Uptown – Page 6 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

October 10, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Dive Into Fall Jacket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, something for the wee ones! The Dive Into Fall Jacket is sized for kids 12-18 months. This garment has a lot of stretch, so parents of fast-growing toddlers should be able to get a fair amount of use out of it.

Kat Koeller and Linda Ridder designed this jacket in our Uptown Bulky 100% anti-pilling acrylic. In addition to being exceptionally soft, it’s machine washable. Anyone who has ever had to wipe down a toddler after a trip to Ben & Jerry’s will appreciate the practicality of this choice.

The jacket is knit in one piece from the top down – first the collar, then the raglan sleeves go on holders while you make the body, then you come back and add ribbing to the ends of the sleeves. Interestingly, the fabric is fully reversible!

We hope you enjoy this beautiful weather. Knit something for a little one in your life – but be sure to make something for yourself, too!

October 3, 2014October 3, 2014

Free Pattern Friday – Go-Go! Hats

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Or should we say Free Patterns Friday? Because today, we have a quartet of toppers: the Go-Go! Hats.

Four different styles in one yarn, Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic. You can see how well the yarn lets the stitch patterns show through.

What really makes these hats, though, is the colorful fluffball topper on each of them. Those are our Luxury Fur Pom-Poms. They’re very handy for finishing off a garment that may need something a little more polished than a yarn pom-pom. Each pom-pom has a string attached to let you tie it right on to your work. Easy-peasy!

I’m not sure which of these is my favorite. I guess it partially depends on whether I’m in the mood for knit or crochet. For myself, I’m leaning toward the Lace Beanie on the lower right. Then again, the Honeycomb Ski Cap (with the pink pom-pom) would also be fun to make. Decisions, decisions.

Which one’s your favorite?

October 2, 2014

Throwback Thursday – A Walk in the Woods

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, a beautiful cool-weather knit, A Walk in the Woods. Originally knit in Eden Silk, this lightweight cardi would look great in either Uptown DK 100% anti-pilling acrylic or Deluxe DK Superwash wool.

I’ve been knitting a lot with Deluxe DK Superwash lately (I just need to bind off my ribbed Katrina top!) so for this, as a personal choice I think I’d go with the Uptown DK. I’ve been making a long cowl in Uptown DK Colors, the striped version of the yarn, and have been very impressed with how soft it is (and yes, it really is not pilling). I like the idea of an entire garment that luxurious.

This cardi is knit flat in the traditional style – back, then fronts, then sleeves. The textured stitch in the pattern is written and charted and is fairly easy to “read” in your knitting as you go – it’s the same few rows, staggered by a few stitches.

We hope you’re able to bring your projects outdoors and enjoy this beautiful weather. Happy knitting!

September 29, 2014September 29, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Fifteen

Block Fifteen is live!

Behold The Mighty Miter!

This block starts in one corner and increases along the center line, using the backward loop cast-on to grow outward. For many of us, the backward loop was the first cast-on that we learned. Others picked it up in the course of making buttonholes or adding stitches at the underarm of a sleeve.

If you haven’t learned it yet, here’s your chance. Amy shows us how!

Easy as pie, eh?
The center stitch in this block is slipped on every right side row, creating that clean elongated line running through the center of the block. It’s a nice touch for this diagonal block.

As always, you can share your thoughts and work with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. Check back in two weeks for a new block that builds on this technique!

September 25, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Turtle Neck Cape

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, we feature Thanh Nguyen’s Turtle Neck Cape. This was originally knit in Contessa, a bulky-weight acrylic/mohair/nylon/polyester (whew!) blend. We’re simplifying it a little by suggesting Uptown Bulky, our 100% anti-pilling acrylic as a good substitute. Uptown Bulky has greater yardage than the original yarn, making it a better knit in terms of your budget, too.

Front and back are knit separately, then the collar is made and the whole shebang is stitched together. From a color standpoint, I like this as a solid, but I can also see it with perhaps a few wide stripes for a dramatic, modern look. Maybe something with a great deal of contrast? I say, knit big or go home!

Happy crafting!

September 15, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Fourteen

Block Fourteen is live!

Block two of our month of plaid! Where our last block used stripes raised above the fabric of the square, Block Fourteen “Well Plaid” creates lines of color flush with the rest of the square.

Amy Gunderson achieves this by working one vertical stitch in the row in reverse stockinette, then applying the contrasting color to the purled stitch using a crochet hook. It’s rather ingenious. The video shows how it’s achieved.

Neat, eh? It’s a bit like picking up one laddered stitch, except with an entirely new color of yarn. I love the way this looks!

As always, you can share your thoughts and work with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. Check back in two weeks for a new technique and a new block!

September 11, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Ruffles and Ribbons

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Awww! Today’s Ruffles and Ribbons blanket was originally designed for Bella 4-ply, an acrylic/nylon blend. It’s a good choice since it’s machine washable, but we have a couple of even better yarns that fit the bill now.

We’re recommending either Little Bird (344yds/100g) or Uptown Baby Sport (361yds/100g) instead. Personally, I think I’d go with Uptown Baby Sport. Both are soft and would work nicely, but Baby Sport has just a little bit more loft, which I think would fit well for this project.

The yarn is held doubled for the body, which is knitted on 5mm/US8 needles. Then use just one strand of yarn and a US Size 4 circular needle for the ruffled edging. It’s a good means of getting different effects from the same yarn. Pretty adorable!

Happy knitting. We’ll see you tomorrow for Free Pattern Friday!

September 2, 2014

AFGHAN KNITALONG – BLOCK THIRTEEN

Block Thirteen is live!

Plaid! I don’t know why I didn’t think about this as an option, but I love it. Little squares within the square.

Plaid to the Bone uses elongated stitches to create raised lines that cross the surface of the stitch and give texture. Amy shows us how that works.

Just a few extra wraps, dropped on subsequent rows. Easy peasy. I must confess to having gotten a little sneak at the next block, which is also a variation on plaid, and I can barely wait for everyone else to see it too.

As always, you can share your blocks (and feedback) with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. Check back in two weeks for the next block in the series!

August 21, 2014August 21, 2014

Throwback Thursday – Garter Rib Cowl

It’s Throwback Thursday!

Today, we share the Garter Rib Cowl. Originally designed for Cashmere Fleur de Lys, this pattern would provide plenty of style in any worsted weight yarn, particularly one with a bit of spring to it.

This would be a great two ball project in Uptown Worsted 100% anti-pilling acrylic, as well as Deluxe Worsted or Deluxe Worsted Superwash 100% wool. It would be a three ball project with a bit more drape in Llamalini, but with the heathered tones of that linen/llama/silk bourette blend, it would be a great look.

I’ve got some Deluxe Worsted left over from my 30 Day Sweater KAL project, and this looks like the perfect project for it. A simple two-row repeat on size 9 needles sounds like a great break from back-to-school insanity. Let’s all knit and relax!

August 18, 2014

Afghan Knitalong – Block Twelve

Block Twelve is live!

Love it! Raising Cane (ha!) builds on the single twists of Block Eleven, bringing in a crossover twisted main stem. But this block adds a couple of new techniques.

First, there’s twisting stitches by working through the back loop. Amy Gunderson demonstrates with this video, showing how to work both knits and purls through the back loop to create a twisted stitch that really stands out from its background. This is a very effective technique when used with a smooth yarn like Uptown Worsted.

Next, there’s the matter of crossing over! You may recall that last time we shared a video on adding right and left traveling twists to your knits. This time, we build on that by adding right and left traveling purls. This lets those twisted stitches that pop so well move to outline the leaves.

I don’t know about you, but I learned something! And I’ll definitely keep twisted stitches and right and left twists in my knitting toolbox as a method for outlining other designs or adding more texture to my projects. Very exciting!

We’d love to see your blocks! You can share with us on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group.

Check back in two weeks for the next block in the series, and a new technique!