Universal Yarn Creative Network
Inspiration By Design
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Starry Road Scarf in Universe.
Breathtaking, isn’t it? Universe (246yds/50g) is the yarn we created specifically for our tenth anniversary, and it’s unlike anything else out there. A cotton/linen blend held with a metallic strand, wrapped in polyamide for greater strength, it’s perfect for lacy shawls and scarves like the Starry Road Scarf.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Warmth Wrap in Rozetti Yarns Allore.
Folks, I don’t think we could have planned this week’s free pattern better if we’d tried! As I write this, the weather here in North Carolina is doing some sort of sleeting-icing-freezing rain kind of thing. And baby, for the south, it’s cold! This is a perfect day for wrapping handknitting around ourselves, no?
The Warmth Wrap is a relatively simple knit and goes pretty darn quick in bulky weight Allore and size 10 1/2 needles. The Eyelets lace pattern is just a 4 row repeat and is easy to memorize and keep track of.
Allore is a yarn that is right on trend. It’s also brushed, which we’ve been seeing a lot of in the yarn world this past year. Plus, it incorporates a metallic strand for an understated sophistication. It’s a complex light and lofty yarn and very easy to work with.
As shown, the Warmth Wrap requires 6 balls of Allore for a large, snuggly, almost blanket-like wrap. If you prefer a narrower scarf, just cast on 35 stitches instead of 65, and you’ll only need 3 balls.
And look – if you can’t find a shawl pin to close your wrap, just skewer in your needles and call it done. Stay safe and warm this wintery weekend!
11 days until Christmas!
I always seem to start these posts with, “are you ready for the holidays?” There’s a reason: I am never ready for the holidays. If, like me, you’re searching for something fresh that will work up quickly, we’ve got you covered!
We introduced Deluxe Bulky Superwash 100% wool (100g/106yds) this Fall. It’s a little thicker than our favorite Deluxe Chunky, and, as the name implies, it’s machine washable. That’s two of my criteria for quick holiday projects met.
Best of all, we’ve already introduced a couple of free knit and crochet patterns for this yarn.
At right, the Nesting Diamonds Scarf. This one might seem a little ambitious for Christmas, but do what I do: “I’d love to do the dishes/vacuum/shop for your mother’s gift but I need to finish this scarf.” Boom. Extra knitting time and fewer chores.
On size 10 1/2(6.5mm) needles, this is a lovely tasseled scarf that won’t break the bank or take forever. The body simply knit and purl, with slipped stitches at the edges of the scarf to create a neater border. The pattern is written and charted – take your pick of what’s more comfortable for you.
Next, the Ambrosia Scarf. Long and luscious, the scarf loops around for a dramatic look. The puff stitch arcs make for a soft and inviting feel with a lot of visual interest. Crocheted on a US Size N-15 (10 mm) hook, this is another one that will go quickly but still be satisfying to make.
We hope you take some time to make something beautiful for yourself as well. You deserve a break to enjoy the holiday season!
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Winter Shades Hat and Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic and Uptown Worsted.
How’re we doing? Still working through Thanksgiving leftovers? I ask because right beside me, I have a slice of the pumpkin apple bread that has become traditional in our family. Here’s the recipe.
It makes two loaves, so you can keep one for yourself and bring one in to the office to be a hero. However, I’m writing this from home – Universal offices are closed today – and I can tell you there’s no way this bread will last until Monday. Sorry, co-workers.
Just because the offices are closed doesn’t mean we didn’t prepare a beautiful pattern for you!
The Winter Shades Hat and Scarf combine two lovely yarns: solid Uptown Worsted (180yds/100g) and self-shading Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g). Both hat and scarf are knitted flat in a surprisingly easy slip stitch pattern. Knit the edging on US size 6 / 4mm needles, then switch to US size 10/6mm for the patterning on the body of the hat and scarf. In the picture above, the brim of the hat is turned up. In the picture below, it’s turned down for a slightly different look.
That charming model, by the way, is Jordan, the newest member of our customer service team. We thought this ensemble would look great on her, and she graciously agreed to be our guinea pig model. Thanks, Jordan!
We hope you enjoy the afterglow of Thanksgiving. We’re so grateful for your enthusiasm, talent, and willingness to share your voices so we can become better crafting partners to you.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the one ball Be Knotty Scarf in Poems Uno.
We’re not kidding when we say it’s the easiest scarf ever. It’s a one row repeat, and on US Size 35/19mm needles, it goes in a flash.
We call it the Be Knotty scarf for the obvious reason – it has a nice open lacy knotted look. We also call it that because you can “be naughty” and pretend that you slaved over it when in fact, you worked it up in an evening. That’s the nice thing about Poems Uno Superwash (90yds/150g) – it’s big, the colors are bold, and it works up fast. Instant results.
Please enjoy this easy and gratifying scarf.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Bias Stripe Scarf in Flax and Universe.
We’re moving into party season, and we’re delighted to have a new yarn in stock that’s just perfect for the occasion. We designed Universe (246yds/50g) to celebrate Universal’s 10th anniversary, and we’re having a ball making new projects with it.
Universe’s colors coordinate with another popular yarn, Fibra Natura Flax (137yds/50g). Both are used together in this project. The matte bands of Flax linen are interspersed with the metallic glitter in Universe for a striking effect. Since the yarns match so well, it’s easy to carry the colors up the sides between sections without having an obvious color streak at the edge of your scarf. One ball of Universe and one hank of Flax – the only ends to weave in are at the beginning and end of your project.
Personally, I’m looking at another color combo, Universe 10-04 and Flax 09. The robin’s egg blue with a hint of aqua appeals to me, and I think it will look very striking with the black and metallic.
We have more projects in Universe to share with you in the coming weeks, including something very wintry. Hint: no two are alike.
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Crochet Coin Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic.
Something for crocheters in a yarn that we love. Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g) is the same great base as our Classic Shades, but with a metallic thread wrapped around it for even more bling. Here’s the colorway used in the scarf, 604 Tahitian. It’s a magical shade.
Classic Shades Metallic works up at exactly the same gauge as our regular Classic Shades, so if bling’s not your thing, it’s a snap to swap.
The scarf is worked lengthwise, then the coin fringe is added after the main body is complete. We call for an adjustable ring for the center of the coin. If you haven’t tried an adjustable ring for making center-out circles, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. CraftyDeb has a good photo tutorial, although nothing beats your local yarn shop for showing you how it’s done.
We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend of yarn and relaxation.
Happy crafting!
Labor Day weekend is the traditional start of Fall – a time when thoughts turn to warmer wools and holiday knitting. Fortunately, we’ve got just the thing to start you off with a bang!
We’re giving away a copy of the popular 50 Garter Stitch Gifts to Knit. All the patterns feature our Deluxe Worsted wool (220yds/100g), a favorite stash staple that comes in 120+ colors.
To fire your imagination, we’re including enough Deluxe Worsted to make the ZigZag Mosaic Scarf, a lengthwise-knit scarf that makes clever use of slipped stitches to create a mosaic effect.
To enter, just comment on this post and answer this question: what’s the longest a project has stayed unfinished in your WIP pile? I’ll start the ball rolling by saying that during a recent cleaning binge I conceded defeat and ripped out the baby blanket that I started… a couple of decades ago. That baby is long grown.
There are no wrong answers, and there’s no shame here. What there is, is a desire to jump start your holiday crafting, assuming you’re not already neck-deep in projects. Comment by Monday, Sept 21st for your chance to win. We’ll randomly select one entry to receive the prize.
Good luck – and happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Happy Magic Scarf in Wisdom Yarns Pix.
This one has a special place in my heart, mainly because I designed it myself. It was my carry-along knitting everywhere, and it got compliments while still in progress at quite a few coffeehouses.
Chevrons are everywhere in knitting, and with good reason. It’s an easy way to give a lot of visual interest without memorizing a complicated stitch pattern. When I saw samples of our new Pix yarn, the lighbulb went off. The colorful print is a great choice for a pattern that zigs and zags.
It’s true that with 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, Pix is a bright and durable choice for socks, but there’s no reason to stop with just socks (although how great would this look as a pair of Jaywalkers?). This pattern is a very simple two-row repeat that shows off the somewhat “Fake Isle” printed quality of the stripes. I love that the color bands aren’t solid – a bit of other colors are mixed in to give the finished scarf a Bohemian quality.
This scarf only used 85 grams of a 100 gram ball. You could certainly lengthen or widen the scarf with no worries. Or keep thinking outside the box – I’m visualizing some chic sideways chevron wrist cuffs, maybe even with a tiny pocket to hold a key.
Hmm… where’d I put the rest of my Pix?
Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Fun Fringe Scarf in Bamboo Pop.
Last week we featured Bamboo Pop knit, so this week we’re showing it in crochet. The scarf features double mesh crochet, a two-row repeat, for the length of the scarf. The finishing really makes the difference, though – the fun flowery fringe is just too adorable.
Bamboo Pop cotton/bamboo blend makes this a great warm weather piece.
We hope you enjoy this fun, kicky crochet piece.
Happy crafting!
