Free Pattern Friday – Crystal Coast

Happy Free Pattern Friday!

We know warm summer weather is in full swing for most of us. Even though we’re trying to beat the heat, we still want fun things to knit! So today, we set Crystal Coast free.
Crystal Coast uses Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray and Cotton Supreme DK with a welt and slip stitch pattern to create a graphic and fun texture. Inspired by the Cape Lookout Lighthouse along the Crystal Coast of NC, this design features the light shining at one end, with the waves of the sea flowing along the other. The cotton will keep you cool, so you can proudly wear this scarf through the summer!
Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray is now on sale, so why not pick your favorites and make one Crystal Coast scarf for you, and one for your bestie? With everyone spending a lot of time at home these days, a handmade gift in the mail is a much appreciated treasure.

Happy Crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Maya Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Maya Scarf in Bamboo Pop (pattern link here). This is a long but light beauty.
It’s easy too – I’ve made this one myself, in Bamboo Pop with color 121 Lilypad as the main hue.
It was a fun, simple knit, and I do love the blue tones.
It’s an easy knit – garter stitch stripes along the edges, and slip-stitch speckles just above. A bit of texture in the body keeps this interesting!
The Maya Scarf makes a great companion piece to the Maya Tank, a darling warm-weather top from e-book Bamboo Pop Adult 2.
We hope you enjoy this little taste of summer.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Euphoric

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Euphoric in Pix and Whisper Lace (pattern link here). There’s a lot going on here, but designer Amy Gunderson made it all work together.
Alternate colorway: Pix 103 Paisley, Whisper Lace 109 Amethyst
Eyelets, stockinette, and garter stripe…
Whee!
Little “sproings” of fringe at the edges…
Twirl!
And a generous 70″ length, considering this takes just one ball each of Pix and Whisper Lace!
Change it up!
Plus, check out how the pattern changes 3/4 of the way across the row. This is a fun one to make and to wear!
Formerly part of e-book Happy Sock Shawls, we’re delighted to set Euphoric free today.
We hope you find something to feel euphoric about this weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Flourish Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Flourish Scarf in Uptown Super Bulky (pattern link here). This pattern is proof that you can have both lace and instant gratification.
Knit on US size 13 (9mm) needles, this beautiful scarf is only 21 stitches across.
Make it as long or as short as you like – it’ll go quick in Uptown Super Bulky.
There are plenty of color options – you can stick with the 423 Mint Green in the model or branch out!
We hope you have a great new year, and continue to flourish and grow. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Garden Gold Wrap

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Image of woman modeling beaded knit lace wrap
Today, the Garden Gold Wrap in Garden 10 Metallic (pattern link here). It may be a little late to get started on your holiday wardrobe for this year, but you can still get a jump start on your next big occasion.
Kristin Hansen’s shimmering Garden Gold Wrap uses Nazli Gelin Garden 10 Metallic for a beautiful shine.
Ooh… aah…
“Nazli Gelin” means “shy bride” in Turkish, and it’s easy to imagine this shawl in white for a wedding, or in a coordinating color for an honored guest.
For extra effect, Kristin Hansen has added beads to the lace motifs. This is a challenging and rewarding knit that will turn heads.

We hope you have a great weekend, filled with comfort and joy.
Happy crafting!

Day 1 of Winter – Series 3 Edition

A cabled scarf knit in Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted, featuring text that says 12 Days of Winter, Day 1, Aspen
This is part 1 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 3 Edition.

It’s that time again – the holidays are just around the corner. Unbelievably, we’re just over halfway through November. For most of us, that means we’re knee-deep in crafty gift-making for loved ones. Here at Universal Yarn headquarters, we’ve been working hard to keep the 12 Days of Winter tradition alive with a beautiful third installment. We’re so excited to share these projects with you. Whether you are looking for a gift for a special yarn-loving person in your life, or for the perfect gift to make, we’ve got you covered.
A cabled scarf knit in Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted
This year we’re kicking off the collection with a scarf designed by the talented Adrienne Larsen. Aspen is one of those perfect, squishy scarves that’s just the right length. It’s beautiful – any worthy recipient would be thrilled to wrap this around their neck.
A cabled scarf knit in Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted
The elaborate cable motif is simpler to work than one might expect, and by the time the scarf is complete, you’ll likely have it memorized. Inspired by quaking aspen trees, each cable in this scarf grows out of another. The result is an interlocking pattern that is sure to turn heads.
Detail of a cabled scarf knit in Deluxe Worsted.
Knit up in Deluxe Worsted, a 100% wool yarn, we’ve selected a neutral color that allows the stitchwork to shine. It’s perfect for men and women alike and is sure to work well with any item in your winter-weather wardrobe. Surprisingly, this pattern takes just two skeins, which are included in the kit along with the pattern. Surely you can finish this one in time for the holidays.
A cabled scarf knit in Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted, rolled up.
We hope you’ll love the Aspen scarf as much as we do, and that you’re equally excited for the other patterns we have coming. Remember, you can find the 12 Days of Winter Kits at your local yarn shop.

Free Pattern Friday – Succulent Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
The Succulent Scarf
Today, the Succulent Scarf in Classic Shades (pattern link here). One of our favorite ways to use yarns with slow color shifts is in long repeats. Here, a 74″ (not quite two meters) long row in Classic Shades creates a beautiful striping effect.
For this scarf, we alternated two coordinating colors, 735 Smoky Denim and 747 Spring.
The crocheted spikes carry the colors over into adjacent rows, for a striking look.
Beautiful and warm. What could be better? Have a wonderful weekend, and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Pyramid Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
woman wearing light pink scarf knit in Odette yarn
Today, the Pyramid Scarf knit in Odette (pattern link here). Have you seen Odette yet?
Closeup view of hanks of Odette yarn
It’s a beautiful blend of merino and alpaca, with nylon for strength, in a chained construction that keeps it light and lofty. A nice mix of structure with soft halo that works well in projects to keep you warm without being heavy.
It’s every bit as soft as it looks.
Woman in pink scarf knit in Odette yarn
This 70″ (1.8m) scarf is knit flat, from one end to the other. The pattern is written and charted, for your convenience. Increases on the sides of the pyramids are balanced by centered double decreases in the middle (ever tried a SSPP2 ?) to give depth and texture.
Smiling woman wearing blue overcoat and pink knitted scarf
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, full of beauty and joy. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – March Fog

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Woman with crocheted lace stole in Rozetti Yarns Alaska draped over her shoulders.
Today, March Fog in Alaska (pattern link here). This is an apt day to introduce this pattern, because today, the 1st of March, it is indeed foggy in Charlotte.
image of Charlotte, NC shrouded in fog
But not quite this foggy.
It’s been more of a hazy mist, but the colors and fuzzy feel show where March Fog got its inspiration.
March Fog is wide enough to be a stole, but works well wrapped like a scarf, too.
Knit in Rozetti Yarns lofty Alaska, this crochet accessory is fluffy and warm, with a bit of foggy haze about it.
woman wearing pink and blue shawl knit in Alaska yarn

The stole is crocheted lengthwise in a very easy all-over mesh pattern. As written, this took exactly two balls of each color (902 Peach Puff and 905 Stormy). You might want to grab an extra ball, just for safety’s sake.
The ending edge of the mesh pattern naturally forms cute scallops. After the main stole is complete, an edging is added to the beginning edge so that the two sides match.  Don’t forget to block to open up that lace!
woman's face framed by crocheted March Fog stole in Alaska yarn
Snuggle up against early Spring winds – and happy crafting!

National Strawberry Day

Ah, strawberries – I love them! Strawberry season has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It conjures fond childhood memories. I spent many, many days at my grandparents’ farm growing up. I helped out with chores, played on roundbales, petted the cattle, explored the land, collected eggs from the hens, helped bale hay – you name it, I probably did it!
Fibra Natura Lina
We love how breezy and airy the fabric of this scarf is.
Every May we celebrated the strawberry season by plucking strawberries from the plant, placing them into a little wooden carton (eating many more along the way), and carrying them back to the house. We’d help my mother and grandmother prepare the strawberries for freezing. My sister and I would sell excess berries at a little produce stand we set up at the end of our driveway. When I was in my early teens, my grandparents moved to the mountains and extended family took over the farm. That meant we no longer picked our strawberries there, but that didn’t stop us! We simply picked our strawberries at another local farm instead.
Fibra Natura Lina
This fabric drapes effortless around the neck and shoulders.
My long-winded story brings me to the real point of this post…it’s National Strawberry Day and we have a pattern that celebrates these sweet fruits! We’re highlighting the Strawberry Kiwi Scarfarita – a free pattern from our website!
Bias stripe scarf worked in two colors of Fibra Natura Lina.
Strawberry Kiwi Scarfarita
This pattern is perfect for spring and summer. It is knit using Fibra Natura Lina – a delightful blend of linen and cotton. This is the kind of accessory you could easily toss on during early mornings of strawberry picking come May – or as you plant your seeds well before! We know the air is still cool – heck it’s very cold in many places – but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream about the coming spring and summer.
Fibra Natura Lina
Lina is just right for spring and summer knitting, and now is the perfect time to cast on!