scarf – Page 10 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

December 3, 2014

Holiday Helper – December is here!

How’s the holiday knitting going? I’m doing better than expected – I found this glittering little gem on our shelves here yesterday and am happily knitting a quick one-ball scarf. The yarn is Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g) and the color is 607 Zenith. When I saw the red and green accented by silver, I knew it would make the perfect holiday project. This scarf couldn’t be any more Christmasy unless Santa Claus himself knitted it using two candy canes.

The pattern is a scaled-down version of this free three-ball Classic Shades Shawl pattern by Olga Tonjes. She also provides instructions for working just one section (as I’m doing in the picture above), making this a great project to adapt if you’re really backed up on your holiday knitting.

Classic Shades Metallic is interchangeable with customer favorite Classic Shades, but with an extra strand of glitter running through it, making it perfect for gifts that you really want to stand out.

I’ve got another couple of balls of Classic Shades Metallic sitting beside me right now – this scarf is going quickly, and I’ll definitely have time to knock out another gift. This time, I think I’ll work up the Longways Linen Scarf. On size 9 needles with a basic two row pattern repeat, it ought to go quickly. I’ll make it through the holidays yet!

Here’s hoping your days are merry and bright. Happy knitting!

November 4, 2014November 4, 2014

Holiday Helper – Light and Breezy

Halloween’s behind us, which means it’s time to kick our holiday knitting into high gear. Or, if you’re me, it’s time to actually *start* your holiday knitting. I’m sure all of you are busy weaving in ends on that heirloom blanket that you started back in January, but maybe – just maybe – you are in the same boat as I am and are suddenly remembering that one person you wanted to make something special for who slipped your mind.

Worry no more! From now through the end of the year we’ll be highlighting some relatively quick designs that will still satisfy your recipient without driving you crazy. This week, let’s look at a couple of light and easy projects in warm-weather yarns.

The free High Tide Shawlette is made in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray. This took just one hank, albeit with only a few yards left over. There’s still enough time to make this lovely triangular shawl on US Size 8 (5mm) needles before the holidays roll around. Denim print is going to be big next season, so it’ll be very on trend for your giftee.

The free Botanical Scarf takes just one skein of Good Earth Adorn cotton/linen blend. This is a luxury yarn that feels great but won’t break the bank. This is another one on US Size 8 (5mm) needles. With an easy-to-memorize pattern, this would be great to take along in the plane or car home for the holidays. And again, Good Earth Adorn has that subtle earthy look that’s going to stay in fashion for a long time to come.

My main problem with starting holiday gifts early is that they stay around my house and I think, “You know, this would look great on me.” And then I wind up having to knit another gift.

We wish you great willpower and happy knitting!

October 26, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Poems Ribbed Stripe Scarf

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Wisdom Yarns Poems.

The weather has finally turned the corner from summer to Fall here in the South. Coming home from work, I had to smile at the smell of smoke from my neighbor’s fireplace wafting through the neighborhood.

When I was selecting my next project, I couldn’t shake that memory. Even with no fireplace in my own home, I can still knit something that reminds me of cool evenings outdoors.

Wisdom Yarns Poems was the obvious choice. 100% wool in self-shading tones just felt right for the season. The lighter color is 605 Lofoten, a colorway designed by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton. It reminds me of smoke and ash – and maybe toasted marshmallows, too.

The darker color is 607 Hearth, recently added to the Poems line when we had requests to expand our reds. True to its name, it has overtones of embers and flame.

The scarf itself is a simple 1×1 rib, slipping the first stitch of each row for a neater edge. Make two rows in each color – k1p1 to the end, k1p1 back, then switch colors. Couldn’t be easier. A US 8 (5mm) needle over 32 inches produced a scarf 5 inches wide. One ball of each color made a full length scarf for short me. Casting on 28 or 30 would get more length for a taller person.

The colors are varied but not wild – they’re just perfect to go with the earth tones and browns of Fall. I look forward to wearing this on a stroll up the street tonight. It’ll be my own bit of comfort and warmth.

Happy knitting!

October 16, 2014October 16, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Celebrate Autumn Flora with Deluxe

It’s Throwback Thursday!

We’re not throwing back that far today, just a couple of years. But it’s the perfect time of year to highlight the free e-book Autumn Flora with Deluxe.

This e-book features eight patterns perfect for staying toasty, all using the Deluxe family of 100% wool.

All the patterns below are part of this cozy collection of colorwork and cables. Enjoy!

Pattern: Wraparound Leaves Beret and Mitts

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 12176 Teal Viper – 1 ball (MC)

• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (CC)

Pattern: Sheaves of Wheat Reversible Scarf

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 3704 Gold Spice – 2 balls

Pattern: Poplar Beret

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 12182 Gold Spice – 1 ball (A)

Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted LP

• 06 Harvest – 1 ball (B)

Pattern: Felted Leaf

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 1 ball will make multiple felted leaves

Pattern: Big Leaf Mittens

Yarn: Renew Wool (Substitute Deluxe DK Superwash)

• 101 Sand – 1 ball (MC)
• 107 Cedar – 1 ball (CC1)
• 113 Garnet – 1 ball (CC2)

Pattern: Stranded Seed Pillow

Yarn: Deluxe Chunky

• 91901 Oatmeal Heather – 2 balls (MC)
• 3749 Forest – 1 ball (CC)

(There’s a gorgeous cabled edge on this one!)

Pattern: Autumn Leaves Cap

Yarn: Deluxe Worsted

• 71601 Blue Ombre – 1 ball (A)
• 12501 Oatmeal Heather – 1 ball (B)

• 3649 Forest Green – 1 ball (C)
• 41138 Brown Sugar – 1 ball (D)
• 91477 Red Oak – 1 ball (E)
• 12188 Heather – 1 ball (F)
• 12180 Eggplant – 1 ball (G)
• 12282 Hunter Green – 1 ball (H)
• 12181 Bronze Brown – 1 ball (I)

August 29, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Croc-a-Scarf!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Rawr! It’s the Croc-a-Scarf in Classic Shades!

This crochet piece is worked lengthwise in crocodile stitches, creating a crescent that follows the shape of your shoulders. Self-shading Classic Shades, shown here in colorway 733 “Jubilant,” provides effortless color. What a vibrant and fun crochet project!

August 7, 2014August 7, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Bohemian Hat and Scarf

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, the Bohemian Hat and Scarf set in Poems!

This is a pattern near and dear to my heart. When a friend overseas (hi, Cheryl!) wanted to learn to knit, I made her a care package of this pattern, US size 8 (5mm) circular needles, and enough Poems 100% wool to make the set. I wanted her to learn on a good quality yarn, and in my experience, self-shading yarn is a special treat for a beginning knitter. It’s something about the anticipation of seeing what color is going to come next that motivates a newer knitter to keep going, even through any frustration or mistakes.

The scarf is an incredibly easy starting point into the world of knitting. Cast on 220 stitches, knit every row, then cast off. Boom, you’ve made a beautiful striped scarf. From there, it’s not a great leap in skills to be able to make the hat and you’re ready to step out in style.

This would be a great set for Classic Shades wool/acrylic blend, as well. The yardage on Classic Shades is excellent, making it another great choice for the beginning knitter who wants to dive in to a colorful project.

Cheryl’s still knitting, having moved on to shawls and other more advanced projects. Next I need to send this pattern and some Poems to another friend in New England. I’m converting all my friends into knitters, one ball of yarn at a time!

July 11, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Ladder Scarf in Cirrus Cotton

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

When is it okay to drop a stitch? When you’re making today’s free pattern, the one ball Ladder Scarf in Cirrus Cotton!

Cirrus Cotton (50g/109yds) is a soft, fuzzy cotton with a unique construction that makes it downy soft. Its extreme “touchability” makes it a favorite for baby projects, but we love it for grownup crochet and knit garments, too.

In this pattern, working some stitches through the back loop locks them into place, so that when the stitches are dropped to create the horizontal ladders, the scarf keeps its structure. Drop those stitches without fear!

Happy knitting!

July 3, 2014July 31, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Zig Zag Lace Scarf

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, we feature the Zig Zag Lace Scarf. Originally in Fibra Natura Seasong, we’re recommending a couple of medium weight alternatives here.

First, Llamalini (50g/109yds), another member of the Fibra Natura family. It’s a decadent blend of royal llama, silk bourette, and linen. In fact I’ve picked Llamalini for an upcoming Sunday Swatch, mainly so I have another excuse to knit with it!

Next, Deluxe Worsted Superwash (100g/220yds), our very popular superwash version of Deluxe Worsted. There’s no plant content here, so the scarf will have a little more “spring” with this choice. There’s a great range of colors here, so there are many opportunities to customize your scarf.

The pattern itself is very simple – just a series of yarn overs and decreases staggered to make a zig zag design. This is an easy pattern to read in your stitches, meaning once you’ve done a repeat you can see how to continue without too much referring back to the pattern page. This is a classic pattern that we’re glad to share again!

Happy knitting!

April 6, 2014April 6, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Polaris

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Polaris, color 71009 Libra.

Polaris is a champion of our Rozetti Yarns line. It’s a lightweight yarn with a lovely, soft halo. Sequins are spaced along its length, and I’m here to tell you that the sequins stay where they are. This is a sturdy yarn.

How do I know? Coming home from work a few days ago, I made it all the way into the house before I felt a tug coming from my purse. I walked back outside and saw what no needlecrafter wants to see.

Sunday Swatch was still in the car. I was not.

Fearing the worst, I opened the door.

Whew! It was a good day to go with circular needles instead of straights – the cable was fine, but if it had been a straight needle it surely would have snapped.

The yarn itself withstood being slammed in the car door and dragged across the driveway with absolutely no ill effects. If a cat has nine lives, how many does this swatch have?

This stitch pattern is taken from the Snowflower Scarf pictured at right, a free three-ball pattern in Polaris on our website. Pretty!

Polaris is a yarn that we love so much we’re adding new colors this Fall. I look forward to using this yarn to make more projects – all tucked safely away from car doors.

March 23, 2014March 23, 2014

Sunday Swatch – Poems Socks

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Poems Socks.

You’ll have to forgive the beat-up appearance of the ball. This one’s been in my personal stash for a while, pressed into service for testing out quite a few stitch patterns. Today it’s being used in the Crocus Scarf originally from Interweave Crochet Magazine, Spring 2007. I’m happy to see that they’ve re-published it and it’s now free with registration on the Crochet Me site. I’m always up for a good free pattern.

I used it here in a lengthwise scarf to show the advantage of Poems Socks’ gradual color shifts over long distances. It’s easy to achieve sweeping bands of color organically without having to change yarns. And since there are 459 yards per ball of Poems Socks, I’m done with the scarf (minus blocking) and still have half a ball left. It’s a pretty pattern – maybe I should just keep going and see how far one ball can go!