Dec 012014
 
Elizabel

Feminine fit, sporty stripes and a fancy rib split hem combine in the versatile Elizabel sweater. The simultaneous set-in sleeves, short row shoulders and lightly scooped neckline flatter the upper torso, while gentle waist shaping continues the attention to your curves. Bracelet length sleeves and a refined I-cord neck finish are pretty and practical at work or play anytime. 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 . . .

Tortue Swing

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Oct 222014
 
Tortue Swing

Originally published in knit.wear Fall 2013, this sweater pattern is now available as an individual pdf download from The Knitting Vortex with expanded instructions and slightly tweaked sizing. This sophisticated pullover is knit side to side as an oversized rectangle with minimal finishing. A comfy and easy silhouette, the ample body proportions are balanced by the slim ribbed sleeves and turtleneck, with the added detail of an asymmetrical faux front opening. The lower fronts are free to swing open, enhancing the relaxed attitude and uncomplicated style of this outerwear layering piece. Construction: In this sideways sweater, row gauge determines circumference, while stitch gauge determines length; measurements are ample, providing plenty of ease for your desired fit. Tortue is knit sideways in stockinette stitch with a knit-in narrow rib hem. The underlapping left front is cast on first and worked to the edge of the neck opening then placed on hold; the right front and back are cast on and worked to the neck, with the back placed on hold while the overlapping right front is finished. . . .

Silverado

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Sep 242014
 
Silverado

A seamless cardigan with swingy fronts and unusual construction, Silverado is the best kind of simple yet interesting knitting. Texture abounds in the reverse stockinette ground, ribbed sleeves and 3-dimensional wave cables, finished with a simple applied I-cord front and neck edge. The cozy wrap front can be worn open or closed with a pin, and is just the right layer when there’s a chill in the air. Construction: The back and sleeves of Silverado begin in the topdown raglan style, then as the sleeves are divided from the body, stitches are picked up along the front raglan seamlines for the fronts, which are shaped with increases and cables. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, longtail CO, backwards loop CO, picking up stitches, cables, applied I-cord (cable CO). Silverado is a fully written pattern, with the cables both written and charted; there is also a video tutorial for the applied I-cord. Size: 33 (34.5, 36.5, 38, 40, 42.5, 45.5, 48, 50.5)” upper bust, based on twice the back width at bottom of armhole; . . .

Tarry

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Aug 082014
 
Tarry

Stop and smell the roses; linger with the sunset, and tarry awhile. This relaxed tee is meant for lazy mornings, long lunches, and walks in the gentle moonlight. Worked seamlessly from the top down in a cotton and linen blend, it features lacy saddle shoulders for a touch of pretty whimsy, and a smooth stockinette body with matching lace panels at each side, all knit seamlessly to the rounded hems. Wear it on gentle, warm days wherever you wander. Construction: Tarry is a feminine tee, designed to be easy and casual with a semi-fitted boxy silhouette. The lace shoulder saddles are worked first, then stitches are picked up for the front and and back, which are shaped with a few short rows and worked back and forth to the bottom of the armholes. The body is then joined to work in the round, including the lace insets at each sideseam, with gentle shaping through the waist and hip. The curved shirttail hem is worked back and forth using short rows, and finished all in one piece . . .

Shadow Dial

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Jul 232014
 
Shadow Dial

Light as a whisper and soft as a shadow, this simple tank top is knit in stockinette stitch with flutter cap sleeves. Laceweight yarn on larger needles creates a fabric with beautiful drape, while gentle waist shaping and simple details keep the look uncomplicated. The body is worked seamlessly from the bottom up with a scooped neckline and narrow purl edgings; stitches are picked up around the armholes then rapidly increased and worked in short rows to create the focal feature flutter sleeves. Shadow Dial is pretty and light, and just right for summer. Shadow Dial is a new version of the Sundial Tee, which was published in Knitscene Summer 2013. It has more drape and an improved fit at a slightly more relaxed gauge of 24 st and 34 rows/4”, with an expanded range of ten sizes, which all include added length and a reshaped upper body with better strap coverage and a more deeply scooped front neckline. Additional detailed instructions for the upper body and flutter sleeve shaping have also been included, with . . .

Sundial Tee

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Jul 232014
 
Sundial Tee

Originally published in Knitscene Summer 2013, my Sundial Tee pattern is also available as an individual download from The Knitting Vortex. I’ve added just a bit of length, but other than that the pattern remains a close-fitting tank as it first appeared in the magazine. I’ve also included expanded shaping instructions for the neckline and the short row flutter sleeves, as well as linked my short row tutorial. Sundial is a very fitted tank; for a slightly more relaxed, modern fit knit at a larger gauge, I’ve also reworked the design and expanded the size range to ten sizes as Shadow Dial, available on Ravelry and Payhip. Whichever you choose, the soft and luscious laceweight yarn makes a pretty, romantic tee for the summer. A splash of color flutters in the breeze, drawing the eye . . . like a poppy in the field. This simple tank top is knit in stockinette stitch with short row flutter sleeves. Laceweight yarn worked at a small gauge creates a wearable and figure-conscious fabric, which hugs the body . . .

Layercake

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Jul 162014
 
Layercake

A delicious cropped cardigan worked seamlessly from the top down, Layercake features raglan construction and narrow stripes. Long ribbed cuffs end three-quarter length sleeves and match the wide hem which defines the waist. The ribbed buttonband is picked up and worked along the deep V-neck. In confectionary hues or your favorite color combination, this sweet cardi is a light layer over any outfit. Construction: Layercake is cast on at the neckline, and worked with raglan construction and front neckline increases to create the deep V-neck, with 2-row stripes throughout. Sleeves are divided and put on hold, while the body is worked straight to the deep ribbed hem. Bracelet length sleeves are then worked with shaping to similar deep cuffs. Finally, stitches are picked up all along the front edge and neck, and a 1″ ribbed buttonband is worked with yarnover buttonholes. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, backwards loop CO. Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)” bust; sample shown in fourth size worn with 1” of positive ease . . .

Lorem Ipsum

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May 292014
 
Lorem Ipsum

A feminine cropped cardigan with geometric eyelets, Lorem Ipsum is knit seamlessly from the top down, incorporating simple lace with the techniques of raglan sweater knitting. In graphic design, Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet begins the scrambled Latin text often used as a placeholder, focusing attention on the style elements of a document. Likewise, this easily-memorized, small scale pattern highlights the raglan sleeves and deeply scooped neckline, without competing. The lace is designed to flow without interruption around the cardi, transitioning to a flattering single rib hem, cuffs and neckline. With a simultaneously worked garter button band and minimal finishing, the focus is all on style in this flattering little sweater. Construction: Lorem Ipsum is cast on at the neckline and worked in an allover lace pattern, with raglan construction and a deep front scoopneck. Sleeves are divided and put on hold, while the body is worked straight to the hem. Slim bracelet length sleeves are then worked with shaping to the cuffs. Finally, stitches are picked up all along the front edge and neck, and . . .

Mar 132014
 
Spring Scoop(neck)

I’m pleased to announce that as of June 2015, Box Pleat is available as an individual pdf pattern from my Ravelry store. I’ve extended the size range to 10 sizes from 36.5 to 57.25 (and suggest it be worn with about 6″of positive ease), and expanded the pattern instructions and notes, as per my usual pattern style and format. See all the details and the new photos on my new blog post, and on Ravelry. I buy all the knitting magazines, and my favorite by far is knit.wear from Interweave – so modern, with beautiful, simple photography and exactly the kinds of things I like to knit. Having a design published is always exciting, but I’m extra-jazzed about my Box Pleat Scoopneck sweater, which is in the Spring/Summer issue of knit.wear. Box pleats can easily bring to mind classic schoolgirls with blazers and penny loafers, so the challenge here was to design a clean updated look that a modern girl would want to wear. I kept the fabric simple stockinette, and gave the boxy sweater . . .

The Fisher Queen

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Feb 242014
 
The Fisher Queen

A modern take on the fisherman sweater, The Fisher Queen blends classic cable and rib elements with a non-traditional shape and construction. Heavily textured Mistake Rib, along with Honeycomb and Snake cables cover the front and back, while the fitted sleeves are worked in Rib. The slim modified dolman sleeves, scooped neck and curved hem bring updated details to the silhouette, mixing traditional and modern in a contemporary classic. Construction: The Fisher Queen is worked seamlessly from the top down; the shoulder saddles are knit first, with stitches picked up for front and back and worked flat to below the armhole, then joined to work in the round. Long, skinny sleeves are picked up and worked in rib, then finished with twisted rib cuffs, matching the hem and neckband. Techniques & Skills Used: backwards loop CO, knit/purl, cables, decreasing, short rows, picking up stitches, grafting. Body stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 31 (35, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55)” bust; shown in third size worn with 4” of positive ease. For a similar . . .