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.

JAC

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Dec 032018

Euphony front | The Knitting Vortex

Boldly textured details create a distinctive sweater, worked from the top down and seamlessly in warm bulky wool. Compound raglan shaping ensures a good fit for all sizes, and the perfect mid-hip length paired with three-quarter sleeves make a relaxed fit that is easy yet tidy. The reversible textured turtleneck can be worn either standing up or folded over for even more versatility.

Construction: JAC is knit seamlessly from the top down using raglan construction, in stockinette with a textured broken rib pattern on the wide raglan style lines, deep hem, and sleeve cuffs. Stitches are cast on in the round at the neckline, the front and back neck are shaped with short rows, then the body is worked to the bottom of the armhole. Sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the lower body is worked without shaping to the textured hem. Three-quarter length sleeves are then continued to the matching cuffs. Stitches are picked up for the neckband and worked in reversible broken rib, allowing the turtleneck to be worn either standing up or folded over. Complete instructions are included for an elegant tubular bind off to finish the hem, cuffs and turtleneck with a clean infinity edge detail.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, German short rows, tubular BO, grafting, picking up stitches.

Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)” bust; sample shown in sixth size, worn with 5” of positive ease.

Yarn: Stitch Sprouts Crater Lake (100% superwash merino wool; 110 yards/100m/100g), shown in Snow; 6 (7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13) skeins, or approximately 625 (675, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1050, 1150, 1225, 1325, 1425) yards of bulky weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 10 (6mm) 16” and 32” circular needles or size to match gauge, and US 10 dpns for sleeves and turtleneck if not using Magic Loop; spare US 10 32” needle for tubular BO; Stitch markers (8); Removable stitch markers (2); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 14 st and 19 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

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

Tilt Box

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Nov 152018

Tilt Box cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Tilt Box combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. Use a combination of bold or neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Tilt Box is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 20” brim circumference and 10” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 18 st and 18 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g), Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine highland wool; 123 yards/112m/50g). Hat shown in Cascade 9600 Antiqued Heather (A) and Woolstok 1317 Midnight Sea (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 100 yards A and 50 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 18 st and 18 rows is 4” wide and 3” tall.

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

Pinwheel Vigil

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Nov 152018

Pinwheel Vigil cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Pinwheel Vigil combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. Use a combination of bold or neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Pinwheel Vigil is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 19” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 13 st and 12 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Harrisville Designs Harrisville Highland (100% pure virgin wool; 200 yards/182m/100g), Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g). Hat shown in Harrisville 81 Mustard (A) and Cascade 8010 Soft White (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 140 yards A and 35 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 19 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 13 st and 12 rows is 3” wide and 2” tall.

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

Flower Lines

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Nov 152018

Flower Lines cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Flower Lines combines traditional fit with fun contemporary visual style. Make a pop-art punch with bright colors, or pair a saturated color with a neutral. Flower Lines is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 18” brim circumference and 10” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 24 st and 36 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool Worsted (100% merino wool; 250 yards/229m/113g). Hat shown in Stonehedge Raspberry (A) and Lilac (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 110 yards A and 50 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 24 st and 36 rows is 4.75” wide and 6” tall.

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

Goblin Queen

Featured, New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Oct 052018

Alternating checks created by slipped stitches trail uniformly across the topdown triangular shape of this shawl in ever-widening bands. When one edge is bound off, the other then zooms off to one side in a long tail, for a simple graphic wrap that winds elegantly and stays in place easily.

Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork. Instructions for this pattern are fully written, with charts also provided for the slipstitch colorwork.

Size: 80” length and 23” depth.

Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles (100% merino wool; 400yards/ 366m/100g); 1 skein each colors A and B, shown in Typewriter and Goblin, respectively. The sample used approximately 355 yards A and 395 yards B. Using a drapey single or loosely plied yarn will help minimize rolling at the long bottom left edge.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Markers (2); 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.

Polytope

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Aug 222018

A bias rectangle worked from one short edge to the other, Polytope is more than a parallelogram. A line of centered double decreases zooms diagonally across the shawl from one corner to the other, creating a chevron dip where the stitches change direction. A repeating mix of easy to work garter stitch stripes, plus mesh lace, both highlight the angles and keep the knitting interesting. The resulting asymmetric shape has four sides that are not quite parallel, not quite straight, and not the same length – but they make a wearable and fun shape that can be styled to show off any of the stitch patterns depending on how it’s worn.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace. Instructions for this pattern are fully written, with a chart also provided for the mesh lace.

Size: 68 (76)” length along longest edge and 14 (16)” depth at shallowest part of rectangle; diagonal center spine measures about 50 (56)”. Sample shown in smaller size.

Yarn: Miss Babs Hand Dyed Yarn Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yards/365m/115g), shown in MC Shale and CC Cordovan; 1 skein each of MC and CC, or MC 230 (260) and CC 325 (365) yards of wool blend fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Removable marker (1); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 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 or purchase the pattern.

Bubble Tea

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Nov 162017

Bubble Tea cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Bubble Tea combines traditional fit with fun contemporary visual style. For the samples, I used a combination of bold and neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Bubble Tea is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 20” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 24 st and 36 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine highland wool; 123 yards/112m/50g), Cascade 220 Heathers (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g). Grey hat shown in Woolstok 1304 Grey Harbor (A) and 1317 Midnight Sea (B), red hat shown in Cascade 9488 Christmas Red (A) and Woolstok 1314 Deep Velvet (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 120 yards A and 60 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 19 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 24 st and 36 rows is 5” wide and 6.5” tall.

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

Venn Diagrams

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Nov 162017

Venn Diagrams cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Venn Diagrams combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. For the samples, I used a combination of bold and neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Venn Diagrams is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 19” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 13 st and 18 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g), Harrisville Designs Harrisville Highland (100% pure virgin wool; 200 yards/182m/100g), Patons Wool Worsted (100% wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g), Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine highland wool; 123 yards/112m/50g). Grey hat shown in Cascade 8400 Charcoal Grey (A) and Harrisville 81 Mustard (B), maroon hat shown in Patons Plum Heather (A) and Woolstok 1301 Storm Cloud (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 120 yards A and 50 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (7); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 19 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 13 st and 18 rows is 2.75” wide and 3.5” tall.

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

Venn Diagrams maroon | The Knitting Vortex Venn Diagrams flat | The Knitting Vortex Venn Diagrams side |The Knitting Vortex

Down Arrows

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Nov 162017

Down Arrows cover | The Knitting Vortex

Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Down Arrows combines traditional technique with contemporary visual style. For the samples, I used a combination of bold and neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Down Arrows is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs.

Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only.

Size: 20” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 24 st and 18 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size.

Yarn: Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool Worsted (100% merino wool; 250 yards/229m/113g), Patons Wool Worsted (100% wool; 210 yards/192m/100g). Brown hat shown in Stonehedge Midnight Lake (A) and Lilac (B), purple hat shown in Stonehedge Lilac (A) and Patons Plum Heather (B); 1 skein of each color, or approximately 110 yards A and 95 yards B of worsted weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 19 st and 24 rows/4” in stranded pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 repeat of 24 st and 18 rows is 5” wide and 3” tall.

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

Telos

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Nov 022017

When there’s a little chill in the air but you don’t want to wear a coat, reach for Telos, a cozy coat-style cardigan. Practical warmth and knitterly interest meet, in a boxy silhouette with a heavily textured reversible alternating check patterned body and stockinette sleeves. The oversized shawl collar is worked seamlessly along with the body; the reversible stitch pattern allows it to be worn folded back or overlapped for more warmth. Dropped shoulders and wide ribbing at the hem and cuffs enhance the relaxed style, and hidden pockets in the bottom ribbing are there when your fingers get chilly.

Telos is worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning with the stitches cast on provisionally for the center back of the collar, which is worked sideways in Check pattern. Stitches for the back shoulders are cast on to the live stitches of the collar, and the back shoulders worked with a series of short rows to build up the center back and help the collar hug the neck, then the back is worked to armscye level. Shoulder stitches are picked up for the fronts, united with the held collar stitches, and worked simultaneously to armscye level where fronts and back are joined. The body is worked to the ribbed hem, where hidden pockets are created in the ribbing; the only seaming required is to sew down the pocket lining edges on the inside of the sweater. Sleeve stitches are picked up and the cap is worked seamlessly with a few short rows for gentle shaping, then the slim, tapered sleeves are worked to the ribbed cuffs.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, provisional CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, short rows, picking up stitches, increasing/decreasing.

Size: 34 (40, 46, 52, 58)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 11” positive ease. This boxy cardigan is designed to be worn with plenty of positive ease. I chose a very roomy fit for myself, to layer over other garments; the sample is shown in the third size worn with 11” of positive ease; choose a size that provides the amount of ease you prefer.

Yarn: The Periwinkle Sheep INTENT (100% superwash merino wool; 185 yards/170m/100g), shown in Sandstorm; 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins or approximately 1000 (1150, 1300, 1450, 1650) yards of heavy worsted weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge, US 7 (4.5mm) needle for pocket lining; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (6); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 22 rows/4” in Check stitch, after blocking.

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

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