once you’ve tackled Bruna, you’ll be ready to start your first hat project! Streetlight is a fun hat that will introduce simple shaping to your knitting toolbox. All of my favorite hats feature a deep, folded brim and Streetlight is no exception. Add a bit of color blocking and a fluffy pom pom and you’ve got a simple hat that still makes a statement! Although these days I’m predominantly a sweater knitter, I love knitting hats. They are fast, addictive, and are honestly the perfect gift. Hats are also great for charity knitting, so be sure to explore your local area for organizations that accept donations for wintry accessories! (If you don’t have a donation site locally, consider donating to the Charlotte Region Arts, Fibers, & Textiles (C.R.A.F.T.) who is currently running a community project and is accepting red hats to support a community blood drive!)

The Checkmate Shawl in Deluxe Bulky Superwash #935 Ebony and #928 Pulp

Rounding out the Joyful Stitches collection is the Checkmate Shawl – a perfect companion for the Checkmate Mitts! This shawl is the largest piece in the collection, and while it is simple, it introduces shaping while maintaining a stitch pattern. If that sounds complicated, don’t stray too far! This shawl begins by casting on at the widest edge and simply repeating the same eight rows until you reach the point. Easy peasy! I opted for tassels on each point for a touch of drama, and it really completes the look.

I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a peek at Joyful Stitches! Each pattern in the collection is available now at 15% off the normal price until Sunday, 9/22/2021, so act fast! Save even more when you purchase the entire e-book on our website, too!

I’d love to know which pattern is your favorite. Do you plan to knit any of these projects for yourself, a loved one, or charity?

Happy crafting!