Dec 122011
 
Ring of Velvet Sapphire - free!

Who doesn’t need a big, scrooshy seed stitch infinity cowl? I certainly, suddenly, do. This one is cast on using the brilliant moebius cast on as demonstrated by the incomparable Cat Bordhi in her moebius cast on tutorial video. It allows you to knit in the round, from the cast-on middle of the ring to the long outer edge, following the infinity moebius shape. And there’s not much more to it than that! Techniques & Skills Used: moebius CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions. Size: 9” height and 60” circumference. Yarn: Loops & Threads Cozy Wool (50% Acrylic, 50% Wool; 90 yards/127g); shown in Velvet; 3 skeins or 270 yards of superbulky yarn. The sample used all of the yardage, but size can be easily customized. Other Materials: US 13 (9mm) 60” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle or size K/6.5mm crochet hook for weaving ends. Gauge: 7 stitches and 16 rows/4” in seed stitch, after gentle blocking.Gauge is not critical for this project, . . .

Ruckowl

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Oct 262011
 
Ruckowl

A slouchy cowl with textural ruckles, Ruckowl features a three-dimensional tucked body made by knitting into the row below, and tidy turned hems. For a fun and cozy matched set, make it with the companion Ruckle Hat and Ruckle Mitts. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch. Size: S/M (M/L); 21 (24)” circumference, and 7” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g); 1 skein. Size M/L shown in Paris Night. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Spare US 9 circular needle, for closing folded hems; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle; Smooth cotton yarn for provisional CO and hem. Gauge: 16 st and 24 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after gentle blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.      

More Ruckles?!

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Oct 062011
 
More Ruckles?!

I did mention I’m into collections, right? I’ve made a whack of Ruckle hats, which I’ll show off a bit further along in this post. And the Mitts are in tech editing now, which means they’ll be released imminently. In the tradition of not leaving well enough alone, I’m also about to put the cowl out for testknitting. I really prefer to shoot than model, but my favorite mannequin is away on her class trip, and time is ticking. Mr. Diva has a good sense of light, but alas, we differ in ideas of composition. Not to worry; the proto shots get the idea across. One skein, semi-slouchy, and soft. After all, winter is coming.   And about those hats . . .

Sep 262011
 
Sailing To Byzantium

For over 1000 years, the Byzantine Empire stood as a symbol of Christian power in the eastern half of what had once been the Roman Empire, symbolizing a final link to the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans. Renamed Constantinople in 330 AD by Constantine I, the ancient city of Byzantium remained a center of wealth and power despite its fall to the western knights of the Fourth Crusade in 1203. The future of the city changed forever in 1453, when it was besieged by Sultan Mehmet II and the Ottoman Turks, overrun, and reborn as Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. A city of ancient Roman stonework, early Christian domes, towering Islamic minarets and intricate Ottoman tile and mosaics, Byzantium now stands for a dream of splendor and beauty straddling Europe and Asia Minor. Byzantine architecture is notable for its stacked shapes; minarets towering over domes, above arches and blocks. The repeating geometric motifs create a strong visual effect, in warm tones of sandstone, clay, stone and lead. The geometry is enhanced . . .

Sofya Cowl

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Sep 262011
 
Sofya Cowl

  Sofya Cowl is part of the Sailing To Byzantium Collection. This cozy slipstitch colorwork cowl, designed in both slouchy and fitted versions, recalls the intricate stacked shapes and vibrant colors of Ottoman architecture. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, corrugated ribbing, slipstitch colorwork; this pattern contains both fully written and charted instructions. Size: S/M (M/L): 18 (24)” circumference and 9” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g); 1 skein each MC and CC. Size M/L shown in Marron Oscuro (MC) and Continental Blue (CC); size S/M shown in Tortuga (MC) and Applewood (CC). Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker; Yarn needle. Gauge: 19 st and 38 rounds/4” in Lattice stitch pattern, after blocking. 19 st and 24 rounds/4” in Corrugated Rib; 18 st and 24 rounds/4” in stockinette st, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more and purchase the pattern.

Chic Mega Cowl

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Sep 262011
 
Chic Mega Cowl

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 . . .