Free Pattern Friday – Mimosa Poncho

Happy Free Pattern Friday, Friends! Today, we bring you the Mimosa Poncho, the ideal transitional accessory for Spring.

The Mimosa Poncho is a light and airy layering piece that uses a simple zigzag lace for maximum effect. The poncho is knit flat from the bottom up, working along the narrowest side. Creative seaming after completion transforms a rectangular piece into a dazzling lightweight accessory.

This pattern makes the most of our highly variegated Sugar Saki yarn. Sugar Saki is a 50/25/25 blend of superwash merino, bamboo, and nylon and comes in a cheerful colorful palette of 5 colors inspired by sweet treats. The simple construction allows the yarn to do most of the work here, and the bamboo content gives your finished piece just the right amount of drape. This yarn is perfect for socks and lightweight accessories alike.

This weekend only, get 20% off Sugar Saki through Sunday, March 31st. Don’t miss out on your chance to get your hands on this fun yarn at a special discounted rate while you can.

Keep on crafting on!

Afifa

Flash Pattern Friday – Middlefield

Our first Flash Pattern Friday of 2023 is finally here! This weekend only, grab a free copy of this gorgeous knitting pattern!

Middlefield is the perfect layering piece for the coldest days of winter

On the last Friday of every month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and make it free for the weekend! Today, we’re making the Middlefield (Ravelry link) free to you, a timeless cabled design in our Deluxe Bulky Superwash yarn.

This piece can be worn with the cabel panels horizontal or vertical, whichever you prefer!

Middlefield was first published in 2017 as part of the Ethereal Knits ebook. This collection features seven garments and accessories that are perfect multi-season options for your wardrobe. However, Middlefield is a great challenge for those looking to grow their knitting skillset. This knitted poncho has cabled panels that can be worn horizontally or vertically, depending on your preference. The two sides are identical rectangles, knit sideways and then seamed together to complete this garment. While this outwear piece uses the color 930 Steel Cut Oats, there are plenty of options for those looking to go a different direction.

Here are some alternative color options that I would like to suggest. Jadestone brings a beautiful earthy tone that would be perfect for springtime (warm weather, we miss you). Pantone just released their 2023 Color Of The Year, Viva Magenta, and Rosy Mauve would make a great choice if you want to go that route. While winter is still here, Ice Rustic and Summer Sky present two frosty colors that would match the season perfectly. No matter what shade sparks your creativity, I know you will find inspiration from our 50+ color options in Deluxe Bulky Superwash.

This poncho will keep you warm year-round thanks to the 100% superwash wool and bulky yarn weight of Deluxe Bulky Superwash!

To get Middlefield for free, head to Ravelry and click “buy it now” or “add to cart” after searching for this pattern. When you reach the checkout, enter the code “FLASH” to get this pattern for free. Not a Ravelry user? Email us at pattern@universalyarn.com by Sunday, January 29th, and we will take care of you when we return to the office next week.

This graphic will help guide you through the checkout process to get Middlefield for free

We hope that you enjoy this limited-time free pattern, and make sure to shop Deluxe Bulky Superwash this weekend to save 20% off, no code necessary (1/27 – 1/29).

Thanks for stopping by! -Robert

Flash Pattern Friday – Savannah

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s Savannah crocheted in Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Waves (Ravelry link here).

That handsome blue top in back is Aubrey Busek’s Wylie Tee in our Cotton Supreme.

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.

Closeup of Cotton Supreme Waves yarn cakes

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.

Cover image of Seaside Supreme collection of patterns to knit and crochet

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 crafting!

-Heather

Free Pattern Friday – Painted Canvas Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Painted Canvas Poncho crocheted in Colorburst (pattern link here).

Designed by Rosann Fleischauer, the Painted Canvas Poncho is a re-imagining of two of Rosann’s previous designs: her Harvest Cocoon published in 2018 and the bottom-up Painted Canvas published in 2020. Each iteration of this design features the unique, origami-like construction method paired with gloriously self-shading yarns like now-retired Classic Shades, as seen in the Harvest Cocoon, or Colorburst, as seen in today’s feature pattern.

This pattern is comprised of two pieces that are sewn together. Each piece is worked sideways in linen stitch, allowing Colorburst to create vertical stripes across the piece. Linen stitch is soothing and easy even for novice crocheters like me. Plus, there is something so addictive about working with self-shading yarns. I love watching the colors shift from one hue to the next.

This is an excellent garment for year-round wear. It works wonderfully over a light summer dress as pictured, but it will keep you warm and cozy during cool weather thanks to the soft warmth of the superwash merino in Colorburst.

We hope you have a wonderful, yarn-filled weekend!

Free Pattern Friday – Celeste

Woman in crocheted poncho. Text reads Free Pattern Friday, Celeste in Papyrus

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

woman wearing light blue poncho crocheted in Papyrus yarn

Today, Celeste crocheted in Papyrus (pattern link here).

Celeste is a lovely springtime layering piece with a straightforward construction.

Woman wearing Celeste poncho crocheted in Papyrus yarn

Two rectangles are worked, with a tidy double double crochet at the borders for a neat finish. The rectangles are seamed, leaving space for the arms and neck (of course) to create a simple, classic silhouette.

Closeup of crochet stitch pattern in Celeste poncho

As for the stitch pattern, it’s a gorgeous all-over lace that’s written and charted. You’ll get the rhythm of it in no time.

Papyrus yarn balls

We used Fibra Natura Papyrus for this design. It’s a luxurious warm-weather blend of cotton and silk with an interesting texture.

Closeup image of light blue green Papyrus yarn color 229-19 Ether

The poncho is shown in 229-13 Celestial, but because I’m a sucker for blue-green, I’d probably make mine in the 229-19 Ether shown above. Either way, with that stitch pattern, the final result will be divine.

Rear view of woman wearing poncho crocheted in Papyrus yarn.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of beauty and joy.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Silver Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
gray crochet poncho in Radiant Cotton
Today the Silver Poncho in Radiant Cotton (pattern link here).
This is one of those patterns that’s both pretty and easy.
It’s composed of two rectangles, crocheted separately and then seamed at the edges, leaving space in the seams for head and arms.
What helps keeps this lively instead of boring is the use of two different crochet patterns in each rectangle. It gives the piece texture and holds your attention as you work. Radiant Cotton works very well in this piece – it’s a smooth non-splitty Egyptian cotton with a light sheen. The definition it gives is a boon to crochet work.
Beautiful Spring colors!
(Knitters wanting to try this yarn – we actually have a brand new Radiant Cotton collection geared toward basic wardrobe pieces that you can pair with anything, called Spring Capsule. You can find it at this link on Ravelry.)
woman wearing short sleeved top crocheted in Radiant Cotton yarn
We hope you have an amazing weekend, full of yarn and joy. Happy crafting!

Chunky Cables – Four Fabulous Knits in Deluxe Chunky

I love cables.  More than lace, more than mosaic, more than a dozen other techniques, cables just embody knitting for me.  When you pair them with a good quality wool, even better.  And when you make it a chunky wool so you can see your progress grow quickly, that’s a home run.  So with no further ado, four popular cabled projects in our Deluxe Chunky 100% wool!

First Valentina (pattern link here).

Honestly, I am forever astonished that this is a free pattern.  It’s just gorgeous, and filled with the excellent attention to detail that Amy Gunderson brings to all her designs.

Take a look at those saddle shoulders. They let the cables run unbroken from cuff to collar.

The moss stitch underside is where alterations for size are made, to avoid disturbing the bold and beautiful Dueling Cables design.

This one was made in Deluxe Chunky 91904 Pomegranate Heather, but I keep thinking of going green, maybe with 61635 Deep Jungle which has a bit of blue as well.

Next: the Catawba River Poncho (pattern link here).

This isn’t a free pattern, but it has remained a top 5 bestseller since its release.  Take a closer look and see why!

Sized Small to 2X/3X, the poncho is fastened with two buttons on each side.  You get good range of motion without looking like you’re swallowed up.

Lace is married to cables for the main body design – the best of two techniques joined together!

This is a pattern from Amy Gunderson.  Here she is posing in the Catawba River Poncho she knitted for herself, so you can see how it falls.  Really lovely!

Next, another bestseller: the Pine View Scarf (pattern link here).

We offered this scarf as a kit at the holidays last year, then as a paid pattern after the first of this year.

If you like cabling, but maybe not all over, or if you want to try it out in small doses, this is a great project.  The pines at both ends that give the scarf its name are cabled, but the background and borders are seed stitch and reverse stockinette.  Deluxe Chunky on US size 10 (6mm) needles goes fairly quickly in this simple, pretty scarf.

Finally, the Rutherford Beret (pattern link here).

I made my own Rutherford Beret in Deluxe Chunky color 91467 Tulipwood, and I can tell you it’s an easy one-hank pattern.  The cables are all single twists. And how cute is that little i-cord loop at the top? Easy to pull it off and hang it up by the door.

We had someone here in the office do a two-color version.  Neat idea!

We hope these designs provide a little knitspiration.

Keep on cabling!

Free Pattern Friday – Pathways Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Pathways Poncho in Papyrus (pattern link here).

Papyrus is one of those yarns that we can’t get enough of – a textured cotton/silk combination that’s light and interesting.  Crafters seem to like it too, and are putting it to good use. I really hadn’t thought of using Papyrus for Amy Gunderson’s Silver Blossom Tee, but after seeing the beautiful job that Raveler Sally9 did on hers,  it’s going in my queue.

The Pathways Poncho looks more complicated than it is.  The key here is mock cables, giving the illusion of cabling with no actual cable needle required.

Knit the front and back flat, then join the two pieces and add edging and buttons, and you’re done.  With the yarn’s cotton content, this piece will work well in warmer weather.

We hope you have a fantastic knitting, full of fun projects.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Almas Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Almas Poncho in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash (link here).

Fall is upon us, and we felt the need for something toasty!

Almas is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down. It can act as a shoulder/bust warmer for a brisk walk in the woods, or can be scrunched up and worn as a cowl paired with your favorite winter coat.  We like the rustic quality that Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash gives this cozy piece.

As a short poncho or capelet, it can be worn collar up or down, as you wish.

With just a touch of stranded knitting, this project is a nice introduction to the Fair Isle method of changing colors in your work.

We hope you have a delightful weekend.

Happy knitting!

E-book Color Fusion at a glance

Have you seen it? Amy Gunderson and Tori Gurbisz have released an e-book of seven colorful patterns designed for Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash.

Color Fusion is available on Ravelry as an e-book or individual patterns.

Take a look!