Pattern – Page 46 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

October 10, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Dive Into Fall Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, something for the wee ones! The Dive Into Fall Jacket is sized for kids 12-18 months. This garment has a lot of stretch, so parents of fast-growing toddlers should be able to get a fair amount of use out of it.

Kat Koeller and Linda Ridder designed this jacket in our Uptown Bulky 100% anti-pilling acrylic. In addition to being exceptionally soft, it’s machine washable. Anyone who has ever had to wipe down a toddler after a trip to Ben & Jerry’s will appreciate the practicality of this choice.

The jacket is knit in one piece from the top down – first the collar, then the raglan sleeves go on holders while you make the body, then you come back and add ribbing to the ends of the sleeves. Interestingly, the fabric is fully reversible!

We hope you enjoy this beautiful weather. Knit something for a little one in your life – but be sure to make something for yourself, too!

October 7, 2014October 15, 2014

Free Pattern – Wee Pumpkins

Okay, it’s not Free Pattern Friday yet, but we just couldn’t resist sharing this free pattern.

These are the Wee Pumpkins. We’re sharing them now so you have plenty of time to work one up by Halloween! Or what about Thanksgiving ? Wouldn’t these look great on a dining room table?

They’re made in self-shading Poems 100% wool, which has some great fall colors. The purple/green one on the left is 577 Bramble and the orange-toned one is 585 Autumn.

The pumpkins are knit sideways, with short rows making up the wedge sections. Take a look at the bottom and you can see how it all comes together.

Never done short rows before? This is a great project to get your feet wet. Amy Gunderson shares a video in how to do the wrap and turn.

Also of interest in there is the SSP (slip, slip, purl). I’ve made things with short rows before, and inevitably had one side look seamless and one side marred with a big bump. I’m delighted to learn a technique to make both ends of my short row look smooth.

Often, we’ll loan our knits to local yarn stores for them to share in trunk shows, but it’s going to be hard to part with these. They’re just so pretty!

Happy knitting!

September 29, 2014September 29, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Fifteen

Block Fifteen is live!

Behold The Mighty Miter!

This block starts in one corner and increases along the center line, using the backward loop cast-on to grow outward. For many of us, the backward loop was the first cast-on that we learned. Others picked it up in the course of making buttonholes or adding stitches at the underarm of a sleeve.

If you haven’t learned it yet, here’s your chance. Amy shows us how!

Easy as pie, eh?
The center stitch in this block is slipped on every right side row, creating that clean elongated line running through the center of the block. It’s a nice touch for this diagonal block.

As always, you can share your thoughts and work with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. Check back in two weeks for a new block that builds on this technique!

September 26, 2014September 26, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Goldfish School Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, a “pay” pattern set free! Michael del Vecchio’s Goldfish School Cowl appears in Bamboo Bloom Book 1: Backyard Blooms. When we brought it to a knitting retreat the participants were so taken with it that we decided it should be released into the wild.

Michael has wisely used a simple pattern to let the yarn shine. A basic 1×1 rib looks very striking in the thick/thin matte/shiny Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.

We’re glad that last weekend’s knitters were so enthusiastic. They were right. This pattern needs to be shared!

Thanks for your hospitality, Baskets of Yarn. And keep knitting!

September 25, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Turtle Neck Cape

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, we feature Thanh Nguyen’s Turtle Neck Cape. This was originally knit in Contessa, a bulky-weight acrylic/mohair/nylon/polyester (whew!) blend. We’re simplifying it a little by suggesting Uptown Bulky, our 100% anti-pilling acrylic as a good substitute. Uptown Bulky has greater yardage than the original yarn, making it a better knit in terms of your budget, too.

Front and back are knit separately, then the collar is made and the whole shebang is stitched together. From a color standpoint, I like this as a solid, but I can also see it with perhaps a few wide stripes for a dramatic, modern look. Maybe something with a great deal of contrast? I say, knit big or go home!

Happy crafting!

September 18, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Stuffed Hound

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Awww! Such a cute little puppy! The Stuffed Hound was originally made in Classic Chunky with a print for the belly and feet. We’re recommending Deluxe Chunky as the new choice. I love this selection not just because it’s a sturdy but soft wool, but because there are 120+ colors. You could make your little wiener dog in any color of the rainbow. Match a real life pooch or create a whimsical little buddy that’s one of a kind!

The Stuffed Hound is knitted sideways. Knit a front and back leg, then proceed around the body to knit the other legs. Make the underside similarly, then knit the ears, tail, and other bits and pieces. Knitting those parts separately gives you many opportunities to switch up colors. How about a patchwork pup? Or one different ear?

We hope you have a great time knitting a new four-legged friend!

September 15, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Fourteen

Block Fourteen is live!

Block two of our month of plaid! Where our last block used stripes raised above the fabric of the square, Block Fourteen “Well Plaid” creates lines of color flush with the rest of the square.

Amy Gunderson achieves this by working one vertical stitch in the row in reverse stockinette, then applying the contrasting color to the purled stitch using a crochet hook. It’s rather ingenious. The video shows how it’s achieved.

Neat, eh? It’s a bit like picking up one laddered stitch, except with an entirely new color of yarn. I love the way this looks!

As always, you can share your thoughts and work with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. Check back in two weeks for a new technique and a new block!

September 12, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Heavenly Henley

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

We’ve got a treat today! The Heavenly Henley by Emma Welford.

This is a great combination of solid Merino XF, a soft extra-fine merino, and Jubilation Kettle-Dye, also extra-fine merino but single-ply in a riot of bright colors. It’s a great way to use variegated yarn as a bold accent.

And speaking of accents, check out the back! I love this little detail. You could choose to include or omit it, depending on your taste.

Emma is a thoughtful designer, in that she considers the impact of the final piece as well as the process of knitting. If you haven’t seen her Convertible Cowl from our Poetry at Home e-book, take a gander.

This has been a popular garment because it’s so versatile. Like the Heavenly Henley, it’s a great use of multicolor yarn, in this case Poems 100% wool. We’re so happy to have the chance to work with Emma again.

Happy knitting, everyone!

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!

September 5, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Superwash hats!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, a little love for both the knitters and the crocheters! Both use Deluxe Worsted Superwash (220yds/100g), the popular machine washable version of our Deluxe line of wools.

First, the knitted Here and There Hat. Amy Gunderson uses right and left twists to create colorful slanting columns up the length of this cap. A Luxury Fur Pom-Pom tops it off with an extra pop of color. I love these pom-poms. They’re pre-made with an attached thread that you can just tie onto your work.

Next, the crocheted Parfait Hat. Two colors of Deluxe Worsted Superwash topped off with a Luxury Fur Pom-Pom. Adorable! I tried this one on, and it looked really cute. Sometimes it’s hard not to steal the garments for myself!

On the other hand, making my own would be another excuse to crochet, and that’s always a good thing.

Happy crafting!