And… twirl! This sweet summery skirt is knit in our 100% linen Flax (137yds/50g) and is flattering to a wide variety of body types.
This is a 4 panel skirt knitted flat and seamed, with easy eyelet lace at the flaring hem. This is a good first project in lace as the patterning is worked on right side rows only. The lace is charted, but simple to follow even if you’re not an expert chart reader. Fit is easy in the waist using your choice of drawstring tie or elastic.
I designed this hat because I’ve been thinking about my father a lot lately. He has a milestone birthday coming up soon. I’d tell you what it is, but the running joke is that every birthday for the past mumble mumble years he has turned 39. Since I myself have passed that age, this is quite the feat.
When I was a kid, I loved going with my father to the many Greek restaurants here in Charlotte, NC. My father is an outgoing and friendly person, so he learned enough Greek to be able to greet the proprietors and to say “thank you.” I can still his his hearty “Tikanis!” (How are you?) as we would come through the doors. Dad makes friends wherever he goes.
This hat is named after his friendliness, and also our city’s huge annual Greek festival called Yiasou! (Hello!). It’s a fun event with friendly people.
For this hat, I worked 64 stitches on a size 7 needle. You could increase or decrease by 8 and have the Greek Key chart and the top decreases work out. (Picture of crown at right. Hey, you try to take a selfie of the top of your head.)
Dona (126yds/50g) was a good choice for this. It’s exceptionally soft and springy, machine washable, and the colors are vibrant and bold. I had enough Dona left over that I’m considering making another hat, but with the colors reversed.
Here’s hoping you connect with someone this weekend, whether an old friend or a new one, who puts a smile on your face.
We’re moving into party season, and we’re delighted to have a new yarn in stock that’s just perfect for the occasion. We designed Universe (246yds/50g) to celebrate Universal’s 10th anniversary, and we’re having a ball making new projects with it.
Universe’s colors coordinate with another popular yarn, Fibra Natura Flax (137yds/50g). Both are used together in this project. The matte bands of Flax linen are interspersed with the metallic glitter in Universe for a striking effect. Since the yarns match so well, it’s easy to carry the colors up the sides between sections without having an obvious color streak at the edge of your scarf. One ball of Universe and one hank of Flax – the only ends to weave in are at the beginning and end of your project.
Personally, I’m looking at another color combo, Universe 10-04 and Flax 09. The robin’s egg blue with a hint of aqua appeals to me, and I think it will look very striking with the black and metallic.
We have more projects in Universe to share with you in the coming weeks, including something very wintry. Hint: no two are alike.
A bit of a tee, a bit of a tunic with its split hem, this A-line top is a lovely piece. The sleeves are stockinette, and the lace pattern covers both front and back.
One of the things I love about this piece is that even though it’s sized from Small to 3X, the largest size only takes 10 balls because it’s knit on size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles. Since denims (109yds/100g) is a tape yarn, it’s not going to puff up and add a lot of bulk – a consideration for those of us with larger frames who like to knit with thick yarns.
There’s nothing more all-American than denim, so this may need to go into my queue for Labor Day knitting. We hope you have a safe and festive holiday.
Something for all of our needlecrafting friends today! We chose Good Earth Adorn (204yds/100g) because the cotton/linen blend holds up well and isn’t going to felt with repeated rubbing as you carry it around. Each pattern takes just two hanks.
First up, the knitted bag, in 302 Adobe. It’s a simple four-row repeat for the eyelet mesh, then basic knitting with some k2tog shaping for the edges and handle.
The crochet bag in color 303 Lettuce uses a very basic double crochet mesh. You’ll make both sides, sew them together, then add the straps.
There’s actually a little sneak peek hiding in the green bag photographed – two new colors of Good Earth Adorn on the far right, never before seen, that we’ll be adding to the line next season. We’re very excited at all the new samples coming in and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Two crochet Free Pattern Fridays in a row? Well, we’re cheating just a little bit with this one – the edging at the neck, arm, and hem are knit. Crocheting purists are of course free to work their magic with an alternate trim. Those of us (like me) who are still polishing their crochet skills may stick with the edging as written. Someday I’ll be able to wing it, though!
The top is made in Flax (50g/137yds) which, as the name implies, is 100% linen. The ladder pattern combined with the flax fiber makes this a perfect tank for summer. Things I love about this piece: the Flax (which I’ll take any excuse to work with), the fact that it’s sized from Small to 3X, and the shaping, which of course you can customize to your own tastes.
We hope you’re having a great summer, and that you’re beating the heat. As for me, I’m going to make some fruit and yogurt ice pops and then cast on for a cool project.
We once had a popular pattern called the Refracted Light Shawl in a discontinued yarn called Swiss Mohair. Alas, when Swiss Mohair went away, so did the pattern. But it was one of those patterns that kept being passed around from crocheter to crocheter, in a “have you seen this? It sounds like just what you’re looking for” kind of way.
Well, you can’t keep a good pattern down, so here it is, back again. This time, it’s in Whisper Lace (440yds/50g), our wool/silk blend from the Fibra Natura line.
Front and back post crochet create an open, airy fabric that can fan out across your back or twist artfully at the shoulder or front.
We hope you enjoy this classic, available once more for you to enjoy.
We’re on the road to Columbus, OH right now for the annual summer National Needlearts Association trade show, but we still had to share this absolute beauty.
The Summer Poncho is designed by Susan Whitmore, the owner of Rainy Day Creations yarn shop in Pineville, NC. To the right you can see Susan snuggling with Suzy the Cuddlebunny at a previous year’s show in the Universal Yarn booth.
She has just closed her shop and is enjoying a richly deserved retirement. We miss her welcoming shop, but we’re so glad that she’s taking time to enjoy herself. And we’re doubly glad that she shared this lovely design with us before hopping on her motorcycle and vrooming off into the sunset!
Knit in FibraNatura Flax linen yarn in two pieces and seamed, this oversized poncho will fit a variety of sizes and is easy to adjust simply by seaming more or less of the sizes and neck. It’s a simple written pattern and contains a schematic for assembly. Such a great piece for summer!
We hope you enjoy this piece, and that you pull a page from Susan’s book and take time to enjoy life.
If there’s a yarn that has captured the imagination of our customers this season, it’s denims. A bulky cotton/wool tape with hues ranging from sky blue to indigo, it’s perfectly on-trend for the current year. Looking at this pullover, you can see why it’s so popular.
This bulky-weight pullover knits up on 6.5mm needles, but the cotton content means you won’t swelter. Right twists and cables run the length of the body to a 1×1 ribbing at the hem and collar. The contrasting sleeves are a nice touch, as is the lowered back edge.
Worked in pieces and seamed, this pattern is both written and charted and contains a schematic. The right twists are easy as pie to do.
Having just finished a quick one ball project in this yarn, I’m eager for more. This would fit the bill nicely.
So are we! We’re proud to present Cotton True Collection 1, our first collection of patterns for Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport.
Cotton True Sport (50g/197yds) is a new 100% pima cotton in our luxury Fibra Natura line. It’s light, smooth, and pleasant to work with. This is one we’ve been dying to knit with, so we were delighted when Amy Gunderson dreamed up these five beautiful designs!
The Chase is a classic vest, worked in pieces and seamed. The right and left twists require no cable needle and are charted. In addition to the lovely chase of designs along the front, there’s a twisted cable ribbing at the edges that provides a lovely finishing touch.
Key To My Heart is worked in pieces from the bottom up, with a sweet edging of lace leaves that’s written and charted. The lovely keyhole in the back is an eye-catcher.
Parting is aptly named for the back pleat that sets this top apart. The pleat in this A-line tee will naturally fold inward on its own thanks to strategically placed slipped stitches and a little reverse stockinette.
Rocked adds a little wow to your wardrobe. The mesh pattern is surprisingly easy, and front and back are identical. If you want a fantastic piece that you can knit with ease, this is the one. The button tab on the sleeve is a great touch. Very on point.
Stinger is very swingy and versatile in fit. Worked in pieces and seamed, the cardigan is has a great shape that looks stylish but still feels “at home.”
Download the designs via Craftsy or Ravelry, either as an e-book or as individual patterns.
And hey, you know what? We’re feeling so good about Cotton True Sport that we have a freebie for you.
Lace Scarf in Cotton True Sport
The Lace Scarf is a free pattern, written and charted, taking just two balls of Cotton True Sport. That twisted ribbing border is a lovely accent to the columns of lace.
We hope you find something that sparks your imagination.
This is a 4 panel skirt knitted flat and seamed, with easy eyelet lace at the flaring hem. This is a good first project in lace as the patterning is worked on right side rows only. The lace is charted, but simple to follow even if you’re not an expert chart reader. Fit is easy in the waist using your choice of drawstring tie or elastic.
Something for all of our needlecrafting friends today! We chose 
Well, you can’t keep a good pattern down, so here it is, back again. This time, it’s in 
