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.

Eugene

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Jul 282015

A gentlemanly companion to the Three Belles, Eugene is the perfect Beau. Simple and understated with strong, clean lines, he complements his fancy partners with subdued elegance. This elongated bias wrap is worked in stockinette and garter stitch with textured stripes and top edge, and is equally suitable for men or women. A well-mannered partner, Eugene is agreeable to customization to accommodate varying yardage and personalized garter accent stripe placement. Eugene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing.

Size: 60” length and 17” depth.

Yarn: Have You Any Wool Luxe Sock (80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 370 yards/338m/115g), shown in Cobalt; 1 skein, or any amount of fingering weight yarn. The sample as written used almost all of the skein, but any amount of yardage may be used; see Designer’s Notes.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 19 st and 24 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 or purchase the pattern.

Vurvene

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Jul 222015

Vurvene is a feisty and decisive belle, long and lean with simple beauty. This bias asymmetric shawl is worked in garter stitch, with sweeping eyelet rows framing ever-lengthening short row stockinette wedges. A picot top edge adds just a touch of feminine decoration to her bold and linear charm. Vurvene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials.

Size: 80” length and 17” depth.

Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering (70% merino wool, 30% silk; 220 yards/201m/50g), shown in Bordeaux; 3 skeins. The sample as written used approximately 660 yards of drapey fingering weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes.

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

Gauge: 18 st and 36 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.

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Lurlene

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Jul 142015

Lurlene is a flirty belle, not complicated but eye-catching, engaging and pretty. This one-skein crescent shawlette is worked sideways in garter stitch, beginning and ending with a few stitches. Decorative eyelets frame the stockinette short row godets which shape the curving lower edge, and look lovely on both sides. Lurlene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials.

Size: 50” length and 12” depth.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/384m/100g), shown in Baltic; 1 skein. The sample as written used approximately 375 yards of fingering weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 28 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, 22 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.

Pax Vobis

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Jul 102015

Let Pax Vobis bring peace to you, as rhythmic baby cables flow into a gentle A-line silhouette. Seamless topdown raglan construction and an intuitive cable twist stitch pattern enable serene and uncomplicated knitting. The cropped length, elbow sleeves and deeply scooped neckline are perfect with a summer outfit, and the lightweight yarn brings a whisper soft harmony.

Construction: Pax Vobis is knit seamlessly from the top down using raglan construction. Stitches are cast on for front, sleeves and back, and the bodice is worked with allover Baby Cable twists easily created without a cable needle, stockinette sleeves and wide raglan style lines. Once established, the Baby Cable stitch pattern is very intuitive; both written instructions and charts (on p. 8) are provided for reference. Once the neck depth is reached, stitches are cast on for the front neckline and the body is joined in the round and worked to the bottom of the armhole. Sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the lower body is worked in stockinette, creating a slight, natural A-line shape below the cables; the hem is finished with twisted rib. Relaxed elbow length sleeves are then worked in stockinette to the twisted rib cuffs. Stitches are picked up for the neckband and worked in matching twisted rib to finish the wide and deep neckline.

Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, backwards loop CO, working in the round; Baby Cable twist pattern is both written and charted and includes instructions for increasing in pattern.

Size: 29.25 (31.25, 32.75, 34.75, 36.75, 38.75, 40.75, 44.75, 48)” bust; sample shown in fourth size worn with no ease.

Yarn: Woolfolk Tynd (100% Ovis 21 ultimate merino wool; 223 yards/ 205m/50g), shown in Color No. 02; 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7) skeins, or approximately 725 (775, 850, 900, 975, 1075, 1175, 1300, 1450) yards of fingering weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32″ circular needle or size to match gauge; US 5 (3.75mm) 24″ circular needle for neckline; Stitch markers (8); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 32 rows/4″ in stockinette stitch; 24 st and 32 rows in Baby Cable Twist stitch pattern, after blocking.

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Dulcene

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Jul 072015

Dulcene is a gentle and shallow elongated triangle, worked side to side in a soft and yielding silk & wool yarn. Repeating textured eyelet rows accent the stockinette body, and grow organically into short row garter ruffles at the lower edge, giving this belle a delicate and feminine charm. Dulcene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials.

Size: 60” length and 18” depth.

Yarn: Great Adirondack Yarn Company Silk N’ Blue (50% silk, 50% blue faced leicester wool; 120 yards/110m/50g), shown in Light Cocoa; 4 skeins. For similar feel and drape, choose a loosely plied yarn with some luxe silk or bamboo content. The sample as written used approximately 450 yards of dk weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 24 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.

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Box Pleat

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Jun 112015

Box Pleat Scoopneck | The Knitting Vortex

A softly structured top with flattering pleats that highlight the face and neck, Box Pleat plays with modern relaxed shaping in a romantic way. The neatly fitted shoulders and neckline emphasize a strong focal point – the central box pleat flanked by right & left side pleats below a pretty scooped neckline. Fitted in the back along princess seams, but with a swingy front shape, Box Pleat flatters all sizes.

Construction: Box Pleat is cast on at the bottom and worked in the round, beginning with a narrow ribbed hem with a rolled edge, to the armholes. Shaping is worked on the back only along the princess lines, then the front and back are divided at the armhole and worked separately to the shoulders, with the extra ease in the front consumed by the pleating at the neckline. The short, fitted sleeves are picked up and worked with short rows for the sleeve caps, then finished with a narrow rib cuff and a rolled edge that matches the casual flirtiness of the bottom hem. Finally, stitches are picked up around the scoop neckline, and worked in K1P1 rib. See my short row tutorial for easy instructions on using the wrap & turn method.

Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, short rows, 3-needle bind off.

Size: 36.5 (38.5, 40.5, 42.5, 44.25, 46.5, 48.25, 50.5, 54.5, 57.25)” circumference, to fit 30, (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)” bust; this top is designed to be worn with about 6” of ease, created by the front pleats above the bust.

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu (60% merino wool, 40% bamboo; 620 yards/567m/226g), shown in Copperline; 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) skeins, or approximately 750 (800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1200, 1300) yards of sport weight yarn with good drape, such as from silk or bamboo.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 24” circular needle or size to match gauge; US 6 dpns (2) for pleats and 3-needle bind off; US 6 16” circular needle for sleeves and neckline; Stitch markers (2 color A, 2 color B); Stitch holders (3); Yarn needle.

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

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Sorbetto Scoop

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May 142015

Blueberry, raspberry, pistachio . . . picking a sweater color is as hard as deciding your favorite flavor of sorbet. With stripes and colorblocking, the Sorbetto Scoop sweater lets you enjoy them all. Worked from the top down using the seamless, simultaneous set-in sleeve method, the silhouette is slightly relaxed with gentle waist shaping, curved cropped hems, a scoopneck, and bracelet length sleeves.

Construction: The seamless, simultaneous set-in sleeve method allows you to work the back, front and sleeves at one time from the top down, while creating a tailored, set-in sleeve fit. Stitches are cast on for the back, and the back shoulders are shaped with a few short rows to create the shoulder slope; stitches are then picked up for each front shoulder, which is shaped with identical short rows. The back and fronts are united, while at the same time stitches are picked up at the shoulder edges for the sleeve caps, and sleeve cap shaping begins. The back, front and sleeves are worked simultaneously to the bottom of the armscye, with neckline, sleeve cap and armhole shaping. See my simultaneous set-in sleeve tutorial.

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

Size: 30 (32, 34.25, 36.25, 38, 40, 42, 44.25, 48, 52)” bust; shown in fifth size worn with 3” positive ease; for a more fitted look, choose a size closer to actual bust measurement.

Yarn: MC – Lana Gatto Feeling (70% extrafine merino, 20% silk, 10% cashmere; 153 yards/50g); sample shown in 12504 grey, 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins, or approximately 475 (500, 525, 550, 575, 625, 675, 725, 775, 850) yards.
CC – Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% extrafine merino, 20% silk, 5% cashmere; 127 yards/50g); sample shown in 0130 pink, 0194 Aquamarine, 0217 plum, and 0161 Wisteria, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skeins each CC1, CC2 & CC3, and 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins CC4, or approximately 75 (80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140) yards CC1, CC2 & CC3, and 200 (210, 220, 235, 250, 275, 290, 305, 335, 365) yards CC4. A dk weight wool and silk blend will provide similar weight and drape as the sample in this semi-fitted shape.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; US 5 (3.75mm) 24” circular needle for neckline; Stitch markers (4); removable stitch marker (1); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 st and 30 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

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Truly Plaidly Deeply

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Apr 062015

The best way to love? Truly, Plaidly, Deeply! Three colors and a non-stranded afterthought plaid technique make a fun and distinctive graphic plaid sweater.

Construction: The sweater body begins with the shoulder saddles, then stitches for the back and fronts are picked up and worked back and forth to the bottom of the armhole, where they are joined and worked in the round to the hem. Contrasting seamless sleeves are picked up from the armhole, with the caps shaped using short rows then knit in the round to the cuffs. The contrast ribbed collar is picked up and knit to match the sleeves and hem. The plaid is simple to make, as it involves only knitting stripes, in a rib pattern – the vertical plaid lines are added later with a crochet hook in the purl ditches of the rib.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, short rows. Instructions are written, with additional charts for the plaid repeat and setup; a video tutorial is provided for the non-stranded plaid technique.

Size: 33 (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60)” bust; shown in fourth size worn with 7” positive ease for a relaxed fit. Choose a size closer to actual bust measurement for a more fitted sweater.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/ 192m/100g); 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins MC, 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins CC1, and 1 skein CC2, or approximately 490 (540, 560, 620, 670, 750, 770, 820, 980, 950) yards MC, 220 (240, 260, 320, 340, 400, 430, 460, 490, 520) yards CC1, and 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180) yards CC2 of worsted weight yarn. Sample shown in Purple Mystery (MC), Periwinkle (CC1), and Polygala (CC2).

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular needle for picking up st, shoulders saddles and collar; Stitch marker; Stitch holders (2); Size H/8 5mm crochet hook; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 24 rows/4” in Plaid stitch pattern, after adding vertical plaid and blocking. One plaid repeat of 12 st and 16 rows is 3” wide and 2.66” high.

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Truffle Hunter

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Mar 182015

A rolled stockinette edge, asymmetric ribbing and a subtly delicate textured stitch make Truffle Hunter a special hat of distinction. Short rows both shape the brim and add extra slouch at the nape, and the simple stitch pattern brings precious appeal to both sides of the fabric. Finished carefully, the hat is fully reversible for two lovely and unmistakably unique looks.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, short rows, decreasing. This pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials.

Size: one size to fit most adults; 18” brim circumference and 9” height, measured flat and unstretched.

Yarn: Shalimar Yarns Equus (100% superwash merino wool; 200 yards/183m), shown in Black Truffle; 1 skein. The sample used about 165 yards of worsted weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (9); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 24 rows/4” in Raindrop stitch, after blocking.

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

Frost Grape

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Feb 242015

Vitis Vulpina, known as the Frost Grape, becomes sweeter as the weather turns colder. Worked seamlessly from the top down in one piece, this aran weight raglan sweater is warm and simple. The defined raglan seamlines, and the purl welt detail at the ribbed turtleneck, deep hem and cuffs add just the right amount of style. A bit of shaping at the waist and back neck maintain a good fit, while at the same time making the chunky styling both cozy and modern.

Construction: Frost Grape begins at the top with the turtleneck worked in the round, then the body is shaped with raglan increases calculated at a rate specific to each size for proper armscye fit, and a few short rows to raise the back neck. Sleeves are put on hold while the body is shaped through the waist and hips to the hem, then the sleeves are worked to the cuffs; seamless construction is worked in the round throughout.

Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, backwards loop CO, working in the round, short rows; this pattern includes a link to my short rows tutorial.

Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 1” of negative ease

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Twist (100% merino wool; 150 yards/137m/100g); 5 (5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8) skeins, or approximately 700 (750, 800, 850, 900, 975, 1025, 1100, 1175, 1275) yards of aran weight yarn. Sample shown in Grapes.

Other Materials: US 10 (6mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (8); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 15 st and 24 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; after blocking.

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

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