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.

Magickal Quidditch Socks

Accessories, New Release, Patterns 1 Response »

Jan 202012

A tribute to the Quidditch players of Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, or to any sock-loving Muggle, these colorwork socks are knit from the cuff down with a heel flap and gusset. The simple slipstitch technique requires working only one color at a time per row. Show your House colors with pride!

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork, knitting in the round, grafting; this pattern includes both charts for the colorwork and full written instructions.

Size: S (M, L); 60 (68, 76) st; to fit 10 (11, 12)” calf, or Women’s US 6/7 (8/9, 10/11) shoe size; shown in size M.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sock (100% superwash merino wool; 395 yards/114g); 1 skein each, or approximately 215 (240, 265) yards MC and 70 (80, 90) yards CC. Sample shown in Baltic (MC) and Ginger (CC).

Other Materials: US 1 (2.25mm) dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 34 st and 48 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 36 st and 48 rows/4” in Checkerboard slipstitch pattern; 34 st and 68 rows/4” in Diamond Stripe slipstitch pattern, after blocking. Slipstitch colorwork is very dense; the slipstitch rows are also somewhat difficult to measure, as one slipped stitch represents two rows. The best way to measure for fit is to try on the sock.

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

A Contiguous Beginning

WIPs 3 Responses »

Jan 112012

I’ve always liked different construction methods, for garments, accessories, or whatever. It’s interesting to find better ways to make things, and sometimes the better way differs depending upon what’s being made. In terms of sweaters, I favor seamless construction whenever possible, to avoid excessive casting on, binding off and picking up. It’s not that I mind seaming, and sometimes I can see the advantage of the structure gained in a seamed piece; I chose to keep the seams when I knit my Plummi, because it was such a long, heavy sweatercoat. I also think nothing can beat a picked-up button band, where you can control the tension of the band versus the body, despite the anguish of getting the right number and interval of stitches.

But in general, I like seamless construction from the top down, so you can try it on as you go and make adjustments along the way. Recently, the innovative SusieM developed a new seamless top down construction method she christened Contiguous, and she shared it on Ravelry in the Contiguous group. Brilliantly, it involves casting on the back neck stitches and a very small number for the fronts, then increasing rapidly along both sides of the shoulder seam to shape the fronts and back. When the shoulder tip is reached, that “seam” is split into two armhole lines, with further increasing to shape the sleeve and later the armhole.

I’ve finally managed to struggle free of knitting obligations in order to begin a Contiguous cardigan of my own. After some initial mathing, and then remathing after trying out various increase methods, I cast on with RYC Cashsoft 4 Ply in a beautiful pale grey Weather color. I plan to chronicle the Journey through Contiguous in a WIP Wednesday series here.

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Ring of Velvet – FO Friday

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Jan 062012

The Northeast has been experiencing a wave of freezing temperatures this week, and given my usual aversion to hats, I thought that a hood-esque item would be just the thing. I had picked up some Loops & Threads Cozy Wool at the big box – I freely admit that the almost irridescent purple is what drew me in – and decided that a slightly wider Ring of Sapphire, with ribbed edging to pull it in a bit, would be just the thing.

The Cozy Wool is super soft, really nice to work with, and very comfortable to wear; and as a 50/50 blend has a nice wool content AND a nice price. And my head is warm. I used three skeins; two for the seed stitch, and one for the rib.

Crimp Hat & Crimpy Mitts

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Jan 032012

Crimp

Crimp is a hat with built-in slouch and a casual fit created by tuck stitches, which can be worn at the back or side for different looks. This simple and fun technique solves the problem of just how to scrunch your hat and keep it perfectly slouched. Alternating sections of ribbing and stockinette add interest to the crown, making Crimp a unique hat and a perfect companion to the Crimpy Mitts.

Techniques & Skills Used: Cable CO, knit/purl, tuck stitch, decreasing; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch.

Size: S/M (M/L); 18 (20)” unstretched brim circumference.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (100% superwash merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), 1 skein. Size M shown in Cumparsita. 2 skeins are needed to make both the hat and mitts.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Spare US 7 dpn for tucks; Stitch markers (8); Yarn needle.

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

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

Crimpy Mitts

The Crimpy Mitts are long armwarmers with fun architectural tucks at the wrist, creating a built-in slouchy look. Ribbing detail on the thumb matches the extra long cuffs, which add texture and warmth and are perfect to wear with three-quarter length sleeves. These mitts are companions to the matching slouchy Crimp hat.

Techniques & Skills Used: Cable CO, knit/purl, tuck stitch, increasing/ decreasing; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch.

Size: S (M, L): 6.5 (7.25, 8)” palm circumference, 4 (4.5, 5)” length from wrist. Cuff length is approximately 9.5”.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (100% superwash merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), 1 skein. Size M shown in Cumparsita. 2 skeins are needed to make both the hat and mitts.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Spare US 7 dpn for tucks; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle.

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

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

Girl Scouts Take Manhattan

Random Thoughts Comments Off

Dec 242011

It’s holiday time, and the troop is down to four dedicated girls; how can we not make a trip into New York City to do touristy things?

Our well-connected leader got us onto Mike’s Fashion Tour, which brought back memories for me personally. I’m familiar with the Fashion District from working production there for many years, but the industry is ever changing, and Mike gave a nice history of the area. Two things I did not know: 1)Â a hundred years ago, this was the former theatre district, before it moved a few blocks uptown beyond Times Square, and 2) Times Square was formerly named Longacre Square, before the NYTimes moved into a building there and lobbied for the name change, seeking compatible footing with the NYHerald which had Herald Square.

Mike took us around to some important buildings and interesting sites, while giving insider’s tidbits. The Fashion Center Business Improvement District has done alot to clean up the area in the last decade, including art installations like the sewing statue below. Our little group then took a retail turn as we walked up Broadway, and through Times Square.

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Lunch was at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where the struggling-actor waitstaff is in constant performance mode. It was loud, but I had a great corned beef on rye, and even I sang along when a little waitress with a very big voice did her rendition of Queen’s “Somebody To Love.” The girls were more motivated by Adele.

We of course went to Rockefeller Center to see the tree, and then Saks Fifth Avenue for the windows and a little prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Covering all the bases here.

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The city at night is enthralling, and anything can happen. While we were lounging around Times Square, there was a Star Wars flash mob, complete with red light sabres! The girls were more enthralled by the three floors of shopping at Forever21 which they discovered. Exhausted by the spectacle, we finished with a coffee and ended the day, replete with holiday spirit. I’m pretty sure this can somehow go towards a badge.

Merry Christmas!

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Ring of Velvet Sapphire – free!

Accessories, FOs, Free, New Release, Patterns, Random Thoughts 4 Responses »

Dec 122011

Ring of Velvet Sapphire The Knitting Vortex

Who doesn’t need a big, scrooshy seed stitch infinity cowl? I certainly, suddenly, do. This one is cast on using the brilliant moebius cast on as demonstrated by the incomparable Cat Bordhi in her moebius cast on tutorial video. It allows you to knit in the round, from the cast-on middle of the ring to the long outer edge, following the infinity moebius shape. And there’s not much more to it than that!

Techniques & Skills Used: moebius CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions.
Size: 9” height and 60” circumference.
Yarn: Loops & Threads Cozy Wool (50% Acrylic, 50% Wool; 90 yards/127g); shown in Velvet; 3 skeins or 270 yards of superbulky yarn. The sample used all of the yardage, but size can be easily customized.
Other Materials: US 13 (9mm) 60” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle or size K/6.5mm crochet hook for weaving ends.
Gauge: 7 stitches and 16 rows/4” in seed stitch, after gentle blocking.Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished loop, and different yardage requirements.

Pattern

Using the moebius cast on method, CO 100 st; pm and join to work in the round. 200 st.
Seed Stitch Center:
Round 1: [K1, P1] to end of round.
Round 2: [P1, K1] to end of round.
Repeat these 2 rounds 7 more times, or until about one-third of your yarn remains.
Rib Edging:
Round 1: [K1, P1] to end of round.
Repeat this round 6 more times, or until only enough yardage remains for the final BO round.
BO loosely in pattern.
Finishing:
Weave in ends and block gently, if needed.

You can also see Ring of Velvet Sapphire on Ravelry, to download a free pdf. download now

Crimp it up – WIP Wednesday

FOs, WIPs 1 Response »

Dec 072011

Well, not exactly a WIP in terms of the knitting, but then that’s the easy part. These need to be sized and then organized for test knitting, which takes more focus.

I’m still loving that tuck stitch, and it’s been turning up in other places too, so it feels like the zeitgeist is right. And with winter setting in, some textural ribbing and ruckling will bring a bit of warmth with interest.

Also, maybe it’s the season, but I cant get enough of rich, dark red lately; not my usual type of thing at all, but so engaging. It looks purpley here, but that’s my lighting, trying to get a good shot of the variegation. Malabrigo Rios in Cumparsita, by the way.

London Calling

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Nov 152011

Channel your inner Clash hipster, or just stay warm with this superbulky adjustable hat. The button band is knit flat in textured linen stitch, making the most of a variegated yarn and a cozy covering for your ears. Then the hat is joined and knit in the round to the crown and closed with two buttons, for a fast finished knit that looks great in both multi- and classic colors.

Still free, this pattern has been reformatted and updated with new pictures.

Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, decreasing, knitting in the round.

Size: Small (Large); 21 (24)” finished circumference.

Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta (100% merino wool; 90 yards/150g); 1 skein. Size S shown in Zarzamora; London Calling requires approximately 65 (70) yards of superbulky yarn.

Other Materials: US 15 40” circular needle for Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 15 straight needle, to overlap band; Stitch markers (6); Yarn needle or 6.5mm crochet hook; 7/8” buttons (2); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 8 st and 14 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 8 st and 20 rows/4” in linen stitch.

See it on Ravelry, to read more or download the free pattern. free download

Tosh Lumina – FO Friday

FOs 2 Responses »

Nov 112011

The first accomplishment for what will certainly be a very busy month, my Lumina shawl knit in beautiful Madelinetosh MCN laceweight. I had to rip and restart this, and also begin again on the first lace section – some sort of inexplicable trouble with the YOs. Maddening, because I knit the original prototype without incident, but now it’s finished and fabulous.

Tosh Lumina back view | The Knitting Vortex

Based on the prototype, I knit approximately half the yardage as the garter body section – but should have done more, probably at least 3/4. So the lace sections are much larger than I expected, but in retrospect I really like the airiness and the drape is great.

Tosh Lumina wrapped view | The Knitting Vortex

The Composition Book Grey colorway is definitely my all-time favorite. And now I’m all jazzed to knit up another laceweight shawl! Really, for size and softness, there’s nothing like it. Typically I do more shawls in summer, but this winter may buck that trend. Remind me to show some of the lovely yarn I got at Stitches East; there’s a shimmery tonal grey that is crying out to be made into a wrap.

Escallop Mitts

Accessories, New Release, Patterns Comments Off

Nov 072011

Fingerless mitts with a beaded and scalloped French cuff, the Escallop Mitts add a bit of decoration to any ensemble. The cuff is knit flat, then joined in the round to knit the garter stitch hand; buttons display your personal style and close the cuff.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), working in the round, 3-needle BO; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and a link to my beading tutorial is included.

Size: S/M (M/L); 6 (7)” palm circumference and 8.75 (9.5)” length measured flat; to fit 7-7.75 (7.75-8.5)” hand circumference. Cuff is one size; the extremely stretchy garter stitch hand fits a wide range of hand sizes.

Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 420 yards/112g); 2 (3) skeins. Size S/M shown in Alizarin.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle or dpns, or size to match gauge; Spare US 6 (4mm) needle for 3-needle bind off; 96 size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (2); Yarn needle; 5mm ball buttons (4); Matching sewing thread & needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 44 rows/4” in garter st, after blocking.

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

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