Holiday Crafting – Don’t Panic!

How’s everybody doing? All caught up on your handmade gifts?

There are two kinds of crafters.

If you are, then good for you! If you’re not… join the club! Fortunately, there are still some quick, good-looking projects that you (and I) can make at the last minute. And if you still can’t quite finish, well… we have some options at the end of this post.

When I’m in a pinch, I go big! Take a look at the Coffee Beans and Sugar Cubes hats.

Coffee Beans and Sugarcubes hats in Uptown Super Bulky

What I like about them:

  1. Knit in Uptown Super Bulky on size 11 needles, they go really fast.
  2. They’re designed to take one ball each of two colors – and you can get two hats out of those two skeins!
  3. Did I mention they were really fast?

I’ve made more than a few of these, and they’ve always been popular. My most recent set were super bright for two friends, who loved them.

lime and aqua knitted caps
Two hats with the leftovers from two skeins.

These are also available as a kit from your LYS.

Are you a crocheter? How about the Racing Cowl?

This takes just one skein of self-striping Uptown Super Bulky Amplify on a size N-15 (10mm) hook.

striped crochet cowl in Uptown Super Bulky Amplify yarn
Just half double crochet all the way around. Easy peasy.

If you want to knit something bulky but not super-bulky, try the Latta Park Hat and Mittens from e-book Colorful Commute.

I made one of these myself, and it was fun and easy. The Classic Shades Frenzy is a smart choice because it lends visual interest without extra work – always a consideration when you’re on a deadline.

I actually wound up keeping this one.

As a little holiday gift, we’re running a giveaway of the Latta Park Hat and Mittens. (Also, consider signing up for our newsletter. Subscribers already heard about this!)

You can enter this coupon code by going to the Latta Park Hat and Mittens page on Ravelry, and entering FRENZY at the “use a coupon code” link that appears during purchase. Use it by 12/23.

Finally, if you’re just not gonna make it, we still have some options. How about a card to let your giftee know that their gift is on the way? We made a few printable options for you.

Regardless of how your holiday gifting turns out, we hope you’ll be able to make time to slow down and enjoy the season as best you can.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Magical Mystery Throw

Image of brightly colored throw knitted in Uptown DK Colors

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

colorful striped square knitted throw draped over chair

Today the Magical Mystery Throw in Uptown DK Colors (pattern link).

We designed this throw to show off one of our three new colors in Uptown DK Colors, a soft, cottony anti-pilling acrylic.

Uptown DK Colors #70322 Tropical

The stripes that work up so evenly in a fixed-width piece do some amazing things when the rows start to grow, as in this center-out throw.

The longer the row, the narrower the band of color.

Until by the end, you’ll end up with multiple colors per row.  Such a great effect!  Of course, you could go with a less varied palette…

Uptown DK Colors #70320 Sapphire Road

….or really pull out all the stops with a rainbow-themed throw to display with pride.

Uptown DK Colors #70321 Rainbowz

No matter what you choose, it’s great fun to see the design emerge as you knit this kaleidoscope of color.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

Image of folded tropical-colored afghan knit in Uptown DK Colors.

Free Pattern Friday – Checkerboard Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Checkerboard Pullover in Dona (pattern link here).

Things to love about this pullover:

It’s sized from 3-6 months all the way up to 10 years. Whether your little one is “ooh, look at the tiny toes!” or “I can’t believe they’re growing up so fast!” you can still make them a fun sweater.

The stranding is very predictable. If you like to do Fair Isle without having to constantly refer back to the pattern, you’re set. Put on an episode of This Is Us and knit away without missing the juicy bits.

It would be really easy to customize. Fibra Natura Dona has a range of bold colors, both dark and light.  Blue and white for a gingham look? Red and black for a classic checkerboard? Team colors for the little fan? There are a lot of possibilities!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Contours Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Rozetti Yarns Alaska

Today, the Contours Cowl in Alaska (pattern link here).

Rozetti Yarns Alaska

The Contours Cowl features lofty, all-over cables. If you thought cables make for a dense fabric, think again – Alaska is featherweight and soft as down, countering the density you might expect from the usual cabled cowl. It’s perfect to loop around your neck once or twice – and each styling option will keep you warm and cozy.

Rozetti Yarns Alaska

Knit seamlessly from the bottom-up, this cowl features an easily memorizable cable and slip stitch pattern on a background of reverse stockinette.

Rozetti Yarns Alaska

We hope you enjoy this week’s free pattern! Have a wonderful, craft-filled weekend!

Day 12 of Winter – Series 2 Edition

This is part 12 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 2 Edition.

Day 12 – can you believe it? Today we reveal the final installment of the Universal Yarn 12 Days of Winter Kit Collections – Series 2! Say hello to the Solstice Shawl.

Deluxe DK Tweed

Can I be honest? I am really proud of this design – in my opinion, it’s one of my best designs and I sincerely hope you love it.

This isn’t a very complicated design, but what I feel proud of is the balance of simplicity and intricacy in the piece. This shawl combines cables, stripes, and intarsia. It is worked from tip to tip, starting and finishing with the same number of stitches (just two!). Finally, it’s finished with a very simple contrast color border.

Part of what makes this project special is the yarn used: Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash. I love this yarn. It’s rustic and the tweedy nubs add interest to every type of pattern – from simple garter to cables, lace, and stranded colorwork. (If you need convincing, just take a look at the recent collection in this yarn, Rustic & Refined).

I’m keeping this post short and sweet, but before I sign off, thank you’s are in order! Like last year we had a really wonderful time putting this collection together. It is a team effort, for sure. So thanks to everyone on our team for putting in so much hard work! And thank you so much for supporting our company, your local yarn shops, and for following our posts for this collection. We appreciate it so much!

Remember, you can find the 12 Days of Winter Kit patterns on Ravelry.

Free Pattern Friday – Megascarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Uptown Bulky

Today, the Megascarf in Uptown Super Bulky Amplify and it’s solid-color companion, Uptown Bulky (pattern link here).

Uptown Super Bulky Amplify

The scarf gets its name from the plump yarn and extra-long length. Despite the length, this scarf knits up so quickly! Can you believe you only need to cast on 20 stitches?

Uptown Super Bulky Amplify

This scarf mixes intarsia and self-striping Uptown Super Bulky Amplify for exciting results. We think this pattern is great for beginners looking to learn a new skill. Intarsia is easy, we promise!

Universal Yarn Uptown Bulky
Complimentary colors forever!

Be careful – if your outfit matches a free pattern too closely, your colleagues may insist that you model it!

It’s okay, though! I’m totally up for wrapping myself in knitwear all day, every day! Plus, I’m almost always cold! We wrapped this scarf around my neck many times. Perfect for the snowy weather the north has been experiencing this week!

We hope you enjoy this week’s free pattern! Have a fabulous weekend!

Day 10 of Winter – Series 2 Edition

Deluxe Worsted Superwash

This is part 10 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 2 Edition.

Today I’m happy to introduce the Cardamom and Clove Cover – an ultra-cozy wool blanket that’s perfect to wrap around your shoulders while drinking a warm and wintry beverage!

I grew up in a place where it actually snows (when I say “actually” I mean unlike the meager, quick-to-melt amounts that we receive here in Charlotte, NC). To this day I find there is a lot of magic to snow days, and that was especially true when I was a child.

Living in a rural area, just by the border of a state park, snow days first meant shoveling the driveway followed by playing in the snow-covered woods for hours and hours. I rarely came inside until the tips of my hair were completely frozen and my feet couldn’t hand the cold anymore. Then, I’d make my way back home. While my siblings and I pulled off the six million layers we wore to stay warm, my mom prepared hot cocoa.

Deluxe Worsted Superwash

What’s nicer than enjoying a warm beverage with a cozy blanket on your lap after spending hours in the cold? So, to accompany this design reveal I thought it would be fitting to share a perfectly spiced hot cocoa with a touch of cardamom and clove. This recipe isn’t overly sweet, but it is very rich. 

Ingredients – serves four 

12 Days of Winter Kit Collection – Cardamom and Clove Cover Kit

6 oz very dark chocolate (I used 90% cocao)

4 cups of coconut milk (or your milk of choice)

1 pinch cayenne

1 pinch ground cloves

1/4 tsp cardamom

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp freshly ground sea salt

1 Tbsp maple syrup

First – knit, knit, knit! How are you going to cuddle up and drink hot chocolate under your blanket if you haven’t knit it?! Okay – I admit, hot chocolate is just as good for knitting this kit, so you don’t need to complete this step first!

Pour the milk into a saucepan. Set the stove to low heat. Add the chopped chocolate and stir, slowly bringing the temperature to medium. When the chocolate is melted add the cayenne, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, sea salt, and maple syrup. Stir, sip, and adjust spices and sweetener to taste.

Add marshmallows – or don’t, it’s up to you! It’s a pretty basic recipe that can be adapted however you’d like. I encourage you to have fun. Heck – add some nutmeg in there if you’re feeling really crazy!

Universal Yarn 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection
Never enough knits – the Mistletoes and Cardamom and Clove Cover are perfect companions for hot chocolate.

Worried about spilling your cocoa on your beautiful blanket? Don’t! The Cardamom and Clove Cover Kit uses Deluxe Worsted Superwash, so it’s incredibly easy to care for.

Remember, you can find the 12 Days of Winter Series 2 patterns on Ravelry.

Free Pattern Friday – Prism Wrap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Prism Wrap in Alpaculence (pattern link here).

 

Lightweight and sparkly, this design takes one ball each in two colors of Rozetti Yarns Alpaculence.

Worked flat in one piece, you alternate colors every other row and carry them up – don’t bother to cut and weave in those ends.

This would be a great companion piece to the Ziggity Hat (pattern link), another free pattern using Alpaculence in zigzags.

A simple pattern with striking results.  We hope you enjoy it.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Cichlid Hats

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Cichlid Hats in Deluxe Worsted Superwash and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (pattern link here).

Want a little color on a drab day?

Like the super-popular Hanasaku Cowl, this hat uses just one skein of variegated Bamboo Bloom Handpaints. Here it’s paired with a coordinating color of  Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the base and pompom that tie it all together.

A long, twisted rib upturned brim gives way to a basic stockinette body.  The difference in gauge between the two stitches means that the rib fits snugly, but the variegated Bamboo Bloom section is slouchy.  A neat solution to achieving the perfect fit.

We’ve shown it in two color options here, but I’m about to cast on for one for a friend, using an orange Deluxe Worsted Superwash for the base and Bamboo Bloom Handpaints 317 Sensei for the body. 

It should be very autumnal.

We hope you have a colorful and fun weekend.

Happy crafting!

Halloween Projects

It’s that time of year! Little ghouls and ghosties run amok in the neighborhood, and we love crafting fun things for them – and for us!  Let’s take a look at a few free patterns.

We want candy. More candy. And not the cheap stuff.

First, Clarice, Chunk, and Clyde in Uptown Worsted (pattern link here).

There is so much personality in these three crocheted monsters! Sized for children through adults, these friends are free patterns in machine washable Uptown Worsted.  We decided to make ours in the adult size, so we could have some fun here in the office!

selfie of three women wearing colorful crocheted hats with monster faces on them
(L-R: Amy, Rachel, and Heather, always up for some wholesome fun)

Photo of two knitted Halloween bowls filled with candy
I *guess* you can have some.

Next, Neon pumpkin and Skull Baskets in Uptown Worsted (pattern link here).

These Fair Isle knits have a piece plastic needlepoint canvas inside to help them hold their shape.  It’s optional, but we go through a lot of candy here, so we thought it was a good idea to help them stand up to the frequent “walk-by grabbing.”

Image of woman in knitted black cape looking over her shoulder
I don’t sparkle, but I’m still fierce!

Also, Batcape! in Uptown DK (pattern link here).

We released the Batcape last week and blogged about it.  Maybe you saw it, but if you didn’t, we don’t want you to miss it. 🙂

Cover of book 50 Knitted Gifts

Moving to printed patterns, there are some real gems in the book 50 Knitted Gifts for Year-Round Giving, from Sixth and Spring.  The book features great projects suitable for any occasion.  The Halloween selections do not disappoint!

Orange knitted boot toppers with spiderweb embroidery

Spiderweb Boot Toppers (Ravelry link)

Knit felted Jack-o-lantern Halloween decoration

Felted Trick-or-Treat Bag (Ravelry link)

Woman wearing light green knit hat with ghost face design

Ghoulish Ghost Hat (Ravelry link)

Knitted brooch in the shape of a black cat with hot pink eyes

and Black Cat Brooch (Ravelry link).

The book has some great patterns for Thanksgiving, too, but one holiday at a time.

The last thing we’re going to throw out there, for ultimate ease, is a crocheted color pooling scarf in Uptown Worsted Spirit Stripes color 509 MVP.

Image of orange and black skein of Uptown Worsted Spirit Stripes yarn

Hands off the candy corn, though.

We hope you have an appropriately spooky Halloween.

Happy crafting!