originaldesign • The Knitting Vortex • Page 13

Triangulate

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Nov 072012

Triangulate is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl composed of two triangles with a chevron border, and is designed to show off the colors of a variegated skein, using simple stitches and beautiful yarn. The shawl begins with a provisional cast on at the center, and is knit outwards in two triangular halves using short rows. The wide edging is knit continuously from the live stitches with no picking up stitches necessary, and may be made narrower or wider to accommodate varying yardages. The unusual construction results in a deceptively simple shape that is uncomplicated yet interesting to knit, and versatile to wear. Construction: this shawl is provisionally cast on at the center vertical, and each half of the central triangle is worked in short rows to the side. The chevron edging may be customized to be wider or narrower, depending on your preference and available yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, increasing, short rows. Size: one size; 58” length and 19” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool, 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown . . .

Chunnel Mitts

Accessories, New Release, Patterns Comments Off

Nov 012012

The Chunnel Mitts are long armwarmers with fitted rib cuffs and hands, and deep textural gauntlet forearms which can be scrunched up or worn straight depending on the weather and your coat sleeve length. An easy and fast knit with a thumb slit and no increasing or decreasing, the deep channel tunnels of the gauntlet stitch pattern do an excellent job of breaking up pooling in variegated yarns. Weave the ends in neatly and the Chunnel Mitts are completely reversible, showing a different but equally attractive pattern on the reverse side. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, knitting into the stitch below with link to my tutorial, working in the round. Size: S (M, L): to fit 6.5 (7.5, 8.5)” palm circumference; 4 (4, 5)” length from wrist and 7 (8.25, 9.25)” cuff length. The Chunnel Mitts are very stretchy; size M will fit a wide range of hand sizes from teen to women’s large. Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (100% Superwash Merino; 210 yards/192m/100g), Size M shown in Candombe and Azules; 1 (1, 2) skeins, or . . .

Plixi

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Oct 182012

Plixi is a long and lean open front cardigan, with gentle waist shaping and a flowing ruffle at the front edge and cuffs. Worked seamlessly from the top down in a drapey fingering weight yarn on larger needles, Plixi uses the contiguous method of seamless shoulder and sleeve construction, with a picked-up ruffle along the front edge, and a simple purled hem finish. Long, slim, and elegant, Plixi works with jeans or a dress, for a sleek and chic style to elevate any outfit. Construction: Plixi 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 once the sleeve cap is reached. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail and backwards loop CO, contiguous construction, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing, lifted increases, picking up stitches, simultaneous shaping; links are included to my short rows and contiguous construction tutorials. Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 44, 48)” bust; sample shown in second size worn with no ease. Yarn: RYC . . .

Pauroxo

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters 1 Response »

Oct 012012

A shapely topdown raglan with extended front panels, Pauroxo has a swingy A-line shape when worn open, and an enfolding cropped jacket vibe when closed with a shawl pin or belt. This easy cardigan is knit seamlessly with simple rolled front edges, Twisted Rib hem and cuffs, and a picked up collar band in Cable and Twist Rib. Pau Roxo is Portuguese for purple wood, and this cardigan is inspired by the striking deep violet wood from the Purpleheart tree found in tropical rainforests. Construction: Pauroxo is knit seamlessly from the top down with raglan sleeve shaping; the body and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch to the armhole depth, then the body is divided from the sleeves and worked with gentle waist shaping to the narrow Twisted Rib hem. Relaxed sleeves are then worked to just below elbow length and finished with matching Twisted Rib cuffs. Stitches are picked up along the neckline and worked in a decorative Cable & Twist Rib. Waist shaping placement and length may be customised easily; just try on this . . .

Melony, A Very Chic Cowl

Accessories, Patterns 1 Response »

Sep 262012

Part of the Very Chic series, Melony is a sideways-knit, cabled cowl which is made extra soft and scrunchy by dropping stitches between wide ribs. It is worked flat, with a provisional cast on which is grafted to the final row, to create a seamless circle. Fitted to hug the neck but stretchy enough to be comfortable, Melony is a chic little neckwarmer designed to keep out the chill. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, cables, dropped stitches, grafting or optional 3-needle bind off; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions, and a photo tutorial for grafting the cables. Size: 6” tall and 18” circumference, after gentle blocking. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Polar Morn. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (3); Cable needle; Yarn needle; Crochet hook (any size) to help with raveling; 5 non-slippery US 9 dpns or straight needles, preferably two different colors, for grafting. Gauge: 16 st and 20 rows/4” in . . .

Jilted

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Sep 182012

Jilted, dropped, fallen . . . She may have been left ignominiously by that worthless boyfriend, but that just means her spirit is free. No more quiet evenings in, no more covered-up turtlenecks; she’s going out, and she’s going to wear something touchable and revealing, something imperfect and undone. And it’s going to be eye-catching, just like she is. Dressed up or down, Jilted is a simple sweater with a surprise – just like the girl wearing it. Construction: Jilted is a very simple, wide-neck blouson with a column of dropped stitches placed on each arm and asymmetrically on the front. Knit in sockweight yarn on larger needles, seamlessly from the top down with raglan shaping, the boxy fit hits at high hip with deep 2.25” ribbed hem, which echoes the rib cuffs on three-quarter length sleeves. With a simple purl neckline and stockinette body, the focus is on the dropped stitches, which are set up at the beginning and dropped almost at the end. There is no body and minimal sleeve shaping; instead the cuffs . . .

Kelpen

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Jul 242012

A casual tunic tee featuring a deep V-shaped back neckline with twisted cord ties, Kelpen is a simple topdown seamless knit from provisionally cast on shoulders. Stockinette stitch with no body shaping and a textured, drapey yarn focus attention on the details; the wide front and deep back neckline are finished with a casual rolled edge, and ribbing forms the short cap sleeves. Casual for daytime or just enough to keep off a summer evening chill, Kelpen is easily adjusted for length, and can also be worn with the V-neck to the front – just omit the ties or tuck them inside. Construction: Kelpen is cast on provisionally at each back shoulder and worked back and forth with deep V-neckline shaping, then joined and worked to the armhole depth where the back is put on hold. Each front is then worked from the provisionally cast on shoulder stitches with a wide boat neckline, then joined and worked to the armhole depth. Front and back are united, with stitches cast on for the underarm, then worked . . .

Sundry

New Release, Patterns, Wraps 1 Response »

May 042012

An elongated, asymmetrical wrap that combines the warmth and style of a shawl with the wearability of a scarf, Sundry means various or diverse, and this wrap features two colors, two stitch patterns and endless styling options. Cast on at the long, pointed end, Sundry has shaping at each end of rows that grow ever wider. Two colors contrast yet harmonize in solid garter stitch and houndstooth slipstitch sections; the slipstitch is easily worked using just one color per row. A simple picot bind off finishes the long straight end. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork, picot BO; the slipstitch pattern is both written and charted, with a link to my video tutorial included for the picot BO. Size: 112” length and 24” depth, customizable. Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Selku (50% Silk, 50% Merino; 375 yards/113g); 1 skein MC & 1 skein CC, shown in Pewter (MC) & Alexandrite (CC). Any amount of yarn in two colors may be used. As written, the sample required almost every bit of yarn; see Designer’s . . .

Blue Honey

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Apr 052012

Worked sideways in one flat piece from right to left sleeve cuff, Blue Honey is a long, open front cardigan with honeycomb stitch at the shoulders and a wide garter band finishing the collar and front edges. With just two sideseams, it’s a sweater that is easy to knit and flattering to wear, featuring long, lean lines and pretty textured stitch details that show off a beautiful variegated yarn. Construction: Blue Honey is cast on at the right sleeve cuff, then the right sleeve, front and back are worked flat to the center front/center back of the garment. Stitches are bound off for the right front opening edge, the back is continued, then stitches are cast on again for the left front, and the left front, back and sleeve are worked to the left sleeve cuff. Two long continuous seams from the undersleeve to the hem finish the sweater. In this sideways knit, row gauge determines body circumference, while stitch gauge determines length. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, seaming. . . .

Rhadamanthys

New Release, Patterns, Sweaters Comments Off

Mar 022012

Rhadamanthys was the wise mythological Greek king who judged the dead and ruled the Fortunate Isles, where those heroes who had thrice been received into the Elysian Fields resided. Celebrate three blessings with this easy, sideways-knit sweater; it is knit in one piece with no seaming, requires no finishing, and is worked all in garter stitch. Three turning points in the short row shaping delineate body, yoke and collar, creating a shapely fit around the shoulders and upper torso. The garter stitch and extended front panels make it suitable for many shapes and sizes, and the fit may easily be further customized in length or circumference. Construction: Rhadamanthys is cast on at the left front edge, and worked sideways around the body to the right front. Except for the full-row front panels, it is knit entirely in short rows using the wrap & turn method; there is no need to pick up the wraps and knit them together with the wrapped stitch when you encounter them on the following row, as the wraps will disappear into . . .

Older Entries Newer Entries