crochet – Page 6 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022

Meet a Local Yarn Shop – The Knittin’ Coop

We’ve received wonderful feedback from our customers about our initiative to highlight the local yarn stores we know and love so much. The Knittin’ Coop is the store we are featuring for the month of November!

Front of The Knittin’ Coop – a perfect place to sit and work on your project

The Knittin’ Coop… what a name. Whether you’re a long-time customer, or just visiting, this is the name of a place that feels like home. If you travel to Salem, Virginia, you’ll find this cozy spot filled with a whole bunch of yarn! Robin Ferguson is the owner of The Knittin’ Coop, which opened back in August 2019.

Her store exists in an area that is home to many college students, as Roanoke College is right across the street. She says many of those students come by to the store to practice their knitting and crocheting. We love to see young people passionate about the knit/crochet community!

Opening the shop was a decision she made because of her lifelong exposure to knitting and crocheting from her mother and grandmother. It has always been a part of her life, so why not make it a career path? Now let’s take a look at what she has inside The Knittin’ Coop!

Offbeat in all 7 colors at The Knittin’ Coop

Universal Yarn is proud to be stocked on the shelves of The Knittin’ Coop. Some of our yarns featured on their shelves include Offbeat (pictured above), Bamboo Pop, Bamboo Pop Sock (solid version too), and Radiant Cotton. Robin mentions in our interview that due to the climate of Virginia, DK weight yarns are popular in her store.

She mentions Bamboo Pop Sock seems to be one of the favorites among her customers. She went along to say that this yarn is consistently used to create garments, shawls, and of course, socks.

Shawls seem to be a favorite project of The Knittin’ Coop customers, and it is no surprise, given what a versatile accessory they are. Sweaters also become a popular option for The Knittin’ Coop customers around the autumn season, which is when most of us get excited to start on some warmer projects!

One of our favorite things about The Knittin’ Coop is the up-to-date website. They have a clear calendar of events that makes it easy for any guest to know what’s going on at the store. Their store features many different classes, from beginner classes to private lessons, and even some seasonal offerings! Check out their website to learn more.

Lastly, if you’re thinking about stopping by The Knittin’ Coop. Rudy the shop dog will be very happy to see you!

The Knittin’ Coop has a furry friend named Rudy

We are so grateful for the opportunity to feature The Knittin’ Coop, and we encourage you to check them out on social media. If you are in the Salem, VA area, we highly recommend checking out this beautiful shop!

If you are a local yarn shop interested in being featured by Universal Yarn, please reach out to us – we would love to interview you! Please email rferrel@universalyarn.com if you would like to be featured!

Interview with The Knittin’ Coop

November 11, 2022November 11, 2022

Free Pattern Friday! – Spice Market Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman crouched on one knee wearing Spice Market Shawl crocheted in Uni Merino

Today, the Spice Market Shawl crocheted in Uni Merino (pattern link here).

This morning, our Design Team was discussing this week’s free pattern, and our Creative Lead mentioned how much she loves a pretty blanket shawl. This one is very pretty indeed!

Rear view of woman wearing Spice Market Shawl crocheted in Uni Merino.

Designer Ashley Jane McIntyre chimed in that she loves this stitch pattern. She combines a unique blend of double crochet and a double extended single crochet stitch in a four row repeat, for a project that’s interesting to make, but also rhythmic and relaxing.

Standing woman wearing Spice Market Shawl crocheted in Uni Merino.

It’s easy to find a comfortable groove to get into as you make this beautiful accessory. Ashley Jane cleverly uses rows that overlap each other, to create bands of color interrupted by the solid background. The result is a striking and harmonious fabric.

For this design, she chose one of our newest yarns, Uni Merino. We love it for socks, but it’s also divine in bigger projects like this week’s shawl. The palette of colors is designed to play well together, making it ideal for colorwork, in knitting, crochet, and weaving. Superwash Uni Merino is superfine weight, working up on a US Size F/5 (3.75 mm) in this project. It makes a shawl that’s drapey, but still very cozy!

Woman wearing Spice Market Shawl crocheted in Uni Merino

We hope you enjoy this week’s free pattern, with its autumnal open-air market feel. Have a fantastic weekend, and be sure to treat yourself well – maybe by starting something new and wonderful!

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

November 4, 2022November 20, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Glacial Cowl and Permafrost Cowl

Image of two women wearing cowls. Text reads Free Pattern Friday, Permafrost Cowl and Glacial Cowl in Major

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, not one but TWO free patterns! The Glacial Cowl crocheted in Major (pattern link here), and the Permafrost Cowl knitted in Major (pattern link here).

Woman in Permafrost Cowl knitted in Major

The temperature took a dip here, so we decided this was an ideal time to share something wintry for both knitters and crocheters. Rachel Brockman’s knitted Permafrost Cowl has a deep, roomy neck for comfort, and a pointed front to straddle the line between cowl and shawl.

The columns traveling across the body require no cable needle. The V-Twists are created with single twisted stitches that cross over one another. Such a beautiful effect!

Ashley Jane McIntyre’s crocheted Glacial Cowl also features a roomy neck and pointed front, but in this version, the crochet stitches create an even warmer fabric. Perfect when you need something to throw on over an open neck on a chilly day!

We’re rating both versions as Easy – there are no super tricky bits here, just two lovely, very achievable designs. How satisfying!

Each pattern takes just one ball of self-shading Major. This is a crafting favorite, with beautiful color blends in a big, 200 gram ball. This is a thick yarn for gratifyingly, quick progress! Here, we chose color 104 Pebbles for its icy blues and grays, but there are plenty of other color options. If you’re feeling more autumnal, try 129 Russet!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of fun and laughter.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

October 28, 2022October 28, 2022

Flash Pattern Friday – Branscombe

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing Branscombe shawl crocheted in Kingston Tweed

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s Branscombe, crocheted in Kingston Tweed (Ravelry link here).

Woman in knitted vest. Text reads, Kingston Tweed: Seven Modern Classics to Knit and Crochet in Kingston Tweed

This design by Edie Eckman was originally released as part of Kingston Tweed Vol. 1, a collection of seven beautiful projects in sophisticated Kingston Tweed.

In her design, Edie very cleverly created a shaped top edge that sits comfortably on the shoulders, avoiding bunching and letting the contrasting colorwork show.

Seated woman wearing Branscombe shawl crocheted in Kingston Tweed

A V stitch, along with graceful shells along the border, give this shawl an open, drapey feel.

Kingston Tweed works beautifully here. Its alpaca content gives an oh-so-subtle halo to the finished piece, softening the spaces between stitches.

Alternative color options for Branscombe

Friends, we are awfully low on the dark gray Basalt color shown in the model. Fortunately, the entire palette is harmonious, drawn from nature to look beautiful together. We’ve put together some alternative color combinations to consider above.

As always, I’m all about the cool tones. Maybe some combination of 106, 109, and 111? So soothing.

To get Brnascombe free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page linked here. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase, and click “apply.”

Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 10/30 and we’ll get you taken care of.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Happy crafting!

-Heather

October 12, 2022

Meet a Local Yarn Shop – Yarnatopia

As a yarn company, we would not be where we are today without the support of the local yarn stores who stock our products on their shelves. From humble beginnings, we now have over 800 local yarn store retailers around the world who carry our yarns. The support these shops give to our company is amazing, and we want to spread the love back to them as much as possible. On social media, we consistently feature projects from local yarn shops and share our retailers, but we wanted to dig a little deeper and get to know some of these wonderful shops and owners even better. Today, we continue our initiative to interview some of our local yarn store retailers to learn a little more about them, their shops, and what keeps business going.

Store Front of Yarnatopia in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – home of A LOT of yarn

It’s a happy anniversary for the folks at Yarnatopia in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. October 1st of this year marked 6 years of being open for the local yarn shop. Tricia Perkins is the owner of this fine yarn store, and we are delighted that Universal Yarn is on her shelves. We got the chance to interview her and ask her more about the one-of-a-kind Yarnatopia. Read below to learn more about one of the best yarn shops in Oklahoma!

Yarnatopia Owner Tricia Perkins with Bamboo Pop in the background

Every yarn store has a different story and reason for how it came about. We don’t always get to see the behind-the-scenes, but we can promise you that not every single day is easy. During the interview, Tricia explained to us why she decided to open her store.

While the shelves inside Yarnatopia may contain hundreds of different yarn skeins and colors, the community is what makes this place so special. Owner Tricia Perkins and her co-worker Mary have been through their share of struggles, but Tricia says that it has only made their community stronger. When tragedy strikes, we look to the people around us to lift our heads and support us. While she was coping with the loss of loved ones, customers would come into Yarnatopia just to be there for Tricia throughout the day. She has dubbed the support of her customers, ‘The Tricia Train’, and they continue to come into the shop every week. During the interview, Tricia explained to us why opening a shop was one of her best decisions, as it created the base for one of the most supportive communities she has ever known.

Interior of the Yarnatopia with many WIPs and cozy chairs for knitting and crocheting

Another one of the great joys about owning a yarn shop is, well, the yarn! When asked about the most popular fiber content/weight at her store, Tricia said, “Fingering weight, they like the fingering weight.” This is no surprise due to the warm climate in Oklahoma. It’s no wonder some of the most popular yarns at her store are Bamboo Pop and Bamboo Pop Sock! These yarns are highly versatile and great for wearable projects for all ages. Tricia goes on to mention fingering weight is very well-liked because “You can make socks and you can make shawls.” These two yarn options are excellent for those types of projects! As you can see below, her shelves are stocked with these wonderful yarns!

Variety of Bamboo Pop yarn at Yarnatopia

Other favorites that Tricia mentioned include Clean Cotton and Bella Chenille. She claims that her customers create many different home projects with Clean Cotton, which this yarn is perfect for! Bella Chenille is a favorite amongst her customers for blankets, and who can blame them? This yarn is so soft and cozy as many of you already know!

Yarnatopia does a phenomenal job showing its support to its customers. As we know, consistent encouragement is so important when learning to knit or crochet. Their store has a rug where people stand to get a picture of their own finished project. “The Corner of Fame” is what they call it. This gives customers the opportunity to not only feel special about a project they completed but also, Tricia shares them on Yarnatopia’s social media accounts! Speaking of outreach, Yarnatopia has a knit group every Wednesday and Friday. Additionally, in the month of October, they are doing all kinds of fun sales and events for the store’s anniversary.

We greatly enjoyed talking with Yarnatopia’s owner! You can watch the entire interview below by clicking on the video! We hope you learn a lot about this great store, and who knows, maybe you’ll stop by if you ever find yourself in Oklahoma City!

Full interview with Tricia Perkins (Yarnatopia)

October 10, 2022October 10, 2022

Textures & Treats Photo Contest

Autumn is a wonderful season for yarn crafting. The air is cooling down, and we’re ready to work on a brand-new sweater or shawl for the season. What could be better to pair with your crafting than a tasty fall treat? From pie to Halloween candy or warm apple cider, everyone has a favorite autumn treat to enjoy while they work on a project. We wanted to combine this love of yarn and treats into a photo contest that you can participate in on social media!

Photo of Ravello in 113 Nori and 105 HoneyPot with some pumpkin cookies – Petal Shawl in Ravello (free pattern) – Wooden stitch markers made by Katrinkles Knitting Jewelry

What is a photo contest? The idea of our photo contests is to let people show their creativity by taking pictures of our yarn, a WIP, or a finished product using our yarn. In July of this year, we held a photo contest featuring our yarns and projects that used our yarns. We were very happy with the results, so we decided to bring on another one! This time with a fall theme! If you are wondering what this is all about, or you’re looking to learn more, read below to hear more about the Textures & Treats Photo Contest.

When does it start and how do I enter? Starting today (October 10th), we are giving everyone on Instagram the opportunity to participate in a fun, fall-themed photo contest. We can’t forget to mention, there is a great prize for the winner! If you don’t yet have Instagram, feel free to create an account (it’s quick, easy, and free!) and follow us @universal_yarn for more details about the contest. Now time for the details!

What are the rules? First, grab your Universal Yarn, WIP, or FO (finished object), along with your favorite autumn treat. Then snap a picture! The setting is your choice – be creative! Once you do that, post the photo to your Instagram, tag us in it @universal_yarn, and use the hashtag #UYtexturesandtreatsphotocontest. You must be following us on Instagram to be officially entered, and we ask that you also DM (Direct Message) us a jpg image of your entry. Please note, by using the hashtag, you are allowing us to repost your content. The deadline to enter is November 9th!

Rules for the Textures & Treats Photo Contest – Truva WIP is Yonca Ozbelli’s – Gold stitch markers made by Erin Fisher (https://www.instagram.com/onfishershook/)

How do I win? After the November 9th deadline, our staff will vote and select the top 5 photos of those who have entered. On November 10, we will post the Top 5 as a carousel post on our Instagram, and you will vote for the winner through comments on the post. The winner will then be announced on November 15th, and a great prize will be on its’ way! Now, let’s think of some inspiration!

Inspiration? We hope the photos within this blog provide inspiration but let’s take some time to go through what we are looking for! There are so many amazing things about the fall season, whether that be the leaves turning colors, or pumpkin spice anything. So, what would make a good photo? How about a sweater with fall leaves, a pumpkin in the background, and a warm apple cider? That sounds like a great idea. If you’re not a big fan of pumpkins or apple cider, do not worry. One more idea could be your favorite Universal Yarn with a tasty Pecan Pie on the side, perhaps throw in some leaves or acorns as well. The options are endless, and there’s no telling what great yarn photos you can come up with!

139 Masquerade in Uni Merino with candy apples

We hope you decide to join us this autumn for our Textures & Treats Photo Contest!

Questions? If you have any questions, please email rferrel@universalyarn.com and I will be happy to assist!

We can’t wait to see your photos! – Robert

September 16, 2022September 16, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Skill Builder Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Smiling woman holding the Skill-Builder scarf crocheted in Dona yarn.

Today, the Skill-Builder scarf crocheted in Dona (pattern link here).

Whether you’re an advanced crocheter looking for a fun sampler, or a beginner (like me!) who wants to practice your technique, this scarf is for you!

Close of stitch panels in Skill-Builder Scarf crocheted in Dona yarn.

You’ll advance your way through airy lace and terrific textures, each bordered with a cute, thin stripe of the Thicket Stitch. Some techniques will include post stitching, shells, back loops, and even working backwards!

Closeup of Dona yarn balls. — Dona’s soft feel and smooth look are beyond compare.

For this pattern, Designer AJ McIntyre used our Fibra Natura Dona. It’s a 100% superwash extrafine merino with a high twist that gives amazing stitch definition. When so much of the design revolves around standout stitches, Dona is the perfect choice!

This pattern is exactly what I need. I want to learn to crochet better, but I keep back-burnering it because I haven’t found quite the perfect project. This sampler will keep me motivated to continue on and try new things in easily accomplished blocks – especially since the end result is so pretty. I can’t wait to start!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of learning and love.

Happy crafting!
-Heather Hill

September 12, 2022September 12, 2022

Yarn Spotlight: Cobblestone

Hello to our fellow yarn lovers! It feels like summer has flown by, and now autumn is on the way. None of us are complaining about cooler weather, though. There is something about the crisp fall air that brings a sense of relaxation. Whether you are sitting by the fireplace knitting to your favorite tv show, or out and about, this is the perfect time for fall projects.

Today we’re spotlighting a yarn that has been popular since its release last fall: Cobblestone. The name itself paints a picture of the fall season, and the yarn certainly passes the test. There are so many great free patterns and some new colors, so why don’t we go ahead and jump in?

Clockwise (left to right) – Cobblestone is 108 Tuxedo, 105 Mallard, 102 Precious Jewels, and 106 Meadow

When it comes to sophisticated yarns, Cobblestone is right up there with the rest. This yarn is perfect for classic garments and accessories, some of which will be highlighted here in this blog. This two-ply yarn has one variegated ply and one solid ply giving Cobblestone a beautiful handspun appearance. It is a great idea to stick with simpler stitch motifs because cables and lace could get lost, but that doesn’t stop Cobblestone from bringing a creative touch to sweaters, scarves, socks, and the list could go on and on.

Cobblestone is a fine, sport-weight yarn made from 100% superwash merino wool, giving it a light feel and making it perfect for early fall. Each ball boasts 200 g / 612 yards, making it an excellent option for bigger projects or several small projects. The wool fibers still do their job of keeping you nice and cozy, while not being winter-weather warm. Whether you knit or crochet, this yarn is soft to the touch and easy to work with. Now, let’s learn about color options.

Cobblestone in 107 Cotton Candy with a crochet hook

There are 16 beautiful, unique colorways in Cobblestone – eight of which are brand new for this season (pictured below). Antarctica (#114) reminds me of a snowy night by the fire pit, roasting s’mores with friends. While Parakeet (#110) looks like a fun day surfing at the beach. There’s a perfect color scheme for everyone with Cobblestone, the question now is, what should you make? Well, we are glad you asked. Cobblestone is featured in plenty of free patterns, so let’s highlight a few.

The eight new colors of Cobblestone released for Fall 2022

The Cotton Candy Swirl… Doesn’t that just sound so yummy? The aptly-named Cotton Candy (#107) colorway just reminds me of a ballpark cotton candy treat. This shawl is sure to get you compliments every time you wear it, and will keep you cozy when the weather gets chilly. This is the perfect free pattern option to start your fall crochet projects. The stitch definition is clear to see in this accessory, and the yarn adds unique characteristics to the finished shawl. The fun color shifts in Cobblestone work with the treble crochet pattern to create a bright and happy project. This pattern is a great choice for all skill levels and only requires one skein of Cobblestone. If you’re not a huge fan of pastels, any color will look amazing in the Cotton Candy Swirl.

The Cotton Candy Swirl with 107 Cotton Candy

How about a pair of socks? Cobblestone is an insulating, lightweight, and springy yarn – all great attributes for creating a cozy pair. Not only that, but with the amount of yardage in each skein, you’ll have enough to make some for yourself and friends and family. The free Cobblesocks, designed by Heather Hill, are knit in the round from toe-up. This knitting pattern is a lovely way to start the autumn season. I think Tuxedo (#108) would make a great pair of socks that are easy to match and comfortable to wear.

The last pattern we will mention is the Gravel Sweater, designed by Rachel Brockman. This sweater uses both Cobblestone and Donnina. The sleeve cuffs, hems, and neckline all use Donnina, and that leaves a canvas for Cobblestone to complete the main body of the sweater. The timeless color choices of Cobblestone make this sweater really stand out, just make sure to match it with a coordinating color of Donnina if you choose to stray away from Tuxedo (#108) in Cobblestone. While this sweater is sized for women, it could easily be adapted for men, too.

Gravel Sweater with 108 Tuxedo and 230 Onyx in Donnina

There are a few more patterns that use our Cobblestone yarn, including wraps, sweaters, hats, and more. You can find them all on our website by searching “Cobblestone patterns.” If you are more of a kinesthetic learner, then take a look at a local yarn store near you, so you can go in and get a feel for Cobblestone. We hope you have enjoyed hearing more about this yarn and we can’t wait to see what you will make with it!

P.S – Stay tuned for more great things in Cobblestone to come this fall!

Keep on crafting! -Robert

August 26, 2022August 26, 2022

Flash Pattern Friday – Atacama Scarf

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s the Atacama Scarf, a breezy, bohemian scarf crocheted in Unity Beyond (Ravelry link here).

Collage of knit and crochet designs from the Desert Dreams pattern collection.

The scarf was originally released as part of the Desert Dreams collection, featuring these six desert-inspired designs to knit and crochet in Unity and Unity Beyond.

This fabulous artisanal texture comes from Unity Beyond’s unique blend of cotton, wool, linen, and bamboo. It gives all the benefits of plant fibers, with just the right amount of bounce!

Woman wearing scarf. Text below reads Atacama crocheted in Unity Beyond. Use code FLASH on Ravelry - ends 8/28.

To get the Atacama Scarf free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page linked here. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase, and click “apply.”

Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 8/28 and we’ll get you taken care of.

Woman leaning against brick wall and wearing crocheted scarf

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

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

August 5, 2022August 5, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Sunny Shells

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Multicolored crocheted small blanket draped over a chair.

Today, Sunny Shells crocheted in Deluxe Stripes (pattern link here).

How clever is this? I love the way designer Ashley Jane McIntyre used the self-striping nature of Deluxe Stripes to create little accents between the shells, breaking up the fields of color with complementary tones.

Deluxe Stripes a great yarn for this project. The stripes change crisply, and the 75% wool/25% nylon content means this blankie is machine washable and will last a long time. Deluxe Stripes is also Oeko-Tex 100 Product Class 1 certified, for the safety of the ones you love!