Sweaters • The Knitting Vortex

Rozachakra

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May 102017

Find your inner balance and serenity with Rozachakra, a cocoon sweater perfectly suited to the changing seasons. Textured stitches and cables, worked seamlessly from the top down, create an easy layer to wear over any outfit. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, purlwise cable CO, knit/purl, cables, increasing/decreasing, working in the round, picking up stitches. Pattern instructions are both fully written and charted. Size: S (M, L); hem circumference 41 (44, 50)” at high hip level; shown in second size worn with 9” positive ease at hip. This poncho style sweater is meant to be a significantly oversized layer. Yarn: 1200 (1300, 1500) yards of dk weight wool or wool blend yarn. Choosing a blend with some cashmere or silk will bring a lovely drape and softness to your sweater. The sample used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (57% merino wool, 33% microfiber, 12% cashmere; 120 yards/110m/50g); shown in #18042 pink, which is discontinued. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 24” and 40” circular needles, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (4 each of colors A, . . .

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 . . .

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 . . .

Block Theory

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Aug 042016

Bold blocks of intarsia decorate the front and back of this long and lean tank. Worked flat from the bottom up with a slightly longer back, the built-in rib edging is seamed at the sides, leaving slits at the hem. Waist shaping and an a-line flare at the hip emphasize the casual breeziness, and deep v-shaped armholes add to the linear styling. Techniques & Skills Used: Italian tubular CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, intarsia, German short rows, cable CO, applied I-cord (provisional CO and grafting), 3-needle BO; links are provided to my techniques tutorials. Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)” bust; shown in second size worn with 1” negative ease. Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (100% pima cotton; 220 yards/200m/100g), shown in MC 3718 Natural and CC 3729 Gray; 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins MC and 1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins CC, or approximately 425 (475, 500, 525, 575, 600, 625, 725, 800) yards of MC and 210 (230, 250, 270, 290, 310, . . .

Indium

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Jul 062016

Worked simply in summer yarn with a bit of lace, Indium is a bubble tank perfect for lazy warm days. Topdown seamless construction with no shaping makes a carefree top with a casual fit; wear it longer like the sample, or make a cropped version and accentuate the easy shape. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, I-cord, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, working in the round; pattern instructions are fully written, with a chart also provided for the lace stitch pattern. Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 44, 48)” bust; shown in second size with 1” negative ease at bust and 4” negative ease at hip. The straight body creates a bubble shape, fitted at the top and bottom, with positive ease between. Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport (60% pima cotton, 40% Modal; 110 yards/100m/50g), shown in Platinum; 5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins, or approximately 550 (575, 600, 650, 675, 750, 800) yards of sport weight cotton blend yarn. Other Materials: US 3 (3.25mm) dpns (optional) for icord; US 3 (3.25mm) and US . . .

Sweet Chilly

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Mar 172016

As comfy as your favorite sweatshirt but made stylish with special details, Sweet Chilly uses seamless topdown construction and textured stitches in a modern knit sweater. Shifting Broken Rib panels create the look of a deep raglan, while the Twisted Rib featured on the dolman sleeves continues along the sides providing natural shaping. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, backwards loop CO, 3-needle BO, working in the round, short rows. Pattern instructions are fully written, with charts also provided for the stitch patterns, and a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56)” bust; shown in fifth size with 5” positive ease. Yarn: Colour Adventures Sweet Merino DK (100% superwash merino wool; 250 yards/229m/115g), shown in Chilly; 4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins, or approximately 950 (1000, 1050, 1100, 1200, 1250, 1350, 1450, 1550, 1650) yards of dk weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32″ circular needle or size to match gauge; US 6 (4mm) 24″ . . .

Shadowling

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Jan 192016

A topography of shadow cables is knit flat and folded, then two short seams form this cocoon cardigan. Short rows shape the wide ribbed edging, creating a warm and dramatic shawl collar; the ribbed edge and cuffs are finished with elegant applied I-cord. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, cables, short rows, working in the round, applied I-cord; stitch pattern is both written and charted, and a link to my short row tutorials is included. Size: S (M, L); shown in size S on a 35” bust. Yarn: Rowan Cocoon (80% merino wool, 20% kid mohair; 126 yards/115m/100g), shown in Cloud; 6 (7, 8) skeins, or approximately 650 (775, 925) yards of bulky weight wool/mohair blend yarn; a fiber blend that blocks to a soft and drapey fabric is recommended to achieve the silhouette and ease of this cocoon-shaped garment. Other Materials: US 11 (8mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; US 11 (8mm) 60” circular needle for ribbed edge; Stitch markers (1); Cable needle; Yarn needle. Gauge: 15 st and 20 . . .

Evenlight

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Dec 152015

Evenlight combines a textural check stitch on the body with repeating purl stripes on the sleeves. A wide raglan line and wider purl stripe spacing below the shoulders adds even more visual interest. The seamless raglan construction, casual fit and simple stitches make this a pullover with just enough interest both to knit and to wear. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, purlwise cable CO, backwards loop CO, working in the round; stitch pattern is both written and charted and includes instructions for increasing in pattern. Size: 32 (33.75, 35.5, 37.25, 39.25, 40.75, 42.75, 44.5, 46.25, 48)” bust; shown in fifth size with 4” ease. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (100% superwash merino wool; 210 yards/ 192m/100g), shown in Sand Bank; 4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins, or approximately 825 (875, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1275, 1325) yards of worsted weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 32″ circular needle or size to match gauge; US 8 (5mm) 24″ circular needle for neckline; Stitch . . .

Sangaree

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Sep 212015

A relaxed pullover full of of texture, Sangaree is perfect between seasons when you need a pretty layer over a shirt or tank top. Worsted weight cotton blend yarn, simple topdown raglan seamless construction and eye catching stitches combine in a versatile and high impact sweater. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, purlwise cable CO, backwards loop CO, working in the round; stitch pattern is both written and charted and includes instructions for increasing in pattern. Size: 32 (33.75, 35.75, 37.75, 39.5, 41.5, 43.25, 45.25, 47, 49)” bust; shown in fifth size with 4” ease. Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted Heather (75% pima cotton, 25% acrylic; 109 yards/100m/50g); 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11) skeins, or approximately 650 (700, 725, 825, 850, 900, 925, 1075, 1125, 1150) yards of worsted weight cotton blend yarn. Sample shown in Cabernet Heather. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 32″ circular needle or size to match gauge; US 8 (5mm) 24″ circular needle for neckline; Stitch markers (4); Stitch holders (2); Yarn . . .

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