pattern • The Knitting Vortex • Page 8

Oryx

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Jan 062015

Originally published in Doomsday Knits: Projects for the Apocalypse and After, the individual Oryx pattern is now available as an indie design pdf in my usual format and style. Here’s a bit about my inspiration: Oryx is a mysterious female character who appears mostly as a haunting memory to the protagonist and survivor of biological pandemic in Margaret Atwood’s Oryx & Crake. Who was she in the past? Who were any of us – and does it matter, since much of humankind and all of human society no longer exists? The story inspired me to design a garment that would be useful regardless of the environment in which one might find oneself. Fitting snugly at the high hip, the tank increases in a semi-V shape to the bust, yet remains anchored close to the shoulders with sturdy buttoned straps. Choosing a size with plenty of ease at the bust ensures that there’s room for layering over that bralette into which you’ve tucked your essential tactical gear, or just over your underpinning of choice. The fitted . . .

The Vizier’s Daughter

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Jan 012015

Scheherazade, the Vizier’s Daughter, is the legendary storyteller of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. She agrees to spend one night with the king, a tyrant who has married and the next day beheaded a virgin one thousand times already, in anger and vengeance over finding that his first wife had been unfaithful to him. At nightfall, Scheherazade begins a story, which she stops mid-tale at dawn. Enthralled by the narrative, the king spares her life until the next night, when she finishes the story and begins another, again pausing at dawn. And so it goes for 1001 nights, until she tells him she has no more stories, during which time the king has fallen in love with her and begat their three sons. Kinder and wiser, he spares her life and makes her his queen.This one skein shawl is knit sideways with a garter stitch body and narrow bottom edge, and features sinuous lace along the lower curve. The decorative motif recalls the arabesques of Islamic surface decoration, based on linear patterns of scrolling . . .

Yoli Loop

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Dec 242014

Diagonal mesh and simple garter edges run the length of this long and narrow infinity loop. Yoli Loop begins with a provisional cast on and is worked in one piece to the end, then grafted. Wear it looped as many times as you like; the reversible stitch pattern looks great from both sides. Easily customizable in length and width, the Yoli Loop can be adapted to any yarn and any amount of yardage. Construction: The Yoli Loop begins with a provisional CO, which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines width, while row gauge determines length. Any amount of any weight yarn may be used, and dimensions may be adjusted according to your preference. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, easy lace, grafting; links are included to my grafting tutorials. Size: 92” circumference and 4.5” width; see Designer’s Notes for customizing for various amounts of yardage. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool, 150 yards/ 137m/50g), shown in Green Grey; 2 skeins, or 300 yards of wool and silk blend dk weight . . .

Yoli Cowl

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Dec 182014

A comfy infinity scarf with fun construction, the Yoli Cowl has garter stitch edges framing lace mesh worked with short rows. The edges grow wider and narrower, while the short rows add ease and dimension, allowing the cowl to scrunch and tuck cozily around your neck and head. Worked sideways from a provisional cast on and grafted, this extra long reversible cowl can be worn right off the needles, either as a long scarf or double-wrapped around your neck or head to keep out the chill. Construction: The Yoli Cowl is knit sideways beginning with a provisional CO which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines the height of the cowl, while row gauge determines its length; to adjust the length, work fewer or more repeats of the mesh. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; links are included to my short rows and grafting tutorials. Size: 46” circumference and 12” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), shown in Zinc; 3 skeins, or 525 yards of . . .

Yoli Hat

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Dec 122014

Diagonal mesh and fun sideways construction make the Yoli Hat engaging to knit, with just the right amount of modern style. Worked sideways in one piece from a provisional cast on and then grafted, the garter brim fits comfortably while the short rows create slouch and naturally shape the crown. Finished carefully, Yoli is reversible and can be worn right off the needles. Construction: The Yoli Hat is knit sideways beginning with a provisional CO which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines the height of the crown, while row gauge determines circumference; to adjust the size of the brim, work fewer or more repeats of the mesh. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; links are included to my short rows and grafting tutorials. Size: S/M (M/L); 18.5 (20)” brim circumference and 9 (10)” crown, unstretched. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), size S/M shown in Verde Azul; 1 skein, or 140 (155) yards of worsted weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) needle, or size . . .

Elizabel

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Dec 012014

Feminine fit, sporty stripes and a fancy rib split hem combine in the versatile Elizabel sweater. The simultaneous set-in sleeves, short row shoulders and lightly scooped neckline flatter the upper torso, while gentle waist shaping continues the attention to your curves. Bracelet length sleeves and a refined I-cord neck finish are pretty and practical at work or play anytime. Construction: The seamless, simultaneous set-in sleeve method allows you to work the back, front and sleeves at one time from the top down, while creating a tailored, set-in sleeve fit. Stitches are cast on for the back, and the back shoulders are shaped with a few short rows to create the shoulder slope; stitches are then picked up for each front shoulder, which is shaped with identical short rows. The back and fronts are united, while at the same time stitches are picked up at the shoulder edges for the sleeve caps, and sleeve cap shaping begins. The back, front and sleeves are worked simultaneously to the bottom of the armscye, with neckline, sleeve cap and armhole . . .

Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2014

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Nov 142014

Back this year and better than ever, the Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 2 month craft-a-long of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a fabulous group of independent designers on Ravelry. The event runs from November 13 to the New Year’s Eve party on December 31, with fiber fun, endless chatter and prizes. We kick off with a special 25% sale from Thursday, November 13th at 8:00 pm US EST – Friday, November 21, 2014 at 11:59 pm US EST. Each designer is offering from 4-20 of their patterns handpicked especially for holiday crafting for this promotion; use coupon code giftalong2014 at the Ravelry checkout. My 20 special sale patterns are bundled on Ravelry for easy perusing, and include favorite shawls both new and old, cold weather accessories, and some woolly sweaters: You can join the fun with any of the participating designer’s indie patterns, and there are A LOT of them – 293 designers from 21 countries with over 11,500 patterns. that’s enough to keep busy ’til Christmas. To see my indie patterns, . . .

Vary

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Nov 032014

vary: to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate An asymmetric shawl that combines various patterns, this bias wrap moves from simple garter stripes through slipstitch colorwork and back again. Cast on at the long, narrow end, Vary grows on the bias, only ever using one color at a time in each row. Choose two colors or even more, and make it your own by varying the placement of the different stitch patterns; the simple construction adapts easily to different amounts of yardage and to your artistic vision. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipstitch colorwork; the slipstitch pattern instructions are fully written only. Size: 105” length and 21” depth, customizable. Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Selku (50% silk, 50% merino wool; 375 yards/343m/113g), shown in Viola (MC) and Juice (CC); 1 skein MC and 1 skein CC. The sample used about 340 and 370 yards respectively. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 15 st and 30 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for . . .

Tortue Swing

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Oct 222014

Originally published in knit.wear Fall 2013, this sweater pattern is now available as an individual pdf download from The Knitting Vortex with expanded instructions and slightly tweaked sizing. This sophisticated pullover is knit side to side as an oversized rectangle with minimal finishing. A comfy and easy silhouette, the ample body proportions are balanced by the slim ribbed sleeves and turtleneck, with the added detail of an asymmetrical faux front opening. The lower fronts are free to swing open, enhancing the relaxed attitude and uncomplicated style of this outerwear layering piece. Construction: In this sideways sweater, row gauge determines circumference, while stitch gauge determines length; measurements are ample, providing plenty of ease for your desired fit. Tortue is knit sideways in stockinette stitch with a knit-in narrow rib hem. The underlapping left front is cast on first and worked to the edge of the neck opening then placed on hold; the right front and back are cast on and worked to the neck, with the back placed on hold while the overlapping right front is finished. . . .

Silverado

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Sep 242014

A seamless cardigan with swingy fronts and unusual construction, Silverado is the best kind of simple yet interesting knitting. Texture abounds in the reverse stockinette ground, ribbed sleeves and 3-dimensional wave cables, finished with a simple applied I-cord front and neck edge. The cozy wrap front can be worn open or closed with a pin, and is just the right layer when there’s a chill in the air. Construction: The back and sleeves of Silverado begin in the topdown raglan style, then as the sleeves are divided from the body, stitches are picked up along the front raglan seamlines for the fronts, which are shaped with increases and cables. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, longtail CO, backwards loop CO, picking up stitches, cables, applied I-cord (cable CO). Silverado is a fully written pattern, with the cables both written and charted; there is also a video tutorial for the applied I-cord. Size: 33 (34.5, 36.5, 38, 40, 42.5, 45.5, 48, 50.5)” upper bust, based on twice the back width at bottom of armhole; . . .

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