Little Bird – Universal Yarn Creative Network

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!

March 16, 2018June 23, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Left of Center Cardi

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Left of Center Cardi in Little Bird and Little Bird Colors (pattern link here).

How adorable is this?

Sized from 3 months to 2 years, this clever cardi uses machine washable Little Bird and its self-striping sibling Little Bird Colors to easily create a bright little jacket for baby.

The front and back are knit flat, as are the sleeves. Then, they’re seamed together.

Add the edging, and your favorite buttons, and you’re ready to go.

What a cute little cardi for Spring!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

September 8, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Pipping Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Pipping in Little Bird (link here).

First things first: how’s everybody doing? Currently, the projected path of Hurricane Irma is moving west of us, so it looks like Universal Yarn here in NC will miss the worst of it. But we’re worried about all of you, in the midst of fire and flood. Please stay safe.

For those wanting to take their mind off things, we offer this crochet shawl in Little Bird (100g/346yds), a lightweight acrylic that’s cottony soft. Pipping is a sweet crochet confection – a bit of normalcy that we all could use right about now.

This asymmetric shawl starts on its longest edge and decreases along one edge. Cut the ends after each color change, and work them in as you go to save time in finishing.

This is an easy pattern to customize with your own colors – you’re not locked in to just three. Use as few or as many as you want. The pattern is both written and charted for your convenience.

We hope you have a safe and restful weekend. We’re thinking of all of you.

Happy crafting!

April 8, 2016

Free Pattern Friday – Sugar Drops Blanket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sugar Drops Blanket in Little Bird.

Sugar Drops indeed – what a sweet pattern! Just one color per row in machine washable Little Bird (344yds/100g), knitted flat (obviously). A blend of left and right crosses plus dropped stitches create an interesting texture that’s not too technically taxing. Pick up stitches along the long edges and add the garter stitch border.

Enjoy the weekend – and if you can, make something beautiful!

Happy knitting!

June 26, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Firework Blankie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Firework Blankie crocheted in Little Bird and Little Bird Colors.

The 4th of July is almost upon us, making this a particularly appropriate free pattern. The Firework Blankie is crocheted in Little Bird Multi with rows of contrasting solid Little Bird (344yds/100g) every few rows for a bigger burst of color. And check out those adorable pom-poms on the points – like an extra little kapow!

We put together another couple of combinations of colors that could work, depending on whether you wanted to go bold or… slightly less bold.

Two different directions with the same multi colorway (201 Stroll), The one on the left is paired with 106 Go-Go Coral – the picture does not do justice to how almost neon-bright it is. The one on the right is paired with 111 Chinos, to tone it down a little but still be a contrast. Normally I’m in favor of subtlety, but with the Firework Blankie, I might go with the one on the left. This blanket says “playtime.”

Two more combos, both appealing to me since I favor cool tones. On the left is 204 Summer Story paired with 105 Wee Violet. I can easily see that thrown over a chair in a kid’s room. At right, 203 Grass Stain paired with 110 New Leaf. I’m imagining sitting out on the lawn with that green baby blanket spread out, toddler in a sunhat happily playing. No worries about the blanket on the grass – Little Bird is machine washable!

With gray as an increasingly popular color for baby projects, we also think 112 Ghostie Gray would be a good combination with pretty much any of the multis.

…You know, I thought I could make it through the whole post without saying it, but I just can’t.

Happy crocheting!

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!

September 11, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Ruffles and Ribbons

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Awww! Today’s Ruffles and Ribbons blanket was originally designed for Bella 4-ply, an acrylic/nylon blend. It’s a good choice since it’s machine washable, but we have a couple of even better yarns that fit the bill now.

We’re recommending either Little Bird (344yds/100g) or Uptown Baby Sport (361yds/100g) instead. Personally, I think I’d go with Uptown Baby Sport. Both are soft and would work nicely, but Baby Sport has just a little bit more loft, which I think would fit well for this project.

The yarn is held doubled for the body, which is knitted on 5mm/US8 needles. Then use just one strand of yarn and a US Size 4 circular needle for the ruffled edging. It’s a good means of getting different effects from the same yarn. Pretty adorable!

Happy knitting. We’ll see you tomorrow for Free Pattern Friday!

July 31, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Bethany

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, we have Bethany! Originally this was a “pay” pattern, but we’ve released it into the wild as a free pattern and bring it to you today to enjoy.

First stitched in Fibra Natura Cottonwood, this would make a great cover-up in either Bamboo Pop or Little Bird, which would provide great drape for this piece. You might also try Uptown Baby Sport anti-pilling acrylic. Uptown Baby Sport’s palette features some very sweet pastels, and at 361 yards per ball you’d only need three balls to make the smallest size.

In this traditional knit-flat cardi, the easy lace pattern is featured on both front and back. A great lacy sweater to start now and have ready when the first chill creeps back into the air.

Happy knitting!

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Spring Snowflake Cardi

It’s Throwback Thursday!

This little cutie is wearing the Spring Snowflake Cardi.

Originally, this took about 300 yards of Morning Glory Cotton (a cotton/acrylic blend) on a size 6 needle. We’re recommending several other machine washable options for this charming baby and toddler cardi.

Lightweight Little Bird, Bamboo Pop, and Uptown Baby Sport would all be good matches. These yarns also have greater yardage per ball than the original yarn, making this sweater potentially a great one ball project!

Uptown Baby Sport has some really great pastels and kid-friendly color options. You might even try doubling up Little Bird or Bamboo Pop solid and multi for an interesting color color combo. Hmm… I feel a Sunday Swatch idea coming on.

Happy knitting!

May 23, 2014May 23, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – A Week of Babies!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s a two-fer! We present the Professor Pullover (left) and Love Patches (right). How adorable are those little elbow patches? Both cute baby sweaters are knit in lightweight machine washable Little Bird 100% microfiber acrylic (344yds/100g). This yarn is exceptionally soft, making it a great choice for baby projects.

These two designs cap off an entire week of free baby and kid patterns. Sometimes it’s hard to find things that aren’t too froufrou for little kids, so we focused mainly on designs that didn’t have too many lacy details.

First, the Over and Out Vest in Infusion Handpaints wool/acrylic. Two skeins makes a sophisticated vest for a tyke who needs dress up a little but still keep those arms free for making mudpies. Did we mention Infusion Handpaints is machine washable?

Next, the Lil’ Grandpa Cardigan in Deluxe DK Superwash 100% wool. Sized for ages 1-10, this machine washable cabled cardigan would look very dignified paired with a bubble pipe and a golden retriever.

The Snowbaby Set is a snuggly soft hat and sweater in Bella Chenille. Sized for 3-24 months, it’s a simple project to knit in the round. The snap flap at the shoulder makes the sweater very easy to pull over baby’s head.

Finally… okay, something a little more frilly, because how could we resist? The Cutie Cardi is knit in Little Bird Colors 100% microfiber acrylic with a solid Little Bird crocheted border. The pleated pockets are an adorable accent.

We hope you find some inspiration from these sweet designs for little sweethearts!