Spotlight: New Colors & New Patterns

June 21, 2023June 16, 2023

Spotlight: New Colors & New Patterns

A graphic with the words "Spotlight: New Yarns & New Patterns". Four images of a model are to the left of the text. She is wearing assorted knitted and crochet garments.

Twice a year, Universal Yarn launches lots of exciting new yarns, colors, and patterns to our customers. We bring our sales reps together for the first look, and shortly after we present you with all of these sweet surprises! (By the way, if you want some insight on a day in the life of a yarn sales rep, check out this blog post featuring one of our reps.) You may have noticed some new colors of some of our staple yarns at your local yarn store, or on our website. To go with these lovely new colors we’ve published some wonderful free patterns. Shall we dive in and explore these goodies?

Bamboo Pop

Our bestselling yarn, Bamboo Pop, features six gorgeous neutrals inspired by the diversity of our skin tones. These colors were created for doll projects, as seen in our Bamboo Pop Dolls released last week, and for Knitted Knockers, which are soft, comfortable knit prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Bamboo Pop is one of our approved yarns for these prosthetics. However, it’s a super versatile yarn that’s great for garments and accessories, too. These new neutral hues work well individually or paired with our other solids and multis. To demonstrate this, Ashley Jane McIntyre designed the Espresso Bandana, shown below.

This asymmetrical bandana is lightweight and perfect for warm weather thanks to Bamboo Pop’s smooth 50/50 blend of bamboo and cotton. It is crocheted flat, beginning at the tip and increasing to the widest edge. Slanting clusters and extended single crochet come together to create the richly textured Boxed Bead Stitch used throughout the fabric. We recommend wearing this accessory on your next trip to the café – you’ll enjoy your latte while receiving compliments from all around!

Colorburst

If neutrals aren’t your favorite, but colors make you sing, you’ll love our fresh new shade of Colorburst. This self-shading yarn features a variety of fun colors, but 120 Lollipop might be my new favorite. This colorway features creamy white as well as vibrant red, yellow, and turquoise.

We have plenty of patterns to support this yarn (check them out here), but how could I resist a sugary sweet new sweater? Ceres is a relaxed turtleneck that will keep you cozy and warm when chilly weather approaches. It features thoughtful details like a rolled hemline, texture on the lower body, and plush ribbing on the sleeve cuffs and neckband. The construction is bottom up, in the round, with options for seamed or seamless sleeves. It’s a great pattern for a first sweater, or any knitter looking for a satisfyingly simple project.

Kingston Tweed

Kingston Tweed, our soft yet rustic blend of 50% wool, 25% alpaca, and 25% viscose has long been one of my favorites. I love the subtle tweed and earthy palette, inspired by minerals and gemstones. It’s also the yarn featured in one of our most popular patterns: the Jay Sweater. This yarn is well suited to a variety of techniques including colorwork, lace, and textural motifs.

To celebrate new colors of Kingston Tweed, we’ve published two brand-new patterns. For those craving a coordinating accessory set, look no further than the Starling Set, designed by Aubrey Busek. This beginner-friendly project is knit using soothing slipped stitches and a touch of ribbing for tidiness. The hat and cowl are each knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. This project makes great use of yarn, requiring just one skein of each color!

Blake is a wardrobe essential. Classic, squishy Shaker Rib and colorful stripes make this an easy layering piece whether your office is perpetually frigid, or you want something ideal for autumn and winter. The knitting in this pattern is pretty simple throughout – the body is knit flat from the bottom up in one piece, and the sleeves are also knit flat. There is minimal shaping, except a little increasing at the sleeve cuffs to create the bishop sleeve effect. The stripes make it potato-chippy, so you’ll want to keep stitching away for the next color, and the next!

Major

Next, we have another bestseller: Major! This plush, soft acrylic yarn is self-shading and each colorway is sensational. Like Bamboo Pop, Major has been a staple of the Universal Yarn line for years and nearly 900 people have projects featuring this yarn in their Ravelry notebooks. We have loads of patterns that use this yarn, from the ever-popular Pineapple Peacock Shawl to the entrelac Woven Sky Throw and many more – we know you’ll find something you love. For the launch of our six new shades we’ve introduced two new patterns: the knitted Hedgerow wrap and crocheted Loch scarf, shown below.

Crocheted in 145 Feather and designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre, Loch is warm and cozy. Beginners looking to elevate their skills will relish the Herringbone Half Double Crochet motif throughout the fabric. This one-skein project is gentle on your wallet with impressive results. It’s also a quick project, making it great for a last-minute gift (well, as last-minute as you can handle with something handmade!).

Aubrey Busek pairs the popular neutral 115 Stonewall with 141 Greenhouse in Hedgerow to create another stunning slip stitch pattern. My favorite element of this piece is how lavishly textured the fabric is. It delicately balances subtle drape with a fabric dense enough to ward off frosty winter air. Thoughtfully placed tassels make this wrap a statement piece that is guaranteed to win you major style points!

Uni Merino

Bonus! Fans of Uni Merino will love this new shade of green: 151 Pistachio. A blend of soft superwash merino and sturdy nylon make Uni Merino an excellent match for sock knitters, but it’s also ideal for fingering-weight sweaters, shawls, hats, and more. We don’t have a sample to show this color off yet, but we promise we will soon and your patience will pay off. In the meantime, find inspiration in projects like the crocheted Spice Market Shawl and the knitted Party Flag Socks.

Now that you’ve seen our selection of new colors and patterns, let us know which ones inspire you. Will you make one of our designs, or try something different? It’s always exciting to see what our customers create with our yarns, so stay in touch. You can always email us at patterns@universalyarn.com and we encourage you to tag us on Instagram (@universal_yarn).

Happy stitching!
-Rachel

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023

Collection Spotlight: Ocean Wonder

A woman sits wearing a knit wrap from the Ocean Wonder Collection. A description saying there are seven designs in the Cotton Supreme Family is detailed on the right of the image.

Today, we released the Ocean Wonder collection, which captures the awe and majesty of the deep sea across seven knit and crochet patterns. Let’s take the plunge and explore the beautiful mysteries of the deep through these inspired designs!

Abyss, designed by Aubrey Busek, is a captivating shawl which twists and undulates like the tendrils of an ethereal deep-sea creature, but its colors are buoyant and bright like glimmers of light on the sea surface. When I first saw this piece, it immediately captured my interest and pulled me in to explore more. I love how the crescent shawl shape creates curls at its corners, and that the lace detailing enhances the rippling stitch pattern throughout. This shawl is knit flat from the top down and uses solid Cotton Supreme to frame the vibrant Cotton Supreme Waves.

*Below, designed by Ashley Jane McIntyre*

Next up is Below, designed by me, Ashley Jane McIntyre. The collection inspiration was the deep sea, which feels both beautiful and a little scary. There’s no better way to ward off the fear of the unknown then by wrapping yourself up in a cozy, handmade blanket. This piece features a deep, rich background with swirling ribbons of colorwork in Cotton Supreme, each bordered by bold stripes of colorful Cotton Supreme Speckles. It’s worked flat from the bottom up and uses tapestry crochet in the colorwork sections. The effect mimics the continuous movement of seawater found below the ocean’s surface.

Current captures the ebbs and flows found throughout the sea. Waves on the surface, kelp that winds and twists through habitats, and deeper currents of water below. The entire ocean is teeming with movement and life, all captured in this beautiful piece. It’s knit flat from side to side in two rectangles which are joined together using the three-needle bind-off to create the top. No seams required! Three colors of Cotton Supreme are worked in rhythmic, striping waves throughout bringing the life of the ocean rippling into your wardrobe.

Drift (left) and Float (right), both designed by Patty Olson are cowls filled with texture and movement. Side by side, these complimenting accessories capture the oceans shifting personality from soothing and calm, to intrepid and strong. Both cowls use Cotton Supreme and are knit flat from the bottom up, then seamed at the neck. However, they each have unique stitch patterns and details that set them apart from one another.

Fade, designed by Amy Gunderson, captures the unpredictability of the sea. Slants of eyelets lean and travel like a billowing haze on the water’s surface. Sections of stockinette interrupt the movement like choppy waves, or roiling waters that fade into a smooth calm below. This top is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, with bands of lace and staggered sections of plain stockinette. A single color of Cotton Supreme is used, allowing the stitch definition and texture to tell this story on its own.

The power of the ocean is not always for the faint of heart. The ever-moving water erodes almost anything in its path over time, but strong networks of coral and underwater communities band together in breathtaking underwater worlds, creating a latticework of strength and endurance against the swelling currents below. Surge, designed by Patty Olson, paints a picture of this vigor through its interlocking mosaic pattern, texture, and vibrant colors. This wrap is knit flat from the bottom up, and uses just one color per row. Both Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Waves work in harmony to capture the resilience, warmth, and magic of the ocean and its creatures.

I truly hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my review of each beautiful piece in the Ocean Wonder collection. I find them all captivating in their own ways, and kept finding myself in awe at each new detail I’ve noticed along the way. Was there a particular piece that captured your interest too? Tell us about it in the comments below!

One last note – to celebrate this release, we are offering a discount! The full ebook, individual patterns (on Ravelry), and the Cotton Supreme Family of yarns used are all 20% off, from today – Sunday 6/11. No discount codes are required!

Happy Stitching to you!
Ashley Jane McIntyre

May 24, 2023May 23, 2023

Summer Yarn Spotlight

Cotton Supreme yarn in blue and green shades lines up to frame text which reads "Yarns you Need This Summer."

Summer is swiftly approaching, and as the weather warms to peak sunny season we are sure projects like tank tops, hats and lacework are on your mind. If you haven’t had a chance to find patterns for your queue, then fear not! We have some gorgeous summer yarns and projects for you to try out today.

Magnolia is a luscious blend of 95% modal and 5% cashmere. Modal is a bio-based material made from beech tree cellulose. It’s typically considered a more eco-friendly alternative to cotton because the amount of water these trees require is 10-20 times less than cotton. You can read more about the process of creating modal here. We love this yarn for more than its environmentally conscious origins though – it has excellent drape and feels silky soft with the kiss of cashmere blended in.

One of my favorite projects using Magnolia is the Sailfin wrap, designed by Rachel Brockman. This standout pattern is one of five from our Sunkissed Summer collection from Spring 2022. It’s my favorite because it features so many buoyant, joyful colors of magnolia and shows off the radiance of the yarn so well. Simply put, it just makes me happy every time I see it!

Summer crafting would feel lacking if you didn’t have cotton in the mix. Cotton Supreme is our buttery soft, 100% cotton yarn available in a wide array of colors. This worsted weight yarn is wonderful for any project ranging from garments and accessories to blankets and homewares. In fact, this yarn is so popular that we offer it in a variety of options. Our fun, multi-colored Cotton Supreme Speckles is a complimentary worsted weight yarn with dashes of fun colors throughout. Or, if you’re looking for a lighter weight version, our Cotton Supreme Waves is a beautifully blended self-striping dk weight option. While supply lasts, we also have Cotton Supreme DK in solid options, but act now! This yarn is being discontinued and won’t be around much longer.

The Cotton Supreme Family, as we like to call this offering of yarns, gives so many fabulous options between weight and colors. So, of course we have created many beautiful designs to uplift them throughout the years. For any yarn above, you can scroll down below the color listings to view all of the patterns available. Take some time to browse around, then try to choose a favorite – it’s hard! I finally landed on featuring the Seastar sweater by Aubrey Busek. It combines many of my favorite attributes in a project. It’s made in panels then seamed, so it’s simple and easy to carry around without getting too heavy. It has lovely lace all the way up the sleeves, which remind me of ocean waves. Lastly, it uses intarsia colorwork to create the cutest starfish, ever!

Up next is Filly, one of our new yarns launched for spring of 2023. This super fine yarn is a special blend of 46% cotton, 33% super wash merino, 12% polyamide, and 9% pbt. It’s unique fiber content, eye-catching colors, and amazing yardage (492 yards per ball), make it your go-to summer grab.

Whip up a quick one-skein project like the crocheted Stormy Shores Shawl to start showing off this favorite, new yarn today. Not a crocheter? Check out the full pattern selection here, with knit options to try out too!

Lastly, I wanted to highlight a beautiful yarn from Rico Design, the Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton. This blend of 46% acrylic, 49% cotton, and 5% polyester is irresistible! It washes and wears well over time, it’s basic color is spun with a print ply for a bright variegated look, and it’s offered in everything from pastels to rich earthy tones. What more could you want!?

Rico patterns, which they call Compacts, are all paid-for, but each typically come with at least two designs! Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton has 6 Compacts to choose from, so you have a myriad of choices. My favorite Compact is number 1106, including a Sweater, a Top, and a Shawl. Each one is simple and lets the yarn shine!

I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring some of these summer yarn highlights! Check our Summer Yarns Collection to view even more options! Don’t forget to share all your beautiful creations with us on social media!

That’s all for now! Happy Stitching,
Ashley Jane McIntyre

March 8, 2023March 7, 2023

Yarns You Need this Spring

Buds are forming on branches, birds are building nests, and the earth is being greeted by more and more sunlight, thawing and reemerging from the cold. Spring is upon us! With every fresh season comes the desire to freshen up our stashes. Here are the yarns you won’t want to miss.

Ravello is one of three yarns making their debut as Web Exclusives on our site with brand-new, lower pricing! This luxurious, Italian yarn is a blend of cotton, extra-fine merino, and cashmere. In keeping with the “new life” theme of the season, it’s fitting to point out that the cashmere content is made from recycled sweaters, lending an eco-friendly characteristic to the lush composition. Beyond its metaphorical qualities, this yarn also has practical reasons to covet it during warmer months. It’s fine weight, and predominantly cotton base make for light, airy garments, like the Riviette Tank – a showstopper for the season!

Cotton Supreme Waves is a soft, high-quality 100% cotton yarn that’s wonderful for garments and accessories. It’s one of our Oeko-Tex certified yarns, which are tested for 350+ harmful substances to keep you and loved ones safe. Available in 18 self-striping colors, this DK weight, self-striping yarn is ready to add splashes of color to your warm weather lineup. Check out some of our adult garments, like the popular Fresh Berries tee, or pieces from our Seaside Supreme collection for inspiration!

Bamboo Pop Sock, and Bamboo Pop Sock Solids are classic, warm-weather options. With a combined total of 46 colors, you have endless combinations to choose from! This super fine yarn is a blend of 55% bamboo, 37% cotton, and 8% PBT for a bit of stretch. The blend is intended for socks, as the name implies, but we adore using this yarn for garments like the vibrant Crimson Tee, or soothing accessories, like the Edisto Shawl.

One last luxurious item that you absolutely don’t want to miss is the 50/50 cotton and cashmere, Truva. Available in a sophisticated palette of 8 color options, this yarn makes even the simplest of stitch patterns shine with an exquisite finesse. Dive into the 5 polished patterns of our On The Line collection, or explore free patterns like the Spearmint Tee, to craft yourself something magnificent to embrace the new warmth of the year.

*Rico Design yarn selections for spring.*

In addition to our own wonderful yarns, Rico Design has a beautiful variety, which we distribute here in the US. Nestled amongst them are a few perfect choices for this time of year. Baby Dream DK , made of 50% polyacrylic and 50% polyamide, is an excellent choice when making projects for little ones. It’s incredibly soft, easy to care for, and comes in 15 dreamy multi-colored shades. Pair it with the 21 complimentary solids of Baby Dream DK Uni for even more options!

Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton DK is an exciting yarn to add to your stash! Each base color is spun with a vibrant variegated ply to add depth and dimension to each make. Select from 18 colors that span from deep earth tones, to rich jewel tones and even dusty pastels. This blend of 49% cotton, 46% acrylic and 5% polyester is versatile and wears well, ensuring your makes will last for years to come.

Fashion Cotton Light and Long Tweed DK captures the quintessential pastel shades of spring in its palette of 16 colors. The subtle color shifts blend like water color paintings with dashes of tweed adding a dose of refinement. It’s made of 47% cotton, 43% acrylic, 7% polyamide and 3% viscose and constructed with a tubular chainette for a lightweight, springy feel.

Last, but not least, Superba Merino Linen Silk, deserves some time to shine from our wide array of Rico Design yarns. Six self-shading colors captured in favored warm-weather fibers makes for a happy crafter, indeed! This yarn is unique and vibrant, like a gorgeous bouquet of spring flowers. It’s designed with socks in mind, but would make fabulous garments or accessories as well!

Share your work with us by tagging us on social media, we love sharing the joy of your creations!

Happy Stitching, y’all!
Ashley Jane

February 24, 2023February 23, 2023

Flash Pattern Friday – Chiaroscuro

There’s nothing quite like Friday, and for this week’s Flash Pattern Friday, we have a fun surprise. Wool combined with classic tweedy nubs makes for the most exciting sweater projects, and today through Sunday, you can download the Chiaroscuro sweater for free on Ravelry!

The Chiaroscuro sweater features beautiful colorwork throughout the yoke.

Designed by Amy Gunderson, Chiaroscuro offers so much to love, but what stands out the most is the colorwork patterns on the yoke of this sweater. Three colors combine, using rhythmic slip stitches to create a design of crosses and left and right slants. Add in a funnel neck design and a bit of added length, and you’ve got a cozy and comfortable sweater you’ll reach for time and time again. This pattern might sound intimidating but don’t worry – it’s perfect for those looking to grow their knitting skills!

The oversized design of this sweater makes it nice and cozy.

The rolled and contrasting color hem, neckline, and sleeve cuffs add another element of excitement to the construction of this garment. Worked in a contrasting color, this added detail is not overbearing, but we know it will make others take notice. This sweater is found in the Still Life pattern collection, which features six garments and accessories in Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash and Deluxe Worsted Superwash. Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash has 24 different color options, so you can make a sweater that uses your favorite colors. The Chiaroscuro is sized from Small through 5X and is free to download on Ravelry through Sunday!

This graphic will help guide you to get the Chiaroscuro sweater for free.

To get Chiaroscuro for free, head to Ravelry and click “buy it now” or “add to cart” after searching for this pattern. When you reach the checkout, enter the code “FLASH” to get this pattern for free. Not a Ravelry user? Email us at patterns@universalyarn.com by Sunday, February 26th, and we will take care of you when we return to the office next week.

Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash is the perfect yarn for any sweater, including the Chiaroscuro. This blend of superwash wool, viscose, and acrylic makes for stylish garments and accessories because of the tweedy nubs. Plus, every project you make will be machine-washable, making your life easier. Your friends and family are sure to know it was hand-knit or crocheted due to the stitch definition found in Deluxe Worsted Tweed projects. Match it with Deluxe Worsted Superwash for even more fun! Check out your local yarn store to see if they have Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash in stock, and ask about drop shipping options if they don’t. If they are a Universal Yarn retailer, you can order any quantity of our yarns through your LYS for a flat shipping fee of $11. They’ll benefit from your patronage, and you’ll have the yarn shipped right to your door!

To go along with Flash Pattern Friday, Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash is 20% off this weekend only on our website. Visit UniversalYarn.com to stock up on this yarn at a discounted price!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

February 17, 2023February 20, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Marina

Another Friday, another incredible free pattern just for you! This week, Marina is permanently free! This previously paid for pattern is from our Spring Capsule collection, featuring our Radiant Cotton yarn.

This sweater is perfect for the upcoming spring season

There’s so much about the Marina sweater that makes you want to pick up your needles and get started. The first thing that sticks out is the beautiful sheen seen in the 100% Egyptian Giza cotton yarn, known as Radiant Cotton. Aside from the yarn, we know you will love the overall construction of this garment, so let’s take a look at those details!

The Marina pullover uses Radiant Cotton color 809 Atlantic

This sweater is worked flat in pieces and seamed. Seams add structure to the finished garment, enhancing the lifespan of your hand knits. A split hemline and saddle shoulders are additional details that add sophistication to the Marina pullover. Although this sweater may be long-sleeved, Radiant Cotton is a light and breathable yarn, so you can wear it comfortably throughout the coming year. Now that you’ve heard a little more about the construction of this sweater: let’s go ahead and look at our Radiant Cotton yarn!

There is so much to love about our Radiant Cotton yarn. The 100% Egyptian Giza cotton fibers have a long staple length, giving it an unmatched luxurious feel, strength, and a gorgeous sheen that makes any of the 32 color options stand out. This yarn is an excellent choice for sophisticated and polished garment and accessory projects and looks beautiful in both knit and crochet stitch patterns. Now is the time to shop Radiant Cotton as it is 20% off its 50% off sale price this weekend only!

As always, thank you for reading! Stay up to date with us on social media and by joining our newsletter. You’ll be the first to know about all of our sales and new releases, plus you’ll get a 10% off welcome coupon for signing up!

Thanks for stopping by!

Robert

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023

Free Pattern Friday – Elijah

Happy Friday, friends! Our newest free pattern is a sweet, small piece designed with little ones in mind. This week, we bring you the Elijah cardigan made with Deluxe Worsted Superwash!

*Elijah cardigan in Deluxe Worsted Superwash colors 709 Lime Tree, 718 Dusty Blue, and 760 Indigo.*

Deluxe Worsted Superwash is a wonderful yarn for a child’s garment. It’s made of 100% superwash wool, so you can machine wash it in cold water, and even tumble dry it on a low setting. It comes in 67 different colors, so there are endless combinations you can create to express the perfect palette for a budding personality. This pattern calls for (1) skein each of #709 Lime Tree, #718 Dusty Blue, and #760 Indigo for all sizes. You could opt for more rosy hues, something adventurous, or even go off pattern and get multiple colors to rainbow your way through each striped section! No matter what you choose, this cardigan will be a treasured gift for someone else, or a little one of your own.

Another detail that adds room for whimsy, quirk, polished-ness or pizazz is buttons! We love getting to add a touch of personality to top off any project with a good button. For this sample, we used the Prism buttons by Katrinkles, which kind of resemble a compass. It’s a touch of adventure that reminds us of those magical moments where kids will play outside imagining that they are explorers trekking through trees and bushes to fantasized lands.

Elijah cardigan, featuring Prism Buttons by Katrinkles

This easy-rated pattern is worked from the bottom-up in one piece using a subtly textured stripe-sequence. The body is worked flat, then the fronts and back are separated at the armholes and worked separately. The shoulders are joined using the three-needle method, then the sleeves are picked up and worked in the round. The button bands and neck edging are picked up and worked flat to wrap the whole thing up. The pattern has schematics to help guide you through the assembly. This is a great project if you’re looking to try a garment for the first time, or want a quick make between other complex pieces, and have a little one in your life to celebrate.

Elijah cardigan, in Deluxe Worsted Superwash is ready for wearing!

We can’t wait to see your version of the Elijah cardigan! Be sure to share it with us 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.

That’s all for now, happy stitching friends!

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022

Color Of The Year 2023 – Viva Magenta

With this year coming to a close, we’re all wondering what is next for 2023. You might be thinking about your resolutions and goals for the year ahead, or perhaps a new project you’d like to get started on.

Every year, Pantone releases their ‘Color Of The Year’, which influences industries around the globe from things like paint manufacturers, to fashion brands, and all the way to yarn. The Color Of The Year is meant to be a forecast of the general mood for the year ahead, give direction to companies for product development, and serve as inspiration to all of us. The color for 2023 is Viva Magenta. So, lets dive into the Magentaverse!

Image sourced from Pantone’s Color Of The Year Report

Viva Magenta is a vibrant and bold shade that is a hybrid of red and pink. It immediately feels like a strong, expressive color, and is deeply rooted in nature. It has an almost rebellious tone to it, and is a fearless hue you can proudly sport in amounts both great and small.

Although Viva Magenta feels a bit futuristic to look at, this color has ancient roots, being directly derived from Cochineal. These are scaly insects, which have been used for centuries to create powder dyes and colorants used for textiles, cosmetics, food, and more. If you’d like to read more about this interesting and historical process, please check out this article from the Smithsonian.

With the roots of this color being its use for natural dyes, it is no surprise that we can find Viva Magenta in so many yarns! From solids to multis, many of the yarns in our line feature this strong color. As Viva Magenta is a blend of pink and red, I’ve included some options for yarns that lean toward both sides of the hue, and hopefully will provide great inspiration for your next project!

The Crimson Tee, a free pattern in Bamboo Pop Sock

Speaking of projects, I’ve selected some patterns that I think are perfect solutions for the 2023 Color Of The Year inspiration. First, I wanted to share the Crimson Tee. This free pattern was designed by Aubrey Busek (that’s me!) and uses our Bamboo Pop Sock yarn in the color 608 Pomegranate. This simple knit tee is sized from XS-5X, and has a relaxed silhouette that works for any occasion. The touches of lace are worked along the hemline of the body and sleeves, and panels of lace decorate the body. The Crimson Tee is a bold, fearless use of the Viva Magenta color, perfect for entering the new year with a bang.

For the crochet enthusiast, try the Parlamak Shawl! Designed by Brittany Garber, this sophisticated shawl is made using our Noelle yarn in the color 303 Pixie. I love that this shawl is simple and chic, so the vibrant red and pink colors in the yarn are really the focal point of the piece. Noelle has different shades that flow from one to the next throughout the skein, and its metallic core makes it extra special. This yarn is currently on sale, so don’t miss out on a great deal before its gone!

The Rose Garden Sweater in self-striping Offbeat

If you have a little one in your life to knit for, try the Rose Garden Sweater! Sized from 1-10 years old, this sweater is great for school days and fun outings. The cabled pattern on the body is easy to memorize, and adds just enough textural interest to not distract from the bold stripes created by the yarn. Offbeat is a blend of 90% acrylic and 10% alpaca that has been a hit since its launch in 2022. And it’s no question why: with a luxurious feel, bold colors, and 586 yards per skein, it is a great choice for all projects from blankets to sweaters. The color used for the Rose Garden sweater is 102 Tubular, and I love how the bold pops of red look with the soft neutral tones in this shade.

Pairing Viva Magenta with soft neutral colors as seen in our Offbeat yarn (above) is exactly what is suggested by Pantone. The soft and dusty shades shown in their Color Of The Year report compliment Viva Magenta, but never take away from it being the focal point. However, if you prefer bright shades, do your thing! I think Viva Magenta would look wonderful paired with bright purple or hot pink. As with anything, you should do what speaks to YOU. Colors are personal, and a great way to express yourself.

The last pattern I wanted to highlight was the Pomegranate Path set, designed by Rachel Brockman. New from our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 6, this cabled hat and scarf set is perfect for just about anyone on your ‘to-knit-for’ list. The color of Deluxe Worsted Tweed used for this pattern is 921 Beet, but the pattern itself was named after the delicious fruit that also boasts the same color. When I was looking for inspiration for Viva Magenta on Pinterest, tons of photos of pomegranates immediately came up. They are my favorite fruit, so I knew I had to include this pattern!

No matter how you want to explore the ‘Magentaverse‘, I can imagine that there is a shade of Viva Magenta that speaks to you. Personally, I think this color sets a wonderful tone for 2023. The past couple of years have been a rollercoaster for everyone on Earth in ways both great and small, and we can all benefit from the sense of inner strength that this type of bold color projects. I hope you get inspired, and have fun picking out some Magenta yarn for your next project!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

December 23, 2022December 23, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Peekaboo Pullover

It’s Free Pattern Friday! Today, the Peekaboo Pullover (pattern link).

A flat lay of a baby sweater hand knitted with Universal Yarn Easel. It is surrounded with chalk in colors that coordinate with the sweater. — Cute and colorful, we especially love how playful the patterning looks in this pullover. Symmetry is overrated!

Sized for babies and toddlers, the Peekaboo Pullover is a simple design with a big impact. Eclectic and playful, self-patterning Easel was designed for socks, but as you can see, it’s wonderful for so much more! Comprised of 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, Easel is soft and machine-washable. As a superfine yarn, it creates a fabric that is lightweight without sacrificing warmth. Plus, with six exciting colorways, you’re sure to fall in love with at least one!

A detail shot of the sleeve and underarms of the Peekaboo Pullover, hand knitted in Universal Yarn Easel. — Simple shaping, garter stitch, and stockinette stitch make knitting this little pullover as easy as 1-2-3!

The Peekaboo Pullover is great for new and seasoned knitters alike. The sideways, cuff-to-cuff construction shakes things up a bit, but basic stitches keep it from becoming overly complicated. This enables you to allow the yarn to do most of the work! My favorite detail is the garter hem, flipped on its side. The denser row gauge pulls the fabric in a bit along the hem, just like K1, P1 Ribbing, but with a bit more of a unique appearance!

A close-up of the patterning and neckline of the hand knitted Peekaboo Pullover. — The Peekaboo Pullover features a square neckline. It’s roomy enough to easily slip over little ones’ heads, too!

It’s inspiring to see all the beautiful things we can create with sock yarns. Too often we can put our yarn into “boxes” about their uses. And while there certainly is good reason to do that, there is just as much reason to try something new, too! Whether you choose to use Easel for this cute little sweater, a drapey shawl (see the Pointillism Shawl), or a classic pair of socks, we know you’ll love working with this fresh yarn!

And with that, I hope you have a wonderful holiday week filled with loved ones, tasty treats, and plenty of time for knitting, crocheting, or perhaps trying a new skill!

-Rachel

December 2, 2022December 1, 2022

Free Pattern Friday – Spearmint Tee

It is Friday and you know what that means – Free Pattern Friday from Universal Yarn!

Today, the Spearmint Tee (pattern link), designed by our outstanding managing director, Yonca Ozbelli. Let’s hear about it in her own words!

A woman wearing pink glasses stands in front of greenery and is wearing a striped top, handknitted using Universal Yarn Truva. — The Spearmint Tee, modeled by our designer and social media extraordinaire, Aubrey.

“This week’s free pattern is inspired by the calm waters of the Aegean Sea, located between Greece and Turkey. The yarn I used was also named after the same region – Truva, which means Troy in Turkish.

We all fell in love with Truva when we saw it at the Italian mill, how can you not? It is 50% cashmere and 50% cotton, the best of two worlds combined to create this heathered, almost rustic-looking yarn. It is soft, squishy, and luxurious. At the same time, it is strong, beautiful, and will defy time, just like the region it was named after.

A detailed back view of a woman wearing pink glasses, also wearing a striped top, handknitted using Universal Yarn Truva. — The heathered, gently marled colors of Truva add dimensionality to the fabric it creates.

Just like many of us, I wanted to create a top-down, easy-to-knit top. To me, that means watching your favorite TV show while knitting. I also wanted it to be a bit more than just a plain top-down garment, so I decided to use two colors and add stripes to my project. This part was easy, the hard part was the decision about the colors! There were many options to choose from, and below are a few of the combinations I considered.

Looking for inspiration? Here are some of Yonca’s favorite color combinations in Truva!

In the end, I decided to use 103 Chambray & 105 Aegean because they reminded me of the greenest hills that overlook the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

After settling on the colors, the rest was easy, and I loved the way my project came to life! 😊 I intentionally kept the sleeves short, as I wear a lot of short sleeve sweaters; but you, my fellow knitter, can do whatever you prefer! Long, short, or three-quarter-length sleeves…this is the beautiful part of knitting, you can modify any project to your liking!

A back view of a woman wearing pink glasses, standing in front of greenery and wearing a striped top, handknitted using Universal Yarn Truva. — Cute, relaxed, and simple to style!

I hope you will give this top-down garment a try! It is almost all seasons appropriate, regardless of where you live. I know I will enjoy wearing it all the time – but maybe not in August when it is hot and humid in the Carolinas!”

A woman with pink glasses stands in front of greenery wearing a top handknitted using Universal Yarn Truva. She is also wearing a navy blue jacket. — Wear your Spearmint Tee year-round by layering it up with a jacket during the cooler months!

We hope you enjoy this wonderful pattern. Until next time, happy crafting!
-Yonca