. . . leaves, leaves and flowers . . .

There are 8 new patterns published with botanical details: flowers and leaves.

First comes Spring memories

Find the mitt if you can

Spring memories is a set containing a hat and fingerless mitts with stranded colorwork in three colors featuring delicate white dandelions with yellow hearts. The yellow hearts are added afterwards using duplicate stitch. It is perfect to work up some little leftovers.
You could also try to work the yellow hearts in ‘intarsia’ as @Maddish on Ravelry did because they are only a few stitches wide. See post 40 in the test thread.

The Spring memory mitts are worked bottom up from cuff to fingers. They can be worn with the band up for warm fingers or folded down when you need your fingers to work.
They come in three sizes: small, medium and large. The sample is the medium size.

Sizes
Finished measurement hand circumference: S, M, L: 17.5 cm / 6¾”, 20 cm / 8”, 22.5 cm / 8¾”
to fit hand circumference: 18 to 19 cm, 20 to 22 cm, 22 to 25 cm (7 to 7½“, 7¾ to 8¾“, 8¾ to 10“)

And then there is also a hat: Spring memory hat

Find out more and see more examples in other colors here and here

I also made some mini-mitts for my 18 months little niece. One daisy on a little mitt.
They arrived at destination and … I was afraid they woudln’t fit, the mitts looked so very tiny but they DO fit 😀

Next is Climbing leaves,

a set containing a hat, fingerless mitts and a cowl (3 patterns) with stranded colorwork in two colors featuring delicate leaves.

The Climbing leaves hat is worked bottom up with a large folded brim.

It comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. The sample is the medium size.

Sizes
Finished measurement hat circumference at the brim (slightly stretched): 49 cm / 19¼”, 52 cm / 20½”, 56 cm / 22”
to fit head circumference: 52 to 56 cm / 20½ to 22“, 55 to 59 cm / 21½ to 23¼“, 57 to 63 cm / 22½ to 24¾“

The Climbing leaves mitts are extra long. Instructions are included to make a shorter version. They are worked bottom up from cuff to fingers. They can be worn with the band up for warm fingers or folded down when you need your fingers to work.
They come in three sizes: small, medium and large. The sample is the medium size.

Sizes
Finished measurement hand circumference: S, M, L (17.5 cm / 6¾”, 20 cm / 8”, 22.5 cm / 8¾”)
to fit hand circumference: 18 to 19 cm, 20 to 22 cm, 22 to 25 cm (7 to 7½ “, 7¾ to 8¾ “, 8¾ to 10 “)

And an extra warm cowl: the Climbing leaves cowl

It is double layered for extra warmth, worked bottom up starting with a provisional cast on that will be unraveled to graft both layers together. It comes in two sizes: small and large. The sample is the small size with a diameter of 61 cm / 24”. The large size is a long loop double the length (122 cm / 48”). It can be worn as is or you can double it around your neck for extra coziness and warmth.

Sizes
Finished measurement circumference: Small: 61 cm /24”, Large: 122 cm / 48”

More examples in other colors and more info here, here and here.

Finally the last 3 patterns: Oak leaves which I am particularly proud of.

Oak leaves is a set similar to the Climbing leaves set containing a hat, a cowl and fingerless mitts in stranded colorwork (three colors) featuring delicate oak leaves and acorns. The acorns are added afterwards using duplicate stitch.

The Oak leaves hat is worked bottom up with a large folded brim as the others. It also comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. The sample is the medium size.
Tips on colorwork and duplicating stitches included.

The Oak leaves mitts that can be worn with the band up for warm fingers or folded down when you need your fingers to work.

Also in three sizes: small, medium and large. The sample is the medium size.

And finally the cowl: Oak leaves cowl double layered for extra warmth.

The complete set

More info here, here and here.

. . . X-tee . . .

It all started with this very easy stitch pattern when I made a few little swatches to try out new patterns. I must admit that I rarely use stitch patterns from a book, I usually make them up myself…

Find out more and see more examples of X-tee here

With a yarn that has some sheen it gives the right but subtle contrast to show off the slipped stitch pattern. I used a cotton/bambou blend.

X-tee is a short sleeved tee or a pullover with drop shoulders and 3/4 sleeves. Both options are included.

I like to wear it over a shirt like this.

It features a subtle and very easy stitch pattern, a V-neck that follows the diagonal lines, and split hems. It is best to choose a yarn that has some sheen to enhance the effect of the diagonal lines.

First the back is worked top down and back and forth to the armpits. Then stitches are picked up to work the fronts to the armpits. From here the body is worked in the round in one piece. Stitches are picked up to work the 1/1 ribbing or to work longer sleeves using the same slipped stitch pattern.
Finally an applied I-cord can be added to finish the neckline – if desired.

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Sizes
XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL / XXXL
finished measurements chest: 31¾ / 35¼ / 40¼ / 43¼ / 46½ / 50½ / 53½ “ (80.5 / 89.5 / 102 / 110 / 118 / 128.5 / 136 cm)

Intended to be worn with 7 to 13 cm / 3 to 5” of positive ease.

What you’ll need
fingering weight / 4ply
short sleeved tee
± 730, 820, 950, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 m (800, 900, 990, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 yards)
with elbow sleeves
add 200 to 350 m / 220 to 380 yards

3 mm (US 2½) circular needle and straight needles (optional) or size to obtain gauge
2.5 mm (US 1½) circular needle
3 mm (US 2½) double pointed needle for the I-cord finishing at the neck (optional)
6 markers
scrap yarn or stitch holders

Gauge
10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) = 28 sts and 56 rows in slip stitch pattern with the 3 mm / US 2½ needle

Find out more and see more examples of X-tee here

. . . waterverf aka aquarelle . . .

I started this a while ago…

The photo has the date: February 2018… ^^

I wanted to use up some stashed yarn. Hmmm, I think these colors work well together.

Started writing a pattern… But it took a year (or more) to finish the pattern, make photos, tech edit, testknit and finally publish it. But here it is: Waterverf aka Aquarelle.

Aquarelle was its first name, but someone pointed out that a few days ago, another pattern with that name was published on Ravelry. I also found out there were more ‘Aquarelle’ patterns. Better to change the name, but not the idea behind it.

Mixing colors in slow or fast gradients just have the feel and look of watercolors being applied wet and blending together… So its name is now : Waterverf (Dutch for aquarelle)

Do you have three, four or five matching fingering weight skeins in your stash?
Waterverf: a short-sleeved or long-sleeved tee, tunic or dress as long as your yarn and inspiration takes you.

The pattern provides instructions for a tunic with elbow sleeves as the sample, but feel free to make body and/or sleeves shorter or longer as desired or as your yarn allows you.

The shoulder and sleeve construction is an improved version of the one I use in a lot of my designs (inspired by the contiguous method of Susie Myers). I found a way to work them without breaking any yarn.

Instructions are included to make slow or quick gradients.

Sizes
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements chest: 32, 35½, 36¾, 41¾ , 45¾, 51 “ (78.5, 87.5, 93.5, 105, 117.5, 130 cm)
Intended to be worn with a little positive ease at the high bust (take the measurement just under the armpits).
Best worn with no ease, a little negative or positive ease.

Due to the nature of this sleeve inset you should choose the size closest to your high bust measurement (under the armpits). If you should want more ease, it is best to start with the numbers of the size closest to yours and add more increases for the body and sleeves, if necessary.

What you’ll need
fingering weight / 4ply
Yardage depends on length of body and sleeves, as pictured with elbow sleeves and tunic length: ± 1500, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2250, 2500 m (1650, 1900, 2000, 2200, 2450, 2750 yards)

3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle or size to obtain gauge
3.5 mm (US 3) circular needle
4 mm (US 6 ) circular needle
6 markers
crochet hook for the provisional cast on
one button, diameter: ± 15 mm / 0.6”

Gauge
26.5 sts and 40 rows stockinette stitch with the smaller needle and blocked = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

See more ‘gorgeous’ versions of the testknitters (they all look different and unique) and find out more about it here

. . . traces . . .

Traces is kind of a pullover …
or a poncho with sleeves …

It started as an experiment in the center with a circular cast on like this:

4.5 mm / US 7 needle and Aran weight and steadily growing.

First it is worked in the round with large celtic cables. When a sufficient length is reached, the panels are worked back and forth to shape the neckline.

I had to perform some major surgery. The first panel I knit was too loose at the center creating some kind of bump in the middle. So, I snipped a stitch and undid one round.

I ripped back the center and reknit it changing the charts a little and using a smaller needle size. Then I joined the two pieces using kitchener stitch.

Front and back are joined at the shoulders knitting stitches together, but leaving the cables unjoined.

They are grafted later, giving the effect of the cables laying on top of the join.

A few short rows are added at the beginning of the sleeves for a better fit. They are worked top down in the round.

Choice between two neck finishes: a small rolled neckband or a large turtle neck.

A few more photos of the FO…

What you’ll need
Aran weight
± 1100, 1200, 1350 m
(1200, 1320, 1480 yards)
If you make it with a turtle neck, you will need an additional 120 to 150 m / 130 to 160 yards.
one long 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle (minimum length 100 cm / 40”)
or three 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles
two 4 mm (US 6) circular needles
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle
cable needle
8 markers
crochet hook
scrap yarn

Gauge
stockinette stitch: 18 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) with the larger needle

At this moment (february 26) the pattern contains only size M/L. S-petite and XL-tall are being testknit right now and will be added later (end of March 2020).

Check it out here to see more versions from the testknitters.

. . . A Mazing pullovers . . .

I really like mosaic knitting. It is so easy; only one color is worked per row or round. Colors are switched every 2 rounds…

But most of all they give quite special op-arty line drawings, especially when using large motifs, it is almost mesmerizing … So I really had to explore the possibilies and experiment with the technique.

One pattern with two different mosaic panels and  two sleeve options to choose from.
Mix and match…

A Mazing pullovers are worked in two colors. First the front panel is worked bottom up followed by the back panel which is worked top down.

The pattern includes a choice between two different mosaic stitch patterns and two kinds of stripes for the sides.

This is the yellow pullover with striped sleeves:

And this is the blue pullover with a slipped stitch variation on the sleeves:

The top of both panels with the neckline and shoulder shaping is written out but the basic mosaic pattern is charted, no written instructions.

Stitches are picked up & knit along the center panel to work the sides. Here you can easily adapt the size by working more or less rows.

A few short rows at the shoulders and beginning of the sleeves assure a better fit. The sleeves are worked top down in the round.

Finally the neckband is worked with an estonian braid and 2/2 corrugated ribbing.

What you’ll need
Sport weight or light DK weight
Yarn choice is important.
For the best effect, choose a round, bouncy wool with a lot of stretch

D (darker color):
610/680/750/830/900/980 m (670/750/830/910/1000/1100 yards)
L (light color):
500/550/600/660/720/800 m (550 /600/660/720/800/880 yards)

3 mm (US 2½) circular needle
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle
3.5 mm (US 4) straight needles or extra circular needle for the 3-needle bind off
crochet hook
4 markers
tapestry needle

Gauge
Stockinette stitch blocked
23 sts and 34 rows with the larger needle
= 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

Slipped stitch variation blocked
25 sts and 38 rows with the larger needle
= 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

Find out more about them here

. . . pythagoras’ new socks . . .

Pythagoras’ new socks are ready. The pattern has been published 😀

I first made this pair with two greys from Wolmeise Twin.

But then, I wanted to change some small details to the pattern and make a pair with the leftover yarn from pythagoras’ tee: some matching socks …

Pythagoras’ socks are worked from the cuff down with a short row heel and a heel gusset.

Special, cleverly placed increases following the colorwork pattern are worked in the heel gusset.

They disappear in the all over patterning and are ´almost’ invisible.

The basic sock pattern is written out; the colorwork stitch pattern is charted only.

Sizes
S / M / L to fit foot circumference: 20 / 22 / 24.5 cm (8 / 8½ / 9.5 “)
Length of foot and leg is adjustable.
Finished height as pictured = ± 23 cm / 9”.

What you’ll need
fingering / 4 ply
D (dark color): ± 220 to 250 m / 240 to 275 yards
L (light color): ± 175 to 200 m / 190 to 220 yards
2.25 mm (US 1) circular needle or 5 double pointed needles or size to obtain gauge
tapestry needle

Gauge
fingering / 4 ply
34 sts and 43 rows in stranded knitting and blocked = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)
If you can’t reach gauge with the smaller needle and your color work is a bit tight, it is a good idea to go up a needle size.

More info here

Pythagoras’ outfit is now complete:

a hat, a beret, a pullover, a tee, a pair of fingerless mitts and socks…

. . . pythagoras’ tee . . .

Do you remember these ?

Pythagoras’ mitts, beret, hats and pullover. I can’t stop playing with these triangular shapes… They have something fascinating.

So now there is a new item in the collection: Pythagoras’ tee with triangles in stranded colorwork. I had this in my mind since I made the berets and the hats…

It is so fun and interesting to try out different increases to make them as unnoticeable as possible…

I am quite enjoying stranded colorwork now, since I learned to knit with one color in each hand – and I am getting better and better in it. 😀

Gosh, I see a mistake in the photo above that I never noticed before 😉

Pythagoras’ tee is a cute, slightly oversized tee or pullover with a nearly invisible sleeve inset.
It is worked top down and seamlessly in one piece. The colorwork pattern is easy, it consists of light and dark stitches that form a mix of triangles (pythagoras !). Tips on colorwork and stranded knitting are included.

Special, cleverly placed increases are worked following the colorwork pattern and that makes them nearly invisible.

Little striped pockets, a large hem with a checked pattern and a striped, turned hem finish the body.

The checked pattern gives the body a natural flare and a gentle A-line (no extra increases are worked).

A photo of the WIP (work in progress). It looks cute with short sleeves, doesn’t it ?

Not sure what I will do wih the sleeves. Short is cute, but I think I will get more wear of it has longer sleeves…

Short ?

Long ?

Both options are included: short sleeves or 3/4 sleeves at the same length as the body.

In the meantime, I am getting quite used to the different sleeves, haha.

Sizes
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements chest: 34½, 37, 41, 45, 50, 54 “ (88, 94, 105, 114, 127, 138 cm)

Intended to be worn with some positive ease (6 to 15 cm / 2½ to 6 “) at the high bust (under the armpits).
The sample is size M worn with 16 cm / 6¼” of positive ease at the high bust.

What you’ll need
fingering weight
Total yardage for the short sleeved tee: ± 1250, 1380, 1500, 1600, 1800, 1950 m (1370, 1500, 1650, 1750, 2000, 2150 yards)
Half of each color (D and L)
If you add 3/4 sleeves, you will need about 200 m / 220 yards more per color.

3 mm (US 2½) circular needle or size to obtain gauge
two 3 mm (US 2½) double pointed needles or straight needles
2.5 mm (US 1½) circular needle
crochet hook
6 markers
tapestry needle

Gauge
29 sts and 34.5 rows in stranded stitch pattern = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

The pattern has been tech edited by Sue-Cat on Ravelry.

Check it out here

All pythagoras’ patterns are bundeled in one e-book: Pythagoras

I think Pythagoras needs a pair of new socks too…

 

. . . mosaiX scarf . . .

Published today: mosaiX scarf – or wrap, because it is quite large – that goes with the mosaiX hats from a previous post.

It combines two well known knitting techniques: mosaic knitting and entrelac knitting which makes it quite unique. (Well, that is what I like: combining, experimenting and see if and how it works 😉

Here is a detail of the texture it makes mixing both techniques.

The **mosaiX scarf** is worked in entrelac with squares in a mosaic stitch pattern. It is the same mosaic square throughout but there are some variations that can be used, if you should get bored.

It looks more difficult than it is. Only one color is worked per row, the advantage of ‘mosaic knitting’: only the stitches in the working color are knit, the others are just slipped.

The scarf is finished with an I-cord all around and two large pompoms, one on each side.

I made two large pompoms, the diameter is about 13 cm

Here are some ideas how to make pompoms, or tassels

The basic mosaic stitch pattern is charted and fully written out. The variations of the basic chart are charted only.

one size but easily adjustable in length
at the given gauge, width: ± 40 cm / 16”
length: ± 186 cm / 73½” from point to point

What you’ll need
DK weight: yardage will depend on length of the scarf
As pictured (without the pompoms):
D: (dark color) ± 570 m / 625 yards
L: (light color) ± 500 m / 550 yards
4 mm (US 6) straight needles
two 4 mm (US 6) double pointed needles to work the final I-cord
tapestry needle
4 markers if you wish to place them between the squares (optional)

Gauge
The gauge is not crucial but will affect the size of your scarf / wrap.
garter stitch (unblocked): 20 sts and 10 ridges (= 20 rows) = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)

 

MosaiX scarf is available as a stand alone pattern or in an e-book together with the mosaiX hats from a previous post: mosaiX.

. . . A walk in the fields . . .

Ha, a new pattern and I am particularly happy with this one.

I knitted these socks (photo below) two years ago with a very nice stitch pattern. Color is lovely too.

But … it is missing something.

It is a little too dull to my taste, it needs some punch and spices…

Then suddenly I had a lightbulb moment…

I made a little swatch to check if my idea would work … Drew a little chart …

And finally frogged !!! the top of the socks (luckily they are knit toe up ;-), and reknitted the top and the cuff.

Much better now, don’t you think ?
A little bit of cabling and a little bit of colorwork 

Me definitely loves them.

They make me smile and think of summer …

The socks are worked toe up with a reinforced heel flap and a short row heel. The foot and leg feature a cabled ‘stem and leaves’ stitch pattern.

The small cables can be worked with or without a cable needle. Instructions for both methods are given. The ‘stem and leaves’ pattern and the ‘flowers’ are charted and fully written.
The 3rd color in the flowers’ hearts is added using duplicate stitch. Tips on colorwork and duplicate stitch included.

Sizes
S/M/L to fit foot circumference: 20 / 22 / 24.5 cm (8 / 8½ / 9.5 “ )
Length of foot and leg is adjustable.
Finished height as pictured = ± 23 cm / 9”.

What you’ll need
fingering / 4 ply
MC: ± 280 to 320 m / 300 to 350 yards
CC1 and CC2: small rests of fingering weight
2.25 mm (US 1) circular needle or 5 double pointed needles or size to obtain gauge
2.5 mm (US 1½) circular needle or double pointed needles for the colorwork
tapestry needle

Gauge
32 sts and 48 rows in stockinette stitch = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

See more here

. . . mosaiX hats . . .

It is slowly getting colder, it is almost hat time…

A new pattern release this month: mosaiX hats, one hat, four different stitch patterns.

This is mosaiX hat #1,

 

mosaiX hat #2,

 

mosaiX hat #3,

 

and #4

MosaiX hats are worked bottom up starting with a clever tubular cast on.

They are worked in mosaic knitting: only 1 color is worked per round: the stitches in the working color are knit (or purled) and the stitches in the other color are slipped.Very easy colorwork 😉

Pretty, well thought decreases shape the crown and form some surprising line drawings on top of the hat.

You don’t need to print all the pages, just the one you want to make and the instructions you prefer: chart, or written instructions. Both are provided.

one size
to fit head circumference: 54 – 60 cm / 21¼ – 23½ “
finished measurement at the brim: 50 to 52 cm / 19¾” to 20½”
finished height: ± 19 cm / 7½”

What you’ll need
DK weight
L (light color): ± 90 m / 100 yards
D (dark color): ± 90 m / 100 yards
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle or double pointed needles
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle or double pointed needles and straight needles (optional)
4 mm (US 6) straight needle for the tubular cast on
crochet hook
3 to 6 markers
tapestry needle

Gauge
The mosaic stitch pattern is variable in width and height due to the slipped stitches. It has a lot of stretch in both directions making it fit most head circumferences. Garter stitch
24 sts and 46 rows (23 ridges) = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)
with the medium needle (3.5 mm / US 4)

Read more and see more examples from the testknitters here

Next up will be the mosaiX scarf, stay tuned …