It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Channel Socks in Wacki Saki (pattern link here).
We love Wacki Saki for its bold patterning. Here, Rachel Brockman wisely went with a simple pattern that lets the yarn colors do the heavy lifting.
Worked cuff down, these socks feature a heel flap and gusset.
The twisted stitch ribbing flows right onto the heel.
The stockinette feet are comfy, while the twisted stitches on the leg create a snug fit. These beauties will stay up!
Super fun colors to match your personality. Have happy feet all day!
Saying “happy feet” gives me an excuse to share this video, which brings me joy because it’s a puppet tap-dancing, so of course you never actually see him below the waist. I choose to believe that he’s wearing crazy socks on those webbed flippers.
We hope you dance your way through this weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Citadel in Deluxe Bulky Superwash (pattern link here).
This versatile sleeveless design is great for the turning season – doesn’t it look great over a long-sleeved top?
Designer Rachel Brockman named it Citadel because it acts as extra protection against the cold in thick Deluxe Bulky Superwash.
And if you’re looking for warmth without bulk, it works great under a jacket. That high collar will still protect you. Seed stitch side panels and shoulders are a lovely design touch.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, with perfect weather for whatever you choose to do!
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Trailhopper Hat in Mini Saki (pattern link here).
You’ve all met the world’s cutest baby, right? Parker is the son of our warehouse shipping chief, and she brought him in when we needed a wee one to do a little modeling. A sweet little cherub for a sweet little hat!
The Trailhopper Hat starts at the very bottom, with those i-cord ties. Work your way up to the earflaps, then cast on for the brim. Rachel Brockman included a detail that is sometimes overlooked – casting on more for the front than the back, to be sure those earflaps are back just a bit from the face to give proper coverage.
Faux cable/right twist ribbing gives way to symmetrical decreases at the top. It all comes together to make a hat that looks neat on the noggin. All with just one 230yd ball of Mini Saki.
Just one more – here we see Parker, just before we realized it wasn’t a great idea to give him tissue paper. When you’re seven months old, everything is edible.
If you’re wondering about that fantastic sweater, by the way, it’s the Crosscut Pullover in Adore (free pattern link here). It’s sized 3-6 months through 4-6 years. Rachel Brockman has been on a roll with the baby garments!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of good things. We also hope you find the strength to keep the tissue paper out of your mouth.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Besties in Adore (pattern link here).
Awww! This sweater is sized from 3 months to six years, so whatever size your little best pal is, you’re set.
Not only do these work in a variety of colors, but there’s also plenty of opportunity to customize yours with adorable buttons.
We show them in machine washable Adore in the traditional pink or blue, but I think these would look awfully nice in neutrals. How about 130 Cream, with 129 Sand and 128 Gingerbread? Or go even darker with 127 Hickory?
That would be one spiffy-looking little Bestie.
We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today’s free pattern is Saltwater in Unity and Unity Beyond (pattern link here).
Earlier this month, we released an e-book of designs in our Fibra Natura family of yarns.
On the cover: Jetton by Amy GundersonLakeside Retreat is a generously sized collection of both knit and crochet patterns in natural fibers. With 16 designs included, we realized we had enough to lift out a pattern to release for free. The choice was Saltwater by Rachel Brockman.
This beautiful triangular shawl is knit from the top down in solid Unity and variegated Unity Beyond. These yarns are a unique blend of cotton, wool, bamboo, and linen designed to drape beautifully and lend an earthy texture to finished pieces.
Lightweight and airy, Saltwater combines garter and stockinette with simple striping to create a lovely understated shawl.
To finish it off, a crochet border is added. Rachel was thinking of little sandcastles when she added this charming design touch.
I’m eyeing this for myself, but we just released some brand new colors in Unity and Unity Beyond, and I’m loving the way they pair up. What do you think of solid 113 Alizarin and multi 208 Sunrise? It would certainly be a dramatic take on the design!
Or maybe let the sun shine in with 115 Cob and 207 Springtide. What a decision!
We hope you have a relaxing weekend. Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Trawler cap in Bella Cash (pattern link here).
I’m a big fan of brioche. Stretchy and sculptural, it looks beautiful, and it’s not as hard as you might think. After my first brioche hat, I felt so proud of myself – I wore it everywhere. But the truth is, once you’re into the rhythm of it, it’s just as easy to “read” in your knitting as standard ribbing.
In this seafarer-inspired cap, Rachel Brockman uses two colors of fine Bella Cash held together on a US4(3.5mm) needle for a marled, denimy effect.
So, here’s my confession: up until now, when I’ve done brioche in the round, I’ve winged the decreases and just kind of… hoped they came together okay. Rachel, however, has beautiful decreases marching neatly toward the crown. This is going to be a great technique to learn.
Bella Cash 122 Amethyst and 118 Orchid
I’m considering using different colors, though – maybe something violet? Amethyst and Orchid look awfully nice together.
We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!
St. Patrick’s Day is nearly upon us, my fiber friends! For most folks celebrating this Irish holiday, this is going to mean green, green, and more green!
I can remember showing up to elementary school one day (yes, a very long time ago) on March 17th sans green. I quickly learned that this was quite dangerous, as anyone who noticed was pinching me relentlessly! I found a green marker and made several green shamrocks on my hands, arms, and face so that I could avoid the torture of the pinch.
If you’re finding yourself with nothing green to wear this year, why not crank out a knitted green hat? Patty’s Hatty is knit in extrafine superwash merino DK weight Dona. Dona is soft and squishy and feels great on the skin.
You’ve got a few days left – what are you waiting for?
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, March Fog in Alaska (pattern link here).
This is an apt day to introduce this pattern, because today, the 1st of March, it is indeed foggy in Charlotte.
But not quite this foggy.
It’s been more of a hazy mist, but the colors and fuzzy feel show where March Fog got its inspiration.
March Fog is wide enough to be a stole, but works well wrapped like a scarf, too.
Knit in Rozetti Yarns lofty Alaska, this crochet accessory is fluffy and warm, with a bit of foggy haze about it.
The stole is crocheted lengthwise in a very easy all-over mesh pattern. As written, this took exactly two balls of each color (902 Peach Puff and 905 Stormy). You might want to grab an extra ball, just for safety’s sake.
The ending edge of the mesh pattern naturally forms cute scallops. After the main stole is complete, an edging is added to the beginning edge so that the two sides match. Don’t forget to block to open up that lace!
Snuggle up against early Spring winds – and happy crafting!
North Carolina has been enjoying some really lovely weather. It has been a teaser that has everyone at the office itching to cast on a spring project that will be ready to wear as soon as things start to warm up! We’ve specifically been looking to Bamboo Pop, one of our best-selling yarns. It’s lightweight and perfect for any project you could think of. So grab your needles, your hooks, your patterns, and join us for our Bamboo Pop-Along!
The Cora Crop, designed by Rachel Brockman, can easily be modified if you prefer a longer sweater.
This is a chance for you to knit, crochet, or weave anything you’d like using Bamboo Pop! We’re welcoming everyone – if you’re making something using Bamboo Pop, we want to see it! You have from February 6, 2019 until March 20, 2019to complete your projects.
Oh, and there will be prizes! You could win five balls of Bamboo Pop in the color of your choice! To be eligible for a prize please share photos of your finished projects in the Universal Yarn Ravelry Group (link). Only finished projects using Bamboo Pop will be entered to win. You can find the thread here (link). We cannot wait to see what projects you create!
The idea started just yesterday. I decided that I wanted to make a project in time for Stitches West, held in Santa Clara from February 21st-24th. When I told Amy I wanted to knit the Cora Crop she decided she wanted to join me. And just like that, the idea for a Bamboo Pop-Along was born!
Amy and I are knitting the Cora Crop. As a person who loves warm, autumnal tones, I’ve chosen to knit mine using 129 Winter Squash. It’s a dusty orange that I simply cannot resist.
Bamboo Pop 129 Winter Squash
Amy chose 117 Emerald for her tee. When asked why she said “I’ve always loved green. It’s my favorite color next to…black. It just makes me happy. Plus, my eyes are green/sometimes hazel, so I think wearing green brings out my eyes?” It definitely brings out your eyes, Amy!
Bamboo Pop 117 Emerald
If you want to join in, but aren’t sure Cora Crop is right for you, don’t worry! Like I said earlier, all sorts of yarny-projects are welcome. Perhaps you need some additional pattern inspiration? How about Amy Gunderson’s Right Turn Shawl? We love this graphic shawl and it’s a great project for playing with color. We know some of our customers have even hosted their own knit-along for this pattern. You can see all of the patterns we have using Bamboo Pop here (link).
The Right Turn Shawl, designed by Amy Gunderson, is a customer favorite that combines two solid colors of Bamboo Pop with Bamboo Pop Dots.
Are you active on social media? Use the hashtags #bamboopopalong, #bamboopop, & #universalyarn on social media so we can see your beautiful work. We’ll be sharing more about our progress, too.
Normally this would be where I’d make some joke about it being cold, but at this point, the weather’s a bit beyond that. Anytime people are being advised “avoid taking deep breaths, and minimise talking” while outside, that’s serious.
So maybe it’s time to hunker down, stay in, and make something bulky out of wool.
The Alpine Wrap is a great mix of lace and big yarn – thick enough to wrap around and bundle up in, or to wear loose as a beautiful accessory.
This gorgeous wrap is more than 6 feet long, but it goes by quickly – and it’s much easier than you might think!
The lace is varied, but it’s composed of basic stitches. If you can single and double crochet, you can make this.
Work the middle widthwise in rows. Then make the three color border in rounds, along all sides of the center. And because you’re using Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool on a US Size M/N (9 mm) hook, it’s going to grow quickly.
Designer Rachel Brockman chose to go with neutrals accented by 925 Adobe, a muted take on the 2019 Color of the Year that works well in this substantial piece.
However, while you could easily make this with four colors as shown, you could also use just one, or any number you wish. I’m a big fan of cool tones, so maybe Honeydew, Pulp, and Petrol Blue?
913 Honeydew, 928 Pulp, 914 Petrol Blue
Everybody, please have a safe, warm, cozy weekend.
