knit – Page 51 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

April 1, 2015

Amy Answers – Basketry Handbag

I got a call today from Ginger at In Sheep’s Clothing, a friendly LYS in Torrington, CT. She told me about a customer of hers who is working on the Basketry Handbag in Yashi and is having trouble with the Basketry stitch pattern.

The main stitch pattern on the bag body is really cool looking. In Yashi (100% raffia), it creates a rustic woven look. The stitch pattern is easy enough once you get the hang of it, but can be tricky to wrap your head around it by reading the text instructions only. I decided the best way to help Ginger’s customer was to take a short video demonstrating the technique.

One key piece of advice I have on knitting this handbag in Yashi, is to keep the work very loose on the needles. Yashi is not elastic, so if you’re not conscious of the tautness of the work, things go downhill very fast.

March 29, 2015March 29, 2015

Sunday Swatch – Uptown Worsted Tapestry

Today’s Sunday swatch is in Uptown Worsted Tapestry.

What a pleasure to knit with. We developed Uptown Worsted Tapestry (180yds/100g) in response to many requests from local yarn stores mourning the loss of Classic Worsted Tapestry, a wool/acrylic blend. We took the dozen most popular colors of that yarn and brought them back in our Uptown line.

Uptown Worsted Tapestry has the same soft hand and pleasant feel as Uptown Worsted, and can be used interchangeably for gauge, making it a seamless transition when placing a burst of patterning in a solid background. The free His and Hers Yoke Sweaters shown here are a great example of this.

Because this yarn is such a spot-on color match, we’re re-releasing some favorite patterns originally designed for Classic Worsted Tapestry. Playful Accessories and Throw was formerly a pay collection only available in print. We’ve made it available now as a free download. Any of these would work perfectly in Uptown Worsted Tapestry.

These three designs by Michele Wilcox and one by Amy Gunderson are charming ways to add some whimsy and color to your life. We’ll be releasing more patterns in the weeks to come.

We hope you’ll enjoy this old favorite, given new life.

Happy knitting!

March 27, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Diamond Cross Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Diamond Cross Pullover in Ariana.

Things I love about this pattern:

The way the lace crosses over each other, as if it’s woven.
The fact that it’s made on 6.5mm needles, so it’s a quick knit.
The choice of yarn is Ariana (91yds/100g), so it’s a bulky weight yarn in lightweight materials.

Ariana color 108 Grape Ariana is a bamboo tube with light polyamide fibers inside, achieving its size without a lot of weight to stretch and drag. It’s great fun in accessories like the 2 ball Rivel Cowl (free pattern!) and in larger garments as well.

Sometimes laceweight is great, but sometimes, I want to knock out something gorgeous in a hurry. I’m keeping this pattern in mind next time I get that urge.

Let’s hear it for big yarn!

PHAT KNITS BY BAUKE KNOTTNERUS — Phat Knits by Bauke Knottnerus

Happy knitting!

March 13, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Billow Sweater

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Billow Sweater in Good Earth.

Billow_GoodEarth_detail_rt What a great fit for the changing of the seasons. Big and slouchy, but in the cool cotton/linen blend of Fibra Natura Good Earth (204yds/100g) so it won’t be sweltering in the Spring. I love the natural, relaxed look of this piece – so comfy with a pair of jeans.

This is a lovely piece, but not a hard one. Front and back pieces are worked from the bottom up. Stitches are cast on for sleeves and worked up in a single piece with front and back. The hems feature 2×1 knit/purl ribbing moving up into a garter stitch body. A seed stitch panel along the sides and along the outside of the arms keeps the design interesting.

This design would be as relaxing to make as to wear. It’s calming just to think about. Maybe tonight I’ll have a glass of mint tea and knit a swatch. Bliss.

Happy knitting.

March 9, 2015March 9, 2015

Knitspiration – Mast and Lines

Shall we have some Monday Knitspiration?

Mast and Lines with chips — Mast and Lines by Morris Blackburn (1902-1979)

The geometry is perfect here – the angles and colors, the twists of the sails.

Cotton Supreme for Masts — Cotton Supreme

Cornelia Lattice Cowl Poems Silk — Lattice Cowl in Poems Silk

The masts and lines of Blackburn’s piece call to mind the waves of Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton’s Lattice Cowl above. The combination reminds me of a family favorite poem, Sea Fever by John Masefield. It’s read beautifully here by Tom O’Bedlam.

In the poem, John Masefield wishes for “a merry yarn.” It may not be the kind that he’s thinking of, but we wish you much merry yarn as well.

Happy knitting.

March 6, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Varia Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Varia Pullover in Llamalini.

I may have mentioned this before, but Fibra Natura Llamalini (109yds/50g) is a favorite around here. A blend of royal llama, linen, and silk bourette, it has a rich, heathered depth of color. I’ve got a hank of Mulberry on my desk right now that I snuck out of our samples (don’t tell!) just so I can look at it and think about what it wants to be.

Our sales manager Yonca clearly had bigger plans than me when she came up with this design. She’s got a good eye – we note that the upcoming Vogue Knitting has several solid cable sweaters with stripe detailing. This design is very on trend.

The garment is knitted in pieces and seamed, and the pockets are added afterward, so it’s easy to leave them off if you prefer. For myself, I love the bursts of color that they lend, breaking up the line in a way that’s flattering for those of us who might be wearing something, let’s say, a little bigger than the extra-small size.

This is a great transitional piece – the Llamalini is warm but not stifling, and the half sleeves would work well in Spring or Fall.

Maybe I should grab a few more skeins from our samples and dream a little bigger…

Happy knitting!

March 3, 2015

Cotton True Collection 1

Ready for Spring?

So are we! We’re proud to present Cotton True Collection 1, our first collection of patterns for Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport.

Cotton True Sport 3 balls blog

Cotton True Sport (50g/197yds) is a new 100% pima cotton in our luxury Fibra Natura line. It’s light, smooth, and pleasant to work with. This is one we’ve been dying to knit with, so we were delighted when Amy Gunderson dreamed up these five beautiful designs!

The Chase is a classic vest, worked in pieces and seamed. The right and left twists require no cable needle and are charted. In addition to the lovely chase of designs along the front, there’s a twisted cable ribbing at the edges that provides a lovely finishing touch.

Key To My Heart is worked in pieces from the bottom up, with a sweet edging of lace leaves that’s written and charted. The lovely keyhole in the back is an eye-catcher.

Parting is aptly named for the back pleat that sets this top apart. The pleat in this A-line tee will naturally fold inward on its own thanks to strategically placed slipped stitches and a little reverse stockinette.

Rocked adds a little wow to your wardrobe. The mesh pattern is surprisingly easy, and front and back are identical. If you want a fantastic piece that you can knit with ease, this is the one. The button tab on the sleeve is a great touch. Very on point.

Stinger is very swingy and versatile in fit. Worked in pieces and seamed, the cardigan is has a great shape that looks stylish but still feels “at home.”

Download the designs via Craftsy or Ravelry, either as an e-book or as individual patterns.

And hey, you know what? We’re feeling so good about Cotton True Sport that we have a freebie for you.

The Lace Scarf is a free pattern, written and charted, taking just two balls of Cotton True Sport. That twisted ribbing border is a lovely accent to the columns of lace.

We hope you find something that sparks your imagination.

Happy knitting!

February 27, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Mermaid Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Mermaid Tunic in Lumen.

We were actually going to wait for warmer weather to release this, but it got so much love at Stitches West that we just had to set it free.

This tunic is worked in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. The lace pattern is a simple six-row repeat – no cable needle needed for those twists.

It’s designed for Rozetti Lumen (134yds/50g), a chained cotton ribbon with shiny viscose stretches. Its vivid color is delicious. There’s a multi version, too.

We hope you enjoy this little burst of Spring in the midst of winter.

Happy knitting!

February 16, 2015

Knitspiration – The Long Fence

How about a little summer in the midst of winter?

Romare Bearden (1911-1988) has a special place in my heart. He hails from my hometown of Charlotte, NC, just down the road from Universal Yarn. He moved to New York and contributed to Harlem’s vibrant arts scene in the 30’s and 40’s, often using imagery from his home state. Romare Bearden was that fortunate artist who gained respect and recognition in his lifetime, with his works displayed in important collections around the globe. If you’re ever in Charlotte, take a pleasant stroll through Romare Bearden Park – then come up the road and see us.

His use of color is inspiring.

The bright colors…

Northanger Abbey_blog — Northanger Abbey Shawl in Garden 10

Seashells Hoodie in Deluxe DK Superwash from Fall Classics

…with more natural tones.

Timbers Hat in Uptown DK from e-book Mountain Ridge Knits

Emerald Isle Lap Blanket in Deluxe Worsted from 50 Knitted Gifts

So many choices. So many directions to explore.

Happy knitting!

February 13, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Seabird Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Seabird Shawl in Good Earth and Good Earth Adorn.

This shawl is aptly named! The colors are reminscent of sea and sand, and the triangular shape makes you want to spread your wings.

It’s a warm-ish weather shawl, designed for our cotton/linen blends Good Earth (103 Desert) and Good Earth Adorn (304 Breeze). A look at the back shows how Adorn works up into subtle variegated bands. It’s a nice touch.

It goes without saying that this would be good beach knitting – light on your lap as you soak in the sun. I’m looking at this shawl and dreaming of warmer days.

Happy knitting!