Fingerless mitts with a beaded and scalloped French cuff, the Escallop Mitts add a bit of decoration to any ensemble. The cuff is knit flat, then joined in the round to knit the garter stitch hand; buttons display your personal style and close the cuff. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), working in the round, 3-needle BO; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and a link to my beading tutorial is included. Size: S/M (M/L); 6 (7)” palm circumference and 8.75 (9.5)” length measured flat; to fit 7-7.75 (7.75-8.5)” hand circumference. Cuff is one size; the extremely stretchy garter stitch hand fits a wide range of hand sizes. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 420 yards/112g); 2 (3) skeins. Size S/M shown in Alizarin. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle or dpns, or size to match gauge; Spare US 6 (4mm) needle for 3-needle bind off; 96 size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (2); Yarn . . .
Escallop Hooded Capelet
A garter stitch hooded capelet with an elaborate beaded and scalloped lower edge, the Escallop Capelet is knit from the bottom up beginning with the beaded lace edging, then shaped to hug the shoulders with decorative raglan decreases. A shallow hood frames the face, and features a pointed top shaped with short rows and grafted; pompom I-cord ties complete the whimsy. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), short rows, grafting, I-cord, pompoms; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and links to my beading, short rows and grafting tutorials are included. Size: S/M (M/L); 8 (12)” from neck to bottom of scalloped edge and 58 (74)” lower edge circumference. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 420 yards/112g); 2 (3) skeins. Size S/M shown in Alizarin. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 6 (4mm) dpns or circular needle for making I-cord; 336 (480) size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (8); Yarn . . .
Lumina is a reversible, squared semicircular shawl inspired by a glowing, hand-dyed silk blend yarn in a beautifully draping DK weight. Beginning with a garter tab cast on, it is fully reversible with a garter stitch body and easy transitions to the lace edging patterns. Designed to maximize every yard of a special yarn, instructions are included to customize for differing amounts of yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab provisional CO, knit/purl, lace; this pattern includes both charts and written instructions for the lace edging. Size: 15” deep and 42” across wingspan, after blocking. Yarn: Barking Dog Yarns Cassiopeia (50% Merino, 50% Silk; 230 yards/100g); 2 skeins, shown in Pinot Noir. For similar size and drape, choose a wool and silk blend dk weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle; US 9 (5.5mm) for bind off; Stitch markers (6); Yarn needle; Scrap yarn for provisional CO. Gauge: 20 st and 30 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in . . .
Selimiye
Selimiye is part of the Sailing To Byzantium Collection. A long crescent shaped stole, this shawl is reminiscent of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey. Knit from the bottom up with dome & minaret edging, the body is then worked in stockinette stitch with gentle shaping created by short rows. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows, bobbles; the lace edging is both written and charted, with links to my short rows and special lace stitch tutorials. Size: 58” length and 17” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool; 150 yards/137m/50g); 3 skeins, shown in Topaz, or approximately 400 yards of wool/silk blend dk weight yarn. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 14 st and 30 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more and purchase the . . .
Iznik
Iznik shawlette is part of the Sailing To Byzantium Collection. A one-skein shawlette, Iznik is knit sideways in garter stitch with a knit-in floral lace border reminiscent of Turkish Iznik ceramic tile motifs. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, lace; the lace edging is both fully written and charted, with links to my special lace stitch tutorials. Size: 42” length and 17” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool; 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Playa, or approximately 370 yards of fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2); Yarn needle. Gauge: 24 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more and purchase the pattern.
Originally published in the Classic Elite Yarn web-letter, which sadly no longer exists, Utsukushii is now available as an individual pdf pattern in my usual style and format. Utsukushii means lovely or beautiful in Japanese, and this lovely long cloudlike stole is knit in silk and alpaca blend laceweight yarn, featuring a Japanese Feather lace pattern framing simple stockinette panels. The lace stitch pattern undulates gently from side to side, creating a feeling of lightness and movement. Knit at an open gauge on larger needles, and generous enough to enfold you comfortingly, Utsukushii is a warm yet weightless wrap that lends loveliness to any occasion. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, easy lace; instructions are both fully written and charted. Size: 64” length and 22” depth, customizable to accommodate varying amounts of yardage. Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Silky Alpaca Lace (70% alpaca, 30% silk; 440 yards/402m/50g), shown in Perfect Storm; 2 skeins, or approximately 880 yards of laceweight yarn. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 24” circular or straight needles, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (11); Yarn . . .
Stolitsa
A multi-season dolman sleeve cardigan, Stolitsa transitions perfectly to suit the changing weather from autumn through spring. Worked from the top down with integrated sleeves, the front panels feature chunky lace scaled appropriately across the size range. Wide rib-finished hem, cuffs and a shaped collar that hugs the neck complete this versatile layering piece. Construction: Stolitsa is cast on provisionally at the shoulders, with back and fronts worked separately to the armhole. Sleeve stitches are put on hold and later grafted at the undersleeve seams; the fronts and back are joined and worked back and forth to the hem, with Vine Lace panels on each front, appropriate to match the size. Rib details finish the hem, cuffs and buttonband, and a few short rows softly shape the ribbed collar. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, short rows, simple lace, grafting, picking up stitches. ZigZag Vine Lace is charted only; this pattern includes a buttonhole photo tutorial and link to my short row tutorial. Size: 33 (35.25, 37.5, 40, 43.5, 47)” bust; sample shown in . . .
Luxury yarn and beads pair together creating Hoopla, an elegant long stole with a fancy hoopskirt border. Short row shaping makes a lovely crescent and a face framing beaded shawl collar. Unusual and fun edging stitches keep the knitting interesting, while soothing garter stitch ensures rapid progress; together the result is stunningly simple. Techniques & Skills Used: beaded CO, knit/purl, lace, beading (prestrung and crochet hook methods, with link to video tutorial), short rows; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions for the border. Size: 12” deep and 60” long, after blocking. Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina (75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 360 yards/329m); 1 skein, shown in Composition Book Grey. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 40” circular needle; Stitch Markers (11); Yarn needle; 389 size 6/0 seed beads; beading needle for stringing beads; Size 1.25mm crochet hook for placing beads. Gauge: 16 st and 44 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one scallop is approximately 5” long. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger . . .
Razor Cardi
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 . . .