crochet – Page 17 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

September 2, 2016September 3, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Sunbeam Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sunbeam Tunic in Good Earth Multi.

And now, the weather.

That’s Hurricane Hermine, bearing down on us like a very wet, very angry freight train. Chance of rain: 100%. Chance of us holing up with some good yarn: also 100%. It’s time to bring a little sunshine indoors until this all blows over.

The Sunbeam Tunic in Good Earth Multi features sunny motifs to brighten up a dreary day. Good Earth Multi linen/cotton blend (170yds/100g) is a great choice for this – the plant fibers let the tunic drape and fall without bunching up or grabbing onto an inner fabric layer. Thsi should keep you busy enough to forget about the weather, but on a size 9 (5.5mm) hook, it won’t take forever to finish.

If you’re in the path of the storm, we hope you stay safe, warm, and dry. We wish you all sunbeams and rainbows!

Happy crafting!

August 26, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Corner to Corner Throw

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Corner to Corner Throw in Classic Shades.

We are so, so lucky to work with so many amazing LYSes. Case in point: we can enjoy the talents of Alice Gossette and Kat Koeller of The Thankful Ewe in New Bremen, Ohio. This dynamic duo have appeared here before, with the free Summer Shawl in Bamboo Pop. They’ve graciously shared this design with us as well.

It’s called the Corner to Corner Throw because it’s crocheted… wait for it… corner to corner! We love how they coordinated Classic Shades 731 Natural Glow with solid Uptown Worsted in 328 Dijon for the fringe. It’s a great choice that takes the throw up a notch.

Working corner to corner means that the bands of color change height as the rows lengthen and shorten, an excellent use of self-striping yarn. It’s a simple way to give even more interest to an already striking pattern.

We hope you find time to work on something beautiful this weekend, either for yourself or for someone you love.

Happy crafting!

July 29, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Berry Patch Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Berry Patch Cardi in Whisper Lace.

This pattern comes to us from our Mexican distributor, Rebecca Pick. In their magazine, they featured an absolutely stunning crochet design in Whisper Lace (440yds/50g) designed by Ángeles Uribe Salinas. Rebecca Pick graciously shared it with us, and now we get to share it with you!

This beautiful cardi is made of strips of delicate fan lace. They’re joined as you go, with the bottom of the strips left loose to fall freely. Can’t you imagine twirling around in this and seeing the little butterflies of lace fly?

The lace is written and charted, and a schematic is included for assembly. We love how the multi-colored yarn works up into individual fans for a delicate and unique look. This is a great skill showcase.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend. Happy crafting!

July 8, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Summer Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the crocheted Summer Shawl in Bamboo Pop.

This pattern comes to us courtesy of Alice Gossette and Kat Koeller of LYS The Thankful Ewe in New Bremen, Ohio. It’s another example of why you should stop in at your local yarn shop – there are some really great ideas waiting for you there!

This is a five ball project in Bamboo Pop (292yds/100g) – 2 balls of 109 Clover for the large triangle, then 1 each of 108 Lime Green, 118 Marmalade, and 107 Ocean for the stripes nearer the top. The designers note that the top stripe took almost all of the blue, so you might want to snag an extra ball, just in case.

I love the inclusion of the vibrant band of gold. This would be an easy one to customize with your own personal palette, or to add a variegated color to. Color 203 Golden Seas strikes a nice balance between all of the colors included here.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and find time to kick back with a project and take care of yourself.

Happy crafting!

May 20, 2016May 20, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Florin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Florin Scarf in Cotton Gold.

Crocheted in Rozetti Yarns sparkling sequined Cotton Gold (200yds/25g), this scarf is named Florin after the golden coins you might find in a dragon’s hoard.

Now that's a stash. — Credit: Lauren aka IguanaMouth

Wait, wrong hoard. Although I do want that hoard.

There we go. The glittering gold sequins catch the light in dramatic fashion. Having worked with this yarn personally, I can tell you that those sequins are really on there – I’ve never had one come loose.

Cotton Gold works great paired with another yarn to add some bling (Crinkle Cowl, anyone?), or on its own as in this one-ball scarf.

The body of the Florin Scarf is worked in two directions. First, the main scarf body is worked to one end, and the End Section is crocheted. Then the other End Section is crocheted into the beginning chain of the other side of the scarf body. Finally, a border is worked around the entire outer edge of the scarf. Lastly, put on your glittering masterpiece and feel like the fabulous person you are.

We hope you have an amazing weekend of crocheting and enjoying your yarn hoard!

March 24, 2016

Spotlight on Yashi

With Spring coming, we want to highlight a great yarn for warm weather.

Yashi is 100% raffia. It has a papery but soft feel and works great for accessories and home decor. Yashi Iro is its multi-colored companion, dyed in shades that coordinate with the solids. Our Sales Director Yonca has made a video to tell us all about it.

In the video, she mentions Rick Mondragon’s Japanese Knot bag, which is now available as a free pattern on our website.

This was originally available for STITCHESWest attendees, and we’re very grateful to Knitting Universe for sharing it with us. By the way, if you haven’t been to a STITCHES show yet, put it on your to-do list. They’re a blast.

You can find the Japanese Knot Bag pattern at this link.

We hope you enjoy this fun free crochet pattern. Happy crafting!

February 26, 2016February 26, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Ocean Breeze Cap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Ocean Breeze Cap in Yashi Iro.

Cute, right? This summery cap is crocheted in 100% raffia Yashi Iro (124yds/50g), the multi-colored sibling to solid Yashi (99yds/40g). We love this yarn. It’s great for home dec and accessories, and it’s really caught on with crocheters.

Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – Ocean Breeze Cap”

December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

Deluxe Bulky Superwash – Two New Scarves

11 days until Christmas!

I always seem to start these posts with, “are you ready for the holidays?” There’s a reason: I am never ready for the holidays. If, like me, you’re searching for something fresh that will work up quickly, we’ve got you covered!

We introduced Deluxe Bulky Superwash 100% wool (100g/106yds) this Fall. It’s a little thicker than our favorite Deluxe Chunky, and, as the name implies, it’s machine washable. That’s two of my criteria for quick holiday projects met.

Best of all, we’ve already introduced a couple of free knit and crochet patterns for this yarn.

At right, the Nesting Diamonds Scarf. This one might seem a little ambitious for Christmas, but do what I do: “I’d love to do the dishes/vacuum/shop for your mother’s gift but I need to finish this scarf.” Boom. Extra knitting time and fewer chores.

On size 10 1/2(6.5mm) needles, this is a lovely tasseled scarf that won’t break the bank or take forever. The body simply knit and purl, with slipped stitches at the edges of the scarf to create a neater border. The pattern is written and charted – take your pick of what’s more comfortable for you.

Next, the Ambrosia Scarf. Long and luscious, the scarf loops around for a dramatic look. The puff stitch arcs make for a soft and inviting feel with a lot of visual interest. Crocheted on a US Size N-15 (10 mm) hook, this is another one that will go quickly but still be satisfying to make.

We hope you take some time to make something beautiful for yourself as well. You deserve a break to enjoy the holiday season!

Happy crafting!

October 30, 2015October 30, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Trellis Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Trellis Tee in Saki Silk.

What a great blend of knit and crochet! First, the front squares are crocheted, then the front, back, and sleeves are knitted, then the whole top is assembled and a crochet picot edging is added. I’m excited – I’ve done a knitted picot edging before, but not a crocheted one, and it looks so much easier!

The choice of Saki Silk (440yds/100g) for this was a good one. The monochrome 301 Shadowscape body matches the gray in 304 Giverney, but Giverney’s addition of purple gives it the pop of color it needs.

This would also look great with the front panel in 307 Hidden Lagoon (above), with its blend of gray and blue. Cool in several senses of the word.

Have a wonderful weekend of crafting, everyone.

October 27, 2015

Hello, Autumn.

And now it’s official. A gray, rainy day with a dropping temperature – even here in the South we can’t deny it anymore. Cold weather has settled in. It seems like a good time to share some of our favorite Fall patterns, especially ones that we think deserve more attention. Pull up something pumpkiny and spicy and let’s dive in.

Sandi Rosner’s Pacific Heights Pullover is a fave. Originally made with the now-discontinued Classic Shades Solids for the gray portion, This would work beautifully with Deluxe Worsted Superwash (220yds/100g). Keep the Classic Shades (197yds/100g) for the front and back panels, though.

Pick a bright color as Sandi has or something more subtle, depending on how much of a lift your mood needs to get you through these shortening days. I’m thinking maybe something dark for the main color, but then with my favorite 719 Midnight Ride (right) for the slip stitch panels.

The crocheted Hearth Rug in Deluxe Chunky (120yds/100g) is another unsung hero. I like how easy this is to customize. Add more motifs, change the color to match your decor – this is one that you could really make your own.

The motifs are made separately and then sewn together, making it a great large-scale project that can still fit in your project bag.

And speaking of project bags, Drew Emborsky designed the practical and beautiful Felted Flat Bottom Tote in Deluxe Worsted (220yds/100g). As the name implies, the bag sits flat, making it great not just as a take-along but as a bag to sit beside you as you knit on the couch on those cool nights.

Also from Drew Emborsky, the Felted Faux Entrelac Crochet Tote was originally done in discontinued Deluxe Worsted Long Print, but would look fabulous in any of the gazillion* colors of Deluxe Worsted that are available. (*note: it’s actually 138 colors. Gazillion is just how it looks all in one place.)

Formerly only available as part of a printed leaflet, we’ve made both of Drew’s felted patterns available for free exclusively for our local yarn store partners. Ask your LYS to download a copy for you.

We hope you find some inspiration to tide you through these gray days. Snuggle up with some good yarn and enjoy!

Happy crafting!