Jennifer

Recovering attorney and emigree from 7th Avenue, I now combine my technical and creative passions to design knitwear. My design viewpoint is all about making simple, attractive garments and accessories, using a bit of interesting construction or an intriguing detail.

Twinings

 Accessories, New Release, Patterns  Comments Off on Twinings
Nov 142019
 

Originally published in knit.wear Fall/Winter 2018, the Twinings pattern is now available from my Ravelry store, as an individual download in my usual pattern format, with expanded sizing and a return to the original sample gauge.

A tubular cast on creates a beautiful finished edge to the ribbing on this rustic hat, which features undulating allover shadow cables twining upwards to the elegantly shaped crown decreases.

Techniques & Skills Used: tubular CO, knit/purl, cables, decreasing, working in the round.  Instructions are both written and charted. 

Size:  S (M, L) to fit approximately 20 (22, 24)” head circumference; 19.5 (21, 22.5)” brim circumference and 8 (9.5, 11)” height, measured flat. 

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK (50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose; 191 yards/175m/50g), shown in 181 Mineral (size M) and 151 Bilberry (size S); 1 (1, 2) skeins, or approximately 145 (190, 220) yards of dk weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 4 (3.5mm) 16” needle for CO and brim; scrap yarn for tubular CO; Cable needle; Stitch markers 13 (14, 15); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 st and 32 rows/4” in cable pattern on larger needle, after blocking. The Felted Tweed relaxes significantly when wet blocked; be sure to block your swatch as you will the finished hat.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.

Grandiose Wrap

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Aug 152019
 
Grandiose Wrap | The Knitting Vortex

Whether glamping around a forest retreat, exploring on a quaint weekend away, or unplugging for your stay-cation, the Grandiose Wrap provides big snuggly comfort. A triangle shawl beginning grows on each unique bias side to make an enfolding rectangular wrap, highlighting a main color paired with a mini-skein set in a mix of stripe and eyelet-based stitch patterns.

Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace. Instructions for this pattern are fully written, with charts also provided for the eyelet-based lace.

Size: 104” length at top, 80” length at bottom, and 18” depth.

Yarn:  Miss Babs Yowza (100% superwash merino wool; 560 yards/512m/225g), shown in Fleur de Sel (A); 1 skein, and Miss Babs Yowza Mini (100% superwash merino wool; 200 yards/182m/80g), shown in Stowaway (B), Tiger Eye (C), and Zinfandel (D), 3 skeins. The sample used almost all of the yarn. 

Other Materials:  US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Markers (4); Stitch holder (optional); Yarn needle. 

Gauge: 18 st and 34 rows/4” in garter stitch after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.

Issykol

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Mar 282019
 

Issykol cover | The Knitting Vortex

Luxurious cashmere yarn and mosaic slipped stitch chevron patterns make a stunning bias shawl, featuring two rich colors alternating in a striking zigzag across a lighter contrasting background. June Cashmere’s ethically sourced and organically dyed yarn, which behaves like a light fingering weight, originates with fiber from small family farms in the mountain communities of Kyrgyzstan along the ancient Silk Road. As part of their mission to be an engine for social and economic change in the region, the company partners with local shepherds to bring fine quality fiber to the international market for fair compensation. Issykol is named for Issyk-Kul Lake, the seventh deepest and tenth largest lake in the world, located in the globally significant and biodiverse Issy-Kul Biosphere Reserve.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, cable CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork. Instructions for this pattern are fully written, with charts also provided for the slipstitch colorwork.

Size: 72” length and 17” depth. Highly customizable, with an adjustable 12-row repeat to alter the zigs and zags and infinite garter stitch bordering each end, Issykol may be easily adjusted for varying amounts of yardage.

Yarn: June Cashmere Lace Weight (100% Kyrgyz Cashmere; 308 yards/281m/50g), sample shown in Espresso (A), Stonecrop (B) and Black Cherry (C); 1 skein each of three colors, or approximately 775 yards of light fingering weight yarn. The sample used 252 yards A, 218 yards B and 292 yards C;  see Designer’s Notes for suggestions on adjusting for different yardage.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Marker; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 44 rows/4″ in garter stitch after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

The Thinking Eye

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Jan 222019
 

The Thinking Eye cover The Knitting Vortex

Inspired by Paul Klee’s exploration of color theory, The Thinking Eye is an asymmetric shawl knit on the bias with interlocking stripes and blocks, designed to create focus on each color within a deconstructed gradient set of mini-skeins.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, intarsia. Instructions are written, with a helpful color change row table also provided.

Size: 70” length and 19” depth.

Yarn: Dragonfly Fibers Dragon Sock Gradient Set (100% superwash merino wool; 570 yards/520m/170g), shown in Fire in the Evening; 1 set of 6 mini skeins (95 yards/87m/28g/1oz each). The sample used almost all of the yarn; see Designer’s Notes for suggestions on adjusting for different yardage.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 30 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

JAC

 New Release, Patterns, Sweaters  Comments Off on JAC
Dec 032018
 

Euphony front | The Knitting Vortex

Boldly textured details create a distinctive sweater, worked from the top down and seamlessly in warm bulky wool. Compound raglan shaping ensures a good fit for all sizes, and the perfect mid-hip length paired with three-quarter sleeves make a relaxed fit that is easy yet tidy. The reversible textured turtleneck can be worn either standing up or folded over for even more versatility.

Construction: JAC is knit seamlessly from the top down using raglan construction, in stockinette with a textured broken rib pattern on the wide raglan style lines, deep hem, and sleeve cuffs. Stitches are cast on in the round at the neckline, the front and back neck are shaped with short rows, then the body is worked to the bottom of the armhole. Sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the lower body is worked without shaping to the textured hem. Three-quarter length sleeves are then continued to the matching cuffs. Stitches are picked up for the neckband and worked in reversible broken rib, allowing the turtleneck to be worn either standing up or folded over. Complete instructions are included for an elegant tubular bind off to finish the hem, cuffs and turtleneck with a clean infinity edge detail.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, German short rows, tubular BO, grafting, picking up stitches.

Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)” bust; sample shown in sixth size, worn with 5” of positive ease.

Yarn: Stitch Sprouts Crater Lake (100% superwash merino wool; 110 yards/100m/100g), shown in Snow; 6 (7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13) skeins, or approximately 625 (675, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1050, 1150, 1225, 1325, 1425) yards of bulky weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 10 (6mm) 16” and 32” circular needles or size to match gauge, and US 10 dpns for sleeves and turtleneck if not using Magic Loop; spare US 10 32” needle for tubular BO; Stitch markers (8); Removable stitch markers (2); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 14 st and 19 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more pr purchase the pattern.   

Tilt Box

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Nov 152018
 

Tilt Box cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Tilt Box combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. Use a combination of bold or neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Tilt Box is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 20” brim circumference and 10” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 18 st and 18 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g), Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine highland wool; 123 yards/112m/50g). Hat shown in Cascade 9600 Antiqued Heather (A) and Woolstok 1317 Midnight Sea (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 100 yards A and 50 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 18 st and 18 rows is 4” wide and 3” tall.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

Pinwheel Vigil

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Nov 152018
 

Pinwheel Vigil cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Pinwheel Vigil combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. Use a combination of bold or neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Pinwheel Vigil is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 19” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 13 st and 12 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Harrisville Designs Harrisville Highland (100% pure virgin wool; 200 yards/182m/100g), Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g). Hat shown in Harrisville 81 Mustard (A) and Cascade 8010 Soft White (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 140 yards A and 35 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 19 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 13 st and 12 rows is 3” wide and 2” tall.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

Flower Lines

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Nov 152018
 

Flower Lines cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Flower Lines combines traditional fit with fun contemporary visual style. Make a pop-art punch with bright colors, or pair a saturated color with a neutral. Flower Lines is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 18” brim circumference and 10” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 24 st and 36 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool Worsted (100% merino wool; 250 yards/229m/113g). Hat shown in Stonehedge Raspberry (A) and Lilac (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 110 yards A and 50 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 24 st and 36 rows is 4.75” wide and 6” tall.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

Goblin Queen

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Oct 052018
 

Goblin Queen cover | The Knitting Vortex

Alternating checks created by slipped stitches trail uniformly across the topdown triangular shape of this shawl in ever-widening bands. When one edge is bound off, the other then zooms off to one side in a long tail, for a simple graphic wrap that winds elegantly and stays in place easily.

Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork. Instructions for this pattern are fully written, with charts also provided for the slipstitch colorwork.

Size: 80” length and 23” depth.

Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles (100% merino wool; 400yards/ 366m/100g); 1 skein each colors A and B, shown in Typewriter and Goblin, respectively. The sample used approximately 355 yards A and 395 yards B. Using a drapey single or loosely plied yarn will help minimize rolling at the long bottom left edge.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Markers (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.       

Polytope

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Aug 222018
 

Polytope | The Knitting Vortex

A bias rectangle worked from one short edge to the other, Polytope is more than a parallelogram. A line of centered double decreases zooms diagonally across the shawl from one corner to the other, creating a chevron dip where the stitches change direction. A repeating mix of easy to work garter stitch stripes, plus mesh lace, both highlight the angles and keep the knitting interesting. The resulting asymmetric shape has four sides that are not quite parallel, not quite straight, and not the same length – but they make a wearable and fun shape that can be styled to show off any of the stitch patterns depending on how it’s worn.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace. Instructions for this pattern are fully written, with a chart also provided for the mesh lace.

Size: 68 (76)” length along longest edge and 14 (16)” depth at shallowest part of rectangle; diagonal center spine measures about 50 (56)”. Sample shown in smaller size.

Yarn: Miss Babs Hand Dyed Yarn Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yards/365m/115g), shown in MC Shale and CC Cordovan; 1 skein each of MC and CC, or MC 230 (260) and CC 325 (365) yards of wool blend fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Removable marker (1); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.