Happy Free Pattern Friday! I hope you are enjoying the beautiful summer sun on this holiday week. This Friday, we are releasing a brand new pattern knit using one of our most Pop-ular yarns.
The Spark Tee was designed by Afifa Sayeed using Bamboo Pop Sock in one of the newest colors we released last year. Bamboo Pop Sock is a sock-weight yarn comprised of bamboo, cotton, and PBT; the perfect fiber blend for hot days.
The Spark Tee is the perfect essential for a casual day out. An open mesh-style stitch pattern is worked on the main body, giving this tee a stretchy, breezy feel. The mesh pattern is easy to memorize, making this tee a great choice for knitters of all skill levels.
You’ll knit the Spark Tee flat in pieces, starting with the Front. Although seaming knits may not seem like the most fun part of a project, they add structure and integrity to the final piece, which is great for elastic yarns like Bamboo Pop Sock.
After seaming, stitches are picked up around the armholes as well as the neckband to create the ribbed edging. The ribbing offers a nice textural contrast to the mesh pattern.
Designer Afifa Sayeed chose color 702 Ecstatic for the Spark Tee. I love how playful and sunny this shade looks. Bamboo Pop Sock has a unique self-shading print throughout, so any color you choose will result in an exciting finished piece. If I made the Spark Tee, I would choose color 706 Serentiy; pink and purple are my favorite colors!
Don’t forget to shop our sitewide July 4th sale this weekend only!
We’re waving goodbye to June in style by giving away the Sunburst shawl pattern for free through Sunday, June 30th! This beautiful accessory, designed by Aubrey Busek, is featured in our Sunkissed Summer E-Book. The entire collection spotlights silky smooth Magnolia, which you can get for an extra 15% off of its clearance price this weekend! Let’s learn why you need to add the Sunburst pattern to your queue and Magnolia to your stash.
It’s impossible not to notice the gorgeous stripes and lace stitch pattern that spans the length of this shawl. This airy design provides a stylish layering piece for the summer season. From one side to another are show-stopping tassels that add even more character to this already stunning piece.
Magnolia is a fingering weight yarn with a refreshingly soft blend of 95% modal and 5% cashmere. The color palette makes us think of a tropical island vacation, with hues like 102 Golden Sand and 105 Pamplemousse (both used in Sunburst). With 16 available shades of Magnolia, you can switch it up to show off a duo that is pleasing to you!
Magnolia has made its way to clearance and you can take an extra 15% off of the current sale price this weekend only! With a touch of luxury that won’t break the bank, we encourage you to head to our website and shop today, as this yarn is going fast! This offer expires Sunday, June 30th, at 11:59 PM EST.
This Free Pattern Friday we bring you a lighter-weight version of our fan-favorite Sunshine Throw. Meet the Sunshine Throw – Worsted designed by Rachel Brockman.
Just like it’s cousin, the Sunshine Throw, the Sunshine Throw – Worsted uses our smooth and sumptuous Cotton Supreme yarn, the difference being that the first uses the yarn held doubled for a heavier weight throw. In comparison, the second uses the yarn held single for a lighter-weight throw perfect for warmer weather. Machine washable and dryable, this easy-care yarn is the ideal choice for any project that will see a lot of attention.
This weekend only, get 20% off Cotton Supreme through Sunday, June 23rd. What color will you choose for this elegant throw?
Hello There! This week, we have a pattern that’s as sweet as sorbet. Introducing the Striated Shawl, designed by Afifa Sayeed. The self-shading hues of Rico Design’s Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed DK bring to mind the tasty treat, or the swirling striations of rock formations, for which it gets it’s namesake.
This petite shawl is knit from the bottom up, utilizing increases and decreases to create the edging shape. Stockinette is used throughout most of the project to showcase the beautiful tones and flecks of tweed in the yarn. Why go over the top with a complex stitch pattern when you can let the yarn do the talking?!
the Striated Shawl maximizes the use of 2 balls of Rico Design, Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed DK. This gorgeous yarn has a breezy chainette construction and is made of 47% cotton, 43% acrylic, 7% polyamide, and 3% viscose. The shading blends and shifts softly, like a watercolor painting, and is enhanced with the sprinkling of tweed throughout. While each ball is just 50g, there is a whopping 202 yards packed in each one – a testament to the lofty, lightweight tubular construction that makes this yarn perfect for most seasons.
The Striated Shawl will look great in any shade of Rico Design Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed DK! Which color do you think you’ll choose? This weekend only (today – Sunday 6/16) save 15% on this lovely yarn. That’s all for today, happy stitching! Ashley Jane
We’re waving goodbye to May with a big surprise! Our Oasis Pattern Collection is now available, and we can’t wait to introduce you to all seven of these gorgeous knit and crochet patterns. In the spotlight is Dunescape, a brand-new DK-weight blend of 57% cotton, 30% viscose, and 13% linen that’s soft and has excellent stitch definition. The Oasis Pattern Collection features five knit and two crochet pieces: let’s learn more about them now!
Aloe designed by Afifa Sayeed
Sensational for the sunshine, the Aloe vest is perfect for your next concert or frolic through a flower field! The open lace mesh and cropped fit of this breezy pattern makes it a great layering piece for your favorite outfits. Aloe is knit in pieces and seamed, with the straps sewn to the back and crochet chain ties attached to the front.
Aloe is sized from Extra Small through 5X with the sample showing off Dunescape color 106 Kelp. With 16 colors available in Dunescape, you can get creative!
Cactus Flower designed by Afifa Sayeed
Imagine strolling along the beach at sunset, wearing a top as beautiful as the scenery! All of that is possible with the beloved Cactus Flower tank! Follow along with a fun two-color star stitch pattern, and you will end up with this wardrobe staple. Cactus Flower features an interesting construction that makes it just as much fun to knit as it is to wear.
This light and airy top is knit in four pieces and seamed together and includes sizes Extra Small through 5X. Grab your two favorite colors and knit your own version today!
Canyon designed by Rachel Brockman
There’s nothing more breathtaking than the beautiful canyons found in nature. With astonishing colors and textures, there’s no wonder millions of people visit these landscapes. Canyon draws that same inspiration in the form of a sweater that you will want to wear every day. With gorgeous lace panels adorning each side and textured moss stitch used throughout, this piece will be phenomenal for your next vacation.
Canyon displays the beautiful drape of our Dunescape yarn in the color 116 Persimmon.
Eventide designed by Afifa Sayeed
Colorful, creative, and show-stopping are just three ways to describe Eventide! Knit in three hues of Dunescape, this piece is worked lengthwise as a rectangle and then seamed to create the shape. The lace texture and impeccable drape of the yarn make this a great accessory for the hottest summer days. Plus, who doesn’t love the fun addition of tassels?
While these shades look impressive together, plenty of trios would stand out. We love the idea of a festive look for the 4th of July with 103 Coconut, 108 Chicory, and 112 Paprika!
Lupine designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre
Ready to visit the farmers market in style? Grab your two desired colors of Dunescape and crochet the eye-catching Lupine bag. Lupine is worked by creating the identical Front and Back pieces that feature a mosaic pattern, joining those, and then working the side panels and straps. As a bonus, the cotton fibers of this yarn mean Lupine will be durable and reliable for whatever you need to carry!
Sandstorm designed by Aubrey Busek
You can’t help but be in awe of the golden sand dunes that grace desert landscapes. Much like the miles and miles of powdery sand, Sandstorm is something to behold. The stunning mosaic and crosses pattern pairs phenomenally with the lace arrows pattern, giving you a summer accessory bound to receive compliments.
This piece is worked modularly, with charts included for the mosaic and lace sections of the pattern. We know you will love putting your skills to the test as you practice multiple different techniques with this shawl!
Sidewinder designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre
Haven’t you always wanted a dreamy set for a summer night out? Whether it’s date night or fun with friends, The show-stopping Sidewinder set will make you feel amazing! With mesmerizing alternations between mesh and ribbed texture panels, you’ll have a trendy look that you’ll reach for often!
This pattern includes instructions for the top and skirt both sized from Extra Small to 5X.
Save This Weekend!
Now through Sunday, June 2nd, take 20% off Dunescape and the Oasis E-Book (our website only)! This DK-weight yarn is a blend of 57% cotton, 30% viscose, and 13% linen that thrives in the hottest months of the year. Dunescape is excellent for textured and simple stitches alike, so it’s a great choice for all skill levels. With a whole pattern collection of inspiration, there’s never been a better time to stock up on your new favorite yarn!
Happy Friday, friends! This week we have a flowy and fun crochet duster called Fleetwood, designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre. It’s named for Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, whose iconic, bohemian style includes all kinds of flowing garments like this one.
The pattern includes both a long version (pictured here) and a short version, that falls to about knee length. The main fabric is a crochet mesh that maximizes yardage, while creating an airy and summery vibe, and the whole thing is framed with cheery crochet granny square flower motifs.
The duster is made of Magnolia, a fingering weight yarn composed of 95% modal and 5% cashmere. The resulting fabric is silky smooth and boasts excellent drape. This yarn also excels at showing off gorgeous stitch definition! Check out our Sunkissed Summer collection, featuring five projects in Magnolia to see just how stunning this yarn is.
The flower motifs are made of Rico Design’s Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton. This dk weight yarn is made of 46% acrylic, 49% cotton, and 5% polyester. It’s spun with a solid ply and a variegated ply to create a sensational spectrum of color. I’ve paired three colors together to create flowers in inverse shades of each other which alternate around the duster – you can choose any that you like!
Fleetwood is free to download and is written in three, batched sizes which span from XS – 9X. The first size range includes XS-M, the second includes L-2X, and the third includes 3X-5X. Get your copy today, and be sure to pick up Magnolia and Rico Design’s Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton – both of which are 20% off their listed prices this weekend only!
That’s all for today, happy stitching! Ashley Jane McIntyre
If you’re looking for a striking accessory to top off your outfit, Free Pattern Friday is here for you! This week, flashy carry-along Cotton Gold combines with our beloved Bamboo Pop to create Clairvoyance. Designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, this accessory will turn heads and have you receiving compliments left and right. Let’s read more about this week’s featured crochet pattern!
Cotton Gold is one of our featured carry-along yarns, and it looks incredible when held against the bamboo and cotton fibers of Bamboo Pop! The lacey pattern of Clairvoyance makes it perfect for spring and summer, giving you a breathable accessory.
While the sample shown uses two sage colorways, you can mix it up to match your personality! How about the beautiful combination of Cotton Gold 1095 and Bamboo Pop 112? This would be a perfect piece for New Year’s Eve parties for years to come!
Cotton Gold 1095Bamboo Pop 112
Or, try two gorgeous blues with Cotton Gold 1100 and Bamboo Pop 111!
Cotton Gold 1100Bamboo Pop 111
The choice is yours, and we know that regardless of what you choose, you’re going to look great!
This weekend, save 20% off Cotton Gold and Bamboo Pop through Sunday, January 21st at 11:59 PM EST! The possibilities are endless when you create with these two customer-favorites. The best part is you can hold Cotton Gold with Bamboo Pop in both simple and complex stitches. Whether you want to stick to garter stitch or try something with lace, the dazzling sequins will stand out, especially when they catch the light. Create something that will last a lifetime today with Cotton Gold and Bamboo Pop!
Inspired by city lights and New York City’s High Line park, the High Line Shawl is the perfect project to add to your knitting needles this season. The luminescent pop of color in each version of the shawl is reminiscent of the glow of a city at night, with electrifying lights in an array of colors. The lace motif creates striking diagonal lines parallel to one another, traveling across the shawl like the tracks of the historically active rail line that has been converted to a beautiful public park.
Large Version of the High Line Shawl
Let’s talk yarn! No doubt about it, neon colors have returned and surged in popularity. Whether it’s because our world is growing increasingly digital, 90’s nostalgia, or a longing for endorphin-inducing brights to add a bit of cheer to stressful times in the world, we’re fully embracing the trend here at Universal Yarn. So much so that we recently introduced Uni Merino Neons to our lineup! This 4-ply sock yarn is comprised of soft, smooth 75% superwash merino wool and 25% nylon. It has excellent stitch definition and comes in five saturated, acidic shades. Although it’s stunning by itself, we’ve amped up the impact of this shawl by adding a strand of luxurious Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk by Rico Design. The 70% super kid mohair and 30% silk blend adds an ethereal, fluffy halo and makes projects even more insulating, which is ideal for the cold months ahead. This laceweight yarn is an excellent carry-along companion for Uni Merino Neons, and the yarns are held together throughout the project. There are plenty of coordinating colors to use with Uni Merino Neons, too. It’s a match made in heaven!
While the upbeat bright colors and luxe yarn may be enough to give you the itch to cast on the High Line Shawl, the knitting itself is just as enticing. This shawl features an all-over lace motif that will captivate your attention. The lace pattern is a simple eight stitch by eight row repeat, with lace worked on both the right side and wrong side of the work. It’s a great way to dip your toes into more complicated lacework while keeping things approachable. The results are also well worth the effort because the stitches create a striking, open fabric that will turn heads.
Another unique feature of the shawl is its asymmetrical shape. Like many shawls, it is triangular, but the increases in this pattern create more of a scalene triangle. Yarnover increases are worked every right side row on one edge, and every other right side row on the opposite edge. The lace motif is framed by a simple garter stitch edge and border. This pattern also provides instructions for both a small and large size, and each size makes the most of each yarn.
Ready to get started on the High Line Shawl? Lucky for you, both yarns required for this project are 20% off on our website (link), today through Sunday, 10/22/23, only! Get your needles ready and cast on today!
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!
Today, we released the Ocean Wonder collection, which captures the awe and majesty of the deep sea across seven knit and crochet patterns. Let’s take the plunge and explore the beautiful mysteries of the deep through these inspired designs!
Abyss designed by Aubrey Busek
Abyss, designed by Aubrey Busek, is a captivating shawl which twists and undulates like the tendrils of an ethereal deep-sea creature, but its colors are buoyant and bright like glimmers of light on the sea surface. When I first saw this piece, it immediately captured my interest and pulled me in to explore more. I love how the crescent shawl shape creates curls at its corners, and that the lace detailing enhances the rippling stitch pattern throughout. This shawl is knit flat from the top down and uses solid Cotton Supreme to frame the vibrant Cotton Supreme Waves.
Below, designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre
Next up is Below, designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre. The collection inspiration was the deep sea, which feels both beautiful and a little scary. There’s no better way to ward off the fear of the unknown then by wrapping yourself up in a cozy, handmade blanket. This piece features a deep, rich background with swirling ribbons of colorwork in Cotton Supreme, each bordered by bold stripes of colorful Cotton Supreme Speckles. It’s worked flat from the bottom up and uses tapestry crochet in the colorwork sections. The effect mimics the continuous movement of seawater found below the ocean’s surface.
Current, designed by Yonca Ozbelli
Current captures the ebbs and flows found throughout the sea. Waves on the surface, kelp that winds and twists through habitats, and deeper currents of water below. The entire ocean is teeming with movement and life, all captured in this beautiful piece. It’s knit flat from side to side in two rectangles which are joined together using the three-needle bind-off to create the top. No seams required! Three colors of Cotton Supreme are worked in rhythmic, striping waves throughout bringing the life of the ocean rippling into your wardrobe.
Drift, designed by Patty OlsonFloat, designed by Patty Olson
Drift (left) and Float (right), both designed by Patty Olson are cowls filled with texture and movement. Side by side, these complimenting accessories capture the oceans shifting personality from soothing and calm, to intrepid and strong. Both cowls use Cotton Supreme and are knit flat from the bottom up, then seamed at the neck. However, they each have unique stitch patterns and details that set them apart from one another.
Fade, designed by Amy Gunderson
Fade, designed by Amy Gunderson, captures the unpredictability of the sea. Slants of eyelets lean and travel like a billowing haze on the water’s surface. Sections of stockinette interrupt the movement like choppy waves, or roiling waters that fade into a smooth calm below. This top is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, with bands of lace and staggered sections of plain stockinette. A single color of Cotton Supreme is used, allowing the stitch definition and texture to tell this story on its own.
Surge, by Patty Olson
The power of the ocean is not always for the faint of heart. The ever-moving water erodes almost anything in its path over time, but strong networks of coral and underwater communities band together in breathtaking underwater worlds, creating a latticework of strength and endurance against the swelling currents below. Surge, designed by Patty Olson, paints a picture of this vigor through its interlocking mosaic pattern, texture, and vibrant colors. This wrap is knit flat from the bottom up, and uses just one color per row. Both Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Waves work in harmony to capture the resilience, warmth, and magic of the ocean and its creatures.
I truly hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my review of each beautiful piece in the Ocean Wonder collection. I find them all captivating in their own ways, and kept finding myself in awe at each new detail I’ve noticed along the way. Was there a particular piece that captured your interest too? Tell us about it in the comments below!
One last note – to celebrate this release, we are offering a discount! The full ebook, individual patterns (on Ravelry), and the Cotton Supreme Family of yarns used are all 20% off, from today – Sunday 6/11. No discount codes are required!
