May 042012
 
Sundry

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

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Apr 052012
 
Blue Honey

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

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Mar 022012
 
Rhadamanthys

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 . . .

Laura

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Feb 242012
 
Laura

A close fitting cowl with alternating cables, Laura is worked seamlessly in ribbing from bottom edge to top. The clean, sculptural lines of the ribbed cables complement every style, and careful finishing makes the cowl completely reversible. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, cables, knitting in the round; the cable is both written and charted. Size: 18” circumference and 8” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Uva. The sample as written used 130 yards. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Cable needle; Stitch markers (8, one different color); Yarn needle. Gauge: 21 st and 28 rows/4” in unstretched K1P1 Rib, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

Laura Mitts

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Feb 242012
 
Laura Mitts

Fingerless handwarmers with mirrored ribbed cables, the Laura Mitts are worked from cuff to tip with a gusset thumb. The clean, sculptural lines of the ribbed cables offer a classic complement to every outfit. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cables, knitting in the round; this pattern contains written instructions only. Size: S/M (M/L), to fit 8 (9)” palm circumference. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Paris Night. The size M/L sample used 95 yards. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 32” circular needle or dpns, or size to match gauge; Cable needle; Stitch markers (4, one different color); Yarn needle; Scrap yarn for thumb holder. Gauge: 20 st and 30 rows/4” in stockinette st, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern. 

Azul

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Feb 242012
 
Azul

A close fitting, reversible ribbed hat, Azul has alternating cables that decrease in width until they disappear at the crown. The clean, sculptural lines of the ribbed cables and the beanie fit make Azul a perfect hat for everyday. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, decreasing, cables, knitting in the round; this pattern contains written instructions only. Size: 18” brim circumference and 8” crown, unstretched. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Azul Bolita. The sample as written used 125 yards. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle or dpns, or size to match gauge; Cable needle; Stitch markers (8, one different color); Yarn needle. Gauge: 21 st and 28 rows/4” in unstretched K1P1 Rib. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

River Union Cardi

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Feb 012012
 
River Union Cardi

Wide sleeves and a cropped silhouette bring stylish attitude to the River Union Cardi. Extended raglan lines and volume sleeves create a blouson shape, while deep ribbing defines the waist. The full sleeves are balanced by their three-quarter length and deep ribbed cuffs, which match the figure-flattering waist ribbing at the hem. Knit seamlessly from the top down, it’s a fast knit with a fresh feel. Construction: River Union is worked seamlessly from the top down in one piece with raglan shaping, in stockinette stitch with a deep, ribbed hem and cuffs. Stitches are picked up for the ribbed collar and buttonband, which finish the cardi with no seaming required. Instructions for working the simple, neat buttonholes are included in the photo tutorial with this pattern, and also appear in my video tutorial. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, twisted purlwise CO, raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing, picking up stitches; pattern instructions include a photo tutorial for the buttonholes. Size: 32.5 (35, 37.5, 40.5, 43.5, 47.5, 50.5)” bust; sample shown in third size worn with 2.5” positive ease. Yarn: Berocco . . .

Jan 202012
 
Magickal Quidditch Socks

A tribute to the Quidditch players of Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, or to any sock-loving Muggle, these colorwork socks are knit from the cuff down with a heel flap and gusset. The simple slipstitch technique requires working only one color at a time per row. Show your House colors with pride! Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork, knitting in the round, grafting; this pattern includes both charts for the colorwork and full written instructions. Size: S (M, L); 60 (68, 76) st; to fit 10 (11, 12)” calf, or Women’s US 6/7 (8/9, 10/11) shoe size; shown in size M. Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sock (100% superwash merino wool; 395 yards/114g); 1 skein each, or approximately 215 (240, 265) yards MC and 70 (80, 90) yards CC. Sample shown in Baltic (MC) and Ginger (CC). Other Materials: US 1 (2.25mm) dpns, or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle. Gauge: 34 st and 48 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 36 st and 48 rows/4” in Checkerboard slipstitch pattern; . . .

Crimp Hat & Crimpy Mitts

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Jan 032012
 
Crimp Hat & Crimpy Mitts

  Crimp Crimp is a hat with built-in slouch and a casual fit created by tuck stitches, which can be worn at the back or side for different looks. This simple and fun technique solves the problem of just how to scrunch your hat and keep it perfectly slouched. Alternating sections of ribbing and stockinette add interest to the crown, making Crimp a unique hat and a perfect companion to the Crimpy Mitts. Techniques & Skills Used: Cable CO, knit/purl, tuck stitch, decreasing; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch. Size: S/M (M/L); 18 (20)” unstretched brim circumference. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (100% superwash merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), 1 skein. Size M shown in Cumparsita. 2 skeins are needed to make both the hat and mitts. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Spare US 7 dpn for tucks; Stitch markers (8); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 28 rows/4” in stockinette . . .

Dec 122011
 
Ring of Velvet Sapphire - free!

Who doesn’t need a big, scrooshy seed stitch infinity cowl? I certainly, suddenly, do. This one is cast on using the brilliant moebius cast on as demonstrated by the incomparable Cat Bordhi in her moebius cast on tutorial video. It allows you to knit in the round, from the cast-on middle of the ring to the long outer edge, following the infinity moebius shape. And there’s not much more to it than that! Techniques & Skills Used: moebius CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions. Size: 9” height and 60” circumference. Yarn: Loops & Threads Cozy Wool (50% Acrylic, 50% Wool; 90 yards/127g); shown in Velvet; 3 skeins or 270 yards of superbulky yarn. The sample used all of the yardage, but size can be easily customized. Other Materials: US 13 (9mm) 60” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle or size K/6.5mm crochet hook for weaving ends. Gauge: 7 stitches and 16 rows/4” in seed stitch, after gentle blocking.Gauge is not critical for this project, . . .