. . . vive la FF… fête . . .

I started a new project some time ago. I have lots of fingering weight skeins in tints of blues; a few full skeins but also a lot of half skeins and small leftovers…

And I liked the spiraling colorwork of the festive mitts I just made.

Plus, I have a pattern that is just perfect to play with colors and charts: my FF backward

I wanted it a little bit less wide so I followed the numbers for S (I usually take M). I started the front with a provisional cast on (167 sts) because I was not sure yet how to do the hem. After 5 repeats + 1 row (= 116 rows) the armhole shaping starts which takes another 72 rows.

My gauge = 29 sts and 33.5 rows. That looks OK.

Front and back are knitted separately back and forth, then sewn together at the sides and the top. I am quickly bored so the back will have another chart, a little more squared, not round or spiralled. Worked it the same way as the front to the armhole (provisional cast on, 116 rows, …) with a difference: some intarsia labels in other blues to create some variety.

Intarsia is so much easier worked back and forth instead of in the round.

The front is ready and the back is finished with a striped band in very dark blue and white. They are ready to be assembled… The sides and top are sewn. Then I wanted a simple hem, no ribbing or anything fancy. I unraveled the provisional cast on’s and knitted a 3 cm folded hem with 2.5 mm needles an sewed the live stitches to the wrong side of the body.

The front

and the back

For the neckband I picked up & knit sts with a 2.5 mm circular needle: 82 sts at the front and 52 sts at the back. I worked it inside out because I knit faster than I purl. Knitted 7 rounds and bound off very loosely for some curl.

Then the sleeves: I picked up & knit 100 sts with needle 2.5 mm.
Knitted 50 rounds straight alternating 2 blues every round. Then I started decreasing every 10 rounds.

I wanted long sleeves and I was not sure I would have enough of the darker blue to knit both sleeves the same … so I changed colors at the end of the first sleeve.
Finally I knitted 200 rounds per sleeve and I will add a folded cuff as the body.

Well, in the end I hàd enough of the darker blue for the second sleeve, and as I like assymetry, I changed the striping in 2/2 rounds 😀

The front looks good but it can have a bit more excitement, haha 😀

I added duplicate stitch to two circles. Not sure if I will add more… Still needs blocking but I like it already.

. . . florally . . .

And this is the last pattern from 2018: florally: a beanie with stranded colorwork, knit bottom up and seamlessly in the round.

It starts with some corrugated ribbing in 2/1.

From wherever you look at it, it is never the same.

There are no repeats, in fact it is one large chart covering the whole circumference of the hat.

There is only one size due to the complexity of the colorwork, but it is easy to alter the stitch gauge to obtain other sizes. See the note about changing gauge and size below.

I made two of them in a different color range. The first on above in a very contrasting black and white, and the second one in more harmonising colors. So much harder to photograph.

The colorwork is charted only. Tips to successfully knit stranded colorwork are included.

One size
to fit head circumference: 54 – 58 cm / 21¼ – 22¾“
finished measurement at the brim: ± 51 cm / 20”
brim slightly stretched: ± 54.5 cm / 21½”
finished height: ± 21 cm / 8¼”

A note on gauge and size
• For a larger head circumference you will need larger needles and DK weight at a gauge of 25 sts and 30 rows.
The finished measurement at the brim is 54 cm / 21½” and fits a head of 57 to 61 cm / 22½” to 24”
• For a smaller head circumference you will need smaller needles and fingering weight at a gauge of 28.5 sts and 34 rows.
The finished measurement at the brim will be 48 cm / 19” and fits a head of 50 to 54 cm / 19½” to 21¼”

What you’ll need
sport / 5 ply
MC (main color): dark blue ± 100 m / 110 yards
CC contrasting color: (violet in first sample and white in second sample) ± 80 m / 90 yards
2.5 mm (US 1½) circular needle
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle
4 markers
tapestry needle

Gauge
27 sts and 32 rows in stranded colorwork with the larger needle = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”)

Check it out here

I added a few curls on the black/white beanie from this post.

and a crocheted pompom from the same post on the purple/black one.

This was 2018 … Up to 2019 in next posts …

. . . cablino . . .

Next one is a hat with lots of cables: Cablino.

This one was lots of fun to sketch and watch those cables go smaller to shape the crown. It is often different from what you had in mind. But that makes it interesting.

It looks like some kind of flower, doesn’t it ?

It is worked bottom up and seamlessly in the round.

There is only one size due to the complexity of the cable design. But it is easy to alter the stitch gauge and thus obtain other sizes. Notes about changing gauge and size are included.
The cables are charted and written.
It can be worked as a beanie or blocked to a beret.

one size see below for other sizes
to fit head circumference: 54 – 58 cm / 21¼ – 22¾ “
finished measurement at the brim (slightly stretched): 52 cm / 20½”
crown circumference (blocked on a plate): 78 cm / 30¾” (diameter 25 cm / 9¾”)
Blocking aggressively will get a larger diameter.
Without blocking it is a beanie.

Top left is the unblocked beanie, the two other photos are the hat blocked to a beret.

What you’ll need
worsted / 10 ply
or you can use a fingering / 4 ply weight doubled
Yardage for the hat
± 210 m / 230 yards
(if you use fingering held double, you should double the yardage)
4 mm (US 6) circular needle
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle
cable needle
marker
tapestry needle

Gauge
23.5 sts and 32 rows of repeats of rows 1 to 24 of the cable stitch pattern, with the larger needle and blocked = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”)

a note on gauge and size
For a larger head circumference you will need a larger needle and aran weight at a gauge of 22 sts and 30 rows.
The finished measurement at the brim is 55 cm / 21½” and fits a head of 57 to 61 cm / 22½” to 24”

For a smaller head circumference you will need a smaller needle and DK weight at a gauge of 25.5 sts and 35 rows.
The finished measurement at the brim will be 48 cm / 19” and fits a head of 50 to 54 cm / 19½” to 21¼”

Check it out here

. . . from braided leaves (bis) . . .

Ahah, and there is a matching hat: braided leaves hat.

It features the same stranded colorwork with delicate outlined leaves, perfect to work up some little rests.

Worked bottom up, it starts with Jenny’s magic cast on as a provisional cast on. A doubled brim with – at the bottom – a small chart of ‘tilted’ lines refers to the pullovers ‘twisted / tilted details’.

It comes in three sizes: kids, medium and large. Instructions for a beanie or a more slouchy hat are included.
The samples are medium size: slouchy fit and beanie.

slouchy fit

beanie

The colorwork is charted only.

Tips on colorwork and fair isle to successfully knit the leaves are included.

Find out more here.

Get both patterns: braided leaves and braided leaves hat together.

. . . babe . . .

No intarsia, no picking up stitches, no sewing yet it is seamless and in one piece.

Babe is a pullover with a special construction.

First both sleeves are worked bottom up and in the round – perfect as a giant swatch 😉

They are extra long with randomly placed stripes for a playful effect. The raglan shaping is worked flat with ‘live’ stitches at both sides. Then stitches are cast on for the back which is worked top down with a squishy, stretchy, extra-soft, textured stitch pattern joining to the sleeves as you go until the armhole is reached. The front is worked in the same manner.

a few photos of the WIP (work in progress)

Then front and back are joined to work the body in the round. A split hem that is longer at the back finishes the body.
Finally, a small rolled neck band is added.

Sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements chest: 29½, 33, 36¼, 41, 44, 48½ “ (75, 84, 92, 104, 112, 123 cm)
Intended to be worn with no ease or a little positive ease.

What you’ll need
fingering / 4ply weight
MC ± 1150/1300/1450/1650/1750/1950 m (1250/1450/1600/1800/1900/2150 yards)
CC ± 125/140/150/170/185/200 m (135/155/165/185/200/220 yards)
CC2: a small rest: 45 to 90 m (50 to 100 yards)
two 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles and straight needles (optional)
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle or double pointed needles
6 markers

Gauge
26 sts and 37 rows in stockinette stitch with the larger needle and blocked

more info here

. . . Greenhouse knits #6 . . .

#6 is a tunic or a dress worked bottom up. A branch of leaves grows along the left front.

The raglan sleeve inset is quite special. It is worked using short rows with live stitches that are put on hold. Then the stitches are slipped to a needle and the sleeve is worked top down and seamlessly also using short rows.

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements: 28¼, 32¼, 36¼, 40, 44, 48 “ (72, 82, 92, 102, 112, 122 cm)
Intended to be worn with no ease or a little positive ease.

What you’ll need
± 900/1000/1100/1200/1350/1500 m (1000/1100/1200/1320/1480/1650 yards) fingering / 4ply weight

3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle and straight needles (optional)
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle and straight needles (optional)
6 markers
one button

Gauge
25 sts and 36 rows stockinette with larger needle size = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)

Check it out here

. . . greenhouse knits #4 . . .

#4 is a cropped cardigan – but can be made longer – using the contiguous sleeve inset developed by Susie Myers. It is worked bottom up because those leaves look so much better knit bottom up.

The cardigan has small pockets worked invisibly in the large hem.

Leaves are growing out of the right pocket and at the back and sleeve. Here is a detail of the pocket and the leaves growing out of it.

The leaves at the back are a bit different from the sample: they are placed closer to the center depending on the size. The long cuffs can be worn as is or folded back to line up with the length of the cardigan.

Sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements chest: 29½ / 33½ / 37 / 41 / 45 / 49 “ (75 / 85 / 94 / 104 / 114 / 124 cm)

What you’ll need
± 820/920/1000/1100/1200/1300 m (900/1000/1100/1200/1320/1450 yards) worsted or aran / 9 or 10 ply
a small rest of worsted – aran weight: ± 25 m / 27 yards
two 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles and straight needles (optional)
4 mm (US 6) needles
10 to 12 markers (10 for XS-S, 12 for M-XXL)
7 buttons: diameter 2 cm / ¾”
tapestry needle
stitch holders or scrap yarn

Gauge
18 sts and 26 rows stockinette with the larger needle = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)

Check it out here

. . . greenhouse knits . . .

The first spring green … This is the first pattern from the greenhouse knits e-book.

Variations on a theme and a color scheme: subtle, tender green leaves growing and climbing up or down … a sock, a hat, a cardigan …

The e-book will consist of at least 8 patterns, (probably 9) that will be released one after another during spring months with the last pattern in June. Two different hats, a pair of socks, long fingerless mitts, a cardigan, a tunic, a shawl and/or scarf and a pattern for small individual leaves to use as decoration or for knitwear embellishments.

Greenhouse knits is already available at a discounted pre-release price. The price will go up with every released pattern until all patterns have been released. Than it will be at its full price of 22 euros.

Greenhouse knits #1: a hat worked bottom up with subtle leaves growing from the brim in twisted stitches. (no cabling). It starts with a rather clever and non-fiddly way to make a neat tubular cast on. The leaves are both charted and written out.

Sizes: available for size : S-M and L
head circumference: 52-57 cm / 58-63 cm (20½-22½” / 22¾-25”)

Gauge
22 sts and 32 rows in stockinette stitch = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”) with the larger needle

What you’ll need
DK / 8 ply
± 140 m / 155 yards
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle
4 mm (US 6) circular needle

crochet hook for the provisional cast on
tapestry needle
6 markers

Check it out here

… FF backward …

The following pullover was very fun to design and make (I made two of them and am really tempted to make some more). The idea came after I met a fellow knitter and we discussed boxy-style sweaters (straight sleeve inset or more fluid like batwing sleeves). We also swapped some yarn. She gave me some wonderful green colors, that I usually don’t buy so easily. The next morning – between wake and sleep – a strong image came to me – in the swapped colors and with several elements we had been discussing.

Here it is: FF backward°

Aren’t these so very happy colors ?

° Why is it called FF backward, anyway ?

The colors are Zarte Knospe at the front, Grünfink at the back, stripes are Natur and Maus Alt, all Wollmeise Twin.
And here is the 2nd one I made. I had a lovely skein of Wollmeise Twin (again), colorway Brombeere, that would match up so well with the TML Georgia O’Keefe for the back with some bright orange accents (WM Twin mohrchen). I used the entire skein of Brombeere at the front, nothing is left.

FF backward is a modern oversized pullover with fitted sleeves. The construction is very simple. It’s basic shape gives a lot of possibilities for striping or other colorwork motifs. Think 3 or more contrasting or matching colors, one for the back, one for the front and 2 for the sleeves and edgings… or large stripes on the back, small stripes at the front or vice versa… And what about real fair-isle colorwork at the front… Or a real lace panel at the back and a plain front…
Just take a look at all the gorgeous FO’s from the testers and you will see that the possibilities are endless.

Included in the pattern are 2 examples of edges: a small chart for the stripes, one for the dots and also a black and white outline drawing to start experimenting with colors and edge patterns.

The side seams are sewn. Stitches are picked up for the sleeves and they are worked top down, seamlessly in the round.
The back and front can be worked in one piece or in separate pieces. Both options are included in the pattern.

°° FF backward >>> comes from a way of shaping the shoulders often used in man’s sweaters. It is called ‘fully fashioned’: the shoulder line of the front is in a right angle and the shoulder line at the back is slanted. And in this design I used that idea backward >>> FF backward.

Sizes available
S, M-L, XL-XXL, XXXL
finished measurements chest: 52, 55, 64.5, 72.5” (132, 140, 164, 184 cm)
As this is an oversized pullover it fits many sizes
More important is the arm circumference (at the elbow): 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.75 “ (22, 24, 27, 30 cm)

What you’ll need
It’s best to choose a yarn with some drape.
fingering / 4ply
MCfront (main color front: yellow in the model): ± 430/460/510/580 m (470/500/560/635 yards)

MCback (main color back: green in the model) : ± 520/560/630/710 m (570/610/690/780 yards)

leftovers in fingering weight for the edgings and the sleeves
CC1 (contrasting color1: black in the model): ± 300 m (350 yards)
CC2 (contrasting color1: white in the model): ± 100 m (110 yards)

3,5 mm (US 4) straight needles
3 mm (US 3) straight needles for the ribbing
3,5 mm (US 4) circular needle or double pointed needles for the sleeves
3 mm (US 3) circular needle or double pointed needles for the sleeve ribbing
2 marker
tapestry needle

Gauge
25 sts and 34 rows stockinette
= 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)

Check it out here and find some other very cheerful examples from the testers

Coz I’m happy

… 3 in 1 …

Happy New Year

And with the New Year comes a new project: 3 in 1

A layered henley shirt worked bottom up, seamless and in 1 piece (yes 1 😉 with a contiguous sleeve inset and extra long sleeves.

This is an ideal garment to use up my stash yarns and the fun started when picking colors for my 3 in 1
Each layer of the body is shaped with short rows and put on hold. The next layer is cast on and joined to the previous layer by knitting with 3 needles. A bit scary, but it is quite easy in fact.

I used some sport weight / 5ply and fingering weight / 4ply yarns together and 4 mm needles to knit the body. The neck ribbing is done with 3,5 mm  needles.

Just take a look at the gorgeous 3 in 1’s of the test knitters and get more info here