After adorable Easter Earl earlier this week, we’re moving to something classic and refined.
Damascus is named after the ancient metalworking technique that created the strong and beautiful patterned designs known as Damascus steel.
It’s an apt name. At first glance, this unisex pullover might appear plain, but look closer – Kingston Tweed’s blend of wool, alpaca, and viscose gives it extra interest and a lightly tweedy, almost heathered feel.
The sweater pictured is knitted in color 112 Basalt, one of a selection of sophisticated tones in Kingston Tweed.
Knitted on US6 (4mm) needles, Damascus is a lightweight three-season sweater that works well on its own or as a layering piece.
Work this design seamlessly in the round from the top-down. The body and sleeves are separated at the armhole and worked separately.
We’re delighted to present this versatile piece for free.
I get excited every time we have another design in Bella Cash, because it’s another chance for me to sing the praises of one of my favorite yarns. Now me, I love it for socks, like Rachel Brockman’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.
We had great fun knitting along with these in our Mystery Sock KAL for Fall 2020.
It’s great for adult garments too, like the free Bellissima Cardi.
Classic construction, classic look. It’s beautiful in accessories, too – the colors in the palette play beautifully together – but you may be surprised to hear how popular it is for baby garments.
In addition to a touch of cashmere for extra softness, Bella Cash contains superwash extrafine merino, as well as some nylon for durability – very welcome in hard-wearing kid clothes. And since it’s machine washable, it’s easy care for parents.
The Drizzle Sweater is a classic top-down sweater knit in the round, with an easy slip stitch along the yoke accented at the cuffs. Sized 12-18 months through 4 years, it’s a fun and cozy sweater for little darlings.
We hope you enjoy this free pattern, and that you have a great weekend.
Confession: I’m a ‘Winter person’. Don’t get me wrong, Summer is great and all, but there is something about brisk days, warm beverages, and the cozy feeling of Winter that makes me happy. Plus, cold weather calls for great sweaters to knit and wear! Here at Universal Yarn, we have plenty of lovely winter appropriate yarns to choose from, but there is always fun in adding something new to the family. When we first received samples of Penna last year, I immediately fell in love.
Penna is a laceweight blend of 50% baby suri alpaca, 28% extra fine merino, and 22% nylon. This yarn feels like a little puff of cloud in your hands, and adds an ethereal quality to any project. The color palette we created for Penna spans both muted and saturated shades, and all carry a romantic, indulgent feeling well suited to the yarn. Penna works well on its own for loose and airy projects. When held together with another yarn, it adds texture and dimension, which is what I chose to do for Wheel of Life.
Deluxe DK Superwash is our 100% superwash wool DK weight yarn. A fantastic choice for garments and accessories for cool weather, this is a stash staple you’ll love working with. I chose matching colors of Deluxe DK Superwash and Penna for my Wheel of Life sweater, and they are held together throughout. The result is a hazy, buttery soft fabric that feels amazing to wear and keeps you warm.
Published in the Winter 2020 issue of Knitty , the Wheel of Life sweater was inspired by the cycle of life. Something that always stuck with me that I was told when I was younger is: the only inevitable thing in life is change, and you don’t want to get stuck in the wheel as it turns. We can all agree that 2020 was a year like no other, so I think going with the flow and accepting the changing tides of life is something I’m really willing to do in this new year. This sweater feels like a good way to embrace that.
When I first swatched the two yarns together, I was immediately taken by the idea of designing a sweater inspired by art. Something about the hazy texture of the yarns held together made me think of brush strokes in a painting. Visual symbolism in art is something that I have always been enthralled by. Painters use imagery of food and other ordinary objects to place meaning in their works, and we (the viewer) love dissecting the art and attempting to ‘figure out’ all of the hidden gems. I wanted to play with some symbolism in this sweater design, and tell a story with simple imagery in a colorwork pattern.
You can really see the lovely haze of Penna peeking out of the sweater in this closeup. Thank you for the great photos Rachel!
This sweater is knit from the bottom up in the round. The sleeves are worked separately, and joined with the body of the sweater at the yoke. I chose 828 Pulp (Deluxe) and 106 Eggshell (Penna) to be the background color, because Ivory is a classic Winter shade that anyone can wear. After you work the ribbed hem, you move into the lower colorwork section.
The fleur de lis represents the lily flower, which also symbolizes birth or the beginning of life. I chose the darkest colors, 846 Mulberry Heather (Deluxe), and 115 Dusk (Penna) for the fleur de lis and other parts of the colorwork so that they would really ‘lift off’ of the cream background. Above that, the design looks like the infinity symbol, or strands of DNA knit in colors 824 Starfish (Deluxe) and 111 Whisper (Penna). This represents the ‘wheel’ of life, always turning.
The yoke of the sweater features more colorwork pattern symbols. Stars are a fascinating thing. Our sun is considered an average size star in the universe, there are some 100 times bigger! It can take millions to billions of years for stars to die, and some explode when they do, creating a beautiful Supernova. I chose the moon and star design to represent death, because a Supernova is really a beautiful way to go. Thus completing our ‘cycle of life’ in the sweater.
My main goals to achieve with this free pattern were a graphic colorwork design that tells a story, and to showcase these very different yarns working together in harmony. I also wanted this to be a classic design that many people would love to wear. The color palette I chose is intentionally very soft, and a ‘classic’ combination of shades. I know the selection may not be for everyone, so I put together a few more color ideas for those of you who might like something different! Something about knitting that I absolutely love is the ability to take a pattern and choose colors of yarn that make it completely your own. Here are my selections below.
I’d love to hear which color combination you’d choose for your Wheel of Life sweater! I hope you enjoyed hearing more about this design and what inspired it. You can also find this free pattern on Ravelry here .
We were about two minutes into 2018’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople when this sweater appeared onscreen and I gasped. Fortunately for cat lovers, the film’s costume designer hired a knitter to recreate the pattern and made it free on Ravelry. You’ve got to have some confidence to wear a sweater like this, but I think we all know someone who could pull it off. In my case, that person is me, and I’m putting this in my queue to make in Adore.
Often, though, it seems like the really spectacular sweaters are on men. I’d like to look at five outstanding pullovers on masculine frames, both the obscure and the famous (I’m looking at you, Chris Evans). Let’s go in chronological order!
Wash’s Sweater from Firefly
This sweater showed up in two separate episodes of sci-fi TV show Firefly, giving it enough exposure for viewers to reverse engineer the cabled design. Never bet against Firefly fans – they’re a devoted and persistent bunch.
Is the show set in England? Expect good knits. This cabled jumper sported by John Watson from the BBC’s Sherlock proves the rule. It didn’t take long for this pullover to be recreated:
And of course, free patterns sprang up. While the original was machine-knit, this pattern on Ravelry has hand-knit versions worked in the round or flat. As for yarn, there are several ways to go: 100% wool with Deluxe Worsted Superwash, or Uptown Worsted anti-pilling acrylic, which is also machine washable (John Watson doesn’t seem like a man who is careful with his laundry).
3) John Watson’s Ugly Christmas Jumper from Sherlock
Can you tell I recently re-watched Sherlock? I’ll confess I lightened up this image so you could really see the power and majesty of this design. It’s meant to be an “ugly Christmas sweater” in the show, but it’s really up to you as to whether you love it or hate it.
The original might have been knit in a bulkier yarn, but this pattern on Ravelry calls for a DK weight, to make it more versatile in other climates. If I were knitting this, I’d use Deluxe DK Superwash in 838 Twilight, 837 Christmas Red, and 828 Pulp.
4) Ransom Drysdale’s sweater in Knives Out
This is the one the knitting internet lost their collective minds over.
Chris Evans’ actual dog wearing a cabled sweater. It’s the ultimate “who wore it better?”
Part of the key here is that it’s not hard to make a sweater look good when you’re Chris Evans, but the other part here is that it was shown from so many angles and in such detail, it was easy to get a good look at it. In terms of screen accuracy, Caryn Shaffer did a bang-up job with her version here on Ravelry.
What yarn to pick for this design? Deluxe Worsted, all day long. To get the perfect color, choose from the Naturals options, 40001 Cream Undyed. It’s got just a bit of buttery warmth to it, which matches the tones of the original. Also, as the name suggests, it’s undyed. The color of the yarn is the color of the sheep, which is exactly the kind of detail that would appeal to the rich young man wearing this in the movie.
I. Love. This. Sweater. I love the color, I love the pattern, and I love that there’s some random Mon Calamari fish-person in a Star Wars show wearing a beautiful cable-knit piece. But here’s what’s killing me. I can’t find a reverse-engineer of this pattern anywhere! Do any of you know of one? Am I going to have to try it myself?
I mean, come on. It’s a fisherman’s sweater on a literal fish-man. What’s not to love?
How about you? What’s a knit or crochet piece that you’ve seen that made you think, “I should make that!” We’d love to know!
Today I’d like to highlight one of our more recent pattern collections, Still Life (link). It’s always fun to put together a pattern collection. This one is especially close to my heart because this is the last collaborative collection between our former creative director, the amazing Amy Gunderson, and myself. That means this collection has also been a long time in the making. Originally, these patterns were developed for another yarn, but sometimes things just don’t work out the way you originally planned. When we had to say goodbye to the intended yarn, we didn’t want to say goodbye to this collection. How could we? The pieces are all so beautiful. That’s why we reimagined them in our Deluxe Worsted Superwash and Deluxe Worsted Tweed. Today I’m going to share each of these projects with you and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
The first pattern in the collection is a contribution by Amy Gunderson. The show-stopping Chiaroscuro (pattern link). This seamless, top-down pattern features a bold slip-stitch colorwork motif across the circular yoke. I’ve always been a fan of mock-neck and turtle neck sweaters. As someone who is perpetually chilly, they maximize my comfort during the winter months. So, the high, ribbed neckband of Chiaroscuro is perfect for me. I also love the contrast color rolled stockinette trim that decorates the hem and sleeve cuffs. This is a casual piece that is begging to be knit. Our sample uses Deluxe Worsted Tweed which gives it a rustic appeal. However, if tweedy nubs aren’t your thing, simply use Deluxe Worsted Superwash instead – the yarns are totally interchangeable!
Chiaroscuro by Amy Gunderson in Deluxe Worsted Tweed
Next, we have Delft (pattern link), knit in Deluxe Worsted Superwash. This is my design, and while I don’t mean to boast, I have to say I just love it! I’ve worn the original sample of this design so much! It’s the perfect layering piece. The raglan shaping ensures a great fit. Twisted ribbing pops along with the hem and button bands, but what I love most are the horizontal bars created by using slipped stitches. Delft is another seamless pattern and is knit from the bottom up. You work the body and sleeves separately and join them at the underarms and complete the sweater in one piece.
Delft by Rachel Brockman in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
Those who love a good sampler project will enjoy Leyster (pattern link), designed by Amy Gunderson. This lengthy scarf is perfect for wrapping around your shoulders during the cool months of autumn and winter. The design is loaded with textural motifs that are a blast to knit, and you won’t get bored because the motifs alternate frequently. Leyster is an excellent project for a beginner knitter ready to tackle something more interesting than garter stitch.
Leyster by Amy Gunderson in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
Although I always say I favor knitting sweaters and hats, shawls are also high on the list of my favorite things to knit. They come in all shapes and sizes with varied construction methods. I’ve never really been bored with a shawl. Angular, asymmetrical triangles are a popular shawl shape, likely because of their modern design appeal. Verdigris (pattern link) falls into the asymmetrical triangle category, but with a twist. Stitches are actually increased on two sides of a cable panel, breaking this pattern up into beautiful and interesting sections.
Verdigris by Amy Gunderson in Deluxe Worsted Tweed
The final piece in the collection is another pullover: Vermillion (pattern link) in Deluxe Worsted Tweed. This pullover features bracelet length sleeves, slip stitches, cables, and a sweet split hem on the front. I designed the hem so that the ribbing shifts neatly into the center panels. I’m pretty sure this piece is going to be a favorite of mine to wear during the transitional seasons!
Vermillion by Rachel Brockman in Deluxe Worsted Tweed
I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look at the patterns in the Still Life collection! We’re so happy with how this collection turned out. Which projects do you plan to put on your knitting needles? Do you have a favorite piece in the collection? We’d love to know in the comments!
Few projects are more satisfying than baby projects. I always relish the opportunity to knit baby projects for several reasons. First, they are satisfyingly fast. Want to make a sweater in less than a week? Just throw a baby project on your needles or hook! How about in a few hours – try an accessory! Second, they’re small, therefore they’re cute. Does that need any further explanation? I didn’t think so. Finally, baby projects are great for perfect, lovingly handmade gifts. I’ve created numerous projects for my niece and daughter of one of my dearest friends, and I love knowing they’re staying cozy in knitwear!
Today, I want to share some great projects for all the little ones in your life. From cute sweaters to cuddly toys, you’re sure to find a perfect project.
Cotton is a popular choice for baby projects because it’s soft and easy to care for. Plus, it’s gentle and great for sensitive baby skin. Last year we introduced Cotton Supreme Sapling, a 100% cotton bulky-weight yarn that is – put simply – baby soft. Since then we’ve introduced two excellent projects for babies using Sapling: the Sunshine Throw and Daisy Cardi.
Sunshine Throw in Cotton Supreme Sapling
A striking lace pattern framed by garter stitch decorates the Sunshine Throw (pattern link). The lace motif is deceptively simple. It is an 8-row repeat that you’ll memorize in no time. This blanket would be an impressive gift at a baby shower, and an heirloom piece to last for years to come.
Daisy Cardi in Cotton Supreme Sapling
Whether it’s the baby’s first cardigan or your first time knitting a sweater, the adorable Daisy Cardi (pattern link) is a perfect choice. It features little more than beginner-friendly garter stitch and K1, P1 Rib but has lots of impact, especially when you add some cute buttons! Knit in Cotton Supreme Sapling, this cardigan is optimal for the chilly weather of autumn, winter, and early spring.
Storytime Blankies in Bella Chenille Big
Few yarns are softer than our chenille yarn family, consisting of Bella Chenille and Bella Chenille Big. These 100% polyester yarns create a velvety, plush fabric perfect for snuggling. The Storytime Blankies (pattern link), knit in Bella Chenille Big, are completely worthy of cuddles. These simple blankets feature a bit of twisted stockinette for a nice texture and a bold stripe in the center. It’s finished off with fun tassels little ones would love to play with. Which Way is Up? in Bella Cash
So far I’ve shared projects in bulky yarns, but finer yarns are also perfect for baby projects! Although we created Bella Cash, a blend of superwash merino, cashmere, and nylon, with all sorts of projects in mind, we specifically intended for it to be a yarn perfect for babies and children. We have the patterns to prove it, too!
Sized newborn to four years, Which Way is Up? (pattern link) is an excellent example of a baby project using machine-washable Bella Cash. Little arrows decorate this seamless raglan cardigan. If you prefer to knit accessories, try the sweet Heartsbloom Hat & Mitten Set (pattern link) instead. The superb stitch definition of Bella Cash shines in the textured accessory set, which is great for the chilly days ahead!
Heartsbloom Set in Bella Cash
Toys also make great gifts for babies. Unlike baby accessories and clothing, little ones are sure to hang onto stuffed toys well into childhood (and perhaps beyond!).
Pipsqueak in Bella CashPipsqueak (pattern link), a cute mouse crocheted in Bella Cash, is the perfect size for babies. Not too big, not too small. Spike stitches and pastel stripes add texture and visual interest to the project. All of Pipsqueak’s facial features are embroidered, too, meaning you don’t have to worry about making sure you have safety buttons for the eyes. (Side note: this pattern has a complementing jacket included – sized from 2 years to 12 years. Don’t miss it!)Itty Bitty Set in Bamboo Pop Sock
Earlier I touched on accessories for exceptionally quick baby patterns. Tis’ the season for keeping the head, hands, and toes cozy! The Itty Bitty Set (pattern link) is soft and stretchy thanks to the lightweight and breathable Bamboo Pop Sock. The combination of simple ribbing and elasticity of the yarn helps to ensure the little one can wear this project for more than a month. After all, they do grow up so fast!
Left: Mini Mittens Right: Toasty Toes – both knit in Adore
We also absolutely adore Adore for baby projects. In fact, I wrote a whole blog post dedicated to baby projects using Adore earlier this year. You can find it here (link). Like the other yarns I’ve mentioned, Adore is touchable and soft, yet durable and easy to care for. We’ve knit everything from baby blankets to accessories in this yarn. The Mini Mittens (pattern link) and Toasty Toes (both pictured above) are both projects that are great last-minute gifts. They also require so little yarn that you could easily make many pairs from just one ball. So if you have multiple babies in your life, you’re all set!
This list is by no means comprehensive. We have a plethora of wonderful patterns for children and babies. If nothing here strikes your fancy, don’t forget to browse or selection of patterns for children! You can find all of our children’s patterns here (link).
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Atotztli in Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash (pattern link here).
Atotztli was originally part of Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash: The Aztec Collection. The collection features gorgeous graphic knits in – you guessed it – Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash.
In Atotztli, texture, stripes and fun Fair Isle come together in fun ways. Check out that funnel neck!
In this pullover, the front and back are worked flat. The sleeves are worked in the round up until the raglan shaping. The shoulder join appears as a striking demarcation between solid and stranded color work, for even greater visual impact.
We like how Amy Gunderson softened the colors by using a tweedy yarn that features elements of several of the colors, to unify the piece. This is a gorgeous piece for fall!
We hope you have a fabulous weekend.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Marley in Alaska and Whisper Lace (pattern link here).
Isn’t this just beautiful?
Marley manages to be cozy, while still being delicate.
The hem is worked in Fibra Natura Whisper Lace, a blend of silk and superwash wool with a luminous sheen. To keep the body and hem in color harmony, the Whisper Lace is held with a strand of Rozetti Alaska, a lofty yarn with a lovely alpaca halo.
So soft. Soooo soft.
It’s just the thing if you’re looking for warmth without weight, all with immaculate style.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend. Happy crafting!
This week, we are celebrating the release of another new collection: Modern Mosaic. This collection includes 4 mosaic knits in Bamboo Pop. Bamboo Pop is our 50/50 bamboo and cotton blend yarn that is perfectly suited to warm weather garments and accessories. It is light and cool, with a vibrant color palette of solids, multis, and dots to choose from. I often hear that Bamboo Pop is many people’s favorite yarn, and I can see why. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the perfect time!
Areca in 112 Black and 101 White
Mosaic knitting is a really interesting type of color work. It utilizes two contrasting colors of yarn, knitting the stitches on each row in the dominant color and slipping the stitches that are in the contrast color. You work two rows with a dominant color, and then it changes for the next two rows. The charts in each pattern tell you which color is the dominant one for that set of rows. Mosaic knitting lends itself well to geometric patterns, and creates really bold and stunning color work. I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated to do my first mosaic designs, but now I love it!
Areca in 112 Black and 101 WhiteAreca was inspired by black and white tile work and features a bold pattern throughout the front and back. Designed by Yonca Ozbelli, this top is sized from A-K and has a modern, boxy fit. Areca is perfect for those who love an interesting construction; the front and back are joined at the shoulder with a three-needle bind-off, and then the side panels and edging are created by picking up stitches along the left and right sides. I love the bold and graphic look of Areca, it’s an ‘all eyes on you’ kind of design.
Dypsis in 134 Blue Whisper and 127 Brambles
For those interested in dipping their toes into the mosaic knitting waters, Dypsis may be the perfect choice for you. Designed by Rachel Brockman, Dypsis features a traveling mosaic pattern on the hemline that is repeated again for an unexpected shoulder detail. Dypsis is knit in the round from the bottom up, so the mosaic pattern is perfectly seamless. The front and back are separated at the underarm, then worked flat. They are joined at the shoulders with a three-needle bind-off, and a garter edging is picked up and knit for the neckline.
The thoughtful choice of the mosaic hem and shoulders really makes Bamboo Pop shine, and the design looks timeless and sophisticated. Mosaic knitting can seem intimidating if you haven’t tried it, but I think Dypsis would be perfect for just about anyone. I’d throw on a fun necklace with this and let the gorgeous pattern do the talking!
Palmetto in 102 Cream, 114 Super Pink, and 212 Bright Spot
One of my contributions to the Modern Mosaic collection is Palmetto. I’m never shy about the fact that I’m a ‘more is more’ kind of person. When I was prompted to design with mosaic, I knew I wanted to design something that featured a few different patterns. I have a serious affinity for textile design and was inspired by Ikat fabrics from Indonesia for Palmetto. The tassels on the ends are one of my favorite touches too. Everything is better with tassels.
My Ikat inspiration blossomed into a stitch sampler style stole that is oversized and sure to get lots of love from everyone who sees you made it. You can wear Palmetto so many different ways, and it will add joy to any outfit you choose. I wear pink year-round, but I think this would look equally great in a blue and white combination.
Sabal in 106 Turquoise and 121 Lily Pad
My second design for Modern Mosaic is Sabal. This is an open front jacket/poncho that has a relaxed, bohemian vibe. I stuck with my textiles inspiration for this one, but instead, looked at tropical locale home interiors. I wanted a soothing color combination and a geometric style mosaic pattern that felt meditative.
My favorite thing about Sabal is the construction. It is worked starting at the back in one piece. After you get to the neckline, you work across one side, bind off the neck stitches, then work each of the fronts separately. You pick up and knit an edging for the sides, and then the garment is folded in half and seamed, while and I-cord is worked over the fronts and neckline. Sabal is just so relaxed feeling, and I love that you can wear this as a jacket to go out, a cardigan around the house, or a beach cover up!
Now that you’ve seen the patterns in our Modern Mosaic collection, here’s even more exciting news. Two lucky winners will receive a pattern of their choice from the collection, and enough Bamboo Pop to make the pattern in their chosen size and colors. We love Giveaways!
All you have to do to enter is follow us (Instagram), like our page (Facebook), like and comment on the giveaway post or another post from the collection. Only one entry per name, and the giveaway closes at 5 pm EST on 9/14. We will choose and announce our winners (one from Facebook and one from Instagram) on 9/15. You can enter on both social media platforms, but you can only win once. Good luck!
Have we all seen Knives Out? Or at least seen photos of Chris Evans wearing The Sweater?
Mend those holes!!
This pullover became such a rage on the internet that Evans wound up getting one for his dog for Christmas.
Who wore it better?
Fortunately, as crafters, we can create this look on our own, no costume department needed. If you or someone you know has sweater envy, we’ve got five sweaters (and one vest) for the knitter who wants to cast on some fashionable cables!
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1. Infinite Diamonds
We’re starting with the one that requires the least cabling, to ease into things. Infinite Diamonds (pattern link here) is knit in Fibra Natura Dona, a 100% superwash extrafine merino with a tight twist that really makes stitches pop.
No cables on the back, just plain stockinette. Infinite Diamonds is knit flat in pieces and seamed.
We love the windowpane effect given by the cables inside cables on the front panel. This is part of e-book The Dona Collection, featuring bold use of color blocking to create dramatic modern pieces. For a standalone design, though, let’s move to the world of magazines.
Carrying the pattern onto the pockets is a thoughtful design detail. If you’re confident working twisted stitches without a cable needle, you need never have to use one at all. Let’s move on to another cabled cardi, from an entire collection full of cabled designs.
For my money, this pullover is the most “Knives Out” one we’ve seen so far. Wesley Heights (pattern link here) is part of the same Deluxe Cable Collection that the Greensboro Cardigan above is in. (And friends, there are 17 designs in that e-book for $20, so if you love cables… I’m just saying.)
Like the Greensboro Cardi, this is a very stretchy stitch pattern knit in Deluxe Worsted wool. This one has a greater variety of stitch patterns, though, to satisfy your knitting itch.
Columns of classic cables are split by welting for a well-defined look.
LOVE the detailing where the shoulders meet the collar.
This was one of our most popular sweaters of the year, and it’s not hard to see why. Kerf is available on its own or as part of the Deluxe Men’s Collection.
