London Calling

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Nov 152011
 
London Calling

Channel your inner Clash hipster, or just stay warm with this superbulky adjustable hat. The button band is knit flat in textured linen stitch, making the most of a variegated yarn and a cozy covering for your ears. Then the hat is joined and knit in the round to the crown and closed with two buttons, for a fast finished knit that looks great in both multi- and classic colors. Still free, this pattern has been reformatted and updated with new pictures. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, decreasing, knitting in the round. Size: Small (Large); 21 (24)” finished circumference. Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta (100% merino wool; 90 yards/150g); 1 skein. Size S shown in Zarzamora; London Calling requires approximately 65 (70) yards of superbulky yarn. Other Materials: US 15 40” circular needle for Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 15 straight needle, to overlap band; Stitch markers (6); Yarn needle or 6.5mm crochet hook; 7/8” buttons (2); Matching sewing thread and needle. Gauge: 8 st and 14 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 8 st and . . .

Escallop Mitts

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Nov 072011
 
Escallop Mitts

Fingerless mitts with a beaded and scalloped French cuff, the Escallop Mitts add a bit of decoration to any ensemble. The cuff is knit flat, then joined in the round to knit the garter stitch hand; buttons display your personal style and close the cuff. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), working in the round, 3-needle BO; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and a link to my beading tutorial is included. Size: S/M (M/L); 6 (7)” palm circumference and 8.75 (9.5)” length measured flat; to fit 7-7.75 (7.75-8.5)” hand circumference. Cuff is one size; the extremely stretchy garter stitch hand fits a wide range of hand sizes. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 420 yards/112g); 2 (3) skeins. Size S/M shown in Alizarin. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle or dpns, or size to match gauge; Spare US 6 (4mm) needle for 3-needle bind off; 96 size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (2); Yarn . . .

Escallop Hooded Capelet

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Nov 072011
 
Escallop Hooded Capelet

A garter stitch hooded capelet with an elaborate beaded and scalloped lower edge, the Escallop Capelet is knit from the bottom up beginning with the beaded lace edging, then shaped to hug the shoulders with decorative raglan decreases. A shallow hood frames the face, and features a pointed top shaped with short rows and grafted; pompom I-cord ties complete the whimsy. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace, beading (crochet hook method), short rows, grafting, I-cord, pompoms; the lace instructions are both written and charted, and links to my beading, short rows and grafting tutorials are included. Size: S/M (M/L); 8 (12)” from neck to bottom of scalloped edge and 58 (74)” lower edge circumference. Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 420 yards/112g); 2 (3) skeins. Size S/M shown in Alizarin. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 6 (4mm) dpns or circular needle for making I-cord; 336 (480) size 6/0 seed beads; 1.15mm crochet hook for placing beads; Stitch markers (8); Yarn . . .

Ruckowl

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Oct 262011
 
Ruckowl

A slouchy cowl with textural ruckles, Ruckowl features a three-dimensional tucked body made by knitting into the row below, and tidy turned hems. For a fun and cozy matched set, make it with the companion Ruckle Hat and Ruckle Mitts. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch. Size: S/M (M/L); 21 (24)” circumference, and 7” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g); 1 skein. Size M/L shown in Paris Night. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Spare US 9 circular needle, for closing folded hems; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle; Smooth cotton yarn for provisional CO and hem. Gauge: 16 st and 24 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after gentle blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.      

Ruckle Mitts

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Oct 122011
 
Ruckle Mitts

Casual fingerless handwarmers, the Ruckle Mitts are worked with a built-in scrunchy tucked cuff, and tidy hemmed edges finishing both cuffs and fingertip openings. Fun to make and fresh to wear, they add relaxed chic to your outfit without having constantly to adjust long cuffs. For a matched Ruckle set, make them with the companion Ruckle Hat and Ruckowl Cowl. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch. Size: S (M, L, XL); 6.5 (7.5, 8.25, 9)” palm circumference and 4.25 (5, 5.5, 6.25)” length from wrist. The cuff is approximately 3” long. Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g); 1 skein. Size S shown in Azul Profundo. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Spare US 5 (3.75mm) circular needle for closing folded hems; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle; Smooth cotton yarn for provisional CO and hem; Stitch . . .

Sep 292011
 
Lumina

Lumina is a reversible, squared semicircular shawl inspired by a glowing, hand-dyed silk blend yarn in a beautifully draping DK weight. Beginning with a garter tab cast on, it is fully reversible with a garter stitch body and easy transitions to the lace edging patterns. Designed to maximize every yard of a special yarn, instructions are included to customize for differing amounts of yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab provisional CO, knit/purl, lace; this pattern includes both charts and written instructions for the lace edging. Size: 15” deep and 42” across wingspan, after blocking. Yarn: Barking Dog Yarns Cassiopeia (50% Merino, 50% Silk; 230 yards/100g); 2 skeins, shown in Pinot Noir. For similar size and drape, choose a wool and silk blend dk weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle; US 9 (5.5mm) for bind off; Stitch markers (6); Yarn needle; Scrap yarn for provisional CO. Gauge: 20 st and 30 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in . . .

Sep 262011
 
Ruckle

A soft and highly textured hat, Ruckle features a tidy hemmed brim and three-dimensional tucks all over. The structural ruckles are fun to knit and fanciful to wear, and add an original flair to any outfit. For a fun and matched set, make it with the companion Ruckowl cowl and Ruckle Mitts. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch. Size: S (M, L) to fit approximately 20.5 (22.5, 24.5)” head circumference; 18.5 (21.25, 24)” brim circumference, 7.25 (8.5, 9.5)” height, measured flat and unstretched. Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g); 1 skein. Size M shown in Paris Night. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Spare US 8 32” circular needle, for hemming brim; Stitch markers (10); Yarn needle; Smooth cotton yarn for provisional CO. Gauge: 18 st and 24 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch, after gentle blocking. . . .

Sep 262011
 
Sailing To Byzantium

For over 1000 years, the Byzantine Empire stood as a symbol of Christian power in the eastern half of what had once been the Roman Empire, symbolizing a final link to the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans. Renamed Constantinople in 330 AD by Constantine I, the ancient city of Byzantium remained a center of wealth and power despite its fall to the western knights of the Fourth Crusade in 1203. The future of the city changed forever in 1453, when it was besieged by Sultan Mehmet II and the Ottoman Turks, overrun, and reborn as Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. A city of ancient Roman stonework, early Christian domes, towering Islamic minarets and intricate Ottoman tile and mosaics, Byzantium now stands for a dream of splendor and beauty straddling Europe and Asia Minor. Byzantine architecture is notable for its stacked shapes; minarets towering over domes, above arches and blocks. The repeating geometric motifs create a strong visual effect, in warm tones of sandstone, clay, stone and lead. The geometry is enhanced . . .

Selimiye

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Sep 262011
 
Selimiye

Selimiye is part of the Sailing To Byzantium Collection. A long crescent shaped stole, this shawl is reminiscent of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey. Knit from the bottom up with dome & minaret edging, the body is then worked in stockinette stitch with gentle shaping created by short rows. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows, bobbles; the lace edging is both written and charted, with links to my short rows and special lace stitch tutorials. Size: 58” length and 17” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool; 150 yards/137m/50g); 3 skeins, shown in Topaz, or approximately 400 yards of wool/silk blend dk weight yarn. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 14 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 more and purchase the . . .

Iznik

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Sep 262011
 
Iznik

Iznik shawlette is part of the Sailing To Byzantium Collection. A one-skein shawlette, Iznik is knit sideways in garter stitch with a knit-in floral lace border reminiscent of Turkish Iznik ceramic tile motifs. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, lace; the lace edging is both fully written and charted, with links to my special lace stitch tutorials. Size: 42” length and 17” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool; 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Playa, or approximately 370 yards of fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2); 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 requirements. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more and purchase the pattern.