knit – Page 58 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

July 28, 2015

Knitspiration – Peter Rabbit

In honor of Beatrix Potter’s birthday, how about a little knitspiration?

Helen Beatrix Potter was born 149 years ago today. She had great success as a scientific illustrator and conservationist, but is best known today for her children’s books. Everyone has a favorite. Mine is Peter Rabbit. It’s such a nice mix of home and hearth – Peter’s mother even knits! – and mischief, as Peter gets himself into one fix after another.

Although I have enjoyed her work as both a child and a parent, I also enjoy her artistic talents. Her use of color is inspirational. From soft leafy-greens…

Whisper Lace Mitts — Little Victory Mitts in Whisper Lace

To the bright colors of the farm.

From fresh pastels of Spring…

Horseshoes and Twists Too Vest in Bamboo Pop

To warmer tones of a cozy home.

Fireplace Cardigan shoulder blog — Fireplace Cardigan in Amphora

Beatrix said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” I think we all know the same is true each time we pick up a ball of yarn. We hope all your crafting adventures are as enthralling as those Beatrix Potter wrote about.

July 24, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Summer Leaves Cloths

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Summer Leaves Cloths in Cotton Supreme.

These patterns come to us by special request from Jackie in Customer Service, who asked if we could add another one-ball project in Cotton Supreme (180yds/100g).

“The yarn is so soft! When people touch it, they fall in love with it. If we had another small pattern for it, then when I send kits as little prizes to our stores and customers, they’d get a chance to work with it and love it too.”

Jackie’s wish is our command. Voila, three lovely washcloths using leaf motifs. One is an all-over lace pattern, the second is four leaves rising from a central column, and the third is a single leaf in the center of a field of reverse stockinette. All three leaf lace patterns are charted, and all three cloths can be made from just one hank of Cotton Supreme.

When I look at these cloths, I can’t help but feel that they’d also make great afghan blocks, perhaps in Uptown Worsted or Deluxe Worsted Superwash on slightly larger needles. There’s nothing wrong with re-envisioning a design for your own purposes.

Thanks for the great suggestion, Jackie. We can always use another quick-to-knit pattern in our library.

Happy knitting!

July 17, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Knit and Crochet Market Bags

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Knit and Crochet Market Bags in Good Earth Adorn.

Good Earth Adorn Red Market Bag blog Something for all of our needlecrafting friends today! We chose Good Earth Adorn (204yds/100g) because the cotton/linen blend holds up well and isn’t going to felt with repeated rubbing as you carry it around. Each pattern takes just two hanks.

First up, the knitted bag, in 302 Adobe. It’s a simple four-row repeat for the eyelet mesh, then basic knitting with some k2tog shaping for the edges and handle.

The crochet bag in color 303 Lettuce uses a very basic double crochet mesh. You’ll make both sides, sew them together, then add the straps.

There’s actually a little sneak peek hiding in the green bag photographed – two new colors of Good Earth Adorn on the far right, never before seen, that we’ll be adding to the line next season. We’re very excited at all the new samples coming in and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Happy crafting!

June 19, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Sprout Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sprout Tank in Cotton Supreme DK.

Hot enough for ya? It’s hot enough for most anyone, but that’s no reason to stop knitting. When little ones still want to get out and enjoy the day, we have the perfect match of pattern and temperature.

The Sprout Tank is knit in two pieces from the bottom up, then seamed. Pick up stitches around the armhole and knit the ruffled shoulder straps. The mock cable eyelets around the bottom are both written and charted. It’s a sweet detail that also gives a little more ventilation.

The suggested yarn is Cotton Supreme DK (100g/230yds), part of our popular Cotton Supreme family of yarns. It’s machine washable, soft, and long-lasting; a good choice for a kid on the go.

The whole tank takes just 2-3 hanks on US size 5 (3.75mm) needles. Knit it, pop it on your little one, then sit in the shade while they enjoy the sandbox. Don’t forget the hat and sunscreen for both of you – it’s a scorcher out there!

June 12, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Crosshatch Baby Blanket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Crosshatch Baby Blanket in Bella Chenille.

Bella Chenille (131yds/100g) is a favorite for baby and kid knits because it is soft and fuzzy, and because it is machine washable. I myself have knitted a sample, washed it, and laid it flat to dry. It looked just as good as when it was first knitted.

This pattern itself is a twelve row repeat that’s charted, along with a basic garter stitch border, giving you a sweet 40″ x 40″ square.

This blanket is soft and huggable. It’s resting beside my desk right now as I write this, and I keep reaching out to touch it. This would be a good one to make and have on hand for the inescapable surprise baby shower we’re all occasionally hit with. It would be nice to have a little security blanket nearby until it needs to be given away.

Happy knitting!

June 5, 2015March 8, 2018

Free Pattern Friday – Planetary Shawl

Let’s have a double Free Pattern Friday today!

This morning, we just have to highlight the Planetary Shawl in Universe.

We were going to wait just a little longer to share this heart-shaped top-down shawl, but it got such a great reception at the TNNA Fashion Show last weekend that we couldn’t help ourselves.

Universe is the very special yarn we designed to celebrate Universal Yarn’s 10th anniversary. It features combed cotton, linen, glitter, and a classic black thread holding the whole glorious package together. We haven’t seen anything else quite like it.

Expect Universe to hit shelves later this summer, We love this yarn and we think you will too.

We’ll be back later today with another another yarn and another free pattern – this time for crocheters. Happy crafting!

May 29, 2015May 29, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Summer Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!Today, the Summer Poncho in Flax.

We’re on the road to Columbus, OH right now for the annual summer National Needlearts Association trade show, but we still had to share this absolute beauty.

The Summer Poncho is designed by Susan Whitmore, the owner of Rainy Day Creations yarn shop in Pineville, NC. To the right you can see Susan snuggling with Suzy the Cuddlebunny at a previous year’s show in the Universal Yarn booth.

She has just closed her shop and is enjoying a richly deserved retirement. We miss her welcoming shop, but we’re so glad that she’s taking time to enjoy herself. And we’re doubly glad that she shared this lovely design with us before hopping on her motorcycle and vrooming off into the sunset!

Knit in FibraNatura Flax linen yarn in two pieces and seamed, this oversized poncho will fit a variety of sizes and is easy to adjust simply by seaming more or less of the sizes and neck. It’s a simple written pattern and contains a schematic for assembly. Such a great piece for summer!

We hope you enjoy this piece, and that you pull a page from Susan’s book and take time to enjoy life.

Happy knitting!

May 22, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Swim Cover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Swim Cover in Alana.

This is a timely design. Why? Take a look.

Yep, that’s next week. Hot. Hot hot hot. Hard to believe it’s only May. So maybe this is a good moment to cast on for something to help you stay cool.

Alana Coverup alt 2_blog Start off this long weekend by casting on for the knitted Swim Cover in Alana (158yds/100g). Be ready to chill by the pool or on the beach with a sun hat to keep you in the shade and some flip-flops to keep your feet off the scorching ground.

Pictured is the small size of this cover-up, which took exactly five hanks. In the pattern we call for six, just in case you want to grab an extra hank for safety. We do factor in a little extra yarn for swatching purposes, but surely you wouldn’t skip your swatch, would you?

This simple garment is knitted flat, with some nice reversible stripe stitch detailing at the hem, pictured right. The whole cover-up is just two rectangles seamed together at the sides. This lets you make the armholes as long or as narrow as you wish. We call for 9-11″ for the armholes, so you’ve got plenty of room to lift your arm dramatically to your brow while calling for a mint julep from your lounge chair.

Next week, stay cool, make sure your pets (and you!) have plenty of water, and keep crafting.

Happy knitting!

May 15, 2015May 15, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Water Ski Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Water Ski Scarf in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.

We featured Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray not too long ago in the popular Color Block Scarves, but it’s so perfect for the season that we couldn’t resist sharing it again.

I love this yarn, and I love this scarf. The pattern is knitted flat (obviously) and both written and charted. Lace on US size 6 (4mm) needles goes quickly, and the tassels make this such a fun and kicky piece.

Cotton is great for summer, of course, and the pastel tones of Seaspray go great with the current bright trends. We put together a couple of fantasy outfits below that would look great with the scarf.

First, toss on a tank and your keds and you’re ready to go, no fuss no muss. You could use pretty much any pastel top and then just a pop of whatever color you’ve made your scarf in at the bottom to pull it together.

Next, dress it up a little! Neutral sandals keep it from being too matchy-matchy. You could even do a nice braided leather bracelet, although I do like the melony orange accent with the gold here. The purse and turquoise/blue earrings bring it together.

We hope you enjoy this free pattern, and that you always feel fabulous in your handmades wherever you go.

Happy knitting!

April 24, 2015April 24, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Picket Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Picket Cardigan in Little Bird.

More than one person walked by my desk this week and picked this up to fondle it. Little Bird (100g/344 yds) gives it a lovely sheen, and the smoothness of the fiber really makes those cables and ribs stand out. It’s not stiff or bulky at all, but very soft and comfy. The machine washability makes it a home run for baby knits.

This cardigan is knit in pieces and seamed. The back and sleeves are worked in plain stockinette stitch, while the fronts are cabled. The pattern is written and charted and contains a schematic.

This would look great on a little girl or a little boy. The buttonholes can be placed on either side – although truthfully I always forget which is which. Eh, the baby won’t care.

Happy knitting!