Spring has sprung, and we’re thrilled to share some of our favorite yarns for the season with you! There are many things to look out for when searching for the perfect yarn for spring, including fiber content, weight, and color palette. If you haven’t heard of the yarns below, let today be the day you try something new! Let’s go ahead and get started with the newest addition to the Uptown Family of Yarns!
Uptown Bamboo DKSubtle Shell Ruana
Uptown Bamboo DK is a fiber blend of 80% anti-pilling acrylic and 20% bamboo in a DK weight. Each 100g skein has 284 yards of yarn, with 38 different colors to select from. Bamboo fibers are highly breathable and moisture-wicking, allowing you to keep cool in warmer weather. Uptown Bamboo DK is machine-washable, making it an excellent option for wearable pieces and baby projects. The color palette of this yarn includes plenty of beautiful hues for spring, like 515 Wisteria and 528 Breeze.
Cotton Supreme SpecklesWildflower Tee
Cotton Supreme Speckles is the newest member of the Cotton Supreme Family, and it’s already receiving so much love! This yarn is made up of 100% cotton fibers in a worsted weight, just like Cotton Supreme, but with speckles! Cotton is a plant-based fiber that is excellent for spring and almost any project you can think of. Due to the durability of cotton, Cotton Supreme Speckles is phenomenal for homewares, like the Seedling Washcloths. Additionally, this yarn makes for beautiful wearable pieces, like the pictured Wildflower Tee.
Bamboo PopSabal
Naturally, we wanted to include one of our staple yarns, so say hello to Bamboo Pop! We already talked through the benefits of bamboo and cotton fibers, and guess what? Bamboo Pop is a blend of both! With that being the case, this yarn is breathable, soft, and exceptional for any project. One of our favorite things about Bamboo Pop is the versatile color palette. Both solids and multis are available, and many pair faultlessly with each other! Try a fun accessory with this staple, with the pictured Sabal poncho. Plus, if you love to make baby projects, you will want to add Bamboo Pop to your stash; it’s a customer favorite for such patterns!
Rico Design Baby Dream DKBesties
Speaking of baby projects, Rico Design’s Baby Dream DK is next on deck! With a fiber blend of 50% polyacrylic and 50% polyamide, Rico Design Baby Dream DK is incredibly soft and easy to care for. Solids and multis are available in this yarn, with a range of gorgeous colors, especially pastels. The polyacrylic and polyamide fibers mean that Baby Dream DK is machine-washable, so it’s ideal for your little one. We love the idea of a baby blanket or cardigan, like the pictured Besties pattern!
Rico Design Creative Fluffily DKPattern 1016 Top and Shawl
You may have never heard of Rico Design’s Creative Fluffily DK, but we’re thrilled to introduce you! With a fiber blend of cotton, polyester, acrylic, and wool, Creative Fluffily DK is sensationally soft, machine-washable, and includes a subtle sparkle! Each 150g cake of this yarn contains 459 yards of yarn, making it great for larger projects like pullovers and shawls. There are 14 shades to choose from, and we can’t wait to see what you will make with Creative Fluffily DK!
Which one of these yarns would you work with first? Let us know in the comments! We can’t wait to hear your response.
We love seeing Universal Yarn featured in the spotlight! Three designs using your favorite yarns from our brand are available and we’re so excited to show them off. The Coral Canopy Cardigan (right), designed by Nazanin S Ford, using Uni Merino, the Sunny Bloom Blanket (middle), designed by Willow Crochet, using Uptown Worsted, and the Lattice Cloche Hat, designed by Sheila Pfeiffer, using Bamboo Pop. Let’s learn more about these gorgeous patterns!
Featured in “I Like Crochet” Magazine’s April 2024 issue, the Coral Canopy Cardigan is stunning! This piece is perfect for spring, with a breathtaking leaves pattern, a v-neckline, and three-quarter length sleeves. The soft, superwash merino wool and nylon blend of Uni Merino will make this cardigan a summer staple, whether you’re at the beach or relaxing at home!
Next, we’ll look at Willow Crochet’s beautiful Sunny Bloom Blanket! Using stash staple Uptown Worsted, this homeware is full of color and is as soft as can be with 100% anti-pilling acrylic fibers. This graphgan uses seven hues of Uptown Worsted, so you can practice transitioning colors like never before. To get this pattern for free, visit Knitty!
The Lattice Cloche Hat is available on Ravelry using customer-favorite Bamboo Pop! An engaging slip-stitch technique creates a lovely lattice overlay effect that will have you receiving compliments left and right. Bamboo Pop’s color palette is vast, so you can choose the hues that best match your personality and make a hat for you and a friend!
We hope you enjoyed hearing about these exciting designs! We invite you to share all of your projects with us by tagging us @universal_yarn on Instagram. Stay tuned for next month’s publication spotlight!
Hi fiber friends, and happy Friday to you! It is officially spring and, we have a precious pastel blankie fit for the season. The Hugs and Kisses Blanket, designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre, is a crochet cutie that you can whip up in a flash.
This blanket uses simple double crochet and chain stitches to create an X’s and O’s stitch pattern throughout. It’s worked flat from the bottom up, then a double crochet border is added around the edge. If you are new to crochet, or just want a palette cleanser between projects, then this sweet blankie is for you! Give it as a gift, or keep it for your own little one. Wherever it lands, it’s sure to be a cherished keepsake for years.
This project features two skeins of Major in the color 124 Mermaid. This yarn is Oeko-Tex 100 Product Class 1 certified against harmful chemicals and substances, making it safe for your home and health. It’s a bulky weight yarn made of 100% acrylic, making it machine washable and easy to care for, and packs 328 yards per 200g skein. Major is available in 41 self-shading colors, each with depth and vibrancy suitable for any project!
I hope you enjoy this week’s Free Pattern Friday! Now through Sunday, March 24th at 11:59 PM EST, get 20% off Major. You can grab two skeins of any color for the Hugs and Kisses Blanket, or any other project you can dream up! Let us know in the comments what you’ll create with Major!
That’s all for now. Happy Stitching! Ashley Jane McIntyre
Spring is just around the corner and we are embracing it in a big way with our newest collection featuring eight adorable patterns for your little ones. Taking inspiration from nature’s sweet treats, the Precious Picnic collection utilizes the colors and imagery of fresh fruit in a variety of designs ranging from adorable stuffies, accessories, and garments to blankets in our easy-careUptown Bamboo DK. Let’s jump right in and talk about each piece!
Dress your little one in an outfit as sweet as they are with theBilberry Set, designed by me! The adorable romper is perfect for layering over long sleeves during a cool spring picnic and the bucket hat will protect their heads from the sun. We’ve chosen 522 Sailor and 525 Willow for our version, but let your favorite fruit serve as the foundation of this leaf-topped ensemble! The romper includes sizes for 0-18 months and the hat includes sizes for a newborn to a toddler. Both pieces are constructed from the top down with a simple stranded colorwork motif to create the leaf pattern.
My personal favorite – the Concord Wrap, also designed by me. A sweet little cardigan with adorable grape bunches adorning the front hem. The crossover design with buttons and I-cord ties makes it easy to dress a wiggly one. This layering piece is the perfect cocoon for any outfit, keeping your sweet babe cozy thanks to our soft, smooth Uptown Bamboo DK yarn. The sample shown uses 517 Lilac and includes sizes for 0-24 months. The Concord Wrap is constructed in pieces and seamed.
What’s more fun than a set of stuffed fruit? The Fresh and Fruity Set, designed by, you guessed it, ME, is just ripe for pretend play. This stuffed toy set includes varying colors and shapes, helping teach young ones about objects and colors in fun ways. The set features colorways 525 Willow, 505 Daisy, 514 Tomato, and 518 Mulberry. Each fruit is knit seamlessly from the top down and stuffed as you go.
What could be more fitting in a collection of fruit-inspired items for young ones than a gingham blanket? Rachel Brockman designed both a knit AND a crochet version of the quintessential picnic blanket. Both versions are constructed in a modular fashion, making them the perfect on-the-go project. The crochet version of the Gingham Blankie is shown in 502 Lily and 507 Peach and the knit version uses 502 Lily, 519 Bluebird, and 521 Chill
Keep the mess off those adorable outfits with the Juicy Bib Trio designed by Rachel Brockman – a collection of bibs decorated with apples, lemons, and pears bordered by an edging inspired by basketry, like a little picnic basket. Each bib is knit flat from the bottom up using a knit-purl texture to create the motifs. The bibs pictured above feature colors 514 Tomato, 505 Daisy, and 524 Lemongrass.
The Melon Seed Set, designed by Rachel Brockman, is refreshing and sweet. Its inspiration was the juicy summer treat. Vibrant 513 Flamingo and 526 Melon work playfully together in this easy stranded colorwork pattern, along with 538 Tuxedo. The sweater comes in a wide range of sizes starting from 0-6 months up to 6-8 years! The socks are available in sizes Baby through Youth.
The Strawberry Patch sweater, designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, features a plump, juicy berry applique on the front with on-trend contrast color sleeves to keep this piece cool and casual for your little one. This sweater is crocheted seamlessly from the top down in turning rounds. The colorwork of the sleeves and body are created with intarsia in colors 502 Lily and 514 Tomato. The strawberry stem detail is worked with 524 Lemongrass. The pattern is available in a range of sizes from 3 months to 6 years.
Celebrate the release of this adorable collection with us this weekend with 20% off the Precious Picnic E-book through our website, that’s a value of $40 for just $20, PLUS 20% off Uptown Bamboo DK.
If you’re looking for a striking accessory to top off your outfit, Free Pattern Friday is here for you! This week, flashy carry-along Cotton Gold combines with our beloved Bamboo Pop to create Clairvoyance. Designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, this accessory will turn heads and have you receiving compliments left and right. Let’s read more about this week’s featured crochet pattern!
Cotton Gold is one of our featured carry-along yarns, and it looks incredible when held against the bamboo and cotton fibers of Bamboo Pop! The lacey pattern of Clairvoyance makes it perfect for spring and summer, giving you a breathable accessory.
While the sample shown uses two sage colorways, you can mix it up to match your personality! How about the beautiful combination of Cotton Gold 1095 and Bamboo Pop 112? This would be a perfect piece for New Year’s Eve parties for years to come!
Cotton Gold 1095Bamboo Pop 112
Or, try two gorgeous blues with Cotton Gold 1100 and Bamboo Pop 111!
Cotton Gold 1100Bamboo Pop 111
The choice is yours, and we know that regardless of what you choose, you’re going to look great!
This weekend, save 20% off Cotton Gold and Bamboo Pop through Sunday, January 21st at 11:59 PM EST! The possibilities are endless when you create with these two customer-favorites. The best part is you can hold Cotton Gold with Bamboo Pop in both simple and complex stitches. Whether you want to stick to garter stitch or try something with lace, the dazzling sequins will stand out, especially when they catch the light. Create something that will last a lifetime today with Cotton Gold and Bamboo Pop!
We hope you accomplished all the crafting goals that you set out for in 2023, but if not, 2024 is a new opportunity! Our team has gathered together to come up with exciting personal crafting goals for the new year, and we want to hear yours as well. We invite you to take a peek below to check our teams aspirations for the year ahead!
Aubrey: “In 2024, I hope to get back into doing more hand embroidery on knitwear and ready-to-wear clothing! I loved designing the Verbena Pullover and getting to do the hand embroidery on that sample, so it would be exciting to expand my knowledge of hand embroidering on knits this year. We have some yarns in our line that will work fabulously for this, like Magnolia. This fingering weight yarn is delicate enough to show off complex embroidery designs and has a silky-smooth finish. Embroidery adds a touch of uniqueness to your projects or your everyday clothes, and the customization element makes them feel extra special and artistic.”
Verbena PulloverMagnolia
Ashley Jane: “I am a crocheter, but I have been taking on more and more knit projects. This year, my big resolutions are to try some new projects that would help me grow my knitting skills! First up, I want to try out the Forager Socks, designed by Rachel Brockman. They feature some beautiful lacework, which I have yet to try, so I am very excited about them. These socks call for Filly, which is a blend of 46% cotton, 33% superwash merino, 12% polyamide, and 9% PBT. It comes in 6 self-shading hues that are perfect for springtime. I think the color choices, along with the open lace design will make for a perfect warm-weather pair.
FillyForager Socks
The other skill I want to try is cables, so I want to make myself the Carillon sweater, designed by Aubrey Busek Gray. I adore the twisting design on the front, and the overall elegance of this piece, which is enhanced by the 100% wool yarn, Deluxe Worsted. This yarn is available in over 80 colors, some of which are natural, undyed marvels. While the cabling may be a new challenge for me, I think the hardest part of this sweater will be choosing a favorite color!”
CarillonCarillon
Afifa: “I knit my very first pair of socks last year and am now obsessed and want to hone my sock-knitting skills. I am excited to work on the Tempera Socks designed by Aubrey Busek. I love the combination of stripes and lacework in this pattern. The pattern is designed for Uni Merino, a blend of soft superwash merino wool and nylon, perfect for socks. With the wide range of shades available, the potential color combinations are endless. Here’s to having a drawer full of hand-knit socks by the end of the year!”
Tempera SocksUni Merino and Uni Merino Mini
Robert: “As someone who never crafted much before my time here, 2023 was full of trying new things. As 2024 continues, I would like to take more time to weave and crochet, as I find these crafts relaxing. Universal Yarn has a beautiful display of yarns, but I am eyeing Zesty Sock for a few squares on the Zoom Loom.”
Zesty Sock
We want to hear from you! What are your crafting goals for 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
We love to see customer projects! Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see the creativity that exists in the crafting community. Plus, use #universalyarn when using our yarn for a chance to be shared in stories or on our feed!
Kicking off 2024 right with a satisfyingly quick and cozy Free Pattern Friday. Designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, a Feather in My Cap is just the antidote for the post-holiday blues.
Ashley Jane designed this hat to show off the plump new Rico Design Essentials Soft Merino Aran. The hat is crocheted in turning rounds from the bottom up with a feather motif that brings the old idiom ‘a feather in your cap’, to life. Her version uses the color 001 Mustard for a much-needed pop of color during dreary weather. With over 30 colors to pick from in this deliciously soft yarn, you can make a version that is truly your own.
Let’s talk about the yarn – Rico Design Essentials Soft Merino Aran is a luxury merino yarn from Italy that is gorgeously round and bouncy giving it excellent stitch definition and a supple hand. It lends itself well to textured patterns allowing motifs to really pop. Not only is this yarn lovely and soft, it’s machine washable! What more could you ask for?
Get 20% off your order of Rico Design Essentials Soft Merino Aran this weekend, through Sunday, January 7th at 11:59 PM EST. A great yarn choice for everything from accessories to garments.
Hello, December! It’s that time of year again, when we present to you our annual 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. And, with bittersweet news, this is our last kit collection of this type. Join me today as I reflect on year’s past and share the exciting refreshed and new kits we are offering for 2023.
The cover from our very first edition of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, from 2017.
In 2017, when I first began working at Universal Yarn, we conceived the exciting idea to create twelve wintry accessories featuring a variety of our yarns to support our local yarn stores through the gift-giving season. These kits were designed to be beautiful, thoughtful finished objects to give a loved one, or to be a present for your best fiber friend. The designs were all centered around winter, and primarily meant to be useful beyond the holiday season. We dreamt of frozen lakes, snowy forests, the warmth and crackle of the fireplace, and twinkling lights. Then, we took that imagery and created a collection of twelve designs to inspire.
Top Left: Series 1 Snowflake Mitts / Top Right: Series 2 Mistletoes Middle Left: Series 3 Mountain Pines / Middle Right: Series 4 Chai Latte Set Bottom Left: Series 5 Crochet Cinnamon Swirl Stole / Bottom Right Series 6 Hubble the Winter Wolf
Pictured above are some of the highlights our the past six years of 12 Days of Winter. In those years, we have published a total of 76 knitting and crochet patterns to celebrate the season. From mitts and hats to scarves and stuffies, we truly have something for everyone in these collections. As we reflected on which of these patterns were best loved for Series 7, we wanted to rekindle the joy they brought you. With that said, we are so proud to share our latest 12 Days of Winter Kit collection, which features old favorites and new patterns alike.
The Cover of our 12 Days of Winter 2023 Kit Collection
First, let’s talk about some of the oldies but goodies. Eight of the patterns in this collection were revisited from previous years. We’ve refreshed them with exciting new yarns. Take Aspen, for example. This beloved classic cabled scarf was a hit during our third year of the kit collection. It’s intricately winding cables are impressive, but easier to achieve than one might expect. This year, we’ve paired it with a yarn destined to shine in cables: Yarn Vibes Cliffs of Moher. Its rustic, plump hand gives the cables such a warm and woolly texture.
AspenForest Garland
The popular Forest Garland, which has both a knit and crochet version, was reimagined using our Cotton Supreme and Cotton Gold yarns held together. The shimmering sequins of Cotton Gold make it look just like twinkly lights or beautiful bulbs decorating a Christmas tree.
New yarns are just part of revisiting our previous years of patterns. As you can see so far, we’ve been swapping colors as well. That’s the case for each of these patterns, and I especially love how it worked out for the Blue Spruce Socks and Snow Day Set. We opted for unexpected yarns and icy shades to maximize the wintry impact. The Blue Spruce Socks use two strands of Uni Merino together, and the Snow Day Set takes Rico Design’s Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed on a frosty adventure!
Snow Day SetBlue Spruce Socks
Originally from Series 2, We Three Hats and Snowfolk were especially favored among our in-house team and our customers. We kept the yarn for We Three Hats the same, but played around with cool shades of sugarplum and icy blues. This outstanding kit is like three in one, because you’ll have enough Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash to make all three hats and enjoy a sampling of fun techniques! Similarly, one kits gets you all three Snowfolk, lovingly named Agnes, Dorothy, and Maureen. This year, these ladies got a makeover with all new accessories in best-selling Uptown Worsted to keep cozy on a cold winter’s day.
Finally, we’re happy to introduce some brand new patterns to you! The last four kits I’ll touch on were designed to round out this year’s collection. The first two, Mini Marshmallow and the Twilight Socks, are special because they combine different yarns for impact. Mini Marshmallow is actually a tiny version of his big brother, Marshmallow, from Series 5. This little best friend would make the sweetest gift for your little one. I can easily see their little body popping out of the aforementioned Holiday Stockings on Christmas morning, just waiting to be hugged! Mini Marshmallow is knit using plush, soft Bella Chenille, and their stylish sweater is knit with colorful Rico Design Creative Melange Chunky.
The Twilight Socks are the advanced sock knitter’s dream. The intricate motif combines twisted stitches and mosaic knitting, and the results couldn’t be more jaw-dropping. Here, we’ve paired the variegated marls of Cobblestone with the saturation of Uni Merino into one amazing pair of socks.
Mini MarshmallowTwilight Socks
The next two accessories will keep your neck and shoulders toasty and warm all season long! Crochet enthusiasts will absolutely adore Milky Way, a cozy cowl featuring the brilliant self-shading hues of Colorburst. The spike stitches blend the colors together and create a finished piece as impressive as the galaxy we call home. Unlike the kaleidoscope of colors seen in Milky Way, the knitted Snowstorm scarf looks a bit more neutral in Kingston Tweed. Gray and navy tones in a mosaic colorwork pattern will remind you of a nighttime blizzard, and the soft pink edges bring to mind rosy cheeks out in the cold.
Milky WaySnowstorm
There you have it – our designs for the final edition of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collections. We deeply appreciate all of your enthusiasm for these patterns and kits over the years. We hope each one has filled you with warmth and holiday cheer. And if these collections were something you looked forward to each year, fear not – we promise we will have many more festive treats in store for you in the years to come!
Be merry, my fiber friends, and have a wonderful holiday season! -Rachel
Happy Free Pattern Friday, folks! Today we bring you McKenzie, a cozy, cabled crochet pullover designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre.
This sweater is crocheted in pieces, then seamed, and it’s made using a simple half double crochet stitch so that the cable panel is center stage. For the Front piece, you will begin by working a ribbed hemline, moving into a section of even length based on size, which then flows  into the statement cable motif worked along the main body length, and finally creating the scoop neck shape. This neck shaping extends lines from the center cable up and over to each side so that the post stitches align with the ribbing to create a continuous flow of texture. All of the cabling and shaping is graded across multiple sizes and is also written and charted for your convenience. This thoughtful design was made with visual supports so that any adventurous beginner could approach this project with confidence.
Whether you feel called to crochet the McKenzie pullover, cast on the Log Cabin Blankie Kit, or to try a one-ball project like Snapdragon or Foxglove, you’ll want to stock up on Offbeat today. Shop now – Sunday 12/3 to get 20% off of this wonderful yarn! That’s all for today, happy stitching! Ashley Jane McIntyre
Hi there, fellow crafters! As we enter the season of shorter days and cooler weather, here at Universal Yarn, we are always thinking of ways to add some cheer to our projects. With this in mind, we are excited to announce the addition of a brand-new yarn to our lineup. Drumroll please….introducing Bella Pom Pom!
Bella Pom Pom is the perfect carry-along yarn to add trendy pops of neon color to your project. This yarn features a variegated thread with tiny pom poms scattered along it. It is comprised of 78% polyamide and 22% polyester, making it soft and durable. Each pom pom is a fun little pop of color in neon shades of orange, yellow, pink, and blue.
This yarn comes in 50g balls of approximately 334 yards each, perfect for adding a special touch to your smaller projects or as an accent to larger ones. Being a huge fan of neons, I fell in love with this yarn the moment I saw it in person. It opens up so many possibilities to liven up just about any type of project. Speaking of projects, we have a couple of free patterns to give you a chance to try out this delightfully fun yarn.
First up are the Sprinkle Mittens, designed by Rachel Brockman. Rachel designed these cozy mittens using one skein of our smooth, supple Uptown Bamboo DK, in 506 Apricot, held together with Bella Pom Pom. These mittens feature a twisted rib cuff for added texture and come in two sizes! They are a quick and easy knit and are the perfect accent to brighten up your outfit of the day.
Second, we have the Confetti Scrunchie, designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre. Scrunchies are back in a big way! And why not? They’re better for your hair, they can dress up or dress down any outfit, they’re harder to lose and they make a cute accessory for your wrist! This cute scrunchie is crocheted using our luscious Bella Chenille carried along with Bella Pom Pom. You work around an elastic hair tie in beginner-friendly half double crochet. Why not make one for yourself and one for a friend?
With neon colors taking center stage this winter season, Bella Pom Pom is the perfect way to incorporate this bold trend into your handmade pieces. I am super excited to use it in a simple cowl to add some extra color and texture. What would you do with it?
