Jennifer

Recovering attorney and emigree from 7th Avenue, I now combine my technical and creative passions to design knitwear. My design viewpoint is all about making simple, attractive garments and accessories, using a bit of interesting construction or an intriguing detail.

Tartania Hat

 Accessories, New Release, Patterns  Comments Off on Tartania Hat
Oct 172013
 

A plaid hat is just the thing for fall, and this easy tartan method requires no stranding and produces a graphic result. 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. Mix and match your colors with the cowl and mitts for an eye-catching accessories set.

The Tartania Hat is available as part of the Hail, Tartania! ebook collection, which includes the cowl, hat and fingerless mitts. If you are using Malabrigo Merino Worsted, you should be able to make all three accessories with a total of 3 skeins, one in each color, if you use a different MC for each as in the sample photographs.

Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, cable CO, decreasing, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a chart and table for the plaid; a video tutorial is provided for the non-stranded plaid technique.

Size: S/M (M/L); 17.5 (20)” circumference, unstretched; knit in a soft and unstructured yarn, this hat will easily fit approximately 20-22 (22-24)” head circumference; size M/L shown on 22” head.

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino; 210 yards/192m/100g); 1 skein MC, 1 skein CC1, 1 skein CC2. Shown in MC Cadmium, CC1 Hollyhock and CC2 Tortuga, and using approximately105 (115), 20 and 20 yards respectively. A soft and lofty yarn is recommended for stretch and slouchiness.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32”circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Size I/9 (5.5mm) crochet hook; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 24 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. One plaid repeat of 10 st and 12 rows is 2.5” wide and 2” tall.

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

Slaunter

 New Release, Patterns, Sweaters  Comments Off on Slaunter
Oct 082013
 

A slouchy sweater, good for sauntering around on errands and adventures when there’s just a bit of chill in the air, Slaunter has a boxy fit with a wide scooped neckline and longer back hem. The smooth reverse stockinette body contrasts with the highly textured hem, cuffs and neck trim, where the mistake rib stitch pattern turns up the style a notch. The side slits are neatly finished with self facings to keep the look polished, and extra fun comes from the knit detail that continues up from the hem along the sideseams. Wherever you Slaunter around, sweatshirt comfort meets stylish details in a modern and casual fit.

Construction: The front and back Mistake Rib hems are worked flat, transitioning to reverse stockinette stitch, and then joined and worked in the round from the WS, to allow for knitting instead of purling. The body is worked in the round to the armholes, then divided and worked back and forth separately to the shoulders, which are joined with a 3-needle bind off. Neckline and sleeve cuffs are picked up and worked in the round in Mistake Rib. I used the Twin Stitch method to work the small short row shaping section of the shoulders; this method makes the twinned stitches very inconspicuous in the reverse stockinette. The pattern instructions include the steps for working Twin Stitch short rows; I highly recommend this method for a successful result.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing, picking up stitches, Twin Stitch short rows, simultaneous shaping, 3-needle bind off.

Size: 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54)” bust; designed to be worn oversized. Sample shown in third size, worn with 5” positive ease.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK (100% superwash merino; 225yards/ 206m/110g), shown in Calligraphy; 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins, or approximately 800 (850, 875, 925, 975, 1025, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250) yards of DK weight yarn .

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 24” circular needle (2), or size to match gauge; Extra US 7 dpn for facings and 3-needle BO; Stitch markers (2); Stitch holders (3); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 26 rows/4” in reverse stockinette stitch; 22 st and 28 rows/4” in Mistake Rib, after blocking.

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

Tartania Cowl

 Accessories, New Release, Patterns  Comments Off on Tartania Cowl
Oct 022013
 

Hail, Tartania! Who isn’t mad for plaid? This tartan cowl uses an easy non-stranded method to produce a graphic plaid. 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. Worked in the round in your choice of three colors, the possibilities are endless for this colorful and stylish accessory.

The Tartania Cowl is part of Hail, Tartania! an ebook collection which also includes a matching hat and fingerless mitts.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a chart and table for the plaid; a video tutorial is provided for the non-stranded plaid technique.

Size: 27” circumference and 10” height.

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino; 210 yards/192m/100g); 1 skein each MC, CC1, and CC2. Shown in MC Hollyhock, CC1 Cadmium and CC2 Tortuga; the sample used approximately 160, 35 and 55 yards respectively.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 24” circular needle or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (1); Size I/9 (5.5mm) crochet hook; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 24 rows/4” in stockinette stitch on larger needle; 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. One plaid repeat of 12 st and 16 rows is 3” wide and 2.5” tall. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished cowl, and different yardage requirements.

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

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.       

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