Sleeves, Contiguously

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Feb 072012
 
Sleeves, Contiguously

The Contiguous cardigan continues, although beset by various little problems. Of course it’s been knit flat, back and forth to the underarm and for the body. And of course I KNOW that my flat gauge is typically larger than my gauge in the round.. Well this sweater proved to be typical; after knitting what should have been almost to the cuff on the first sleeve, with my carefully calculated rate of decrease, I tried it on and found that it was about 3″ too short. No good fix available, except to rip and redo. I decided first to do the other sleeve, using a larger needle and consciously looser tension – no pulling tight in a stranglehold around the Magic Loop! No excessive worrying about ladders! It came out much better, and true to desired gauge; see the difference:       I was fairly immobilized on the couch with three separate balls of yarn attached, but happily managed to eliminate one by finishing the left cuff. It’s going to need a steam to stop . . .

River Union Cardi

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Feb 012012
 
River Union Cardi

Wide sleeves and a cropped silhouette bring stylish attitude to the River Union Cardi. Extended raglan lines and volume sleeves create a blouson shape, while deep ribbing defines the waist. The full sleeves are balanced by their three-quarter length and deep ribbed cuffs, which match the figure-flattering waist ribbing at the hem. Knit seamlessly from the top down, it’s a fast knit with a fresh feel. Construction: River Union is worked seamlessly from the top down in one piece with raglan shaping, in stockinette stitch with a deep, ribbed hem and cuffs. Stitches are picked up for the ribbed collar and buttonband, which finish the cardi with no seaming required. Instructions for working the simple, neat buttonholes are included in the photo tutorial with this pattern, and also appear in my video tutorial. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, twisted purlwise CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing, picking up stitches; pattern instructions include a photo tutorial for the buttonholes. Size: 32.5 (35, 37.5, 40.5, 43.5, 47.5, 50.5)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 2.5” positive ease. Yarn: Berocco . . .

Stolitsa

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Sep 262011
 
Stolitsa

A multi-season dolman sleeve cardigan, Stolitsa transitions perfectly to suit the changing weather from autumn through spring. Worked from the top down with integrated sleeves, the front panels feature chunky lace scaled appropriately across the size range. Wide rib-finished hem, cuffs and a shaped collar that hugs the neck complete this versatile layering piece. Construction: Stolitsa is cast on provisionally at the shoulders, with back and fronts worked separately to the armhole. Sleeve stitches are put on hold and later grafted at the undersleeve seams; the fronts and back are joined and worked back and forth to the hem, with Vine Lace panels on each front, appropriate to match the size. Rib details finish the hem, cuffs and buttonband, and a few short rows softly shape the ribbed collar. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, short rows, simple lace, grafting, picking up stitches. ZigZag Vine Lace is charted only; this pattern includes a buttonhole photo tutorial and link to my short row tutorial. Size: 33 (35.25, 37.5, 40, 43.5, 47)” bust; sample shown in . . .

Patty Ann

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Sep 262011
 
Patty Ann

Perfect as a light layering piece, Patty Ann is a casual, open front vest knit in Seed stitch with rib edgings. Worked from the bottom up with gentle shaping at the hip and bust and a few short rows to shape the shoulders, only minimal finishing of the back neckband and armhole edging is required. The lean, simple shape is easy to wear and attractive for any body, and the textural stitches bring just enough interest and show off a beautiful hand dyed yarn. Construction: An easy knit worked from the bottom up, Patty Ann is a long vest with gentle shaping at the hip and bust for an attractive fit. Stitches are cast on for the hem and worked in K2P1 Rib, then the body transitions to textured Seed stitch, with K1P1 Rib bands worked simultaneously at the front edges. After the body shaping, front and back are divided at the underarm, with armhole shaping to reduce bulk. A few short rows shape the shoulders, which are joined with a 3-needle bind off. Only minimal . . .

Razor Cardi

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Sep 262011
 
Razor Cardi

A pretty little cropped cardigan to wear on a summer evening and into the fall, the Razor Cardi is worked from the top down and seamlessly, in allover razor lace. Just two simple rows, the easy lace delivers style with minimal complexity, while a seed stitch front edge and single rib hem & cuffs add extra texture. With no finishing other than adding a button, the Razor Cardi is delightfully quick. Construction: The Razor Cardi is cast on at the neckline, and worked back and forth with raglan construction, in a simple lace pattern with seed stitch front edges and rib trim. Body and sleeves are divided at the armscye depth, then the body is worked to the ribbed hem. Short sleeves are then finished with narrow ribbing, which matches the neckband. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, raglan construction, increasing, easy lace; the lace pattern is both written and charted, with instructions for increasing in pattern. Size: 30 (31.5, 35, 38.5, 41, 44.5, 46, 50.5)” bust; sample shown in second size worn with . . .

Sep 152011
 
Elysium

Wrap yourself in the wonderful feeling of this easy, sideways-knit boxy cardigan, worked in stretchy garter stitch with short row yoke shaping. Elysium is knit in one piece from left front around the body to right front; it requires no seaming and can be worn right off the needles. Three turning points in the short row shaping delineate body, yoke and collar, creating a shapely fit around the upper body. The stretchy garter stitch and open style make it suitable for many shapes and sizes; written in ten sizes, Elysium may be further customized in length or circumference. Techniques & Skills Used: knit, short rows. Size: 31.5 (33.5, 35.75, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46.25, 48.5, 50.5)” bust, with fronts closed. This boxy cardigan has shaping only at the yoke; for a good fit, choose a finished size based on upper bust measurement, or with no ease/some negative ease at the bust. Elysium should be fitted at the yoke, stretch slightly over the bust, and then skim the lower torso. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% merino . . .