Friday means a new free pattern just for you! Grab your knitting needles and get ready for an autumn-inspired project you won’t soon forget. The Windy Ridge Cardigan, designed by Mary Stowe, is what we’re showing off this week. From irresistibly soft fibers to a captivating stitch pattern, let’s learn more about today’s Free Pattern Friday!
The Windy Ridge Cardigan uses one of the softest yarns you’ll ever find: Rico Design’s Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed DK! This piece is sized from XS to 5X, with yarn requirements included based on each size. Pick your favorite color of this yarn and get started on this engaging textured stripe pattern.
As seen in the photos, this stitch pattern is rhythmic and pleasing to the eye. To make the the Windy Ridge Cardigan, you’ll knit the sleeves, front and back in separate pieces from the bottom up. The front panels will incorporate exciting features like the V-neck shaping and button band. Once your pieces are done, you’ll seam everything together to create this stunning piece.
This weekend, 10/6 through 10/8, save 20% when you purchase Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed DK. This gorgeous yarn is perfect for all types of wearable projects, including sweaters, cardigans, shawls, and more! This yarn is a blend of cotton, acrylic, polyamide, and viscose that is as soft as can be. Each 50g skein contains 202 yards, so it’s an excellent choice for smaller projects like mittens! Explore the beautiful pastel palette, each with self-shading colors throughout, and grab your preferred hues today.
My name is Afifa, and I joined the Universal Yarn design team in February. I’ve been knitting since I was 10 years old and started designing in 2016 (you can follow me on Instagram here and see my portfolio of work here). I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be introducing myself with a Halloween post! Spooky season is my absolute favorite time of the year with the dip in temperature signaling sweater weather.
And, boy, do I have a sweater for you to cast on while getting cozy and binge-watching The Lord of the Rings Trilogy! Say hello to the free Shelob Sweater knit in Deluxe Worsted. Nothing embodies spooky season for me more than the frightening creatures portrayed in this epic high fantasy trilogy. From Gollum lurking around corners, jumping out, and yelling ‘my precious’ to the Orcs and the great spiders of Mirkwood. The mother of these spiders, Shelob, was the inspiration for this sweater. This ancient creature’s lair lies in Cirith Ungol (the pass of the spider) leading into Mordor, avoided by all but Gollum. While her offspring terrorize all who dare to enter the forest of Mirkwood.
The Shelob Sweater is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down. It starts with a dramatic drop stitch mesh pattern that mimics a spiderweb and is inspired by the extensive webs woven by the sweater’s namesake. The yoke incorporates both circular and raglan shaping, allowing the yoke to lay like a capelet on the shoulders. This mesh pattern also brings in one of the hottest trends in knitwear – openwork. Layered over simple everyday pieces, this trend keeps you warm and insulated on crisp autumn mornings and evenings, but cool and comfortable in the afternoon.
Shadowy spiders representing Shelob’s spawn drop down from the yoke to add to the spooky aesthetic of this statement piece, with additional spiders on the cinched cuffs of the balloon sleeves. The spider motifs are made using only knits and purls, worked from a chart, and decorate both the front and back of the garment. Deluxe Worsted truly accentuates every aspect of this design. From the 1×1 ribbing to the dropped stitch yoke to the spider motifs, I love how the smooth, 4-ply structure of this base creates exquisite stitch definition.
This was my first experience knitting with Deluxe Worsted. And, let me tell you, this 100% non-superwash wool yarn is a pleasure to work with. It’s soft, pillowy and blooms beautifully after blocking. In addition to that, this yarn is extremely durable – something I tested out while unraveling the dropped stitches and pulling apart the ones that ‘stuck’. This sturdy yarn will stand the test of time, allowing your stitches to stay crisp and you’ll be able to wear your Shelob Sweater year after year!
Even with 90 colors to choose from, it was easy to pick the colors for this project! Though black is traditionally associated with spiders and the spooky season in general, with a little help from Rachel, our Creative Lead, we settled on Rhapsody, for a more modern twist on Halloween. Pumpkin seemed like the obvious choice for an accent color to really tie the spooky theme together. This lovely bright orange screams Halloween and plays beautifully with the rich purple of Rhapsody. For my next Shelob Sweater, I chose Blue Splash and Bashful Pink as a subtle nod to the fictional Marvel character Ghost Spider. What colors will you pick?
Two free patterns are better than one, and that’s what we have for you this Friday! It’s time to get your autumn knitting underway with Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash and the Wanderer Pullover and Cardigan. Grab yourself a pair of knitting needles, a pumpkin spice latte, and that creative mind of yours, and let’s learn more!
Designed by Rachel Brockman, the Wanderer Pullover and Cardigan are the perfect set for fall. You can make one for yourself and one for a loved one! The classic look of our Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash yarn matched with colorwork makes this cardigan a wardrobe staple for autumn.
The cardigan version presents exciting details like set-in pockets, a double-layered collar, and a zippered front. The Wanderer Cardigan features sizes XS to 4X, so grab your three favorite colors of Deluxe DK Tweed and get started today!
The Wanderer Pullover includes the same, stunning colorwork as the Wanderer Cardigan, but is worked fully across the chest, as there is no zipper or sleeve placement. This unisex piece shows off cuffs and a collar with corrugated two-color ribbing and rolled stockinette edging. This sweater includes sizes Small through 4X.
To get the Wanderer Pullover and Cardigan for free, use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page. Place one or both patterns in your cart and enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer runs through Sunday, October 1st.
Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash is 20% off this weekend, so stock up today! This yarn features a base of superwash wool with tweedy nubs made of viscose, and acrylic that we love for wearable creations. Knit yourself a beautiful sweater in your favorite hues, or crochet a baby blanket you can gift to a loved one! With 20 color options, Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash will inspire your next project!
Our featured yarn shop of September is close to home, just over twenty miles from our headquarters! Nestled in the Dilworth neighborhood close to the big city lights of uptown, you will find Charlotte Yarn. This beautiful shop, owned and operated by Remi Haygood, is the city’s longest-tenured yarn store. Let’s learn more about Charlotte Yarn and all they have to offer!
Charlotte Yarn opened in 2005 when Remi, determined to start her own business, finally got the opportunity to. Through her hard work and dedication, she is proud to own the oldest yarn shop in Charlotte, NC.
As we’ve heard since starting our “Meet a Local Yarn Shop” series, owning a yarn store is anything but easy. Remi said her biggest challenge was “being a single mom and balancing work with raising her daughter.” But plenty of joys come along the way, too. With a community of fiber artists in the Charlotte area looking for a yarn shop to call home, Remi has been able to provide that, which is truly incredible. Seeing a group of crafters show off their finished objects and become such a close-knit family (pun intended) makes it all worthwhile.
Let’s get to the fibers! Remi carries many of our yarns in her store but names Cotton Supreme and Uptown Worsted as the favorites. These yarns are perfect for baby projects, sweaters, and blankets, making them popular choices for projects at many local yarn shops. Remi also noted that her customers love working with fingering-weight merino wool yarns for cold-weather-creations.
We have loved working with Remi and her store throughout the years and are pleased to hear her feedback for our team. “Everyone that works there is a great representation of the company. They truly care about their customers and supporting their quality yarn.” We appreciate Remi and her kind words!
Charlotte Yarn has many classes to support the fiber artists in their community. We love to see beginner crocheting and knitting classes available, as well as more targeted lessons like “Cable Fingerless Gloves” and “Christmas Tree Washcloth” on their website. Additionally, there are some more advanced options like “Fern and Feather Sweater” and a “Tunisian Crochet Washcloth” class. If this is the first you are hearing about Charlotte Yarn, we encourage you to follow them on Instagram today!
We are so honored to learn more about Remi and her store, Charlotte Yarn! Join us in October for our next local yarn shop feature.
The first day of autumn is tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more excited! Today’s new free pattern is perfect for those looking to get their fall knitting on. Kerid, designed by Aubrey Busek, is a stunning accessory that uses simple stitches to allow our Bamboo Bloom Handpaints yarn to shine! Let’s read more about this gorgeous project you’ll soon add to your queue.
Kerid is a beautiful shawl with delightful qualities that will have others complimenting you left and right. Garter stitch throughout this project allows Bamboo Bloom Handpaints to be the focal point, and why not? With many color options in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, you can knit the accessory of your dreams.
This one-of-a-kind yarn features captivating color shifts and unique thick and thin texture in each hank. Kerid is knit flat from the top down, but since the stitch pattern isn’t overwhelming, you’ll be able to focus on the increases! This crescent-shaped shawl also features drop stitches, but this pattern is perfect for beginners as they serve as a bordering accent and will give you the perfect introduction to the technique. This pattern is free to download on our website and is featured in one size only.
If we haven’t convinced you yet to try Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, let our 20% off weekend sale be the difference! This yarn is an exciting blend of wool, rayon from bamboo, and acrylic. It works perfectly for many projects, including cowls, shawls, scarves, and more. Show off Bamboo Bloom Handpaints in a beautiful sweater with some of our other favorites, like in the Hanasaku Yoke!
Our 20% savings for Bamboo Bloom Handpaints are through Sunday, September 24th.
Uptown Bamboo DK: a beautiful blend of our beloved anti-pilling acrylic with a touch of bamboo for drape.
Uptown Bamboo DK is perfect for the early days of autumn. It is lightweight and features the cool touch of bamboo, but at the same time, is warm and insulating. It’s one of those beautifully versatile yarns that work amazingly well in any project. I attribute that to it’s plump, multi-thread construction featuring plies of thread that are then again plied together to create a bouncy, round yarn. The results are perfectly crisp stitches, demonstrated so well in both of the projects in the Lakeside Bundle. Let’s take a closer look.
The first piece in the collection is the Cattail Cardigan, designed by Rachel Brockman. It is named for its vertical lines, reminiscent of cattail plants stretching tall above the water, and for the zig-zap motif that reminds us of a breeze gently lapping the lakeshore. In this primarily knitted cardigan, an airy lace motif is interrupted with crisp rows of garter stitch, constructed sideways to create the vertical stripes. Each side is the mirror image of the other because it is knit in two pieces, beginning at the sleeve cuffs and meeting at the center back. Those who dabble in both knit and crochet, or who want to, will love the retro granny stripe collar. This cardigan is graded for sizes XXS/XS to 5X/6X.
As I mentioned earlier, the impeccable stitch definition of Uptown Bamboo DK is on full display here, giving the twisted ribbing and contrast between lace and garter a sculptural feel. This yarn’s soft color palette also contributes to the beauty of the Cattail Cardigan. For this pattern, we opted for #508 Coral as the main color, with #534 Chinchilla and #527 Seaglass as the contrast colors. This color scheme reminds us of early mornings by the lakeside – watching the sunrise and mist float above the open water.
The second pattern offered in Lakeside Bundle is the crocheted Subtle Shell Ruana, designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre. Named after the tiny freshwater shells found along the waterfront, this drapey design is excellent for warding off the breeze on a windy day. Like the Cattail Cardigan, this accessory is constructed sideways and meets at the center back, creating a beautiful focal point.
Graded for sizes Small/Medium through 4X/5X, this pattern is easy and beginner-friendly. It features a rhythmic stitch motif comprised of double V-stitches, no shaping, and simple color changes. The results are indeed sensational! The Subtle Shell Ruana uses Uptown Bamboo DK in three colors: #502 Lily, #527 Sea Glass, and #531 Savanna. I love how these colors work together – subtly echoing the intersection of cool water and a sandy bank.
We know these patterns will have you dreaming of a day stitching by the docks. Each pattern is available individually, or save $5.00 when you purchase the bundle on our website (link) for just $8.00!
Which pattern do you plan to start first? Let us know in the comments!
It’s time to get your Y2K fashion dreams started today with an exciting Free Pattern Friday! The Stray Heart Shrug, designed by Afifa Sayeed, is a fun knitting pattern that makes for an excellent outfit topper, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. So buckle up as we take a look at this beautiful pattern!
In case you’re not familiar, a shrug is a top cut short so it covers your shoulders and arms, as seen above. This type of project has seen a rise in popularity, and why not? Using Flax, the Stray Heart Shrug is a breathable piece you can layer over any dress or shirt to add extra comfort.
One of the many reasons to love the Stray Heart Shrug is the bishop sleeves. These sleeves, intentionally designed to give you extra room, make this piece extremely cozy for the evening chill. With Flax softening after each wash, this shrug will become even more comfortable with time!
Our 20% off Flax sale continues, and if you haven’t stocked up yet, don’t wait any longer! This 100% linen yarn is perfect for garments, accessories, and homewares. It works well in many different stitch patterns and has an exciting collection of hues to choose from. Grab Flax and get started today!
From a sandwich board full of inspirational quotes to a shop full of friendly fibers, say hello to Darn Knit Anyway! We are very excited about this month’s local yarn shop feature, and you should be too! Located in Stillwater, MN, this incredible shop is just minutes from the Wisconsin border and Minnesota’s largest city, Minneapolis. Let’s learn more about Aimee and her sensational store!
Beautiful entrance to Darn Knit Anyway
Aimee Pelletier owns Darn Knit Anyway, but that wasn’t always the case. Commercial interior design was her previous occupation, but all it took was a drive by a storefront available for leasing, and everything changed. Four months later, her yarn shop opened up and has been operating for fourteen years!
Below you will see the Maker’s Lounge, a space that Aimee created in 2022 just for her customers. This space is open whenever the shop is open and is a great way that Darn Knit Anyway is fostering a community around their shop.
The Maker’s Lounge, created in 2022
We all know Minnesota is known for very cold winters, so it came as no surprise to us to hear that some of the most popular yarns at Darn Knit Anyway are our warm and cozy offerings! As seen below, shop owner Aimee is holding a woolly gnome created with super bulky Be Wool. Plus, who can forget Uptown Worsted! This versatile yarn is on the shelves of many of our shops across the country, including Darn Knit Anyway!
Gnome being held by Aimee, using Be WoolUptown Worsted is on the shelves of Darn Knit Anyway
Kits are another hot commodity at Darn Knit Anyway, especially the Easy Does It Winter, featuring Creative Melange Chunky from Rico Design. This soft yarn is self-shading, so the beautiful colors will come to life as you knit!
We are so happy to see Aimee’s shop stocked with our yarns, and we love to see their exciting content on their Instagram!
Easy Does It Winter Kit in Creative Melange ChunkyBeautiful hat knit in Be Wool Multis
If you’re looking for a shop full of fun activities, Darn Knit Anyway is definitely for you! From monthly stitch socials to weekend retreats, you can find all types of fiber art happenings at her store.
Additionally, this shop offers classes for beginner knitters and crocheters, allowing anyone to grow their skillset. Last but not least, Darn Knit Anyway offers an Epic Sweater Camp!! It is three days of fun that is in person and virtual. Join them in 2024 for their 4th year of camp.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to learn about Aimee’s incredible store. To find out more about Darn Knit Anyway or shop online, please visit their website!
Stay tuned for more local yarn shop features each month!
The dog days of summer may be upon us, but we have a brand new project that will easily get you through the remainder of the season with a smile! Aubrey’s Summer Set, designed by Afifa Sayeed, is now available for free download on our website. Using Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton from Rico Design, you’re going to love knitting this colorful and cute set.
Aubrey’s Summer Set includes a top written for sizes Extra Small through 5X, and a matching hat written for One Size that will fit most adults. These pieces are knit in the round, with the tee worked bottom up and the hat worked from the top down. The sugary hues of Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton bring joy to every stitch, leading to a final set you’ll wear summer after summer!
One glimpse at Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton, and we know you’ll be planning your next project! With its blend of 46% acrylic, 49% cotton, and 5% polyester, this yarn is perfect for summertime t-shirts, shawls, and more! Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton is a DK weight yarn that is 2-ply, and the beautiful hues in each skein bring joy to every project you decide to use it for!
In case you didn’t know, we have plenty of exciting patterns from Rico Design that feature Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton. Click your favorite one below to learn more!
We hope you indulge in this weekend’s offer and you add Aubrey’s Summer Set to your queue. In the meantime, stay cool, and we’ll see you next week with another free surprise!
Now that we are in the midst of our summer plans and festivities, many of us are starting to look forward to fall. With colder weather on the horizon and fiber festivals to attend, this is a great time to start planning and making the perfect sweaters for the season. We have compiled a few favorites to help get you started with your selections!
Up first, Designer and Marketing Lead, Aubrey Busek is highlighting the brilliant cardigan, Virtuoso, designed by herself! Here is what she has to say about why she loves this piece so much for fall.
“Virtuoso is my favorite fall sweater because of the vibrant colors that I associate with autumn. Juicy yellows, dark pinks, and oranges reflect the changing colors of the foliage throughout the season. The way that our Colorburst yarn shifts in the stripes reminds me of a sunset and reflects the earlier darkening of the sky during the autumn season. Also, the practicality of the garment itself makes it my favorite. In the autumn season, you often deal with warm days and chilling mornings and nights. A long cardigan is perfect for layering and easy to change in and out to suit the quickly shifting temperatures.” – Aubrey.
This sweater calls for the solid yarn Deluxe DK Superwash combined with our self-shading Colorburst for this stunning striping effect. Deluxe DK Superwash is made of 100% superwash wool and is available in 50 colors, all of which have the potential to pair up with Colorburst for a unique and special garment. Some of these colors are currently on sale, so be sure to stash up before they are gone! Colorburst is made of 65% superwash fine merino wool and 35% acrylic and is available in 16 different shades to suit any maker.
Next up is a pick from Robert, our Social Media Marketing Assistant, who is currently learning to knit! He selected Lumber, designed by Amy Gunderson, and shares why, below.
“My favorite sweater would have to be Lumber. Using just one color of Deluxe Worsted (non-superwash), Lumber highlights reliability over flash. As a guy who wears jeans often, I need a sweater that will help me sport a well-rounded outfit. And since I am always cold, the yarn choice of Deluxe Worsted is bound to keep me warm.” – Robert.
As he shares, this sweater uses Deluxe Worsted, which is 100% non-superwash wool, and it’s springy fibers do keep makers warm and cozy! There is an astonishing 90 colors to select from, so you are sure to find a favorite hue to make this sweater the one for you.
Rachel Brockman, our Creative Lead, shares Peri, which she designed and plans to make for herself for autumn!
“This year, the autumn sweater I’m itching to cast on is Peri. The knit-purl centric design of this sweater is simple, which is perfect because lately, I’ve been craving soothing, rhythmic knits. The striped seed stitch texture looks phenomenal in two beautifully heathered shades of our cotton/cashmere blend, Truva. This blend is ideal for southern autumns because it stays pretty warm here year-round. As a perpetually chilly person, though, the roll neck and cozy sleeves of Peri are just what I need! Even though this is my design, I will probably modify the body length a bit because I’m a fan of a slight crop paired with high-waisted skirts or pants. Because this sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down, achieving the perfect body and sleeve length will be a breeze. Although I usually like to shake up colors from the original design, I don’t think I’m switching it up this time! The shades used in the sample, 108 Crocus and 107 Mandarin, are my favorites in the palette. Fans of blues might love pairing 102 Stormcloud with 104 Harbor, and I think 103 Chambray and 105 Aegean look lovely together, too (check out the Spearmint Tee to see for yourself!).” – Rachel.
Peri is made with Truva, a luxurious blend of 50% cashmere and 50% cotton that is perfect for every season. It comes in a bespoke offering of eight heathered and marled shades which are all as refined as the yarn itself.
Lastly, I’ll be sharing my pick! I’m Ashley Jane, a Design Associate here at Unversal Yarn. Below is a bit about why I love this sweater, the Hanasaku Yoke, designed by the UY Design Team.
“The Hanasaku Yoke is my pick for fall because of the combination of rich textures and colors that interplay throughout the sweater creating lots of room for fun and intrigue. The Bamboo Bloom varies in thickness throughout, making even simple stitches look deceptively intricate, while the color shifts of Colorburst offer potential for tonal or contrasting enhancement. All of this is set on a complimenting solid backdrop of Deluxe Worsted Superwash letting each of these yarns shine in their own way. I love how much potential there is to make this sweater over again in varying colors for this season and beyond!” – Ashley Jane
This sweater callsfor three different yarns. Deluxe Worsted Superwash is the slightly thicker version of the above mentioned Deluxe DK Superwash (used in Virtuoso). It also contains 100% superwash wool, but this yarn is available in 57 dazzling colors, giving you slightly more to choose from! Bamboo Bloom Handpaints is arguably one of our most unique yarns with its thick and thin, matte and shiny qualities throughout. It’s made of 44% wool, 48 rayon from bamboo, and 8% acrylic available in 15 soothing shades to choose from. Lastly, these yarns combine with Colorburst (also used in Virtuoso) to create the show-stopping combination seen in the Hansaku Yoke.
I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring some of these Fall Favorites! Will you try out any of these sweaters for yourself or someone you love? Don’t forget to share all your beautiful creations with us on social media!
That’s all for now! Happy Stitching, Ashley Jane McIntyre
