knit – Page 37 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

July 2, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern – Independence Tank

What are you wearing for Independence Day?

Yorkshire Terrier dog in red white and blue costume — “Woof!”

Baby goat kid in American patriotic ribbon — “Naaaah!”

cat in American patriotic costume and goggle — “When I get out of this I will kill you.”

How about a brand new free pattern?

The Independence Tank in Flax (pattern link here).

Cool and light, 100% linen Flax is a great choice for summer projects.

Red, White, and Blue for Independence Day.

Knit front and back pieces from side to side, then join.

Add a few stockinette rows for a rolled edge. Presto, a lightweight top perfect for a day out, or a night watching fireworks. This would look awfully cute any other day of the year, too, in whatever colors you like.

We hope you have a fantastic Independence Day. And if you’re going to spend it outdoors, don’t forget your sunscreen – and a hat!

Alpaca draped in American flag — “Why yes, I do look fabulous.”

June 29, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Tidal Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Tidal Shawl in Little Bird and Little Bird Colors (pattern link).

Shawl knitting in the summertime? Yes, please.

We hate to give up an entire category of projects, just because the temperature’s risen a little. That’s what makes Little Bird and Little Bird Colors great for this project. They’re 100% microfiber acrylic, so you won’t overheat with the project in your lap while knitting.

The Tidal Shawl uses one solid color and one self-striping, for a nicely coordinated feel. A textured stitch is combined with little eyelets for a texture that lets individual stitches of the solids and stripes show through each other – a nice blending of colors.

Work it top-down, and finish with a neat i-cord bind-off. Presto. A gorgeous shawl you can wear year-round.

I love the blues that give the Tidal Shawl its name, but you might like something different. Maybe a Sunshine Shawl?

Or a Blues and Berries Shawl?

There are boundless possibilities.

Happy crafting!

June 12, 2018January 28, 2020

Father’s Day Tie

If you’re looking for a last-minute but thoughtful Father’s Day gift, you’re in luck. Today we’re sharing the Father’s Day Tie. This necktie takes just 36 grams of Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash!

I talk to my dad at least two or three times a week. He’s one of my best friends, and I feel so lucky for that. On top of that, my husband (and hesitant but equally gracious model for these photos) is a pretty fantastic dad to our dogs and cats. Yep – I am totally the kind of person who sees their pets as a ridiculously special part of my family.

Anyway, as we well know, Father’s Day celebrates all the great father figures out there. Yep, father figures – because it’s so important to recognize those that have played that role in our lives, regardless of a biological relationship. Whether that’s a spouse, friend, dad (or dog dad!), it’s important to take a moment to say thank you.

The Father’s Day Tie is knit flat primarily in linen stitch and features a spine of slipped stitches down the center. Paired with Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash, this accessory elevates an otherwise casual look. So what are you waiting for? Grab your needles and yarn and get started! You can find the pattern here (link).

June 8, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – TNNA Vest

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the TNNA Vest knit in Bamboo Pop (pattern link here).

This vest was inspired by an idea we had a couple of years ago. In 2016, we designed the TNNA Cardi and all wore it to the National Needlearts Association’s tradeshow, the event where we get to meet with our LYS owner friends and show them what’s new for the sesaon.

Katie, Yonca, and Amy are ready to show off some yarn!

The cardi looked and fit great, but wasn’t really tailored to the guys attending. This year, we’re fixing that!

The TNNA Vest is also knitted in Bamboo Pop color 107 Ocean (gotta match!), but it replaces lace with different stitch patterns. The V panel in the center recalls the diagonal lace of the original cardi. The largest size (4X) only takes 5 balls – Bamboo Pop goes a long way!

We’re heading to the show next week. If you’ll be there, swing by booth 1032 and say hi. We’d love to see you!

Have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

June 1, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Pathways Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Pathways Poncho in Papyrus (pattern link here).

Papyrus is one of those yarns that we can’t get enough of – a textured cotton/silk combination that’s light and interesting. Crafters seem to like it too, and are putting it to good use. I really hadn’t thought of using Papyrus for Amy Gunderson’s Silver Blossom Tee, but after seeing the beautiful job that Raveler Sally9 did on hers, it’s going in my queue.

The Pathways Poncho looks more complicated than it is. The key here is mock cables, giving the illusion of cabling with no actual cable needle required.

Knit the front and back flat, then join the two pieces and add edging and buttons, and you’re done. With the yarn’s cotton content, this piece will work well in warmer weather.

We hope you have a fantastic knitting, full of fun projects.

Happy crafting!

May 25, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Right Turn Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Right Turn Shawl in Bamboo Pop (pattern link).

This is Amy Gunderson’s design, but she kindly let me name this shawl Right Turn. At the time, it reminded me of a particularly colorful city street. However, I may have mis-named it. Sure, it looks like it veers sharply, but that’s not what the construction actually does.

You start at the top, and do an increase on either side of the center spine and at each edge. So really, it’s more like a gradual broadening of the horizon as you keep going.

Begin with garter stitch, then move to slip-stitch to easily make the two-color stripes. Back to garter, then polish it off with an i-cord bind-off.

It’s made in Bamboo Pop, a great summertime yarn that has 52 colors. It’d be easy to have the stripes accent whatever color is most prevalent in your wardrobe.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

May 18, 2018

Free Pattern Friday – Cassia Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Cassia Cardigan in Good Earth and Good Earth Adorn (pattern link).

The weather here can’t decide what it wants to do. One minute it’s Spring, the next it’s Summer. We need something that will straddle the line.

The Cassia Cardigan is a geat layering piece over a tee.

Knit this piece flat in three pieces – the back, and each half of the front. Then seam and add the solid border (shown in Good Earth cotton/linen).

Although the stitch pattern for this cardi is simple, you’ll still want to pay attention. The detailed decreases that makes this such a striking piece occur at different rates in different places. We’d recommend a read-through before starting to ensure smooth sailing later on. Actually, we always recommend that, but we’re sometimes guilty of diving in first and winging it. It’s just human nature when you have a beautiful project ready to go.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

May 11, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Nebula Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Nebula Stole in Classic Shades Sequins Lite (pattern link here).

I’m a big fan of one-color brioche, but I had never done two-color brioche before tackling Rachel Brockman’s Sweet Little Cowl in Cottonwood. I don’t know why I thought it was going to be hard. It’s not. Rachel shares another brioche pattern here, this one knitted flat.

brioche knit fabric held in place by Jul Designs shawl pin — Shawl pin by Jul Designs

The great thing about the Nebula Stole is that it’s reversible – it’ll look stunning with either side facing out, which opens up a world of possibilities in styling.

The texture in this pattern really help the sequins in Classic Shades Sequins Lite catch the light.

Whether your idea of “nebula” is this…

Composite image of the Crab nebula — The final frontier.

…or this…

…we think this celestial project fits the bill.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

April 20, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Skipper Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Skipper Sweater in Bella Cash (link here).

Don’t you love it when cute and practical meet? The cute: this striped sweater with its nautical feel, sized from 3 months to 4 years.

Work it in the round up to the armholes, then divide it for shaping. Near the end, you’ll add the ribbed buttonbands at the arms for a nice finish.

The practical: that buttonband! I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to get a wiggly baby’s head through a neckhole, but it’s kind of like… well… I’m just going to leave this here.

Yep, that’s about right.

As a parent, I’m also delighted by the choice of Bella Cash for this. The yarn is machine washable, but with its cashmere content it’s also baby-shower-worthy. Its palette has a good range of pastels and other kid-friendly tones, too.

All in all, this pullover gets the knitter/mom seal of approval. Now if you’ll pardon me, I have to go watch some more cat videos. It just never gets old.

Have a great weekend, and happy crafting!

April 13, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Sakura Dress

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sakura Dress in Bamboo Pop (pattern link).

There’s just something magical about Spring. It’s hard to resist the call of the outdoors when the first blooms are poking up. It always puts us in mind of growing things, including the little people in our lives.

Enter the Sakura Dress.

This lightweight raglan-style piece is sized from newborn to 4 years. Worked in the round from the bottom up, this sweet little knit uses one of my favorite warm-weather yarns, Bamboo Pop, in two coordinating colors, 215 Soothe and 125 Darling Pink. I’m already thinking of what other colors might work – maybe light green with variegated 209 Jungle Life? Or a lavender with purple? These are the tough decisions, folks!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!