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_blogAll 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!

Free Pattern Friday – Dreaming of Spring

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Dreaming of Spring blog

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.

Continue reading “Free Pattern Friday – Dreaming of Spring”

Free Pattern Friday – Diamonds are High

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Diamonds are High 1rear blog

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.

Diamonds are High 2 blogThis 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!

Diamonds are High 1 blog

Free Pattern Friday – Winter Shades Hat and Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

CS Metallic hat and cowl 1 blog

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

pumpkin apple bread
Heaven… I’m in heaven…

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!

CS Metallic hat and cowl 2 blog

Free Pattern Friday – Yiasou! Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Yiasou social media graphic

Today, the Yiasou! Hat in Dona.

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.

Yiasou Crown selfie 1For 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.

Happy knitting!

Yiasou Hat blog laugh

Free Pattern Friday – Sunblock Hat

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Yashi Sunblock Hat blog

Today, the Sunblock Hat in Yashi.

Yashi ball blogWe are looking forward to summer, partly because it gives us more excuses to use this great raffia yarn.  Yashi (40g/99yds) has a papery texture, but is much softer and more pliable than others we’ve seen.  It’s easy to work with and is proving a fast favorite around the office for crochet.

Because it’s so soft, with a project like this very wide hat, we’d suggest you crochet it tightly and maybe give it a little starching to stiffen the brim.  You’ll start at the top and work your way out.

I can see myself lounging in a chair by the pool in this hat, reading a good book and sipping… uh… tea.

Yes. That’ll do nicely.

Happy crafting!

Bamboo Pop Adult

BambooPopAdultCover_final

It’s here!  Our new e-book Bamboo Pop Adult is finally available for download from Ravelry and Craftsy.  Patterns are also available individually.

Bamboo Pop is one of our most popular yarns.  Our e-books Bamboo Pop Kids and Bamboo Pop Dolls were well-received, but we had a lot of people requesting grownup designs.  Here they are!

Craftsy Boho1

 

The Boho Tank is an A-line top worked from the bottom up.  Sandi Rosner provided the embroidery detail, showing once again that what designer Charles Eames said is true – “The details are not the details. They make the design.”

 

Craftsy Dewdrops1

 

The crochet Dewdrops Tank is worked in two pieces and seamed.  While I love the bright contrasting colors Amy Gunderson chose for the “dewdrops,” this would be a great piece to customize.  Just use your favorite colors as accents!

 

Craftsy DrapeFront1   Craftsy DrapeFront3 back

The Drape-Front Cardi above may be a candidate for “most wearable design.”  The flow of the fabric flatters a range of frames.

Craftsy Hospitality1Here’s my favorite – the Hospitality Tee! Down South, the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality, so as a native Southerner this feels like a very welcoming design to me.  As a knitter, I appreciate details like the corrugated ribbing at the sleeves and hem and the pink applied crochet chain stripe that gives it an extra pop of color.

 

Craftsy Staggered1   Craftsy Staggered3

Love love love.  The dramatic Staggered Shawl has the graphic styling that is so popular, and it’s so easy to knit.  No purling – just garter stitch!

Craftsy Steeple1The Steeple Pullover has been an early favorite on Ravelry.  Work it bottom-up in the round, then separate for the armholes.  The pattern is written and charted, like all patterns in Bamboo Pop Adults (except the super-simple Staggered Shawl). Sized from extra small to 3X, this is a great breezy design to dress up or down when the weather has just a hint of chill.

 

Craftsy Surf1

 

Surf ‘n Stripe is a simple eyelet design accented with bands of color.  Knit in two pieces and seamed, this slouchy and comfortable dolman-sleeved top strikes me as great vacation knitting!

 

 

Craftsy Tennis1

 

The Tennis Vest  is a classic design.  The twist cable and rib pattern is quite stretchy, making it a perfect layering piece.  I hate feeling like a stuffed sausage when a sweater over a shirt doesn’t breathe with me – this is a great vest for looking as cool as you feel.

 

 

Craftsy ColorworkCardiHat2

 

From the cover, the Colorwork Cardi and Colorwork Hat featured on the cover are two super-cute coordinating patterns.  The cardi is a top-down seamless sweater (with pockets!) and the hat can be customized to be taller or shorter as you wish by adding or subtracting pattern repeats.

 

I’m not sure what I’m going to knit first.  I’m thinking maybe the Staggered Shawl.  I’ve been wanting a very modern accessory, and that looks fabulous.  We’d love to see what you make!

Happy knitting!

Warm It Up!

Confession time!  When it’s cold outside, sometimes we break into the trunk show garments.

Trunk Show warmup 1

But come on!  How could we resist?  We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful yarns and garments, and as knitters and crocheters we truly appreciate them.  The happy knitter above is me, Heather.  I’m wearing my own hat in Poems (1 ball of color 590 Sakura, US size 8/5mm needles, 84 stitch caston).

The cowl and mittens are part of Sandi Rosner’s Rose Quartz Set in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool.  There’s a hat, too, but mine matches so well I stuck with it.

Sandi’s Rose Quartz set is available as a single pattern or part of the Walk in the Woods e-book, full of gorgeous colorwork and felted designs in Deluxe Worsted and Deluxe Chunky.  It’s perfect for this time of year.

Also in Deluxe, I spotted our Design Lead in this stunning sweater the other day.  Valentina is one of my favorites.  It uses Deluxe Chunky 100% wool.  The pattern is written and charted with design features like lovely saddle shoulders to show off the cables.  It comes in sizes from 34″ to 54″ bust, and – believe it or not – is a free pattern.   Home run!

 

Our Sales Manager can frequently be found in designs by Yumiko Alexander like Braided Fog, recently made available online as a download or as part of Yumiko Warm Earth Book 3.  It also uses Deluxe Worsted.  Are we wearing a lot of Deluxe?  That’s not surprising – it’s great for cold weather.  I suspect, however, that our sales manager wears this not because it’s warm but because it looks fabulous.

The best thing about being surrounded by these designs is that it’s inspirational.  We find that seeing beautiful things awakens a desire to create something beautiful ourselves.  We hope you find inspiration and happiness in your crafts throughout this new year.

Happy knitting!

Trunk Show warmup 2