Patterns • The Knitting Vortex • Page 13

Folderol-over-and-over-again

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Oct 282013

I promised another indie re-release of a design initially published in a magazine, and since it’s getting chilly, what’s better than a soft and warm tucked wrap made with worsted merino? The individual pattern download features a link to my video tutorial for the tuck stitch, and expanded notes and photos, all presented in my user- and printer-friendly format. “Folderol” means foolish nonsense, but this worsted crescent shawl is no trifle; the cozy wrap is made extra thick and warm with triple folds, curved gently with short rows, and finished neatly with applied I-cord. Knit from the bottom up and given texture and shape with tucks and decreases, Folderol is completely reversible and absolutely worthy. Techniques & Skills Used: cable and provisional CO, knit/purl, tucks, picking up stitches, short rows, decreasing, applied I-cord; this pattern includes written instructions as well as a link to my tuck stitch video tutorial. Size: 58” length, and 10” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% Merino) 210 yards/192m/ 100g; 3 skeins shown in Tuareg. The sample used approximately 525 . . .

Roam Cowl

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Oct 272013

Roam around in this luxury moebius cowl, featuring the reversible Roman Stripe lace stitch pattern. Using a moebius cast on, this infinity scarf is knit outward from the cast on edge, which becomes the middle of the cowl, until the outside edge is reached and bound off. Long rounds are balanced by a simple 7 row repeat that looks beautiful from both sides and lends itself to the infinity structure. Techniques & Skills Used: moebius CO, knit/purl, working in the round, easy lace; the lace stitch pattern is both written and charted. Size: 46” circumference and 10” tall. Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn & Fiber Caper Sock (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 400 yards/366m/113g), sample shown in Oban; 1 skein, or 400 yards of fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 14 st and 35 rows/4” in Roman Stripe stitch pattern. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished cowl, and different . . .

Tartania Hat

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Oct 172013

A plaid hat is just the thing for fall, and this easy tartan method requires no stranding and produces a graphic result. The horizontal colors are knit as stripes using one color at a time per row in a wide rib, then the vertical stripes are added at the end with a crochet hook in the purl columns; no crochet skills are needed – it’s as simple as picking up dropped stitches. Mix and match your colors with the cowl and mitts for an eye-catching accessories set. The Tartania Hat is available as part of the Hail, Tartania! ebook collection, which includes the cowl, hat and fingerless mitts. If you are using Malabrigo Merino Worsted, you should be able to make all three accessories with a total of 3 skeins, one in each color, if you use a different MC for each as in the sample photographs. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, cable CO, decreasing, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a chart and table for the plaid; a . . .

Slaunter

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Oct 082013

A slouchy sweater, good for sauntering around on errands and adventures when there’s just a bit of chill in the air, Slaunter has a boxy fit with a wide scooped neckline and longer back hem. The smooth reverse stockinette body contrasts with the highly textured hem, cuffs and neck trim, where the mistake rib stitch pattern turns up the style a notch. The side slits are neatly finished with self facings to keep the look polished, and extra fun comes from the knit detail that continues up from the hem along the sideseams. Wherever you Slaunter around, sweatshirt comfort meets stylish details in a modern and casual fit. Construction: The front and back Mistake Rib hems are worked flat, transitioning to reverse stockinette stitch, and then joined and worked in the round from the WS, to allow for knitting instead of purling. The body is worked in the round to the armholes, then divided and worked back and forth separately to the shoulders, which are joined with a 3-needle bind off. Neckline and sleeve cuffs are . . .

Tartania Cowl

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Oct 022013

Hail, Tartania! Who isn’t mad for plaid? This tartan cowl uses an easy non-stranded method to produce a graphic plaid. The horizontal colors are knit as stripes using one color at a time per row in a wide rib, then the vertical stripes are added at the end with a crochet hook in the purl columns; no crochet skills are needed – it’s as simple as picking up dropped stitches. Worked in the round in your choice of three colors, the possibilities are endless for this colorful and stylish accessory. The Tartania Cowl is part of Hail, Tartania! an ebook collection which also includes a matching hat and fingerless mitts. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a chart and table for the plaid; a video tutorial is provided for the non-stranded plaid technique. Size: 27” circumference and 10” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino; 210 yards/192m/100g); 1 skein each MC, CC1, and CC2. Shown in MC Hollyhock, CC1 Cadmium and CC2 . . .

Plaidscape

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Sep 162013

Capes are the new coats for fall, and Plaidscape features a topography of colors knit seamlessly from the top down in bulky weight wool. Choose classic colors, or indulge your rainbow fantasies, and learn a new skill for making plaid without stranding. The horizontal colors are knit as stripes using one color at a time per row in a wide rib, then the vertical stripes are added at the end with a crochet hook in the purl columns; no crochet skills are needed – it’s as simple as picking up dropped stitches. Construction: Plaidscape is cast on at the garter stitch collar, then the body is worked in the horizontal plaid pattern with raglan increases to the end of the wide elbow-length sleeves. The sleeves are divided from the body, which continues to grow in an A-line shape to the curved hem. The body and sleeve hems are worked in garter stitch, and applied I-cord neatly finishes the front edges; the double-breasted front closes with I-cord frogs and knots. Sizing Notes: The large scale plaid . . .

Koa

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Sep 032013

Koa is a shapely cardigan jacket with short sleeves, knit seamlessly in one piece using the contiguous method. Smooth stockinette stitch graces the body, while the fitted stand-up collar, hem and cuffs are garter stitch, with additional texture in the broken rib and garter button band, worked simultaneously with the body. Acacia koa is a species of flowering tree endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, which has rich golden brown wood; its name in the Hawaiian language, koa, also means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior. Be fearless and fabulous in this chic little jacket. Construction: Koa uses the contiguous method of construction, in which the fronts and back are worked from the top down using increases along the shoulder line, then seamless sleeves are worked simultaneously with the body once the sleeve cap is reached. The collar is cast on first, and the body grows seamlessly from it, incorporating stitches using short rows, with no picking up. Likewise the front button bands are worked simultaneously. A few increases shape the back neck to prevent it from rising . . .

Wisterious

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Aug 132013

The pretty lace pattern and slightly boxy fit of this tee make a sweet yet modern sweater. Worked seamlessly from the top down, Wisterious has a simple dolman shape with special details including ribbed trim with invisible tubular edges, shaped sleeve ribbing, and a feminine I-cord finish with petite buttons and button loops. Over a matching or contrast tank, Wisterious is both girly and casual. Construction: Cast on at the shoulders, Wisterious is worked separately for the front and back with dolman shaping for the sleeves, then joined at the underarm and worked in the round to the hem. A wide band of ribbing pulls in the body, ending neatly with an invisible tubular edge, and matching the sleeve hems which are picked up from the body and shaped with short rows to eliminate bulk under the arms. The final embellishment is an I-cord finish across the neckline and shoulders, which are closed with petite buttons and button loops worked into the I-cord. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, lace, short rows, applied I-cord, grafting; Wisterious . . .

Phi

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Aug 022013

The Golden Ratio, or Phi, represents harmony in nature, art and mathematics, and embodies the human perception of beauty. This asymmetric shawl harmoniously blends two colors to the Golden Mean, and then back again, using the Fibonacci sequence to determine the width of the stripes and their relation one to the next . . . All knitting, always pleasing, with a graphic , and harmonious result. Techniques & Skills Used: increasing/decreasing, knit; Phi includes instructions in written and quick table format, and a link to my video tutorial for carrying the unused color along the garter edge. Size: 90” length and 16” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Finito (100% merino; 200 yards/183m/50g; 2 skeins MC and 2 skeins CC, or about 370 and 300 yards respectively of fingering weight yarn. Sample shown in Plomo (MC) and Mostaza (CC). The yardage requirements ratio of MC to CC is approximately 1.25 : 1 – make sure you have about 80% as much CC as MC to complete the sequence. Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or . . .

Pomona Mitts

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Jul 182013

Among my favorite design themes, Harry Potter is undeniably one which keeps appearing as if by magic in my knitwear. The Magickal Quidditch Socks, Amortentia and Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love have been expressions in knit of my love for the wizarding world. Now I can show another small item, the Pomona Mitts, which I designed for The Unofficial Harry Potter Knits Special Issue from Interweave. Professor Pomona Sprout’s fingerless mitts reflect her personality; earthy, robust, and ready for hard work. Cast on provisionally at the outer edge of the hand, the fingerless Pomona Mitts are worked flat using short rows, then grafted for a seamless finish. The cuff is shaped into a point with increases and decreases, and made to flare with a short row wedge. The finger opening is embellished with a spikey picot edge worked by repeatedly casting on and binding off stitches, and an optional narrow decorative satin ribbon is laced through the eyelets on the back of the hand as embellishment. A rich and tweedy yarn brings depth and . . .

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