Free pattern Friday – Flouncy Fringe Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Flouncy Fringe Tank in Luxor (pattern link here). Everybody say hi to Talya!
Hi, Talya!
Talya is the daughter of Yonca, our sales director here at Universal Yarn. When Talya spotted a ready-to-wear top in a shop, she asked her mom for one. But not just like it. With this change, and that change… pretty soon, it’s a new pattern!
Yonca used Fibra Natura Luxor, a sleek mercerized 100% Egyptian Giza cotton.
The bright colors make details like the stripe at the neckline and side seam really pop!
And that fringe is so cute!!
Really, the only thing better than a handmade gift is making a gift for someone who really appreciates it. And Talya does!
We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Striped Lily Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Striped Lily Tee in Cotton True Sport (pattern link here). Today’s free pattern was formerly part of kids’ collection Cotton True Kids.
It’s an e-book of sweet knits for kids from toddlers up to kid size 12, in our lightweight Cotton True Sport.
We love this yarn, not just for kid knits but for accessories and adult pieces, like the crocheted Citron Scarf
or the free lacy Kaye Pullover
…and also consistent favorites like Amy Gunderson’s Rocked, which we all knitted along with a few years ago.
We hope you enjoy this new kid-friendly summertime top.
Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Goldleaf Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Goldleaf Tank in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here). Moira Engel’s lovely lace top is worked in the round from the bottom up in Cotton Supreme DK, the lighter-weight version of our popular Cotton Supreme.
The lovely leaf lace pattern has a delightful accent in the extra set of leaves on the upper back and front. This is a beautiful botanical project for Spring. Formerly pay-only as part of Cotton Supreme Book 5, we’re happy to offer it now for free!

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Citadel

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Citadel in Deluxe Bulky Superwash (pattern link here). This versatile sleeveless design is great for the turning season – doesn’t it look great over a long-sleeved top?
Designer Rachel Brockman named it Citadel because it acts as extra protection against the cold in thick Deluxe Bulky Superwash.
And if you’re looking for warmth without bulk, it works great under a jacket. That high collar will still protect you. Seed stitch side panels and shoulders are a lovely design touch.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, with perfect weather for whatever you choose to do! Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Ravine

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Ravine in Fibra Natura Lina (pattern link here). We’re very aware that some parts of the continent are still blessed with cold weather. But here in North Carolina, we’re moving into the holiday weekend with what meteorologists are calling a “death ridge.”
Picture ants under a magnifying glass.
Are we going to let that stop us from knitting? Heck no! We just have to adjust our projects, that’s all.
A little overripe works best.
Step one: prepare for the heat. Toss some grapes in the freezer before you hit your LYS. Also, be sure your ice cube trays are full. You’ll be glad you did later.
Step two: choose a short-sleeved, breezy project. Ravine fits the bill. Cool and comfy, this classic wide-necked tee is perfect for summer.
Fibra Natura Lina
Step three: pick a heat-friendly yarn. Lina is a linen/cotton blend that’s perfect for summer, and it’s going to feel great in a top like Ravine. Other possibilities: Cotton True Sport or Little Bird.
Step four: Cast on and chill out. The grapes are a fitting snack for this, because your hands won’t get grimy and you can keep knitting as you nosh. The ice cubes? If you’ve got a blender, try Kool-Aid slushies – super cheap and refreshing.
We hope you have a safe and relaxing weekend and Memorial Day. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Hydrangea

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
woman wearing bright pink lace tunic crocheted in Classic Shades Frenzy
Today, Hydrangea in Classic Shades Frenzy (free pattern link). Lovely for the season in pink and peach variegated Classic Shades Frenzy, the Hydrangea Top is a fun crochet project.
Motifs, an easy mesh pattern, and tailored edgings keep your interest in this tunic, sized from XS to 4X.
Stitch patterns are lacy and open, making this garment excellent for layering over tanks and dresses in the spring or fall.
What a fun piece for warmer weather! We hope you have a joyous weekend. Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Cora Crop

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Smiling woman wearing light blue knitted Cora Crop tee in Bamboo Pop yarn

Today, the Cora Crop in Bamboo Pop (pattern link).

Well, if this isn’t perfect for summer, I don’t know what is.

Rear view of cabled Cora Crop knit in Bamboo Pop yarn

This is a surprisingly simple knit with no shaping.  The cable is centered front and back.

Rear view of woman in cabled Bamboo Pop tee

Front, back, and sleeves are knit flat from the bottom up. 3×3 ribbing is a great detail at the edges and shoulders.

Closeup of seam at shoulder of knitted top

Shoulders are joined with a three-needle bind-off for stability in this seam, also ensuring that the ribbing pattern lines up perfectly.

Detail of sleeve on light blue short sleeve knit pullover

Bamboo Pop, a bamboo/cotton blend that’s a favorite for lightweight projects, gives a bit of shine to the clean lines of this top.

Woman with hand on hip modeling knitted tee

We hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern – Independence Tank

What are you wearing for Independence Day?

Yorkshire Terrier dog in red white and blue costume
“Woof!”

Baby goat kid in American patriotic ribbon
“Naaaah!”

cat in American patriotic costume and goggle
“When I get out of this I will kill you.”

How about a brand new free pattern?

woman in red white and blue striped tank top knit in Flax

The Independence Tank in Flax (pattern link here).

Cool and light, 100% linen Flax is a great choice for summer projects.

Red, White, and Blue for Independence Day.

Knit front and back pieces from side to side, then join.

Independence Day tank made in Flax, worn by young woman

Add a few stockinette rows for a rolled edge.  Presto, a lightweight top perfect for a day out, or a night watching fireworks.  This would look awfully cute any other day of the year, too, in whatever colors you like.

Detail of linen tank top knitted in Fibra Natura Flax

We hope you have a fantastic Independence Day.  And if you’re going to spend it outdoors, don’t forget your sunscreen – and a hat!

Alpaca draped in American flag
“Why yes, I do look fabulous.”

Free Pattern Friday – Mars Tee

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Smiling woman in jeans and crochet red Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray shirt

Today, the Mars Top crocheted in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (pattern link).

How’s your summer going?  Are you still looking for that perfect project that will be satisfying to make but not stifle you in the heat?

Side view of woman wearing red crochet top standing outdoors

Voila!  Amy Gunderson’s Mars Tee!  Crocheted in the round from the bottom up, this beauty is sized from XS to 4X, with shaping that starts out a little bigger at the base, for those of us with a bigger… um… base.  The point is, this is comfortable and cool.

Detail of red crochet stitchwork on woman's shoulder

Double-crocheting three together makes cute little eyelets without making the fabric too lacey-loose.

Red top crocheted in Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray

From personal experience, I can tell you that the Cotton Supreme family is easy on the hands to use. Go with either the called-for Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray, or try solid Cotton Supreme DK.  How cute would this look striped?

Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray

We hope you have a great weekend, with lots of time for you to take care of yourself.

Happy crafting!

Woman walking away wearing red crochet cotton top

Free Pattern Friday – Boxtop

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Boxtop in Garden 10 (pattern link here).

Sometimes simple is good. That’s what we have here, a simple, boxy pullover, perfect over a tank top.  The asymmetrical placement of the neck causes the hem to hang lower in the back than the front.

As shown, it uses Garden 10 mercerized Egyptian Giza cotton thread, loosely knitted on a US size 4 (3.5mm) needle. We think this piece would also look great in Flax Lace.  Plant fibers provide a breathability and drape that work well with this sideways-knit top.

The body is knitted as a big rectangle, using intarsia for the color changes.  Seam together the edges of the color blocks to create armholes.  Easy work that’s good for knitting while chatting, but those color changes help keep things from getting dull.

This would be a great top to personalize with your own color choices.  Black and blue?  Peaches and cream?  The sky’s the limit.

Happy crafting!