Universal Yarn Creative Network
Inspiration By Design
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!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Hidden Treasure Poncho in Major (link here).
There’s actually not much hidden about today’s pattern. There is, however, a lot to treasure. Â This poncho uses self-striping Major, which comes in ginormous 200g balls. Â Here’s a picture – Amy Gunderson for scale.
This yarn is a favorite because it’s easy to get a substantial project out of very few balls. Â Today’s design, for instance, calls for just three.
On size 10½ (6.5mm) needles, make two rectangles, then seam at the shoulders.  Pick up and knit around for the ribbed collar, and you’re done.  The stitch pattern is both written and charted, and doesn’t require a cable needle.
Last step: wear and treasure your work.
We hope you enjoy this gem of a poncho.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today’s pattern is My Poncho in Fibra Natura Radiant Cotton.
I will confess to having to fight a bias against ponchos. Â It stems mainly from having lived through the Bicentennial in 1976, when red, white, and blue crocheted acrylic ponchos were all the rage.
I mean absolutely no disrespect to those crafters who made such things. Â You just have to imagine a young girl decked out in these things in July in the South to understand my dismay.
Fortunately, both fashion and yarn have come a long way.
When this poncho showed up on my desk to photograph for Free Pattern Friday, my immediate response was, “mine.” Â This is the kind of poncho I can get behind. Â Or, more accurately, get in to.
“My Poncho” is made in Radiant Cotton (203yds/100g), a long-staple 100% Egyptian cotton that’s a delight to work with.  Work it in two pieces from the bottom up, then seam at the shoulders.
I’m considering my color options here – Radiant Cotton has pastels, neutrals, and some very saturated tones.  It’s hard to know which way to go, but I’m leaning toward 801 Crocus.
I suppose I could always make more than one.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Double Cable Poncho in Major.
How Autumn-y are these colors?  We’ve featured a lot of designs for our popular bulky yarn Major (328yds/200g) using pastels and bluish tones (the Pineapple Peacock Shawl is a favorite) but these more southwestern, earthy tones of color 113 Santa Fe fit the Double Cable Poncho well.
The poncho is made as two rectangles which are them sewn together, long end to short end. Â A twisted fringe is added to finish it off.
If you haven’t tried twisted fringe before, it’s really easy. Â Amy Gunderson’s got a short video to show you just how to do it.
It’s actually rather meditative, which is always a great quality in a crafting project.
We hope you have an excellent weekend. Â Happy knitting!
What can make you look forward to hump day? Â The promise of a free pattern!
Today, the Stonefall Poncho in Major.
If you’ve been following our blog, you know that Major (200g/328yds) is a brand new big, bulky, beautiful yarn that we’re shipping to LYSes as we speak.  It’s great for both knit and crochet projects, like the one-ball crochet Zeppelin Scarf at right.
Today’s offering is a bulky weight lacy poncho knit on size 10 needles.  It’s worked flat in two pieces, then seamed at the shoulders.  Pick up around the neck to finish it off.
This poncho calls for three balls of color 118, Silver Blush.  It’s got a hint of pale peachy pink to set off the silver/gray of the darker bands.  It reminds me of stones that surprise you with bands of color.
We hope you have a great day, and find a little  inspiration in the world around you.  Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Summer Poncho in Flax.
We’re on the road to Columbus, OHÂ right now for the annual summer National Needlearts Association trade show, but we still had to share this absolute beauty.
The Summer Poncho is designed by Susan Whitmore, the owner of Rainy Day Creations yarn shop in Pineville, NC. Â To the right you can see Susan snuggling with Suzy the Cuddlebunny at a previous year’s show in the Universal Yarn booth.
She has just closed her shop and is enjoying a richly deserved retirement. Â We miss her welcoming shop, but we’re so glad that she’s taking time to enjoy herself. Â And we’re doubly glad that she shared this lovely design with us before hopping on her motorcycle and vrooming off into the sunset!
Knit in FibraNatura Flax linen yarn in two pieces and seamed, this oversized poncho will fit a variety of sizes and is easy to adjust simply by seaming more or less of the sizes and neck.  It’s a simple written pattern and contains a schematic for assembly.  Such a great piece for summer!
We hope you enjoy this piece, and that you pull a page from Susan’s book and take time to enjoy life.
Happy knitting!