London Calling

 New Release, Patterns  Comments Off on London Calling
Nov 152011
 

Channel your inner Clash hipster, or just stay warm with this superbulky adjustable hat. The button band is knit flat in textured linen stitch, making the most of a variegated yarn and a cozy covering for your ears. Then the hat is joined and knit in the round to the crown and closed with two buttons, for a fast finished knit that looks great in both multi- and classic colors.

Still free, this pattern has been reformatted and updated with new pictures.

Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, decreasing, knitting in the round.

Size: Small (Large); 21 (24)” finished circumference.

Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta (100% merino wool; 90 yards/150g); 1 skein. Size S shown in Zarzamora; London Calling requires approximately 65 (70) yards of superbulky yarn.

Other Materials: US 15 40” circular needle for Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 15 straight needle, to overlap band; Stitch markers (6); Yarn needle or 6.5mm crochet hook; 7/8” buttons (2); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 8 st and 14 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 8 st and 20 rows/4” in linen stitch.

See it on Ravelry, to read more or download the free pattern.  free download

      

 

 

Tosh Lumina – FO Friday

 FOs  2 Responses »
Nov 112011
 

The first accomplishment for what will certainly be a very busy month, my Lumina shawl knit in beautiful Madelinetosh MCN laceweight. I had to rip and restart this, and also begin again on the first lace section – some sort of inexplicable trouble with the YOs. Maddening, because I knit the original prototype without incident, but now it’s finished and fabulous.

Tosh Lumina back view | The Knitting Vortex

Based on the prototype, I knit approximately half the yardage as the garter body section – but should have done more, probably at least 3/4. So the lace sections are much larger than I expected, but in retrospect I really like the airiness and the drape is great.

Tosh Lumina wrapped view | The Knitting Vortex

The Composition Book Grey colorway is definitely my all-time favorite. And now I’m all jazzed to knit up another laceweight shawl! Really, for size and softness, there’s nothing like it. Typically I do more shawls in summer, but this winter may buck that trend. Remind me to show some of the lovely yarn I got at Stitches East; there’s a shimmery tonal grey that is crying out to be made into a wrap.

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 needle; 5mm ball buttons (4); Matching sewing thread & needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 44 rows/4” in garter st, after blocking.

See it on Ravelry, to read more or purchase the pattern.

      

Escallop Hooded Capelet

 Accessories, New Release, Patterns, Wraps  Comments Off on Escallop Hooded Capelet
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 needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter st, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project; however, a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished capelet and different yardage requirements.

See it on Ravelry, to read more or purchase the pattern.