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.

Stolitsa

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Sep 262011

A multi-season dolman sleeve cardigan, Stolitsa transitions perfectly to suit the changing weather from autumn through spring. Worked from the top down with integrated sleeves, the front panels feature chunky lace scaled appropriately across the size range. Wide rib-finished hem, cuffs and a shaped collar that hugs the neck complete this versatile layering piece.

Construction: Stolitsa is cast on provisionally at the shoulders, with back and fronts worked separately to the armhole. Sleeve stitches are put on hold and later grafted at the undersleeve seams; the fronts and back are joined and worked back and forth to the hem, with Vine Lace panels on each front, appropriate to match the size. Rib details finish the hem, cuffs and buttonband, and a few short rows softly shape the ribbed collar.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, short rows, simple lace, grafting, picking up stitches. ZigZag Vine Lace is charted only; this pattern includes a buttonhole photo tutorial and link to my short row tutorial.

Size: 33 (35.25, 37.5, 40, 43.5, 47)” bust; sample shown in second size worn with no ease. The integrated dolman sleeves of Stolitsa will accommodate a wide range of shoulder widths; for a tidy fit, choose a size with zero or slight positive ease at the bust.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Twist (100% merino wool; 150 yards/100g), shown in Applewood; 5 (5, 6, 6, 6, 7) skeins, or 650 (700, 775, 825, 900, 975) yards of Aran weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 10 (6mm) 32” circular needle; US 9 (5.5mm) 60” circular needle for picking up stitches; Stitch markers (6); Stitch holders; Scrap yarn; Yarn needle; 7/8” buttons, (6); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 14 st and 22 rows/4” in stockinette stitch with larger needle, after blocking.

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Eldora

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Sep 262011

A quick and easy garter stitch hat, Eldora is perfect for showing off variegated yarn. This hipster beanie is cast on provisionally and knit sideways with short row shaping, then the first and last rows are grafted together for a seamless finish.

Techniques & Skills Used: Provisional CO, knit, short rows, grafting; a link is provided to my short rows tutorial, and grafting instructions are included.

Size: Child (Adult); 19” circumference and 7.75 (8.5)” height; the stretchy garter stitch and single ply wool will accommodate many head sizes.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Deja Vu, or approximately 100 (110) yards of worsted weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after gentle blocking. Row gauge determines hat circumference in this sideways knit.

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

Hoopla

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Sep 262011

Luxury yarn and beads pair together creating Hoopla, an elegant long stole with a fancy hoopskirt border. Short row shaping makes a lovely crescent and a face framing beaded shawl collar. Unusual and fun edging stitches keep the knitting interesting, while soothing garter stitch ensures rapid progress; together the result is stunningly simple.

Techniques & Skills Used: beaded CO, knit/purl, lace, beading (prestrung and crochet hook methods, with link to video tutorial), short rows; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions for the border.

Size: 12” deep and 60” long, after blocking.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina (75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 360 yards/329m); 1 skein, shown in Composition Book Grey.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 40” circular needle; Stitch Markers (11); Yarn needle; 389 size 6/0 seed beads; beading needle for stringing beads; Size 1.25mm crochet hook for placing beads.

Gauge: 16 st and 44 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one scallop is approximately 5” long. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished stole, and different yardage requirements.

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Helena’s Folly

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Sep 262011

Le Rayon Vert, or the Green Ray, “has the virtue of making him who has seen it impossible to be deceived in matters of sentiment; at its apparition, all deceit and falsehood are done away, and he who has been fortunate enough once to behold it is enabled to see closely into his own heart and read the thoughts of others.”

In Jules Verne’s Le Rayon Vert, heroine Helena Campbell refuses love until she has succeeded in seeing the Green Ray. While evading her suitor, she unwittingly falls in love with another young man, and ultimately misses the appearance of the enlightening Green Ray because she is staring deeply into the eyes of her true love. Is Helena’s Folly believing in the power of the Green Ray, or is it allowing herself to fall in love without safeguards? Perhaps this sweater will bring an enlightening answer. With a sweetly relaxed silhouette, drapey cap sleeves and turned bottom and neck hems, it is a romantic knit for an insightful knitter.

Construction: Helena’s Folly is meant to drape gracefully from shoulder to high hip, and is knit with no body shaping; length may be added or subtracted by knitting more or fewer rows anywhere between the bottom hem and the armhole. Knit in the round from the bottom up with a turned hem, front and back are divided at the armholes and then worked separately to the shoulder, where they are finished with a 3-needle bind off. The front and back neck shaping is accomplished with short rows, so that the front and back are each knit with one continuous strand; neck edge stitches are kept live, and the turned neck edge is worked directly from them.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round, increasing, turned hems, short rows, 3-needle Bind off.

Size: 31 (34, 36.5, 39.5, 42, 45, 48, 52, 55.5)” bust; shown in second size worn with 2” negative ease.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino; 440 yards/402m/ 100g), shown in Rayon Vert; 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins, or approximately 750 (850, 950, 1050, 1175, 1300, 1450, 1600, 1750) yards of light fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 24” and 32” circular needles; Scrap yarn; Stitch markers (6); Stitch holders; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 32 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

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Patty Ann

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Sep 262011

Perfect as a light layering piece, Patty Ann is a casual, open front vest knit in Seed stitch with rib edgings. Worked from the bottom up with gentle shaping at the hip and bust and a few short rows to shape the shoulders, only minimal finishing of the back neckband and armhole edging is required. The lean, simple shape is easy to wear and attractive for any body, and the textural stitches bring just enough interest and show off a beautiful hand dyed yarn.

Construction: An easy knit worked from the bottom up, Patty Ann is a long vest with gentle shaping at the hip and bust for an attractive fit. Stitches are cast on for the hem and worked in K2P1 Rib, then the body transitions to textured Seed stitch, with K1P1 Rib bands worked simultaneously at the front edges. After the body shaping, front and back are divided at the underarm, with armhole shaping to reduce bulk. A few short rows shape the shoulders, which are joined with a 3-needle bind off. Only minimal finishing is required; the front bands are worked at the same time as the body, then extended beyond the shoulders and seamed to the back neck, and the armhole ribbing is picked up and knit to match the ribbed hem.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, working in pattern, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, short rows, 3-needle BO.

Size: 34 (36, 38, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)” bust circumference, shown in second size worn with 1” positive ease. Patty Ann is designed to be worn open with the front edges barely meeting; for a similar fit, choose a size close to your actual bust measurement.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g), shown in Uva; 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins, or approximately 625 (675, 725, 775, 900, 1000, 1100, 1225, 1350) yards of worsted weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Spare US 8 needle for 3-needle BO; Stitch markers (4); Stitch holders (5); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 30 rows/4” in Seed stitch, after blocking.

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Chic Mega Cowl

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Sep 262011

Chic Mega Cowl Last Look | The Knitting Vortex

Part of the Very Chic series, this oversized cowl features elongated cables, made extra fluffy and fluid by dropping select stitches between cable twists. Shaping narrows the top of the cowl, making it easy to wear over or under a coat, and hugging your neck while still fitting smoothly over the shoulders. The generous depth frames your face and creates a yoke, so both shoulders and neck stay warm and chic.

Techniques & Skills Used: long-tail CO, knit/purl, cables, dropped stitches, decreasing, knitting in the round; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions.

Size: 15” tall and 18” circumference at top edge/24” circumference at bottom edge, after gentle blocking.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 2 skeins, shown in Polar Morn.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 24” circular needle; Stitch markers (4); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling.

Gauge: 16 st and 20 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one cable is approximately 2.5” wide. The sample used almost all of two skeins; while gauge is not critical for this project, a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished cowl, and different yardage requirements.

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Chic Mega Cowl side view | The Knitting Vortex Chic Mega Cowl back view | The Knitting Vortex Chic Mega Cowl closeup | The Knitting Vortex

Very Chic Scarf

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Sep 262011

Very Chic Scarf | The Knitting Vortex

Part of the Very Chic series, this scarf is a fantastic introduction to the technique of dropping stitches between cables, to make soft and drapey accessories. With no grafting or shaping, the focus is on the panel of three staggered, elongated cables, made extra fluid by dropping stitches strategically between select cable twists. The result is a fluffy and flowing skinny scarf that naturally curls slightly inward, creating an attractive and wrappable semi-tube that is both functional and fun.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtil CO, knit/purl, cables, dropped stitches; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions.

Size: 5” wide and 80” long, after gentle blocking.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 2 skeins, shown in Violetas.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) needles; Stitch Markers (3); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling.

Gauge: 16 st and 20 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one cable is approximately 2.5” wide. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished scarf, and different yardage requirements.

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

Very Chic Scarf side view | The Knitting Vortex Very Chic Scarf cables | The Knitting Vortex Very Chic Scarf | The Knitting Vortex

She-Cat, A Chic Hat

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Sep 262011

Part of the Very Chic series, She-Cat is a chic little hat with a sideways-cabled brim and sleek reverse stockinette crown, it’s interesting to knit and perfect to wear everywhere. Dropped stitches between cables create an extra soft and stretchy brim, and add just enough knitting excitement and fashion-y detail.

Techniques & Skills Used: Provisional CO, knit/purl, decreasing, cables, dropped stitches, knitting in the round, grafting or optional 3-needle bind off; this pattern includes both a chart for the brim and full written instructions, and a photo tutorial for grafting the cables.

Size: S/M (M/L); 20 (22.5)” circumference, unstretched, after gentle blocking.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, or approximately 100 (130) yards of worsted weight yarn. Size S shown in Apple Green and Size L shown in Hollyhock.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (2); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling stitches; 4 non-slippery US 8 (5mm) dpns, preferably two different colors, for grafting.

Gauge: 18 st and 28 rows/4” in reverse stockinette stitch, after gentle blocking. One 16-row cable repeat is 2.5” wide.

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Kind Of Very Chic

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Sep 262011

The original design that sparked the Very Chic series, these handwarmers can be made as fingerless mitts or as gloves, each with scrunchy, sideways-cabled cuffs. Wear them with jeans or a little black dress; they’re kind of very chic!

Kind of Very Chic may be made as fingerless mitts or as gloves. Stitches are cast on provisionally for the cuff, which is worked back and forth in a pattern of alternating cables with select columns of dropped stitches between them. The cuff is grafted closed, or alternatively, a 3-needle bind off may be used. Stitches for the hand are then picked up along one edge of the cuff, and the hand is worked with the thumb stitches set aside on a holder. Variations are given to finish the fingertip opening of the mitts with a narrow band of ribbing, or to make a full-fingered version of the gloves. The thumb is worked last from the held stitches. The cuff may be worked from the chart or the full written instructions; a photo tutorial is also included for grafting the cabled cuff, with written instructions for grafting the cables included in the pattern instructions. Optionally, a 3-needle bind off may be used.

Techniques & Skills Used: Provisional CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, cables, dropped stitches, knitting in the round, grafting or optional 3-needle bind off; this pattern includes both a chart for the cuff and full written instructions, a photo tutorial for grafting the cables, and a link to my basic grafting instructions.

Size: Women’s Small (Medium, Large), to fit approximately 7” (7.5”, 8”) palm circumference, measured around hand above thumb.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 1 skein, or approximately 150 – 190 yards of worsted weight yarn. Size M mitts shown in Polar Morn and gloves shown in Fucsia.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 24” circular needle for cuff; US 8 (5mm) 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or dpns, for hand, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO and stitch holder; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling stitches; 4 non-slippery US 8 (5mm) dpns, preferably two different colors, for grafting.

Gauge: 16 st and 18 rows/4” in cable pattern on larger needle; one cable is approximately 2” wide, unstretched, after stitches are dropped. 20 st and 28 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch on smaller needle, after gentle blocking.

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Razor Cardi

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Sep 262011

A pretty little cropped cardigan to wear on a summer evening and into the fall, the Razor Cardi is worked from the top down and seamlessly, in allover razor lace. Just two simple rows, the easy lace delivers style with minimal complexity, while a seed stitch front edge and single rib hem & cuffs add extra texture. With no finishing other than adding a button, the Razor Cardi is delightfully quick.

Construction: The Razor Cardi is cast on at the neckline, and worked back and forth with raglan construction, in a simple lace pattern with seed stitch front edges and rib trim. Body and sleeves are divided at the armscye depth, then the body is worked to the ribbed hem. Short sleeves are then finished with narrow ribbing, which matches the neckband.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, raglan construction, increasing, easy lace; the lace pattern is both written and charted, with instructions for increasing in pattern.

Size: 30 (31.5, 35, 38.5, 41, 44.5, 46, 50.5)” bust; sample shown in second size worn with 3.5” of negative ease.

Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss DK (70% merino wool, 30% silk; 123 yards/112m/50g), shown in Coast Grey; 4 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 11) skeins or approximately 475 (525, 650, 750, 850, 975, 1050, 1250) yards of DK weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 4 (3.5mm) 32” circular needle for collar and cuffs; Stitch holders (2); Stitch markers (6); Yarn needle; 3/4” button (1); Matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 24 rows/4” in lace pattern and in Seed stitch on larger needles, after blocking.

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

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