Pattern – Page 45 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

November 13, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Crochet Candy Stripes Stocking

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Can’t you hear those sleigh bells jingling? We had a Facebook message asking for this pattern, so we just had to set it free for the holidays.

The Crochet Candy Stripes Stocking is another great pattern from Michele Wilcox. This was formerly part of a kit using Classic Worsted Holiday. We’re recommending Uptown Worsted. It’s soft, machine washable, anti-pilling, and able to last through the years.

I will freely admit that my crochet skills are not as strong as my knit skills (yet!) but this is a project I could tackle with no problem. And I love the button panel. It’s a great detail that makes the project. I’m already thinking about who deserves a lovely stocking to hang by the chimney with care.

Happy crocheting!

November 11, 2014

Holiday Helper – Quick Cowls

Breathe in… breathe out… knit one… purl two…

Everybody calm? Good. Let’s stay relaxed, because there’s still plenty of time to knit some lovely gifts for the holidays. This week, let’s focus on quick and chunky knits. Fortunately, we have an entire free e-book devoted to exactly this kind of pattern.

Quick Cowls collects five patterns in bulky weight yarns that look good and work up quickly.

The Get To the Point Cowl in Classic Shades Frenzy is always popular when we send it out for trunk shows. In fact, it’s on the road again this month for a showing at Bourgee Boutique in Claremont, CA. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and see it. Variegated Classic Shades Frenzy does the heavy lifting in making a striking design. Just one ball on US Size 11 (8mm) needles does the trick.

The Ethereal Lace Cowl is a lovely soft lace pattern that gets you a lot of bang for your buck. One ball of Mohair Mountain (660yds per ball) will make five cowls on US Size 11 (8mm) needles. That’s a lot of gifts from just one ball. The pattern is both written and charted, so pick whatever you’re comfortable with.

The Everyone Likes Stripes cowl is another that knits up quickly on size 11 (8mm) needles. With more than 120 colors of the called-for Deluxe Chunky 100% wool, this is a very easy piece to customize for your giftee. This is also one that I would have to put away after knitting because otherwise I’d keep it for myself.

Hairpin! This technique isn’t used as often as it should be! The Hairpin Lace Cowl uses one skein of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints for the vibrant variegated stripes and one skein of Deluxe Chunky for the solid center and edge. Unusual and beautiful.

Finally, the Lava Flow Cowl uses just one skein of Superwool on size 17 needles. We call it Superwool because it’s super stretchy. This is a warm and soft cowl with a lot of “sproing” to it. I’ve made this one myself – it’s a very fast and satisfying knit.

Breathe in… breathe out… we’re calm, right? Let’s all keep knitting and we’ll all get to the holidays together in great shape.

Happy knitting!

November 10, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Eighteen

Block Eighteen is live!

Last time, bobbles, this time, nupps! Block Eighteen, Nupp Beginnings uses another kind of round raised stitch to create a similar festive effect.

By the way, did everybody but me know it was pronounced “noop?” I’ve been saying “nuhp” all these years. However, in this video, Amy pronounces it correctly as she shows us how to work one of these little popped-up stitches.

I love knowing several ways to do similar things, like this and bobbles. As a crafter, it’s always good to have options!

We hope you enjoy learning this nupp technique. Feel free to share your thoughts and work with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a new block and a new technique!

November 6, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Winter Afternoon Sweater Jacket

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Luxury! The Winter Afternoon Sweater Jacket was originally made in our Dolce Merino 50% fine merino/50% microfiber blend. Sadly, Dolce Merino is discontinued, but we have several DK weight yarns that this garment would look great in.

First, Uptown DK 100% anti-pilling acrylic. As you can see in the (free) Green Lace Scarf pattern at right, it holds cables well, making it a good choice. We frequently recommend this for baby knits since it’s machine washable and durable, but it’s also a smart pick for adult garments that you want to last a long time. Personally, if I’m going to invest time into knitting a jacket, I want to be able to show it off well into the future.

Next, Merino XF Superwash. This is another one that is machine washable and sturdy. As the XF in the name implies, it’s extrafine merino, so softness is not a problem.

Finally, Deluxe DK Superwash. As seen in the popular free Wishing Cowl pattern at right, it’s another great choice for cables. And again, it’s long-lasting and machine washable.

The Winter Afternoon Sweater Jacket is knit flat in the traditional style. This would be a cozy project to spread out and knit on your lap on a cool night. Lovely to make and to wear during brisk weather.

Happy knitting!

October 31, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Bella Chenille Two-fer

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, we have not one, but two new patterns! First, in honor of Halloween, the Little Cub Hoodie in Bella Chenille. I’m a sucker for baby clothes that look like little animals. This one is sized from six months up to four years, so it’ll fit a variety of little cubs.

Bella Chenille is a great choice for this – I did a Sunday Swatch in Bella Chenille back in June and put my piece through the washing machine and laid it flat to dry. It came out just as soft as it was when it was first knit. I’d have no hesitation making a baby garment in Bella Chenille.

Next, the It’s A Party! Onesie in Bella Chenille Multi. The Multi coordinates with the solid very well, as you can see in the detail on the cuffs and neckline. Front and back are knit flat separately, then the sleeves are added. Adorable, and a quick knit on US size 10 1/2 needles.

We hope you enjoy these two soft projects. Happy knitting!

October 30, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Sparkling Snowman

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Last week’s Happy Little Elf proved so popular that we thought we’d keep the (snow)ball rolling. Here’s the Sparkling Snowman!

Another absolutely adorable design by Michele Wilcox, we’re again recommending Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic. It’s soft, long-lasting, and machine washable.

I’ve got this little guy beside me right now. For those wondering, the mittens are part of the arms, but the sweater and hat can be removed. The original snowman’s hat is lightly sewn down to keep it on for photography and trunk show visits, but that’s not mandatory. If he gets too warm, we can take it off.

The little broom is optional, but should be easy to find in a craft store. The more I look at this little fella, the more I think maybe he needs a candy cane. Or how about a tiny hockey stick, and embroider your favorite player’s number on the sweater? He’s got kind of a Wayne Gretzky nose going on.

However you dress your snowman up or down, we wish you happy knitting!

October 24, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Snowlander Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today we’re featuring Snowlander, a design created by Linda Davis, who owns the fabulous LYS Tail Spinner in Richlands, NC.

Linda says, “Since the cowl seems to be a big thing from the Outlander series on Starz, I thought about doing one that was a little more classy. I used two skeins of Ariana and one skein of Bamboo Glam held together to do the pictured cowl. I’m calling it Snowlander.

I made a 5-stitch I-cord with the leftover Bamboo Glam, put on a pendant, and grafted the ends together to use as a neck piece. It can be worn with the cowl or alone.”

Ariana Bamboo Glam Snowlander necklace blog

Tail Spinner is in Eastern NC, not that from from the ocean, making Linda’s choice of focal point for the pendant even more fitting. I can see quite a few options for the pendant and the cowl, together or apart.

As a fantasy fan, I’ve been looking for another show to add to my lineup. If Outlander is inspiring gorgeous designs like this, I’m adding it to my queue tonight – and keeping my needles nearby.

Thank you so much for sharing this, Linda!

October 23, 2014October 23, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Happy Little Elf

It’s Throwback Thursday!We had someone on Facebook ask about this pattern a couple of days ago, and it reminded us of how close the holidays are. So today, we offer this formerly paid pattern, now set free!

The Happy Little Elf is an adorable Michele Wilcox design (we love Michele!) that was originally only available as part of a kit featuring Classic Worsted Holiday. We’re recommending Uptown Worsted as a substitute.

Uptown Worsted is 100% anti-pilling acrylic. As a former yarn snob, I was skeptical of acrylics until I squeezed my first skein of Uptown. This would definitely be soft enough for a beloved little friend who is also machine washable.

What I like about Uptown for this pattern is that it has a broad color palette. Our recommendations to match the original Happy Little Elf are pictured here, but there are a good variety of skin tones and jacket and shoe options if you want to personalize your elf.

Looking at elf pictures online (I love my job) made me realize just how standard this elf costume is in popular culture, and how versatile this little elf could be. You could make a little buddy, so to speak…

Buddy the Elf

…or you could make your own little offbeat elf to take on adventures.

We just got that 356 Bright Blue in stock. It’s like it was meant to be.

We hope you’ll enjoy making a little pal for yourself, or for someone in your life who could use some magic.

Happy knitting!

October 17, 2014October 17, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Cog Shawlette

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, something big and beautiful – the Cog Shawlette.

This fun accessory takes two balls of Classic Shades Big Time (color 801 Reef), the super-bulky big sister to self-shading Classic Shades. The pattern takes its name from the unique curved gear-like edging. Big yarn means quick knits, so we took the opportunity to work up a few different shawlettes to see how it looked in other colors. Answer: great!

Cog Shawl color 804 Grapevine blog — Color 804 Grapevine

From the pattern: “This shawlette is worked in one piece. First the Cog Edging is knit sideways. Without breaking yarn, crochet slip stitches are then worked all the way along the shaped side of the Cog Edging. Without breaking yarn, stitches are then picked up and knit along the straight side of the Cog Edging and the Shawl body is worked up and shaped with short-rows.”

Cog Shawl color 814 Jubilant blog — Color 814 Jubilant

Cog Shawl color 814 Jubilant backblog — Color 814 Jubilant – rear view

The unique construction makes this a great project to keep your interest, and the size 15 needles mean the work flies by. Perfection.

Happy knitting!

October 16, 2014October 16, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Celebrate Autumn Flora with Deluxe

It’s Throwback Thursday!

We’re not throwing back that far today, just a couple of years. But it’s the perfect time of year to highlight the free e-book Autumn Flora with Deluxe.

This e-book features eight patterns perfect for staying toasty, all using the Deluxe family of 100% wool.

All the patterns below are part of this cozy collection of colorwork and cables. Enjoy!

Pattern: Wraparound Leaves Beret and Mitts

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 12176 Teal Viper – 1 ball (MC)

• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (CC)

Pattern: Sheaves of Wheat Reversible Scarf

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 3704 Gold Spice – 2 balls

Pattern: Poplar Beret

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 12182 Gold Spice – 1 ball (A)

Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted LP

• 06 Harvest – 1 ball (B)

Pattern: Felted Leaf

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 1 ball will make multiple felted leaves

Pattern: Big Leaf Mittens

Yarn: Renew Wool (Substitute Deluxe DK Superwash)

• 101 Sand – 1 ball (MC)
• 107 Cedar – 1 ball (CC1)
• 113 Garnet – 1 ball (CC2)

Pattern: Stranded Seed Pillow

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 91901 Oatmeal Heather – 2 balls (MC)
• 3749 Forest – 1 ball (CC)

(There’s a gorgeous cabled edge on this one!)

Pattern: Autumn Leaves Cap

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 71601 Blue Ombre – 1 ball (A)
• 12501 Oatmeal Heather – 1 ball (B)

• 3649 Forest Green – 1 ball (C)
• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (D)
• 91477 Red Oak – 1 ball (E)
• 12188 Heather – 1 ball (F)
• 12180 Eggplant – 1 ball (G)
• 12282 Hunter Green – 1 ball (H)
• 12181 Bronze Brown – 1 ball (I)