oneskein • The Knitting Vortex

Rib Run

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Mar 212017

There’s nothing more classic than a ribbed hat, and Rib Run adds just a little twist by morphing the ribs into twining cables that run from brim to crown. Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, cables, decreasing, working in the round; instructions for stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 18.75” brim circumference and 8.5” tall, unstretched, shown on a 22” head. The rib-based pattern is very stretchy and easily accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size. Yarn: Brim Collections Breakfast DK (100% merino wool; 230 yards/210m/100g), shown in Earl Grey; 1 skein, or approximately 175 yards of DK weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 4 (3.5mm) 16” circular needle for brim and US 6 (4mm) 16” circular needle or size to match gauge for body; cable needle; Stitch markers (5); Yarn needle. Gauge: 25.5 st and 36 rows/4” in cable pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 cable repeat of 24 st and 36 rows equals 3.75” wide and 4” . . .

Courser Hat

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Nov 102016

Four ribbing-based textured stitch patterns combine in a slouchy hat that is completely reversible. The combination of knits, purls and slipped stitches is highly effective with variegated yarns, and equally beautiful in semi-solids. Construction: Worked in the round from the bottom up, Courser alternates bands of welted slipstitch with broken rib and reverse broken rib. The brim is plain ribbing that transitions perfectly into the stitch patterns, adding a strong vertical element to the horizontal textures. The reverse side of each pattern is more nubby but just as beautiful, making the hat attractive on both sides and completely reversible when finished carefully. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, slipped stitches, decreasing, working in the round; instructions for stitch patterns are fully written. Size: S (M, L); 16 (19.25, 22.5)” brim circumference and 8.5 (9, 9.5)” tall, unstretched; sample shown in size M. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (100% superwash merino wool; 210 yards/ 192m/100g), shown in Candombe; 1 skein, or approximately 115 (145, 175) yards of worsted weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) for brim and US 8 . . .

Mazerunner

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Oct 042016

Sinuous crossed paths run a maze around mesh diamonds on this triangle shawl worked from the bottom up. The crimpy fiber of the cormo creates a very lofty and bouncy fabric, giving the lace a refreshingly rustic and woolly dimension. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, cables, easy lace; this pattern is both fully written and charted. Size: 60” length and 26” depth; customizable. Yarn: Sincere Sheep Cormo Fingering (100% Cormo wool; 500 yards/ 457m/113g); 1 skein, or 500 yards of wool/wool blend fingering weight yarn. The sample as written used the entire skein; you may want to have additional yardage on hand, as the shawl may easily be enlarged. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Cable needle; Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 32 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, 20 st and 30 rows/4” in lace pattern 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 . . .

Vamping

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Jun 162016

In jazz music, vamping is playing the same short phrase over and over; in this shawl you create a glamorous vampy piece by working a simple syncopated eyelet repeat on a wrap with an intriguing shape. Knit asymmetrically from side to side, the long gradient color change builds slowly as it expands with the shawl. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace; instructions for this pattern are fully written. Size: 70” length and 20” depth. Yarn: KnitCircus Yarns Lavish (70% superwash merino wool, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon; 600 yards/548m/170g); 1 skein, shown in Vampire Boyfriend. The sample as written used approximately 585 yards, but instructions are included to customize your shawl for different amounts of yardage. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Removable marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 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 . . .

Diamond Lanes

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Apr 192016

Geometric lace forms textured diagonal diamond lanes leading upward and outward on this simple but stunning triangular shawl. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace; this pattern is both fully written and charted. Size: 52” length and 21” depth, customizable. Yarn: Seven Sisters Arts Apex (60% superwash merino wool, 20% yak, 20% silk; 400 yards/366m/100g), shown in bleu grey; 1 skein, or 400 yards of wool blend fingering weight yarn with good drape. The sample as written used the entire skein; you may want to have additional yardage on hand as insurance, as the shawl may easily be enlarged using any amount of yarn. Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Markers (3); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, 18 st and 34 rows/4” in diamond lace pattern, 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 or purchase the pattern.

Seedstripes

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Nov 102015

Worked in the round from the top down, Seedstripes is an earflap hat that is full of interest. Disappearing loop cast on, textured knitting and a few simple, well-placed short rows combine for an engaging knit; add a pompom for even more fun! Techniques & Skills Used: disappearing loop CO, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing. This pattern includes links to my disappearing loop CO and short row tutorials. Size: S (M, L) to fit about 20 (22, 24)” head circumference; hat measures 17.75 (20, 22.25)” circumference and 8.5 (9, 10)” height at earflap. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 1 skein, or approximately 140 (150, 175) yards of worsted weight yarn. Sample size Small shown in Natural. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 5 dpns or circular needle for CO; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 34 rows/4” in seed stitch, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or . . .

Pomona Mitts

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Jul 182013

Among my favorite design themes, Harry Potter is undeniably one which keeps appearing as if by magic in my knitwear. The Magickal Quidditch Socks, Amortentia and Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love have been expressions in knit of my love for the wizarding world. Now I can show another small item, the Pomona Mitts, which I designed for The Unofficial Harry Potter Knits Special Issue from Interweave. Professor Pomona Sprout’s fingerless mitts reflect her personality; earthy, robust, and ready for hard work. Cast on provisionally at the outer edge of the hand, the fingerless Pomona Mitts are worked flat using short rows, then grafted for a seamless finish. The cuff is shaped into a point with increases and decreases, and made to flare with a short row wedge. The finger opening is embellished with a spikey picot edge worked by repeatedly casting on and binding off stitches, and an optional narrow decorative satin ribbon is laced through the eyelets on the back of the hand as embellishment. A rich and tweedy yarn brings depth and . . .

Zaget

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Mar 112013

Zig it … Zag it. Handpainted superbulky yarn and a simple, reversing diagonal lace pattern make a neckwarmer that curves gently around the face and closes neatly with a satin ribbon lacing or buttons. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, easy lace. Size: 10” height and 32” length, measured flat Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rasta (100% merino wool; 90 yards/82m/150g); 1 skein, shown in Piedras. As written, this cowl uses almost every bit of one skein. Other Materials: US 17 (12mm) needle or size to match gauge; Yarn needle or K/6.5 mm crochet hook for weaving in ends; Matching .75” wide satin ribbon (2 yards); 1” buttons (3); Matching sewing thread and needle. Gauge: 6 st and 9 rows/4” in stockinette st, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished neckwarmer, and different yardage requirements. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.

Picabeau

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Feb 182013

Picabeau is a crescent shaped small shawl, with asymmetrical construction that first increases and then decreases in a gentle curve. The reversible bias shape is highlighted by regular rows of YOs that swoop across the shawl, creating visual movement. One luscious skein is all that is required for this versatile and wearable accessory; instructions are given to make the shawl using any amount of yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, picots. Size: 60” along bottom curve and 8” center depth, customizable. Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Caper Sock (80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 400 yards/365m/113g); 1 skein shown in Light Teal. Sample used 348 yards; instructions are given to make the shawl using any amount of yardage. Other Materials: US 6 24” circular needle; Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.

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 . . .

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