stripes • The Knitting Vortex

Ink Scarf

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Nov 102024

Worked in the round from one end to the other, Ink Scarf uses the helix knitting technique to create easy jogless one-row stripes on a long tubular scarf. Completely reversible thanks to invisible color changes, one side displays stockinette stitch and the other reverse stockinette, each with a slipped stitch decorative linear detail. Pair two contrasting tonal yarns as in the red sample, or introduce an array of leftovers as shown in the blue. Versatile fingering weight yarn makes a lightweight scarf that can be knit to any length. Construction: the helix knitting technique avoids the jog in color between stripe rounds, as well as removes the ridge where yarns are carried on the reverse of the work, making the scarf delightfully reversible. Helix knitting is used in the striped sections of the Ink scarf, with 8 stationary markers to indicate the position of the vertical slipped stitch columns. No EOR marker is needed, as the “round” is constantly spiraling around the work. The solid sections utilize normal circular knitting, where an EOR marker is . . .

Ink Hat

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Nov 102024

Worked in the round from the brim to the top, Ink Hat uses the helix knitting technique to create easy jogless one-row stripes. Completely reversible thanks to invisible color changes, one side displays stockinette stitch and the other reverse stockinette, each with a slipped stitch decorative linear detail. Pair two contrasting tonal yarns, or match a neutral main color with a self-striping contrast or an array of leftovers. Versatile fingering weight yarn makes a comfortably chic lightweight hat. Construction: the helix knitting technique avoids the jog in color between stripe rounds, as well as removes the ridge where yarns are carried on the reverse of the work, making the hat delightfully reversible. The Ink Hat offers two brim variations; cast on using the tubular method with color A for a smooth, infinity edge and continue 1” in double knitting for a stockinette appearance, or transition to comfortable K1P1 ribbing. Add color B for the helix stripes section, worked with just one color every round. For my video tutorial of helix stripe knitting & the special . . .

Velvetine Lines

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Aug 312021

Velvetine Lines uses garter striped fabric to interpret the wales of corduroy, and is perfect for two saturated jewel colors in lighter and darker tones that mimic the shading created by the nap of velveteen. Pick shades of your favorite color, or take your shawl in another direction and pair two contrasting colors for a different, bold effect. Cast on at one end and worked sideways in two beautiful jewel tones, this deep-pointed triangle features skinny garter stripes that expand into striated lines, for a strong but simple visual impact. Easy no-wrap short rows in sets of three alternate between colors throughout the edging, while two-row stripes anchor the body and connect to the edge of this attainable and fun knit. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, no-wrap short rows; instructions for this pattern are fully written. Size: 65” length and 36” depth, customizable. Yarn: Miss Babs Hand Dyed Yarn Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yards/365 m/110g), sample shown in Tulipa (color A dark) and Fig (color B light); 1 skein each color, . . .

Brae

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Apr 292017

Journey along this asymmetric garter based shawl, as colorful stripes and simple slipped stitches build upon each other. The Brae shawl is knit on the bias from one end to the other, with stripes flowing into a rippled slipstitch pattern, interspersed with solid bands of color. Pair two contrasting colors, or a variegated or tonal skein with a neutral complement, and have fun watching the colorful contrast advance across the shawl while knitting. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipped stitches. Instructions are fully written, with a chart also provided for the slipstitch section. Size: 65 (75)” length and 13 (15)” depth, customizable. Instructions are included for two finished sizes; choose the larger version to use up most of two full skeins, or the smaller version when working with partials, see Designer’s Notes. Yarn: Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yards/366m/113g); 1 skein each A and B. Small version shown in Pewter and Lotus, and large version in Parchment and Denim, respectively. The sample used approximately 250 (360) yards A . . .

ChevRiot

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Mar 162017

A moving riot of chevrons sweeps diagonally, creating texture across this garter based long crescent shawl, while contrasting color stripes expand and contract. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit, increasing/decreasing. Size: 98” length and 18” depth. Yarn: The Periwinkle Sheep PURPOSE (90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon; 410 yards/375m/100g), 1 skein each colors A, B and C, shown in Ghost of Molly, Brownstone and Gold Rush, respectively. The sample used approximately 380 yards A, 400 yards B and 210 yards C. See Designer’s Notes for suggestions on adjusting for different yardage. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle. Gauge: 20 st and 40 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 or purchase the pattern. Save Save

Making Advances

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Feb 012017

Alternating textures in two colors decorate a bold triangle shawl, then advance unexpectedly to one side, for an asymmetric finish. Color choice is the focus, the shape is long and easy to wear, and the knitting is simple and relaxing. Construction: Making Advances is worked topdown from a garter tab CO for the main triangle, then stitches are bound off on one side and the remaining side is worked in a long asymmetric extension. Techniques & Skills Used: garter tab CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing. Size: 75” length and 22” depth. Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles (100% merino wool; 400yards/366m/100g), shown in Urchin (A) and Vengeance (B); 1 skein each of two colors. The sample used approximately 355 yards A and 395 yards B. Using a drapey single or loosely plied yarn will help minimize rolling at the long bottom left edge. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Yarn needle. Gauge: 19 st and 38 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in . . .

Not Quite Plaid

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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 . . .

Sorbetto Scoop

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May 142015

Blueberry, raspberry, pistachio . . . picking a sweater color is as hard as deciding your favorite flavor of sorbet. With stripes and colorblocking, the Sorbetto Scoop sweater lets you enjoy them all. Worked from the top down using the seamless, simultaneous set-in sleeve method, the silhouette is slightly relaxed with gentle waist shaping, curved cropped hems, a scoopneck, and bracelet length sleeves. 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 . . .

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 . . .

Layercake

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Jul 162014

A delicious cropped cardigan worked seamlessly from the top down, Layercake features raglan construction and narrow stripes. Long ribbed cuffs end three-quarter length sleeves and match the wide hem which defines the waist. The ribbed buttonband is picked up and worked along the deep V-neck. In confectionary hues or your favorite color combination, this sweet cardi is a light layer over any outfit. Construction: Layercake is cast on at the neckline, and worked with raglan construction and front neckline increases to create the deep V-neck, with 2-row stripes throughout. Sleeves are divided and put on hold, while the body is worked straight to the deep ribbed hem. Bracelet length sleeves are then worked with shaping to similar deep cuffs. Finally, stitches are picked up all along the front edge and neck, and a 1″ ribbed buttonband is worked with yarnover buttonholes. Techniques & Skills Used: raglan construction, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, cable CO, backwards loop CO. Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)” bust; sample shown in fourth size worn with 1” of positive ease . . .

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