Pattern – Page 49 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

December 4, 2014December 4, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Knitted Motor Scarf

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Motor Scarf

Today, we’re throwing way back. A century back. Let’s look at the Knitted Motor Scarf from 1909.

I love to look at old craft magazines for inspiration. This week, I turned to a special Christmas edition of the December 1909 Woman’s Home Companion and decided to try one of their gift suggestions.

Womens Home Companion Dec 1909 Gifts — Hey, $1.75 for a pair of shoes is a really good deal.

The photos aren’t that great, what with it being near the dawn of the 20th century, so it’s hard to see exactly what’s the finished objects look like. But smack in the middle of the page is a picture of “A Knitted Motor Scarf for the Man With an Automobile.” Well, I know a man with an automobile, so that sounds like a winner to me.

First obstacle in the pattern: “made of motor silk in a medium shade of gray.” I have no idea what motor silk is, and for once Google has failed me. If any of you know what motor silk is, please write in. I’m dying to find out.

However, what I do have is Saki Bamboo (230yds/50g). This is a blend of superwash wool, nylon, and rayon from bamboo. The bamboo should provide a good silky sheen and the nylon will give the durability that my giftee will need when he’s out on the open road in his Model T. I’m always happy to have a chance to knit with Saki Bamboo – it’s very smooth and even, and has a medium gray (Color 211 Steel Grey) that should fit the bill nicely.

Second obstacle: “worked loosely with a pair of No. 12 steel knitting- needles, or for a tight knitter, a pair of fine bone knitting-needles.” Here, the internet does not fail me. Fibergypsy’s site says that No. 12 needles back then would translate to 2.25mm/US Size 1 needles today. Great, perfect for my Saki Bamboo! There’s no gauge given, but I decided to cast on and hope for the best.

So I started to knit. And knit. And knit. Actually, I’m quite enjoying this pattern, but… it’s 60 stitches wide on tiny needles. How the heck was someone receiving this magazine in winter supposed to obtain motor silk (?) and find time to knit this before Christmas? Don’t get me wrong, this is a good pattern, but given all the other knitting I have to do, I probably will not be polishing this off in the next 21 days.

Nonetheless, it’s rather elegant and quite easy! The dice pattern is fully reversible, an excellent choice for a scarf. So we’ve written it up in modern terms and shared it, along with the original version. Please enjoy the Knitted Motor Scarf by Helen Marvin from the December 1909 Woman’s Home Companion. The magazine was originally 15 cents, but the pattern is free to you.

Happy knitting!

November 28, 2014November 28, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Ellery Reversible Cowl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Ellery Reversible Cowl in Llamalini silk/linen/royal llama blend (50g/109yds).

This yarn is a favorite around the office for its lovely heathering and soft feel. The blend of luxury fibers gives it a rich depth. And it’s well suited to this design, which I love for many reasons – not the least because it’s reversible.

What look like cables are really faux-cables. No cable needle required. Wear it long or wrap it for warmth – Llamalini is quite toasty!

We hope you craft something luxurious and wonderful this holiday. Whether it’s for you or someone else, the process itself is such a joy.

Happy knitting!

November 27, 2014November 27, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Jolly St. Nick

It’s Throwback Thursday!

I’m home celebrating Thanksgiving with my family, but couldn’t resist sharing this little guy – especially after we promised the crocheters last week!

Jolly St. Nick is a crochet version of Santa from Michele Wilcox, the Queen of Cute. He stands 18″ high including hat – if you’ve seen an American Girl-style doll, that’s about the same height. Just as with last week’s knit Santa, we’re recommending Uptown Worsted. The 100% anti-pilling acrylic stands up to a lot of beard-pulling and snuggles.

Start at the top of his head and work down, then go back and add all the details that make him so adorable. Any pattern that instructs you to embroider a smile is a keeper.

We hope you’re having a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year, as every year, I am grateful for the ability to create, and in so doing to bring joy to myself and others. And always, always, there is gratitude for the community of fellow crafters who enrich our lives. What are you thankful for this year?

All the best this holiday.

November 25, 2014November 26, 2014

Holiday Helper – Pattern Sale!

Holiday crafting going okay? Maybe you’re still looking for just the right design. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

It’s our first online pattern sale! From now through Monday December 1st, 2014, take 30% off of all purchases from our Ravelry store. Just enter code 2014HOHOHO at checkout.

This includes e-books, pattern collections, and individual patterns. Pick from favorites like Bamboo Pop Kids and Contrarian Shawls, gorgeous designs from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton and Yumiko Alexander, and lovely cool-weather knits in the Deluxe family of yarns.

I just have to point out, there are quite a few great options in Garden Book 5. That one book could knock out a lot of your gift crafting. The fact that they’re very satisfying projects to make is a nice bonus.

We hope you’ll take this opportunity to pick out a great pattern, swing by your local yarn store (Small Business Saturday is this weekend!) and make something gorgeous for the people you love. And include yourself in that list of people!

Happy crafting!

November 24, 2014

AFGHAN KNITALONG – BLOCK NINETEEN

Block Nineteen is live!

Tuck in! Block Nineteen is called All Tuckered Out because it introduces the tuck stitch. It’s a little fold in the fabric that in this case creates a ridge. This combines knitting back and forth as we did in the bobble and nupp blocks, but with a bit of a different spin.

Amy Gunderson has a video demonstrating this technique.

Amy mentions “knitting backwards” here, which is a technique you could use for Block 17 and Block 18. Although we shared this as part of Block 17, want to highlight it again here because it’s just so darned cool.

I can’t tell you how much time it’s going to save me not to have to knit back and forth over little rows. This is a technique I’m going to practice until I’ve mastered. This block looks like the perfect opportunity!

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 the next block!

November 14, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Four Stripes Pullover and Legwarmers

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

So cute for Fall! The Four Stripes Pullover includes matching legwarmers, perfect for staying warm on a crisp day.

The set is designed for Merino XF (137yds/50g), an extrafine merino that’s machine washable and very soft. The pullover is worked flat and seamed, with short rows shaping the curved rear hem. Seed stitch borders the cuffs, hem, and neckline.

I love these cool tones. This is one design where I wouldn’t change a thing.

Happy knitting!

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!