DK – Universal Yarn Creative Network

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023

Flash Pattern Friday – Wanderer Pullover and Cardigan

Two free patterns are better than one, and that’s what we have for you this Friday! It’s time to get your autumn knitting underway with Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash and the Wanderer Pullover and Cardigan. Grab yourself a pair of knitting needles, a pumpkin spice latte, and that creative mind of yours, and let’s learn more!

Designed by Rachel Brockman, the Wanderer Pullover and Cardigan are the perfect set for fall. You can make one for yourself and one for a loved one! The classic look of our Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash yarn matched with colorwork makes this cardigan a wardrobe staple for autumn.

The cardigan version presents exciting details like set-in pockets, a double-layered collar, and a zippered front. The Wanderer Cardigan features sizes XS to 4X, so grab your three favorite colors of Deluxe DK Tweed and get started today!

The Wanderer Pullover includes the same, stunning colorwork as the Wanderer Cardigan, but is worked fully across the chest, as there is no zipper or sleeve placement. This unisex piece shows off cuffs and a collar with corrugated two-color ribbing and rolled stockinette edging. This sweater includes sizes Small through 4X.

To get the Wanderer Pullover and Cardigan for free, use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page. Place one or both patterns in your cart and enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer runs through Sunday, October 1st.

Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash is 20% off this weekend, so stock up today! This yarn features a base of superwash wool with tweedy nubs made of viscose, and acrylic that we love for wearable creations. Knit yourself a beautiful sweater in your favorite hues, or crochet a baby blanket you can gift to a loved one! With 20 color options, Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash will inspire your next project!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

April 28, 2023April 27, 2023

Flash Pattern Friday – Slant

As we wrap up this month, it’s time we share our Flash Pattern – a normally paid-for pattern that you can get for free this weekend only. Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash collide to create a fantastic design from Rachel Brockman. Slant draws inspiration from her love for triangles and the excitement of pairing a self-shading yarn with a solid yarn. Let’s take a closer look at the brilliant characteristics of the Slant cardigan that will soon be on your needles.

Photo of a person wearing the Slant cardigan facing forward — Open cardigan design

The back of the Slant cardigan as it is being worn by a person — Open cardigan design

The beautiful triangle motifs stand out the moment you place your eyes on Slant. They travel along the hemline and down the back to dress this cardigan with uniqueness. Intarsia is used for the colorwork of this piece to create a smooth, finished fabric inside and out. The remainder is knit with stockinette stitch bringing the color shifts of Colorburst to life.

Close-up of the sleeve and hemline of the Slant cardigan — The triangle motifs can be seen all along the hemline and sleeves

Close-up photo of the belt of the Slant cardigan — The triangle motifs can be seen all along the hemline and sleeves

Other qualities to love about Slant include its open silhouette and optional belt. Whether you are on the go or relaxing at home, this cardigan’s open design makes it easy to slip on so you can stay cozy all day. Read below to see how you can get this pattern for free this weekend!

First, head to Ravelry by following this link. Next, you will want to select the “buy it now” option to add it to your cart. Once added to your cart, add the coupon code “FLASH” during checkout to get this pattern at no cost to you. This offer is valid through Sunday, April 30th!

Colorburst color 112 Romance and Deluxe DK Superwash color 846 Mulberry Heather

Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash have collaborated more than once to create gorgeous garments and accessories – check out the Ruby Shawl DK and Virtuoso cardigan for more inspiration. These DK weight favorites are 20% off this weekend – head to our website to shop today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021

Spooky Ricorumi!

This Spooky Season we are raving about the adorable Ricorumi Halloween book! There are 7 cute patterns to choose from. Picking just a few may be tricky though, so caving into your cravings and making all 7 would make for a nice treat! Quick-tip! These patterns are written in UK terminology, but don’t let that spook you away – They are still written clearly and easily, all packaged with some adorable stories for each character!

I seriously CANNOT pick a favorite! But I can help you pick some yarn and supplies! You’ll need a 3mm crochet hook (I suggest using a Ricorumi hook found at your local LYS!), a large yarn needle for stitching and embroidery, toy stuffing, and the Ricorumi DK yarn, found here. Each cute little ball comes in at 25g and is only $3.25 each. Many of these projects only need 1 or 2 balls per color, making them affordable and fun!

To be specific here’s what quantities of yarn you’ll need for each one:

The Ghost = 1 ball each of 001 (white) and 060 (black) for embroidering.

The Spider = 2 balls of 060 (black) and 1 ball of 001 (white) for embroidering.

The Skeleton = 3 balls of 001 (white) and 1 ball of 060 (black).

I know I said I couldn’t pick a favorite, but can we talk about how cute the little lanky appendages on the Skeleton are? Seeing it posed different ways is giving me some silly Elf on the Shelf spin-off ideas. Maybe this is the year “Skeleton on the Sofa” can make a sensational debut!

The Witch = 1 ball each of 060 (black), 027 (orange), 046 (light green), and 043 (ivy)

The Cat = 2 balls of 060 (black), and 1 ball each of 046 (light green) and 011 (pink) for embroidering the nose and eyes.

The Pumpkin version 1 = 1 ball each of 011 (pink), 046 (light green) and 060 (black) for embroidering.

That witch with her little cauldron!!! I’m envisioning making props for my mantle with all of these little spooky friends. Maybe cutting out a paper broom for her, or some leafy greens and making plenty of pumpkins for a pumpkin patch! So many endless possibilities – What do you think you’ll try out?

The Pumpkin version 2 = 1 ball each of 024 (smokey orange), 043 (ivy), and 060 (black) for embroidering.

The Bat – 1 ball each of 060 (black) and 001 (white) for embroidering.

Of course, you can always go off book and create these in exciting colors of your own! Which one do you think you’ll try first!?! I’m getting ready to put the little skeleton on my hook. Maybe I’ll be extra ambitious and pose him for a stop-motion dance on social media!!! “Spooky Scary Skeletons….” you know the song, right?

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

October 19, 2018March 5, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Mod Tiles Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Mod Tiles Cardi in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (pattern link here).

This one’s a bit of an ugly duckling story, although of course the duckling was never ugly at all.

We had this garment in our studio for a long time, and kept looking askance at it. Squares on a jacket? We just weren’t sure about it, so it stayed on the shelf.

Then one day we were discussing upcoming Free Pattern Fridays, and someone picked up this cardi and put it on. Wow! It looked great! The ugly duckling had been a swan all along – we just couldn’t see it until it spread its wings!

We love how the tweedy gray grounds the piece, but the colorful flowery motifs work with most anything. This was a lucky discovery, with sweater weather finally here!

The Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash motifs are made separately, then seamed together. The pattern is written and charted, and contains a schematic for piecing it together.

There’s a lesson here about looking past first impressions. We’re certainly glad we gave this beauty a second chance.

Happy crafting!

October 10, 2018October 16, 2019

Halloween Projects – Batcape!

Halloween is almost here – but there’s still time to make yourself something spooky!

Here’s a brand new pattern – the BATCAPE in Uptown DK (pattern link here)!

(I looked for a dramatic sound effect that could be played for maximum suspense. This was the first hit, so here you go.)

The pattern is written for one size, but it can be easily scaled up or down by adding or subtracting multiples of 6 from the cast-on.

We’d also like to give credit to our model Lilly, because it was super hard to keep a straight face goofing around with this cape and wearing plastic fangs.

The chevron pattern is knit in one piece from the top down. A contrasting i-cord is added at the end.

The perfect accessory for handing out treats. Or for trick-or-treating in. We’re not going to judge.

Happy holidays!

June 22, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Mars Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Mars Top crocheted in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (pattern link).

How’s your summer going? Are you still looking for that perfect project that will be satisfying to make but not stifle you in the heat?

Voila! Amy Gunderson’s Mars Tee! Crocheted in the round from the bottom up, this beauty is sized from XS to 4X, with shaping that starts out a little bigger at the base, for those of us with a bigger… um… base. The point is, this is comfortable and cool.

Double-crocheting three together makes cute little eyelets without making the fabric too lacey-loose.

From personal experience, I can tell you that the Cotton Supreme family is easy on the hands to use. Go with either the called-for Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray, or try solid Cotton Supreme DK. How cute would this look striped?

We hope you have a great weekend, with lots of time for you to take care of yourself.

Happy crafting!

October 9, 2017

Free Pattern – Cancer Comfort Cap

We are proud to share this free pattern with you, although we wish there were no reason to do so.

This is the Cancer Comfort Cap in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

We designed this cap at the request of Yonca, our sales director. When she requested this cap, it was for a friend who is about to undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer. Unfortunately, since then, another friend of hers has also been diagnosed. According to breastcancer.org, 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer in the course of her lifetime (as well as 1 in 1000 men). This is a disease that hits close to home.

Yonca wanted to write something for her friend to add to this post, but she finally had to admit defeat. She felt that everything she wanted to say was inadequate. In the face of a life-changing diagnosis, it can be hard to find the words to express our pain and love. But just reaching out to say “I’m here, I’m with you,” can sometimes be enough.

We offer this hat as a way to say “I’m with you” when words won’t quite do the trick. It’s knitted in the round in our Cotton Supreme DK, which we picked because it’s very soft, and chemo scalps can be quite sensitive – something to keep in mind when choosing yarn.

If you have questions about breast cancer detection and treatment, the American Cancer Society has a helpful page. Mammogram guidelines can also be found at CancerCare.org.

To all of our generous-hearted crafting friends, we wish you good health and every happiness.

October 6, 2017December 1, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Almas Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Almas Poncho in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (link here).

Fall is upon us, and we felt the need for something toasty!

Almas is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down. It can act as a shoulder/bust warmer for a brisk walk in the woods, or can be scrunched up and worn as a cowl paired with your favorite winter coat. We like the rustic quality that Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash gives this cozy piece.

As a short poncho or capelet, it can be worn collar up or down, as you wish.

With just a touch of stranded knitting, this project is a nice introduction to the Fair Isle method of changing colors in your work.

We hope you have a delightful weekend.

Happy knitting!

March 16, 2017October 13, 2021

Halos of Hope – Healing Vibes

One of the nice things about going to crafting shows is that we get to see in person how generous our crafting community can be. We were reminded of this again with the Halos for Hope booth at StitchesWest.

Halos of Hope partners with LYSes and local guilds to collect and distribute chemo caps. These caps are practical, and also serve as a personal reminder to a person going through a difficult time that yes, they are cared for.

We were moved to design new patterns for our Cotton Supreme family, which is a great choice for chemo caps. It’s incredibly soft and won’t irritate chemo patients’ scalps, which are often more tender than usual.

Amy Gunderson brings us our first offering, Healing Vibes in Cotton Supreme DK.

Amy says she thinks of this as a knitted representation of rays of radiation zapping cancer away. Such a lovely idea – meaningful, but still very pretty in its own right. We hope someone wearing this will feel the strength and energy Amy has put into this design.

This pattern has a bit of personal significance to me. It was released on the 9th anniversary of the day my mother was declared free of ovarian cancer. Mom has had no recurrence – she’s still energetic enough to run rings around me. She’d be the first to tell you to know the signs, and to go see your doctor if you have any concerns. I, for one, am very glad that she took early action.

If you’d like to l earn more about Halos of Hope, their website has info. Their Facebook page is also chock full of patterns and ideas.

We hope that you enjoy this free pattern, and that while you take care of those around you, you take care of yourself, too.

Happy and healthy knitting!

January 18, 2017

Sewing Moto Jackets

Finally, after sampling for my fabric (and getting a cool scarf in the process),

warping 280 inches of 432 ends,

and weaving the actual fabric

it was time to sew jackets!

The first step was to interface all of my handwoven fabric. I got enough lightweight fusible interfacing for all my yardage. The reason for doing this is so that when I cut into the fabric for my pattern pieces, it will prevent the edges from coming unwoven.

Two jackets-worth of pattern pieces and lining is a LOT of cutting!

Every bit of fabric is precious since I wove it, so a certain strategy is involved when laying out those pattern pieces.

With the interfacing on the back of my fabric, it made it easy to make pattern markings and actually be able to see them.

I used a special foot on my sewing machine called a “walking foot” for some of the bulky seams. It helps to manage bulky layers of fabric so that they feed evenly through the machine.

Sewing moto jackets requires a lot of coffee.

Since this is a weaving column, I’m taking it easy on sharing every single detail of the sewing process. But zipper installation fascinates me, so here are some in-progess shots of the pocket zippers. Above, I’m sewing the lining onto the right side of the fabric.

Then the pocket opening is slashed down the center.

Next, the lining fabric gets pulled to the wrong side and pressed. It’s so clean and tidy looking!

And finally the zipper is pinned underneath and sewn down. I love a good zipper installation. Which is good, since each jacket requires 5 zippers. Whew!

Here we have something that is actually beginning to resemble clothing. Yay!

It's like magic that this can turn into a moto jacket, right? — It’s like magic that this can turn into a moto jacket, right?

If you’re planning on being at TNNA in San Jose this weekend, stop by the booth and check out the finished jackets. Otherwise, I’ll be back on the blog next week for final photos and wrap-up.