Sweater – Page 14 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

August 14, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Antonia

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Antonia was originally designed for Dolce Merino, a great 50/50 merino/microfiber blend. Fortunately, we have two excellent substitutes!

Merino XF Superwash is 100% extra fine merino. Very soft, very springy, and just the right weight to make this cool-weather cardi. Alternately, we’d recommend knitter-favorite Deluxe DK Superwash 100% superwash wool. If you want to perfectly duplicate the look of the original, several of the greens are a very good match.

The braid portion of the pattern consists of right twists of the type we’ve been working on in our Afghan Knitalong. The bobbles are made by knitting multiple times into the same stitch, then immediately decreasing to make a raised bump in the fabric. They really pop against the reverse stockinette column background.

We hope you enjoy this free stylish cardi-style jacket. Happy knitting!

August 1, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Bamboo Pop Dolls

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Did we say “free pattern?” Try five free patterns, part of Bamboo Pop Dolls!

Bamboo Pop Kids is such a popular E-Book for us, and no wonder – Bamboo Pop is a versatile yarn for kids and adults. One of the things we heard from stores was, “wouldn’t it be great if there were matching outfits for the kids’ dolls?” Once we were done squealing over the adorableness of that idea, we got to work!

The T-Ball Tee keeps the sweet little ties at the arms and shortens the body, making this a very quick lace knit. I can absolutely see the two little ladies above palling around town together! Matches the T-Ball Tee from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Pixie Skirt removes one tie from the shortened waist of the 18″ doll at left. It’s a shortened length of i-cord that can be made with either a crank machine or by hand. This is a great skirt to spin in. Matches the Pixie Skirt from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Little Patriot is all decked out and ready to go! For me, what really makes this top pop is the red edging around the star and the edges. Being a Southerner, I think this is a great top for a summer day of watermelon and fresh-churned ice cream. Matches the Little Patriot from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Fading Stripe Hoodie uses a slipped “pebble stitch” to give texture. Something just a touch warmer for the girl on the left as she wait for her friend to come home from school. Matches the Fading Stripe Hoodie from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

The Berry Blossom Pullover lends itself well to “dollification!” This is one of our most popular designs for girls, and it looks great on an 18″ doll, too. Matches the Berry Blossom Pullover from Bamboo Pop Kids (Ravelry link).

Many thanks to our store owners who brought us this great idea. We always love to hear what you have to say.

Happy knitting!

July 31, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Bethany

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, we have Bethany! Originally this was a “pay” pattern, but we’ve released it into the wild as a free pattern and bring it to you today to enjoy.

First stitched in Fibra Natura Cottonwood, this would make a great cover-up in either Bamboo Pop or Little Bird, which would provide great drape for this piece. You might also try Uptown Baby Sport anti-pilling acrylic. Uptown Baby Sport’s palette features some very sweet pastels, and at 361 yards per ball you’d only need three balls to make the smallest size.

In this traditional knit-flat cardi, the easy lace pattern is featured on both front and back. A great lacy sweater to start now and have ready when the first chill creeps back into the air.

Happy knitting!

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Spring Snowflake Cardi

It’s Throwback Thursday!

This little cutie is wearing the Spring Snowflake Cardi.

Originally, this took about 300 yards of Morning Glory Cotton (a cotton/acrylic blend) on a size 6 needle. We’re recommending several other machine washable options for this charming baby and toddler cardi.

Lightweight Little Bird, Bamboo Pop, and Uptown Baby Sport would all be good matches. These yarns also have greater yardage per ball than the original yarn, making this sweater potentially a great one ball project!

Uptown Baby Sport has some really great pastels and kid-friendly color options. You might even try doubling up Little Bird or Bamboo Pop solid and multi for an interesting color color combo. Hmm… I feel a Sunday Swatch idea coming on.

Happy knitting!

July 4, 2014July 4, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Inspired Dolman

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

For the 4th of July, how about something with a little sparkle? Today, we feature the Inspired Dolman in Cotton Gold and Garden 5.

Cotton Gold (25g/200yds) is a lace weight yarn with plenty of pizzazz. Strung with a generous number of sequins, it’s great for dramatic projects that really catch the eye. Here it’s paired with Garden 5 (50g/175yds) cotton thread in a similar color so that it knits up easily into a more substantial garment. Several rows in the pattern repeat are knitted just with Cotton Gold, though, for an almost lacy texture.

This top is meant to fit with a few inches of positive ease and is sized from a 34″ to a 54″ bust. The stitch pattern is a snap. All in all, it’s a great piece to add some sparkle and punch to your wardrobe.

Happy Independence Day to all our American friends – and happy knitting every day to everyone!

June 26, 2014June 26, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Tea Party

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, the Tea Party sweater!

Awww! I love a cute kid in a cute sweater. Of course, this pattern is from 2008, so to fit this moppet now you’d have to knit the largest size!

Regardless of when it was first published, the pattern remains adorable. Originally meant for discontinued Bellagio, we’re recommending Cotton Supreme (100g/180yds) as a substitution. While Cotton Supreme won’t have quite the same sheen as the original yarn, it is soft and machine washable, making it a great choice for kid knits. And on size 7 needles, the gauge should work out just fine.

Tea Party is knitted flat and seamed, with the lace pattern both written and charted. All in all, a great knit for any little tyke.

May 23, 2014May 23, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – A Week of Babies!

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, it’s a two-fer! We present the Professor Pullover (left) and Love Patches (right). How adorable are those little elbow patches? Both cute baby sweaters are knit in lightweight machine washable Little Bird 100% microfiber acrylic (344yds/100g). This yarn is exceptionally soft, making it a great choice for baby projects.

These two designs cap off an entire week of free baby and kid patterns. Sometimes it’s hard to find things that aren’t too froufrou for little kids, so we focused mainly on designs that didn’t have too many lacy details.

First, the Over and Out Vest in Infusion Handpaints wool/acrylic. Two skeins makes a sophisticated vest for a tyke who needs dress up a little but still keep those arms free for making mudpies. Did we mention Infusion Handpaints is machine washable?

Next, the Lil’ Grandpa Cardigan in Deluxe DK Superwash 100% wool. Sized for ages 1-10, this machine washable cabled cardigan would look very dignified paired with a bubble pipe and a golden retriever.

The Snowbaby Set is a snuggly soft hat and sweater in Bella Chenille. Sized for 3-24 months, it’s a simple project to knit in the round. The snap flap at the shoulder makes the sweater very easy to pull over baby’s head.

Finally… okay, something a little more frilly, because how could we resist? The Cutie Cardi is knit in Little Bird Colors 100% microfiber acrylic with a solid Little Bird crocheted border. The pleated pockets are an adorable accent.

We hope you find some inspiration from these sweet designs for little sweethearts!

January 31, 2014February 6, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – In Flight Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

In Flight Pullover

Today, a fabulous piece in Deluxe DK Superwash 100% wool.

The In Flight Pullover is knit in the round from the bottom up. The Flight Lace pattern resembles little wings, hence the name. This is a classic and versatile piece that works beautifully in a solid color yarn like Deluxe DK Superwash. The lace really has a chance to shine.

January 24, 2014February 6, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Little Bird

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

You know, I love show season, don’t get me wrong. Stitches, TNNA, VKLive, they’re all great opportunities to show our stuff and to reconnect with other knitters and crocheters. But man, do they take a lot of work! I guess this is my way of saying I apologize for missing the last couple of Free Pattern Friday posts. Now that show season has waned a bit, things should get back to normal here. To make up for it, let’s do two free patterns for baby today!

First, the Little Dreamer Pullover. It’s a charming baby sweater knit from the bottom up. The raglan sleeves are easy, and anybody who has ever tried to dress a baby will appreciate a v-neck that slips easily over a little squirmer’s head. The slipped stitches in solid Little Bird (344yds/100g) give a lot of interest along the stripes where the color changes. It’s an easy technique that looks great – one of our favorite tricks. We’ll bet this would look great in Little Bird Multi (284yds/100g), too!

Next up, the Lace Sampler Baby Blanket by Amy Gunderson. Knitted in the round from the center out, it combines several different lace patterns into a lacy heirloom. This design is also in Little Bird solids. Little Bird is a soft and smooth 100% acrylic yarn that is machine washable. It’s a great choice for a project you want to stand the test of time.

How about you? What’s your favorite kind of knit or crochet for baby?

October 31, 2013February 12, 2014

Mystery KAL – Check in!

It’s the end of the month. How’d we do on the 30-Day Sweater Challenge?

A few of us finished. A few of us got close. A few of us are plowing ahead, slow and steady.

At right, my Mystery Sweater in Deluxe Worsted wool (100g/220yds). I chose the harder path, but after a misreading of the pattern (completely my fault!) that left me ripping back three inches, I decided to skip the pockets in the interest of finishing in a timely fashion. I’m planning on finishing hem by tomorrow. Even though I didn’t make the 30 day deadline, this was definitely a worthwhile knit. There were a lot of opportunities to learn and to challenge myself, which is what the project was all about.

At right, a designer’s sweater in Llamalini (50g/109yds), so very close to being finished! She chose to move her pockets further forward and to finish her hem with the twists at the collar rather than the garter rows called for. So far she wins the unofficial award for “most customized sweater.”

How about you? This is certainly a project that is as much about the journey as the destination. Are you pleased with the work you did? Any project we learn from is worthwhile. We hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve done so far.

Don’t forget our giveaway – if you complete your sweater in a Universal yarn by November 14th and send us a photo, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a set of Deborah Norville interchangeable needles. We’ve seen some great sweaters already!

We’ll share the office’s finished sweaters in a couple of weeks. See you then!