Radiant Cotton – Universal Yarn Creative Network

February 17, 2023February 20, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Marina

Another Friday, another incredible free pattern just for you! This week, Marina is permanently free! This previously paid for pattern is from our Spring Capsule collection, featuring our Radiant Cotton yarn.

This sweater is perfect for the upcoming spring season

There’s so much about the Marina sweater that makes you want to pick up your needles and get started. The first thing that sticks out is the beautiful sheen seen in the 100% Egyptian Giza cotton yarn, known as Radiant Cotton. Aside from the yarn, we know you will love the overall construction of this garment, so let’s take a look at those details!

The Marina pullover uses Radiant Cotton color 809 Atlantic

This sweater is worked flat in pieces and seamed. Seams add structure to the finished garment, enhancing the lifespan of your hand knits. A split hemline and saddle shoulders are additional details that add sophistication to the Marina pullover. Although this sweater may be long-sleeved, Radiant Cotton is a light and breathable yarn, so you can wear it comfortably throughout the coming year. Now that you’ve heard a little more about the construction of this sweater: let’s go ahead and look at our Radiant Cotton yarn!

There is so much to love about our Radiant Cotton yarn. The 100% Egyptian Giza cotton fibers have a long staple length, giving it an unmatched luxurious feel, strength, and a gorgeous sheen that makes any of the 32 color options stand out. This yarn is an excellent choice for sophisticated and polished garment and accessory projects and looks beautiful in both knit and crochet stitch patterns. Now is the time to shop Radiant Cotton as it is 20% off its 50% off sale price this weekend only!

As always, thank you for reading! Stay up to date with us on social media and by joining our newsletter. You’ll be the first to know about all of our sales and new releases, plus you’ll get a 10% off welcome coupon for signing up!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022

Meet a Local Yarn Shop – The Knittin’ Coop

We’ve received wonderful feedback from our customers about our initiative to highlight the local yarn stores we know and love so much. The Knittin’ Coop is the store we are featuring for the month of November!

Front of The Knittin’ Coop – a perfect place to sit and work on your project

The Knittin’ Coop… what a name. Whether you’re a long-time customer, or just visiting, this is the name of a place that feels like home. If you travel to Salem, Virginia, you’ll find this cozy spot filled with a whole bunch of yarn! Robin Ferguson is the owner of The Knittin’ Coop, which opened back in August 2019.

Her store exists in an area that is home to many college students, as Roanoke College is right across the street. She says many of those students come by to the store to practice their knitting and crocheting. We love to see young people passionate about the knit/crochet community!

Opening the shop was a decision she made because of her lifelong exposure to knitting and crocheting from her mother and grandmother. It has always been a part of her life, so why not make it a career path? Now let’s take a look at what she has inside The Knittin’ Coop!

Offbeat in all 7 colors at The Knittin’ Coop

Universal Yarn is proud to be stocked on the shelves of The Knittin’ Coop. Some of our yarns featured on their shelves include Offbeat (pictured above), Bamboo Pop, Bamboo Pop Sock (solid version too), and Radiant Cotton. Robin mentions in our interview that due to the climate of Virginia, DK weight yarns are popular in her store.

She mentions Bamboo Pop Sock seems to be one of the favorites among her customers. She went along to say that this yarn is consistently used to create garments, shawls, and of course, socks.

Shawls seem to be a favorite project of The Knittin’ Coop customers, and it is no surprise, given what a versatile accessory they are. Sweaters also become a popular option for The Knittin’ Coop customers around the autumn season, which is when most of us get excited to start on some warmer projects!

One of our favorite things about The Knittin’ Coop is the up-to-date website. They have a clear calendar of events that makes it easy for any guest to know what’s going on at the store. Their store features many different classes, from beginner classes to private lessons, and even some seasonal offerings! Check out their website to learn more.

Lastly, if you’re thinking about stopping by The Knittin’ Coop. Rudy the shop dog will be very happy to see you!

The Knittin’ Coop has a furry friend named Rudy

We are so grateful for the opportunity to feature The Knittin’ Coop, and we encourage you to check them out on social media. If you are in the Salem, VA area, we highly recommend checking out this beautiful shop!

If you are a local yarn shop interested in being featured by Universal Yarn, please reach out to us – we would love to interview you! Please email rferrel@universalyarn.com if you would like to be featured!

Interview with The Knittin’ Coop

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

Flash Friday – Violeta

It’s Free FLASH Friday!

We’re trying something new with Free Pattern Friday. The final Friday of the month will still have a free pattern, but it’ll be a limited time Flash! This week, we’re offering Violeta.

Violeta is a sweet, versatile cardi, part of the Spring Capsule Collection in Radiant Cotton.

The collection was designed with a nod to the desire we feel in spring to pare down and freshen up. It’s a set of knit essentials that are versatile enough to take you through your week in comfort and style. Radiant Cotton’s vibrant color looks amazing while keeping things cool.

Violeta fits the bill perfectly. It works as an open jacket to throw on over a neutral outfit…

…or clasped with a closure like this one from JUL Designs.

100% Egyptian cotton Radiant Cotton has amazing stitch definition, to let the work shine without detracting from the wearer.

To get Violeta 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 midnight on 5/1 and we’ll get you taken care of. Feel free to share the giveaway – the more the merrier!

(PS – since it’s late in the day for some of our customers, we’re extending this through Saturday. Enjoy!)

March 29, 2019January 14, 2020

Free Pattern Friday – Silver Poncho

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

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.

(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!

July 21, 2017May 14, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Graphite Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Graphite Tank in Radiant Cotton.

What a lovely piece for summer!

This swingy A-line tank is worked from the bottom up in pieces and then seamed. Fibra Natura Radiant Cotton keeps it nice and cool.

Although we’ve made this monochrome, It could look really cute with different colors at the hem. For instance…

Image of three shades of blue Radiant Cotton Yarn — Radiant Cotton 820, 818, 817

Image of three shades of Radiant Cotton from magenta to purple — Radiant Cotton 801, 802, 803

So many possibilities.

Have a great weekend – and happy knitting!

June 23, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Skylark Capelet

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Skylark Capelet in Radiant Cotton.

A few days ago we had someone on Facebook point out (correctly) that we’ve been offering more knit than crochet patterns, and that we need to be sure to show our crocheting friends some love. It’s a point well-taken, and I was delighted that we had something coming up so quickly that fit the bill!

The Skylark Capelet calls for three hanks of Radiant Cotton, a smooth 100% Egyptian cotton with a light sheen somewhere between mercerized and matte. It’s a pleasure to work with.

What I love about this capelet is that just by varying the number of buttons and where you choose to fasten them, you could easily turn this from a capelet into a buttoned cowl, or really into any shape you wish. The edging lends itself particularly well to buttoning.

There’s no limit to what you can do with this versatile crochet piece.

We hope you have a great weekend, and take time to make something just for you!

Happy crafting!

April 7, 2017May 10, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – My Poncho

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. It stems mainly from having lived through the Bicentennial in 1976, when red, white, and blue crocheted acrylic ponchos were all the rage.

vintage red white and blue fringed crochet poncho — On the other hand, it does show how long acrylic lasts.

I mean absolutely no disrespect to those crafters who made such things. 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.” This is the kind of poncho I can get behind. 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!

March 10, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Sunday Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Sunday Cardigan in Radiant Cotton.

Universal Yarn is headquartered in Harrisburg, NC, just outside of Charlotte. It was a balmy 72 degrees here yesterday. Let’s take a look at the forecast for the rest of the week, shall we?

So tell us: is it Spring? Is it winter? What’s a crafter supposed to do with this??

I think what we’ll choose to do this week is hit the LYS for any wool we need to finish cold weather projects, but also pick up some cotton because warm weather is coming, no matter what.

Enter the Sunday Cardigan in Radiant Cotton (203yds/100g). It’s a classic knitted lace sweater, perfect for the warmer weather we know is just around the corner.

This pattern is written and charted, and contains a schematic. It has the classic construction – knitted flat and seamed. Right twists give the Tight Braid pattern extra interest. This is a great everyday piece, or one that works to dress up a plain outfit on the weekends, as the name suggests.

I love this in the pale pastel of 807 First Bloom, but I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if you turned up the saturation a little bit, maybe with color 806 Calypso.

It’s going to be hard to go wrong with this design.

No matter what the weather is doing in your neck of the woods, we hope you enjoy this charming free pattern.

Happy knitting!

February 24, 2017February 24, 2017

Free Pattern Friday – Chapel Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Chapel Stole in Radiant Cotton.

Depending on where you are, either it’s warm enough for Spring projects, or you’re dreaming that it’s warm enough. It’s time to get a little headstart with this beautiful lace wrap.

Knit on US Size 7 (4.5mm) needles in Radiant Cotton (203yds/100g), it’s a generous 84″ (seven feet!) as shown. It would be easy to lengthen or shorten – just add or remove a repeat or two from the central section. The crocheted picot edging is applied after finishing the piece.