Patterns • The Knitting Vortex • Page 19

Helena’s Folly

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Sep 262011

Le Rayon Vert, or the Green Ray, “has the virtue of making him who has seen it impossible to be deceived in matters of sentiment; at its apparition, all deceit and falsehood are done away, and he who has been fortunate enough once to behold it is enabled to see closely into his own heart and read the thoughts of others.” In Jules Verne’s Le Rayon Vert, heroine Helena Campbell refuses love until she has succeeded in seeing the Green Ray. While evading her suitor, she unwittingly falls in love with another young man, and ultimately misses the appearance of the enlightening Green Ray because she is staring deeply into the eyes of her true love. Is Helena’s Folly believing in the power of the Green Ray, or is it allowing herself to fall in love without safeguards? Perhaps this sweater will bring an enlightening answer. With a sweetly relaxed silhouette, drapey cap sleeves and turned bottom and neck hems, it is a romantic knit for an insightful knitter. Construction: Helena’s Folly is meant to . . .

Patty Ann

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Sep 262011

Perfect as a light layering piece, Patty Ann is a casual, open front vest knit in Seed stitch with rib edgings. Worked from the bottom up with gentle shaping at the hip and bust and a few short rows to shape the shoulders, only minimal finishing of the back neckband and armhole edging is required. The lean, simple shape is easy to wear and attractive for any body, and the textural stitches bring just enough interest and show off a beautiful hand dyed yarn. Construction: An easy knit worked from the bottom up, Patty Ann is a long vest with gentle shaping at the hip and bust for an attractive fit. Stitches are cast on for the hem and worked in K2P1 Rib, then the body transitions to textured Seed stitch, with K1P1 Rib bands worked simultaneously at the front edges. After the body shaping, front and back are divided at the underarm, with armhole shaping to reduce bulk. A few short rows shape the shoulders, which are joined with a 3-needle bind off. Only minimal . . .

Chic Mega Cowl

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Sep 262011

Part of the Very Chic series, this oversized cowl features elongated cables, made extra fluffy and fluid by dropping select stitches between cable twists. Shaping narrows the top of the cowl, making it easy to wear over or under a coat, and hugging your neck while still fitting smoothly over the shoulders. The generous depth frames your face and creates a yoke, so both shoulders and neck stay warm and chic. Techniques & Skills Used: long-tail CO, knit/purl, cables, dropped stitches, decreasing, knitting in the round; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions. Size: 15” tall and 18” circumference at top edge/24” circumference at bottom edge, after gentle blocking. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 2 skeins, shown in Polar Morn. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 24” circular needle; Stitch markers (4); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling. Gauge: 16 st and 20 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one cable is approximately 2.5” wide. The sample used almost all of two skeins; while gauge is . . .

Very Chic Scarf

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Sep 262011

Part of the Very Chic series, this scarf is a fantastic introduction to the technique of dropping stitches between cables, to make soft and drapey accessories. With no grafting or shaping, the focus is on the panel of three staggered, elongated cables, made extra fluid by dropping stitches strategically between select cable twists. The result is a fluffy and flowing skinny scarf that naturally curls slightly inward, creating an attractive and wrappable semi-tube that is both functional and fun. Techniques & Skills Used: longtil CO, knit/purl, cables, dropped stitches; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions. Size: 5” wide and 80” long, after gentle blocking. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 2 skeins, shown in Violetas. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) needles; Stitch Markers (3); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling. Gauge: 16 st and 20 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one cable is approximately 2.5” wide. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger . . .

She-Cat, A Chic Hat

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Sep 262011

Part of the Very Chic series, She-Cat is a chic little hat with a sideways-cabled brim and sleek reverse stockinette crown, it’s interesting to knit and perfect to wear everywhere. Dropped stitches between cables create an extra soft and stretchy brim, and add just enough knitting excitement and fashion-y detail. Techniques & Skills Used: Provisional CO, knit/purl, decreasing, cables, dropped stitches, knitting in the round, grafting or optional 3-needle bind off; this pattern includes both a chart for the brim and full written instructions, and a photo tutorial for grafting the cables. Size: S/M (M/L); 20 (22.5)” circumference, unstretched, after gentle blocking. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, or approximately 100 (130) yards of worsted weight yarn. Size S shown in Apple Green and Size L shown in Hollyhock. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (2); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with . . .

Kind Of Very Chic

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Sep 262011

The original design that sparked the Very Chic series, these handwarmers can be made as fingerless mitts or as gloves, each with scrunchy, sideways-cabled cuffs. Wear them with jeans or a little black dress; they’re kind of very chic! Kind of Very Chic may be made as fingerless mitts or as gloves. Stitches are cast on provisionally for the cuff, which is worked back and forth in a pattern of alternating cables with select columns of dropped stitches between them. The cuff is grafted closed, or alternatively, a 3-needle bind off may be used. Stitches for the hand are then picked up along one edge of the cuff, and the hand is worked with the thumb stitches set aside on a holder. Variations are given to finish the fingertip opening of the mitts with a narrow band of ribbing, or to make a full-fingered version of the gloves. The thumb is worked last from the held stitches. The cuff may be worked from the chart or the full written instructions; a photo tutorial is also . . .

Razor Cardi

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Sep 262011

A pretty little cropped cardigan to wear on a summer evening and into the fall, the Razor Cardi is worked from the top down and seamlessly, in allover razor lace. Just two simple rows, the easy lace delivers style with minimal complexity, while a seed stitch front edge and single rib hem & cuffs add extra texture. With no finishing other than adding a button, the Razor Cardi is delightfully quick. Construction: The Razor Cardi is cast on at the neckline, and worked back and forth with raglan construction, in a simple lace pattern with seed stitch front edges and rib trim. Body and sleeves are divided at the armscye depth, then the body is worked to the ribbed hem. Short sleeves are then finished with narrow ribbing, which matches the neckband. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, raglan construction, increasing, easy lace; the lace pattern is both written and charted, with instructions for increasing in pattern. Size: 30 (31.5, 35, 38.5, 41, 44.5, 46, 50.5)” bust; sample shown in second size worn with . . .

ArachnoMania

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Sep 242011

The ArachnoMania collection contains two shawl patterns, in five sizes and two yarn weights. See it on Ravelry, to read more and buy the pattern collection. Arachnophilia is a long crescent-shaped stole with deep cobweb frill border, which uses short row shaping in the stockinette stitch body, and thoughtfully placed beads to highlight the edges and transition rows. Dropped stitches create the open weblike edging, and beaded twisted rib accents the gently curved shape. This shawl is knit from the bottom up, with instructions included for both Sock and DK weight yarn; the edging may also be customized for depth by knitting fewer or more rows. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, dropped stitches, short rows, beading (crochet hook & prestrung methods). Size: Sock yarn shawl: 65” wingspan and 9” depth, (DK shawl: 60” wingspan and 12” depth). Yarn: Sock yarn shawl: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 440 yards/112g); 1 skein, shown in Thunderstorm. DK shawl: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool; 150 yards/50g); 2 skeins, shown in London . . .

Venomous Tentacula

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Sep 222011

This garter stitch shawl is knit sideways and features an unusual tentacular edging of openwork, and optional beads. Venomous recalls Harry Potter’s Venomous Tentacula, a green, spikey plant with mobile vines that grab living prey, aggressive shoots that expel venom, and a poisonous bite. The sideways edging is made by repeatedly binding off and casting on stitches, creating a pattern of holes. Any yarn and any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes to ensure a symmetrical shawl and to prevent running out of yarn. Size: 50” length and 20” depth; the edging is approximately 6” deep. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% merino wool; 440 yards/402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Aguas. Any amount of yardage may be used; see Designer’s Notes to ensure a symmetrical shawl and to prevent running out of yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 24” circular needles, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Size 10 (1.15mm) crochet hook, for placing beads, optional; 120 size 6/0 seed beads, optional – this number will change if using more or less yardage; Yarn needle. Gauge: 24 st and . . .

Elysium

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Sep 152011

Wrap yourself in the wonderful feeling of this easy, sideways-knit boxy cardigan, worked in stretchy garter stitch with short row yoke shaping. Elysium is knit in one piece from left front around the body to right front; it requires no seaming and can be worn right off the needles. Three turning points in the short row shaping delineate body, yoke and collar, creating a shapely fit around the upper body. The stretchy garter stitch and open style make it suitable for many shapes and sizes; written in ten sizes, Elysium may be further customized in length or circumference. Techniques & Skills Used: knit, short rows. Size: 31.5 (33.5, 35.75, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46.25, 48.5, 50.5)” bust, with fronts closed. This boxy cardigan has shaping only at the yoke; for a good fit, choose a finished size based on upper bust measurement, or with no ease/some negative ease at the bust. Elysium should be fitted at the yoke, stretch slightly over the bust, and then skim the lower torso. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% merino . . .

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