Wraps • The Knitting Vortex • Page 2

The Thinking Eye

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Jan 222019

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.

Goblin Queen

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Oct 052018

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 . . .

Polytope

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Aug 222018

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; . . .

Lithofayne

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Oct 192017

Lithofayne is the name of the woman said to be the inspiration for Jimi Hendrix’ song Foxy Lady. Be your own muse when creating this asymmetric shawl, blending two colors with gentle transitions of stripes and slipstitch colorwork. Beginning with garter stitch, progress through stripes to the slipstitch body, which evolves from small scale slipped stitches to expanded lines on widening solid color bands. The result is a scattering of color that slowly shifts to more distinct definition, and ends with stripes and a solid band of garter on your inspired shawl. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, slipstitch colorwork, increasing/decreasing. Instructions are fully written, with charts also provided for the slipstitch colorwork. Size: 78” length and 28” depth; this shawl may be customized in length and depth to accommodate varying yardage. Yarn: The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Foxy Lady (70% superwash merino wool, 30% silk; 428 yards/391m/100g); 1 skein each of colors A and B in fingering weight wool yarn, shown in Jellystone (A) and Winter Wolf (B). The sample used approximately 425 yards . . .

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, customizable. Yarn: madelinetosh Pashmina (75% merino wool, 15% silk, 10% cashmere; 360 yards/329m/113g), shown in Composition Book Grey; 3 skeins, or 1080 yards of sportweight yarn. 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 or on Payhip, 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 for the slipstitch. Size: 90” length and 24” depth, customizable. Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Reversing Falls Gradient Pack (100% superwash merino; 435 yards/398m/100g), shown in Fog (A) and Rugosa (B); 2 packs of five colors each, OR 435 yards of two different gradient sets, OR 870 yards total of at least two but as many colors as you like, of fingering weight yarn. The sample used almost all of the yarn, but any amount may be used; 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 . . .

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 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), shown in Optic (MC) and Edison Bulb (CC); 1 skein each MC and CC. 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 or larger finished . . .

ChevRiot

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Mar 162017

A moving riot of chevrons sweeps diagonally, creating texture 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 or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern. Save Save

Making Advances

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Feb 012017

Alternating textures in two colors decorate a bold triangle shawl, then advance unexpectedly to one side, for an asymmetric finish. Color choice is the focus, the shape is long and easy to wear, and the knitting is simple and relaxing. Construction: Making Advances is worked topdown from a garter tab CO for the main triangle, then stitches are bound off on one side and the remaining side is worked in a long asymmetric extension. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing. Size: 75” length and 22” depth. Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles (100% merino wool; 400yards/366m/100g), shown in Urchin (A) and Vengeance (B); 1 skein each of two colors. 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 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 19 st and 38 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in . . .

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