So beautiful. Soooo beautiful. And I love that it has enough techniques to keep you focused, and to maybe learn something, too!
There’s slip stitch colorwork for the body of this asymmetrical shawl. Designer Rachel Brockman chose Wool Pop in color 621 Dijon (4 skeins) for the main color, and color 627 Empress (2 skeins) for the contrast. They’re both very vibrant tones, but pairing the lighter color with a dark makes this truly striking.
The diamond lace edging uses right and left twists to create a lovely texture. You’ll knit the slip stitch portion, then use intarsia to join it to the panel in the same row. Decreases will occur along one edge in the body portion of the shawl.
Rachel chose our popular Wool Pop for this design. Its blend of bamboo, wool, and polyamide create the perfect fabric for this shawl, with just the right mix of drape and resilience.
Wool Pop’s different fibers take the dye in different ways, creating a saturated, multi-hued look with a beautiful sheen.
This is not so much a mindless knit as a mindful one. It rewards the maker with a stunning garment they’ll reach for again and again.
We wish you a wonderful weekend, full of beauty and light.
It’s that time of year where we welcome the new season, and immediately start seeing new collections, inspiration, and beautiful projects that we want to create. But if you’re like me, you may feel guilty pouncing on all the tempting newly-released offerings – like our Spring Magic collection in Vireo, or our sinfully smooth yarn Magnolia – before using up your current stash. So, let’s take a look at some fun quick projects that may help you clear out some room to make way for all of the new yarns that you’re sure to acquire.
First, lets check out the recently released freebie Color Blocked Scarf. It’s made using just three balls of Minou in colors 106 Panther, 105 Squirrel, and 104 Kitten, and has that coffee shop chic look that can transition to spring in that effortlessly cool kind of way. Even with it being a fluffy yarn, it’s so lightweight and soft, made of 40% Baby Alpaca, 8% Merino Wool, and 52% Nylon, that it’s not overwhelming enough to be a strictly cold-weather piece. It can also be fun to do this one mixing and matching with other colors in your stash to create some truly unique pieces!
Cotton Candy Swirl Shawl by Universal Design Team
Next up, lets look at the Cotton Candy Swirl shawl. This one-ball-wonder uses a 200g ball of our Cobblestone in the color 107 Cotton Candy. The yarn is made of 100% merino wool and has a lovely handspun feel to it, using one solid ply and one variegated ply to create a stunning color effect when worked up. It’s the kind of yarn that gives any project that “wow” factor, even when the pattern is ridiculously easy like this one! This is a wonderful pattern if you are a beginner to crochet, or just want that quick/mindless project to work through because it’s a simple stitch working increases along one side. You’ll have this one done in a snap – having a sweet accessory to show off while you shop for new yarns to replenish your stash, of course.
The Edisto Shawl is sure to be an addictive go-to for using your sock yarns if you aren’t in the headspace to make socks. It’s made with two balls of Bamboo Pop Sock, a wool-free yarn perfect for summer made of 37% cotton, 55% bamboo, and 8% PBT. We love this pattern so much, we made it in two versions, one in colors 505 Tide Pool and 507 Breeze (version 1), and the other in 502 High Tide and 503 Jetties (version 2). Named for Edisto Beach in South Carolina, these colors bring to mind the quintessential coastal sand, shells, water, sunsets and cottages of the town. You can of course use any color that your stash holds – perhaps your project will represent your ideal vacation destinations for the season! I personally will use up my stash of 401 Overcast and 407 Muscadine – Wine Tour anyone!?!
Lastly, lets consider the Talya vest made with 3-7 balls of Posh Alpaca, depending on the size you make. This one is a size small, using 4 balls in color 103 Wolf. You may think it’s a strange suggestion to make a plush vest for a Spring Cleaning project, but what’s so fun about a popover piece is that you can opt to wear it on its own as a top instead of layered as a vest! The yarn is made from 45% wool, 30% acrylic, and 25% superfine alpaca, and it’s roving style spin makes the most plump, beautiful stitches. This versatility takes this project from your fall/winter wardrobe well into the early months of spring when there is still a touch of chill in the air. This is again an easy and fast project to make, working from the bottom up seamlessly to the underarms, when you separate and work flat to join the back and front at the shoulders.
This lightweight poncho is so stylish and simple! You’ll be making two rectangles of the same size, then joining them together and adding fringe.
The magic here is partly in the yarn! DK-weight Cotton Supreme Waves is 100% cotton that stripes up beautifully.
We love Cotton Supreme Waves for any pattern where you want soft, breathable fabric with gorgeous bands of color.
We’re adding Savannah to our recent Seaside Supreme collection of patterns to knit and crochet in our Cotton Supreme yarns. With Savannah’s addition, there are now 13 total designs in this collection, for just $35. It’s an incredible deal on these beautiful warm-weather patterns, designed for a wide range of body types.
If you’d like to start with just a sample, though, Savannah is free through Sunday, March 27th!
To get Savannah free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase. Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 3/27 and we’ll get you taken care of.
We hope you have a great weekend, full of easy adventure and fun.
Happy Spring, everyone! Are you ready for spring and summer projects, ready to wear as the weather warms up? If so, we have a treat for you! Today, I’m sharing projects from our latest pattern collection: Spring Magic.
When we think of spring, we can’t help but feel like magic is in the air. With every fresh blossom, warm breeze, and longer, sunnier days, we get more and more excited for projects on our hooks and needles that reflect the season. We invite you to bask in these sweet projects, featuring everything from drop stitches to cables, lace, ruffles, and fringe. We’re certain you’ll find something you love in this collection featuring a new spring favorite yarn, Vireo.
First up, we have our one and only accessory in this garment-heavy collection. Yet, it might be one of my favorite pieces. Say hello to Aard. This unique wrap is open and airy thanks to the wide columns of dropped stitches. Although we usually fear dropped stitches in knitting, there is something a bit magical about dropping them intentionally for a decorative effect. Frame those dropped stitches with reversible cables and you have the perfect stole for spring and summer!
Next up: Elixir. For my contributions to the collection, I was especially drawn to openwork stitch patterns. Those that keep Vireo feeling light and breezy. Like Aard, Elixir is a great example of openwork, but this time you work with yarnover eyelets instead. The shoulders on the front and back are decorated with an eyelet motif that’s simple to memorize. Even when knitted in our 104 Black Caviar colorway, the stitch definition of Vireo is crisp and clear. My favorite detail of this design, though, is the mini fringe that decorates the hem and armholes. It adds just the right touch of interest and finesse to the pattern and is sure to draw attention.
Another example of the gorgeous stitch definition of Vireo is Gust: an adorable tee with ruffled sleeves and a keyhole opening at the back neck. It’s precious! What I love about this design is how well it shows off the drape of the yarn. The drape is all thanks to the 80% Tencel of Vireo, blended with 20% wool. It has a touch of bounce and memory, making it a pleasure to knit or crochet with. These characteristics all come together to form your new favorite top for Spring.
Designer Aubrey Busek has a knack for creating the most interesting designs. Such is the case with Mythos. In this design, she uses ruffles to create a peplum-esque silhouette with exciting stripes and a decorative motif that can either be hand embroidered or worked directly into the knitting. Who doesn’t love options? The high contrast colors (108 Marmelade & 101 Fluff) truly make the design pop.
Saddle shoulders and split hems are two design details I never tire of, and they are just two of the features that make Runestone special. Gorgeous lace and cables decorate the front of the sweater, which pop from a background of Reverse Stockinette stitch. The v-neck and three-quarter sleeves make this piece perfect for the season, too.
This collection wouldn’t be complete without a crochet design, and that’s where Soothsayer comes into play. I don’t consider myself an expert at crochet, but I always enjoy the opportunity to design crochet patterns. Since I’m still new at it, I like simpler patterns, and I think this cap-sleeved tee is perfect for a first crochet garment. It is designed in half double crochet and features an edging around the armholes and hem with single crochet and double crochet shells – all very basic stitches welcoming to crocheters of every skill level.
Finally, we have Triskelion. Another design by Aubrey Busek, Triskelion is as feminine as they come. Gorgeous lace, cropped sleeves, and dramatic ruffles make this cardigan truly special. Get ready to practice your lace skills, too. Although the lace motif isn’t overly complex, you won’t have any rest rows during that section as you work the lace on both the right and wrong sides of the work. The shaping is simple though, so your concentration is rewarded with soothing stockinette after you finish those beautiful motifs.
There you have it: all seven pieces in our brand new pattern collection in our Vireo yarn. To grab your copy of the Spring Magic ebook or patterns, head to our website here (link). Which project is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
In knitting, I am all about the accessories, and I love a classic cabled piece!
Today’s free pattern is right up my alley. Designer Aubrey Busek designed this easy set, with simple lines, in self-shading Colorburst. This would be a great pattern for a beginning cable knitter, or for someone who wants to learn.
It features a 2×2 right cross, worked flat for the scarf and in the round for the hat. A neat 2×2 ribbing edges the hat, and there is garter stitch edging on the scarf to help keep it from curling. I wouldn’t expect less from an Aubrey design, though – she’s all about the little touches that make a pattern perfect.
Speaking of little touches, that pom-pom! I love how many tones it picks up when you make a cute little pom-pom in a multicolored yarn like Colorburst. And can we talk about Colorburst?
With its huge 660 yard ball and long runs of color, Colorburst is the perfect self-shading yarn for colorful projects, without a lot of fiddly ends to weave in. Rich and saturated, there are pastels, neutrals, and bright jeweltones to choose from.
Here, the Café Cable Set is shown in 118 Baltic. The entire set took just one ball! Looove!
We hope you have an awesome weekend, full of fun times and smiles.
AJ McIntyre created this charming bit of crocheted home decor. I love its boho feel!
It’s eco-friendly, too, in the recycled fiber blend of Clean Cotton Multi.
Clean Cotton Multi, and its solid colored sister Clean Cotton, are 100% reclaimed fiber (85% cotton, 15% polyester). These are the fibers that “fluff” away from the spinning machine during production. We collect them, then spin them again to create a soft but durable “dishcloth” style cotton that reduces waste, and still looks beautiful!
Working in unturned chains from the bottom up, AJ made a perfectly-sized plant holder out of just one 96-yard ball! This is a quick and easy project to make as a housewarming gift, or to bring a bit of color into your home. Personally, I can see it sprucing up a dorm room really easily – maybe even in team colors!
Clean Cotton Multi comes in 15 multi shades (like 212 Aloe shown here), and Clean Cotton has 21 solids. It’s easy to customize this fun project to whatever color scheme you wish!
Gravel is the perfect pullover for everyday wear. The simple, classic raglan silhouette is already a favorite among knitters, but add the marled, variegated fabric created by our Cobblestone yarn, and you really have something special!
Cobblestone is spun with two plies. One ply is variegated, with a variety of harmonious colors, and the second ply is a solid color. In the case of 108 Tuxedo, the black, gray, and white create monochromatic variations, for a fabric with plenty of depth and interest!
Designer Rachel Brockman smartly chose to create the coordinating solid cuffs, collar, and hem in 100% superwash fine merino Donnina. The saturated deep black is a great tonal compliment to the body of this pullover, and Donnina’s stitch definition really makes that twisted rib stand out!
The result is a comfortable, timeless top that works in any casual situation, no matter what colors you choose.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! We have new Rico yarn on our site! It’s so fun to have the opportunity to distribute yarn from our friends Rico Design because it helps add some fun colors and textures that we can combine with our own yarn as well! For example, one of my favorite patterns to come out since I’ve started here is the Polar Nights Cowl by Rachel Brockman, which holds Ricorumi Lamé DK and Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk together with Donnina. The effect is just stunning!
Polar Nights Cowl by Rachel Brockman
While mixing and matching yarns in a design is always thrilling, it is also just fun to have more yarn to choose from for stand-alone projects. Rico has their own design team who regularly releases patterns to pair with their yarn. Here is a look at some yarn and pattern inspiration that’s just landed on our site!
Top Left: Sweater 1021. Top Middle/Right: Sweater and Top 999. Bottom:Rico Design Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton
The Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton is one of my favorite arrivals for spring. It’s made from a blend of cotton, acrylic, and polyester and comes in 14 beautifully variegated colors. It is constructed with a bright printed ply that’s spun with a simple thinner ply making a colorful texture and twist that captures all the vibes of summer in a ball. My personal pick is 009 Buttercream which has me dreaming of an ice cream cone with sprinkles!
Some patterns to pair with this yarn are the Sweater 1021, and the Sweater/Top 999 set, shown above. Many of the Rico Designs come as two pattern sets, like pattern 999, so you have some cool options to explore – or just more fun pieces to add to your make list!
Rico Baby Dream dk & Coat and Beret 517
We also got in Rico Baby Dream dk, which has 15 adorable multi-colored options to choose from, ranging from tonal and complimentary colors to bright confetti specks. This yarn is a polyamide and polyacrylic blend that is irresistibly soft as well as super easy to care for- the perfect combo for little ones! If you’re looking for pattern inspiration, check out the Coat and Beret 517 set – this adorable tailored coat and quintessential hat make the cutest baby set for gifting or for your own family!
Rico Baby Dream dk Uni & Baby Blankets 786
Just when you thought the cuteness overload was reaching “too much to handle” status, more cuteness came along anyway! The Rico Baby Dream dk also comes in a Rico Baby Dream dk Uni option – which of course launched with its own set of adorable patterns called Baby Blankets 786. This yarn is the same composition as its multi-colored counterpart, but comes in an offering of 21 lovely colors ranging from soft pastels to bold standouts. I really like seeing the plump stitch definition in the textured Baby Blanket, but I also love the contrast used in the heart patterned Baby Blanket. How adorable would it be to substitute in a multi colored yarn for those hearts!?!?!
Which project and colors do you think you’ll try out?! That’s all for now, Happy Stitching! Ashley Jane
What a stunner! Aubrey Busek’s Bijou is light, lacy, and loaded with details.
The lace center panel graces both front and back, a fitting accent to the puffed cuffs, and the ruffles where the shoulders meet the sleeves.
The fabric made by Penna is the perfect backdrop for this design. Although the yarn is laceweight, the suri alpaca content creates a halo that fills in the stitches, for a soft, delicate look and feel. It also lets you work this up on US 6 (4mm) needles and still get a very lightweight garment!
To get Bijou free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase. Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 2/27 and we’ll get you taken care of.
The Talya vest is named after the young lady in the photos, who is moving north to colder climes. She’s a part of the Universal Yarn family (you can see her blog post about Father’s Day here) and we’ll miss her very much!
The designer is her mother, Yonca Ozbelli, our managing director here at Universal Yarn. She wanted to send her little girl off with something warm and cozy, so she made Talya this vest. Awwww.
For the yarn, Yonca picked Posh Alpaca. It’s thick, lush, and warm. The beautiful blend of wool, acrylic, and superfine alpaca makes it luxuriously soft, and gives a lovely heathered effect. It’s the perfect way to wrap a loved one up in a warm handmade hug.
The Talya vest features a modern silhouette that is complemented by all-over box stitch, making this minimalist piece a must-have in your wardrobe.
This slouchy, relaxed popover vest is the perfect three-season layering piece and a great first garment.
It’s a beautiful knitted piece, in a beautiful yarn, for a beautiful young lady. Come back and visit us soon, Talya!
