Free Pattern Friday – EKG Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Why EKG? The little zigs and zags reminded us of a heartbeat. Plus, the love we have for this sweet pattern makes our hearts race just a little bit.

This may look like Fair Isle, but the color changes are actually slipped stitches. The pattern is both written and charted for your convenience.

The entire four-color set takes two skeins of the gray, plus one skein of each other color in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool (220yds/100g).

The cowl looks great doubled over and scrunched – or if you’re in a silly mood like designer Tori Gurbisz, wear it however you please. Very “Cat in the Hat,” Tori. You’ll definitely turn heads.

We hope you enjoy this stylish set.

Happy knitting!

January 13, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Inside Job

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Inside Job hat in Uptown Bulky.

Sometimes you just want to make something fun and quick, you know? Inside Job fits the bill.

This basic hat flies by in our Uptown Bulky anti-pilling acrylic yarn (87yds/100g). It’s worked from the bottom up in the round, with US Size 11 (8mm) needles for the ribbing and US Size 13 (9mm) needles for the brim. Top it with a cute pompom, and voila!

What makes this hat a little different is that it’s worked in reverse stockinette. The plain striping shows on the inside, and the more intricate patterning shows on the exterior. Hence the name “Inside Job.”

We hope you enjoy this quick and thick topper.

Happy knitting!

December 21, 2016December 21, 2016

Dona Color Kits – Blue Color Shift Hat and Mitts

You’ve got everyone else covered for the holidays, but what do YOU want?

Did you get a gift certificate to your LYS? Need something to point to for that well-meaning relative? You know the one – they want to do right, but then they panic and get you a bunch of random skeins from a grab bag. Sure, it’s the thought that counts, but when you say “you shouldn’t have!” maybe you’d rather not mean it. It’s so much easier to point at a color kit and discreetly clear your throat.

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December 16, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Munchkin Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Munchkin Set in Uptown Worsted Tapestry.

This set shows why we love self-patterning Uptown Tapestry so much. A basic knit turns colorful so easily!

This is a cute little 3-skein set. A classic kid cardi, with hat and booties.

The cardi is knit in one piece from the bottom up. If you want to get sleeves and each bootie to match, you’ll want to find the same place in the patterning on your balls. Of course, babies look awfully cute in hand-knits, matching or not.

We hope you enjoy this cute little set. Happy knitting!

November 4, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Checked Hat and Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

checked-mist-scarf-and-hat-blog

Today, the Checked Hat and Scarf in Uptown Worsted and Uptown Worsted Mist.

In Little Women, Meg called November “the most disagreeable month in the whole year.” I’m inclined to disagree, though I will grant that the invention of electric heat makes it a lot easier these days. In fact, let’s add modern appliances like the washer and dryer, which make it a lot easier to do laundry without risking frostbite.

checked-mist-scarf-and-hat-detail_blog All of which brings us to today’s pattern. The Checked Hat and Scarf are an easy four-row repeat, worked flat for the scarf and in the round for the hat. We used Uptown Worsted and Uptown Worsted Mist (180yds/100g), both of which are machine washable and stand up well to wear, as well as being the softest acrylic I personally have used.

On frosty mornings, it’s a pleasure to wrap up warm in a hand-knitted set. It’s a luxury to return home, red-nosed, and shed layers, tossing them to the side without worrying about having to handwash them later.

We hope you enjoy what November has to offer – and then warm up again with more crafting in a cozy room.

Happy knitting!

February 26, 2016February 26, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Ocean Breeze Cap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Ocean Breeze Cap in Yashi Iro.

Cute, right? This summery cap is crocheted in 100% raffia Yashi Iro (124yds/50g), the multi-colored sibling to solid Yashi (99yds/40g). We love this yarn. It’s great for home dec and accessories, and it’s really caught on with crocheters.

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February 19, 2016February 19, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Dreaming of Spring

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Dreaming of Spring Hat in Classic Shades Frenzy.

Here at Universal Yarn, the plants are getting mixed signals. Is it time to bloom? We as crafters are getting mixed signals too – shall we turn to warm weather fibers, or bundle up just a little while longer?

We thought we’d split the difference – a warm hat, but a quick project, so we can enjoy it and then be done when more moderate weather rolls in. And because, like the flowers, we are ready to see the sun, we’re calling this one Dreaming of Spring.

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February 11, 2016

Free E-book – Hot Hats

Here at Universal Yarn, we woke up to this headline this morning:

5 inches of snow predicted for Charlotte on Monday

Well. We had been looking forward to some of the great new Spring designs out now in magazines (more on those another time) but it looks like we still need to think warm. Fortunately, we have a free e-book that is perfect for the weather!

Here’s the free Hot Hats E-book.

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December 18, 2015December 18, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Diamonds are High

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Diamonds are High in Deluxe Bulky Superwash.

Earlier this week I posted two thick and quick scarf projects in our new yarn, Deluxe Bulky Superwash (100g/87yds). The more I handled this yarn, the more I wanted to make something with it myself. So here it is – Diamonds are High.

This Fair Isle hat is knit on size 11 needles at a little under 4 stitches per inch. To keep the ribbed brim from flaring, as can sometimes an issue, increase the number of stitches just after the k1p1 section. As long as your tension is good in the diamond sections, this is a nice, stretchy hat.

Credit where it’s due: I brought the hat to Amy Gunderson and said, “this needs something, but I don’t know what.” It was she who suggested “big pompom” and she was 100% right. It really takes it over the top, so to speak.

This might be someone’s gift, but then again, it might stay with me. Nothing brightens your day like a colorful hat with a giant puffball on the top. Although after making this hat, I’m pretty sure I have enough for a second one with the colors reversed. I could make a gift and keep one for me. It’s the best of all worlds!

Happy knitting!

November 27, 2015November 27, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Winter Shades Hat and Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Winter Shades Hat and Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic and Uptown Worsted.

How’re we doing? Still working through Thanksgiving leftovers? I ask because right beside me, I have a slice of the pumpkin apple bread that has become traditional in our family. Here’s the recipe.

It makes two loaves, so you can keep one for yourself and bring one in to the office to be a hero. However, I’m writing this from home – Universal offices are closed today – and I can tell you there’s no way this bread will last until Monday. Sorry, co-workers.

Just because the offices are closed doesn’t mean we didn’t prepare a beautiful pattern for you!

The Winter Shades Hat and Scarf combine two lovely yarns: solid Uptown Worsted (180yds/100g) and self-shading Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g). Both hat and scarf are knitted flat in a surprisingly easy slip stitch pattern. Knit the edging on US size 6 / 4mm needles, then switch to US size 10/6mm for the patterning on the body of the hat and scarf. In the picture above, the brim of the hat is turned up. In the picture below, it’s turned down for a slightly different look.

That charming model, by the way, is Jordan, the newest member of our customer service team. We thought this ensemble would look great on her, and she graciously agreed to be our ~~guinea pig~~ model. Thanks, Jordan!

We hope you enjoy the afterglow of Thanksgiving. We’re so grateful for your enthusiasm, talent, and willingness to share your voices so we can become better crafting partners to you.

Happy knitting!