So here we are, with the second Free Pattern Friday of the year. (The first was the kid through adult-sized Spun Sugar Hat in Uptown Baby Sport, on New Year’s Day.) The January Pullover is another gorgeous design from Rachel Brockman.
Rachel was inspired by the magical snows of her childhood in the northeastern U.S. While this pullover would look striking in any color combo, she chose monochrome tones to bring out the muted feel of a silent world being dusted by swirling flurries. Her choices were Nymph colors 114 Goblet (MC), 115 Blacksmith (CC1), and 113 Swan (CC2).
Rozetti Yarns Nymph was another inspired choice here – its unique construction gives it a soft halo. Nymph is a wool-free yarn, making it a great selection for those who are allergic to wool or prefer non-animal fibers. The model commented that it was warm, while also cottony-soft.
The January Sweater, sized XS-5X, is knit seamlessly from the top down. After working the yoke, you’ll separate for the body and sleeves and work those separately.
We’d like to thank the model, Rachel’s sister, for being willing to indulge us over her winter break and show off this sweater. I hear that she wanted to keep it, which is high praise for both the yarn and the design. I don’t know if there’s a January sweater in the queue for her, but I know I’ll be making one for myself.
Next week: more wintry goodness, but big and bulky. We can’t wait to share!
Happy New Year! We can’t believe the holidays have passed and that we’re nearly a week into January. After the trying times of 2020, many of us are pleased to welcome the new year. While I’ve never been big into resolutions for the new year, I do hope to press pause more often and savor the present more. That doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to the new and exciting things the future holds, though.
Here at Universal Yarn, we’re busy working on the upcoming seasons – new yarns, pattern collections, and more, and as always we’ll be thrilled when we can share them with you. Speaking of new yarns, I thought I’d take today to showcase Nymph, the most recent addition to our yarn lineup. And, with new yarns come new patterns. Shall we get started?
When a sample of Nymph first made its way onto my desk, I was immediately smitten. As soon as I touched it I knew we had to add it for an upcoming season. It was so soft that I found myself petting the skein frequently while it sat on my desk. I couldn’t wait to knit with it!
Nymph is a blend of 84% cotton and 16% polyamide. It is a chainette yarn. Chainette yarns are made up of narrow plies that are actually knit into a hollow tube, making them resemble a tiny I-cord. In Nymph, the chainette is comprised of cotton, but the magic comes from the fine polyamide fibers blown into the hollow core of the chainette, creating a gorgeous, fluffy halo that is kitten-soft. Not only is it soft, but the construction makes the cotton feel lighter and airier than more traditional cotton yarns. Knitting and crocheting with this yarn is truly a joy.
Notice the gorgeous halo and chainette structure of Nymph.
Currently, this yarn is available in seven beautiful colors and we have eight more that will be available later this year. Exciting! As with every new yarn we introduce, we also include free patterns. After all, what’s a yarn without a sprinkling of inspiration for what to make with it? We have two patterns available on our website now and another one dropping this Friday, but you’ll get a lucky sneak peek today. Let’s take a look at the offerings.
Our current color offerings for Nymph.
First up, the Rosette Cowl (pattern link). As I mentioned earlier, my relationship with this yarn was love at first sight. After creating my initial swatches, I knew this yarn needed to be knit into something cozy to wear around your neck. That’s how the Rosette Cowl came to be. I opted for an easily-memorizable twisted stitch pattern framed by simple K2, P2 Ribbing. The result is a textural cowl that is irresistibly cozy. One of the things I love about Nymph is the fantastic stitch definition. The honeycomb motif is clear and beautiful in this yarn.
We love the textural pattern in the Rosette Cowl.
The Rosette Cowl requires three skeins of Nymph in color #104 Antique Rose to make the sample size. This pattern is easy to adjust, too. You could reduce the depth to get a smaller cowl with just two skeins. Alternatively, you can increase the number of stitches you cast on in increments of four to create a cowl with a larger circumference. Just remember – you’ll need a bit more yarn if you want to increase the size.
Nymph has such a lovely drape, as is evident in this photo of the Rosette Cowl.
Next up, the Velvet Dreams pullover (pattern link). I adore this cute little sweater! It is precious and feminine – featuring a lace panel along the center of the front and back. My favorite feature, however, is the lacy ruffle that decorates each sleeve. The sample is knit using color #102 Salvia. It is modeled by my darling niece, Malaika. She is five and a half years old and is wearing the 4-6 year size. Malaika fully approves of this sweater, and she was a bit bummed when I told her she couldn’t keep it. I guess that means I need to make one for her soon!
A lovely lace panel adorns the front and back of this pullover.
Velvet Dreams is sized from 1-2 years to 6-8 years and would be a great gift for any little one in your life. It is knit flat from the bottom up and seamed. After assembling the body, stitches for the sleeve ruffles are picked up and worked flat. Finally, the neckband stitches are picked up and knit in the round.
The sleeve ruffle on Velvet Dreams is almost too cute to handle…and so is the model, but I’m biased!
I promised a sneak peek at the next pattern we’re revealing in Nymph, so here it is: the January Sweater! This wintry pullover features stranded colorwork, proving that Nymph is a well-rounded yarn great for a variety of techniques. This seamless, top-down design is pretty straight-forward and I suspect that fans of the Jay Sweater will also enjoy this pattern. It would be great as a first sweater or first colorwork project.
This January Sweater is shown modeled by my sister, Amber, who happens to be Malaika’s mama, too. She loved the feel of this yarn. So there you have it, Nymph is kid-tested and mother-approved!
That’s all I’m going to reveal for now – you’ll have to tune back in on Friday to grab a copy of the pattern and read more about it here on the blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a closer look at Nymph. It’s definitely a new favorite of mine! You can find Nymph on our website (link) and at your local yarn store (store locator link).
This is part 12 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
Well, somehow it’s already Day 12 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection! We’ve had so much fun sharing our annual collection of wintry kits with you, and we’re finishing things off with a fabulous little cowl designed by the wonderful Edie Eckman. To sweeten the deal, this kit comes with a pattern for both a knit version and a crochet version, too! You heard me right – whether you’re a knitter, crocheter, or both – this kit is perfection!
Left: Crochet Sugarplum Cowl; Right: Knit Sugarplum Cowl
The Sugarplum Cowls are created using lavish Fibra Natura Dona in colors #130 Steely, #111 Sweet Pea, and #134 Glacier. Dona is a yarn comprised of 100% extra fine superwash merino wool. This yarn boasts superb stitch definition and is an absolute joy to work with.
Crochet Sugarplum Cowl
If you’ve been following us for a while, you may recall that we asked for Edie’s contribution to our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection last year, too. Her Forest Garland also featured a knit and crochet version and was a hit. This year, I presented her with a similar challenge and asked her to share a bit about her design process with me. Here is what she had to say:
“Little design challenges can be good. If we let them, they can stretch our thinking and spark creativity.
A little design challenge is what Universal Yarn presented me with when preparing for this year’s 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection:
· Use three colors · Use no more than one ball each color · Create an accessory with both a knitted version and a crocheted version · Keep it to advanced beginner level skills
Knit Sugarplum Cowl
Having parameters like this makes me have to think more carefully. How can I incorporate and balance the colors, when I can use no more than one ball each? How can I make both a knitted and crocheted version so that they look similar? How do I keep it simple enough for beginners, but interesting enough for more experienced crafters? And maybe most importantly, how I can I make it attractive and wearable?
Left: Crochet Sugarplum Cowl; Right: Knit Sugarplum Cowl
Of course, having a beautiful yarn like Dona helps a lot. Those icy-winter colors and the smooth texture of the yarn enhance stitch definition, no matter what stitch you use. It’s such a great choice for so many types of projects!
For these Sugarplum Cowls, I settled on a chevron pattern, a classic for both crocheters and knitters. The increases and decreases that make the zig-zag pattern keep you on your toes just enough to maintain your interest, but not so much to cause frustration once you get the pattern established. And because it’s made in the round, there are no annoying seams to deal with!
Whether you choose to knit or crochet, I hope you enjoy making your Sugarplum Cowls. I certainly enjoyed the little design challenge.”
Crochet Sugarplum Cowl
I hope you enjoyed hearing about Edie’s design. We love working with her, and you can find even more of her patterns in some of our other yarns on our website.
We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed following along as we’ve highlighted each kit in the collection. Remember, you can find the Sugarplum Cowls and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you.
This is part 11 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s already Day 11 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. Time is flying by, and we’re all feeling the holiday spirit. Today we’re revealing a beautiful project: the Inkberry Shawl, knit in soft, plush Donnina. This shawl uses low-contrast, semi-complementary colors #215 Purple Beet and #227 Balsam for a beautiful effect.
This shawl was designed by the talented Jennifer Sadler. She has such a knack for creating designs that are welcoming for knitters of all skill levels, and this shawl is no exception. It’s a soothing project full of garter, simple stripes, and airy eyelets. I asked Jennifer to share a bit about her inspiration and design process. Here is what she had to say:
Garter stripes balance out the blocks of color on each end of this lovely shawl.
“When it comes to knitting during the holidays, I enjoy projects that allow me to knit while watching a holiday movie or enjoying a cup of hot tea or coffee while visiting with family. I wanted to design something that fit that bill, while also being a very cozy and wearable finished object. The Inkberry Shawl is perfect knitting for watching TV or chatting. The long sections of garter stitch are the best for zoning out a bit while still being productive!
We love the generous size of this scarf.
While I love garter stitch, I wanted to add in a bit of texture for both visual and knitting interest. The garter lace stitch I chose is an easy to memorize 4-row repeat. And to make it easier to continue to zone out while knitting this shawl, there are no purls at all!
The asymmetrical triangle shawl shape is hands down my favorite shawl shape. I find it to be the easiest to wear, and a shape that requires hardly any adjustment throughout the day because it lays so nicely. The lovely Donnina yarn, made up of 100% superwash extrafine merino, gives the shawl a bouncy and squishy feel. The finished shawl would make a wonderful gift, or a lovely addition to any wardrobe. My hope is that you enjoy knitting Inkberry while staying cozy this holiday season!”
Wrap the shawl snugly around your shoulders for extra warmth and comfort.
We’re so glad that Jennifer contributed her lovely design to this kit collection. She certainly achieved the goal she set out for when she created this design. I’d love to knit one for myself, and a mindless knit sounds perfect given the crazy year 2020 has been. Despite its generous size, it would knit up surprisingly fast thanks to the simple stitch work.
This is part 9 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s already Day 9 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 4! Time is passing so quickly and we’ve been having so much fun sharing each of the projects in this collection with you. Today we’re highlighting the beautiful Tinsel Stole designed by the talented Adrienne Larsen.
The Tinsel Stole is knit in Merino Mist in #102 Chamomile.
The Tinsel Stole is knit in Merino Mist, a blend of 60% viscose, 20% superwash fine merino, and 20% acrylic. The result is a yarn that is lightweight, feather-soft, and features a gorgeous halo and soft shimmer. It boasts great stitch definition, which can clearly be seen in the lace motif of the Tinsel Stole.
The stitch definition of Merino Mist is evident in the intricate lace of the Tinsel Stole.
I asked Adrienne to share a little about her design, and here is what she had to say:
“It’s hard to predict where a pattern is going to end. This started out as a mission to find a nice lace for a sweater. I found a stitch pattern I mostly liked in “The Japanese Knitting Bible” that I wanted to tweak. So, I transferred the chart into Excel and made some adjustments. Depending on the difficulty of the stitch pattern, I usually have a pretty good idea of what it will look like knit up. This one was pretty complex though, so it took a bit more fussing than usual. I probably knit and frogged the pattern five or six times.
Originally, the lace pattern wasn’t going to have the breaks in it. It was just going to be the alternating triangles butted up next to each other over the whole body of the sweater. It was just visually too much that way though; the complexity of the stitch work got lost. So, I stole an idea from past me. I had liked the interrupted effect in my Slate Shawl, so I thought I would try that again here. And it worked! It worked so well that I thought, “It doesn’t need to be a sweater at all.” It was special enough to be the zazzle on the edges of a scarf. And the Tinsel Stole was born!”
It’s always fun to learn about the process for a design, and we are so honored to have Adrienne’s contribution once again this year. Remember, you can find the Tinsel Stole and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you.Â
This is part 6 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s Day 6 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 4. Today, treat yourself to a warm and inviting accessory set knit in luxurious Cashmere Lusso.
Personally, I think hats and mittens are excellent projects for building your skillset. They’re small and manageable but have endless possibilities. If you’re looking for a small project with intricate details, I’m sure you’ll love the Sugar & Sage Set.
The small cables in this pattern consist of ten different types of cables, ranging between two and three stitches wide. They’re easy to work, but it certainly takes some concentration to make sure you’re working the right stitch in all the right places. Don’t let that deter you, though, because the results are well worth the effort.
The cable pattern in both the hat and the mittens includes charts and written instructions. I know some knitters are intimidated by charts, but I encourage you to try and get comfortable with them. Especially in more complex patterns, they can help make things easier to read and to memorize. I think of charts as maps for knitting. Because charts are visual tools, they can help you conceptualize what your fabric will look like as you knit. I shared some useful tips and tricks for staying on track with charts in this blog post (link). Undulating cable panels decorate each mitt.
Each side of the cable panel featured on the hat mirrors the other. I love the way that it looks, but when I was designing the mitts I didn’t want them to replicate the motif perfectly. Instead, I broke the cable motif into two parts, split right down the center. Then I took each half and applied it to the mitts, so the Right and Left mirror one another, too. The result is a coordinating set of sisters in this accessory set.
Each edge of the mitts are worked in K1, P1 Twisted Ribbing.
Knit in Cashmere Lusso, a blend of 50% virgin cashmere and 50% recycled cashmere, the Sugar & Sage Set is decadent. The yarn is incredibly soft and it has excellent stitch definition. This is a yarn shines however you work it: cables, lace, or colorwork, you just can’t go wrong. This kit would be an excellent gift for the knitter in your life who is truly special – that could be you, or it could be a friend!
Crown view of the Sugar & Sage Hat
This kit has three options available: the Sugar & Sage Set (enough yarn for both patterns), the Sugar & Sage Hat, or the Sugar & Sage Mitts. Remember, you can find each version of the Sugar & Sage Kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you. Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Concord Scarf in Deluxe Worsted (pattern link here).
We’re going to keep this short and sweet today so that I can spend the day after Thanksgiving in the time-honored way: scarfing down leftovers. My daughter was inspired by the Great British Baking Show this year and now we have a lot of pie. With just the three of us from the immediate household for dinner this year, I’ll have to really work to eat my share. Such a sacrifice. But before grabbing a plate, let’s take a look at this gorgeous pattern!
The Concord Stole is called a stole because it can work well scrunched up as shown, or stretched wide to its full 20″ (51cm) width for more coverage. Designer Aubrey Busek cleverly used two complementary tones in Deluxe Worsted wool. 15002 Violet Rustic is the lighter main, and 15003 Grape Rustic is the stripe.
Deluxe Worsted 15002 Violet RusticDeluxe Worsted 15003 Grape Rustic
The Rustic colors in Deluxe Worsted are spun in an almost marled way, making them especially well-suited to work together. If purple’s not your bag, you might pair 15004 Teal Rustic & 15005 Turquoise Rustic, or if you’re a lover of subtler contrast and blue like I am, 15009 Blue Rustic & 15008 Twilight Rustic.
15009 Blue Rustic15008 Twilight Rustic
Regardless of color choice, this sweet stole is a satisfying project. An easily memorized four-row repeat worked on US size 8 (5mm) needles makes for rhythmic, calming crafting, something we could all use right now.
Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a piece of pie with my name on it in the fridge. Literally, since I stuck a note to it.
We hope you have a safe and pleasant weekend. Happy crafting!
This is part 5 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
Few things are more comforting than cuddling up with a good book while warmed by the heat of a fireplace. Growing up, I spent so many winter days doing just that. I would devour book after book, with the pages illuminated by the light of the fire, and it’s something I miss dearly about my childhood home. For the fifth installment of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, I wanted to create a design that conjures the comfort of the days when I could sit by the fire. The result? The Chimney Socks.
The Chimney Socks are cozy house socks that feature graphic colorwork and a knit-purl texture to match. The socks are knit using two colors of 100% wool, Deluxe DK Superwash. I chose #848 Coral Heather and #839 Smoke Heather to emulate billows of smoke emerging from a brick chimney.
The cuff features tidy twisted ribbing in grey. It is followed by a pretty stranded colorwork motif that reminds me of little houses. Then, the same motif is transformed into a textural pattern for the foot. The toes are knit using the contrast color to balance out the cuff and leg of the pattern.
The Chimney Socks are knit from the cuff down. They feature an Eye of Partridge heel flap and gusset, creating a sturdy sock with a perfect fit. I love how quickly these socks knit up. As someone with second sock syndrome, heavier socks are perfect for me because they knit up quickly. They also make great beginner socks for the very same reason. Plus, they are just ridiculously cozy. I have multiple pairs of DK-weight socks and I get so much wear out of them during the winter.
These socks feature an Eye of Partridge heel with a gusset.
You know what else is great about this kit? It includes enough yarn to knit two pairs of socks! Simply reverse the main color and contrast color for a coordinating set. It’s perfect for giving a gift to yourself and to a loved one!
Remember, you can find the versions of the Chimney Socks Kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you. Happy knitting!
This is part 4 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
It’s Day 4 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection! Today I’m excited to share a fun and festive design knit in luxurious and lightweight Bella Cash. Say hello to the Holiday Lights Shawl!
A sampling of stripes and textural stitches make this project an addictive knit!
If the name didn’t give it away, the shawl was inspired by strings of holiday lights that are so abundant during the season. I think festive lights are something we can all appreciate. Whenever I pass by a home brilliantly illuminated with thousands of little lights I feel such a childlike sense of awe and wonder. It just feels so magical to me!
The Holiday Lights Shawl features a semi-circular shape.
There are three elements that remind me of lights in this fun pattern. Slip stitches and texture to create the effect of dappled lights throughout the first section of the shawl. Following the first section of “lights,” addictive-to-knit stripes incorporate garter stitch for a graphic and bold effect.
You can wear this shawl wrapped bandana-style around your neck. This is my favorite way to style shawls.
The second set of lights adorn the border of the shawl and use a touch of lace, twisted stitches, and one of my favorite decorative stitches: the lifted knot stitch. Before I move onto the final string of lights (can you guess what that might be?) I want to share a little tutorial for working the Lifted Knot Stitch (LKS).
I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and that it makes things a bit easier as you knit. Now, the final touch: the mini fringe across the bottom edge. Soft and festive, the fringe reminds me of little gleams of lights during winter nights.
Peppermint-colored mini fringe decorates the bottom of the shawl.
Remember, you can find the Holiday Lights Kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store. Click here to find a shop that carries our yarn near you. Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Roseate Cardigan in Bella Chenille (pattern link here).
When people look at soft, plush yarns like Bella Chenille, they sometimes think they’re only suitable for babies. That’s a shame, because it overlooks real gems, like the free Lounge Pullover.
We’re delighted today to share another beautiful free pattern for adults in Bella Chenille, the Roseate Cardigan.
Designer Rachel Brockman uses eyelets to create a lovely texture, for an everyday cardigan that’s comfortable and stylish.
Sized from XS to 5X, this project knits up quickly on US size 10 (6mm) needles. It’s one of those pieces where you know just by looking at it exactly how soft it’s going to feel.
Absolutely delightful.
We hope you have a great weekend. Although our offices will be closed next Friday in observance of Thanksgiving, there will still be a Free Pattern Friday (yay!) Happy crafting!
