garter • The Knitting Vortex • Page 3

Escallop Mitts

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Nov 072011

Fingerless mitts with a beaded and scalloped French cuff, the Escallop Mitts add a bit of decoration to any ensemble. The cuff is knit flat, then joined in the round to knit the garter stitch hand; buttons display your personal style and close the cuff. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), working in the round, 3-needle BO; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and a link to my beading tutorial is included. Size: S/M (M/L); 6 (7)” palm circumference and 8.75 (9.5)” length measured flat; to fit 7-7.75 (7.75-8.5)” hand circumference. Cuff is one size; the extremely stretchy garter stitch hand fits a wide range of hand sizes. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 420 yards/112g); 2 (3) skeins. Size S/M shown in Alizarin. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle or dpns, or size to match gauge; Spare US 6 (4mm) needle for 3-needle bind off; 96 size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (2); Yarn . . .

Escallop Hooded Capelet

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Nov 072011

A garter stitch hooded capelet with an elaborate beaded and scalloped lower edge, the Escallop Capelet is knit from the bottom up beginning with the beaded lace edging, then shaped to hug the shoulders with decorative raglan decreases. A shallow hood frames the face, and features a pointed top shaped with short rows and grafted; pompom I-cord ties complete the whimsy. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), short rows, grafting, I-cord, pompoms; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and links to my beading, short rows and grafting tutorials are included. Size: S/M (M/L); 8 (12)” from neck to bottom of scalloped edge and 58 (74)” lower edge circumference. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 420 yards/112g); 2 (3) skeins. Size S/M shown in Alizarin. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 6 (4mm) dpns or circular needle for making I-cord; 336 (480) size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (8); Yarn . . .

GlitterBunny

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Oct 042011

My son’s third grade art teacher approached me to ask if I’d be interested in helping with a knitting unit later in the year. Of course I said yes; it’s great to see fiber arts being given some play in the elementary arts curriculum. Her idea is to take the kids to see shearing and spinning, learn about how yarn is made, then teach them basic knitting and have them each make something. I consulted with some knitterly, teacherly friends, who suggested making our own needles out of dowels with decorative fimo clay ends, and knitting a little animal. I read several instructions, and my first prototype is the GlitterBunny, so named because she is knit from Wool-Ease Chunky shot with a glitter strand. It’s hard to avoid bling, sometimes. Anyway, this is probably the first time in I dont know when that I’ve knit a square on straight metal needles (my dowel needles desperately need sanding before I can let them touch yarn). She needs some tweaking, and some eyes, but . . .

Lumina

New Release, Patterns, Wraps 6 Responses »

Sep 292011

Lumina is a reversible, squared semicircular shawl inspired by a glowing, hand-dyed silk blend yarn in a beautifully draping DK weight. Beginning with a garter tab cast on, it is fully reversible with a garter stitch body and easy transitions to the lace edging patterns. Designed to maximize every yard of a special yarn, instructions are included to customize for differing amounts of yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab provisional CO, knit/purl, lace; this pattern includes both charts and written instructions for the lace edging. Size: 15” deep and 42” across wingspan, after blocking. Yarn: Barking Dog Yarns Cassiopeia (50% Merino, 50% Silk; 230 yards/100g); 2 skeins, shown in Pinot Noir. For similar size and drape, choose a wool and silk blend dk weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle; US 9 (5.5mm) for bind off; Stitch markers (6); Yarn needle; Scrap yarn for provisional CO. Gauge: 20 st and 30 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in . . .

Eldora

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Sep 262011

A quick and easy garter stitch hat, Eldora is perfect for showing off variegated yarn. This hipster beanie is cast on provisionally and knit sideways with short row shaping, then the first and last rows are grafted together for a seamless finish. Techniques & Skills Used: Provisional CO, knit, short rows, grafting; a link is provided to my short rows tutorial, and grafting instructions are included. Size: Child (Adult); 19” circumference and 7.75 (8.5)” height; the stretchy garter stitch and single ply wool will accommodate many head sizes. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Deja Vu, or approximately 100 (110) yards of worsted weight yarn. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Yarn needle. Gauge: 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after gentle blocking. Row gauge determines hat circumference in this sideways knit. See it on Ravelry, to read more and download the free pattern. . . .

Hoopla

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Sep 262011

Luxury yarn and beads pair together creating Hoopla, an elegant long stole with a fancy hoopskirt border. Short row shaping makes a lovely crescent and a face framing beaded shawl collar. Unusual and fun edging stitches keep the knitting interesting, while soothing garter stitch ensures rapid progress; together the result is stunningly simple. Techniques & Skills Used: beaded CO, knit/purl, lace, beading (prestrung and crochet hook methods, with link to video tutorial), short rows; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions for the border. Size: 12” deep and 60” long, after blocking. Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina (75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 360 yards/329m); 1 skein, shown in Composition Book Grey. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 40” circular needle; Stitch Markers (11); Yarn needle; 389 size 6/0 seed beads; beading needle for stringing beads; Size 1.25mm crochet hook for placing beads. Gauge: 16 st and 44 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one scallop is approximately 5” long. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger . . .

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