Free Pattern Friday – Cider the Donut

Who’s getting excited for sweater weather? I know I am! I love the autumn season and all of the tasty treats that come with it. This week, we’re releasing a fun free pattern inspired by one of those delicious bites.

Cider the Donut was designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre. Crocheted using soft and sturdy Ricorumi DK held alongside Rico Design Metallic No 40 thread, Cider is an adorable amigurumi you can make for yourself or gift to a friend!

Cider is constructed by crocheting in the round in a continuous spiral. After the tube is made, you’ll stuff the donut and seam the ends together. Once stuffed n’ seamed, you can follow the embroidery instructions for the face, or get creative and make Cider uniquely yours.

This project is an excellent addition to your desk decor, or add a keychain and attach it to your favorite bag! I love the colors chosen for this project, the sparkle in Rico Design’s Metallic No 40 thread is perfectly reminiscent of the sugary coating on apple cider donuts.

If I made Cider the Donut myself, I think I’d have to go with a pink color and sparkles for a strawberry glazed donut! What flavor would you create?

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

Free Pattern Friday – Cleome Cardigan

The dog days of summer are here, but with Free Pattern Friday, we’re dreaming about autumn knitting! The Cleome Cardigan, designed by Rachel Brockman, is this week’s freebie, and we’re so excited to share the beautiful qualities of this piece with you. Plus, we get the privilege of introducing you to a new yarn from our friends at Rico Design!

Cables and lace are two of the most noticeable stitch patterns in knitting, and when you combine the two, the results are breathtaking! The sensational stitch definition of Rico Design’s Luxury Natural Silk Blend makes even more of an impact. This yarn’s blend of 50% silk, 30% wool, and 20% cotton is soft and delicate, perfect for any piece worn close to the skin.

The Cleome Cardigan is truly a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Not only is this piece excellent for three-season use, but you can also sport it for any occasion.

Do you love textured stitch patterns and a gentle feel? Well, Luxury Natural Silk Blend is right up your alley! This yarn is ideal if you’re intrigued by a classic cabled sweater or cozy pair of mitts in stockinette stitch. If you need more incentive, Rico Design Luxury Natural Silk Blend is 15% off through Sunday, July 21st, at 11:59 PM EST, so shop today!

Thanks for stopping by

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Lore

Happy Free Pattern Friday, fellow crafters! Today, we are excited to bring you Lore – a stunning crocheted shawl designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre.

Simple yet stunning, the Lore shawl is worked flat in a semi-circle to create a shape that is easy to style. Made in Rico Design’s alluring Creative Summer Sprinkles, a 50% cotton and 50% acrylic yarn. This summery shawl will have you reaching for it over and over to jazz up any outfit.

Rico Design Creative Summer Sprinkles is available in 8 vibrant shades, each of which is a mix of four color-changing threads twisted around each other. This cotton-acrylic blend is easy to care for and perfect for creating colorful and summery garments for all ages.

This weekend only, receive 15% off this delightful yarn through Sunday, July 14th. The Neon Green shade is calling my name; how about you?

Kepp on crafting on!

Afifa

Free Pattern Friday – Ravishing Set

Happy Free Pattern Friday everyone! Today we are very excited to release the Ravishing Set perfect for your next day out on the town.

Designed by Afifa Sayeed, the Ravishing Set is knit using Rico Design Fashion Alpaca Superfine Heavens. This bulky-weight blend of alpaca and polyamide has a brushed, fluffy texture that is light, airy, and soft as a cloud. The six colorways of this stunning yarn feature self-shading hues that gently change from one to the next. Yarns like this are some of my absolute favorites to work with, they are such a treat!

The Ravishing Set is an on-trend beret and shrug duo. You’ll love the effortlessly chic results this pattern produces; it’s so easy to throw on over any outfit!

The Ravishing Set would be a great choice for beginner knitters looking to advance skills! Although you’ll be primarily working in simple stockinette stitch, both the beret and shrug feature a crochet provisional cast-on, shaping to create the silhouettes, and I-Cord bind offs for a polished finish. These skills can be applied to SO many knitting patterns.

I love a matching accessory set, don’t you? The shrug can also be styled more like a cowl if that is your preferred way to wear it. I think I’d choose color 005 Sundown if I were to knit this set for myself. Let us know which color you’d choose in the comments!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

Tutorial – Downloading Paid Patterns

If you have been having problems finding or downloading paid patterns from Rico Design, Yarn Vibes, and Universal Yarn E-Books immediately after purchase, this blog post is for you!

We have made a picture-based tutorial to help guide you and make sure you download the pattern you paid for. If you are mainly purchasing patterns on your desktop, pay attention to the screenshots below. If you are purchasing patterns on your iPhone or Android, please scroll to the bottom to see video tutorials for each device.

Step 1 – After your pattern purchase, an order confirmation page will appear. Once on this page, click the blue “Download Now” button shown beneath the name of the pattern you just purchased. Please note – it may take a few seconds for this button to appear.

Step 2 – Depending on your computer, you will either see a popup to save your purchased pattern (right image), or you will have to click the three dots in the top right corner of your internet browser window (we are showing this using Google Chrome), and then click “Downloads” (left image).

Step 3 – After downloading your pattern, another way to view the PDF is via files. For Windows, this will be “File Explorer” application and for Mac, this will be the “Finder” application. Once you have this open, simply select the downloads folder.

Step 4 – Within the downloads folder, you will see a PDF document for your purchased pattern. Upon clicking this document, your PDF will open and you can start stitching!

Important Note – After your purchase of any paid pattern, you will also receive an email confirmation of purchase that contains a download link. You can also click this link to access your pattern.

Keep in mind, files can be downloaded a maximum of three times. This does not mean you can only open the PDF three times, rather, you will only see the pattern download on your first three attempts of clicking the download button. Check your downloads folder after your first download attempt to avoid reaching the maximum number of downloads.


ANDROID USERS

IPHONE USERS

We hope this tutorial answers any questions you may have, however, if you still have questions, please email us at patterns@universalyarn.com and we will be happy to assist.

Free Pattern Friday – Sprezzatura Set

Happy Free Pattern Friday everyone! Today, we are releasing a set that is perfect for knitters of all skill levels: the Sprezzatura Set. Personally, I am a huge fan of relaxing knitting patterns that feel fun, yet not so complex that I can’t simultaneously talk to a friend or watch my favorite late night show. The Sprezzatura Set is a relaxing, fun knit that anyone can tackle, and a one ball wonder (we ALL love those). Let’s get into it!

Sprezzatura is an Italian word that means to have an an air of nonchalance. It is a beautiful word, befitting for this shawl and headband set that, once knit up, have quite an effortless appearance. The shawl is knit flat from tip to tip with directional increases and decreases that create the elongated triangle shape. A slip stitch edge is worked on the shawl; keeping everything looking tidy. Garter stitch worked throughout lets you focus on the shaping, and is part of why this pattern is perfect for a knitter looking to grow new skills.

The matching headband uses a provisional cast-on that is later unpicked and bound off using the I-Cord method. If this sounds intimidating, don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it in no time, and all of our patterns include stitch guides that thoroughly explain techniques used.

Designer Afifa Sayeed chose to use Rico Design Creative Melange Garzato Aran for the Sprezzatura Set. This aran weight wool and acrylic blend is perfect for simple stitch patterns like garter stitch, thanks to the self shading stripes that come to life as you knit or crochet. Creative Melange Garzato Aran comes in a 200g beehive style skein, and with over 700 yards, you can easily create this shawl and headband with just one ball! There are 12 stunning colors to choose from, tell us which one you would choose!

We hope you enjoy this week’s simple, yet stunning, free pattern release.

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

Free Pattern Friday – Seeded Scarflette and Beret

What do you think of when you see pink? Whether it’s Barbie, Mean Girls, Breast Cancer Awareness, or your old highlighter set from elementary school, the point is that pink makes a statement! This Friday, we have a bright, bold, and beautiful set that will bring joy to your wardrobe. The Seeded Scarflette and Beret, designed by Rachel Brockman, is this week’s freebie. Let’s learn more about this pair!

Whenever you combine Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk and any of our Uni Merino yarns, expect breathtaking results! The soft and warm merino wool base of Uni Merino is a perfect match for the ethereal halo of Mohair Loves Silk. If you’re not a fan of neon, don’t worry; these two yarns have many complimentary colors; see below for inspiration!

Hinted upon in the name, this set features a stunning seed stitch pattern. Plus, you’ll notice the gorgeous spiral decreases in the beret, giving it elevated elegance!

There’s no better time to knit the Seeded Scarflette and Beret. This weekend only, Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk and our Uni Merino family of yarns are 20% off! The mohair and silk blend of Mohair Loves Silk makes it an excellent partner in crime for the superwash merino and nylon blend of Uni Merino. This offer expires on Sunday, February 11th, at 11:59 PM EST, so shop today or use it as an excuse to shop on Super Bowl Sunday (if you REALLY don’t want to watch the game)!

Alternative color suggestions below!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert


Free Pattern Friday – Neptune Mitts

There’s nothing like keeping warm with a hand-knit project during the coldest days of January! Today, for Free Pattern Friday, we present the Neptune Mitts, designed by Afifa Sayeed. These comfortable, cloud-like mitts use Rico Design’s Madly In Love Luxury Baby Alpaca and Merino Chunky to create an accessory that will keep your hands toasty for the rest of the winter season! Let’s learn more about this exciting free pattern.

There’s so much to love about the Neptune Mitts. Perhaps what is most eye-catching in this one-skein project is the gorgeous bobbles. This beautiful feature can be seen along each end and down the front side of these mitts.

Additionally, cables dress the front of the Neptune Mitts. The cable pattern provides an excellent compliment to the bobbles and gives these mitts an irresistible texture! All that’s left for you to do is pick your favorite color of Rico Design’s Madly In Love!

This weekend, save 20% off on a newbie from Rico Design. Once you get your hands on Madly In Love, you can’t help but think of the project possibilities. This yarn is a beautiful blend of alpaca, polyamide, and wool in a bulky weight. Whether you want to knit or crochet something simple or complex, Madly In Love is a high-quality option. But hurry, these savings end on January 14th at 11:59 PM EST.

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Chamarel

We’re halfway through December, so it’s time to bundle up! There’s nothing quite like a knit scarf you can wear for a night out ice skating with loved ones. Free Pattern Friday is here with Chamarel, designed by Patty Olson, and we can’t wait to see your very own version. Let’s learn more about this accessory packed with gorgeous hues!

When you get your hands on Rico Design’s Creative Melange Chunky, you can’t help but be inspired. This self-shading blend of virgin wool and acrylic looks beautiful in garment and accessory projects, like Charamel. The captivating slip-stitch colorwork pattern uses three colors of this yarn to create a bulky scarf you can wear on the coldest winter nights!

Creative Melange Chunky from Rico Design is a must-have for fiber artists! This self-shading yarn is full of vibrant hues, both bright and subdued. Its bulky weight makes it excellent for winter projects, like sweaters, hats, and scarves!

This yarn is sensational for all types of stitch patterns. Creative Melange Chunky looks incredible in cables and textured patterns while also standing out in simple stockinette and garter stitch. This weekend, save 20% off your order of Rico Design Creative Melange Chunky. This offer expires on Sunday, December 17th at 11:59 PM EST.

Thanks for stopping by!
Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Laurel

Happy Free Pattern Friday! Autumn weather is well under way here in North Carolina. It is getting colder outside, the leaves are falling, and everything feels just a tad bit more cozy. So, it is only fitting that we release a beautiful pullover this week that will keep you warm as the temperatures continue to drop. Say hello to Laurel!

Laurel pullover knit using Fashion Light Luxury from Rico Design

Laurel was designed for us by Adrienne Larsen. You may recognize this designer’s name from previous patterns like the Aspen Scarf in our 12 Days of Winter kit collection. Adrienne’s designs have a touch of elegance that always makes me want to knit them, and Laurel is no exception!

This pullover is knit in the round from the bottom up, and separated at the underarms. You’ll create gussets for each sleeve, and then attach them to the body and work it as one piece. The sleeve edgings and turtleneck are both picked up and worked as the finishing steps. This pattern is written for sizes Extra Small – 5X, or 32″-64″ chest sizes, respectively. Laurel is a perfect pattern choice for the adventurous knitter looking to try something new!

To me, what makes the Laurel pullover stand out are the bold stripes and the beautiful texture of Rico Design Fashion Light Luxury. This yarn is a sumptuous blend of alpaca, wool, and nylon that has an on-trend brushed texture. Fashion Light Luxury is designed to be worked at a bulky weight gauge so that the brushed alpaca fibers fill looser stitches, creating a squishy soft fabric with stunning drape.

Fashion Light Luxury offers a color palette with options for anyone’s personal taste, so you can pick the pair that best suits your wardrobe. Personally, I’d make the Laurel pullover using colors 025 Purple and Light Blue 018.

The Laurel pullover would be perfectly suited to any upcoming holiday party, so why not grab your yarn and cast on now? You can get 20% off Fashion Light Luxury this weekend only.

Happy Crafting,
Aubrey