Patterns • The Knitting Vortex • Page 15

Five Short Row Shawls

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Jan 312013

Short rows are one of my all-time favorite knitting techniques. They easily allow you to shape your knitwear, for better fit and more intriguing angles. In the Five Short Row Shawls collection, I’ve used this technique to create five simple garter one-skein shawls, each with a different and unique construction. While I love crescents, topdown triangles and bias boomerangs, the five wraps in this book use short rows imaginatively to create some of these familiar shapes in totally new ways. By choosing a single skein of a beautiful variegated or semi-solid yarn worked in garter stitch, the focus is entirely on the rhythmic and magical process of knitting short rows. The results are both simple, and singularly stunning. Each pattern may be purchased individually, or all together as an ebook with a special price that equals getting one pattern for free. The collection includes Triangulate, Piewhacket, Rondelay, Aerophile, and Rufflebye; see them all together as Five Short Row Shawls on Ravelry or on Payhip.

Rufflebye

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Jan 312013

A new take on the ruffle shawl, Rufflebye is a one-skein, reversible wrap worked sideways in three garter stitch wedges which cleverly intersect to change the knitting direction. Increases and decreases create the shape from tip to tip, while two sets of short rows throughout form the crescent shape and the gently ruffled edging. Construction: Rufflebye is cast on at one tip with a few stitches, increased to the halfway point then decreased again to the other tip, and shaped with short rows throughout. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, short rows. Size: one size; 45” length and 10” depth. Rufflebye forms a natural semi-circle and measures 40” along inner semi-circumference, and 72” along outer semi-circumference, measured without stretching. The 12-stitch ruffle is approximately 2.6” and begins as soon as there are enough stitches. Yarn: Indigodragonfly MerGoat Sock (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon, 400 yards/366m/115g); 1 skein, shown in My Boyfriend Had A Bicentennial (Buffy). See Designer’s Notes for instructions to adjust for differing yardage. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40″circular needle, or size to match . . .

Aerophile

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Jan 172013

Aerophile is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl with narrow wings that stretch wide like a soaring bird which loves to fly. Each wing is knit using short rows from a provisionally cast on central spine, while the scalloped top edge is created by casting on additional stitches every six rows. After both wings are complete, a loopy super-picot edging binds off the live stitches along the bottom edge. Choose a beautiful yarn as the focus of the shawl, and let the uncomplicated fabric and simple textural edgings highlight the fiber. Construction: Aerophile is provisionally cast on at the center vertical, and each wing is worked separately in short rows to the side. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, backwards loop CO, Cable CO, knit, increasing, short rows. Size: one size; 52” length and 18” depth. Yarn: Dream In Color Smooshy (100% merino, 450 yards/411m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Deep Seaflower. The sample used approximately 425 yards of light fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO . . .

Piewhacket

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Dec 052012

Piewhacket is a one-skein garter shawl constructed from three sequential short row triangles which build on each other, with a final uneven edging knit from live stitches using additional short rows. The resulting asymmetrical shape drapes perfectly around the neck and shoulders, and is completely reversible for ultimate wearability. The short row shaping means never having to work a huge number of stitches, and also shows off the unique beauty of variegated or semi-solid yarn. Construction: Piewhacket is cast on and worked entirely in short rows as a series of three connected triangles. The short row border is worked from live stitches and accentuates the points of the long and narrow edging. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing, short rows. Size: one size; 52” length along top edge and 8” depth (12” depth at points). Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool, 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Abril. The sample used approximately 375 yards of light fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers . . .

Rondelay

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Nov 132012

Rondelay is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl constructed from three sequential half rounds or rondels, which grow from cast on stitches using both short rows and strategically placed radial yarnover increases. Each rondel builds upon the previous one, creating a finished semi-circular shape that drapes beautifully as it wraps around the shoulders. Designed to show off the colors of a variegated or hand dyed skein, Rondelay looks equally fantastic in a solid color. Construction: Each rondel is knit using short rows, incorporating additional stitches from the cast on into each row, and at the same time increasing stitches by making yarn overs on a few strategic rows. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, short rows. Size: one size; 50” length along top edge and 9” depth at widest part of rondel. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino, 440 yards/402m/ 100g); 1 skein, shown in Indiecita. The sample used approximately 410 yards of light fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 36 rows/4” in . . .

Triangulate

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Nov 072012

Triangulate is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl composed of two triangles with a chevron border, and is designed to show off the colors of a variegated skein, using simple stitches and beautiful yarn. The shawl begins with a provisional cast on at the center, and is knit outwards in two triangular halves using short rows. The wide edging is knit continuously from the live stitches with no picking up stitches necessary, and may be made narrower or wider to accommodate varying yardages. The unusual construction results in a deceptively simple shape that is uncomplicated yet interesting to knit, and versatile to wear. Construction: this shawl is provisionally cast on at the center vertical, and each half of the central triangle is worked in short rows to the side. The chevron edging may be customized to be wider or narrower, depending on your preference and available yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, increasing, short rows. Size: one size; 58” length and 19” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool, 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown . . .

Chunnel Mitts

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Nov 012012

The Chunnel Mitts are long armwarmers with fitted rib cuffs and hands, and deep textural gauntlet forearms which can be scrunched up or worn straight depending on the weather and your coat sleeve length. An easy and fast knit with a thumb slit and no increasing or decreasing, the deep channel tunnels of the gauntlet stitch pattern do an excellent job of breaking up pooling in variegated yarns. Weave the ends in neatly and the Chunnel Mitts are completely reversible, showing a different but equally attractive pattern on the reverse side. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, knitting into the stitch below with link to my tutorial, working in the round. Size: S (M, L): to fit 6.5 (7.5, 8.5)” palm circumference; 4 (4, 5)” length from wrist and 7 (8.25, 9.25)” cuff length. The Chunnel Mitts are very stretchy; size M will fit a wide range of hand sizes from teen to women’s large. Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (100% Superwash Merino; 210 yards/192m/100g), Size M shown in Candombe and Azules; 1 (1, 2) skeins, or . . .

Plixi

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Oct 182012

Plixi is a long and lean open front cardigan, with gentle waist shaping and a flowing ruffle at the front edge and cuffs. Worked seamlessly from the top down in a drapey fingering weight yarn on larger needles, Plixi uses the contiguous method of seamless shoulder and sleeve construction, with a picked-up ruffle along the front edge, and a simple purled hem finish. Long, slim, and elegant, Plixi works with jeans or a dress, for a sleek and chic style to elevate any outfit. Construction: Plixi 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 once the sleeve cap is reached. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail and backwards loop CO, contiguous construction, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing, lifted increases, picking up stitches, simultaneous shaping; links are included to my short rows and contiguous construction tutorials. Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 44, 48)” bust; sample shown in second size worn with no ease. Yarn: RYC . . .

Pauroxo

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters 1 Response »

Oct 012012

A shapely topdown raglan with extended front panels, Pauroxo has a swingy A-line shape when worn open, and an enfolding cropped jacket vibe when closed with a shawl pin or belt. This easy cardigan is knit seamlessly with simple rolled front edges, Twisted Rib hem and cuffs, and a picked up collar band in Cable and Twist Rib. Pau Roxo is Portuguese for purple wood, and this cardigan is inspired by the striking deep violet wood from the Purpleheart tree found in tropical rainforests. Construction: Pauroxo is knit seamlessly from the top down with raglan sleeve shaping; the body and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch to the armhole depth, then the body is divided from the sleeves and worked with gentle waist shaping to the narrow Twisted Rib hem. Relaxed sleeves are then worked to just below elbow length and finished with matching Twisted Rib cuffs. Stitches are picked up along the neckline and worked in a decorative Cable & Twist Rib. Waist shaping placement and length may be customised easily; just try on this . . .

Melony, A Very Chic Cowl

Accessories, Patterns 1 Response »

Sep 262012

Part of the Very Chic series, Melony is a sideways-knit, cabled cowl which is made extra soft and scrunchy by dropping stitches between wide ribs. It is worked flat, with a provisional cast on which is grafted to the final row, to create a seamless circle. Fitted to hug the neck but stretchy enough to be comfortable, Melony is a chic little neckwarmer designed to keep out the chill. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, cables, dropped stitches, grafting or optional 3-needle bind off; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions, and a photo tutorial for grafting the cables. Size: 6” tall and 18” circumference, after gentle blocking. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Polar Morn. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (3); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling; 5 non-slippery US 9 dpns or straight needles, preferably two different colors, for grafting. Gauge: 16 st and 20 rows/4” in . . .

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