cowl – Page 4 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

December 20, 2018April 6, 2021

Holiday Crafting – Don’t Panic!

How’s everybody doing? All caught up on your handmade gifts?

If you are, then good for you! If you’re not… join the club! Fortunately, there are still some quick, good-looking projects that you (and I) can make at the last minute. And if you still can’t quite finish, well… we have some options at the end of this post.

When I’m in a pinch, I go big! Take a look at the Coffee Beans and Sugar Cubes hats.

Coffee Beans and Sugarcubes hats in Uptown Super Bulky

What I like about them:

Knit in Uptown Super Bulky on size 11 needles, they go really fast.
They’re designed to take one ball each of two colors – and you can get two hats out of those two skeins!
Did I mention they were really fast?

I’ve made more than a few of these, and they’ve always been popular. My most recent set were super bright for two friends, who loved them.

These are also available as a kit from your LYS.

Are you a crocheter? How about the Racing Cowl?

This takes just one skein of self-striping Uptown Super Bulky Amplify on a size N-15 (10mm) hook.

striped crochet cowl in Uptown Super Bulky Amplify yarn — Just half double crochet all the way around. Easy peasy.

If you want to knit something bulky but not super-bulky, try the Latta Park Hat and Mittens from e-book Colorful Commute.

I made one of these myself, and it was fun and easy. The Classic Shades Frenzy is a smart choice because it lends visual interest without extra work – always a consideration when you’re on a deadline.

As a little holiday gift, we’re running a giveaway of the Latta Park Hat and Mittens. (Also, consider signing up for our newsletter. Subscribers already heard about this!)

You can enter this coupon code by going to the Latta Park Hat and Mittens page on Ravelry, and entering FRENZY at the “use a coupon code” link that appears during purchase. Use it by 12/23.

Finally, if you’re just not gonna make it, we still have some options. How about a card to let your giftee know that their gift is on the way? We made a few printable options for you.

Regardless of how your holiday gifting turns out, we hope you’ll be able to make time to slow down and enjoy the season as best you can.

Happy crafting!

December 7, 2018April 6, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Beyond the Sea Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Beyond the Sea Cowl in Revolutions and Cotton Gold (pattern link here).

This cowl is named for the Bobby Darin song, that talks about how the singer’s true love is waiting across the waves. But it also hearkens to song’s original French inspiration, La Mer, with its visions of the sea dancing along the shore, shimmering under the rain.

Mixing the warmth of Revolutions‘ alpaca and mohair halo with the glitter in sequined Cotton Gold captures the feel of the light sparkling on the waves.

The main pattern is a three row repeat using very basic crochet stitches, making this a suitable project for an adventurous beginner.

The finished product has a warm and relaxed fabric, both dressy and practical. It’s easy enough to widen this cowl, if desired. It uses an 8 stitch repeat, so just start with more stitches in that 8 stitch increment and you’re set.

We wish you a warm and bright weekend.

Happy crafting!

November 23, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Contours Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Contours Cowl in Alaska (pattern link here).

The Contours Cowl features lofty, all-over cables. If you thought cables make for a dense fabric, think again – Alaska is featherweight and soft as down, countering the density you might expect from the usual cabled cowl. It’s perfect to loop around your neck once or twice – and each styling option will keep you warm and cozy.

Knit seamlessly from the bottom-up, this cowl features an easily memorizable cable and slip stitch pattern on a background of reverse stockinette.

We hope you enjoy this week’s free pattern! Have a wonderful, craft-filled weekend!

October 12, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Clematis Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Clematis Cowl in Classic Shades Sequins Lite (pattern link here).

Rachel Brockman has created a simple pattern that makes a lovely twisted eyelet fabric.

It’s just a three stitch, four row repeat that’s easy to find the rhythm of, providing just enough texture to the self-shading, sparkling Classic Shades Sequins Lite.

There are several different ways to go on color here. I love the flowery look of 405 Primrose shown here…

…or go full Autumn with color 403 Volcano…

…or try something less variegated, or even solid, for a more formal and wintry look.

This versatile piece looks great draped long, or wrapped to put more color and warmth in one spot.

We hope you have a great weekend, and that you find time to make something beautiful.

Happy crafting!

October 3, 2018

Kids e-book – Writing on the Wall

Looking for some cute kid gifts? You’ll want to check out this new e-book!

Writing on the Wall (Ravelry link here) is a brand new collection of kid projects to knit and crochet in Bella Cash. We’re big fans of Bella Cash around here. It’s soft, versatile, and (important for children’s projects) machine washable. Let’s take a look-see at the patterns!

First, Dino! (Ravelry pattern link here). Sized 2-14 years, for your budding paleontologist. This one’s by Rachel Brockman, who also drew the dinosaurs. Here’s what she has to say about her inspiration:

“As a kid, inspired by Dr. Alan Grant (ed note: Rachel’s first crush!) and Dr. Ellie Sattler, I was POSITIVE that I discovered a piece of a velociraptor in my backyard. I spent loads of time trying to dig around it and eventually discovered it wasn’t a fossil at all. A girl can dream, right?

Anyway, I’ve adored dinosaurs for as long as I can remember, so when Amy and I started putting together a kid’s collection, I knew a dinosaur was essential. Not only that, but even shopping for my niece it was hard to come by dinosaur-themed things that weren’t intended for girls, but for little boys. I wanted to make a dinosaur top in colors I loved growing up.”

We love the matching “Tricera-topper” that she added. Rawr!

Next, Firefly (Ravelry link here).

Rachel designed this one thinking of warm carefree evenings spent catching fireflies as a child. Nonetheless, I’m making this one for myself. It makes me think both of pleasant nights running in the back yard with cupped hands… and of the late great sci-fi TV show Firefly, of which I am a fan.

I’ve already knitted projects with Bella Cash (I love this yarn for socks) so I know making this cowl will be a treat.

Here’s Frilling! (Ravelry link here). We went through a few names on this – it was almost “The Frill of Victory.” The focus, obviously, is the frills at the raglan seams.

Knit the sweater top down, then pick up stitches and knit the ruffles outward. Awfully adorable!

Meet your Imaginary Friend! (Ravelry link here)

This one might be my favorite – it’s so inventive and offbeat! The mis-matched eyes, the pocket in the front… everything about this is fun. Work this colorblocked pullover flat from the top down, then add the pocket. Teeth are duplicate-stitched on. So cute!

Here’s Kindersweater. (Ravelry link here)

Amy Gunderson’s tunic-length yoke sweater nods to traditional Norwegian colorwork sweaters. The colorwork yoke is comprised of a small pattern repeats, easy to memorize and to knit.

After finishing the yoke, keep knitting downward into the textured diamonds. For those wanting a project to keep their attention, it’s a nice alternative to plain stockinette. A beautiful piece that will make a splash.

It’s Pipsqueak! (Ravelry link here)

This crochet pattern is actually a two-fer: it comes with both the cardigan and the Pipsqueak pal!

Both use spike stitch. The mouse is worked in the round in joined rows…

…and the cardi is worked flat. What child wouldn’t love their own matching little friend?

We hope this collection will jump start your imagination for gift crafting this season. We’ve got more collections in the works that we can’t wait to share.

Happy crafting!

September 25, 2018September 9, 2019

Knitflix – The Great British Bake Off

We were talking in the office the other day about the shows we love to sit and binge while we craft. We have such a diverse range! I’d like to share one that I fell in love with at first sight, the Great British Bake-Off

You might not think a baking show would have drama and suspense, but it does. It’s a wonderful reality show to watch with kids because there’s no backstabbing chicanery.

If you’re like me, you like to have the right project on hand when binge-watching shows. With this in mind, we present a pairing of projects perfect for puff pastry preparation.

#1: Macaron Cloths in Cottonwood (free pattern link here).

Why: Handy for cleaning up messes, of which there are plenty in this show.

Made in organic Fibra Natura Cottonwood, these are excellent little projects to knock out quickly. The i-cord edging and loop for hanging are decorative and practical. And best of all (to me), you can finish a set before the series is over.

#2: The Sweet Little Cowl in Cottonwood (free pattern link here).

Why: Who wouldn’t want to knit brioche during bread week?

This chocolate cherry combo makes my mouth water.

I’m actually knitting this now, in two shades of blue Cottonwood (41104 & 41128), and the pattern is a good match for watching TV.

Do a provisional cast-on, then start in with the brioche. Once you’re in the groove, it’s easy to divide your attention without losing your place. Come back around at the end to add that i-cord finish, and voila. A lovely knitted confection, and you haven’t missed the on-screen action.

We’ve got other shows we’d like to pair. Several have new seasons coming up and we want to be ready to settle in. If there’s one you’d like to see featured, let us know!

In the meantime, we’ll have a cup of tea ready and a project at hand as we enjoy the show, and appreciate the parallels between baking and crafting.

Happy crafting!

April 6, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Spellbinder

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Spellbinder Cowl in Alpaculence (pattern link here).

We named this the Spellbinder for obvious reasons – it’s simply spellbinding.

Knitted pink and gray lace cowl pinned at the shoulder with a pewter shawl pin — Alhambra shawl pin courtesy of Jul Designs (http://juldesigns.com/)

An easy-to-memorize lace pattern in a single skein of soft, shimmering Alpaculence creates a beautiful, lightweight cowl that can easily be dressed up or down.

Be aware: the cowl shown took 92 grams of a 100 gram ball. Be sure your gauge is correct to prevent the possibility of running out of yarn! Swatching in advance can prevent trouble at the finish.

We hope you have a magical weekend.

Happy crafting!

February 12, 2018

U-S-A!

I have caught the Olympics fever big time this year. This past weekend, I did little more than drink coffee, binge-watch Olympic events, and of course, knit non-stop.

It’s important to have good knitting and tv companions. Charli is a big fan of the snowboarding half-pipe.

Ralph Lauren designed the closing ceremony knitwear and outfits for US Olympic team members, including this spectacular stranded hat. I’ve already seen some incarnations of this over on Ravelry.

Image result for us olympic ski hat — credit: Ralph Lauren

It’s a great hat. I love the balance of color and the jaunty double tassel thing that’s going on at the top. But stranded knitting can be intimidating and also time consuming. If colorwork is your cup of tea (confession: it’s mine!), then I would recommend these colors in Deluxe DK Superwash for your take on this hat:

But if you’re in the mood for a simpler project with just as much patriotic bang for your buck, how about the USA Hat & Cowl in Uptown Bulky Amplify:

With just one skein of self-striping Amplify you can make this patriotic hat and cowl set. And on size 11 needles, this set goes so quickly you could make this project several times over before the closing ceremonies next weekend.

What’s on your needles this week as you cheer on your country?

January 19, 2018June 21, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Porthole Cowl

My friends, winter is showing no signs of letting up, even here in North Carolina. We were blasted with 5-6″ of snow the other day. If you’re from a northern state as I am, that may not seem like much. But in the south it is a significant amount and is cause for much celebration and hot cocoa. And as we all know, any reason to pile on more knitwear is quite welcome.

Our free pattern this week is the Porthole Cowl, knit in a soft wintery shade of self-shading Major.

Pattern link here.

This cowl is knit in the round, showing off the shading of Major as it works it’s way upward in a bounty of texture and “porthole” lace. The color is quite subtle in color 118 Silver Blush. If you like more in-your-face-color, there are many options to choose from. Some of my favorites are:

Happy crafting – stay warm out there!

January 12, 2018April 8, 2020

Free Pattern Friday – Hanasaku Cowl (Crochet)

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s the crochet version of the Hanasaku Cowl, in Classic Shades Frenzy and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (pattern link here).

We had a lot of requests for this! The original knitted Hanasaku Cowl (free from your LYS or for sale via Ravelry) was a very popular design, so it’s only fair that the crocheters get to take a crack at it too.

The long version of the cowl is shown, calling for two skeins of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and two of Classic Shades Frenzy. The pattern also includes instructions for the short version, which takes just one skein of each.

Classic Shades Frenzy is slightly bulkier than the Poems called for in the knit version, but you could easily substitute it or regular Classic Shades for the Frenzy – it’s all about whatever colors speak to you.

We used our very newest Bamboo Bloom Handpaints color, 328 Sango, with Frenzy color 915 Madras. We were happy to see how the reds, blues, and blacks played off each other so dramatically.

For myself, one of my resolutions is to get better at crochet (so far, so good!) so I’m looking at giving this one-piece cowl a whirl. The advantage of working at Universal is having a ton of beautiful yarn to look at – what do you think of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 313 Kanji and Classic Shades Frenzy 909 Attic Light? Although that 914 Botanica just peeking out behind it is also awfully nice. Decisions, decisions.

Your LYS would have some great ideas on color combos for you to put together.

We hope you enjoy this colorful crochet cowl. Have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!