♫I’ve got sunshine… on a cloudy day…♫ Never has that been truer than with today’s free pattern!
Designer AJ McIntyre brought extra vibrance to this already stunning accessory by using Fibra Natura Ravello, our Italian blend of cotton, extrafine merino, and recycled cashmere. The blend of premium fibers creates a depth of color that catches the light beautifully. AJ went with color 105 Honeypot to really let the sun shine in.
Above: colors 113 Nori and 112 Sage Leaf, the colors I’m considering for mine. I can’t resist a good green!
If you’re still building your crochet skills, don’t fret – we’ve rated this pattern as easy. The shawl is worked flat from the top down, beginning with the widest edge, and decreasing to the point. During finishing, you’ll apply a single crochet border. There’s a diagram for the gauge swatch that you can use as a reference when you’re making the actual shawl.
This is a head-turner of a shawl in a rich, saturated yarn. You can’t go wrong!
We hope you have a safe and happy weekend. Stay warm, and happy crafting!
Hi Fiber Friends! I’m so excited to introduce you to a new blog segment I’ve been dreaming up called “Fibertinis” where I match popular cocktails with our yarn for a perfect pairing! For my first segment, I’m matching up our Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash with an Old Fashioned.
Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash and an Old Fashioned (Image Credit Taste.com)
Both of these classics have a long and rich history. According to Clan, by Scotsweb, Tweed as a name was first used in 1826 when a London cloth merchant clerk received a misspelled invoice which was meant to read “tweel,” the Scottish name for the fabric twill. Legend says that he presumed it was meant to be a brand name for the woolen fabrics hailing from the Tweed River region so they advertised them as such, and it stuck! Regardless of the nomenclature, tweed has always held an iconic and polished status since the woolen fabric elevated from a Scottish practical peasant garb, to a symbol of wealth and royalty with the rise of Estate Tweed in 1835.
Nowadays, tweed is still coveted both as a symbol of refinement, or its casual and cool rustic appeal. In a word, it’s a classic. It is for this reason that Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash is the perfect pairing with an Old Fashioned – a timeless, classic cocktail. According to a ranking of the 50 Most Popular Cocktails in the World in 2021, the Old Fashioned was the number one most popular cocktail in the world. The Old Fashioned’s beginnings are a bit hazy as its namesake has also been used as a catchall for any cocktails including bourbon or whiskey, which were considered old fashioned before the art of cocktail making was refined. As far as I can tell though, the general recipe of spirits, bitters, water, sugar, and citrus have been around and in demand since the 1880s. Even the origins of this pair land on a relatively similar timeline!
Just as tweed has always been a blend of practicality and posh, our Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash is made from 90% superwash wool, 3% viscose, and 7% acrylic, making it both easy to care for and sophisticated. The soft and springy feel of the wool and beautiful stitch definition are the things I love most about this yarn. With 20 colors to choose from, and plenty of pattern support, there’s no reason not to make something perfectly classic for yourself or a loved one! Some of my favorite designs to try come from our collection Rustic and Refined, including Pilger and the Drifting Hap, featured in photos above. This robust collection has 13 total patterns, so you are sure to find quite a few things you won’t be able to live without. In addition to those I’ve already named, I also really like the Traverse Socks, and Sojourn Tunic, seen below.
Now that I’ve researched a bit about the origins of my chosen cocktail and fiber, I truly feel they are a match made in heaven! I can picture it now – curled up in a booth of a cozy tavern sipping some citrusy bourbon goodness and stitching along on my next make. Won’t you join me?! I hope you’ve enjoyed this first edition of our Fibertinis Series! Let us know in the comments what tweed project you’d make, or what cocktail & yarn we should pair up next! Happy Stitching! Ashley Jane
Oh man, let me just start by saying this whole post will be a not-so-subtly glowing review of our new collection! I am absolutely in love with our new yarn, Noelle, and these pieces which show it off beautifully. Made from a blend of 26% merino wool, 26% alpaca, 29% polyester and 19% nylon, it feels like a dream – and with its light shimmer and gentle color changes it looks like a dream too!
Noelle
Our collection, Subtle Glow, features five projects that reveal the versatility of Noelle, by showing it off on its own, as well as blending it with other staple yarns. My favorite piece in the collection is the Carina sweater, by Rachel Brockman, which pairs Noelle with our Deluxe DK Superwash. The 100% superwash wool pairs brilliantly because it is still so soft to the touch, so you don’t feel like there is a strange blend when you hold or wear it. It also adds contrast in the colorwork, both because of the selection of colors used, as well as its pairing of flat and glistening fibers.
Carina sweater, in Noelle and Deluxe DK Superwash, designed by Rachel Brockman
My next favorite is our revamped Glisten Cowl, originally designed for our 12 Days of Winter Collection of 2018. We couldn’t let this stunning pattern fade when the original yarn was discontinued, so we gave it new life. This is another piece that blends Noelle with another yarn, Rozetti Yarns Cotton Gold, which adds an extra special sparkle with its sequins. This yarn is made of 65% cotton, 8% metallic, and 27% Payette. Its super-fine weight is perfect for carrying along with any yarn, but adds a twinkling magical effect to the already shining Noelle.
Glisten Cowl, with Noelle and Cotton Gold held together.
Last, but not least, I adore the Parlamak shawl, designed by Brittany Garber. The word ‘parlamak” translates as “to shine” in Turkish, and I can’t help but feel like it’s namesake captures its essence perfectly! Made from Noelle alone, this shimmering shawl features a beautiful crochet cable along one edge, while letting the blending of colors speak for itself through the rest of the fabric. The overall effect is an enchanting design that can pair with anything in your wardrobe – it’s soft, sophisticated, and stunning.
Parlamak, in Noelle, designed by Brittany Garber.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my 3 favorites from our Subtle Glow Collection! Tell me in the comments, which design is your favorite? That’s all for now – Happy Stitching! Ashley Jane
Bright but not saccarine-sweet, this is a design that marries sophistication with whimsy.
Winter doesn’t have to be drab and gray. Today’s free pattern proves that!
Colorburst color 119 Bursa
Colorburst’s big, beautiful 660-yard “beehive” style balls make it easy to create this design with just one ball of each colorway. Designer Rachel Brockman alternated two different colorsto give maximum impact. She chose one light tone – 112 Romance, and one dark – 119 Bursa, for strong contrast between the stripes.
Beautiful geometry and rhythm, offset by gentle changes within the shades.
Simple stripes are broken by mosaic-knit squares, the “Turkish Delight” confection that gives the shawl its name. They add interest to an already fascinating shawl!
This is part 12 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition.
Can you believe it’s already December 12th, and this is our final blog post highlighting our 12 Days of Winter Kit collection? Time flies when you’re having fun! Some of these projects are short and sweet, so I’m sure you can tackle them as a last-minute gift that’s handmade with love, such as Marshmallow, the Sleigh Ride Set, or the Gingersnap Hats. Or, as a time saver and perfect gift for fellow fiber artists – simply pick up a kit and give it as is!
Today, I’m going to highlight the final accessory in the collection: the Snowfall Shawl. I shouldn’t choose favorites, and this is, in my opinion, perhaps our best ever 12 Days of Winter Collection (though I say that every year!). Of my own designs, I think I’m most smitten with Snowfall. It’s sparkly, hazy, and features such a lovely lace motif. It’s hard to think of a more perfect shawl for the season!
The tonal shades of Noelle and surprisingly crisp stitch definition makes for some truly dreamy lace knitting.
Snowfall is a semi-triangular shawl that’s worked from the top-down. However, unlike your traditional triangular shawl, it starts with a large amount of cast-on stitches to ensure a perfect fit over your neck and shoulders, making it especially easy to style.
You’ll get to indulge in the following techniques for this pattern:
basic decreases
yarnovers
knitting flat
garter stitch
creating tassels
I love styling my shawls with a point at the front in a “bandana” fashion. It keeps them looking modern, fresh, and oh-so-cozy!
For Snowfall, I chose Noelle for the yarn. Noelle is a DK-weight blend of merino wool, baby alpaca, polyester, and nylon. It features a tubular construction, with the softest fibers blown through the tube to create an exquisite halo. The color 301 Elida, used in the pattern, is a tonal grey with a dazzling silver sparkle.
The glimmer of Noelle perfectly complements the crystalline qualities of snowflakes.
Our 12 Days of Winter collections always lean into wintry themes: snow, coniferous trees, delicious holiday treats, and colors that vibe with the season. I really wanted to create an elegant shawl with lacy snowflakes, so I looked to close-up images of the icy natural phenomena.
How beautiful are the ice crystals in snowflakes? I’m inspired to make even more lace patterns that reflect them!
I thought about the different types of snowfall, which is why I opted for both a small and large motif. The upper portion featuring smaller flakes nods to gentle flurries, a sight that always fills me with joy. The final portion of larger, more dramatic snowflakes reminds me of heavy snowfall – the type with large flakes that tempted you to catch them with your tongue as a child. Finally, the tassels that drop down from each tip echo the movement of snow falling from the sky. Oh, how nature is so inspiring and magical!
I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing a bit about my inspiration for the Snowfall Shawl, and that you’ve had fun reading each of our posts over the past two weeks. It’s always such a pleasure to share this collection every year. Our team truly puts our heart into it – it’s a large collection and lots of work. We hope you enjoy every stitch!
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, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!
This is part 10 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition.
Are you new to lace knitting, or are you already a fan? Either way, you’re in for a treat today as we take a closer look at the oversized, extra cozy Evergreen Shawl!
Beautiful and oversized, you’ll be so cozy in the blanket-y shawl.
First, though, let’s chat about this lovely design and all the special details. When I wear shawls, I love an oversized one, especially in the winter. You can wrap them around your neck and shoulders a couple of times – and you can’t have too many layers, wouldn’t you agree? 😉 I chose Deluxe Worsted, our classic, 100% non-superwash wool yarn, in the color 12296 Green Leaf for this piece. Since the shawl is covered in lacy fir trees, the color seemed like the perfect fit.
Just take a look at how large, yet still elegant, this Everygreen Shawl is!
In this pattern, you’ll get to indulge in the following techniques:
yarnovers
basic increases and decreases
right and left twists
knitting flat
This shawl does indeed have perhaps the simplest of shapes: a right triangle with decreases along one edge. The straight edge of the shawl has a gorgeous lace diamond motif, which although beautiful, does cause stitch counts to fluctuate throughout the pattern. So, as you’re decreasing along one edge to shape the shawl, you’ll also need to ensure that you maintain the stitch patterns as established. It’s a nice balance of rhythm and engagement, perfect for someone who wants to stay focused through a knitting pattern.
Although I’d consider this pattern Intermediate level, don’t fret if you’re a beginner who’s craving a challenge. I’m the very last person to discourage someone from trying something new. So, if you have little or no lace experience, or even if you have a bunch, I have a few handy tips for knitting lace that will get you started on the right foot.
The lacy tree motif makes this shawl perfect for winter. Just imagine yourself in a snowy forest with those pops of green peeking out beneath the piles of snow atop the boughs.
My first tip is to sharpen your chart reading skills. This pattern includes helpful charts and written instructions, but I find that charts are a great way to visualize exactly what you’re doing. Back in our first series of the 12 Days of Winter Kit collection, before we even knew it would be a tradition, I shared some tips for reading charts. You can find that blog post at this link.
My next tip is to use sharp needles. I have so many favorite needles that it’s hard to choose a brand. I’m a bit of a needle nerd and I love everything from Addi Lace Tips to any of the ChiaoGoo lines and have had great experiences with Hiya Hiya Sharps. But in truth, your favorite needle brand probably has an option for sharp tips and that’s what you really want. Why? Simply because it makes working those decreases much easier! In this pattern, usually, you’ll only work two stitches together; however, some lace patterns have you work more than that – three, even four together (as in the Dusk Poncho). And if you must do a purl decrease through the back loop, you’ll thank yourself for the investment, trust me!
Insert lifelines as you knit to give you a safety zone if you make a mistake and must rip back your work.
My final tip for lace knitting is a lifeline – because it’s a lifesaver! I feel like a pro whenever it comes to correcting mistakes in cable knitting or most textured stitches, however, I always find correcting mistakes in lace to be a bit more tricky. As a result, I often tink back (knit backward – get it?) my work or simply rip back until I get to the row where I made the mistake. When you have lots of decreases and yarnover increases, it’s really easy to lose your place. My suggestion is to insert a lifeline. What’s a lifeline? It’s simply a strand of yarn to place through your stitches as a safe spot to unravel your work if needed because all of those stitches will be secure with a strand of scrap yarn threaded through.
Option 1: This is probably the most preferred method, especially if you’re knitting lace. Before you start knitting your row, thread a piece of scrap yarn that’s about six to eight inches wider than your work and simply glide the tapestry needle through each live stitch without removing the needles. You’ll work just below the knitting needle, as pictured in the example photo above. The ideal place for a lifeline is before a fresh row repeat – this way you know exactly where to start once you unravel your work.
You can always insert a lifeline after you work your rows, too.
The second option is great for moments when you’ve forgotten to insert a lifeline…or if you were overly confident only to find out you made a mistake later. Oops! And I have to say, I’m GUILTY! Have no fear, though, because you can still insert a lifeline any amount of rows below (see above photo). This time, all you’ll do is thread the tapestry needle the same way you did in the first option I described. Then, carefully thread the needle through one leg of each stitch across the row. Picking up each leg of the stitch from below is a bit trickier, but if you take your time you’ll be good to go, I promise. Then you can rip back all the way to the lifeline and your stitches will remain secure.
The tip detail shows how the tree motif transforms into a chevron lace motif, and the final shaping is just so pretty!
That’s it for my lace knitting tips and I hope you find them to be very useful. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us because we’re always happy to help. Do you have any lace tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
Remember, these exclusive kits can be purchased at local yarn store retailers near you. Each kit comes with the pattern, the yarn required to make it, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!
This is part 5 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition
Hello there! I’m so thrilled to bring you our 5th day piece, the Cinnamon Swirl Stole. It’s made with ultra-soft Nymph, and is available in both a crochet version and a knit version , so it feels extra special. Nymph is a blend of Cotton and Polyamide and is genuinely one of the softest yarns I have worked with in a long time! The finished project feels cozy and luxurious – the perfect item to treat yourself. As an extra bonus each of these kits comes with a bonus project bag and stitch marker!
Nymph with bonus kit items – a project bag and stitch marker!
I had the opportunity to design this as a crochet piece first, serving as the inspiration for the knit kit. We will spend some time in this post talking about a special technique involved for crochet – how to join panels as you work.
Cinnamon Swirl, Crochet Version
Before we do that though, can we just take a moment to “Ooh!” and “Ahh!” over the knit companion to this piece!? It’s stunning! this knit version is all worked in one panel using an Intarsia technique for the colorwork, while the crochet version makes one panel at a time, but they attach as you go.
Cinnamon Swirl, Knit Version
To accomplish the crochet join technique, you’ll execute what the pattern calls a “Slip Stitch Sequence” at the end of every other row. This will connect the new panel to the existing one with a practically invisible effect. It lets you achieve the same look as intarsia, while being able to focus on one set of pattern repeats at a time.
Cinnamon Swirl, Crochet Version
The pattern works from the bottom up, and you add new panels on the right hand side of existing ones. To do this, you join the new yarn at the bottom right corner of an existing panel, with the right side facing you, then chain the amount needed for the new one. you’ll turn the row like normal and work back towards the existing panel, then slip stitch to it to finish the row, and slip stitch one row up before turning to start the next row.
Swatch of the Panel Join from our tutorial
To make sure we don’t leave anybody hangin’ on this technique, we have recorded a tutorial for you! To follow along you’ll want to start out with a swatch of 15 sc sts x 16 rows, using an H/8 (5.0 mm) hook and the yarn Nymph. Have the second color handy along with your hook and press play. This will be a wonderful opportunity to try out this sequence before diving into the pattern.
Tutorial of the Panel Join “Slip Stitch Sequence”
I hope that this tutorial has been helpful to you, and I can’t wait to see how your beautiful Cinnamon Swirl Stoles turn out! 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, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer! Warmly, Ashley Jane McIntyre
Sometimes the simplest things are the sweetest. Such is the case with today’s free pattern, Cotton Candy Swirl. The open, boomerang-shaped shawl is a lively accessory to brighten up any day.
I feel pretty… oh so pretty…
A field of triple crochet creates this colorful, fun accessory. One big beehive-style ball of soft, variegated Fibra Natura Cobblestone does the colorwork for you!
I’m such a fan of blues and greens that I think my personal shawl would be in color 106 Meadow, shown above. This would be such a great project for a crochet neophyte, or for anyone who wants to crochet while their attention is divided by good conversation.
Lovely, simple, and sweet, this free pattern is pretty and perfect.
Hello crafters! As we’re entering the autumn season, all of us at Universal Yarn are thinking about cool weather projects, and the cozy yarns we want to make them in. We recently brought in Creative Melange Chunky from German brand Rico Design, and I thought today was a great opportunity to give a bit of a spotlight to this new and colorful yarn.
Creative Melange Chunky is a plump yarn packed full of stunning color that self-shades as you knit, crochet, or weave. Comprised of virgin wool and acrylic, this yarn is incredibly soft thanks to the springy wool and plush single-ply construction. Quite pleasant to work with, it is well suited to both complex and simple stitch patterns, and makes for unique garments and accessories you’ll treasure for years to come.
This yarn comes in 50g skeins priced at $8.00 each on our web store, making it a great choice for smaller projects like hats and cowls in addition to adding variety for colorwork projects! I must admit, I fell in love with this yarn when I first saw it. The possibilities are virtually endless; there are so many different ways to incorporate a self-shading yarn into a design and create very unique projects! In fact, I am already planning a design of my own for Creative Melange!
Sweater 952 – free pattern from Rico Design
For a free pattern option, we have this downloadable PDF for Sweater 952 (shown above)- a ribbed stitch pullover with balloon style sleeves. Although Rico Design may not have the most *creative* names for their patterns, they always make fashion-forward designs that still feel extremely wearable. I love how this sweater’s shape shows off the yarn’s ability to retain structure, but still look soft and cuddly. Since the yarn self-shades as you work, a simple design like this is often the best way to enhance the yarn’s naural beauty.
Triangular Shawl 768
For accessory knitters, this paid pattern for Triangular Shawl 768 is stunning. The textural stitch pattern really shows off the stripes the yarn makes as you knit. A wide, triangle-style shawl like this is perfect for styling in many different ways. This shawl is quite wide (about 90″), so it is a perfect design for wrapping around your neck and snuggling up on cold days, and since Creative Melange is chunky weight, it works up quickly!
Jacket 781
The last of our new pattern options for Creative Melange Chunky is Jacket 781. This outerwear design is perfect for layering, and the cables on the sleeves show off the incredible stitch definition that this yarn has. You can also see from this pattern to the previous ones just how broad the available color range is! We currently have 20 colors in stock, everything from a grayscale to bright options like this one pictured (#058) featuring green and blue shades. Although I love bright colors and typically fall for pinks and reds, some of the more dark and earthy tones we have (see below photo) really catch my eye. They are beautiful in a different way than the brighter colors, but would also pair quite easily with other autumn and winter wardrobe staples.
The other amazing news is that Creative Melange Chunky is a fabulous substitute yarn for our now discontinued Classic Shades Frenzy! For favorite patterns like the Abari Pullover, simply substitute Creative Melange where Classic Shades Frenzy is called for. Do be mindful when substituting that Frenzy came in 100g skeins, while Creative Melange comes in 50g skeins, so you’ll need to adjust the required amount of yarn for the difference.
Closeup image of the Abari Pullover, where Creative Melange could be substituted for discontinued Frenzy
Do you like self-shading yarns like Creative Melange Chunky? Tell me what you’d make with it for the coming winter season!
Hello there, Welcome back my second installment of “AJ’s Crochet Corner!”
I’m slowly swatching my way through various yarns and infiltrating our knit-heavy office to inspire envy and the desire to switch skills amongst all I meet! Now that you know my evil plans to motivate my coworkers to share my craft, you can help give me feedback on what types of yarn and patterns I should try out and show off next!
Today I tried out Fashion Light Luxury by Rico Design, which is a wonderful brand that we recently started to distribute. Unfortunately, we haven’t had the chance to incorporate their yarns into our pattern collections just yet, but keep an eye out later in the year for new patterns from us featuring Rico Design yarns. This blog post felt extra special, because I was the first one in the office getting to swatch some stitch patterns in Fashion Light Luxury! This particular yarn is made from 74% Alpaca, 22% Wool, and 4% Nylon. It is ultra fluffy so you have a lot of room to play with techniques, gauge and texture.
Rico Design Fashion Light Luxury in Powder 009
For example, our site notes that a recommended hook or needle size is a US 10 or 6mm, to accommodate the fibers as a bulky weight yarn. However, I wanted to get funky and see if I could work up some visible texture, so I scaled down to a US 6 or 4mm hook. It still worked well, as the base yarn housing the fluffy fibers is quite fine.
Rico Design Fashion Light Luxury in Light Blue 018
I worked up a swatch in a Honeycomb stitch, which turned out lovely! The smaller hook wound the fibers into the stitches more and helped to create a unique texture. I would definitely recommend a metal hook for this, as the yarn was a bit grippy when I tried a wooden hook. The overall effect was worth it though! Between the color, the swirls of the pattern, and the bouncy material I’m reminded of sea foam on the shore of a stormy ocean.
I mentioned earlier though how this yarn is meant to be treated as a bulky weight. When you size up your hook, you have more room for the intended airy halo, and get a satisfying drape to boot. Check out the Crochet Cardigan and Shawl designed by the Rico Design Team below!
Rico Design Fashion Light Luxury Cardigan in Pastel Green 024Rico Design Fashion Light Luxury Shawl in 7 various colors
Here you can see that the fabric made is not as dense as my swatch, and that there is a bit of a cozier quality overall. Ultimately I feel that Fashion Light Luxury is really versatile for the different looks you can manipulate, and for the adaptability of its blend. It’s extremely lightweight, yet very warm, and the nylon gives it enough strength to handle making garments.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this experiment with gauge and a unique yarn! Let me know what you think you’d try to make out of it! Please also drop a comment if there are any specific yarns, or techniques that you’d like to see in crochet.
