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.

Five Short Row Shawls

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Jan 312013

Short rows are one of my all-time favorite knitting techniques. They easily allow you to shape your knitwear, for better fit and more intriguing angles. In the Five Short Row Shawls collection, I’ve used this technique to create five simple garter one-skein shawls, each with a different and unique construction. While I love crescents, topdown triangles and bias boomerangs, the five wraps in this book use short rows imaginatively to create some of these familiar shapes in totally new ways. By choosing a single skein of a beautiful variegated or semi-solid yarn worked in garter stitch, the focus is entirely on the rhythmic and magical process of knitting short rows. The results are both simple, and singularly stunning.

Each pattern may be purchased individually, or all together as an ebook with a special price that equals getting one pattern for free.

The collection includes Triangulate, Piewhacket, Rondelay, Aerophile, and Rufflebye; see them all together as Five Short Row Shawls on Ravelry or on Payhip.

Rufflebye

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Jan 312013

A new take on the ruffle shawl, Rufflebye is a one-skein, reversible wrap worked sideways in three garter stitch wedges which cleverly intersect to change the knitting direction. Increases and decreases create the shape from tip to tip, while two sets of short rows throughout form the crescent shape and the gently ruffled edging.

Construction: Rufflebye is cast on at one tip with a few stitches, increased to the halfway point then decreased again to the other tip, and shaped with short rows throughout.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, short rows.

Size: one size; 45” length and 10” depth. Rufflebye forms a natural semi-circle and measures 40” along inner semi-circumference, and 72” along outer semi-circumference, measured without stretching. The 12-stitch ruffle is approximately 2.6” and begins as soon as there are enough stitches.

Yarn: Indigodragonfly MerGoat Sock (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon, 400 yards/366m/115g); 1 skein, shown in My Boyfriend Had A Bicentennial (Buffy). See Designer’s Notes for instructions to adjust for differing yardage.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40″circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2 different); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 34 rows/4” in garter stitch, 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.

Aerophile

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Jan 172013

Aerophile is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl with narrow wings that stretch wide like a soaring bird which loves to fly. Each wing is knit using short rows from a provisionally cast on central spine, while the scalloped top edge is created by casting on additional stitches every six rows. After both wings are complete, a loopy super-picot edging binds off the live stitches along the bottom edge. Choose a beautiful yarn as the focus of the shawl, and let the uncomplicated fabric and simple textural edgings highlight the fiber.

Construction: Aerophile is provisionally cast on at the center vertical, and each wing is worked separately in short rows to the side.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, backwards loop CO, Cable CO, knit, increasing, short rows.

Size: one size; 52” length and 18” depth.

Yarn: Dream In Color Smooshy (100% merino, 450 yards/411m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Deep Seaflower. The sample used approximately 425 yards of light fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO and stitch holder; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter 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 read more or purchase the pattern.

Piewhacket

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Dec 052012

Piewhacket is a one-skein garter shawl constructed from three sequential short row triangles which build on each other, with a final uneven edging knit from live stitches using additional short rows. The resulting asymmetrical shape drapes perfectly around the neck and shoulders, and is completely reversible for ultimate wearability. The short row shaping means never having to work a huge number of stitches, and also shows off the unique beauty of variegated or semi-solid yarn.

Construction: Piewhacket is cast on and worked entirely in short rows as a series of three connected triangles. The short row border is worked from live stitches and accentuates the points of the long and narrow edging.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing, short rows.

Size: one size; 52” length along top edge and 8” depth (12” depth at points).

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool, 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Abril. The sample used approximately 375 yards of light fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (3 different); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 40 rows/4” in garter 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 read more or purchase the pattern.

Rondelay

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Nov 132012

Rondelay is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl constructed from three sequential half rounds or rondels, which grow from cast on stitches using both short rows and strategically placed radial yarnover increases. Each rondel builds upon the previous one, creating a finished semi-circular shape that drapes beautifully as it wraps around the shoulders. Designed to show off the colors of a variegated or hand dyed skein, Rondelay looks equally fantastic in a solid color.

Construction: Each rondel is knit using short rows, incorporating additional stitches from the cast on into each row, and at the same time increasing stitches by making yarn overs on a few strategic rows.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, short rows.

Size: one size; 50” length along top edge and 9” depth at widest part of rondel.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino, 440 yards/402m/ 100g); 1 skein, shown in Indiecita. The sample used approximately 410 yards of light fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 36 rows/4” in garter 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 read more or to purchase the pattern.

Triangulate

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Nov 072012

Triangulate is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl composed of two triangles with a chevron border, and is designed to show off the colors of a variegated skein, using simple stitches and beautiful yarn. The shawl begins with a provisional cast on at the center, and is knit outwards in two triangular halves using short rows. The wide edging is knit continuously from the live stitches with no picking up stitches necessary, and may be made narrower or wider to accommodate varying yardages. The unusual construction results in a deceptively simple shape that is uncomplicated yet interesting to knit, and versatile to wear.

Construction: this shawl is provisionally cast on at the center vertical, and each half of the central triangle is worked in short rows to the side. The chevron edging may be customized to be wider or narrower, depending on your preference and available yardage.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, increasing, short rows.

Size: one size; 58” length and 19” depth.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool, 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Archangel. The sample used approximately 400 yards of light fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. The triangular center and the edging may have different gauges once blocked, depending on whether the shawl is stretched longer or wider. 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.

Chunnel Mitts

Accessories, New Release, Patterns Comments Off

Nov 012012

The Chunnel Mitts are long armwarmers with fitted rib cuffs and hands, and deep textural gauntlet forearms which can be scrunched up or worn straight depending on the weather and your coat sleeve length. An easy and fast knit with a thumb slit and no increasing or decreasing, the deep channel tunnels of the gauntlet stitch pattern do an excellent job of breaking up pooling in variegated yarns. Weave the ends in neatly and the Chunnel Mitts are completely reversible, showing a different but equally attractive pattern on the reverse side.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, knitting into the stitch below with link to my tutorial, working in the round.

Size: S (M, L): to fit 6.5 (7.5, 8.5)” palm circumference; 4 (4, 5)” length from wrist and 7 (8.25, 9.25)” cuff length. The Chunnel Mitts are very stretchy; size M will fit a wide range of hand sizes from teen to women’s large.

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (100% Superwash Merino; 210 yards/192m/100g), Size M shown in Candombe and Azules; 1 (1, 2) skeins, or approximately 185 (200, 220) yards of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 28 st and 28 rounds/4” in K1P1 Rib, unstretched; 16 st and 38 rounds/4” in Gauntlet Rib; 20 st and 28 rows/4” in stockinette stitch.

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

Stashin’ at Rhinebeck

Random Thoughts 3 Responses »

Oct 232012

. . . and Stitches East, too, of course. October is a busy month for yarn acquisition in the northeast; the weather is just getting right for all that fall sweater knitting, and there are yarn events. Stitches East, the regional yarn expo put on by Knitting Universe, and the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Festival, aka Rhinebeck, are always a week or two apart during cider season. This year my cronies and I were focusing on Rhinebeck, and we had a beautiful, wonderful time there. You cant beat this:

I only went to Rhinebeck for the first time last year, and that was a quick one day trip by myself. This time I was with friends and stayed over, and we had time to visit every booth, rock the Ravelry meetup with friends old and new, and eat the Artichokes French as well as the Apple Crisp. About those snacks – all I know is that my weekly grocery run is tomorrow, and artichoke hearts are on the list, along with apples.

But enough about that; what about the yarn? I didn’t have a big shopping list, other than maybe some Yowza from Miss Babs – which I scored in the jewel-like ruby shade called “Catherine.” My red-loving friend Amy claims “that’s not RED!” but I think it is. I also think maybe I should stop characterizing myself as a lover of noncolor.

Here Miss Babs is joined by (left to right) 1120 yards of superwash fingering merino in Electric Blue from Sliver Moon Farm, Violet Sea Snail Bugga and Tree Frog Skinny Bugga from Cephalopod, and a sweater quantity of soft and wonderful Shepherd’s Wool in Midnight Lake from Stonehedge Fiber Mill. I cant wait to design something with that last one, especially – the color is an amazing dusky brown with tones of purple, navy and black – so gorgeous!

Not to forget about Stitches, which was as wonderful as ever – despite the crazy fact that I drove there and back in one day. For a variety of reasons, that was the best approach this year, but it was an exhausting total of seven hours driving. Absolutely worth it though, to talk to some of my favorite vendors, and, oh, right – the yarn.

This picture looks somewhat more like my typical color palette, but maye that’s also because it’s not sunlit. Counterclockwise there is madtosh sock in Cathedral, String Theory Caper Sock in Juniper and Jasmine, an incredibly purple Candombe skein of Malabrigo Rios, and then madtosh pashmina worsted in Cousteau and Rainwater – all those skeins aren’t in the picture, but there’s a sweater quantity of each. The story there is, I knew I loved the blue-grey Rainwater color, but was also deeply drawn in by the green Cousteau – much to my surprise. Of course, the solution was to get both. Clearly 2013 will be The Year of Sweater Design; altogether I have five sweaters’ worth of material here, in addition to the singles. Oh, yes, the stash is looking good.

Plixi

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Oct 182012

Plixi is a long and lean open front cardigan, with gentle waist shaping and a flowing ruffle at the front edge and cuffs. Worked seamlessly from the top down in a drapey fingering weight yarn on larger needles, Plixi uses the contiguous method of seamless shoulder and sleeve construction, with a picked-up ruffle along the front edge, and a simple purled hem finish. Long, slim, and elegant, Plixi works with jeans or a dress, for a sleek and chic style to elevate any outfit.

Construction: Plixi 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 once the sleeve cap is reached.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail and backwards loop CO, contiguous construction, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing, lifted increases, picking up stitches, simultaneous shaping; links are included to my short rows and contiguous construction tutorials.

Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 44, 48)” bust; sample shown in second size worn with no ease.

Yarn: RYC Cashsoft 4 Ply (57% wool, 33% microfiber, 10% cashmere; 175 yards/160m/50g); 8 (8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12) skeins, or approximately 1325 (1400, 1550, 1600, 1700, 1900, 2075) yards of fingering weight wool blend yarn; sample shown in #423 Monet.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 5 (3.75mm) 60” circular needle for ruffle; US 4 (3.5mm) 60” circular needle for ribbing and picking up stitches; Stitch markers (4); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 28 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

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

So much colors!

FOs 1 Response »

Oct 112012

Variegated yarns are an ongoing challenge; they look so appealing in the skein that you cant resist, and yet – what to do with them, really? Socks, maybe; those are mostly covered up and are like a secret crazy. I think that’s why sock yarns tend to have the most numerous, exuberant instances of variegation. But what about something like a worsted weight superwash? My solution was to make fingerless mitts with a K1below stitch pattern.

The hand and cuff edge are regular rib, but the long gauntlet arm section transitions to a K1below rib that breaks up the colors and makes a fluffy, less elastic brioche, good for scrunching up. Both pairs use Malabrigo Rios, one in the Candombe colorway, the other in Azules. I made the Candombe pair first as the design prototype, when I was trying to find a way to love all that yellow in my skein. Then I thought I’d try a shaded-variegated with some of the Azules left over from Blue Honey. It may be mostly blue, but it goes from blue-green to blue-purple, with a lot of blues in between.

It’s hard for me even to believe that I bought these yarns,when my typical perspective is that “dust,” “fog,” and “night” are ideal colors. To clarify, I do like color, just not so many all at once. Plum or teal or something is plenty all on its own. However, I do have another skein of that Azules left, and I’m feeling adventurous enough that it just may become a coordinating neckwarmer. To wear with a monochromatic outfit.

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