We are heading into summer by offering both a knit AND a crochet version of the Gingham Blankie for today’s Flash Pattern Friday.
Designed by Rachel Brockman, both versions of the Gingham Blankie are made in our soft, smooth Uptown Bamboo DK. These blankies are perfect for bringing along to your next park outing or as a whimsical addition to your home decor. Each blanket is comprised of 49 individual squares worked from the center out, making these the ideal portable project. The squares are sewn together to form the blankie, and the borders are applied as a finishing touch.
Each Gingham Blankie features 3 colors of Uptown Bamboo DK, a blend of 80% anti-pilling acrylic and 20% bamboo. This easy-care yarn has excellent stitch definition with the bamboo content adding a touch of sheen to your finished project. The crochet version is shown in 502 Lily, 507 Peach and 508 Coral while the knit version is shown in 502 Lily, 519 Bluebird and 521 Chill. With 36 colors to choose from, you can make a Gingham Blankie that is truly your own.
To get the Gingham Blankie patterns for free use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page for the knit or crochet version. Once the pattern is in your cart, enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer is valid through Monday, May 27th to coincide with our Memorial Day Sale.
This weekend, our entire site (excluding Chiaogoo) is Buy 2 get 1 free! Ring in the summer with these special savings through Monday, May 27th.
Happy Free Pattern Friday! Have you ever heard the phrase ‘everything old is new again’? Over the years, we make choices to discontinue yarns for various reasons, but whenever possible, we try to keep our timeless pattern designs alive and thriving.
This week, we are releasing a reimagined version of the popular baby pattern, the Left of Center Cardi. Knit anew in two colors of Bamboo Pop, this layering piece will provide a punch of summery colors to your kiddo’s wardrobe.
The Left of Center Cardi is a nice relaxing project for knitters of a variety of skill levels. A textured pattern is worked throughout, featuring basic increases, decreases, and color changes. My suggestion for this cardigan would be to choose two colors with quite a bit of contrast to ensure that the textured stitch pattern stands out.
Raglan shaping for the sleeves provides a great fit, and the wide button band featuring 10 cute buttons gives you customization options! For our sample, we chose colors 139 Sundae and 226 Fresh Cut. Using a solid color with a multi makes this pattern even more exciting to wear! I have some alternative color suggestions below.
The Left of Center Cardi is free to download and is sized from 3 months to 2 years. Tell us in the blog comments which color option you like the best!
It’s the first Friday of May, and we have the perfect pattern for you! Today, the formerly paid-for Speck Cowl is now free forever! Originally featured in the Soft Simplicity E-Book, this accessory uses Uni Merino and Minou. There are two versions of the Speck Cowl, and both are free, so stick around as we learn more about this exciting freebie!
Version AVersion B
Uni Merino is a soft blend of superwash merino wool and nylon, while Minou is an eyelash yarn made from a blend of baby alpaca, merino wool, and nylon. When these two yarns collide, the result is an impressive texture that feels comfortable close to the skin. Plus, designer Rachel Brockman included two versions: Version A (left) uses two skeins of Minou for a fluffier texture, and Version B (right) uses just one skein of Minou.
One of the most exciting parts of any project is picking out the hues you plan to use! Uni Merino has a wide color palette, and we want you to get creative! Below, we have a few ideas of color combinations that have you stepping out of your comfort zone but don’t worry, we think these would look breathtaking.
This weekend, we’re offering 20% off the entire Uni Merino Family! Plus, get an additional 20% off Minou and Minou Bag Quantities. These offers expire Sunday, May 5th, at 11:59 PM EST, so shop with us today and make your own Speck Cowl for less!
Let us know in the comments which of these color combinations you would choose!
This week we are releasing the Whirligig Cardigan, designed by Afifa Sayeed, which captures all of the whimsy and colors of spring! Two bold shades of Cotton Supreme collide with two punchy colors of Cotton Supreme Speckles to create swirly pinwheels all over.
Cotton Supreme is a ridiculously soft, worsted-weight, 100% cotton yarn. It’s available in a whopping 45 colors and is a dream to work with and wear, but its versatility is the real kicker. It’s suitable for homewares like baby blankets, washcloths, stuffed toys, and more. However, Cotton Supreme truly is most popular for garments and accessories worn close to the skin. It’s an approved yarn for sensitive skin types, and is used by many for chemo caps, like the Hope Hat.
Cotton Supreme Speckles is the variegated counterpart to Cotton Supreme. It has the same 100% cotton base and weight, and comes in 6 zippy colors, which can pair with their solid sisters in fun and exciting ways. The Whirligig Cardigan, and the Below blanket show off these complimenting abilities beautifully. If you’re unsure of which colors to pair up, rest assured that Cotton Supreme Speckles looks fabulous as a stand-alone-stunner. Check out the free Wildflower Tee pattern for inspiration!
We love all of the ways you can pair these yarns, and are so excited to feature them in this week’s Free Pattern Friday. The Whirligig Cardigan is an Easy pattern, suitable for adventurous beginners. It’s constructed of 52 individual squares that are knit on the bias. Once completed, they are sewn together based on a schematic, and finished with picked up stitches for sleeve hems and edging. I personally love projects that assemble from smaller pieces – they are so transportable! This is a great cardigan to make on-the-go.
So, what do you think you’ll make with Cotton Supreme or Cotton Supreme Speckles? Get both for your stash with our weekend sale! Today through Sunday 4/21 both of these yarns are 20% off on our website. Share your projects with us here in the comments, or send photos on social media – we love to see what you’re working on!
Spring has sprung, and we’re thrilled to share some of our favorite yarns for the season with you! There are many things to look out for when searching for the perfect yarn for spring, including fiber content, weight, and color palette. If you haven’t heard of the yarns below, let today be the day you try something new! Let’s go ahead and get started with the newest addition to the Uptown Family of Yarns!
Uptown Bamboo DKSubtle Shell Ruana
Uptown Bamboo DK is a fiber blend of 80% anti-pilling acrylic and 20% bamboo in a DK weight. Each 100g skein has 284 yards of yarn, with 38 different colors to select from. Bamboo fibers are highly breathable and moisture-wicking, allowing you to keep cool in warmer weather. Uptown Bamboo DK is machine-washable, making it an excellent option for wearable pieces and baby projects. The color palette of this yarn includes plenty of beautiful hues for spring, like 515 Wisteria and 528 Breeze.
Cotton Supreme SpecklesWildflower Tee
Cotton Supreme Speckles is the newest member of the Cotton Supreme Family, and it’s already receiving so much love! This yarn is made up of 100% cotton fibers in a worsted weight, just like Cotton Supreme, but with speckles! Cotton is a plant-based fiber that is excellent for spring and almost any project you can think of. Due to the durability of cotton, Cotton Supreme Speckles is phenomenal for homewares, like the Seedling Washcloths. Additionally, this yarn makes for beautiful wearable pieces, like the pictured Wildflower Tee.
Bamboo PopSabal
Naturally, we wanted to include one of our staple yarns, so say hello to Bamboo Pop! We already talked through the benefits of bamboo and cotton fibers, and guess what? Bamboo Pop is a blend of both! With that being the case, this yarn is breathable, soft, and exceptional for any project. One of our favorite things about Bamboo Pop is the versatile color palette. Both solids and multis are available, and many pair faultlessly with each other! Try a fun accessory with this staple, with the pictured Sabal poncho. Plus, if you love to make baby projects, you will want to add Bamboo Pop to your stash; it’s a customer favorite for such patterns!
Rico Design Baby Dream DKBesties
Speaking of baby projects, Rico Design’s Baby Dream DK is next on deck! With a fiber blend of 50% polyacrylic and 50% polyamide, Rico Design Baby Dream DK is incredibly soft and easy to care for. Solids and multis are available in this yarn, with a range of gorgeous colors, especially pastels. The polyacrylic and polyamide fibers mean that Baby Dream DK is machine-washable, so it’s ideal for your little one. We love the idea of a baby blanket or cardigan, like the pictured Besties pattern!
Rico Design Creative Fluffily DKPattern 1016 Top and Shawl
You may have never heard of Rico Design’s Creative Fluffily DK, but we’re thrilled to introduce you! With a fiber blend of cotton, polyester, acrylic, and wool, Creative Fluffily DK is sensationally soft, machine-washable, and includes a subtle sparkle! Each 150g cake of this yarn contains 459 yards of yarn, making it great for larger projects like pullovers and shawls. There are 14 shades to choose from, and we can’t wait to see what you will make with Creative Fluffily DK!
Which one of these yarns would you work with first? Let us know in the comments! We can’t wait to hear your response.
Happy Free Pattern Friday everyone! Today we are very excited to release the Ravishing Set perfect for your next day out on the town.
Designed by Afifa Sayeed, the Ravishing Set is knit using Rico Design Fashion Alpaca Superfine Heavens. This bulky-weight blend of alpaca and polyamide has a brushed, fluffy texture that is light, airy, and soft as a cloud. The six colorways of this stunning yarn feature self-shading hues that gently change from one to the next. Yarns like this are some of my absolute favorites to work with, they are such a treat!
The Ravishing Set is an on-trend beret and shrug duo. You’ll love the effortlessly chic results this pattern produces; it’s so easy to throw on over any outfit!
The Ravishing Set would be a great choice for beginner knitters looking to advance skills! Although you’ll be primarily working in simple stockinette stitch, both the beret and shrug feature a crochet provisional cast-on, shaping to create the silhouettes, and I-Cord bind offs for a polished finish. These skills can be applied to SO many knitting patterns.
I love a matching accessory set, don’t you? The shrug can also be styled more like a cowl if that is your preferred way to wear it. I think I’d choose color 005 Sundown if I were to knit this set for myself. Let us know which color you’d choose in the comments!
We love seeing Universal Yarn featured in the spotlight! Three designs using your favorite yarns from our brand are available and we’re so excited to show them off. The Coral Canopy Cardigan (right), designed by Nazanin S Ford, using Uni Merino, the Sunny Bloom Blanket (middle), designed by Willow Crochet, using Uptown Worsted, and the Lattice Cloche Hat, designed by Sheila Pfeiffer, using Bamboo Pop. Let’s learn more about these gorgeous patterns!
Featured in “I Like Crochet” Magazine’s April 2024 issue, the Coral Canopy Cardigan is stunning! This piece is perfect for spring, with a breathtaking leaves pattern, a v-neckline, and three-quarter length sleeves. The soft, superwash merino wool and nylon blend of Uni Merino will make this cardigan a summer staple, whether you’re at the beach or relaxing at home!
Next, we’ll look at Willow Crochet’s beautiful Sunny Bloom Blanket! Using stash staple Uptown Worsted, this homeware is full of color and is as soft as can be with 100% anti-pilling acrylic fibers. This graphgan uses seven hues of Uptown Worsted, so you can practice transitioning colors like never before. To get this pattern for free, visit Knitty!
The Lattice Cloche Hat is available on Ravelry using customer-favorite Bamboo Pop! An engaging slip-stitch technique creates a lovely lattice overlay effect that will have you receiving compliments left and right. Bamboo Pop’s color palette is vast, so you can choose the hues that best match your personality and make a hat for you and a friend!
We hope you enjoyed hearing about these exciting designs! We invite you to share all of your projects with us by tagging us @universal_yarn on Instagram. Stay tuned for next month’s publication spotlight!
With April now upon us (where did time go?), we’re excited for the warm weather on the horizon! Today, we’re showing off a one-skein-wonder featuring silky smooth Magnolia. The Spring Forward Scarflette, designed by Afifa Sayeed, is this week’s Free Pattern Friday, and we can’t wait to share with you all there is to love about this piece!
With satisfyingly simple stockinette stitch used throughout, you can shift your focus to the nupp detailed edges worked on both sides. Plus, tassels adorn each end to give your scarf a fun addition. This piece is truly perfect for spring and summer, thanks to Magnolia’s light and airy fiber blend of modal and cashmere!
If you’re not a fan of green, don’t worry; Magnolia has 15 hues to choose from! Try the Spring Forward Scarflette in 109 Brunch to give you an accessory that reminds us of the blue skies of summer. Or, use 104 Dreamsicle and bring a tropical vacation straight to your wardrobe!
Why should you use Magnolia for this project? Well, aside from its lovely drape and stunningly smooth texture, it’s 20% off! Imagine the spring and summer creations you could make with this yarn! We especially love Magnolia for patterns using lace and colorwork, just check out our Sunkissed Summer collection for proof (also 20% off this weekend)!
Happy Free Pattern Friday, Friends! Today, we bring you the Mimosa Poncho, the ideal transitional accessory for Spring.
The Mimosa Poncho is a light and airy layering piece that uses a simple zigzag lace for maximum effect. The poncho is knit flat from the bottom up, working along the narrowest side. Creative seaming after completion transforms a rectangular piece into a dazzling lightweight accessory.
This pattern makes the most of our highly variegated Sugar Saki yarn. Sugar Saki is a 50/25/25 blend of superwash merino, bamboo, and nylon and comes in a cheerful colorful palette of 5 colors inspired by sweet treats. The simple construction allows the yarn to do most of the work here, and the bamboo content gives your finished piece just the right amount of drape. This yarn is perfect for socks and lightweight accessories alike.
This weekend only, get 20% off Sugar Saki through Sunday, March 31st. Don’t miss out on your chance to get your hands on this fun yarn at a special discounted rate while you can.
Happy Free Pattern Friday! Today we are switching up the usual monthly schedule and offering a very special FLASH Friday to coincide with our sitewide St Patrick’s Day Sale. That’s right, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is here, and it’s actually a pot of Cotton Gold!
This weekend only, you can download the Golden Fans AND Gossamer Shawlette patterns for free on Ravelry using the code: FLASH. These popular accessory patterns show off our brilliantly sparkling Cotton Gold yarn. Let’s take a closer look!
Golden Fans features a stunning lace stitch pattern worked throughout. The written pattern includes instructions for both a scarf and shawl size of this accessory. Popular for weddings, Golden Fans is sure to stand out and get you tons of compliments on your knitting skills.
The Gossamer Shawlette is an ethereal accessory that will be the perfect topper to any outfit. This shawl has a triangular shape, and features a beautiful pointed edging. Wear this draped over your shoulders for a dressy night out, or style as a bandana for a sparkly addition to a casual look!
Cotton Gold is a lace weight yarn that is made with a cotton thread base that has metallic fibers and sequins strung throughout. Worked alone, it creates light and airy projects with a magical quality. Held as a carry along, it adds texture and dimension to any creation. Cotton Gold pairs extremely well with other cotton-based yarns like Cotton Supreme or Bamboo Pop, and yarns with a textured halo such as Penna or Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk (pictured above).
Don’t forget to use the code: FLASH on Ravelry to get Golden Fans and the Gossamer Shawlette free this weekend only, and don’t miss out on our sitewide St Patrick’s Day Sale! You can get $25 off any order of $100 or more (before tax and shipping) through 11:59 PM EST on March 17th. Our sitewide sale doesn’t require a code, the discount will be automatically applied when your cart amount reaches the $100 before tax minimum. This is a great time to stock up on yarn for future projects!
