Free Pattern Friday – Ennis Scarf

Happy Friday Fellow Crafters! This week’s free pattern is the Ennis Scarf designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre.

Ennis, a charming county town in mid-west Ireland, is nestled along the River Fergus. The name Ennis means “river meadow,” a fittingly beautiful inspiration for this scarf. The design features winding chevrons in soothing blues and earthy hues from Colorburst, weaving a narrative that you’ll bring to life with your crochet hook. The Ennis Scarf is crocheted in our fun and vibrant Colorburst yarn in the color 108 Bruges. This one skein project is just in time for Fall.

Each impressive 200g “beehive” ball of Colorburst is crafted with gloriously saturated tones that harmonize effortlessly. The extended color transitions shift smoothly from one shade to another, making it a breeze to create eye-catching projects! Don’t miss out on your chance to receive 20% off this STUNNING yarn this weekend through Sunday, September 15th.

Which color will you be adding to your stash this Fall? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Until then, Have the Day You Deserve!

Gin B.

Free Pattern Friday – Spring Forward Scarflette

With April now upon us (where did time go?), we’re excited for the warm weather on the horizon! Today, we’re showing off a one-skein-wonder featuring silky smooth Magnolia. The Spring Forward Scarflette, designed by Afifa Sayeed, is this week’s Free Pattern Friday, and we can’t wait to share with you all there is to love about this piece!

With satisfyingly simple stockinette stitch used throughout, you can shift your focus to the nupp detailed edges worked on both sides. Plus, tassels adorn each end to give your scarf a fun addition. This piece is truly perfect for spring and summer, thanks to Magnolia’s light and airy fiber blend of modal and cashmere!

If you’re not a fan of green, don’t worry; Magnolia has 15 hues to choose from! Try the Spring Forward Scarflette in 109 Brunch to give you an accessory that reminds us of the blue skies of summer. Or, use 104 Dreamsicle and bring a tropical vacation straight to your wardrobe!

Why should you use Magnolia for this project? Well, aside from its lovely drape and stunningly smooth texture, it’s 20% off! Imagine the spring and summer creations you could make with this yarn! We especially love Magnolia for patterns using lace and colorwork, just check out our Sunkissed Summer collection for proof (also 20% off this weekend)!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

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 – 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

Flash Pattern Friday – Sailfin

Just like that, the month of June is over! That means it’s time to share our Flash Pattern for the month. Sailfin, designed by Rachel Brockman, is a gorgeous scarf knit in five different colors of Magnolia. You can get this pattern for free on Ravelry through Sunday (instructions below), and there’s no better time to stock up on Magnolia because we’re having a sitewide sale!

Photo of a person wearing the Sailfin wrap around their shoulders while sitting in a wooden chair

Inspired by the beautiful stripes of the saltwater sailfin fish, this accessory is a stunner. Using our silky smooth Magnolia yarn, Sailfin will be a delight to knit as you switch from one color to another. Relaxing stockinette stitch is used throughout this scarf, leading to a piece with a gorgeous drape and eye-catching color.

Magnolia is a blend of modal and cashmere, giving it a luxurious feel and sheen. Its excellent stitch definition makes this yarn perfect for any knit or crochet project you may have in mind. Sport Sailfin on your next stroll on the beach and watch as the compliments roll in.

Checkout instructions for Sailfin on Ravelry

To get Sailfin for free, use the “buy it now” or “add to cart” links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter the coupon code “FLASH” where you see the “use coupon code” link that appears during purchase. This offer runs through Sunday, July 2nd. We hope you enjoy this astonishing accessory!

Photo of Magnolia in red, white, and blue stacked on each other with text to the left saying "Stars, Stripes, and Savings! - 20% OFF SITEWIDE - Through Tuesday, July 4th - *excluding ChiaoGoo"

Meanwhile, head to our website to get the best deals during our Stars, Stripes, and Savings Sale! Shop our wide selection of beautiful yarns and luxurious products from muud. This 20% off sitewide savings begins today and lasts through Tuesday, July 4th!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Spotlight: New Colors & New Patterns

A graphic with the words "Spotlight: New Yarns & New Patterns". Four images of a model are to the left of the text. She is wearing assorted knitted and crochet garments.

Twice a year, Universal Yarn launches lots of exciting new yarns, colors, and patterns to our customers. We bring our sales reps together for the first look, and shortly after we present you with all of these sweet surprises! (By the way, if you want some insight on a day in the life of a yarn sales rep, check out this blog post featuring one of our reps.) You may have noticed some new colors of some of our staple yarns at your local yarn store, or on our website. To go with these lovely new colors we’ve published some wonderful free patterns. Shall we dive in and explore these goodies?

Bamboo Pop

Our bestselling yarn, Bamboo Pop, features six gorgeous neutrals inspired by the diversity of our skin tones. These colors were created for doll projects, as seen in our Bamboo Pop Dolls released last week, and for Knitted Knockers, which are soft, comfortable knit prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Bamboo Pop is one of our approved yarns for these prosthetics. However, it’s a super versatile yarn that’s great for garments and accessories, too. These new neutral hues work well individually or paired with our other solids and multis. To demonstrate this, Ashley Jane McIntyre designed the Espresso Bandana, shown below.

This asymmetrical bandana is lightweight and perfect for warm weather thanks to Bamboo Pop’s smooth 50/50 blend of bamboo and cotton. It is crocheted flat, beginning at the tip and increasing to the widest edge. Slanting clusters and extended single crochet come together to create the richly textured Boxed Bead Stitch used throughout the fabric. We recommend wearing this accessory on your next trip to the café – you’ll enjoy your latte while receiving compliments from all around!

Colorburst

If neutrals aren’t your favorite, but colors make you sing, you’ll love our fresh new shade of Colorburst. This self-shading yarn features a variety of fun colors, but 120 Lollipop might be my new favorite. This colorway features creamy white as well as vibrant red, yellow, and turquoise.

We have plenty of patterns to support this yarn (check them out here), but how could I resist a sugary sweet new sweater? Ceres is a relaxed turtleneck that will keep you cozy and warm when chilly weather approaches. It features thoughtful details like a rolled hemline, texture on the lower body, and plush ribbing on the sleeve cuffs and neckband. The construction is bottom up, in the round, with options for seamed or seamless sleeves. It’s a great pattern for a first sweater, or any knitter looking for a satisfyingly simple project.

Kingston Tweed

Kingston Tweed, our soft yet rustic blend of 50% wool, 25% alpaca, and 25% viscose has long been one of my favorites. I love the subtle tweed and earthy palette, inspired by minerals and gemstones. It’s also the yarn featured in one of our most popular patterns: the Jay Sweater. This yarn is well suited to a variety of techniques including colorwork, lace, and textural motifs.

To celebrate new colors of Kingston Tweed, we’ve published two brand-new patterns. For those craving a coordinating accessory set, look no further than the Starling Set, designed by Aubrey Busek. This beginner-friendly project is knit using soothing slipped stitches and a touch of ribbing for tidiness. The hat and cowl are each knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. This project makes great use of yarn, requiring just one skein of each color!

Blake is a wardrobe essential. Classic, squishy Shaker Rib and colorful stripes make this an easy layering piece whether your office is perpetually frigid, or you want something ideal for autumn and winter. The knitting in this pattern is pretty simple throughout – the body is knit flat from the bottom up in one piece, and the sleeves are also knit flat. There is minimal shaping, except a little increasing at the sleeve cuffs to create the bishop sleeve effect. The stripes make it potato-chippy, so you’ll want to keep stitching away for the next color, and the next!

Major

Next, we have another bestseller: Major! This plush, soft acrylic yarn is self-shading and each colorway is sensational. Like Bamboo Pop, Major has been a staple of the Universal Yarn line for years and nearly 900 people have projects featuring this yarn in their Ravelry notebooks. We have loads of patterns that use this yarn, from the ever-popular Pineapple Peacock Shawl to the entrelac Woven Sky Throw and many more – we know you’ll find something you love. For the launch of our six new shades we’ve introduced two new patterns: the knitted Hedgerow wrap and crocheted Loch scarf, shown below.

Crocheted in 145 Feather and designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, Loch is warm and cozy. Beginners looking to elevate their skills will relish the Herringbone Half Double Crochet motif throughout the fabric. This one-skein project is gentle on your wallet with impressive results. It’s also a quick project, making it great for a last-minute gift (well, as last-minute as you can handle with something handmade!).

Aubrey Busek pairs the popular neutral 115 Stonewall with 141 Greenhouse in Hedgerow to create another stunning slip stitch pattern. My favorite element of this piece is how lavishly textured the fabric is. It delicately balances subtle drape with a fabric dense enough to ward off frosty winter air. Thoughtfully placed tassels make this wrap a statement piece that is guaranteed to win you major style points!

Uni Merino

Bonus! Fans of Uni Merino will love this new shade of green: 151 Pistachio. A blend of soft superwash merino and sturdy nylon make Uni Merino an excellent match for sock knitters, but it’s also ideal for fingering-weight sweaters, shawls, hats, and more. We don’t have a sample to show this color off yet, but we promise we will soon and your patience will pay off. In the meantime, find inspiration in projects like the crocheted Spice Market Shawl and the knitted Party Flag Socks.

Now that you’ve seen our selection of new colors and patterns, let us know which ones inspire you. Will you make one of our designs, or try something different? It’s always exciting to see what our customers create with our yarns, so stay in touch. You can always email us at patterns@universalyarn.com and we encourage you to tag us on Instagram (@universal_yarn).

Happy stitching!
-Rachel


Free Pattern Friday – Tea Leaf Scarf

Photo of a person wearing the Tea Leaf Scarf with trees in the background, and "Free Pattern Friday - Tea Leaf Scarf crocheted in Wool Pop" written on the right side in white text on a purple background

Friday is here, and it’s time to celebrate with a free pattern just for you! This Free Pattern Friday, we are happy to share the Tea Leaf Scarf, crocheted in our beautiful Wool Pop yarn. The designer, Ashley Jane McIntyre, wanted to create an accessory that evokes the oncoming warmth and bloom of the spring season. Let’s find out more about this gorgeous pattern!

The construction of this scarf is perfect for any crocheter looking to grow their skillset. This accessory is made by crocheting two pieces individually, starting at each edge and working towards the center, then seaming them together in the middle. You will get the chance to put your skills to the test with a beautiful lace pattern at the beginning of each of the two separate pieces, but we know you can do it!

Horizontal photo of a person wearing the Tea Leaf Scarf with trees in the background.
The Teal Leaf Scarf is free to download on our website!

Wool Pop is an all-around beauty. This DK weight yarn is perfect for all types of garments and accessories. Due to its lightweight and breathable wool fibers, you can sport this yarn throughout spring and early summer. The hallmark slight sheen of Wool Pop appears when worked up, thanks to its blend of bamboo, superwash wool, and polyamide.

Save 20% off our Wool Pop yarn this weekend only! With 30 different colors to choose from, the options are endless with this delightful yarn. No code is needed for this sale. Make sure to share all your Wool Pop creations with us on social media!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Jamie

Another Friday means another free pattern just for you! This week for Free Pattern Friday, we are featuring the Jamie Scarf. Using our eye-catching Colorburst yarn, you can wear this piece as a scarf or a wrap, depending on your preference. Let’s take a closer look at today’s Free Pattern Friday!

Jamie worn as a scarf

Perfect for any beginner looking to grow their skills, the Jamie scarf is knit from the bottom up along the widest edge, using a garter slip stitch textured pattern. Long repeats allow for the captivating colors of this yarn to shine. As you knit this accessory, you will see Colorburst come to life with dazzling color shifts from one gorgeous tone to another. This sample uses color 104 Horizon, but with 14 colors available, there is something for everyone!

Jamie worn as a wrap

Colorburst is an excellent choice for spring projects like the Jamie scarf. Its fiber content of 65% superwash fine merino and 35% acrylic means this accessory is machine-washable and easy to care for. This yarn is considered a “DK” or “light” weight – so this piece will make for a superb added layer on chilly days. Plus, each 200g skein has 660 yards of yarn, making it an incredible choice for bigger projects!

Colorburst in colors 112 Romance, 104 Horizon, and 119 Bursa

This weekend, you can save 20% off our Colorburst yarn to go along with Free Pattern Friday. Just one ball of color 104 Horizon is needed to knit the Jamie scarf!

Make sure to share your finished project with us on our social media!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

Free Pattern Friday – Broomstick Lace Scarf

It’s Friday, so you know what that means – it’s time for a free pattern! This week, we have the Broomstick Lace Scarf, an elegant crochet scarf with eye-catching Broomstick Lace detailing.

Broomstick Lace Scarf using Noelle in the color 304 Calypso

Broomstick Lace is a unique type of lace that requires a large crochet hook, which you pull loops of yarn onto across an entire row, with the use of your smaller hook. These loops are gently pulled off the large hook in sets, then single crochet is worked through them to go back across the row again. These single crochet stitches twist the loops so they lay flat, creating the swirled effect of the lace. It’s a technique that seems intimidating at first, but is actually quite simple, and even repetitive, once you get the hang of it. The resulting pattern is stunning and well worth the effort!

Close-up view of the Broomstick Lace detailing in the scarf.

The lace and simple half double crochet fabric in this week’s pattern accentuates the glistening properties of the yarn, Noelle. This DK weight, Italian yarn features a shimmering hollow core with fibers blown through, creating an ethereal effect. It is available in 50g skeins, in four bespoke colors, and is composed of baby alpaca, merino wool, polyester, and nylon. To make sure your shimmering stitches last, hand wash your work in cold water and lay it flat to dry.

Noelle Yarn, color 304 Calypso

I hope you feel inclined to make the enchanting Broomstick Lace Scarf, or to stock your stash with beautiful Noelle. If crochet isn’t for you, you might find other inspiration browsing the Subtle Glow collection, featuring 5 scintillating patterns to knit or crochet. Share your work with us by tagging us on social media, we love sharing the joy of your creations!

Happy Stitching, y’all!
Ashley Jane

12 Days of Winter, Series 6 Edition, Part IV

A stuffed wolf toy sits in front of a stack of folded accessories from the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 6.

This is part 4 in a four-part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 6 Edition.

The features from our annual 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, may be coming to a close, but with so much inspiration, hopefully your project planning is just beginning. It’s always so thrilling to review comments on this blog, or see projects line up in queues on Ravelry. From the looks of it, we may see some beautiful holiday projects in the works! Before you commit though, check out our final three days from the 12 Days of Winter, Series 6 Edition, the Holiday Stroll hat and scarf set, the Snow Globe Stocking, and the Holiday Elf Socks.

Holiday Stroll Set

This year’s crochet project was designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre. Once I saw our mood board, I knew I had to use Bamboo Bloom Handpaints in the color #324 Steven Befabulous. It even has “fabulous” in its name! It’s made of a blend of 44% wool, 48% rayon from bamboo, and 8% acrylic. This is all spun together for a unique thick and thin, matte and shiny quality that stands out in any piece. I paired it with complimenting solids in Deluxe Bulky Superwash, made of 100% superwash wool, to create a warm and cozy project for the season. The vibrant combination inspired the perfect set for taking a stroll to look at holiday lights.

The Holiday Stroll Set livens up any outfit, whether you stick to neutrals, bright colors, or both!

The best thing about the scarf is that it has pockets! It’s made modularly from the bottom up in sections, alternating between rows of a granny stitch stripes pattern with granny squares that are seamed together. Once the whole scarf is complete, the edges are folded up, then seamed to create pockets. The hat is also constructed modularly: you create a ring by sewing granny squares together, then you work directly into them for the crown and brim. The hat is finished with a nice fluffy pom pom for a final touch of fun! In case you need some tips with a pom pom maker, we have a great pom pom video tutorial on our Tik Tok, found here, and a wonderful photo-tutorial on our blog, found here.

Snow Globe Stocking

The Snow Globe Stocking, designed by Aubrey Busek, is a quirky take on a holiday classic. Rico Design Creative Bubble, and Rico Design Creative Bubble Print, both made of 100% polyester, are used as carry-along yarns to add some extra sparkle to the base yarn, Deluxe Bulky Superwash, made of 100% superwash wool. Can you just imagine how sweet it will look on your mantle filled with treats? You’ll find new special details each time you look at it. With the twinkle throughout, the overall effect is truly just as magical as a snow globe!

The sparkle from Rico Design Creative Bubble adds some magic to the Snow Globe Stocking.

I really enjoy the color combinations in this stocking. The cuff blends from red to a cool minty green, then to a creamy white with dots of stranded colorwork that look like sprinkles. Then, there are wonderful pops of color at the heel and toe. The heel is added after the rest of the sock is complete using a technique called an “afterthought heel,” which sounds complicated, but it’s actually not so bad! If you are in doubt, there is a helpful photo-tutorial blog post about the method, which you can review to feel prepared to make this fantastic stocking.

Whether you fill it with treats, or simply hang it for decoration, the Snow Globe Stocking is sure to spice up your mantle this season!

Holiday Elf Socks

The last kit in this year’s collection is the Holiday Elf Socks, designed by Rachel Brockman. These socks just tickle me! I love the way that they mirror each other with their bright colors. It’s just what I imagine a jolly North Pole Elf would wear – a bit mischievous, and dazzlingly bright, with tiny festive trees. They are made with Uni Merino, a blend of superwash merino wool and nylon, perfect for a snuggly and soft pair of socks.

These happy socks are “sisters, not twins,” although they can be made to match instead of mirror, if you prefer!

They are made cuff-down with a heel-flap, and use stranded colorwork to make the adorable mini trees and surrounding design. The toe is seamless, using a Kitchener stitch to graft the live stitches together. I have recently started making socks, and have been using this method on every pair so far. At first I found it intimidating, but now I love it. The end results are so worth it, and we have a tutorial at this blog post which includes step-by-step photos that is incredibly helpful. Once you finish, you’ll have a pair of wacky holiday socks without any pesky toe seams to comfortably wear for years to come!

If you look closely, you can see where the toes are completely seamless!

I hope you have enjoyed looking at patterns from the 12 Days of Winter, Series 6 with me today. If you missed Part I, Part II, or Part III be sure to go read through them! You’ll hear thoughts from the other designers of the collection, Aubrey and Rachel, and get more tips and tricks for techniques that you’ll encounter in the designs!

Remember, these exclusive kits can be purchased at local yarn store retailers near you. Not in stock at your local shop? Ask them about drop shipping – order through them, and we ship to you! Each kit comes with a printed version of the pattern, the yarn required to make itn. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane McIntyre