Plaidscape

 New Release, Patterns, Sweaters  Comments Off on Plaidscape
Sep 162013
 

Capes are the new coats for fall, and Plaidscape features a topography of colors knit seamlessly from the top down in bulky weight wool. Choose classic colors, or indulge your rainbow fantasies, and learn a new skill for making plaid without stranding. The horizontal colors are knit as stripes using one color at a time per row in a wide rib, then the vertical stripes are added at the end with a crochet hook in the purl columns; no crochet skills are needed – it’s as simple as picking up dropped stitches.

Construction: Plaidscape is cast on at the garter stitch collar, then the body is worked in the horizontal plaid pattern with raglan increases to the end of the wide elbow-length sleeves. The sleeves are divided from the body, which continues to grow in an A-line shape to the curved hem. The body and sleeve hems are worked in garter stitch, and applied I-cord neatly finishes the front edges; the double-breasted front closes with I-cord frogs and knots.

Sizing Notes: The large scale plaid pattern repeat and oversized nature of the cape allow two sizes to fit many bodies; the only difference between the sizes is that the L/XL begins with additional stitches cast on for a larger back and front, and has a longer lower body below the sleeves, with a wider sweep. The sleeves and raglan depth for both sizes are identical but the larger size has 2” of extra room in back, and 4” in front; plenty of positive ease is guaranteed, without creating a shapeless fit!

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, cable CO, provisional CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing, applied and regular I-cord; Plaidscape is both written and charted, and includes tutorials for the applied I-cord, non-stranded plaid, and grafting.

Size: S/M (L/XL); 54.5 (60.5)”; sample shown in size S/M, worn with 20” positive ease.

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Bulky (100% Merino wool; 137 yards/125m/100g), shown in Silver (MC), Stormy (CC1) and Rouge (CC2); 5 (7) skeins MC, 2 (3) skeins CC1 and 1 (2) skeins CC2, or approximately 625 (875) yards MC, 270 (375) yards CC1 and 115 (155) yards CC2 of bulky weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 10 (6.5mm) 60” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 8 (5mm) 24” circular needle and dpns for I-cord; Stitch markers (8); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle; 4 3/4” sew-on snap (1), optional; US 10.5 (6.5mm) crochet hook for plaid; Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 12 st and 18 rows/4” in stockinette stitch on larger needle; 12 st and 22 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. One plaid repeat is 4” wide and 4 7/8” tall.  

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

20 Years

 Random Thoughts  2 Responses »
Sep 102013
 

Not of knitting; that’s a relatively new thing – the real longevity is 20 years of married bliss with my lovely husband Gary, fondly referred to by me as DH on the interwebz. We were white label even back then, not the types who wanted chicken & green beans amandine in the ballroom at the local fancy venue. We had our ceremony on the deck at the old Shanghai Red’s in Weehawkin, New Jersey (now the Chart House), with the amazing view of the NYC skyline. It rained all day, then cleared up in the late afternoon, perfectly timed for our evening event.

wedding couple on the deck | The Knitting Vortex

We had an awesome party on the deck, then moved inside for dancing, snacks and of course the toast.

wedding party wedding toast | The Knitting Vortex

People were freaked out at first, because there weren’t assigned tables; but they all sorted it out and ended up mingling with the perfect mix just like we envisioned. DH always says “I loved your wedding!” and I have to agree. So 20 years later, here we are, going out for a nice dinner. Then and now:

wedding | The Knitting Vortex

20th Anniversary

We walked across the bridge to dinner at the Black Bass Inn in Lumberville, Pennsylvania.

20th Anniversary bridge | The Knitting Vortex 20th Anniversary restaurant | The Knitting Vortex 20th Anniversary Inn | The Knitting Vortex 20th Anniversary table | The Knitting Vortex

Great food, and another fab view – I suspect that’s our theme.  It only gets better,

Koa

 New Release, Patterns, Sweaters  Comments Off on Koa
Sep 032013
 

Koa is a shapely cardigan jacket with short sleeves, knit seamlessly in one piece using the contiguous method. Smooth stockinette stitch graces the body, while the fitted stand-up collar, hem and cuffs are garter stitch, with additional texture in the broken rib and garter button band, worked simultaneously with the body.

Acacia koa is a species of flowering tree endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, which has rich golden brown wood; its name in the Hawaiian language, koa, also means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior. Be fearless and fabulous in this chic little jacket.

Construction: Koa uses the contiguous method of construction, in which the fronts and back are worked from the top down using increases along the shoulder line, then seamless sleeves are worked simultaneously with the body once the sleeve cap is reached. The collar is cast on first, and the body grows seamlessly from it, incorporating stitches using short rows, with no picking up. Likewise the front button bands are worked simultaneously. A few increases shape the back neck to prevent it from rising too high. I use lifted increases, which are inconspicuous and make a neat shoulder line; working these increases loosely will help minimize bunching.

Techniques & Skills Used: contiguous construction, longtail CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing, lifted increases, simultaneous shaping, buttonholes. Links are included to my short rows, buttonhole and contiguous construction tutorials.

Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40.5, 44, 47.5, 50.75)” bust. This fitted cardigan is designed to be worn with a small amount of ease; shown in third size worn with 1” positive ease.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Vintage (100% Superwash Merino; 200 yards/183m); 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins, or approximately 700 (750, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300) yards of worsted weight wool yarn; sample shown in Glazed Pecan.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (7); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle; 7/8” buttons 9 (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 24 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 18 st and 28 rows/4” in Broken Rib, 18 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, measured after blocking.

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