originaldesign • The Knitting Vortex • Page 4

Kline Shawl

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Apr 212017

Originally published in knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016, the Kline pattern is now available as an individual download in my usual pattern format. Bold strokes of alternating smooth and rough texture stretch fluidly across this asymmetric shawl. The strict monochromatic palette is broken with colorful accents that transition to dominance at the far edge; try pairing a speckled yarn with a bold contrast for a striking visual result. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing. Size: 80” length and 21” depth, customizable. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/384m/100g), shown in Optic (MC) and Edison Bulb (CC); 1 skein each MC and CC. The sample used approximately 420 yards MC and 340 yards CC, but any amount of yarn in any combination may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 32 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 . . .

Love Me True

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Apr 072017

Subtly different textured stitch patterns define the front and back of this boxy cardigan. The back and shoulders feature an unusual construction that creates a casual, modern silhouette, with dropped shoulders and a shallow v-shaped back neckline echoing the deep v of the front. The mid-length oversized body is cropped enough to wear with pants and skirts without overwhelming them, but still long enough to work with casual leggings. Slim sleeves also balance the oversized body, and an uneven split hem further reduces bulk; applied pockets make it even more practical. Worked seamlessly from the top down with a knit-in buttonband, finishing is minimal, and style is major. Construction: Love Me True is cast on at the crossback and worked to the armscye depth in an alternating broken rib stitch pattern. The back is put on hold while stitches are picked up for each shoulder and worked separately in a similar steady broken rib stitch pattern with a worked-in rib button band; short rows shape the “shoulder” height, then fronts continue to the armscye depth, . . .

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” . . .

ChevRiot

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Mar 162017

A moving riot of chevrons sweeps diagonally, creating texture across this garter based long crescent shawl, while contrasting color stripes expand and contract. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit, increasing/decreasing. Size: 98” length and 18” depth. Yarn: The Periwinkle Sheep PURPOSE (90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon; 410 yards/375m/100g), 1 skein each colors A, B and C, shown in Ghost of Molly, Brownstone and Gold Rush, respectively. The sample used approximately 380 yards A, 400 yards B and 210 yards C. See Designer’s Notes for suggestions on adjusting for different yardage. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 40 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 or purchase the pattern. Save Save

Avix

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Feb 152017

Avix was designed in collaboration with Miss Babs Hand-Dyed Yarn for Stitches West 2017; print patterns in their house format will be available from the Miss Babs booth at the many yarn shows they attend; stop by if you can, and see the samples in person! Digital pdfs are available from my Ravelry store, and are formatted with my usual layout style and photography. Mesh and eyelet lace columns highlight expanding lace panels inspired by the wings of soaring birds, making a flowing cardigan with a swing shape. Avix is worked seamlessly from the top down in stockinette with lace panels, and short row set-in sleeves. Minimal shaping and simple lace textures make an easy to knit sweater that flatters a wide range of sizes. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, easy lace, increasing/decreasing, German short rows. Stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56)” bust based on twice the back width; shown in second size worn with 5” positive ease. Yarn: Miss Babs Yowza . . .

Flylette

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Feb 152017

Flylette was designed in collaboration with Miss Babs Hand-Dyed Yarn for Stitches West 2017; print patterns in their house format will be available from the Miss Babs booth at the many yarn shows they attend; stop by if you can, and see the samples in person! Digital pdfs are available from my Ravelry store, and are formatted with my usual layout style and photography. Flower eyelets decorate the front and back of this feminine cropped cardigan. Worked seamlessly from the top down, compound raglan sleeve shaping ensures a great fit in the shoulders and sleeves for all sizes, and deep single rib hem and cuffs maintains the body-celebrating style. A simultaneously worked garter button band and minimal finishing keep it simple. Construction: Flylette is a fitted cardi designed to be a light layer, with a scooped neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. Worked seamlessly from the top down with raglan shaping and a garter button band, the knitting is complete once the body and sleeves are finished, except for adding the ribbed neckband and sewing on . . .

Making Advances

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Feb 012017

Alternating textures in two colors decorate a bold triangle shawl, then advance unexpectedly to one side, for an asymmetric finish. Color choice is the focus, the shape is long and easy to wear, and the knitting is simple and relaxing. Construction: Making Advances is worked topdown from a garter tab CO for the main triangle, then stitches are bound off on one side and the remaining side is worked in a long asymmetric extension. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing. Size: 75” length and 22” depth. Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles (100% merino wool; 400yards/366m/100g), shown in Urchin (A) and Vengeance (B); 1 skein each of two colors. The sample used approximately 355 yards A and 395 yards B. Using a drapey single or loosely plied yarn will help minimize rolling at the long bottom left edge. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 19 st and 38 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in . . .

Courser Shawl

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Nov 102016

Five textured stitch patterns combine in a completely reversible classic triangle shawl worked in soft and cozy worsted weight yarn, ideal for cooler temperatures. Both variegated and semi-solid yarns are perfect choices for showing off the textures; completely reversible, the right side displays a rib-based fabric broken by bands of seed texture, while the reverse side shows a more nubby and rustic overall fabric, with a high-relief, welted bottom edging. Construction: Worked from the top down beginning with a garter tab, the Courser shawl is a classic triangle worked in five different highly textured and reversible stitch patterns. Repeating bands of broken rib alternate with welted slipstitch and reverse broken rib, adding a strong vertical element to the horizontal textures. Elongated slipstitch creates weight and dimension at the bottom edging, while the garter stitch spine and selvedges provide a linear framing structure. Wear it with either side showing; the reversible stitch patterns look great on both. Customize your shawl by mixing and matching any of the stitch patterns, to use any amount of yarn. Techniques & . . .

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 . . .

Refracted

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Oct 112016

$Refracted$

Stitches refract at a central point, interrupting the line of a stripe and sometimes becoming another stitch pattern entirely. Worked in a combination of solid, stripe and slipped stitches, this garter shawl begins at one tip and grows asymmetrically on the bias in two halves simultaneously, with patterns which diverge at the center. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipped stitches. Instructions are fully written, with charts also provided for the slipstitch and stripe sections. Size: 64” length and 20” depth, customizable. Yarn: Dark Harbour Yarn Starboard (70% superwash merino wool, 30% silk; 438 yards/400m/100g); 1 skein each MC and CC, shown in Great White and Arthur Kill, respectively. The sample as written used approximately 315 yards MC and 225 yards CC of fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); 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 . . .

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