It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Autumn Air Toboggan in Classic Shades (pattern link here).
Some may think of Fall as sweater weather, but for me, it’s finally hat time!
Goofing around in my Cold Mountain Hat.
So when we get a new hat pattern, and it’s this colorful, I am on board!
The Autumn Air Toboggan takes just one ball of self-striping Classic Shades. The easy basketweave pattern adds texture without getting lost in the vibrant colors.
And that pom-pom! I’m a sucker for a good pom-pom. It’s part of why I asked to write the blog post for Day 8 of Winter’s upcoming kit (oops, spoiler!).
Long story short: it’s a new free, one skein, colorful, easy hat pattern that I will totally be casting on for ASAP. Good thing you can never have too many hats. (It’s true, don’t look at me like that).
This is part 1 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 3 Edition.
It’s that time again – the holidays are just around the corner. Unbelievably, we’re just over halfway through November. For most of us, that means we’re knee-deep in crafty gift-making for loved ones. Here at Universal Yarn headquarters, we’ve been working hard to keep the 12 Days of Winter tradition alive with a beautiful third installment. We’re so excited to share these projects with you. Whether you are looking for a gift for a special yarn-loving person in your life, or for the perfect gift to make, we’ve got you covered.
This year we’re kicking off the collection with a scarf designed by the talented Adrienne Larsen. Aspen is one of those perfect, squishy scarves that’s just the right length. It’s beautiful – any worthy recipient would be thrilled to wrap this around their neck.
The elaborate cable motif is simpler to work than one might expect, and by the time the scarf is complete, you’ll likely have it memorized. Inspired by quaking aspen trees, each cable in this scarf grows out of another. The result is an interlocking pattern that is sure to turn heads.
Knit up in Deluxe Worsted, a 100% wool yarn, we’ve selected a neutral color that allows the stitchwork to shine. It’s perfect for men and women alike and is sure to work well with any item in your winter-weather wardrobe. Surprisingly, this pattern takes just two skeins, which are included in the kit along with the pattern. Surely you can finish this one in time for the holidays.
We hope you’ll love the Aspen scarf as much as we do, and that you’re equally excited for the other patterns we have coming. Remember, you can find the 12 Days of Winter Kits at your local yarn shop.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Lace Tipped Cardigan in Odette (pattern link here).
Down here in the South, it’s tempting to say, “finally, some sweater weather!” But yesterday, a friend in Chicago sent me a picture of themselves outdoors. This isn’t them, but it certainly gives the feel.
I can’t put my arms down!
Fortunately, this week’s free pattern is warmer than you might think!
The Lace Tipped Cardigan is worked in Odette. Although it’s a light-feeling yarn, the merino and alpaca held in its chainette construction give it enough loft to trap the warmth.
It also gives a beautiful textured feel, and subtle variations in color.
Because it’s so light, it still has a delicate look. The lace border helps with that as well.
The other thing to love? You can still have a lightweight, airy look while working on a US Size 7 (4.5mm) needle.
Like most of our designs, the Lace Tipped Cardigan has sizing from XS to 5X. Toss it over a top and jeans, and you’re ready for anything!
We hope you have a toasty and wonderful weekend.
Happy crafting!
Happy Halloween to all you ghoulies and ghosties out there! We’re not sure what’s better: a large bag filled with candy of all kinds, or a fun crafting project to get us in the holiday spirit. Sadly, we can’t provide you candy via the web, but this Halloween, we have plenty of fun crafting projects to offer! So park your broom, sit a spell, and decide which project to start working on today.
We want all the candy!
To hold all of that aforementioned delicious candy, we have the Neon Pumpkin and Skull Baskets in Uptown Worsted (pattern link here)! Though these baskets are knitted in soft yarn, they feature a ‘magical’ plastic needlepoint canvas inside to keep their shape for many Halloweens to come (and all those candy grabbing hands)! We know you’ll enjoy the whimsical Fair Isle patterns on these as much as we do.
Spooky and stunning in Uptown DK
Next up, for a fun adult costume idea, we have the Batcape in Uptown DK (pattern link here). Throw this on with a black or red dress, some fangs, a little fake blood, and you have an instant Vampire costume! The chevron pattern is gorgeous to knit up, and it has a red contrast I-Cord bind off. You could always wear this with a winter outfit for an edgy-cool everyday look too. ‘Ve vant’ you to knit this pretty cape!
Bleep-Bloop
Everyone loves aliens and monsters right? We certainly do. Halloween is the perfect time to work up a fun creature inspired project. For kids, we have the Bleep Bloop Sweater in Cotton Supreme (pattern link here) which is an adorable alien-themed hoodie that can double as a great costume! This is from our Stellar Supreme collection, so if you’re a fan of outer space-inspired patterns, that is the one for you.
Do the Monster Mash!
For the whole family, we have Clarice, Chunk, and Clyde in Uptown Worsted! These monster hats are adorably fun to crochet and make a great last-minute costume.
Candy corn- love or hate it?
Want a Halloween colored item, but not into the whole costume thing? Try the Crochet Color Pooling Scarf in Uptown Worsted Spirit Stripes color MVP. This yarn is also perfect for team color projects!
‘Boooooooooooooook’ -Winifred Sanderson
In the realm of books, we have 50 Knitted Gifts for Year Round Giving . This is a collection of patterns for every holiday on your list, and the Halloween offering sure doesn’t disappoint. Feel like making a felted trick-or-treat bag? Check. Boot Warmers? Check. This one has you covered for Halloween and all the holidays beyond.
Spiderweb Boot Toppers (Ravelry link here)
Felted Trick or Treat Bag (Ravelry link here)
Hopefully, this has given you all the inspiration to start working on some whimsical and spooky projects for Halloween or any day of the year you choose to enjoy these! Now, kick back with your crafting and your candy corn and start watching Hocus Pocus.
Happy Halloween!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Channel Socks in Wacki Saki (pattern link here).
We love Wacki Saki for its bold patterning. Here, Rachel Brockman wisely went with a simple pattern that lets the yarn colors do the heavy lifting.
Worked cuff down, these socks feature a heel flap and gusset.
The twisted stitch ribbing flows right onto the heel.
The stockinette feet are comfy, while the twisted stitches on the leg create a snug fit. These beauties will stay up!
Super fun colors to match your personality. Have happy feet all day!
Saying “happy feet” gives me an excuse to share this video, which brings me joy because it’s a puppet tap-dancing, so of course you never actually see him below the waist. I choose to believe that he’s wearing crazy socks on those webbed flippers.
We hope you dance your way through this weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Citadel in Deluxe Bulky Superwash (pattern link here).
This versatile sleeveless design is great for the turning season – doesn’t it look great over a long-sleeved top?
Designer Rachel Brockman named it Citadel because it acts as extra protection against the cold in thick Deluxe Bulky Superwash.
And if you’re looking for warmth without bulk, it works great under a jacket. That high collar will still protect you. Seed stitch side panels and shoulders are a lovely design touch.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, with perfect weather for whatever you choose to do!
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Splatter Lace Cowl in Fibra Natura Dona (pattern link here).
This beauty comes in two sizes, with the long calling for four balls and the short needing just two.
Perfect for a little pop of color.
Dona’s extra fine superwash merino gives excellent stitch definition to this pattern. It’s a simple repeat to memorize, with the star-shaped “splatter” given form by 5-in-1 decreases and 1-in-5 increases!
It may sound daunting, but you’ll pick it up faster than you think. And it’s worth it for the beautiful texture that shines through in a saturated solid color yarn.
Have a fantastic weekend, friends! Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today Elation in Poems Sock (pattern link here).
We’ve had fun highlighting sock yarns the last few weeks, and we wanted to get one more in before turning to bigger projects.
Poems Sock is a superwash wool/nylon single with long color repeats – as you can see!
This whole thing takes just one skein – Color 969 Cabin Fever is shown. The shawl is knit side to side.
The fringe is created by unraveling one garter edge back down to the cast on edge.
The result is a simple, colorful, fun shawl. And when you drop those edge stitches and see the fringe form, you’ll understand why it’s called Elation!
Next week: something satisfying in crochet. We hope you have a fantastic weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Garden Wall Socks in Angora Lace (pattern link).
This one’s a bit of a rare find!
The Garden Wall Socks were previously only available in a long out-of-print publication. What a delight to be able to share them now for free!
Designed by Carol J. Sulcoski, these are knit cuff down, with a heel flap and gusset. We love the trellis effect of the purl stitches in the leg.
Oh, that heel!
Angora Lace is a beautiful choice for this design. Honestly, it was after feeling how soft these socks were that I decided to design the Contented Socks (pattern link) for myself. There are so many beautiful colors, and they’re all cloud-soft. And you deserve something warm and wonderful, don’t you?
Yes. Yes you do.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Trailhopper Hat in Mini Saki (pattern link here).
You’ve all met the world’s cutest baby, right? Parker is the son of our warehouse shipping chief, and she brought him in when we needed a wee one to do a little modeling. A sweet little cherub for a sweet little hat!
The Trailhopper Hat starts at the very bottom, with those i-cord ties. Work your way up to the earflaps, then cast on for the brim. Rachel Brockman included a detail that is sometimes overlooked – casting on more for the front than the back, to be sure those earflaps are back just a bit from the face to give proper coverage.
Faux cable/right twist ribbing gives way to symmetrical decreases at the top. It all comes together to make a hat that looks neat on the noggin. All with just one 230yd ball of Mini Saki.
Just one more – here we see Parker, just before we realized it wasn’t a great idea to give him tissue paper. When you’re seven months old, everything is edible.
If you’re wondering about that fantastic sweater, by the way, it’s the Crosscut Pullover in Adore (free pattern link here). It’s sized 3-6 months through 4-6 years. Rachel Brockman has been on a roll with the baby garments!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of good things. We also hope you find the strength to keep the tissue paper out of your mouth.
Happy crafting!
