Deluxe Worsted Superwash – Universal Yarn Creative Network

August 9, 2023August 8, 2023

Staff Picks – Favorite Fall Sweaters!

Now that we are in the midst of our summer plans and festivities, many of us are starting to look forward to fall. With colder weather on the horizon and fiber festivals to attend, this is a great time to start planning and making the perfect sweaters for the season. We have compiled a few favorites to help get you started with your selections!

*Virtuoso in Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash, designed by Aubrey Busek*.

Up first, Designer and Marketing Lead, Aubrey Busek is highlighting the brilliant cardigan, Virtuoso, designed by herself! Here is what she has to say about why she loves this piece so much for fall.

“Virtuoso is my favorite fall sweater because of the vibrant colors that I associate with autumn. Juicy yellows, dark pinks, and oranges reflect the changing colors of the foliage throughout the season. The way that our Colorburst yarn shifts in the stripes reminds me of a sunset and reflects the earlier darkening of the sky during the autumn season. Also, the practicality of the garment itself makes it my favorite. In the autumn season, you often deal with warm days and chilling mornings and nights. A long cardigan is perfect for layering and easy to change in and out to suit the quickly shifting temperatures.” – Aubrey.

This sweater calls for the solid yarn Deluxe DK Superwash combined with our self-shading Colorburst for this stunning striping effect. Deluxe DK Superwash is made of 100% superwash wool and is available in 50 colors, all of which have the potential to pair up with Colorburst for a unique and special garment. Some of these colors are currently on sale, so be sure to stash up before they are gone! Colorburst is made of 65% superwash fine merino wool and 35% acrylic and is available in 16 different shades to suit any maker.

*Lumber in Deluxe Worsted, Designed by Amy Gunderson*.

Next up is a pick from Robert, our Social Media Marketing Assistant, who is currently learning to knit! He selected Lumber, designed by Amy Gunderson, and shares why, below.

“My favorite sweater would have to be Lumber. Using just one color of Deluxe Worsted (non-superwash), Lumber highlights reliability over flash. As a guy who wears jeans often, I need a sweater that will help me sport a well-rounded outfit. And since I am always cold, the yarn choice of Deluxe Worsted is bound to keep me warm.” – Robert.

As he shares, this sweater uses Deluxe Worsted, which is 100% non-superwash wool, and it’s springy fibers do keep makers warm and cozy! There is an astonishing 90 colors to select from, so you are sure to find a favorite hue to make this sweater the one for you.

*Peri in Truva, designed by Rachel Brockman.*

Rachel Brockman, our Creative Lead, shares Peri, which she designed and plans to make for herself for autumn!

“This year, the autumn sweater I’m itching to cast on is Peri. The knit-purl centric design of this sweater is simple, which is perfect because lately, I’ve been craving soothing, rhythmic knits. The striped seed stitch texture looks phenomenal in two beautifully heathered shades of our cotton/cashmere blend, Truva. This blend is ideal for southern autumns because it stays pretty warm here year-round. As a perpetually chilly person, though, the roll neck and cozy sleeves of Peri are just what I need! Even though this is my design, I will probably modify the body length a bit because I’m a fan of a slight crop paired with high-waisted skirts or pants. Because this sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down, achieving the perfect body and sleeve length will be a breeze. Although I usually like to shake up colors from the original design, I don’t think I’m switching it up this time! The shades used in the sample, 108 Crocus and 107 Mandarin, are my favorites in the palette. Fans of blues might love pairing 102 Stormcloud with 104 Harbor, and I think 103 Chambray and 105 Aegean look lovely together, too (check out the Spearmint Tee to see for yourself!).” – Rachel.

Peri is made with Truva, a luxurious blend of 50% cashmere and 50% cotton that is perfect for every season. It comes in a bespoke offering of eight heathered and marled shades which are all as refined as the yarn itself.

*Hanasaku Yoke in Deluxe Worsted Superwash, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, and Colorburst, designed by Universal Yarn Design Team.*

Lastly, I’ll be sharing my pick! I’m Ashley Jane, a Design Associate here at Unversal Yarn. Below is a bit about why I love this sweater, the Hanasaku Yoke, designed by the UY Design Team.

“The Hanasaku Yoke is my pick for fall because of the combination of rich textures and colors that interplay throughout the sweater creating lots of room for fun and intrigue. The Bamboo Bloom varies in thickness throughout, making even simple stitches look deceptively intricate, while the color shifts of Colorburst offer potential for tonal or contrasting enhancement. All of this is set on a complimenting solid backdrop of Deluxe Worsted Superwash letting each of these yarns shine in their own way. I love how much potential there is to make this sweater over again in varying colors for this season and beyond!” – Ashley Jane

This sweater callsfor three different yarns. Deluxe Worsted Superwash is the slightly thicker version of the above mentioned Deluxe DK Superwash (used in Virtuoso). It also contains 100% superwash wool, but this yarn is available in 57 dazzling colors, giving you slightly more to choose from! Bamboo Bloom Handpaints is arguably one of our most unique yarns with its thick and thin, matte and shiny qualities throughout. It’s made of 44% wool, 48 rayon from bamboo, and 8% acrylic available in 15 soothing shades to choose from. Lastly, these yarns combine with Colorburst (also used in Virtuoso) to create the show-stopping combination seen in the Hansaku Yoke.

I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring some of these Fall Favorites! Will you try out any of these sweaters for yourself or someone you love? Don’t forget to share all your beautiful creations with us on social media!

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

March 28, 2023March 28, 2023

Fiber For You – 100% Wool

If you’re a crafter, you know that choosing the right fiber for your project is one of the most fun and sometimes most daunting parts of the creation process. As crafters ourselves, we thought that we could offer you some assistance in the process of picking the ‘Fiber For You’. Throughout this series on social media and our blog, we will walk you through some of the most popular fiber choices, including the pros and cons of using that specific fiber. Where do we start? There’s no better place to start than with 100% wool yarns. Here at Universal Yarn, we offer a variety of 100% wool options that we think you will love! Let’s walk through why this fiber is perfect for your next project!

Deluxe Worsted Superwash is one of our most popular 100% wool yarns!

Wool is very likely the first fiber most people think of when they think about yarn. It is natural, durable, and has been used to create clothing and accessories for centuries. Here are some of the many reasons to choose to work with wool:

Breathability – This may not be the quality of wool that comes to mind immediately, but it’s very beneficial, especially in the warmer months. Wool is a highly breathable fiber, so you can relax knowing that you will not be overheating in garments and accessories made with this fiber. Pockets of air form in wool fibers to allow for the release of moisture, keeping you cool all summer long.
Moisture-Wicking – One of the reasons wool is an excellent option for winter months, especially in places with snowfall, is that it absorbs moisture. That makes wool garments perfect for those who enjoy snowboarding, skiing, or hanging out in the snow. You can rest assured knowing you won’t get soaked.
Durability – We had to add a reason specific to crafters looking to use this fiber for their next project. Wool is strong and resistant to tearing and stretching due to its natural elasticity. That means it is easy on your hands while you knit and crochet, and even if you need to frog a project, the yarn will bounce back to its original shape. Wool is often notes as feeling “lofty and light,” yet the fibers are strong enough to withstand wear and tear and be handed down as heirlooms when cared for properly.

The Carillon sweater features beautiful texture in our Deluxe Worsted yarn (100% non-superwash wool)

Garments like the Carillon sweater (pictured above) are just one of the stunning knitting patterns that feature 100% wool yarns. Wool fibers allow for beautifully textured designs like this one and give you space to be a little more creative with your stitches. When picking wool yarns, it’s important to distinguish between superwash wool and non-superwash wool. Options like Deluxe Worsted Superwash make it simple to machine wash your garments and accessories without worrying about felting occurring due to the superwash coating. However, if you plan on using Deluxe Worsted or Yarn Vibes with 100% non-superwash wool, hand wash and do not tumble dry to avoid felting.

Our website has so many patterns and wool yarns to choose from!

Now that you know more about the most popular fiber in the industry, let’s take a look at some inspiration so you can get started on your next project. Crocheters will find delight in the Rosewood Shawl (top middle right), using our Cobblestone yarn. This accessory features a gorgeous textured look and feel and can be worn year-round. Cardigans make for a fun project, and with Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash, you can knit up the Sedona (top middle left), which includes pockets as well! With our widely varied selection of 100% wool yarns, you will never fall short of inspiration for your next project!

Thank you for reading more about 100% wool in our new “Fiber For You” series; we hope it was informative and exciting. Stick around for next month as we go in-depth on the popular cotton fiber.

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Elijah

Happy Friday, friends! Our newest free pattern is a sweet, small piece designed with little ones in mind. This week, we bring you the Elijah cardigan made with Deluxe Worsted Superwash!

*Elijah cardigan in Deluxe Worsted Superwash colors 709 Lime Tree, 718 Dusty Blue, and 760 Indigo.*

Deluxe Worsted Superwash is a wonderful yarn for a child’s garment. It’s made of 100% superwash wool, so you can machine wash it in cold water, and even tumble dry it on a low setting. It comes in 67 different colors, so there are endless combinations you can create to express the perfect palette for a budding personality. This pattern calls for (1) skein each of #709 Lime Tree, #718 Dusty Blue, and #760 Indigo for all sizes. You could opt for more rosy hues, something adventurous, or even go off pattern and get multiple colors to rainbow your way through each striped section! No matter what you choose, this cardigan will be a treasured gift for someone else, or a little one of your own.

Another detail that adds room for whimsy, quirk, polished-ness or pizazz is buttons! We love getting to add a touch of personality to top off any project with a good button. For this sample, we used the Prism buttons by Katrinkles, which kind of resemble a compass. It’s a touch of adventure that reminds us of those magical moments where kids will play outside imagining that they are explorers trekking through trees and bushes to fantasized lands.

Elijah cardigan, featuring Prism Buttons by Katrinkles

This easy-rated pattern is worked from the bottom-up in one piece using a subtly textured stripe-sequence. The body is worked flat, then the fronts and back are separated at the armholes and worked separately. The shoulders are joined using the three-needle method, then the sleeves are picked up and worked in the round. The button bands and neck edging are picked up and worked flat to wrap the whole thing up. The pattern has schematics to help guide you through the assembly. This is a great project if you’re looking to try a garment for the first time, or want a quick make between other complex pieces, and have a little one in your life to celebrate.

Elijah cardigan, in Deluxe Worsted Superwash is ready for wearing!

We can’t wait to see your version of the Elijah cardigan! Be sure to share it with us on social media. Follow & tag us on Instagram at @Universal_Yarn and use the hashtag #UniversalYarn, or find and follow us on TikTok or Facebook at @UniversalYarn.

That’s all for now, happy stitching friends!

December 13, 2022December 13, 2022

12 Days of Winter – Series 6 Edition, Part II

This is part 2 in a four-part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 6 Edition.

In today’s installment of our blog series on our annual 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, I’ll be highlighting three delightful knitting patterns: Hubble the Winter Wolf, the Hemlock Set, and the Pomegranate Path set.

Hubble the Winter Wolf, a hand knitted toy using Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted and Universal Yarn Minou. — Hubble the Winter Wolf

A woman smiling and wearing the Hemlock Set, hand knitted using Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Superwash. — Hubble the Winter Wolf

You may be asking yourself, “what do these three projects have in common?” The answer, my fiber-loving friend, is warm, woolly textures! With an emphasis on our “Deluxe” family of yarns, these projects utilize our three worsted lines: Deluxe Worsted, Deluxe Worsted Superwash, and Deluxe Worsted Tweed. A trifecta of worsted weight wools, if you will!

Additionally, these projects showcase texture. In Hubble the Winter Wolf, we’ve sprinkled in some Minou for fluffy interest, and in both the Hemlock Set and Pomegranate Path, we’ve incorporated plump cables throughout. The final thread tying these patterns together is headwear! A pom pom topper for a stuffed best friend, a headband for a dressier outing, and a beanie to ensure your warmth for the duration of the season! Shall we take a closer look?

A front view of a small, hand knitted wolf toy using Universal Yarn Minou and Deluxe Worsted. The toy wears an embroidered turquoise hat with a pom pom. — Hubble the Winter Wolf has the cutest floof around his chest, paws, ears, and tail. Irresistible!

Hubble the Winter Wolf

I’ll be honest – this pattern is my pride and joy in the collection! This design took lots of experimentation and was an absolute joy to put together. If you’d like to know a little about the design process, it began with lots of ripping back, sketches, and jotting down scribbles of notes in my graph paper notebook (side note: every knitter who enjoys charts, designing, or modifying patterns will benefit from a graph paper notebook, throw one in their stocking!).

A small, hand knitted wolf toy, shown from the side and wearing a turquoise hat. — Hubble’s hat is constructed so that his little ears pop out – don’t worry, all that fur will keep him plenty warm! He only wears the hat to look stylish!

Hubble is knit modularly and is mostly seamless. He begins with the nose, which is worked flat. Then, stitches are picked up around the nose and joined in the round to create the snout. Some stitches are placed on hold while you utilize the rest of the live stitches to shape the head. Then, stitches are picked up again from an opening at the bottom of the head and everything is worked in the round, using a surprisingly simple intarsia in-the-round method. The ears are worked separately and sewn to the head. The legs and tail are picked up directly from the body and worked in the round, although I’ve included notes on how to modify them to be sewn on if that’s your preference. Finally, he’s finished with a simple hat that’s worked in the round from the bottom up and completed with a touch of embroidery and a pom pom. If that sounds like a lot, fear not! I’ve included some diagrams and photos that will help set you up for success.

A small hand knitted wolf toy with a fluffy chest, ears, and paws. — Hubble’s hat is removable, so you can bring him along on winter and summer adventures alike!

This precious toy is knit using two heathered shades of Deluxe Worsted, a 100% non-superwash wool that I turn to again and again. The breadth of colors, smooth 4-ply construction, and soft yet rustic feel of this yarn make it perfect for every type of project. I chose two shades of grey to bring Hubble to life: #12503 Charcoal Heather and #12502 Smoke Heather. To add a more realistic element to the design, I opted to hold a strand of Minou in #104 Kitten together with Deluxe Worsted in select sections, including the chest, ears, tail, and paws. The pop of color is given through the hat, where I chose Deluxe Worsted again in the color #71662 Turquoise. Scrap yarn in white and black are suggested for the embroidery, pom pom, and nose.

A woman glances directly at the camera while wearing a headband and mittens that are hand knitted using Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Superwash. — Elegant and understated, the Hemlock Set will tie together any winter ensemble. We love how it looks with this white jacket because it makes the knitted accessories the star of the show!

Hemlock Set

When planning any pattern collection, I know I can always rely on designer and social media extraordinaire, Aubrey Busek, to create elegant, thoughtful designs that are infinitely wearable. When she brought her sketches for the Hemlock Set to the table, I knew we needed to include them in the collection. After all, what could be more wintry and festive than mittens and an ear warmer to ward off the chilly temperatures?

A brunette woman cradles her face with her hand gently. She is wearing a green handknit headband and pair of mittens. — Deluxe Worsted Superwash is soft and snuggly, making it a great choice for giftable projects like this one.

The Hemlock set is a matching accessory set featuring a headband and mittens. It’s an addictive and enjoyable project that works up pretty quickly, making it a great last-minute gift project that’s certain to please. For this project, we opted for soft, easy-care Deluxe Worsted Superwash in the festive new color, #774 Mistletoe. How fitting, right? The cables themselves seem to mimic the hanging holiday plant, and the bobbles echo their small berries.

The cables twist and turn their way across the mittens and around the headband. My favorite detail is the cross at the center of the headband – it’s like a cable within a cable, very meta! Plus, it’s easier to achieve than you might assume! It’s simply formed by separating the work in half, working to a specific length, and making a cross that forms an “X” before rejoining the two halves together once more. Easy, peasy!

Two hands showing the front of the Hemlock Set mittens, which feature cables and bobbles. — The mittens in this set feature cables and bobbles on the top of the hand.

Two hands showing the palm side of the Hemlock Set mittens, showing stockinette stitch and ribbing. — The mittens in this set feature cables and bobbles on the top of the hand.

Techniques you’ll explore while making the Hemlock Set include ribbing, stockinette stitch, cables, bobbles, basic shaping, working flat, and knitting small circumferences in the round. Personally, if you’re new to any of these methods, I recommend making the headband first and graduating to the mittens. The choice, of course, is yours!

Last year, Aubrey shared her love of bobbles in two of her designs, the Enchanted Scarf and Crystalline Cowl. She even created a helpful tutorial to demonstrate how bobbles are constructed. You can check that out at this link.

A woman is seated, smiling, and glancing to the side. She sits in front of gift boxes and tinsel and wears a hand knitted scarf and hat. — Pomegranate Path is a cozy accessory set to keep you warm on a winter’s day.

Pomegranate Path

The final design we’re spotlighting today is another accessory set, Pomegranate Path. Rich texture and saturated color come together in this staple set. No winter wardrobe is complete without a scarf and a warm hat. This set is knit using Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash, which is undoubtedly a fan favorite! This yarn is predominantly made of superwash wool, with a touch of viscose and acrylic for the tweedy nubs. That means it’s machine-washable, making it a great yarn for gift knitting because you won’t have to worry about the recipient having an accidental felting disaster! Keeping with our bright holiday theme, we chose one of the more recent additions to the line, color #921 Beet.

A brunette woman smiles while wearing a hand knit hat and scarf that features cables, twisted stitches, and texture throughout. — Coordinating cables decorate both the hat and scarf.

Pomegranates are considered the jewel of winter – and why not? They generally ripen during this season, add a brilliant pop of color to a dreary day, and double as decor and a tasty treat! Yes, we primarily named this design for the bold, beautiful color, but we see the connection between the textures and the fruit, too! For example, a slender border of seed stitch pays homage to the juicy seeds that fill the pomegranate. And, much in the same way you enjoy the fruits of your labor when preparing and eating a pomegranate, you’ll love the process of knitting different twisted stitches and cables throughout this project!

A close-up image of a woman wearing a scarf. It features cables, twisted stitches, and tassels. — Take a closer look at the variety of stitches used in this pattern – the texture is so tempting!

In the past year, I rekindled my love of scarves. I just cannot get over how enjoyable knitting a richly textured accessory can be. And hats will always be among my favorite types of projects to knit. This pattern offers plenty of interest, and we have several helpful tutorials to help you along the way. You might enjoy the Right and Left Twist tutorial (link), cabling without a cable needle is optional, but useful (link), and these handy chart-reading tips will help you with any project that includes them (link)!

Join us tomorrow for Part III of this blog series, where Aubrey will dish about a shawl, stole, and cozy blanket!

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 a printed version of the pattern and the yarn required to make it. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy stitching,
Rachel

November 18, 2022November 18, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Hanasaku Yoke

It’s that magical day of the week – Free Pattern Friday! Huzzah!

Hanasaku Yoke Sweater in Deluxe Worsted Superwash 719, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 316, and Colorburst 114

This week, we have a really fun pattern to share with you – the Hanasaku Yoke sweater. This design uses three of our yarns, Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the solid colored base, Bamboo Bloom Handpaints which provides the thick and thin texture in the slip stitch motif, and Colorburst which brings the entire piece together.

Fans of our hugely popular Hanasaku Cowl are going to love this design; we adapted the slip stitch motif to work into a stunning yoke sweater full of color and texture. The simplicity in the textured stitch pattern allows for focus on the yarn, and the pops of color to sing.

Details of the yoke of the Hanasaku Yoke sweater

With Deluxe Worsted Superwash, Colorburst, and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints all being wool-based yarns, the different textures blend together in a harmonious way over the length of the yoke. Slipping stitches with Colorburst held in front creates the horizontal bars between the textured sections. This is one of my favorite details of the Hanasaku Yoke pattern.

The Hanasaku Yoke sweater is worked in the round from the top down. The body and sleeves are separated at the underarm, with the body being worked in the round and the sleeves being worked flat and seamed. Working the body and sleeves in Deluxe Worsted Superwash in soothing stockinette stitch makes for some excellent TV knitting. Perhaps over your Thanksgiving holiday weekend once its time to relax?

Picking colors of yarn for a pattern is probably my favorite thing about knitting, it is so customizable! However, it can also be intimidating, especially with a pattern that uses multiple yarns. I put together a couple of alternative color palettes (seen above) for the Hanasaku Yoke sweater that I think would look just as beautiful as the original sample. With two of the yarns in this pattern being multicolored, your options are virtually endless! I hope you have fun choosing the colors that speak to you.

The Hanasaku Yoke is a wonderful pattern to work on right now, the beautiful colors are sure to brighten up any cold winter day. Have fun knitting, and be sure to share your projects with us on Ravelry and social media. We love seeing what you create!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

February 16, 2022February 16, 2022

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!

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?

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.

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?

Pothos Cowl, By the Fire Slippers, Asher Set

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

January 28, 2022January 28, 2022

Flash Pattern Friday – Pointillé

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

Rear view of woman wearing knitted shawl

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 Pointillé in Deluxe Worsted Superwash (Ravelry link here).

How absolutely stunning is this? Named after a form of surface decoration, Rachel Brockman’s aptly named Pointillé Shawl is dotted with rich, textural stitch patterns throughout.

This crescent-shaped beauty started with a garter tab at the center top. Increases on both the right and wrong side give this shawl its “wings.” The whole thing is finished with a graceful picot edging.

The piece is designed in our Deluxe Worsted Superwash 100% wool, in colors 766 Teal Rustic, 754 Shamrock Heather, and 748 Oatmeal Heather. This beautiful yarn has a non-superwash sister, Deluxe Worsted, that can be used interchangeably.

All in all, Pointillé is superbly designed, combining the modern with the classic, for an accessory that’s a delight to make and to wear.

To get Pointillé free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase. Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of 1/30 and we’ll get you taken care of.

Have a warm and wonderful weekend!
Happy Crafting!

December 4, 2021December 3, 2021

Day 4 of Winter – Series 5 Edition

This is part 4 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition.

Happy Saturday! I hope your weekend is off to a great start, with a slow morning, warm cup of coffee, and of course, a yarny project! The 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection is one of my favorite design projects each year. We started it during my first year here at Universal Yarn, and I cannot believe we’re already in its fifth rendition! So far, we’ve created more than sixty wintry, giftable projects that are perfect for the holidays. Color me impressed! Each year, these collections are full of accessories, and some of my favorite contributions have been cozy socks. This year it’s no different – I’m simply smitten by my slipper sock design, the By the Fire Slippers.

These slippers are a cozy dream! They feature rich textures in the form of cables, twisted stitches, moss stitch, and smocking. A contrast color is used to add thoughtful details including the graft at the toes, the smocking, and – my favorite part – the split, double-thick cuff.

The By the Fire Slippers are knit using Deluxe Worsted Superwash – a superb choice for thick and quick socks! This durable wool yarn will stand the test of time while keeping you warm and comfortable. Plus, because it’s a 100% superwash wool yarn, the slippers are a cinch to care for. And if we’re being honest, easy-care knits make the best gifts because sometimes those we love don’t always remember to handwash!

For this project, I chose the lovely neutral #748 Oatmeal Heather as the main color and paired it with beautiful, velvety red #751 Pomegranate Heather for the contrast color.

A sweet detail of the contrast color toe graft and the moss stitch across the bottom of the feet.

You’ll get to explore the following techniques while making these slippers:

knitting flat
knitting small circumferences in the round
cables
right and left twists
three-needle bind-off
picking up stitches
Kitchener Stitch
smocking
mattress stitch

The By the Fire Slippers have an engaging, but deceptively simple construction. They begin by casting on what will become the heel, and that piece is worked flat for the width of the ankle, then the piece is joined in the round for the foot. Decreases are worked for the toe, and then the live stitches are grafted together using Kitchener Stitch and the contrast color. The back of the heel is sewn closed, and then it’s time to work the cuff. To create the cuff, stitches are picked up around the opening for the foot and worked flat using the main color. At a certain length, the contrast color is joined and continued flat. Loops are picked up with a spare needle from the picked-up edge of the cuff, and then the piece is folded inward and closed with a three-needle bind-off. The mattress stitch is used to close the front edges of the cuff. Finally, you add the special contrast color smocking and a slip stitch crochet edging to the front for a perfectly polished pair of slippers! As a helpful treat, we’ve created a video on how to work mattress stitch, so you’ll be ready to conquer this wonderful pattern!

I hope you enjoyed the video and feel prepared to finish your own By the Fire Slippers! They’ll make such a great gift for yourself or a loved one. My husband has already requested a pair, so I’m sure I’ll be making them again. Do you plan to knit these slippers for a loved one? Tell us for whom in the comments!

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!

June 19, 2021June 19, 2021

Perfect Projects for Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day from Universal Yarn!

For this blog post, I wanted to highlight my dad, Hal Ozbelli, and the incredible work he has done for Universal Yarn. From building up a brand to coming up with creative, catchy yarn slogans, this guy has done it all!

Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Talya Ozbelli, and I am the daughter of Hal and Yonca Ozbelli, owners of Universal Yarn. You might have had the opportunity to meet them at a show, or maybe communicated with them over the phone/email. If not, I hope you get to meet them soon! I may be biased, but they really are some of the greatest people I know.

girl laughing with white dress

family graduation photo — **Top Right:** Talya Ozbelli | **Bottom Left** – from left to right: Hal Ozbelli, Talya Ozbelli, Yonca Ozbelli, Kenan Ozbelli

In honor of Father’s Day, I wanted to spotlight my dad and what patterns from Universal Yarn collection I think he would like. Now, I am no yarn expert – I can barely tell the difference between a garter stitch and a purl (am I the only one that thinks it should be spelled “pearl”?) stitch. That being said, I am eager to learn more about hand-knitting yarns! This is based on my trusty eyes, as well as my keen and, ~dare I say~ really amazing fashion sense. Hey, I know a good looking sweater or scarf when I see one (especially if it uses Universal Yarn!)

First up: Th e Tread Sweater

Designed by Rachel Brockman, this sweater is one that will easily become a favorite go-to. With a versatile, classic yarn like Deluxe Worsted and a chic design, my dad would totally rock this look. The classic green and blue stripes along the bodice and sleeve cuffs give it character, and I can already see my dad’s approval with a simple nod and the words, “I like it” – so poetic.

Man wearing grey sweater with green and blue stripes — The Tread Sweater

The Switchback Cardigan

Does this not scream “dad jokes” to you? Made with Deluxe Worsted, this intricate, detailed pattern and relaxed fit is a must in any man’s wardrobe. Deluxe Worsted has a variety of colors to pick from, so you can cater the pattern to whatever color you would like! My dad loves the color blue, so this cardigan pictured below would fit perfectly for his taste. Whether you prefer to wear it as an outer layer as you’re hiking up a mountain or relaxing by a fire pit, I believe it would be a great fit for anyone! I think this cardigan would be my dad’s favorite, now I just have to figure out how to knit it…

Man wearing patterned cardigan standing in field — The Switchback Cardigan

The Compass Hat and Cowl

If there is one thing to know about Hal Ozbelli, it is how much he loves to be outdoors! Whether that be skiing, or sitting and relaxing in the backyard, this guy loves a good hat/scarf combo. Enter Compass; made from machine-washable Deluxe Worsted Superwash, this combo is the perfect solution if you’re not big on sweaters or cardigans. You can pretty much match it to any outfit you choose to wear, and bonus points if it matches your shoes! I know my dad would wear this combo all throughout fall and winter, and I am sure other men would too!

man wearing maroon colored scarf and hat — The Compass Hat and Scarf

Last, but definitely not least: The Father’s Day Tie

Okay. This tie definitely takes the cake. Made in Deluxe DK Tweed, I mean, what man does not love a good tie? Designed by Rachel Brockman, the tweedy and rustic nature of the yarn gives a casual yet refined look to this stylish neckwear. I can just picture my dad wearing it with one of his suits now! I just need to knit a matching bow so that we can be twins!

close-up image of knitted tie — Father’s Day Tie

Those are my top picks on what I think my dad would wear! I hope your Father’s Day is filled with lots of dad jokes, grilling, and joy. Which men’s patterns are your favorites? Let us know!

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021

Design Spotlight – Winter Wonders

As we look around the world of knit and crochet design, it looks like 2021 is off to a great start! We’ve seen some stellar work – from the intricate to the whimsical – and we’d like to highlight a few that use our yarn.

1. Snooze in Deluxe Worsted

Person wearing long striped knitted stocking cap

Snooze definitely tends more to the whimsical side, but as far as warmth, it’s also very practical! Sure, there’s that long slip-stitch striped pom pom point, but the body of the hat has earflaps, plus room in the back to be pulled down snug.

All I’d need is a mug of peppermint tea, and I’d feel like a frosty little elf, traipsing through the woods. Designer Linette Grayum used our Deluxe Worsted wool, a staple that comes in a broad palette of colors, so you can choose what kind of elf you’d be.

You can find Snooze in the Winter ’20 Knitty, at this link.

2. Travertine Wrap in Deluxe Worsted Superwash

Designer Maia Discoe shows this one in two color selections, both of which look great. This one uses our Deluxe Worsted Superwash to create a cool-toned beauty.

The design is mostly garter stitch, but uses short rows to create shaping. It’s wider at the ends than the middle, in a bit of a subtle hourglass shape, so you can wrap it around yourself without tons of extra bulk. A really nice design!

You can find the Travertine Wrap at this link from the Black Squirrel Berkeley, one of our favorite LYSes. 🙂

3. Snowbank Throw in Uptown Worsted

Mmmm… cables. Kalurah Hudson holds Uptown Worsted doubled for this one, for the instant gratification of a swiftly growing project. If doubled yarn isn’t your thing, the gauge looks like it would also work with a single strand of Uptown Super Bulky.

I just want to sink into those cables. While holding that rabbit.

You can find Snowbank at this link on Ravelry.

4. Pathway Cowl in Bella Cash

Crystal Hiatt of Milly’s Knit Designs came up with this one and shared it with the folks at Stitch & Hustle. The zig-zag rib leads into a colorwork body that’s designed to be the slightest bit chaotic, reflecting the twists and turns in all of our lives at the moment.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I’m a huge fan of Bella Cash. It’s beautiful, soft, and hard-wearing. It’s got a bit of a sheen to it that shows through in this cowl, which is designed in multiple lengths and colors.

You can find the Pathway Cowl on the Stitch & Hustle site at this link.

Such a thrill – there are more fantastic designs out there than we can fit in a single blog post. It speaks very well to the health of our craft. We’ll definitely be revisiting this topic.

Have a great week, and happy crafting!