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.

Amortentia

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Apr 232013

The most powerful Love Potion in the Harry Potter world, Amortentia causes powerful infatuation or obsession in the drinker. It manifests as a different aroma to each who drinks it, recalling one’s favorite person, place or thing.
Indulge your own deep love by knitting your Amortentia shawl with a favorite color or irresistible yarn. This shawl is cast on with many stitches at the ruffled edge, which is knit with optional beads for extra sparkle and weight. By the end of the ruffle, the number of stitches is reduced by 2/3, then like the twists and turns of love, the edging and body are divided by a garter ridge, and the stitch pattern reverses itself into a wide rib. The long and narrow body is knit with short rows to the top edge, and finished with simple garter stitch. Instructions for two sizes are given, and differ only in the frequency of the short rows.
Irresistible looking from both sides, Amortentia is meant to be the embodiment of everything you love.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, beading (optional; prestrung and crochet hook methods, with link to tutorial), decreasing, short rows. This pattern includes links to my short rows and beading tutorials.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino; 150 yards/50g): 2 (3) skeins; S shown in Lavandula, and L shown in Amoroso. The Silky Merino grows substantially when blocked, and makes a very drapey luxe shawl. For a similar result, choose a single ply yarn with significant silk or other non-springy fiber content.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Removable stitch marker (1); Size 6/0 large hole seed beads (350), optional; 1.25 mm crochet hook for placing beads; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 28 rows/4” in K3P1 Rib, after 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.

Wordless Wednesday 4.17.2013

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Apr 172013

Forsythia

Wordless Wednesday 4.10.2013

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Apr 102013

hellebore

Zaget

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Mar 112013

Zig it … Zag it. Handpainted superbulky yarn and a simple, reversing diagonal lace pattern make a neckwarmer that curves gently around the face and closes neatly with a satin ribbon lacing or buttons.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, easy lace.

Size: 10” height and 32” length, measured flat

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rasta (100% merino wool; 90 yards/82m/150g); 1 skein, shown in Piedras. As written, this cowl uses almost every bit of one skein.

Other Materials: US 17 (12mm) needle or size to match gauge; Yarn needle or K/6.5 mm crochet hook for weaving in ends; Matching .75” wide satin ribbon (2 yards); 1” buttons (3); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 6 st and 9 rows/4” in stockinette st, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished neckwarmer, and different yardage requirements.

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

Lunatic Fringe

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Mar 072013

I’m beyond pleased to announce that I have a pattern in Knitty Spring + Summer 2013.

Eccentric and non-conforming, Lunatic Fringe is an off-kilter shawl that grows asymmetrically from the bottom up, and sprouts digit-like fringes on one side. The fringes are knit in as you go along by repeatedly binding off and casting on, while the body features alternating textural stripes. Cast on with a few stitches, Lunatic Fringe grows by increasing unequally along both sides to the long top edge, which is finished simply with a stretchy bind off. Like a devastated remnant found in the irradiated ruins of former civilization, Lunatic Fringe represents a ravaged relic of the cyber past, featuring a slubby yarn blend which is weirdly iridescent in duo-tonal colors.

Construction: This shawl is cast on at the bottom tip, and worked to the top edge in alternating garter stitch and stockinette stitch stripes, with a 2 st garter edging on each side.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, backwards loop CO, knit, increasing; this pattern is fully written.

Size: 58” length and 16” depth, with instructions for customizing.

Yarn: The Fibre Company Terra (40% merino, 40% alpaca, 20% silk, 196 yards/179m/100g), shown in Butternut; 4 skeins, or 784 yards of aran weight yarn. I chose a thick & thin yarn with textural interest, to accentuate the erratic nature of the shawl; handspun would create a similar effect. Any yarn and any amount may be used; see pattern instructions to adjust for differing yardage.

Other Materials: US 9/5.5mm 40” circular needle or size to match gauge; stitch markers (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 14 st and 24 rows/4” in stockinette stitch after 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 download the pattern for free.

Lunatic Fringe is also available for free on Knitty.

Silt & Stone

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Mar 042013

The world is made of silt and stone, the granular material and solid minerals suspended in water or settled on the earth. As sediment forms a shape, so do the Silt & Stone Hat and Mittens grow from a mixture of stitches that settle together. For the hat, the wide garter and cable brim is knit sideways and grafted, then stitches are picked up for the crown and worked in the round with decreases to the top. The result is a chunky hat with a little slouch, both warm and textural from its mixture of elements.
For the mittens, the long garter and cable cuff is knit sideways and grafted, then stitches are picked up for the hand and worked in the round with a thumb gusset. The extended cuff both hugs the forearm and slouches warmly at the wrist, while the comfy mitten keeps all your fingers warm.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, backward loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, cables, grafting.

Hat Size: XS (S, M, L); 15.25 (17.5, 19.75, 22)” brim circumference, unstretched.
Mittens Size: S (M, L); 6.75 (8, 9.25)” palm circumference, and 6.25 (7.25, 8.5)” length from wrist to tip, unstretched. The 6” long cuff is very stretchy; the garter stitch will stay snug while the cable expands around the wrist.

Yarn: Knit Picks Biggo (50% Superwash Merino Wool, 50% Nylon; 110 yards/101m/100g).
Mittens: 2 skeins, size M shown in Dove Heather.
Hat: 1 (1, 2, 2) skeins, size S shown in Dove Heather.

Other Materials: US 10 16″ and 32”circular needle if using Magic Loop, or dpns, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers 10 (11, 12, 13; Stitch holder; Cable needle; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 12 st and 18 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 12 st cable is 3” wide, after blocking.

See them on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the set.

For a matching sweater, check out Alluvium or Lithos; buy one sweater together with Silt & Stone and save $2.00.

Lithos

Featured, New Release, Patterns, Sweaters 3 Responses »

Mar 022013

Named for the Greek word meaning rock, Lithos is a structured cardigan in which the cable and garter elements of the collar are formed together with the gently shaped raglan body. The unusual construction begins by working the wide braided cable and garter collar from the center back neck toward each shoulder, then stitches are picked up around the collar edge and integrated into the cabled fronts, while being worked seamlessly from the top down in one piece to the hem. The organic cable appears to travel around the front edge and neckline from one end to the other, although each side is worked from the top to the bottom. A traditional cardigan with contemporary construction, Lithos is sturdy and reliable on cold days.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, cables.

Size: 30 (32, 34.75, 37.25, 40, 42.75, 45.25, 48.25, 51.25)” bust; shown in third size worn with 1” ease.

Yarn: Knit Picks Biggo (50% Superwash Merino Wool, 50% Nylon; 110 yards/101m/100g); 6 (7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11)) skeins, shown in Dove Heather.

Other Materials: US 10 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2 color A, 4 color B); Stitch holders (2); Cable needle; Yarn needle;1” buttons (7); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 12 st and 18 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 12 st cable is 3” wide, after blocking.

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

For a matching hat and mittens, and a special offer, see Silt & Stone.

Like the cardigan, but want a blanket style instead of a raglan? Check out Alluvium.

Alluvium

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters 2 Responses »

Mar 012013

Named for the free flowing organic matter which is eroded and reshaped into a new form by running water, Alluvium is a blanket-style cardigan with wide wrapped fronts, a cropped back, and a winding braided cable around the neckline and front edges. Cast on at one front edge, it is knit sideways around the body in one piece to the other edge, with afterthought sleeves worked from live armhole stitches. The comforting shape can be worn wrapped and belted or pinned, or left to wander freely; the shorter back and sleeve lengths reduce the bulk of the sweater and take off the chill without smothering you. A versatile and unstructured chunky knit, Alluvium is a transitional cardigan for the changing winter season.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, picking up stitches, cables.

Size: 28.5 (31, 34, 36.5, 39, 42, 44.5, 47)”, based on the cross-back width doubled, and shown in third size. As this wrap cardi does not have a true bust circumference, choose a size based on cross-back measurement.

Yarn: Knit Picks Biggo (50% superwash merino wool, 50% nylon; 110 yards/101m/100g); 6 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins, shown in Dove Heather.

Other Materials: US 10 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn similar in size to main yarn (1 yard total, divided equally in half); Stitch markers (4); Cable needle; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 12 st and 18 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, 12 st cable is 3” wide, after blocking.

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

For a matching hat and mittens set, and a special offer, see Silt & Stone.

Like the cable, but want a raglan style instead of a blanket cardi? Check out Lithos.

Picabeau

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Feb 182013

Picabeau cover | The Knitting Vortex

Picabeau is a crescent shaped small shawl, with asymmetrical construction that first increases and then decreases in a gentle curve. The reversible bias shape is highlighted by regular rows of YOs that swoop across the shawl, creating visual movement. One luscious skein is all that is required for this versatile and wearable accessory; instructions are given to make the shawl using any amount of yardage.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, picots.

Size: 60” along bottom curve and 8” center depth, customizable.

Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Caper Sock (80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 400 yards/365m/113g); 1 skein shown in Light Teal. Sample used 348 yards; instructions are given to make the shawl using any amount of yardage.

Other Materials: US 6 24” circular needle; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking.

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

Picabeau shawlette | The Knitting Vortex Picabeau wrapped | The Knitting Vortex Picabeau shawl back view | The Knitting Vortex