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.
It’s no secret that I’m a Malabrigo Junkie; I love the yarns, and I love the community in the Junkies group on Ravelry.
When October rolls around, we celebrate fall knitting with a month-long frenzy of stockpiling handmade holiday gifts. We stash, organize, CO (and finish!) our FOs, while cheering each other on. There are even contests and prizes!
In the spirit of Stockpile I’m having a sale from September 15th to end of day October 15th, for 25% off all patterns in my Ravelry store with coupon code Stockpile 2011. Pile it on!
A soft and highly textured hat, Ruckle features a tidy hemmed brim and three-dimensional tucks all over. The structural ruckles are fun to knit and fanciful to wear, and add an original flair to any outfit. For a fun and matched set, make it with the companion Ruckowl cowl and Ruckle Mitts.
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) to fit approximately 20.5 (22.5, 24.5)” head circumference; 18.5 (21.25, 24)” brim circumference, 7.25 (8.5, 9.5)” height, measured flat and unstretched.
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g); 1 skein. Size M shown in Paris Night.
Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Spare US 8 32” circular needle, for hemming brim; Stitch markers (10); Yarn needle; Smooth cotton yarn for provisional CO.
Gauge: 18 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.
For over 1000 years, the Byzantine Empire stood as a symbol of Christian power in the eastern half of what had once been the Roman Empire, symbolizing a final link to the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans. Renamed Constantinople in 330 AD by Constantine I, the ancient city of Byzantium remained a center of wealth and power despite its fall to the western knights of the Fourth Crusade in 1203. The future of the city changed forever in 1453, when it was besieged by Sultan Mehmet II and the Ottoman Turks, overrun, and reborn as Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.
A city of ancient Roman stonework, early Christian domes, towering Islamic minarets and intricate Ottoman tile and mosaics, Byzantium now stands for a dream of splendor and beauty straddling Europe and Asia Minor.
Byzantine architecture is notable for its stacked shapes; minarets towering over domes, above arches and blocks. The repeating geometric motifs create a strong visual effect, in warm tones of sandstone, clay, stone and lead. The geometry is enhanced by decorative elements of repeating carved mosaics and tiles, often in warm reds and bright azure.
The Sailing To Byzantium Collection includes the Selimiye shawl, Iznik shawlette, Mosaic Socks, Sofya Cowl, Minaret Hat, and Lattice Mittens – accessories connected by shape and color, and reminiscent of Byzantine architecture.
*“Sailing To Byzantium” is a poem by William Butler Yeats, which represents the metaphorical journey of a man pursuing his own vision of eternal life as well as his conception of paradise.
See it on Ravelry, to read more and purchase the patterns.
A long crescent shaped stole, this shawl is reminiscent of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey. Knit from the bottom up with dome & minaret edging, the body is then worked in stockinette stitch with gentle shaping created by short rows.
Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows, bobbles; the lace edging is both written and charted, with links to my short rows and special lace stitch tutorials.
Size: 58” length and 17” depth.
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool; 150 yards/137m/50g); 3 skeins, shown in Topaz, or approximately 400 yards of wool/silk blend dk weight yarn.
Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle.
Gauge: 14 st and 30 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 read more and purchase the pattern.
A one-skein shawlette, Iznik is knit sideways in garter stitch with a knit-in floral lace border reminiscent of Turkish Iznik ceramic tile motifs.
Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, lace; the lace edging is both fully written and charted, with links to my special lace stitch tutorials.
Size: 42” length and 17” depth.
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool; 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Playa, or approximately 370 yards of fingering weight yarn.
Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2); Yarn needle.
Gauge: 24 st and 32 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 and purchase the pattern.
These slipstitch colorwork socks are knit from the cuff down with heel flap and gusset, using mosaic patterns reminiscent of Byzantine tile work.
Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, decreasing, corrugated ribbing, picking up stitches, slipstich mosaic colorwork, short row heel, grafting; this pattern contains full written instructions, as well as charts for the slipstitch colorwork.
Size: S (M, L): 72 (80, 88) st, to fit Women’s US 6/7 (8/9, 10/11) shoe size.
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool; 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein each MC and CC, shown in Azules (MC) and Botticelli Red (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: 38 st and 48 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, 48 st and 88 rows/4” in Twisted Stripe slipstitch pattern, 42 st and 72 rows/4” in Mosaic Weave 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 and purchase the pattern.
These warm colorwork mittens feature three different slipstitch patterns, all reminiscent of Ottoman architecture.
Techniques & Skills Used: Cable CO, corrugated ribbing, slipstitch colorwork, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, grafting. This pattern contains full written instructions, as well as charts for the slipstitch colorwork.
Size: S (M, L): 6 (7, 8)” palm circumference and 7.5 (9.75, 12)” length, to fit 6.5 (7.5, 8.5)” hand circumference.
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g); 1 skein each of MC and CC. Size M shown in Tortuga (MC) and Applewood (CC).
Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or dpns, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle; Scrap yarn; Stitch holder for thumb.
Gauge: 28 st and 26 rounds/4” in Twisted Stripe, after blocking. 22 st and 24 rounds/4” in Corrugated Rib; 20 st and 26 rounds/4” in stockinette st, after blocking.
See it on Ravelry or on Payhip to read more and purchase the pattern.
This slipstitch colorwork hat, designed in three sizes, recalls the dome and minaret shapes of Ottoman architecture.
Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, corrugated ribbing, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork; this pattern contains both fully written and charted instructions.
Size: S (M, L): 18.5 (20, 21.5)” brim circumference and 8 (9, 10)” height, to fit 21 (22.5, 24)” head circumference.
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g); 1 skein each MC and CC. Size M shown in Tortuga (MC) and Applewood (CC).
Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle or dpns, or 32” circular needle for Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker; Yarn needle.
Gauge: 19 st and 38 rounds/4” in Lattice stitch pattern, after blocking. 19 st and 24 rounds/4” in Corrugated Rib; 18 st and 24 rounds/4” in stockinette st, after blocking.
See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more and purchase the pattern.
This cozy slipstitch colorwork cowl, designed in both slouchy and fitted versions, recalls the intricate stacked shapes and vibrant colors of Ottoman architecture.
Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, corrugated ribbing, slipstitch colorwork; this pattern contains both fully written and charted instructions.
Size: S/M (M/L): 18 (24)” circumference and 9” height.
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g); 1 skein each MC and CC. Size M/L shown in Marron Oscuro (MC) and Continental Blue (CC); size S/M shown in Tortuga (MC) and Applewood (CC).
Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker; Yarn needle.
Gauge: 19 st and 38 rounds/4” in Lattice stitch pattern, after blocking. 19 st and 24 rounds/4” in Corrugated Rib; 18 st and 24 rounds/4” in stockinette st, after blocking.
See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more and purchase the pattern.
Originally published in the Classic Elite Yarn web-letter, which sadly no longer exists, Utsukushii is now available as an individual pdf pattern in my usual style and format.
Utsukushii means lovely or beautiful in Japanese, and this lovely long cloudlike stole is knit in silk and alpaca blend laceweight yarn, featuring a Japanese Feather lace pattern framing simple stockinette panels. The lace stitch pattern undulates gently from side to side, creating a feeling of lightness and movement. Knit at an open gauge on larger needles, and generous enough to enfold you comfortingly, Utsukushii is a warm yet weightless wrap that lends loveliness to any occasion.
Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, easy lace; instructions are both fully written and charted.
Size: 64” length and 22” depth, customizable to accommodate varying amounts of yardage.
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Silky Alpaca Lace (70% alpaca, 30% silk; 440 yards/402m/50g), shown in Perfect Storm; 2 skeins, or approximately 880 yards of laceweight yarn.
Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 24” circular or straight needles, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (11); Yarn needle.
Gauge: 18 st and 23 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 stole, and different yardage requirements.
See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.
