Dec 012014
 
Elizabel

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
 
Layercake

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 . . .

May 012014
 
Crossfire

Diagonal lines fire across this elongated, asymmetric shawl, creating striking contrasts in angles and colors. Textural stripes are worked using simple knit and purl stitches, while the intersecting columns are created by slipping stitches at regular intervals; only one color is ever worked at a time. The sample pairs a neutral main color with a long, self-striping yarn as the contrast color, but using a variegated yarn or leftovers to create your own custom stripe colors as the contrast would be equally lovely. The long, bias shape shows off the dramatic pattern while being easy to wear, and the simple construction adapts to varying amounts of yardage. Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, slipped stitches; this pattern is both written and charted. Size: 92” length and 18” depth. Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/ 384m/100g); 1 skein MC; Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi (80% merino wool, 20% nylon; 195 yards/178m/50g); 2 skeins CC. Shown in Natural (MC) and 120 Fireworks (CC), and using about 420 and 350 yards respectively. This pattern . . .

Sneaky Sorbet

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Apr 232014
 
Sneaky Sorbet

I finished the knitting last night, so today was all about weaving in ends – and with a multi-striped sweater, there were a lot of them. Working in the round and twisting the colors created a tidy RS, but a bit of work to do on the private side. After a soak and block, I’ll see how the final result looks. And I’ll just mention that with the coming of spring (finally!), my mind is totally on sorbet; blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, pistachio . . .

Phi

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Aug 022013
 
Phi

The Golden Ratio, or Phi, represents harmony in nature, art and mathematics, and embodies the human perception of beauty. This asymmetric shawl harmoniously blends two colors to the Golden Mean, and then back again, using the Fibonacci sequence to determine the width of the stripes and their relation one to the next . . . All knitting, always pleasing, with a graphic , and harmonious result. Techniques & Skills Used: increasing/decreasing, knit; Phi includes instructions in written and quick table format, and a link to my video tutorial for carrying the unused color along the garter edge. Size: 90” length and 16” depth. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Finito (100% merino; 200 yards/183m/50g; 2 skeins MC and 2 skeins CC, or about 370 and 300 yards respectively of fingering weight yarn. Sample shown in Plomo (MC) and Mostaza (CC). The yardage requirements ratio of MC to CC is approximately 1.25 : 1 – make sure you have about 80% as much CC as MC to complete the sequence. Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular needle, or . . .