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Tutorial: Short Rows using the German method

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Sep 022014

Tutorial: Short Rows using the German method

The third in my series of tutorials for working Short Rows demonstrates the German method; this is another technique which uses a yarnover instead of wrapping the turning stitch, but instead of the yarnover itself becoming the extra loop, it’s used to pull up a stitch from below to disguise the turning point. The German method on a knit row: 1. Knit to the turning point, and turn the work. Note that when using this method, you will work up to and including the turning stitch. In the w&t method, you’re technically working to one stitch before the turning stitch. 2. Slip the next stitch purlwise. 3. Bring the working yarn to the back over the right needle, and pull upwards so that the stitch below the slipped stitch is pulled partially up onto the needle. This creates what appears to be an odd-looking double stitch, but it’s not a mistake. 4. Bring the working yarn to the front again between the needles; purl the next row. The German method on a purl row: 1. . . .

Tutorial: Short Rows using the yarnover method

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Aug 282014

Tutorial: Short Rows using the yarnover method

The second in my series of tutorials for working Short Rows demonstrates the yarnover method; this technique uses a backwards yarnover instead of wrapping the turning stitch, and then works that extra loop to disguise the turning point. To yarnover on a knit row: 1. Knit to the turning point, and turn the work. 2. Make a backwards YO by bringing the yarn to the back between the needles . . . 3 . . . . and then over the right needle to the front again; purl the next row. Purling that first stitch may be a bit fiddly with the yarnover coming over the needle, but it helps to hold it in place with your finger. To yarnover on a purl row: 1. Purl to the turning point, and turn the work. 2. Make a backwards YO by bringing the yarn to the front between the needles . . . 3. . . . and then over the right needle to the back again; knit the next row. To work the yarnover on . . .

Shadow Dial

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Jul 232014

Light as a whisper and soft as a shadow, this simple tank top is knit in stockinette stitch with flutter cap sleeves. Laceweight yarn on larger needles creates a fabric with beautiful drape, while gentle waist shaping and simple details keep the look uncomplicated. The body is worked seamlessly from the bottom up with a scooped neckline and narrow purl edgings; stitches are picked up around the armholes then rapidly increased and worked in short rows to create the focal feature flutter sleeves. Shadow Dial is pretty and light, and just right for summer. Shadow Dial is a new version of the Sundial Tee, which was published in Knitscene Summer 2013. It has more drape and an improved fit at a slightly more relaxed gauge of 24 st and 34 rows/4”, with an expanded range of ten sizes, which all include added length and a reshaped upper body with better strap coverage and a more deeply scooped front neckline. Additional detailed instructions for the upper body and flutter sleeve shaping have also been included, with . . .

Sundial Tee

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Jul 232014

Originally published in Knitscene Summer 2013, my Sundial Tee pattern is also available as an individual download from The Knitting Vortex. I’ve added just a bit of length, but other than that the pattern remains a close-fitting tank as it first appeared in the magazine. I’ve also included expanded shaping instructions for the neckline and the short row flutter sleeves, as well as linked my short row tutorial. Sundial is a very fitted tank; for a slightly more relaxed, modern fit knit at a larger gauge, I’ve also reworked the design and expanded the size range to ten sizes as Shadow Dial, available on Ravelry and Payhip. Whichever you choose, the soft and luscious laceweight yarn makes a pretty, romantic tee for the summer. A splash of color flutters in the breeze, drawing the eye . . . like a poppy in the field. This simple tank top is knit in stockinette stitch with short row flutter sleeves. Laceweight yarn worked at a small gauge creates a wearable and figure-conscious fabric, which hugs the body . . .

Folderol-over-and-over-again

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Oct 282013

I promised another indie re-release of a design initially published in a magazine, and since it’s getting chilly, what’s better than a soft and warm tucked wrap made with worsted merino? The individual pattern download features a link to my video tutorial for the tuck stitch, and expanded notes and photos, all presented in my user- and printer-friendly format. “Folderol” means foolish nonsense, but this worsted crescent shawl is no trifle; the cozy wrap is made extra thick and warm with triple folds, curved gently with short rows, and finished neatly with applied I-cord. Knit from the bottom up and given texture and shape with tucks and decreases, Folderol is completely reversible and absolutely worthy. Techniques & Skills Used: cable and provisional CO, knit/purl, tucks, picking up stitches, short rows, decreasing, applied I-cord; this pattern includes written instructions as well as a link to my tuck stitch video tutorial. Size: 58” length, and 10” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% Merino) 210 yards/192m/ 100g; 3 skeins shown in Tuareg. The sample used approximately 525 . . .

Pomona Mitts

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Jul 182013

Among my favorite design themes, Harry Potter is undeniably one which keeps appearing as if by magic in my knitwear. The Magickal Quidditch Socks, Amortentia and Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love have been expressions in knit of my love for the wizarding world. Now I can show another small item, the Pomona Mitts, which I designed for The Unofficial Harry Potter Knits Special Issue from Interweave. Professor Pomona Sprout’s fingerless mitts reflect her personality; earthy, robust, and ready for hard work. Cast on provisionally at the outer edge of the hand, the fingerless Pomona Mitts are worked flat using short rows, then grafted for a seamless finish. The cuff is shaped into a point with increases and decreases, and made to flare with a short row wedge. The finger opening is embellished with a spikey picot edge worked by repeatedly casting on and binding off stitches, and an optional narrow decorative satin ribbon is laced through the eyelets on the back of the hand as embellishment. A rich and tweedy yarn brings depth and . . .

Five Short Row Shawls

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Jan 312013

Short rows are one of my all-time favorite knitting techniques. They easily allow you to shape your knitwear, for better fit and more intriguing angles. In the Five Short Row Shawls collection, I’ve used this technique to create five simple garter one-skein shawls, each with a different and unique construction. While I love crescents, topdown triangles and bias boomerangs, the five wraps in this book use short rows imaginatively to create some of these familiar shapes in totally new ways. By choosing a single skein of a beautiful variegated or semi-solid yarn worked in garter stitch, the focus is entirely on the rhythmic and magical process of knitting short rows. The results are both simple, and singularly stunning. Each pattern may be purchased individually, or all together as an ebook with a special price that equals getting one pattern for free. The collection includes Triangulate, Piewhacket, Rondelay, Aerophile, and Rufflebye; see them all together as Five Short Row Shawls on Ravelry or on Payhip.

Rufflebye

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Jan 312013

A new take on the ruffle shawl, Rufflebye is a one-skein, reversible wrap worked sideways in three garter stitch wedges which cleverly intersect to change the knitting direction. Increases and decreases create the shape from tip to tip, while two sets of short rows throughout form the crescent shape and the gently ruffled edging. Construction: Rufflebye is cast on at one tip with a few stitches, increased to the halfway point then decreased again to the other tip, and shaped with short rows throughout. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit, increasing/decreasing, short rows. Size: one size; 45” length and 10” depth. Rufflebye forms a natural semi-circle and measures 40” along inner semi-circumference, and 72” along outer semi-circumference, measured without stretching. The 12-stitch ruffle is approximately 2.6” and begins as soon as there are enough stitches. Yarn: Indigodragonfly MerGoat Sock (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon, 400 yards/366m/115g); 1 skein, shown in My Boyfriend Had A Bicentennial (Buffy). See Designer’s Notes for instructions to adjust for differing yardage. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40″circular needle, or size to match . . .

Aerophile

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Jan 172013

Aerophile is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl with narrow wings that stretch wide like a soaring bird which loves to fly. Each wing is knit using short rows from a provisionally cast on central spine, while the scalloped top edge is created by casting on additional stitches every six rows. After both wings are complete, a loopy super-picot edging binds off the live stitches along the bottom edge. Choose a beautiful yarn as the focus of the shawl, and let the uncomplicated fabric and simple textural edgings highlight the fiber. Construction: Aerophile is provisionally cast on at the center vertical, and each wing is worked separately in short rows to the side. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, backwards loop CO, Cable CO, knit, increasing, short rows. Size: one size; 52” length and 18” depth. Yarn: Dream In Color Smooshy (100% merino, 450 yards/411m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Deep Seaflower. The sample used approximately 425 yards of light fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO . . .

Piewhacket

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Dec 052012

Piewhacket is a one-skein garter shawl constructed from three sequential short row triangles which build on each other, with a final uneven edging knit from live stitches using additional short rows. The resulting asymmetrical shape drapes perfectly around the neck and shoulders, and is completely reversible for ultimate wearability. The short row shaping means never having to work a huge number of stitches, and also shows off the unique beauty of variegated or semi-solid yarn. Construction: Piewhacket is cast on and worked entirely in short rows as a series of three connected triangles. The short row border is worked from live stitches and accentuates the points of the long and narrow edging. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, increasing, short rows. Size: one size; 52” length along top edge and 8” depth (12” depth at points). Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool, 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown in Abril. The sample used approximately 375 yards of light fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers . . .

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