shawl • The Knitting Vortex • Page 3

Potions Mistress

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Sep 072016

Become the mistress of your own potion, and mix up a concoction to satisfy and delight. Use three (or more!) colorful yarns as ingredients, and blend them together to produce a bias shawl that evolves through dynamic color changes. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing, easy lace; instructions for this pattern are both fully written and charted. Size: 80” length and 40” depth; this shawl may be customized in length and depth to accommodate varying yardage. Yarn: Julie Asselin Milis (100% superwash merino wool; 475 yards/ 438m/115g), 1 skein each colors A, B and C; shown in Clair de Lune, Sunset and Arlequin, respectively. The sample used almost all of the yardage from each skein, 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: 18 st and 36 rows/4” in garter stitch and lace pattern, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, . . .

Vamping

Featured, New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Jun 162016

In jazz music, vamping is playing the same short phrase over and over; in this shawl you create a glamorous vampy piece by working a simple syncopated eyelet repeat on a wrap with an intriguing shape. Knit asymmetrically from side to side, the long gradient color change builds slowly as it expands with the shawl. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace; instructions for this pattern are fully written. Size: 70” length and 20” depth. Yarn: KnitCircus Yarns Lavish (70% superwash merino wool, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon; 600 yards/548m/170g); 1 skein, shown in Vampire Boyfriend. The sample as written used approximately 585 yards, but instructions are included to customize your shawl for different amounts of yardage. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Removable marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 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 . . .

Diamond Lanes

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Apr 192016

Geometric lace forms textured diagonal diamond lanes leading upward and outward on this simple but stunning triangular shawl. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, easy lace; this pattern is both fully written and charted. Size: 52” length and 21” depth, customizable. Yarn: Seven Sisters Arts Apex (60% superwash merino wool, 20% yak, 20% silk; 400 yards/366m/100g), shown in bleu grey; 1 skein, or 400 yards of wool blend fingering weight yarn with good drape. The sample as written used the entire skein; you may want to have additional yardage on hand as insurance, as the shawl may easily be enlarged using any amount of yarn. Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Markers (3); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, 18 st and 34 rows/4” in diamond lace pattern, 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.

Snowsweep

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Dec 012015

Sweeping rows of eyelets, placed gradually further apart, curve along this reversible shawl. Worked from a few stitches at one tip, the garter stitch grows asymmetrically with picots at one edge, to a matching picot finish. A simple knit with dramatic results, Snowsweep may be customized to use any amount of yardage, and to adjust the frequency of eyelet accent rows. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, picots. Size: 74” length and 24” depth, customizable. Yarn: Woolfolk Sno (100% Ovis 21 ultimate merino wool; 223 yards/204m/50g), shown in Color No. 1+2 (pale grey and off white); 4 skeins. The sample as written used approximately 780 yards, but any amount of fingering weight yarn may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 36 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 . . .

Not Quite Plaid

Featured, New Release, Patterns, Wraps 2 Responses »

Oct 082015

Colorblocks, stripes and vertical dropped stitches – it’s Not Quite Plaid, but looks vaguely tartan. An asymmetric bias shape and an atypical approach to creating a stitch pattern result in a fabric on which to combine colors for a nontraditional and modern shawl that is infinitely customizable. Choose colors and yarns that speak to you from your stash for your own perfect (not quite) plaid. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing; instructions are both fully written and charted. Size: 84” length and 32” depth, customizable to any size. Yarn: Baah! La Jolla (100% merino wool; 400 yards/366m/100g); 1 skein each of color A/Night Sky, color B/Obsidian, color C/Grey Onyx and color D/La Perla. A plied sock yarn with a somewhat tight twist helps maintain the integrity of the dropped stitches. The sample used approximately 275/100/205/215 yards respectively of colors A/B/C/D 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; marker (1); removable markers (optional); Yarn . . .

Eugene

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Jul 282015

A gentlemanly companion to the Three Belles, Eugene is the perfect Beau. Simple and understated with strong, clean lines, he complements his fancy partners with subdued elegance. This elongated bias wrap is worked in stockinette and garter stitch with textured stripes and top edge, and is equally suitable for men or women. A well-mannered partner, Eugene is agreeable to customization to accommodate varying yardage and personalized garter accent stripe placement. Eugene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing. Size: 60” length and 17” depth. Yarn: Have You Any Wool Luxe Sock (80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 370 yards/338m/115g), shown in Cobalt; 1 skein, or any amount of fingering weight yarn. The sample as written used almost all of the skein, but any amount of yardage may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 19 st . . .

Vurvene

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Jul 222015

Vurvene is a feisty and decisive belle, long and lean with simple beauty. This bias asymmetric shawl is worked in garter stitch, with sweeping eyelet rows framing ever-lengthening short row stockinette wedges. A picot top edge adds just a touch of feminine decoration to her bold and linear charm. Vurvene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 80” length and 17” depth. Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering (70% merino wool, 30% silk; 220 yards/201m/50g), shown in Bordeaux; 3 skeins. The sample as written used approximately 660 yards of drapey fingering weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 36 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may . . .

Lurlene

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Jul 142015

Lurlene is a flirty belle, not complicated but eye-catching, engaging and pretty. This one-skein crescent shawlette is worked sideways in garter stitch, beginning and ending with a few stitches. Decorative eyelets frame the stockinette short row godets which shape the curving lower edge, and look lovely on both sides. Lurlene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 50” length and 12” depth. Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/384m/100g), shown in Baltic; 1 skein. The sample as written used approximately 375 yards of fingering weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle. Gauge: 22 st and 28 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, 22 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, . . .

Dulcene

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

Jul 072015

Dulcene is a gentle and shallow elongated triangle, worked side to side in a soft and yielding silk & wool yarn. Repeating textured eyelet rows accent the stockinette body, and grow organically into short row garter ruffles at the lower edge, giving this belle a delicate and feminine charm. Dulcene is part of Three Belles and One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 60” length and 18” depth. Yarn: Great Adirondack Yarn Company Silk N’ Blue (50% silk, 50% blue faced leicester wool; 120 yards/110m/50g), shown in Light Cocoa; 4 skeins. For similar feel and drape, choose a loosely plied yarn with some luxe silk or bamboo content. The sample as written used approximately 450 yards of dk weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle. . . .

The Vizier’s Daughter

New Release, Patterns, Wraps Comments Off

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 . . .

Older Entries Newer Entries