New Release • The Knitting Vortex • Page 8

Shadowling

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Jan 192016

A topography of shadow cables is knit as a flat rectangle and folded, then two short seams form this cocoon cardigan. Short rows shape the wide ribbed edging, creating a warm and dramatic shawl collar that hugs all the right places; an elegant applied I-cord neatly finishes the edges and cuffs. Construction: Shadowling is cast on provisionally and worked as a flat rectangle to the final body row, which is left live. The piece is folded horizontally and seamed, leaving armhole openings; stitches are picked up around the openings and worked in the round for long ribbed cuffs, and finished with applied I-cord. CO and final row stitches are then worked in the round in rib with short rows to shape the shawl collar, and the long edge also finished with applied I-cord. Instructions are written for the German short row method, but your preferred method may be substituted. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, cable CO, knit/purl, cables, short rows, working in the round, applied I-cord; stitch pattern is both written and charted, with a link . . .

Embrace Me Mitts

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Dec 302015

Embrace Me Mitts are the second pattern in the Winter 2015-2016 Shalimar Yarns Indulge Me! Club, and feature an exclusive, embraceable color of Breathless Cush yarn. For more information about Kristi’s lovely bases and colorways, check out Shalimar Yarns. Luxurious bulky yarn and a subtle Crossover Twist stitch pattern make these fingerless mitts special. Written in two sizes, they feature an atypical thumb gusset which creates a natural fit that is both comfortable and elegant. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, working in the round. Size: S/M (M/L); 6.5 (7.5)” length and 7 (8)” palm circumference, measured flat and unstretched. Yarn: Shalimar Yarns Breathless Cush (75% superwash merino wool, 15% cashmere, 10% silk; 145 yards/132m/114g), size M/L shown in Embrace Me; 1 skein, or approximately 90 (100) yards of chunky weight yarn. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2); Stitch holder; Yarn needle. Gauge: 16 st and 22 rows/4” in Crossover Twist stitch pattern and in stockinette stitch, . . .

Evenlight

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Dec 152015

Evenlight combines a textural check stitch on the body with repeating purl stripes on the sleeves; a wide raglan line and wider purl stripe spacing below the shoulders adds even more visual interest. Seamless raglan construction and simple stitches pair together with a casual fit in this easygoing pullover. Construction: Evenlight is knit seamlessly from the top down using raglan construction, in a textured check pattern on the body and stockinette with purl stripes on the sleeves. Stitches are cast on at the neckline, the front neck is shaped in a few rows, then 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 without shaping to the ribbed hem. Long sleeves are then continued, with the purl stripes spaced further apart, to the matching ribbed cuffs. Stitches are picked up for the crew neckband and worked in garter stitch. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, purlwise cable CO, backwards loop CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, working in the round; . . .

Snowsweep

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Dec 012015

Sweeping rows of eyelets, placed gradually further apart, curve along this reversible shawl. Worked from a few stitches at one tip, the garter stitch grows asymmetrically with picots at one edge, to a matching picot finish. A simple knit with dramatic results, Snowsweep may be customized to use any amount of yardage, and to adjust the frequency of eyelet accent rows. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, picots. Size: 74” length and 24” depth, customizable. Yarn: Woolfolk Sno (100% Ovis 21 ultimate merino wool; 223 yards/204m/50g), shown in Color No. 1+2 (pale grey and off white); 4 skeins. The sample as written used approximately 780 yards, but any amount of fingering weight yarn may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; 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. See it on Ravelry or . . .

Seedstripes

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Nov 102015

Worked in the round from the top down, Seedstripes is an earflap hat that is full of interest. Disappearing loop cast on, textured knitting and a few simple, well-placed short rows combine for an engaging knit; add a pompom for even more fun! Techniques & Skills Used: disappearing loop CO, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing. This pattern includes links to my disappearing loop CO and short row tutorials. Size: S (M, L) to fit about 20 (22, 24)” head circumference; hat measures 17.75 (20, 22.25)” circumference and 8.5 (9, 10)” height at earflap. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 1 skein, or approximately 140 (150, 175) yards of worsted weight yarn. Sample size Small shown in Natural. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 5 dpns or circular needle for CO; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 34 rows/4” in seed stitch, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or . . .

Not Quite Plaid

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Oct 082015

Colorblocks, stripes and vertical dropped stitches – it’s Not Quite Plaid, but looks vaguely tartan. An asymmetric bias shape and an atypical approach to creating a stitch pattern result in a fabric on which to combine colors for a nontraditional and modern shawl that is infinitely customizable. Choose colors and yarns that speak to you from your stash for your own perfect (not quite) plaid. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing; instructions are both fully written and charted. Size: 84” length and 32” depth, customizable to any size. Yarn: Baah! La Jolla (100% merino wool; 400 yards/366m/100g); 1 skein each of color A/Night Sky, color B/Obsidian, color C/Grey Onyx and color D/La Perla. A plied sock yarn with a somewhat tight twist helps maintain the integrity of the dropped stitches. The sample used approximately 275/100/205/215 yards respectively of colors A/B/C/D but any amount of yarn in any combination may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; marker (1); removable markers (optional); Yarn . . .

Sangaree

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Sep 212015

A relaxed pullover full of of texture, Sangaree is perfect between seasons when you need a pretty layer over a shirt or tank top. Worsted weight cotton blend yarn, simple topdown raglan seamless construction and eye catching stitches combine in a versatile and high impact sweater. Construction: Sangaree is knit seamlessly from the top down using raglan construction, in an alternating wide stripe pattern of lace and elongated stockinette. Stitches are cast on at the neckline, the front neck is shaped in a few rows worked back and forth, then 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 without shaping to the narrow rib hem. Bracelet length sleeves are then continued in pattern to the ribbed cuffs. Stitches are picked up for the neckband and worked in matching narrow rib. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, purlwise cable CO, backwards loop CO, working in the round; stitch patterns are both written and charted and . . .

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 . . .

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 . . .

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, . . .

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