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.

Tosh Lumina – FO Friday

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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

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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.

Escallop Hooded Capelet

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Nov 072011

A garter stitch hooded capelet with an elaborate beaded and scalloped lower edge, the Escallop Capelet is knit from the bottom up beginning with the beaded lace edging, then shaped to hug the shoulders with decorative raglan decreases. A shallow hood frames the face, and features a pointed top shaped with short rows and grafted; pompom I-cord ties complete the whimsy.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), short rows, grafting, I-cord, pompoms; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and links to my beading, short rows and grafting tutorials are included.

Size: S/M (M/L); 8 (12)” from neck to bottom of scalloped edge and 58 (74)” lower edge circumference.

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

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 6 (4mm) dpns or circular needle for making I-cord; 336 (480) size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (8); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter st, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project; however, a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished capelet and different yardage requirements.

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

Ruckowl

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Oct 262011

A slouchy cowl with textural ruckles, Ruckowl features a three-dimensional tucked body made by knitting into the row below, and tidy turned hems. For a fun and cozy matched set, make it with the companion Ruckle Hat and Ruckle Mitts.

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

Size: S/M (M/L); 21 (24)” circumference, and 7” height.

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g); 1 skein. Size M/L shown in Paris Night.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Spare US 9 circular needle, for closing folded hems; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle; Smooth cotton yarn for provisional CO and hem.

Gauge: 16 st and 24 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after gentle blocking.

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

Ravenclaw Socks

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Oct 192011

Knitting has been slightly stalled during The Visit From The InLaws, but fortunately I’m back on track for WIP Wednesday.

As Harry Potter fans know, the game of Quidditch is essential wizard sport, as well as a chance to don House spirit regalia. And as knitting Harry Potter fans may know, the Ravelry Harry Potter Knitting & Crochet House Cup is a group of knitting, wizardly fans of all things HP. The House Cup, as we call it, is constantly evolving to provide more ways to knit stuff and be fanlike. This semester our lovely HeadMistress and tireless staff have introduced BROOMs as a new way to earn additional points for one’s house in the Cup; there are acronyms, secrecy and general role-play fun.

And in my case, there are Ravenclaw Socks:

Maybe I can get the second one started at Stitches East this weekend.

I Love Yarn!

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Oct 142011

The Craft Yarn Council has declared October 14 I Love Yarn day! Not one to miss a celebration, especially one involving yarn, today’s post is in honor of fibery goodness.

My yarn of the day is Madelinetosh 80/10/10 Lace, a luscious Merino Cashmere Nylon laceweight, in what is probably my all-time favorite colorway, Composition Book Grey.

Light and airy, yet with an element of luxury; and at 650 yards, just the thing for a laceweight Lumina.

The Craft Yarn Council suggests:

Show it off, tag with it, carry it, gather with friends. Declare your LOVE! Get involved.

Create an I Love Day Yarn badge
Teach someone to knit or crochet
Do something for charity
Wear a knitted or crocheted item
Give a gift of yarn
Take your yarn to work day
Host a yarn-a-bration party
Knit, crochet and craft in public

Although they dont mention “Buy Yarn,” that’s exactly what I intend to do tomorrow at Rhinebeck, thus extending my own personal celebration.

Yarn – what’s not to love? Happy I Love Yarn Day!

Ruckle Mitts

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Oct 122011

Casual fingerless handwarmers, the Ruckle Mitts are worked with a built-in scrunchy tucked cuff, and tidy hemmed edges finishing both cuffs and fingertip openings. Fun to make and fresh to wear, they add relaxed chic to your outfit without having constantly to adjust long cuffs. For a matched Ruckle set, make them with the companion Ruckle Hat and Ruckowl Cowl.

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

Size: S (M, L, XL); 6.5 (7.5, 8.25, 9)” palm circumference and 4.25 (5, 5.5, 6.25)” length from wrist. The cuff is approximately 3” long.

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g); 1 skein. Size S shown in Azul Profundo.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Spare US 5 (3.75mm) circular needle for closing folded hems; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle; Smooth cotton yarn for provisional CO and hem; Stitch holder.

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

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

More Ruckles?!

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Oct 062011

I did mention I’m into collections, right? I’ve made a whack of Ruckle hats, which I’ll show off a bit further along in this post. And the Mitts are in tech editing now, which means they’ll be released imminently. In the tradition of not leaving well enough alone, I’m also about to put the cowl out for testknitting.

I really prefer to shoot than model, but my favorite mannequin is away on her class trip, and time is ticking. Mr. Diva has a good sense of light, but alas, we differ in ideas of composition. Not to worry; the proto shots get the idea across.

One skein, semi-slouchy, and soft. After all, winter is coming.

And about those hats . . .

GlitterBunny

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Oct 042011

My son’s third grade art teacher approached me to ask if I’d be interested in helping with a knitting unit later in the year. Of course I said yes; it’s great to see fiber arts being given some play in the elementary arts curriculum. Her idea is to take the kids to see shearing and spinning, learn about how yarn is made, then teach them basic knitting and have them each make something. I consulted with some knitterly, teacherly friends, who suggested making our own needles out of dowels with decorative fimo clay ends, and knitting a little animal.

I read several instructions, and my first prototype is the GlitterBunny, so named because she is knit from Wool-Ease Chunky shot with a glitter strand. It’s hard to avoid bling, sometimes. Anyway, this is probably the first time in I dont know when that I’ve knit a square on straight metal needles (my dowel needles desperately need sanding before I can let them touch yarn).

She needs some tweaking, and some eyes, but I think she’s going to work out well.

Ruckling On

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Oct 022011

I admit that I tend to think in terms of collections, or variations on a theme. Maybe I’m even a little bit matchy-matchy. Once Ruckle was accepted for publication in Knitcircus, I immediately started to think about what else one might ruckle. Mitts? – check. The Ruckle Mitts are currently testing, and should be out soon.

And this month I’ve decided to write up a ruckle cowl; what better way to use my favorite Malabrigo Merino Worsted than on a next-to-skin-friendly, textural cowl?

The beginning looks promising.

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