Featured • The Knitting Vortex

POPstripes

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Jul 202017

From light to dark and dark to light, two gradient yarn sets move across one another in reversing waves of color. Using just knit, purl and simple slipped stitches, lines of colorful stripes with exploding POPS sweep along this asymmetric bias shawl, and finish with a gradient stripe edging. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, slipped stitches, increasing/decreasing. Instructions are fully written, with a chart also provided forthe slipstitch section. Size: 90” length and 24” depth. Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Reversing Falls Gradient Pack (100% superwash merino; 435 yards/398m/100g), 2 packs of five colors each; shown in Fog (A) and Rugosa (B). 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; Stitch markers (2); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 30 rows/4” in POPstripes pattern, 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 . . .

Brae

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Apr 292017

Journey along this asymmetric garter based shawl, as colorful stripes and simple slipped stitches build upon each other. The Brae shawl is knit on the bias from one end to the other, with stripes flowing into a rippled slipstitch pattern, interspersed with solid bands of color. Pair two contrasting colors, or a variegated or tonal skein with a neutral complement, and have fun watching the colorful contrast advance across the shawl while knitting. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipped stitches. Instructions are fully written, with a chart also provided for the slipstitch section. Size: 65 (75)” length and 13 (15)” depth, customizable. Instructions are included for two finished sizes; choose the larger version to use up most of two full skeins, or the smaller version when working with partials, see Designer’s Notes. Yarn: Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yards/366m/113g); 1 skein each A and B. Small version shown in Pewter and Lotus, and large version in Parchment and Denim, respectively. The sample used approximately 250 (360) yards A . . .

Kline Shawl

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Apr 212017

Originally published in knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016, the Kline pattern is now available from my Ravelry store, as an individual download in my usual pattern format. Bold strokes of alternating smooth and rough texture stretch fluidly across this asymmetric shawl. The strict monochromatic palette is broken with colorful accents that transition to dominance at the far edge; try pairing a speckled yarn with a bold contrast for a striking visual result. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing. Size: 80” length and 21” depth, customizable. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/384m/100g); 1 skein each MC and CC, shown in Optic and Edison Bulb, respectively. The sample used approximately 420 yards MC and 340 yards CC, but any amount of yarn in any combination may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 32 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller . . .

Love Me True

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Apr 072017

Subtly different textured stitch patterns define the front and back of this boxy cardigan. The back and shoulders feature an unusual construction that creates a casual, modern silhouette, with dropped shoulders and a shallow v-shaped back neckline echoing the deep v of the front. The mid-length oversized body is cropped enough to wear with pants and skirts without overwhelming them, but still long enough to work with casual leggings. Slim sleeves also balance the oversized body, and an uneven split hem further reduces bulk; applied pockets make it even more practical. Worked seamlessly from the top down with a knit-in button band, finishing is minimal, and style is major. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, working in simple pattern, German short rows, picking up stitches. Size: This boxy cardigan is designed to be worn with at least 4-6” of positive ease; with this amount of ease, the size range is suggested to fit actual bust sizes of 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)”. Yarn: MollyGirl Yarn Rock . . .

Rib Run

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Mar 212017

There’s nothing more classic than a ribbed hat, and Rib Run adds just a little twist by morphing the ribs into twining cables that run from brim to crown. Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, cables, decreasing, working in the round; instructions for stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 18.75” brim circumference and 8.5” tall, unstretched, shown on a 22” head. The rib-based pattern is very stretchy and easily accommodates heads from 20-23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size. Yarn: Brim Collections Breakfast DK (100% merino wool; 230 yards/210m/100g), shown in Earl Grey; 1 skein, or approximately 175 yards of DK weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 4 (3.5mm) 16” circular needle for brim and US 6 (4mm) 16” circular needle or size to match gauge for body; cable needle; Stitch markers (5); Yarn needle. Gauge: 25.5 st and 36 rows/4” in cable pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 cable repeat of 24 st and 36 rows equals 3.75” wide and 4” tall. See . . .

ChevRiot

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Mar 162017

A moving riot of chevrons sweeps diagonally across this garter based long crescent shawl, while contrasting color stripes expand and contract. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit, increasing/decreasing. Size: 98” length and 18” depth. Yarn: The Periwinkle Sheep PURPOSE (90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon; 410 yards/375m/100g); 1 skein each colors A, B and C, shown in Ghost of Molly, Brownstone and Gold Rush, respectively. The sample used approximately 380 yards A, 400 yards B and 210 yards C. See Designer’s Notes for suggestions on adjusting for different yardage. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (4); 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, to read more or purchase the pattern. Save Save

Avix

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Feb 152017

Avix was designed in collaboration with Miss Babs Hand-Dyed Yarn for Stitches West 2017; print patterns in their house format will be available from the Miss Babs booth at the many yarn shows they attend; stop by if you can, and see the samples in person! Digital pdfs are available from my Ravelry store, and are formatted with my usual layout style and photography. Mesh and eyelet lace columns highlight expanding lace panels inspired by the wings of soaring birds, making a flowing cardigan with a swing shape. Avix is worked seamlessly from the top down in stockinette with lace panels, and short row set-in sleeves. Minimal shaping and simple lace textures make an easy to knit sweater that flatters a wide range of sizes. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, easy lace, increasing/decreasing, German short rows. Stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56)” bust based on twice the back width; shown in second size worn with 5” positive ease. Yarn: Miss Babs Yowza . . .

Flylette

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Feb 152017

Flylette was designed in collaboration with Miss Babs Hand-Dyed Yarn for Stitches West 2017; print patterns in their house format will be available from the Miss Babs booth at the many yarn shows they attend; stop by if you can, and see the samples in person! Digital pdfs are available from my Ravelry store, and are formatted with my usual layout style and photography. Flower eyelets decorate the front and back of this feminine cropped cardigan. Worked seamlessly from the top down, compound raglan sleeve shaping ensures a great fit in the shoulders and sleeves for all sizes, and deep single rib hem and cuffs maintains the body-celebrating style. A simultaneously worked garter button band and minimal finishing keep it simple. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, easy lace, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, purlwise cable CO, backwards loop CO. Stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)”; shown in second size with 1” positive ease. Yarn: Miss Babs Keira (100% superwash merino wool; 560 yards /512m/235g), shown in Moroccan . . .

Refracted

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Oct 112016

$Refracted$

Stitches refract at a central point, interrupting the line of a stripe and sometimes becoming another stitch pattern entirely. Worked in a combination of solid, stripe and slipped stitches, this garter shawl begins at one tip and grows asymmetrically on the bias in two halves simultaneously, with patterns which diverge at the center. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipped stitches. Instructions are fully written, with charts also provided for the slipstitch and stripe sections. Size: 64” wingspan and 20” depth, customizable. Yarn: Dark Harbour Yarn Starboard (70% superwash merino wool, 30% silk; 438 yards/400m/100g); 1 skein each MC and CC, shown in Great White+ and Arthur Kill. The sample as written used approximately 315 yards MC and 225 yards CC. Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 24 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 . . .

Mazerunner

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Oct 042016

Sinuous crossed paths run a maze around mesh diamonds on this triangle shawl worked from the bottom up. The crimpy fiber of the cormo creates a very lofty and bouncy fabric, giving the lace a refreshingly rustic and woolly dimension. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, cables, easy lace; this pattern is both fully written and charted. Size: 60” wingspan and 26” depth; customizable. Yarn: Sincere Sheep Cormo Fingering (100% Cormo wool; 500 yards/ 457m/113g); 1 skein, or 500 yards of wool/wool blend fingering weight yarn. The sample as written used the entire skein; you may want to have additional yardage on hand, as the shawl may easily be enlarged. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Cable neede; Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 32 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, 20 st and 30 rows/4” in 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. See it on Ravelry, . . .

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