shortrows • The Knitting Vortex • Page 3

Rondelay

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Nov 132012

Rondelay is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl constructed from three sequential half rounds or rondels, which grow from cast on stitches using both short rows and strategically placed radial yarnover increases. Each rondel builds upon the previous one, creating a finished semi-circular shape that drapes beautifully as it wraps around the shoulders. Designed to show off the colors of a variegated or hand dyed skein, Rondelay looks equally fantastic in a solid color. Construction: Each rondel is knit using short rows, incorporating additional stitches from the cast on into each row, and at the same time increasing stitches by making yarn overs on a few strategic rows. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit, short rows. Size: one size; 50” length along top edge and 9” depth at widest part of rondel. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino, 440 yards/402m/ 100g); 1 skein, shown in Indiecita. The sample used approximately 410 yards of light fingering weight yarn. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 40” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 36 rows/4” in . . .

Triangulate

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Nov 072012

Triangulate is a one-skein, reversible garter shawl composed of two triangles with a chevron border, and is designed to show off the colors of a variegated skein, using simple stitches and beautiful yarn. The shawl begins with a provisional cast on at the center, and is knit outwards in two triangular halves using short rows. The wide edging is knit continuously from the live stitches with no picking up stitches necessary, and may be made narrower or wider to accommodate varying yardages. The unusual construction results in a deceptively simple shape that is uncomplicated yet interesting to knit, and versatile to wear. Construction: this shawl is provisionally cast on at the center vertical, and each half of the central triangle is worked in short rows to the side. The chevron edging may be customized to be wider or narrower, depending on your preference and available yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, increasing, short rows. Size: one size; 58” length and 19” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino wool, 440 yards/ 402m/100g); 1 skein, shown . . .

Sneak Peek at Folderol

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Aug 202012

Tucks and folds have been a little bit of an obsession of mine since last winter, and three weeks ago I got a lightning bolt idea for a soft, scrummy tucked shawl for the autumn season ahead. When something like this comes out of the blue, I like to go with it; thinking it might be a good fit, I sent off a pitch to Shannon at Cooperative Press, who is launching the new Knit Edge magazine. And so it comes about that Folderol is in issue 1, due to come out in the beginning of september. This piece takes those textural tucks like the ones used in the Crimp hat and Ruckle Mitts, and exaggerates them into long, deep folds along the curve of a thick crescent shawl. The top edge is finished with applied I-cord, making the entire wrap reversible, and lovely when wrapped around the neck. I’ve had these three skeins of Malabrigo Worsted in Tuareg hanging around in stash forever, and 2.5 of them are now this cozy schlarf (with enough . . .

Rhadamanthys

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Mar 022012

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 . . .

Selimiye

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Sep 262011

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 . . .

Eldora

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Sep 262011

A quick and easy garter stitch hat, Eldora is perfect for showing off variegated yarn. This hipster beanie is cast on provisionally and knit sideways with short row shaping, then the first and last rows are grafted together for a seamless finish. Techniques & Skills Used: Provisional CO, knit, short rows, grafting; a link is provided to my short rows tutorial, and grafting instructions are included. Size: Child (Adult); 19” circumference and 7.75 (8.5)” height; the stretchy garter stitch and single ply wool will accommodate many head sizes. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Deja Vu, or approximately 100 (110) yards of worsted weight yarn. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Yarn needle. Gauge: 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after gentle blocking. Row gauge determines hat circumference in this sideways knit. See it on Ravelry, to read more and download the free pattern. . . .

Hoopla

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Sep 262011

Luxury yarn and beads pair together creating Hoopla, an elegant long stole with a fancy hoopskirt border. Short row shaping makes a lovely crescent and a face framing beaded shawl collar. Unusual and fun edging stitches keep the knitting interesting, while soothing garter stitch ensures rapid progress; together the result is stunningly simple. Techniques & Skills Used: beaded CO, knit/purl, lace, beading (prestrung and crochet hook methods, with link to video tutorial), short rows; this pattern includes both a chart and written instructions for the border. Size: 12” deep and 60” long, after blocking. Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina (75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 360 yards/329m); 1 skein, shown in Composition Book Grey. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 40” circular needle; Stitch Markers (11); Yarn needle; 389 size 6/0 seed beads; beading needle for stringing beads; Size 1.25mm crochet hook for placing beads. Gauge: 16 st and 44 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; one scallop is approximately 5” long. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger . . .

Helena’s Folly

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Sep 262011

Le Rayon Vert, or the Green Ray, “has the virtue of making him who has seen it impossible to be deceived in matters of sentiment; at its apparition, all deceit and falsehood are done away, and he who has been fortunate enough once to behold it is enabled to see closely into his own heart and read the thoughts of others.” In Jules Verne’s Le Rayon Vert, heroine Helena Campbell refuses love until she has succeeded in seeing the Green Ray. While evading her suitor, she unwittingly falls in love with another young man, and ultimately misses the appearance of the enlightening Green Ray because she is staring deeply into the eyes of her true love. Is Helena’s Folly believing in the power of the Green Ray, or is it allowing herself to fall in love without safeguards? Perhaps this sweater will bring an enlightening answer. With a sweetly relaxed silhouette, drapey cap sleeves and turned bottom and neck hems, it is a romantic knit for an insightful knitter. Construction: Helena’s Folly is meant to . . .

ArachnoMania

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Sep 242011

The ArachnoMania collection contains two shawl patterns, in five sizes and two yarn weights. See it on Ravelry, to read more and buy the pattern collection. Arachnophilia is a long crescent-shaped stole with deep cobweb frill border, which uses short row shaping in the stockinette stitch body, and thoughtfully placed beads to highlight the edges and transition rows. Dropped stitches create the open weblike edging, and beaded twisted rib accents the gently curved shape. This shawl is knit from the bottom up, with instructions included for both Sock and DK weight yarn; the edging may also be customized for depth by knitting fewer or more rows. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, dropped stitches, short rows, beading (crochet hook & prestrung methods). Size: Sock yarn shawl: 65” wingspan and 9” depth, (DK shawl: 60” wingspan and 12” depth). Yarn: Sock yarn shawl: Madelinetosh tosh merino light (100% merino wool, 440 yards/112g); 1 skein, shown in Thunderstorm. DK shawl: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool; 150 yards/50g); 2 skeins, shown in London . . .

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