Featherfall

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Apr 132022
 

Classic stitches and an unusual construction combine to make Featherfall, an open front cardigan worked seamlessly from the top down with modified raglan construction. Featuring shaped waterfall fronts, an undulating feather and fan hem & cuffs, and an elegant applied I-cord finish, Featherfall is both refined and at the same time simple.

Construction: Featherfall is worked back and forth from the top down with modified raglan shaping. The back and sleeves are worked in the raglan style to the bottom of the armholes, then the body and sleeves are divided and stitches are picked up along the front raglan lines to create the fronts, which are united with the back. Sleeves are worked in the round from the top down. Drapey waterfall fronts extend from the front raglan shoulder seamlines as the natural angles are shaped further with additional body increases. The body is finished with a wide lace hem; three-quarter sleeves are worked seamlessly in the round to matching lace cuffs. The front edges and neckline are finished simply with an elegant applied I-cord. Featherfall is meant to be worn open; the angled fronts will not meet at the bust, but will overlap at the hem if placed flat. The back is longer than the front, with an angled front hem that shows off the lace pattern.

Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, backwards loop CO, applied I-cord. The lace stitch pattern is both written and charted.

Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)”; based on twice the back measurement at underarm; shown in second size worn with 3” of negative ease.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool; 150 yards/137m/50g), shown in Cloudy Sky, 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins, or approximately 900 (950, 1025, 1100, 1175, 1250, 1325, 1400, 1575, 1675) yards of wool & silk blend DK weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32″ circular needle or size to match gauge; US 5 (3.75mm) 60” circular needle for I-cord edging; Stitch markers (8); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 30 rows/4″ in stockinette stitch, after blocking. The single ply silky yarn grows significantly when blocked; be sure to wash your swatch as you would the finished garment to check gauge.

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Akvavit

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Apr 042022
 

Tiny bowknots flavor the yoke of this topdown circular sweater, bringing a subtle contrast to the smooth stockinette body and sleeves. Ribbed hem and sleeve cuffs are worked on smaller needles, creating a slight blouson effect; alternate shaping instructions are also provided to substitute traditional tapered sleeves instead. Named for the “water of life”, a Scandinavian distilled spirit, the soft color and gentle halo result from using a strand of silken mohair laceweight along with a lofty wool & silk dk yarn.

Construction: Akvavit is worked seamlessly from the top down using round yoke construction, with a simple texture on the yoke and a plain stockinette body and unadorned neck. The hem and cuffs are worked in K2P2 rib on smaller needles to create a slight blouson shape to the body and sleeves. Stitches are cast on in the round at the neckline, the back neck is shaped with a few short rows, then the yoke is worked to the bottom of the armhole. Sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the lower body is worked without shaping to the hem. Full length roomy sleeves are then continued to the cuffs; alternate instructions are given for traditional tapered fit sleeves.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, backwards loop CO, seamless round yoke construction, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing. Pattern instructions are fully written, with a link to my short row tutorials.

Size: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 5” of positive ease.

Yarn: Miss Babs Hand Dyed Yarn Killington (85% Polwarth wool, 15% Tussah silk; 700 yards/640m/240g), shown in Provence; 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins; held together with Miss Babs Moonglow (72% Mohair goat, 28% silk; 435 yards/398m/50g), shown in Quicksilver; 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins, or approximately 900 (1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700) yards each of DK weight yarn and laceweight mohair/silk yarn. OR approximately 900 (1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700) yards of light worsted/heavy DK weight yarn held singly.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 16” circular needle or dpns, and 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 4 (3.5mm) 16” and 32” circular needle for hem and cuffs; Stitch markers (2); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 22 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

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