12 Days of Winter, Series 6 Edition, Part IV

December 15, 2022December 14, 2022

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 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!

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

December 13, 2022December 13, 2022

12 Days of Winter – Series 6 Edition, Part II

This is part 2 in a four-part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 6 Edition.

In today’s installment of our blog series on our annual 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, I’ll be highlighting three delightful knitting patterns: Hubble the Winter Wolf, the Hemlock Set, and the Pomegranate Path set.

Hubble the Winter Wolf, a hand knitted toy using Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted and Universal Yarn Minou. — Hubble the Winter Wolf

A woman smiling and wearing the Hemlock Set, hand knitted using Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Superwash. — Hubble the Winter Wolf

You may be asking yourself, “what do these three projects have in common?” The answer, my fiber-loving friend, is warm, woolly textures! With an emphasis on our “Deluxe” family of yarns, these projects utilize our three worsted lines: Deluxe Worsted, Deluxe Worsted Superwash, and Deluxe Worsted Tweed. A trifecta of worsted weight wools, if you will!

Additionally, these projects showcase texture. In Hubble the Winter Wolf, we’ve sprinkled in some Minou for fluffy interest, and in both the Hemlock Set and Pomegranate Path, we’ve incorporated plump cables throughout. The final thread tying these patterns together is headwear! A pom pom topper for a stuffed best friend, a headband for a dressier outing, and a beanie to ensure your warmth for the duration of the season! Shall we take a closer look?

A front view of a small, hand knitted wolf toy using Universal Yarn Minou and Deluxe Worsted. The toy wears an embroidered turquoise hat with a pom pom. — Hubble the Winter Wolf has the cutest floof around his chest, paws, ears, and tail. Irresistible!

Hubble the Winter Wolf

I’ll be honest – this pattern is my pride and joy in the collection! This design took lots of experimentation and was an absolute joy to put together. If you’d like to know a little about the design process, it began with lots of ripping back, sketches, and jotting down scribbles of notes in my graph paper notebook (side note: every knitter who enjoys charts, designing, or modifying patterns will benefit from a graph paper notebook, throw one in their stocking!).

A small, hand knitted wolf toy, shown from the side and wearing a turquoise hat. — Hubble’s hat is constructed so that his little ears pop out – don’t worry, all that fur will keep him plenty warm! He only wears the hat to look stylish!

Hubble is knit modularly and is mostly seamless. He begins with the nose, which is worked flat. Then, stitches are picked up around the nose and joined in the round to create the snout. Some stitches are placed on hold while you utilize the rest of the live stitches to shape the head. Then, stitches are picked up again from an opening at the bottom of the head and everything is worked in the round, using a surprisingly simple intarsia in-the-round method. The ears are worked separately and sewn to the head. The legs and tail are picked up directly from the body and worked in the round, although I’ve included notes on how to modify them to be sewn on if that’s your preference. Finally, he’s finished with a simple hat that’s worked in the round from the bottom up and completed with a touch of embroidery and a pom pom. If that sounds like a lot, fear not! I’ve included some diagrams and photos that will help set you up for success.

A small hand knitted wolf toy with a fluffy chest, ears, and paws. — Hubble’s hat is removable, so you can bring him along on winter and summer adventures alike!

This precious toy is knit using two heathered shades of Deluxe Worsted, a 100% non-superwash wool that I turn to again and again. The breadth of colors, smooth 4-ply construction, and soft yet rustic feel of this yarn make it perfect for every type of project. I chose two shades of grey to bring Hubble to life: #12503 Charcoal Heather and #12502 Smoke Heather. To add a more realistic element to the design, I opted to hold a strand of Minou in #104 Kitten together with Deluxe Worsted in select sections, including the chest, ears, tail, and paws. The pop of color is given through the hat, where I chose Deluxe Worsted again in the color #71662 Turquoise. Scrap yarn in white and black are suggested for the embroidery, pom pom, and nose.

A woman glances directly at the camera while wearing a headband and mittens that are hand knitted using Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Superwash. — Elegant and understated, the Hemlock Set will tie together any winter ensemble. We love how it looks with this white jacket because it makes the knitted accessories the star of the show!

Hemlock Set

When planning any pattern collection, I know I can always rely on designer and social media extraordinaire, Aubrey Busek, to create elegant, thoughtful designs that are infinitely wearable. When she brought her sketches for the Hemlock Set to the table, I knew we needed to include them in the collection. After all, what could be more wintry and festive than mittens and an ear warmer to ward off the chilly temperatures?

A brunette woman cradles her face with her hand gently. She is wearing a green handknit headband and pair of mittens. — Deluxe Worsted Superwash is soft and snuggly, making it a great choice for giftable projects like this one.

The Hemlock set is a matching accessory set featuring a headband and mittens. It’s an addictive and enjoyable project that works up pretty quickly, making it a great last-minute gift project that’s certain to please. For this project, we opted for soft, easy-care Deluxe Worsted Superwash in the festive new color, #774 Mistletoe. How fitting, right? The cables themselves seem to mimic the hanging holiday plant, and the bobbles echo their small berries.

The cables twist and turn their way across the mittens and around the headband. My favorite detail is the cross at the center of the headband – it’s like a cable within a cable, very meta! Plus, it’s easier to achieve than you might assume! It’s simply formed by separating the work in half, working to a specific length, and making a cross that forms an “X” before rejoining the two halves together once more. Easy, peasy!

Two hands showing the front of the Hemlock Set mittens, which feature cables and bobbles. — The mittens in this set feature cables and bobbles on the top of the hand.

Two hands showing the palm side of the Hemlock Set mittens, showing stockinette stitch and ribbing. — The mittens in this set feature cables and bobbles on the top of the hand.

Techniques you’ll explore while making the Hemlock Set include ribbing, stockinette stitch, cables, bobbles, basic shaping, working flat, and knitting small circumferences in the round. Personally, if you’re new to any of these methods, I recommend making the headband first and graduating to the mittens. The choice, of course, is yours!

Last year, Aubrey shared her love of bobbles in two of her designs, the Enchanted Scarf and Crystalline Cowl. She even created a helpful tutorial to demonstrate how bobbles are constructed. You can check that out at this link.

A woman is seated, smiling, and glancing to the side. She sits in front of gift boxes and tinsel and wears a hand knitted scarf and hat. — Pomegranate Path is a cozy accessory set to keep you warm on a winter’s day.

Pomegranate Path

The final design we’re spotlighting today is another accessory set, Pomegranate Path. Rich texture and saturated color come together in this staple set. No winter wardrobe is complete without a scarf and a warm hat. This set is knit using Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash, which is undoubtedly a fan favorite! This yarn is predominantly made of superwash wool, with a touch of viscose and acrylic for the tweedy nubs. That means it’s machine-washable, making it a great yarn for gift knitting because you won’t have to worry about the recipient having an accidental felting disaster! Keeping with our bright holiday theme, we chose one of the more recent additions to the line, color #921 Beet.

A brunette woman smiles while wearing a hand knit hat and scarf that features cables, twisted stitches, and texture throughout. — Coordinating cables decorate both the hat and scarf.

Pomegranates are considered the jewel of winter – and why not? They generally ripen during this season, add a brilliant pop of color to a dreary day, and double as decor and a tasty treat! Yes, we primarily named this design for the bold, beautiful color, but we see the connection between the textures and the fruit, too! For example, a slender border of seed stitch pays homage to the juicy seeds that fill the pomegranate. And, much in the same way you enjoy the fruits of your labor when preparing and eating a pomegranate, you’ll love the process of knitting different twisted stitches and cables throughout this project!

A close-up image of a woman wearing a scarf. It features cables, twisted stitches, and tassels. — Take a closer look at the variety of stitches used in this pattern – the texture is so tempting!

In the past year, I rekindled my love of scarves. I just cannot get over how enjoyable knitting a richly textured accessory can be. And hats will always be among my favorite types of projects to knit. This pattern offers plenty of interest, and we have several helpful tutorials to help you along the way. You might enjoy the Right and Left Twist tutorial (link), cabling without a cable needle is optional, but useful (link), and these handy chart-reading tips will help you with any project that includes them (link)!

Join us tomorrow for Part III of this blog series, where Aubrey will dish about a shawl, stole, and cozy blanket!

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 and the yarn required to make it. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy stitching,
Rachel

December 12, 2022December 12, 2022

12 Days of Winter – Series 6 Edition, Part I

This is part 1 in a four-part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 6 Edition.

No matter which holiday you celebrate, winter is filled with gift giving of all kinds. Each year, our design team comes together to envision what projects will embody the spirit of the season, and creates kits that are exclusively sold at Local Yarn Shops. For this 12 Days of Winter, it’s all about bright and festive cheer! From the twinkling of snow and lights, to the bold colors of candies and toys, 2022 is a year for joy.

Today, I’m going to highlight the first three days from the 12 Days of Winter – Series 6, which you can find, or order via drop shipping, at any Local Yarn Shop that carries Universal Yarn. The Partridge Cowl, Candy Cane Lane hat, and Swiss Meringue Slippers each have special and thoughtful details that will delight knitters and gift recipients alike.

The Partridge Cowl is a beautifully colorful piece, designed by Rachel Brockman. It’s knit seamlessly in the round and uses stranded colorwork throughout. Since you are working with multiple colors of yarn throughout the whole project, we have labeled the difficulty as intermediate, and we have a blog post to help you navigate this technique at this link. It begins with a provisional cast-on which is unraveled and then grafted to the opposite end with the Kitchener stitch for a true seamless look when finished. The yarn in this kit is Rico Design Baby Dream DK Uni, paired with Rico Design Baby Dream DK. Both the solid and multi versions of this yarn are made of 50% polyacrylic and 50% polyamide, making for an ultra-soft cowl that’s perfect for bundling up this winter.

My favorite part about this design is how the birds alternate their direction throughout the cowl. They were described as “dancing” in one of our newsletters, and I fell in love! Every time I see them now, I start humming the classic Christmas carol and envision the detailing near their beaks as notes of a birdsong twinkling to life.

*Partridge birds singing and dancing in the Partridge Cowl.*

Candy Cane Lane, by Rachel Brockman, is a jovial hat featuring a quintessential Candy Cane design, with a peppermint swirl at its crown. It’s knit in the round from the bottom up and uses stranded colorwork to create the swirls and motif. Made with just two balls of Fibra Natura Donnina (100% superwash merino wool), this sweet and smaller kit makes a wonderful stocking stuffer for a loved one, or a fun, compact WIP for holiday travels.

*Candy Cane Lane hat by Rachel Brockman.*

Hats are such a wonderful seasonal accessory – especially when you get to tell people “Thanks, I made it myself!” With the bold contrast of the red and white colors, the Candy Cane Lane hat is a head-turner, so get those compliment responses ready!

*The cheery peppermint swirls and candy cane motifs of the Candy Cane Lane hat*.

Last, but not least, we have the Swiss Meringue Slippers, by Aubrey Busek. These snuggle-worthy slipper boots are worked flat in two parts, first the foot, and next the cuff, which is sewn on later. Some of the seaming involves using the Mattress Stitch, which we have a handy blog tutorial for, found at this link! Buttons of your choice are added after seaming, for the final touch of winter cheer. Three colors of Universal Yarn Deluxe DK Superwash are used in alternating stripes with subtle detailing to create a rich texture on the feet, while swirled cables dance up the cuffs. It’s a great project for those who want a colorful piece, without doing stranded colorwork, as these slippers feature a mosaic colorwork technique where you only use one color at a time. The 100% superwash wool makes for plush, yet durable slippers for season-long wear.

Booties, as I like to call them, are an absolute must-have for cold weather comfort. The colors are fantastic, making them as dazzling and decadent as the cookie puffs they’re named for. This project is a wonderful take on the normal “Holiday Classics,” and I will shamelessly be working on this kit for myself before I even think about their gift-giving appeal!

*Close-up view of the textures and twists in the Swiss Meringue Slippers.*

Thank you for reading along as we explore the first three beautiful designs from the Series 6 edition of our annual 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. Join us tomorrow for three more designs, and what makes each of them so special and unique. Do you have a favorite from what has been shared so far? Let us know in the comments below or on social media. Follow & tag us on Instagram at @Universal_Yarn and use the hashtag #UniversalYarn, or find and follow us on TikTok or Facebook at @UniversalYarn.

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 the pattern, the yarn required to make it, and a printed version of the pattern. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane McIntyre

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022

Fibertinis – Minou meets Hot Toddy

We are back with our second edition of the Fibertini Series! This time, we are pairing our wonderfully soft Minou yarn, with a fall favorite – the Hot Toddy.

As the chill of the coming season creeps into our lives, so do thoughts of sitting by a fire, with a warm beverage in hand. We can’t help it! It is the ultimate cozy-cold-weather daydream. Whether to pass time curled up with a book or a project is the only thing to ponder. For me it’s project – no question!

*Forest Slipper Socks in Minou and Bamboo Pop Sock*, designed by Rachel Brockman.

We recently released the Minou collection Soft Simplicity, which perfectly captures the vibe of our Fibertini pairing. My main inspiration for this pairing comes from the Forest Slipper Socks, pictured above, for obvious reasons as the photo features a beautiful tea cup. This made me crave the wonderfully warm cocktail selected for this post – the Hot Toddy. This simple classic is made by mixing hot water, bourbon, honey, and lemon juice – although I like to steep some spiced tea in mine for a special seasonal flavor!

According to Sip Awards, there are two versions of how the Hot Toddy came about. One theory is that it was originally started in India in the 1610’s, during a time of British control. A Hindi word “taddy,” was used to describe a drink made with fermented palm sap, which was later adapted in 1786 as an alcoholic drink made with hot water, spices, and sugar. Another variation of the drink’s history, is that an Irish doctor named Robert Bentley Todd, prescribed patients a mixture of hot brandy, water, cinnamon and sugar to relieve symptoms. The article referenced even proposes that perhaps this good doctor came across the original “taddy,” and revamped it a bit to make his own concoction. With the historical view that this drink can cure the common cold, it doesn’t seem far-fetched that a doctor helped to push its popularity!

*Pacific Cardigan in Minou*, designed by Rachel Brockman.
Project worked in Minou inside the muud leather case, Heaven.

Minou is the obvious pairing for a drink which elicits such warm and happy feelings. This yarn is spun in Italy and made from a blend of 40% baby alpaca, 8% Merino wool, and 52% nylon. The delicate strands of fiber tuft out of a thread base to create a sophisticated take on an eyelash yarn. When worked as a project, Minou creates a featherlight fabric that feels soft and luxurious. Or, when held with other yarn, like in the Silverbirch Cardigan, it adds a perfect halo of texture and warmth without being too avant-garde, as some novelty yarns are wont to be. Simply put, it’s a must-have in this season’s cold-weather stash.

*Color Blocke d Scarf in Minou, designed by Rachel Brockman.*

After researching the history of the Hot Toddy, and how distinctive it is, I feel that it is truly the perfect match for a yarn as unique as Minou. Both Minou and Hot Toddies bring about feelings of warmth and coziness. I hope you’ve enjoyed this second pairing in the Fibertini series! What would you pair up next, and what project will you make in Minou?!

Happy Stitching, y’all!
Ashley Jane

September 16, 2022September 16, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Skill Builder Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Smiling woman holding the Skill-Builder scarf crocheted in Dona yarn.

Today, the Skill-Builder scarf crocheted in Dona (pattern link here).

Whether you’re an advanced crocheter looking for a fun sampler, or a beginner (like me!) who wants to practice your technique, this scarf is for you!

Close of stitch panels in Skill-Builder Scarf crocheted in Dona yarn.

You’ll advance your way through airy lace and terrific textures, each bordered with a cute, thin stripe of the Thicket Stitch. Some techniques will include post stitching, shells, back loops, and even working backwards!

Closeup of Dona yarn balls. — Dona’s soft feel and smooth look are beyond compare.

For this pattern, Designer AJ McIntyre used our Fibra Natura Dona. It’s a 100% superwash extrafine merino with a high twist that gives amazing stitch definition. When so much of the design revolves around standout stitches, Dona is the perfect choice!

This pattern is exactly what I need. I want to learn to crochet better, but I keep back-burnering it because I haven’t found quite the perfect project. This sampler will keep me motivated to continue on and try new things in easily accomplished blocks – especially since the end result is so pretty. I can’t wait to start!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of learning and love.

Happy crafting!
-Heather Hill

August 26, 2022August 26, 2022

Flash Pattern Friday – Atacama Scarf

It’s Flash Pattern Friday!

On the last Friday of the month, we take a beautiful paid pattern and set it free for a limited time through Ravelry. Today it’s the Atacama Scarf, a breezy, bohemian scarf crocheted in Unity Beyond (Ravelry link here).

Collage of knit and crochet designs from the Desert Dreams pattern collection.

The scarf was originally released as part of the Desert Dreams collection, featuring these six desert-inspired designs to knit and crochet in Unity and Unity Beyond.

This fabulous artisanal texture comes from Unity Beyond’s unique blend of cotton, wool, linen, and bamboo. It gives all the benefits of plant fibers, with just the right amount of bounce!

Woman wearing scarf. Text below reads Atacama crocheted in Unity Beyond. Use code FLASH on Ravelry - ends 8/28.

To get the Atacama Scarf free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page linked here. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase, and click “apply.”

Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday 8/28 and we’ll get you taken care of.

Woman leaning against brick wall and wearing crocheted scarf

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of joy and beauty.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Rippled Waters

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman facing away from viewer, holding a light blue knitted wrap outstretched.

Today, Rippled Waters knitted in Fibra Natura Papyrus (pattern link here).

Designer Aubrey Busek took her inspiration for this design from still waters, kissed by a breeze that ripples the surface. It’s apparent in the lace elements…

Closeup of knitted twisted rib wrap pulled over a woman's shoulder to show the fabric.

…and in the choice of twisted rib, a stitch which gives a dimensional element to the body of the piece.

Also adding to the texture, the choice of yarn. Fibra Natura Papyrus is composed of a light and luxurious cotton/silk blend with a fascinating feel. Easy on the hands to work with, Papyrus is a great yarn for warmer weather. It adds a certain 3D quality to your fabric.

Smiling woman in green dress facing camera. A blue wrap knitted in Papyrus is draped over her shoulders.

I’ve got some stashed away, waiting for me to cast on for my Beechnut Pullover. But looking at this wrap, maybe I should go ahead and make this instead. Or both. Yep, that’s it, both.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of love and joy.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

April 20, 2022April 20, 2022

Tiny Textures: Knit Projects For Littles Ones

This week we released our newest collection, Tiny Textures, which is truly the cutest little gathering of knitwear items I’ve seen all spring! There are five easy projects to knit up and give to a baby or toddler in your life – whether for your own munchkins, or as a gift for others in your life, each design is sure to be a cherished keepsake for years to come.

All of the projects are made with our Uptown Worsted Hues yarn. It’s the newest addition to the Uptown line of yarns, featuring beautifully blended pastel colors that look great in any piece! From baby items, to adult garments, accessories, and homewares, this yarn is a wonderful way to bring a burst of color into the mix. Uptown Worsted Hues anti-pilling, 100% acrylic composition and Standard 100 certification by Oeko-Tex made this yarn an easy choice for a kids collection though. It can handle the rough-and-tumble nature of kiddos well, as it is fully machine washable and easy to care for.

One of my favorite pieces to come out of this collection is the Peyton cardigan. It has such a playful take on a sophisticated “grown up cardigan” by featuring squiggly lines, made of cable cross stitches, where one may expect to see more typical cables. Plus there’s room for more unexpected fun by incorporating buttons! You may choose to go with a clean look by using cohesive, round wooden buttons from Katrinkles, like we did. Or you could get quirky by browsing some of her more eccentric options, or by sourcing some from wherever you’d like! No matter where they are from, buttons are always a great way to make a piece feel truly unique and special.

The other teeny temptation creeping onto my make-list is the Elouise set. The hat and cowl have sweet little details that make them look quite polished for being so small. The hat features a little cinched gathering at the brim that hints at old-glam style, while the cowl sports a button closure, leaving room for more of that individual refinement we talked about above. The slip stitch pattern worked on both the hat and cowl has just the right amount of texture to give this set a certain je ne sais quoi that would simply lack if it were done in a smooth stockinette. Wouldn’t you agree?

Be sure to check out all 5 of the tiny textured pieces, and start plotting which ones you’ll make today! Which one do you think you’ll make first?
That’s all for now, Happy Stitching y’all,
Ashley Jane

March 18, 2022March 18, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Café Cable Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing cabled multicolored hat and scarf knitted in Colorburst yarn

Today, the one-ball Café Cable Set knitted in Colorburst (pattern link here).

In knitting, I am all about the accessories, and I love a classic cabled piece!

Today’s free pattern is right up my alley. Designer Aubrey Busek designed this easy set, with simple lines, in self-shading Colorburst. This would be a great pattern for a beginning cable knitter, or for someone who wants to learn.

It features a 2×2 right cross, worked flat for the scarf and in the round for the hat. A neat 2×2 ribbing edges the hat, and there is garter stitch edging on the scarf to help keep it from curling. I wouldn’t expect less from an Aubrey design, though – she’s all about the little touches that make a pattern perfect.

Speaking of little touches, that pom-pom! I love how many tones it picks up when you make a cute little pom-pom in a multicolored yarn like Colorburst. And can we talk about Colorburst?

With its huge 660 yard ball and long runs of color, Colorburst is the perfect self-shading yarn for colorful projects, without a lot of fiddly ends to weave in. Rich and saturated, there are pastels, neutrals, and bright jeweltones to choose from.

Here, the Café Cable Set is shown in 118 Baltic. The entire set took just one ball! Looove!

We hope you have an awesome weekend, full of fun times and smiles.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

February 11, 2022February 11, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Buttercream Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Young woman wearing knitted striped scarf

Today, the Buttercream Scarf knitted in Donnina (pattern link here).

I love this scarf – it’s so bright and happy!

It’s long enough to wear loose, or to wrap, for extra versatility in styling.

It’s also worked in the round as a tube, for a double thickness of fabric. And there’s a secret weapon for the excellent texture and color on this scarf…

Fibra Natura Donnina! Those saturated colors are just to die for. And because this 100% extrafine superwash merino is so smooth, with such a high twist, stitches really pop. The very simple patterning in this easy-to-knit scarf really stands out!

Donnina is a delight to work with, making this scarf a treat to knit and to wear.

We hope you have a great weekend, full of fun and laughter.

Happy crafting!