Amalee

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Feb 282024
 

A tidy and feminine seamless cardigan, Amalee adds a touch of whimsy with bell sleeve cuffs and a romantic peplum. Worked from the top down using the seamless, simultaneous set-in sleeves method, the silhouette is slightly relaxed with gentle A-line shaping, a flattering hi-hip length, and elegant tubular rib finish. 

Construction: Amalee uses the seamless, simultaneous set-in sleeve method, which allows you to work the back, front and sleeves of a sweater all at one time from the top down, while creating a tailored, set-in sleeve fit. Stitches are cast on for the back, and the back shoulders are shaped with a few short rows to create the shoulder slope; stitches are then picked up for each front shoulder, and shaped with identical short rows. The back and fronts are united, while at the same time stitches are picked up at the shoulder edges for the sleeve caps, and sleeve cap shaping begins. Body and sleeves are worked at the same time, with a deep V neckline, and tailored armhole shaping. When the armhole depth is reached, sleeves are put on hold, while the body is worked straight to the natural waist, then stitches are increased to create the flowing peplum. The hem is finished with an elegant tubular bind off, which will be used again at the cuffs and front edges. Sleeves are then resumed and worked with shaping to the the forearm, then increased to create gentle bell cuffs. The narrow neck & front edging buttonband are worked in rib with easy and discreet tiny yarnover buttonholes, and finished with the tubular bind off.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, short rows, picking up stitches, increasing/decreasing, working in the round, simultaneous shaping, tubular BO, grafting. Pattern instructions are fully written, with links to my tutorials.

Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)” bust; sample shown in fourth size worn with 2” positive ease; for a fitted look in the upper torso with a relaxed A-line shape below as in the sample, choose a size 1-2” larger than your actual bust measurement.

Yarn: Anzula Squishy (80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 385 yards/352m/114g), shown in Mercury; 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins, or approximately 1050 (1125, 1200, 1250, 1375, 1450, 1550, 1675, 1800, 1950, 2075, 2200, 2325) yards of wool or MCN blend fingering weight yarn; consider some cashmere content to provide a luxurious feel.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32-60” circular needle or size to match gauge for body, and US 5 dpns if not using magic loop for sleeves; Spare US 5 60” circular needle for tubular BO; Stitch markers (4); Removable stitch markers (2); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle; Blunt sewing needle; ½” buttons 9 (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11).

Gauge: 21 st and 30 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

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Allotrope Cubes

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Oct 282023
 

Diamond is the compact and dense allotrope, or distinct structural element, that forms from carbon at very high pressure. This shawl is a lattice of interlocking cubic shapes in garter stitch and yarnovers, worked from the bottom up in an expanding structure. Wide garter borders on all sides create a simple frame for the strong and striking geometry of the diamond arrangement.

Construction: Allotrope Cubes begins at the bottom center point, and is worked to the long top edge, with geometrically expanding interlocking lace diamonds and a wide garter border.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace; this pattern is both fully written and charted. 

Size: S (L); 83 (87)” length and 29 (32)” depth. 

Yarn: Dream In Color Smooshy (85% superwash merino wool, 15% nylon; 420 yards/284m/114g); 2 (3) skeins, or approximately 750 (900) yards of wool blend fingering weight yarn. The size L sample was made with discontinued Dream In Color Stardust Experimentals (98% superwash merino wool, 2% nylon; 450 yards/411m/114g), shown in Persimmon; 2 skeins. 

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Markers (3, or more if marking repeats); Yarn needle.

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Honeydip

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Sep 122023
 

Deeply textured honeycomb cables decorate the body and outer sleeves of this topdown seamless sweater. Victorian references style the bell shaped silhouette, with a high neck, slim sleeves, and fluted hem. Compound raglan shaping ensures a good fit for all sizes, while waist shaping further refines the silhouette.

Construction: Honeydip is knit seamlessly from the top down using raglan construction, in a textured honeycomb cable pattern on the front, back, and along the outer sleeves, with smooth stockinette at the body side panels and undersleeves. Compound raglan shaping, in which the rate of body and sleeve increases varies depending upon size, is used to ensure a good fit across the entire size range. 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 with gentle shaping to the fluted ribbed hem which flows smoothly from the cables. Sleeves are then continued to the ribbed cuffs; shaping takes place on body and sleeves in the stockinette sections, to avoid interrupting the cable panels. Stitches are picked up for the neckband and worked in ribbing to match the hem and cuffs. 

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cables, German short rows, picking up stitches. Pattern instructions are fully written, with charts also provided for cable pattern and increases; a link to my short row tutorials is included. 

Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)” bust; sample shown in fifth size, worn with 3” of positive ease. 

Yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery Mewesic (100% fine American wool; 180 yards/165m/58g), shown in Purple Rain 8951; 6 (7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) skeins, or approximately 1050 (1125, 1175, 1250, 1350, 1425, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1775, 1925, 2050, 2200, 2300) yards of DK weight wool yarn. 

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 24” and 32” circular needle or size to match gauge, and US 6 dpns for sleeves and neckband if not using Magic Loop; Stitch markers (8) color A for raglan lines, and (4) color B for sleeve cable panel; Stitch holders (2); Cable needle; Yarn needle. 

Gauge: 26 st and 30 rounds/4” in honeycomb stitch pattern, and 22 st and 30 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

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Chunnel Vest

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Aug 122023
 

Chunnel Vest features a relaxed modern silhouette worked in textured half fisherman’s rib. European shoulder shaping places the shoulder seams toward the back, eliminating bulk and creating a flattering smooth drape at the front. Fully fashioned shaping emphasizes the neckline, armholes and sideseams above the hem, for visible style lines that contour to your shape. An elegant tubular bind off finishes the ribbing at the hem, armholes and neck.

Construction: Chunnel Vest is cast on at the back neck, then the shoulders are shaped with increases to create an ergonomic fit. Once the shoulder width is reached, the upper back is worked with integrated shaping, to the bottom of the armhole. The back is put on hold while stitches are picked up along the shoulder edge for each front, then worked to the armscye depth, with rounded crew neck shaping. Back and front are united, then the body is worked in the round, with shaping above the ribbed hem to emphasize the fitted bottom finish. The hem is worked in K1P1 rib, finished elegantly with a clean tubular bind off. Armhole and neckline trim begin with picking up stitches, then are worked in K1P1 rib with a tubular bind off.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, working into the stitch below, working in the round, working in simple pattern, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, tubular BO, grafting. This pattern contains written instructions, with links to my tutorials. 

Size: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 3” positive ease. I chose a slightly oversized fit for myself; consult the schematic for bust and other measurements, and choose a size that provides the amount of ease you prefer. 

Yarn: Woolfolk FAR (100% merino wool; 142 yards/130m/50g); shown in No. 20. 4 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10) skeins, or approximately 500 (575, 650, 750, 825, 900, 1000, 1075, 1175, 1275) yards of worsted weight wool yarn. 

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; US 6 (4mm) dpns or 32” circular needle for armhole and neckline rib; Spare US 7 (4.5mm) and US 6 (4mm) circular needles for tubular BO; Stitch markers (6); Removable stitch markers (2); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle. 

Gauge: 16 st and 34 rounds/4” “ in fisherman’s rib pattern, after blocking; 16 st and 24 rounds/4” in K1P1 rib.

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Kimberlite Pipes

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May 182023
 

Kimberlite Pipes is a shawl that represents the transformation of carbon into diamonds, working their way up through the earth’s mantle. Cast on at the bottom point, this shawl expands upwards in tiers of interlocking diamonds, beginning fully as lace, transitioning through half garter/ half lace, and finally reaching fully garter shapes. Diagonal rows of yarnovers separate the diamonds throughout, and outline the wide garter borders on all sides. 

Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace; this pattern is both fully written and charted. 

Size: 74” length and 40” depth, customizable. 

Yarn: Birch Hollow Fibers Morrison MCN Sock (80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 435 yards/ 398m/100g), shown in Winter Wheat; 2 skeins or 870 yards of wool blend fingering weight yarn. The sample used almost all of the yarn; see Designer’s Notes for suggestions on adjusting for different yardage. 

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 24” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Markers (3, or more if marking reps); Yarn needle. 

Gauge: 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, 16 st and 24 rows/4” in diamond lace pattern, 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. 

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Courser Loop

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Mar 162023
 

Worked in the round with a half-twist, Courser Loop is a moebius infinity cowl that alternates long rounds of slipped stitch, broken rib, and reverse broken rib patterns, and is finished along the outer edge with K1P1 ribbing. The reverse of the stitch patterns each create a unique and beautiful fabric, taking advantage of the moebius structure which magically displays the RS on one half of the length, and the WS on the other, making the cowl attractive on both sides and completely reversible.

Designer’s Notes: This infinity loop is worked in the round outwards from the cast on, which becomes the middle of the loop, until the outside edge is reached and bound off. To adjust the length of your loop, CO more or fewer stitches in multiples of 2; to customize the width, work the various stitch patterns in any combination, for any number of repeats. 

Techniques & Skills Used: moebius CO, knit/purl, slipped stitches, working in the round; instructions for stitch patterns are fully written, and a link to the moebius CO tutorial is provided. 

Size: S (L); 36 (48)” circumference and 8 (11)” tall, customizable to any size. 

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (100% superwash merino wool; 210 yards/ 192m/100g), shown in Purple Mystery; 1 (2) skeins, or approximately 210 (420) yards of worsted weight yarn. 

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 47 (60)” circular needle or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle. 

Gauge: 15 st and 36 rounds/4” in Welted Slipstitch and both Broken Rib stitch patterns, 15 st and 20 rounds in K1P1 Rib, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished loop, and different yardage requirements. 

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PatchRib Loop

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Dec 292022
 

Choose the PatchRib Set ebook, and make the matching collection of scarf, hat and infinity loop.

Create a patchwork infinity cowl using fluffy, two-color Fisherman’s rib. The fully reversible stitch pattern allows a different color to dominate on each side, while the shifting color blocks provide plenty of visual interest. Loop it once or twice, wear it twisted or straight; this neckwarmer presents so many styling options.

Construction: Worked back and forth from one end to the other, the PatchRIB Loop is cast on using the provisional method, and grafted closed. Using just one color per row, the fluffy Fisherman’s rib stitch pattern is a four-row repeat, in which two RS rows are worked with alternating colors by sliding the stitches to the other end of the circular needle, then the work is turned and two WS rows are worked similarly. Slipped stitch edges keep the color changes invisible and create a sophisticated appearance.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, working into the stitch below, grafting. This pattern contains written instructions, with links to my tutorials for the provisional CO and working into the stitch below.

Size: one size; 8” wide and 40” long, measured flat.

Yarn: Lion Brand Yarns Heartland (100% acrylic; 251 yards/230m/142g); approximately 45 yards each of 5 colors, or 225 yards total of worsted weight yarn. For the sample, I substituted in a sixth color on one side of one colorblock; sample shown in Yosemite (orange), Wolf Trap (pink), Kings Canyon (green), Kobuk Valley (purple), Grand Canyon (beige), and Voyageurs (light blue).

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 12 st and 34 rows/4” in Fisherman’s rib st, lightly blocked and measured flat; 14 st and 28 rows/4” worn looped. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished loop, and different yardage requirements.

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PatchRib Hat

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Dec 292022
 

Choose the PatchRib Set ebook, and make the matching collection of scarf, hat and infinity loop.

Accessorize with this slouchy topper, worked in Fisherman’s rib with two colors that swap places partway through. Fold up the brim, or wear it long and loose; the fully reversible construction means you’ve got two new hats!

Construction: Worked in the round from the bottom up, the PatchRib Hat is cast on using the tubular method with MC for a smooth, infinity edge, then continued with the addition of CC for the Fisherman’s rib colorwork, which is worked using just one color every round. At every color change, make sure to bring the new color from under the color used in the previous round.

Techniques & Skills Used: tubular CO, knit/purl, working into the stitch below, decreasing, working in the round, optional pompom. This pattern contains written instructions, with links to my tutorials for the tubular CO and working into the stitch below.

Size: S (M, L, XL) to fit approximately 20 (22, 24, 26)” head circumference; 16 (18, 20, 22)” brim circumference and 9.25 (10.75, 11.25, 12.25)” height, measured flat and unstretched. The Fishermen’s rib stitch is super stretchy; samples shown in size M.

Yarn: Lion Brand Yarns Heartland (100% acrylic; 251 yards/230m/142g), samples shown in MC Grand Canyon (beige) or Kobuk Valley (purple) with CC Voyageurs (light blue) or Yosemite (orange). 1 skein of each color, or approximately 70 (75, 80, 85) yards each for MC and CC of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle for Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 5 (3.75mm) 16” circular needle for CO; Scrap yarn; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle; optional pompom maker.

Gauge: 12 st and 34 rounds/4” in Fisherman’s rib st, lightly blocked.

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PatchRib Scarf

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Nov 142022
 

Choose the PatchRib Set ebook, and make the matching collection of scarf, hat and infinity loop.

Two colors interact in a fluffy reversible Fisherman’s rib, dominating and receding to create an overscale patchwork effect with a different appearance on each side. Add fun pompoms and fling it about your neck for a fashionable frosty season.

Construction: Worked back and forth from one end to the other, the PatchRib Scarf is cast on and bound off using the tubular method for a smooth, infinity edge. Color 2 is introduced after the CO for the Fisherman’s rib colorwork, which cycles through the color progression. The fluffy rib stitch pattern is a four-row repeat, in which two RS rows are worked with alternating colors by sliding the stitches to the other end of the circular needle after the first row, then the work is turned and two WS rows are worked similarly, using only one color at a time. Slipped stitch edges keep the color changes invisible and create a tidy and sophisticated appearance.

Techniques & Skills Used: tubular CO, knit/purl, working into the stitch below, tubular BO, grafting. This pattern contains written instructions, with links to my tutorials for the tubular CO and working into the stitch below.

Size: one size; 6.25” wide and 81” long, measured hanging as worn; customizable to any length.

Yarn: Lion Brand Yarns Heartland (100% acrylic; 251 yards/230m/142g), sample shown in Color 1 Yosemite (orange), Color 2 Wolf Trap (pink), Color 3 Voyageurs (light blue), Color 4 Kings Canyon (green), Color 5 Kobuk Valley (purple), and Color 6 Grand Canyon (beige); 1 skein or approximately 45 yards of each color, or 270 yards total of worsted weight yarn, plus additional 140 yards for optional pompoms.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 5 (3.75mm) 16” circular needle for CO and BO; spare US 5 needle for BO; Yarn needle, optional pompom maker.

Gauge: 12 st and 34 rows/4” in Fisherman’s rib st, measured flat; 16 st and 24 rows/4” measured with scarf hanging as when worn. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished scarf, and different yardage requirements.

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Chunnel Warmers

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Oct 272022
 

The Chunnel Leg Warmers have fitted rib cuffs with an optional heel split opening, and deeply textured legs which can be scrunched down or worn up straight. The half fisherman’s rib makes a fluffy and warm texture perfectly suited to artful rumpling. Weave the ends in neatly, and the legwarmers are completely reversible, showing a slightly different but equally attractive pattern on the reverse side.

Construction: Worked in the round from the top down, the Chunnel Warmers are cast on and bound off using the tubular method for smooth, infinity edges. Cuffs are worked in K1P1 rib on smaller needles, then continued on larger needles in opulent scrunchy half fisherman’s rib for the leg section. To adjust for different amounts of yardage, in addition to the size range in the instructions, the length of the rib cuff and leg sections may be easily customized by knitting more or fewer rounds, depending upon your yardage and fit preferences.

Techniques & Skills Used: tubular CO, alternate cable CO, knit/purl, working into the stitch below, working in the round, tubular BO, grafting. This pattern contains written instructions, with links to my tutorials.

Size: XS (S, M, L); 10 (12, 14, 16)” circumference and 15” or 19” height, measured flat and unstretched. The half fisherman’s rib is extremely stretchy and fits many sizes and shapes; choose a size with 1 – 2” of negative ease at calf. Sample shown in second size on a 13.5” calf/ 9” ankle.

Yarn: Purl Soho Worsted Twist (100% merino wool; 164 yards/150m/ 100g), shown in Artemisia Green; 2 (2, 3, 3) skeins, or approximately 275 (325, 390, 450) yards of worsted weight yarn. See Designer’s Notes for suggestions to adjust for differing yardage.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle for Magic Loop, or size to match gauge for leg; US 5 (3.75mm) dpns or 32” circular needle for cuffs; spare US 5 (3.75mm) circular needle for tubular bind off; Stitch marker (1); removable stitch markers (2); Scrap yarn; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 14 st and 30 rounds/4” in half fisherman’s rib stitch pattern, unstretched and unblocked.

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