There’s nothing better than seeking creativity in all that you do. As kids, it was imaginary lava floors and adventurous explorations of the woods in our backyard. Now, where do we find our inspiration? Well, hopefully, this Free Pattern Friday can offer you a dose of creativity that will lead to something worth cherishing with the Hopscotch Socks!
Socks are a hot commodity in the knitting and crocheting community, and we want to offer an original touch to this accessory that will have you making room in your sock drawer. The Hopscotch Socks, designed by Heather Hill, use our Zesty Sock yarn in the colorway 101 Cupcake to create an exciting next project for you.
Zips of color jump off the creamy white base of this yarn to give it a three-dimensional look and feel. These socks use calming Stockinette stitch throughout, and then each zip of color uses a purl stitch giving the Hopscotch Socks a textured design.
Constructing these socks begins from the cuff down with a heel flap and gusset, where you will use slip stitches with the yarn held in front to give these socks even more durability. The combination of stockinette and purl stitches makes this project great for someone looking to grow their knitting skillset. Socks can be intimidating, but this pattern will walk you through step by step (no pun intended) so that you will have a pair of socks you will wear for years to come!
Now, let’s talk about our featured yarn for the weekend! Zesty Sock is a super-fine weight blend of superwash merino wool and nylon. Each of the six colors of this yarn has a solid base, with pops of zesty color running throughout, creating unique designs you’ve never seen before. Newly introduced for Spring 2023, there is so much you can use our Zesty Sock yarn to craft.
If you’re feeling extra creative, we encourage you to match Zesty Sock with our solids from Uni Merino. Uni Merino is available in mini 25g balls (Uni Merino Mini) which are excellent for contrasting colorwork on small items, or in 100g balls for larger pieces. There are 50 colors to choose from, and its composition is an exact match to vibrant Zesty Sock, making them the perfect pairing for your next project.
Picture this: you’re at a baseball game, and you pass by the Cotton Candy cart. This isn’t a treat you get to have often, so the memory of seeing the fun colors and the sugary sweet taste stays with you for years to come. Believe it or not, things like this can often serve as inspiration for design, and that is exactly what inspired today’s Free Pattern.
Photo from MINDSTEEL on Pixabay
Sometimes our sugar rush leads us to look for a new pattern, and today, you’re in luck. The Cotton Candy Shawl is now permanently free to download. This beautiful asymmetric shawl uses our soft and woolly Donnina yarn to create an accessory that you will want to wear all year long.
The Cotton Candy Shawl is the perfect accessory for this upcoming spring season!
The Cotton Candy Shawl is knit with a modular construction, starting with a mitered square. Simple garter stitch is worked throughout so that you can focus on the construction of this pattern. Watch this shawl come to life as you knit one color at a time, resulting in a color-blocked appearance that shows off our bold Donnina yarn. The colors 224 Navy, 210 Sweet Pea, and 201 Vanilla are used in this project. As an added bonus, Donnina is a sport-weight yarn, meaning you can wear this shawl year-round.
The Cotton Candy Shawl can be styled in many different ways
Sumptuous and smooth Donnina is the perfect complement to the Cotton Candy Shawl. Each 50g skein contains 180 yards of yarn that will leave you in awe. Donnina has 25 available colors, and you are more than welcome to substitute colors to create your own personalized Cotton Candy Shawl. It’s the perfect time to shop this yarn, as it recently went on sale for 40% off, and with this weekend’s sale, you can purchase Donnina for an extra 20% off. There are so many great patterns in this yarn, which you can see at this link.
Donnina is 100% superwash extra fine merino
I hope you enjoyed reading more about the Cotton Candy Shawl and our woolly Donnina yarn, and who knows, maybe you’re inspired to head to the grocery store for some Cotton Candy (no shame in that). We encourage you to share all your finished Universal Yarn projects with us at #universalyarn on Instagram.
Whether you have visited in person, or only experienced it through photographs, no one can doubt the natural beauty of Ireland. Starting today, we’re bringing a touch of Ireland to your yarn stash – with Yarn Vibes.
Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland
We are now offering three beautiful yarns from Yarn Vibes, and I can’t wait to tell you more about these exciting yarns!
Before I begin talking about the yarns, let’s take a closer look at the Yarn Vibes brand. Each hank of yarn starts in Kildare with ninth-generation farmers; after the shearing, the fleece begins processing at Donegal Yarn in Ireland. Donegal Yarn is an authentic mill that produces beautiful Tweed and Irish yarns, including Yarn Vibes’ 100% Irish yarns. All of their yarns feature a variety of dyed and un-dyed options.
Cliffs of Moher yarn from Yarn Vibes
Now, let’s turn our attention to the yarn from Yarn Vibes, starting with Cliffs of Moher. Tradition and the roots of Ireland can be seen in this beautiful, nature-inspired yarn, named after the iconic cliffs of western Ireland. This worsted weight yarn is a blend of 60% Irish wool and 40% virgin wool. Cliffs of Moher is soft to the touch, with stitch definition that makes it perfect for any knitting or crochet project, from garments to accessories. With 16 color options, you can add a touch of your personality to your next project!
Organic – Worsted from Yarn Vibes
Next up is the Organic Yarn from Yarn Vibes. As we know, wool is lovable for so many reasons: insulating fibers, natural water resistance, breathability. With Yarn Vibes 100% Irish organic wool yarns, it is now environmentally conscious as well! Just another reason to fall in love with wool. These fibers have been thoughtfully handled to ensure you have the best knitting experience possible. Make a sweater for a loved one with peace of mind knowing you and your family will be safe from any harmful chemicals since their yarn uses GOTS-certified dyes (Global Organic Textile Standard). This organic yarn is found in both worsted and sport weight and features 19 different color options, including four undyed choices.
Pattern inspiration is something we all need, and Yarn Vibes has more than enough to spare. Let’s take a look at some projects you can start with!
Whether you’re looking to knit a winter garment or accessory, here you’ll find the perfect pattern to add to your queue. The Orla Lattice Hat Knitting Pattern (top left) features a gorgeous textured design and includes multiple different sizing options in the Organic Worsted yarn. If you are more interested in knitting a garment, you might want to start with the Fia Cabled Cardigan (bottom left). Buttons and cables give this cardigan a classic look, and the 100% Irish organic wool will keep you warm on the coldest days of winter and spring. This project uses the Organic Worsted and allows you room to pick the color you prefer.
Our in-house design team was also inspired to create a pattern for Yarn Vibes! The Freya Scarf (bottom right) combines two different colors of Cliffs of Moher to create a classic Irish look with a soft and woolly texture. You can download it for free today!
Thank you for reading, and we can’t wait for you to try Yarn Vibes. Make sure to share all your Yarn Vibes projects with us on Instagram by using #universalyarn.
If you would like to learn even more about Yarn Vibes, please watch this YouTube video about their brand, which can be found at this link.
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.
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.
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.
Happy Free Pattern Friday! Today we bring you the Cobbled Cowl (pattern link). This simple accessory works up quickly and has a lovely texture featuring a hazy halo of fibers from the yarn, Nymph.
Cobbled Cowl made with Nymph in color 110 Lichen.
Nymph is an irresistibly soft DK weight yarn with a cotton chainette construction and nylon fibers blown through, creating an ethereal effect. It comes in 50 g balls, is made of 84% cotton and 16% polyamide, and is machine washable for easy care. The palette is soft, yet earthy, with a hue to please everyone. To make way for new products, we are saying farewell to Nymph, so be sure to grab it while you can at a deep discount!
Rozetti Yarns, Nymph.
The cowl is worked flat from the bottom-up then seamed. The texture is a basic crochet stitch pattern called the Cobbled Stitch, which inspired name for the piece. It’s created by alternating single crochet (sc) and double triple crochet (dtr) across one row, then just single crochet for the next row. The soothing repetition, and no-brainer construction makes it accessible for beginners, and fun for experienced crafters wanting a Netflix-and-stitch project.
Close up view of the cobbled stitch texture featured in the Cobbled Cowl.
I hope you love this weeks Free Pattern Friday! Of course, I know that not all readers of this blog crochet, but don’t fret! There are plenty of knit patterns using this beautiful Nymph yarn. The Rosette Cowl is another freebie featuring a simple stitch repeat, or you can kick of 2023 with a larger project, like the January Sweater. Whatever you choose, be sure to share it with us – we love seeing your projects! Follow & tag us on Instagram at @Universal_Yarn and use the hashtag #UniversalYarn, or find and follow us on TikTok or Facebook at @UniversalYarn.
It’s the last Flash Pattern Friday of the year! This weekend only, we have a special treat that is completely free!
The Blue Spruce Socks are a blend of sophisticated, rustic, and cozy with their cute design, subtle textural elements, and tweedy nubs throughout.
On the last Friday of the month, we temporarily make one of our paid patterns free! Today, we’re getting snuggly with the Blue Spruce Socks, made in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (Ravelry link here).
Make a statement that will never go out of style with this classic yarn and colorwork combination.
Originally, this pattern was published as part of the 2017 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 1. This inaugural collection launched a beloved tradition of pattern releases for the winter season, which is now running 6 years strong. Of the 12 patterns from the first year, the Blue Spruce Socks have the highest amount of projects made on Ravelry, and we love them all. In fact, we hope to see many more made, now that the pattern is free for the weekend!
Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash comes in 20 dazzling different colors.
The yarn called for is our Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash, a soft and springy yarn with a classic look. It’s made of 90% superwash wool, 3% viscose, and 7% acrylic, making it easy to care for and durable. This yarn is a wonderful choice for the Blue Spruce Socks – but it’s also a lovely choice for any project! Some other popular makes are the Moor hat, or pieces from the Rustic and Refined collection.
With such thoughtful details, like the band of colorwork before the toe, and seamless finish, these socks are set to be a favorite for both comfort and style.
What better way to kick off the new year, than with a sweet pair of socks? As you bid farewell to 2022 and let new resolutions guide you into 2023, try out a project that will keep your feet comfy and cozy as they walk you through this next chapter.
That’s all for now friends, Happy Stitching! Ashley Jane McIntyre
Happy Free Pattern Friday! If you’re craving a quick and easy knit to work on over the holidays, this is the perfect week for you. Today’s free pattern is the North Shore Cowl, designed by Patty Olson.
The North Shore Cowl is perfect for a cold winter day
The North Shore Cowl is knit in the round using our Be Wool Multis yarn in the color 208 Monsoon. This color was a new addition to the line in 2022, and I love how the deep blue and green shades pop against the cream background.
Be Wool Multis is a blend of 60% acrylic and 40% wool, and is oh-so-soft and plush in texture. It works up beautifully into blankets, hats, cowls, and more! Each color of Be Wool Multis has a cream base, with splashes of different colors throughout. You can also try pairing it with solid colored Be Wool for even more fun options, as seen in the Kaleidoscope Scarf.
Detail of the texture of the North Shore Cowl
Patty Olson designed the North Shore Cowl for us, and I love this pattern’s simple, beautiful texture. The ‘bow tie’ effect is created using purls and long stitches, which are deceivingly easy to work. The long stitches cinch the fabric, and give the finished cowl an undulating wavy appearance, which is how it got its name.
The North Shore Cowl doubled up for maximum coziness!
The simplicity of this accessory makes it incredibly versatile. You can throw it on as you head out the door, and it is sure to pair well with any outfit. Only two skeins are required to complete the cowl, and the final project is long enough to double up for those extra cold days sure to come in January!
The North Shore cowl would make a perfect gift for a loved one!
In my opinion, the best thing about a project like this is just how quickly it works up. It’s perfect for a weekend project for yourself, or a loved one if you’re in need of a last-minute holiday gift. Park yourself on the sofa with some hot cocoa and a favorite movie, and get to knitting! You’ll have the North Shore Cowl completed in no time, and whoever you give this handmade gift to is sure to love it for many years to come.
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.
Back of the Hanasaku Yoke sweater
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!
Today’s free pattern is the Ruby Shawl DK, which combines two colors of beautiful self-shading Colorburst with Deluxe DK Superwash. This is a dynamic shawl perfect for the chilly days ahead!
The Ruby Shawl DK was created based on the original Ruby Shawl pattern, which appeared in the e-book Noda Knits. The original shawl was a popular pattern, and we wanted to give it a fresh, lighter-weight update for the season.
The Ruby Shawl DK was designed by Amy Gunderson, and features a modular construction and bold stripes. This shawl is fantastic for a variety of skill levels, as the stripes worked use just garter and stockinette stitches. The modular construction will offer the beginner knitter a way to advance their skills, and will also keep any seasoned knitter’s interest.
Beautiful stripes created with self-shading Colorburst and Deluxe DK Superwash
What I love most about the Ruby Shawl DK is the gorgeous shifts in color throughout the piece. That is thanks to 65% superwash merino wool / 35% acrylic blend Colorburst. This single-ply yarn has long color shifts that create a stunning array of shades in any project. Two different colors, 106 Earth and Sky, and 119 Bursa were used to bring the Ruby Shawl DK to life. With over 600 yards in each skein, you’re guaranteed to have some leftover yarn. Perhaps you can create a matching hat to go with your shawl?
Colorburst is complimented by workhorse yarn Deluxe DK Superwash. This 100% superwash wool yarn is great for just about any project, and has excellent stitch definition, clearly evident in the Ruby Shawl DK. The warm tone of 841 Pomegranate Heather is lovely for the autumn season, but with an extensive color palette available, you can customize your shawl to best suit your wardrobe.
Ruby Shawl DK and muud Sara bag
The best thing about creating your own accessories is the infinite possibilities of wearing them. It is a great way to express your personal style, and show off something you are proud of creating. No matter how you choose to rock your Ruby Shawl DK, I am sure you will get compliments on your hard work!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and have fun picking out your favorite colors of yarn for this project!
We’re so thrilled to announce that we’re hosting a fresh knitalong featuring a fabulous new pattern! Join us from October 3rd to November 4th for the Party Flag Socks KAL!
Say “hello” to the Party Flag Socks in Uni Merino!
Why Join a KAL (Knitalong)?
There are lots of reasons to join a knitalong! It’s a great way to join other crafters and bond over the experience of working on the same project together. We’ll cheer one another on, share tips and tricks, offer support, and generally keep one another motivated. Plus, what could be more fun than gushing over your new favorite project with fellow fiber friends?
How to Join the KAL
It’s simple! Grab your yarn and the pattern, snap and share photos of your WIP (work in progress) and share them using the hashtag #PartyFlagSocksKAL on social media. We’ll predominantly be hosting this KAL on Instagram and Ravelry. Here is how you can join in:
Follow along on Instagram! Tag us @universal_yarn and the designer, Allison Lutes @fieldwonderful, and don’t forget to use the hashtag we mentioned above. Every Wednesday during the KAL, we’ll share your progress!
Join our Ravelry Group! We’ll open a Ravelry thread with information about the KAL, where you can chat, ask questions, and share photos with other participants and our staff throughout the KAL.
You can share on Facebook, too! Tag us @universalyarn and use the hashtag above.
We’ll be posting our progress periodically here on our blog, too.
Important Note: By tagging us and using the hashtag #PartyFlagSocksKAL, you are consenting to us sharing those photos on our Instagram and/or blog.
How Long is the KAL?
This KAL lasts from 10/3/22 – 11/4/22. That’s a little over one month to knock out a pair of socks. To be eligible for a special “sur-prize” you’ll need to share your FO (finished object) with us, but you don’t need to finish to join in on the fun. All are welcome and encouraged to participate!
Tell Me About the Pattern!
We’ve collaborated with the talented Allison Lutes for this design! As soon as we saw her concept, we simply fell in love. While there are many exciting sock patterns out there, we were just so charmed by the simple but unique motif decorating the entire sock. Plus, the contrasting heels, toes, and cuffs are irresistible! This pattern was specifically designed for our new yarn, Uni Merino & Uni Merino Mini. This 75/25 blend of superwash merino and nylon is perfect for cozy, soft, and durable socks. The palette features fifty colors, so you can mix and match to your heart’s delight!
Ready to prepare? Here is what you’ll need to get started!
Materials
YARN
You’ll need five different colors to make a version like those pictured in our sample. Does that sound like too much for you? No worries! Allison cleverly created four Party Flag motif charts for you to get your creative juices flowing – one chart that reflects the sample socks, two 2-color options (one dark background, one light background), and a color-your-own version! We recommend choosing two to five colors, but the truth is you could get playful and add as many colors as you wish!
Do you need to use Uni Merino? We recommend it, but you don’t have to use it to participate! Bamboo Pop Sock Solids and Multis are a great choice if you prefer a wool-free sock yarn. Feel free to reach out to us if you’d like guidance in choosing a different yarn from our offerings. We’re always happy to help!
To make socks that match our sample you’ll need the following:
131 Nautical (MC) – 2 mini skeins
114 Honeycomb (CC1) – 1 mini skein*
142 Romance (CC2) – 1 mini skein
132 Lighthouse (CC3) – 1 mini skein
112 Carrot (CC4) – 1 mini skein*
*Please note: due to supply chain issues, we currently do not have mini-skeins in stock for colors 114 Honeycomb and 112 Carrot. These colors are available in 100-gram skeins. If you prefer to use the mini skeins, we recommend substituting 113 Sundial for CC1, and 111 Oriole for CC4. We are also always happy to help you choose colors. Never hesitate to reach out to us!
NEEDLES
US Size 1 (2.25 mm) DPNs or your preferred needles for knitting small circumferences in the round or size needed to obtain gauge
US Size 2 (2.75 mm) DPNs or your preferred needles for knitting small circumferences in the round or size needed to obtain gauge
Remember, needle sizes are always a suggestion as every knitter’s tension is unique!
NOTIONS
Stitch markers (plus one unique marker to denote the beginning of each round)
Tapestry needle (for Kitchener stitch and weaving in ends)
Waste yarn (for the afterthought heel)
Anything Else?
The pattern will be available to download for free from our website on Monday, October 3rd. We’ll make this announcement publicly, so if you follow us, you won’t miss it!
