colorwork • The Knitting Vortex

Walnut Street

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Aug 122022

A touch of plaid decorates this open front cardigan, with long contrasting lines intersecting on the generous reversible collar. The plaid is created using simple techniques, in which the vertical lines are knit as contrasting stripes, while the horizontal lines are first worked as a purl column in the main color, then the contrast color is applied to the surface later using a crochet hook. Construction: Walnut Street is cast on at the back neck and worked to the armscye depth with a few short rows to shape the shoulders. The back is put on hold while stitches are picked up for each front, and worked separately with a bit of short row shaping to the armscye depth. Back and front are united and worked with gentle waist shaping to the hem. Sleeves are picked up around the armholes and the caps shaped with short rows, then worked seamlessly to the cuffs. Stitches are picked up along the entire front edge and neck, then the reversible collar is worked with contrast horizontal stripes and the . . .

Crying Icicles

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Jul 052022

Like melting icicles, columns of slipped stitches drip down from the top of this two-color triangular shawl. Some are frozen midway, while others merge with the edging, pooling into the delicate snowflake border. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipped stitch colorwork, easy lace; this pattern is both fully written and charted. Size: 68” length and 26” depth. Yarn: Anzula Luxury Fibers Squishy (80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 385 yards/352m/114g); 1 skein each of MC and CC, shown in MC Periwinkle and CC Gravity. The sample as written used approximately 195 yards MC and 385 yards CC of fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32″ circular needle or size to match gauge; Markers (4); Yarn needle. Gauge: 17 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.

Kaffi Hat

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Nov 112021

Simple slipstitch colorwork creates a nubby houndstooth texture on this fun, slouchy hat with optional pompom. Choose classic neutrals or add a pop of bright color, and wear it to elevate every outfit. Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, slipstitch colorwork, decreasing, working in the round, optional pompom. This pattern is fully written, with links to my video tutorials for the CO and double decrease. Size: XS (S, M, L) to fit approximately 18 (20, 22, 24)” head circumference; 15.5 (17.75, 20, 22.25)” brim circumference and 7 (8, 9, 10)” height, measured flat and unstretched. Sample shown in size M on a 22” head. Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine highland wool; 123 yards/112m/50g), shown in No. 1314 Deep Velvet (MC) and No. 1304 Grey Harbor (CC); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 80 (90, 100, 110) yards MC and 50 (60, 70, 80) yards CC of worsted weight wool yarn, plus more for optional pompom. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle, and dpns or 32” circular needle . . .

Issykol

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Mar 282019

Luxurious cashmere yarn and mosaic slipped stitch chevron patterns make a stunning bias shawl, featuring two rich colors alternating in a striking zigzag across a lighter contrasting background. June Cashmere’s ethically sourced and organically dyed yarn, which behaves like a light fingering weight, originates with fiber from small family farms in the mountain communities of Kyrgyzstan along the ancient Silk Road. As part of their mission to be an engine for social and economic change in the region, the company partners with local shepherds to bring fine quality fiber to the international market for fair compensation. Issykol is named for Issyk-Kul Lake, the seventh deepest and tenth largest lake in the world, located in the globally significant and biodiverse Issy-Kul Biosphere Reserve. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, cable CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork. Instructions for this pattern are fully written, with charts also provided for the slipstitch colorwork. Size: 72” length and 17” depth. Highly customizable, with an adjustable 12-row repeat to alter the zigs and zags and infinite garter stitch bordering each end, . . .

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.

Tilt Box

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Nov 152018

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Tilt Box combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. Use a combination of bold or neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Tilt Box 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 10” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 18 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: Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g), Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine highland wool; 123 yards/112m/50g). Hat shown in Cascade 9600 Antiqued Heather (A) and Woolstok 1317 Midnight Sea (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 100 yards . . .

Pinwheel Vigil

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Nov 152018

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Pinwheel Vigil combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. Use a combination of bold or neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Pinwheel Vigil 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: 19” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 13 st and 12 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size. Yarn: Harrisville Designs Harrisville Highland (100% pure virgin wool; 200 yards/182m/100g), Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g). Hat shown in Harrisville 81 Mustard (A) and Cascade 8010 Soft White (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 140 yards A and . . .

Flower Lines

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Nov 152018

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Flower Lines combines traditional fit with fun contemporary visual style. Make a pop-art punch with bright colors, or pair a saturated color with a neutral. Flower Lines 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: 18” brim circumference and 10” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 24 st and 36 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). Hat shown in Stonehedge Raspberry (A) and Lilac (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 110 yards A and 50 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or . . .

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; . . .

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