Lorem Ipsum

 New Release, Patterns, Sweaters  Comments Off on Lorem Ipsum
May 292014
 

A feminine cropped cardigan with geometric eyelets, Lorem Ipsum is knit seamlessly from the top down, incorporating simple lace with the techniques of raglan sweater knitting. In graphic design, Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet begins the scrambled Latin text often used as a placeholder, focusing attention on the style elements of a document. Likewise, this easily-memorized, small scale pattern highlights the raglan sleeves and deeply scooped neckline, without competing. The lace is designed to flow without interruption around the cardi, transitioning to a flattering single rib hem, cuffs and neckline. With a simultaneously worked garter button band and minimal finishing, the focus is all on style in this flattering little sweater.

Construction: Lorem Ipsum is cast on at the neckline and worked in an allover lace pattern, with raglan construction and a deep front scoopneck. Sleeves are divided and put on hold, while the body is worked straight to the hem. Slim bracelet length sleeves are then worked with shaping to the cuffs. Finally, stitches are picked up all along the front edge and neck, and a 1” ribbed buttonband is worked with yarnover buttonholes.

Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing in pattern, cable CO, backwards loop CO. Stitch patterns are both written and charted, and include instructions for shaping the raglan sleeves in pattern.

Size: 32.75 (34.5, 36, 37.75, 39.25, 42.5, 44.75, 48, 50.5)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 1” of positive ease.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Finito (100% merino wool; 200 yards/183m/50g), shown in Plomo; 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins, or approximately 650 (700, 750, 800, 850, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300) yards of fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (10); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle; ½” buttons, 12 (12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 ); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 32 rows/4” in Eyelet pattern; after steam blocking.

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

New Yarn . . .

 Images, Yarn  Comments Off on New Yarn . . .
May 072014
 

and mixed feelings. Exultant over the fabulous stash enhancement, at excellent prices. And despairing at the reason for the sale – my fave LYS is closing. It’s always sad when a small, indie business shuts its doors, and it makes me re-commit to buying local in the effort to prevent more of the same from happening. In this case, the owner of Down Cellar is relocating for family reasons, and there’s no one to step in and take over. Even though as a consumer I cant really help with that in this case, maybe I can in others. That’s a thought to sticky-note to the computer as a reminder during future surfing sessions.

sad yarn

Crossfire

 New Release, Patterns, Wraps  1 Response »
May 012014
 

Diagonal lines fire across this elongated, asymmetric shawl, creating striking contrasts in angles and colors. Textural stripes are worked using simple knit and purl stitches, while the intersecting columns are created by slipping stitches at regular intervals; only one color is ever worked at a time. The sample pairs a neutral main color with a long, self-striping yarn as the contrast color, but using a variegated yarn or leftovers to create your own custom stripe colors as the contrast would be equally lovely. The long, bias shape shows off the dramatic pattern while being easy to wear, and the simple construction adapts to varying amounts of yardage.

Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipped stitches; this pattern is both written and charted.

Size: 92” length and 18” depth.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/ 384m/100g); 1 skein MC; Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi (80% merino wool, 20% nylon; 195 yards/178m/50g); 2 skeins CC. Shown in Natural (MC) and 120 Fireworks (CC), and using about 420 and 350 yards respectively. This pattern may be adapted to any amount of yarn in two colors; see Designer’s Notes.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 st and 38 rows/4” in Body stitch pattern, after gentle 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.