Pattern – Page 48 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

January 23, 2015January 23, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Loft Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Allore 101 Nero hi-res — Allore Color 101 Nero

Allore (109yds/50g) is new for Rozetti Yarns this season, and we love it. It’s light and lofty, with a brushed, slightly fuzzy appearance. But what takes it to the next level is a) it’s got lovely gradations in shade, and b) glitter! A metallic strand running through it makes it easy to make instant “dress up” pieces. Working on a US 9-11 needle means knits go fast.

This jacket is worked flat from the bottom up and then seamed. Regularly spaced twists give it just the right amount of texture. Add buttonholes at the collar or secure it with a pin, as we’ve done here.

I love this jacket. What a great mix of cozy and elegant.

Happy knitting!

January 16, 2015January 16, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Sheldon Sheep & Friends

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Sheldon Sheep & Friends in Deluxe Chunky Naturals.

First things first: I am going to try to restrain myself from making sheep puns. But no promises. These little friends inspire a certain playfulness.

Our wooly friends made their debut at the Winter TNNA Trade Show, where we asked local yarn store owners as well as our Facebook family to help us name them. And you delivered. Meet Sheldon, Sheila, Sherry, Shirley, and Woolma!

Each is made in a shade of our Deluxe Chunky Naturals. It’s particularly fitting, because those shades are completely undyed. They come from different flocks, so each color of yarn is the color of the sheep that it came from. In this case, the wool is literally going from one sheep to another!

The construction on these is a blend of knit and crochet. The limbs and face are knit in color 1900 Ebony, with the body and wool cap being crocheted in just one skein of the main color. There are some nice details, like short row shaping on the heels for a more foot-like shape.

When crocheting the body and wooly cap, the wrong side faces you as you work. The textured alternating triple crochet/single crochet naturally falls to the opposite side. Simply turn the pieces inside out before completing.

The crochet cap surrounds the knitted face like a snug hood. The ears are attached to the cap, but if you are a proficient crocheter you could surely leave openings for a completely removable cap. We didn’t, though – we don’t want anyone’s head to get cold!

These guys and gals are adorable in the Naturals, but I’m also thinking about a technicolor toy in a non-natural shade of Deluxe Chunky. Chartreuse sheep, anyone?

We hope you enjoy these adorable little friends. Happy crafting! Wool see you next time!

(Darn. So close without a pun.)

Sheep two shot 1_blog — That was baaaaad.

January 9, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Stairstep Tunic

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Oh, look! Another warm garment for me to steal! The Stairstep Tunic in Classic Shades Frenzy is a cozy treat for this time of year.

The hem, cuffs, and collar all feature twists resembling tiny faux-cables. Knit the front, back, and cap sleeves flat, then assemble. The overlapping collar is knitted separately and attached last. On US size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles, this isn’t a project that will drag on forever.

This is a good match of yarn and project – variegated Classic Shades Frenzy provides visual interest but doesn’t obscure the details.

I love this piece. Instead of stealing it, I think I’ll make my own.

Happy knitting!

January 8, 2015January 9, 2015

Warm It Up!

Confession time! When it’s cold outside, sometimes we break into the trunk show garments.

But come on! How could we resist? We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful yarns and garments, and as knitters and crocheters we truly appreciate them. The happy knitter above is me, Heather. I’m wearing my own hat in Poems (1 ball of color 590 Sakura, US size 8/5mm needles, 84 stitch caston).

The cowl and mittens are part of Sandi Rosner’s Rose Quartz Set in Deluxe Worsted 100% wool. There’s a hat, too, but mine matches so well I stuck with it.

Sandi’s Rose Quartz set is available as a single pattern or part of the Walk in the Woods e-book, full of gorgeous colorwork and felted designs in Deluxe Worsted and Deluxe Chunky. It’s perfect for this time of year.

Also in Deluxe, I spotted our Design Lead in this stunning sweater the other day. Valentina is one of my favorites. It uses Deluxe Chunky 100% wool. The pattern is written and charted with design features like lovely saddle shoulders to show off the cables. It comes in sizes from 34″ to 54″ bust, and – believe it or not – is a free pattern. Home run!

Our Sales Manager can frequently be found in designs by Yumiko Alexander like Braided Fog, recently made available online as a download or as part of Yumiko Warm Earth Book 3. It also uses Deluxe Worsted. Are we wearing a lot of Deluxe? That’s not surprising – it’s great for cold weather. I suspect, however, that our sales manager wears this not because it’s warm but because it looks fabulous.

The best thing about being surrounded by these designs is that it’s inspirational. We find that seeing beautiful things awakens a desire to create something beautiful ourselves. We hope you find inspiration and happiness in your crafts throughout this new year.

Happy knitting!

December 19, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Totem Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Totem Scarf in Jubilation Kettle Dye Worsted.

I love the way the variable length bands of daisy stitch are broken up by rows of garter to keep things interesting. It’s a good technique for helping make sure the pattern isn’t overwhelmed by variegated Jubilation Kettle Dye (shown here in color 101 Rejoice). Jubilation is a pretty yarn, and it works in harmony with the pattern here.

Happy knitting!

December 18, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Santa Hat

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, the Holiday Santa Hat by Michael del Vecchio!

Originally designed for Classic Worsted Holiday, this would look great in any worsted weight yarn. Naturally you’re not limited to red and white – be a psychedelic Santa if you want! – but we do have recommendations in our solid color worsted weight yarns.

Uptown Worsted has 312 Racecar Red and 302 White Glow.

Deluxe Worsted has 3691 Christmas Red and 12270 Natural.

Deluxe Worsted Superwash has 738 Christmas Red and 728 Pulp.

This pattern is designed to be knit flat, handy for those who aren’t comfortable with circular needles.

I love Michael’s use of bobbles in this pattern to give texture. Make a provisional cast-on and knit the bobbled brim, then attach the red to the cast-on edge and knit the rest of the hat. A festive pom-pom finishes it off. I’m still backed up on my holiday knitting, so I might just use a Luxury Fur Pom-Pom to save time rather than making my own.

Wishing you a festive holiday season – and happy knitting!

December 12, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Frog Hoodie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, a great project to leap into the new year with. The Frog Hoodie in Bella Chenille!

Bella Chenille (131yds/100g) is a fuzzy polyester chenille that’s very soft and easy to work with. I used this for a Sunday Swatch a while back, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that it machine washes well. This is a great yarn choice for a kid project.

Knit the sleeves in the round and put them aside, then work the body and attach the sleeves. Work upward to the neck and hood, then add the frog eyes. The coordinating buttons are nice and big for little hands to fasten.

Happy knitting!

December 11, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Felted Polar Bear

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, the Felted Polar Bear by Michele Wilcox.

We were inspired to release today’s pattern by a note in Vogue Knitting’s latest KnitNews e-mail. They polled the staff to see what they were gift knitting, and one responded, “I’m hurriedly knitting a toy with Universal Yarn’s Deluxe Worsted wool, for a new baby in my family—he was adopted, so I didn’t have much notice!”

That combined with the adorable knitted cat in Cotton Supreme Batik that a customer sent to us via Facebook got us thinking about stuffed animals. And as usual, Michele Wilcox comes through!

The Felted Polar Bear was originally part of a pattern collection for Shepherd’s Own, which is now discontinued. However, it looks perfect in Deluxe Worsted color 40001, Cream Undyed Natural. There are a number of undyed Deluxe Worsted Natural colors that would work if you wanted a traditional teddy rather than a polar bear.

This bear is made in pieces and stitched together, then lightly felted to make it a little more fuzzy and snuggly. Sew on an appropriately adorable expression and stuff it, and you have a squeezable friend to cozy up to. Too cute.

We wish you beary happy knitting!

December 8, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Twenty

Block 20 is live!

It’s our final block and we’re going out with a bang. Bee Mine uses traditional honeybee lace for its center panel. What a sweet pattern! A mix of yarn overs and dropped stitches creates the gentle symmetrical column in the center of the block. Amy Gunderson shares a video on the technique.

So pretty! Wouldn’t this look lovely on a scarf or along the outside of a sleeve?

That’s 20 blocks – are we done? Yes and no. We’ll be back after the first of the year to talk about assembling the whole afghan. I’m going to take that time to finish up a few stragglers and start laying out my squares to see how I want them to look.

Happy knitting!

December 5, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Insulate Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Insulate Cardigan in Superwool.

Insulate Cardigan back blog Yesterday on the blog we were talking about how slowly knitting could go with tiny needles and tiny yarn. This, on the other hand, could not go faster. The cardigan is actually knit as one rectangle. That’s it. Knits and purls, worked straight from end to end, then folded and seamed, creating this neat swallowtail hem. If you’re looking for a quick and easy project, we’ve got you covered.

Insulate Cardigan mannequin_blog Superwool (100g/66yds) is a super-bulky, springy wool blend that stretches and moves with you. This is a great project to wrap yourself up in, nice and cozy.

Our sales manager Yonca designed and knitted this cardigan, and we passed it around the office modeling it. Our accounting manager tried it on upside down, and guess what – it still looked great! Here it is “upside down” on a mannequin. Pretty versatile for one long rectangle.

Happy knitting!