Capes are the new coats for fall, and Plaidscape features a topography of colors knit seamlessly from the top down in bulky weight wool. Choose classic colors, or indulge your rainbow fantasies, and learn a new skill for making plaid without stranding. The horizontal colors are knit as stripes using one color at a time per row in a wide rib, then the vertical stripes are added at the end with a crochet hook in the purl columns; no crochet skills are needed – it’s as simple as picking up dropped stitches. Construction: Plaidscape is cast on at the garter stitch collar, then the body is worked in the horizontal plaid pattern with raglan increases to the end of the wide elbow-length sleeves. The sleeves are divided from the body, which continues to grow in an A-line shape to the curved hem. The body and sleeve hems are worked in garter stitch, and applied I-cord neatly finishes the front edges; the double-breasted front closes with I-cord frogs and knots. Sizing Notes: The large scale plaid . . .
Koa
Koa is a shapely cardigan jacket with short sleeves, knit seamlessly in one piece using the contiguous method. Smooth stockinette stitch graces the body, while the fitted stand-up collar, hem and cuffs are garter stitch, with additional texture in the broken rib and garter button band, worked simultaneously with the body. Acacia koa is a species of flowering tree endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, which has rich golden brown wood; its name in the Hawaiian language, koa, also means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior. Be fearless and fabulous in this chic little jacket. Construction: Koa uses the contiguous method of construction, in which the fronts and back are worked from the top down using increases along the shoulder line, then seamless sleeves are worked simultaneously with the body once the sleeve cap is reached. The collar is cast on first, and the body grows seamlessly from it, incorporating stitches using short rows, with no picking up. Likewise the front button bands are worked simultaneously. A few increases shape the back neck to prevent it from rising . . .
Wisterious
The pretty lace pattern and slightly boxy fit of this tee make a sweet yet modern sweater. Worked seamlessly from the top down, Wisterious has a simple dolman shape with special details including ribbed trim with invisible tubular edges, shaped sleeve ribbing, and a feminine I-cord finish with petite buttons and button loops. Over a matching or contrast tank, Wisterious is both girly and casual. Construction: Cast on at the shoulders, Wisterious is worked separately for the front and back with dolman shaping for the sleeves, then joined at the underarm and worked in the round to the hem. A wide band of ribbing pulls in the body, ending neatly with an invisible tubular edge, and matching the sleeve hems which are picked up from the body and shaped with short rows to eliminate bulk under the arms. The final embellishment is an I-cord finish across the neckline and shoulders, which are closed with petite buttons and button loops worked into the I-cord. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, lace, short rows, applied I-cord, grafting; Wisterious . . .
Phi
The Golden Ratio, or Phi, represents harmony in nature, art and mathematics, and embodies the human perception of beauty. This asymmetric shawl harmoniously blends two colors to the Golden Mean, and then back again, using the Fibonacci sequence to determine the width of the stripes and their relation one to the next . . . All knitting, always pleasing, with a graphic , and harmonious result. Techniques & Skills Used: increasing/decreasing, knit; Phi includes instructions in written and quick table format, and a link to my video tutorial for carrying the unused color along the garter edge. Size: 90” length and 16” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Finito (100% merino; 200 yards/183m/50g; 2 skeins MC and 2 skeins CC, or about 370 and 300 yards respectively of fingering weight yarn. Sample shown in Plomo (MC) and Mostaza (CC). The yardage requirements ratio of MC to CC is approximately 1.25 : 1 – make sure you have about 80% as much CC as MC to complete the sequence. Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or . . .
Pomona Mitts
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 . . .
Arcady
Highly textured lace and seamless top down construction give Arcady a simple and pretty appeal. A narrow applied I-cord edging at the front and neckline makes delicate button loops for small pearl buttons. The narrow ribbing flows smoothly from the lace, for refined sleeve and body hems with a tiny garter edge. Light and delicate, this cardigan adds whimsy to jeans or a romantic finish over a dress. Construction: Arcady is cast on at the neckline and worked in lace pattern with raglan construction to the armhole depth. The sleeves are divided and placed on hold, while the body is worked in the continuous lace pattern, with no shaping to the narrow hem. Stitches are picked up along the front edges and neckline, and a tidy applied I-cord with integrated buttonholes is worked to finish the edges. Finally, the cap sleeves are finished with a narrow rib and elegant slender garter edge, matching the hem.Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, easy lace, applied I-cord (cable CO); Arcady is both written and charted, and . . .
Aqueous
A lightweight lace cardigan knit seamlessly in one piece from the top down, Aqueous features frothing waves of lace which roll back and forth in slimming vertical lines. With minimal finishing, this simple cap sleeve raglan pattern is an easy and soothing knit, ready in no time to dress up a summer outfit. Construction: Aqueous is cast on at the neckline, and worked back and forth with raglan construction, in a simple lace pattern with garter button bands. Body and sleeves are divided at the armscye depth, then the body is worked to the hem. Short sleeves are then finished with narrow garter edges. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, easy lace. Aqueous is both written and charted, and includes instructions for increasing in pattern. Size: 30 (33, 35, 37.5, 40, 42, 44.5, 47, 49.5, 52)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with no ease. Yarn: The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering (50% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino, 20% Viscose Bamboo; 200 yards/183m/50g), shown in Manatee; 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins, . . .
Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love
Who doesn’t want to stir up a little love? This triangular shawl begins with many stitches and an enticing ruffle, then decreases the stitch count by 2/3 before the body begins. Strong ribbed lines lead to the top, with optional beads added for glamour. The reversible stitch pattern is bewitching from both sides, all in the service of love. The hotter and stronger, the better! Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, beading (optional; prestrung and crochet hook methods, with link to tutorial), decreasing. This pattern is both written and charted, and includes links to my grafting and beading tutorials. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino; 150 yards/50g; 2 (4) skeins. Size S shown in Cumparsita with beads, and using about 240 yards; size L unbeaded, shown in Redwood Bark and using about 495 yards. The Silky Merino becomes very drapey when blocked, which is essential for achieving a straight top edge, as the body of the shawl is ribbed and the wings must be pulled up to avoid a point at the middle . . .
Amortentia
The most powerful Love Potion in the Harry Potter world, Amortentia causes powerful infatuation or obsession in the drinker. It manifests as a different aroma to each who drinks it, recalling one’s favorite person, place or thing.Indulge your own deep love by knitting your Amortentia shawl with a favorite color or irresistible yarn. This shawl is cast on with many stitches at the ruffled edge, which is knit with optional beads for extra sparkle and weight. By the end of the ruffle, the number of stitches is reduced by 2/3, then like the twists and turns of love, the edging and body are divided by a garter ridge, and the stitch pattern reverses itself into a wide rib. The long and narrow body is knit with short rows to the top edge, and finished with simple garter stitch. Instructions for two sizes are given, and differ only in the frequency of the short rows.Irresistible looking from both sides, Amortentia is meant to be the embodiment of everything you love. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, . . .
Zaget
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.