Featured • The Knitting Vortex

Down Arrows

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Nov 162017

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Down Arrows combines traditional technique with contemporary visual style. For the samples, I used a combination of bold and neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Down Arrows 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 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 24 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: Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool Worsted (100% merino wool; 250 yards/229m/113g), Patons Wool Worsted (100% wool; 210 yards/192m/100g). Brown hat shown in Stonehedge Midnight Lake (A) and Lilac (B), purple hat shown in Stonehedge Lilac (A) and Patons Plum Heather . . .

Telos

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Nov 022017

When there’s a little chill in the air but you don’t want to wear a coat, reach for Telos, a cozy coat-style cardigan. Practical warmth and knitterly interest meet, in a boxy silhouette with a heavily textured reversible alternating check patterned body and stockinette sleeves. The oversized shawl collar is worked seamlessly along with the body; the reversible stitch pattern allows it to be worn folded back or overlapped for more warmth. Dropped shoulders and wide ribbing at the hem and cuffs enhance the relaxed style, and hidden pockets in the bottom ribbing are there when your fingers get chilly. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, provisional CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, short rows, picking up stitches, increasing/decreasing. Size: 34 (40, 46, 52, 58)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 11” positive ease. This boxy cardigan is designed to be worn with plenty of positive ease. I chose a very roomy fit for myself; the sample is shown in the third size worn with 11” of positive ease; choose a size that provides . . .

Throwing Shade

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Oct 052017

Throw this generous sportweight wrap around your shoulders for a lovely extra layer. Knit in luxe yarn from 2 stitches cast on at the tip, Throwing Shade features allover diagonal lace sweeping across a right triangle shape. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, lace, increasing. Instructions are both charted and fully written. Size: 104” length and 44” depth, after blocking. Yarn: madelinetosh Pashmina (75% merino wool, 15% silk, 10% cashmere; 360 yards/113g), 3 skeins, shown in Composition Book Grey. The sample used almost all of 3 skeins; 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 marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 24 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, to read more or purchase the pattern. Save

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 . . .

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