sweater • The Knitting Vortex • Page 3

Tutorial: Seamless Simultaneous Set-in Sleeves

Nov 212014

As a confirmed topdown sweater knitter, I’ve embraced raglan, seamless set-in, and contiguous sleeve constructions that begin with a cast on at the top. My latest favorite adds the simultaneously worked sleeve to the seamless, set-in method. It’s a nifty way to create that tailored set-in sleeve look, without having to pick up stitches for the sleeve cap from the armhole and then work short rows, or knit the sleeve separately and seam it into the armhole. Mind you, I love a good short row sleeve cap. It’s just nice to have additional techniques available for when you feel like a change, or have a technical need such as an easy way to make perfectly matched stripes around the upper body and sleeves of a sweater. Simultaneous sleeves are a variation of the seamless topdown sweater method. In that method, you cast on stitches for the back shoulders and neck, and work (often with a tiny bit of short row shoulder shaping) to the armscye depth. Then you pick up stitches from each back shoulder . . .

Tortue Swing

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Oct 222014

Originally published in knit.wear Fall 2013, this sweater pattern is now available as an individual pdf download from The Knitting Vortex with expanded instructions and slightly tweaked sizing. This sophisticated pullover is knit side to side as an oversized rectangle with minimal finishing. A comfy and easy silhouette, the ample body proportions are balanced by the slim ribbed sleeves and turtleneck, with the added detail of an asymmetrical faux front opening. The lower fronts are free to swing open, enhancing the relaxed attitude and uncomplicated style of this outerwear layering piece. Construction: In this sideways sweater, row gauge determines circumference, while stitch gauge determines length; measurements are ample, providing plenty of ease for your desired fit. Tortue is knit sideways in stockinette stitch with a knit-in narrow rib hem. The underlapping left front is cast on first and worked to the edge of the neck opening then placed on hold; the right front and back are cast on and worked to the neck, with the back placed on hold while the overlapping right front is finished. . . .

Tarry

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Aug 082014

Stop and smell the roses; linger with the sunset, and tarry awhile. This relaxed tee is meant for lazy mornings, long lunches, and walks in the gentle moonlight. Worked seamlessly from the top down in a cotton and linen blend, it features lacy saddle shoulders for a touch of pretty whimsy, and a smooth stockinette body with matching lace panels at each side, all knit seamlessly to the rounded hems. Wear it on gentle, warm days wherever you wander. Construction: Tarry is a feminine tee, designed to be easy and casual with a semi-fitted boxy silhouette. The lace shoulder saddles are worked first, then stitches are picked up for the front and and back, which are shaped with a few short rows and worked back and forth to the bottom of the armholes. The body is then joined to work in the round, including the lace insets at each sideseam, with gentle shaping through the waist and hip. The curved shirttail hem is worked back and forth using short rows, and finished all in one piece . . .

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 . . .

Sneaky Sorbet

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Apr 232014

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 . . .

Spring Scoop(neck)

Patterns, Sweaters 5 Responses »

Mar 132014

I’m pleased to announce that as of June 2015, Box Pleat is available as an individual pdf pattern from my Ravelry store. I’ve extended the size range to 10 sizes from 36.5 to 57.25 (and suggest it be worn with about 6″of positive ease), and expanded the pattern instructions and notes, as per my usual pattern style and format. See all the details and the new photos on my new blog post, and on Ravelry. I buy all the knitting magazines, and my favorite by far is knit.wear from Interweave – so modern, with beautiful, simple photography and exactly the kinds of things I like to knit. Having a design published is always exciting, but I’m extra-jazzed about my Box Pleat Scoopneck sweater, which is in the Spring/Summer issue of knit.wear. Box pleats can easily bring to mind classic schoolgirls with blazers and penny loafers, so the challenge here was to design a clean updated look that a modern girl would want to wear. I kept the fabric simple stockinette, and gave the boxy sweater . . .

The Fisher Queen

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Feb 242014

A modern take on the fisherman sweater, The Fisher Queen blends classic cable and rib elements with a non-traditional shape and construction. Heavily textured Mistake Rib, along with Honeycomb and Snake cables cover the front and back, while the fitted sleeves are worked in Rib. The slim modified dolman sleeves, scooped neck and curved hem bring updated details to the silhouette, mixing traditional and modern in a contemporary classic. Construction: The Fisher Queen is worked seamlessly from the top down; the shoulder saddles are knit first, with stitches picked up for front and back and worked flat to below the armhole, then joined to work in the round. Long, skinny sleeves are picked up and worked in rib, then finished with twisted rib cuffs, matching the hem and neckband. Techniques & Skills Used: backwards loop CO, knit/purl, cables, decreasing, short rows, picking up stitches, grafting. Body stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 31 (35, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55)” bust; shown in third size worn with 4” of positive ease. For a similar . . .

Loops at the Fireside

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Feb 212014

A woolly mantle knit as a simple rectangle with sleeves, Loops at the Fireside features seamless construction in light-as-air alpaca blend yarn. The textured top edge is worked in a dimensional, garter-based loop stitch, and becomes the collar of the sweater; the body is a canvas of pure stockinette stitch with purl ridge details along the fronts, hem, and sleeve cuffs. Together, the comforting shape and modern bulky yet featherweight yarn come together in a new-fashioned garment to wear both at home by the fireside and out into the chill. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, decreasing, picking up stitches. Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)” bust; shown in third size worn with no ease. The sizing of this blanket sweater is designed to be as flexible as possible; the open front ensures that any shape and size can find a good fit within the wide range, depending on amount of ease desired. As a starting point, choose a size with 0-2” ease at your cross-back, . . .

Tucked in Snug

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Feb 192014

A cozy sweater with ample tucked funnelneck, Tucked in Snug is knit in one piece from the bottom up with ergonomic shoulders. Gentle waist shaping and short dolman sleeves flatter the body, while grafted shoulders and an integrated slouchy funnelneck ensure uncomplicated seamless knitting. Short rows shape the sleeves and shoulder comfortably, eliminating excess fabric at the underarm. The substantial cowl frames the face with a series of narrowing tucks at the front neck, gently pulling down the front edge below the chin. Wear it alone in the transitional seasons, and as a Snug extra layer in the depths of winter. Techniques & Skills Used: Cable CO, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing, picking up stitches, tucks. This pattern includes written instructions, links to my short rows and grafting tutorials, as well as a photo and video tutorial for the tuck stitch. Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)” bust; shown in fourth size worn with 2” positive ease. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted (100% wool; 210 yards/192m/100g) shown in Coco; 3 . . .

Slaunter

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Oct 082013

A slouchy sweater, good for sauntering around on errands and adventures when there’s just a bit of chill in the air, Slaunter has a boxy fit with a wide scooped neckline and longer back hem. The smooth reverse stockinette body contrasts with the highly textured hem, cuffs and neck trim, where the mistake rib stitch pattern turns up the style a notch. The side slits are neatly finished with self facings to keep the look polished, and extra fun comes from the knit detail that continues up from the hem along the sideseams. Wherever you Slaunter around, sweatshirt comfort meets stylish details in a modern and casual fit. Construction: The front and back Mistake Rib hems are worked flat, transitioning to reverse stockinette stitch, and then joined and worked in the round from the WS, to allow for knitting instead of purling. The body is worked in the round to the armholes, then divided and worked back and forth separately to the shoulders, which are joined with a 3-needle bind off. Neckline and sleeve cuffs are . . .

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