A New Year 2024 full of Creativity, Happiness, Health and Peace are my wishes to everyone.
And a new pair of fingerless mitts with some festive swirls ;-D
3 different patterns: available separately or together in one e-book.
#1: A pair of fingerless mitts starting and ending with a cuff in corrugated ribbing and featuring an all over graphic pattern of interlocking quadruple spirals.
Although the weather is finally cooling down and fall is around the corner, I can’t wait to wear my ‘Spriiing!’. It is my favorite season, indeed. New growth, new buds, new life emerging …
Spriiing! is a lightweight pullover knitted top down. It features two large flowers worked in intarsia. It is worked back and forth to not overly complicate the intarsia colorwork, so there is only one seam to close at the left side.
Stitches are picked to knit the sleeves top down in the round with short rows to shape the sleeve cap.
The sleeves are 3/4 but can easily be made shorter or longer.
The pattern is written but the intarsia colorwork is charted only. For ease of reading and following the pattern it si split in two pdfs: one for the smaller sizes and one for the larger sizes.
Although the knitted pullover looks already great as is, dont’t you think so ?
I added some embellishments which was great fun to do.
Duplicate stitch, 3D-crochet and different embroidery stitches I certainly enjoyed it.
You can add as much or as little as desired.
They can be found in the separate pdf: Spriiing! embellishments, a photo tutorial with step by step instructions. These embellishments are optional, you can add as much or as little as desired.
Sizes XS, S, M , L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL finished measurements chest: 31½, 35½, 39½ , 43¼, 47¼, 51¼, 55, 59 “ (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 cm) Intended to be worn with 5 to 20 cm / 2 to 8” of positive ease
What you’ll need light fingering weight / 3ply MC: ± 900, 950, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 m (990, 1040, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1420, 1530, 1650 yards) CC1: between 200 en 250 m ( between 220 en 275 yards) CC2: between 50 en 10 m ( between 55 en 110 yards) CC3: small leftover small amounts for the embellishments (duplicate stitch, crochet and embroidery)
two 3 mm (US 2½) straight needles and circular needles or size to obtain gauge 2.5 mm (US 1½) straight needles for the hem and circular needle for the neckband and cuffs 2 markers tapestry needle
for the embellishments (optional) 2.5 mm crochet hook a piece of tailor’s chalk or water soluble marker to draw on your knitting
Gauge 27.5 sts and 37.5 rows or rounds = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)
I have a new pattern out … It has taken its time even though it is a quite simple looking design. But then the simpliest things are sometimes the most time demanding.
Diamonds & stripes is a simple slightly oversized (or more fitted depending on your yarn choice) pullover with a basic raglan sleeve inset. It is worked top down and seamlessly in the round.
It features a lattice / diamond pattern on the body, twisted rib patterns on the sleeves and in the middle of front and back and a split hem that is longer at the back.
When I am past the separation sleeves/body, I often work the sleeves (and neckband) first to check if I will have enough yarn and how lang I will (or can) be making the body.
I used an alpaca DK weight, this is still unblockedAnd here after a good soak (blocked)
A note on yarn choice: if you want a relaxed, oversized look (as the model), choose a yarn with some drape (wool/silk blends or alpaca, but if you prefer a more fitted look, choose a bouncy wool with some elasticity.
Sizes XS-S, M-L, XL-XXL, XXXL finished measurements chest: 39¾, 44, 52, 59¾ “ (101, 112, 132, 152 cm) Intended to be worn with positive ease (10 to 25 cm / 4 to 10”). Model is wearing M-L with 20 cm / 8” ease.
What you’ll need DK weight yardage: ± 1000/1200/1350/1500 m (1100/1320/1480/1650 yards) 4 mm (US 6) circular needle 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle 3 mm (US 2½) circular needle cable needle 9 markers tapestry needle
Gauge lattice pattern blocked: 21 sts and 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”) twisted rib pattern slightly stretched: 20.5 sts and 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)
Check it out here and see other examples with different yarns and colors
I am still playing with my new bind off method … Trying out a few new things …
And this is the result: Kazual, a ‘casual’ pullover worked top down and seamlessly in the round.
It starts at the top with a welted cast on. It features striped welts on the shoulders …
and elbows …
and it has two small pockets.
The welts are very easy to make: no difficult intarsia. Only one color is worked per row. You never need to join to the main color in the same row.
There are a few ends to weave in, but that shouldn’t scare you off: they are very easily hidden in the welts.
The body has a slight A-line adding up to the relaxed, ‘casual’ feel and the cuffs and hems have a ‘minimal finished look’ using the special bind off method.
Everything you need to successfully finish your Kazual is included, no need to search on the web:
photo tutorials to work the striped welts and the special cast on technique
Sizes
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements chest: 33 / 37 / 41 / 44½ / 48 / 52 “ (83 / 98 / 104 / 113 / 122 / 132 cm)
Intended to be worn with positive ease (10 to 25 cm / 4 to 10”). Model is wearing M with 15 cm / 6” of positive ease at the high bust (under the armpits).
What you’ll need
worsted weight or heavy DK MC (main color) ± 650/750/800/880/950/1050 m (710/820/880/960/1050/1150 yards) Instead of a worsted weight you can also pair a sportweight with a lace weight (mohair) CC (contrasting color) between 80 and 100 m / between 88 and 110 yards
5 mm (US 8) circular needles and straight needles (optional)
4 markers
Gauge
stockinette stitch blocked: 17 sts and 25 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)
I am a bit (a lot) behind presenting my latest patterns. This post will cover the patterns from the last months of 2018.
Let’s start with ‘braided leaves’. I adored knitting and designing this pattern.
Looking at all the photos I took to illustrate this design, I think it’s better to make one blog post per pattern after all.
Braided leaves is a pullover with stranded colorwork and eyelets at the yoke. Some nice, colored or ‘twisted’ details make this a uniquely designed pullover.
tilting eyelets at the yoke
It is worked top down and seamlessly in the round. It starts with a twisted neck band followed by a few short rows to shape the back neck. The circular yoke is build up using eyelets on top of each other giving the yoke a dynamic twist.
A few more increases are added while knitting the colorwork of the braided leaves. The same idea of twist is used for the pocket bands, the cuffs and ribbing at the bottom.
twisted pocket band
A simpler version of the leaves is added to the sleeve cuffs and the inside of the small pockets is worked in stranded knitting.
stranded pockets and ’tilting’ hem
The colorwork is charted only, (no written instructions).
Tips on how to successfully knit stranded colorwork are included.
This pattern has been tech edited by Sue-Cat and test knit.
Sizes
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements (chest): 31½, 35½, 39½, 43½, 47½, 51” (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 cm)
Intended to be worn with some positive ease.
What you’ll need
fingering weight / 4 ply
MC: ± 1000/1100/1200/1350/1450/1600 m (1100/1200/1310/14750/1600/1750 yards)
CC: ± 140/155/170/190/210/230 m (155/170/185/210/230/255 yards)
two 3 mm (US 2½) circular needles
3 mm (US 2½) double pointed needle
3 mm (US 2½) straight needles for the pocket bands
3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle for the stranded colorwork, if necessary
2.5 mm (US 1½) circular needle for the ribbing
4 markers
or 10/11/12/12/13/13 markers if you wish to place markers between repeats
Gauge
27 sts and 38 rows stockinette stitch with the 3 mm (US 2½) needle = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)
Summer is coming, the sun is shining … It is time for skirts and light summer tops …
Hello yellow, my latest pattern has been published yesterday…
Linne tee: a simple, summery tee with an easy lace pattern at the top and bottom. Knit in linen or linen / cotton blend, it is perfect for sunny summer days.
It is worked seamlessly starting at the top lace section at the back.
Both sleeve caps and the back are worked bottom up at the same time. The edges of the sleeve are worked at the same time in a slip stitch pattern. It slightly pulls in the sleeve caps preventing them from flaring out too much.
Stitches are put on hold for the back neck and increases are made to shape the V-neck at the front. Once the sleeve caps are finished, the body is worked top down. But first, a few short rows are worked at front and back for a better fit / shape. Then the body is knit in the round and finished with the lace edge at the bottom.
Intended to be worn with some positive ease or no ease.
What you’ll need
linen ( or cotton or cotton/linen blend)
in sport weight / 5 ply the yardage is an estimate (the yardage of linen is difficult to calculate: the testers all came out with a different yardage). This is an average:
± 600, 700, 770, 850, 930, 1000 m (660, 770, 850, 930, 1020, 1100 yards)
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle
3.5 mm (US 4) straight needles (optional)
4 mm (US 6) circular needle
crochet hook for the provisional cast-on
6 markers
Gauge (with the smaller needle and blocked)
21 sts and 32 rows in stockinette stitch = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)
Oups, I am a bit behind … 2 patterns have been published last month …
Let me present the one I am very proud of: Squared, a casual, oversized pullover with a sporty look and an innovative construction.
There is no sewing, seaming or intarsia involved. It is based on the same principle as . . . wild rose: the cardigan . . . and . . . Greenhouse knits #6 . . . but it is quite different.
First, the sleeves are worked bottom up (perfect as a giant swatch). Stitches are picked up as you go and put on hold to shape the steps of the ‘squared’ raglan sleeve inset. Then back and front are worked top down with an easy stitch pattern that continues the same idea of the stair shape and forms a waffle* structure.
A stair shaped hem finishes the body.
Finally a small rolled neck band is added in a contrasting color.
The pattern has been tech edited by @sue-cat111 on Instagram, Sue-Cat on Ravelry.
Sizes
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements chest: 38½, 42½, 46½, 50, 54, 58 “(98, 108, 118, 124, 138, 148 cm)
Intended to be worn with positive ease (20 to 40 cm / 8 to 16” ). Model is wearing size M with ± 25 cm / 10 “ of positive ease.
What you’ll need
DK weight
MC1 (body)
± 700/780/850/930/1020/1100 m (770/850/930/1020/1120/1200 yards)
MC2 (sleeves)
± 380/400/440/480/520/560 m (420/440/480/530/570/620 yards)
CC: 45 to 90 m ( 50 to 100 yards)
two 4 mm (US 6) circular needles
and straight needles (optional)
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle or double pointed needles
6 markers
Gauge stockinette with larger needle size and blocked: 21 sts and 32 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)
The pattern for the cardigan has been released . . . The set of wild roses is complete.
Wild rose is a cardigan with an innovative construction in the same manner as her sister Babe.
There is no sewing, seaming or intarsia involved. First, the sleeves are worked bottom up featuring delicate branches and flowers in stranded colorwork.
Then the body is worked top down with a stretchy, leafy lace stitch pattern. Finally, stitches are picked up to work the button bands. The colorwork is charted only and is bundled in a separate pdf providing more tips on working fair isle and stranded knitting.
Intended to be worn with positive ease (6 to 25 cm / 2½ to 10”). To decide which is the best size for you, measure your high bust (under the armpits) and check also your arm circumference. Model is wearing M with ± 10 cm / 4“ of positive ease.
What you’ll need fingering / 4ply weight MC1 (main color of the body) ± 950/1050/1150/1300/1400/1600 m (1050/1150/1260/1450/1550/1750 yards) MC2 (main color of the sleeves) ± 470/500/550/600/660/750 m (520/550/600/660/720/820 yards) CC1 (green in the sample): 45 to 90 m ( 50 to 100 yards)
and CC2 (white in the sample): 45 to 90 m (50 to 100 yards)
2.75 mm (US 2) circular needle for the cuffs and buttonbands
two 3.25 mm (US 3) circular needles and straight needles (optional)
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle or double pointed needles to work the sections with the stranded flowers (if necessary)
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle or straight needles to work the bottom part of the body
6 markers
6 buttons (diameter 18 mm / ¾” )
Gauge
stockinette with the 3.25 mm (US 3) needle and blocked: 28 sts and 40 rows
= 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)
Gone live today on Ravelry: my latest design: Lavandula
It is an open front cardigan with a lace collar, large cozy pockets and the same lace on the hem and cuffs.
It can easily be altered to have buttons and buttonholes. The body is worked flat, top down and seamlessly in one piece. The shoulders and sleeve inset are worked using the contiguous method of Susie Myers.
The sleeves are worked top down and in the round ending with the same lace pattern on the cuffs. An incorporated I-cord edges the lace pattern all along. Off the needles and ready to wear apart from a few stitches to sew down the pockets at the inside.
I used Cascade Superwash to knit the sample. It grew and grew. Superwash, I should have known. It’s a bit long. But I think I like it long. it will be so cozy for colder weather 🙂
This is how it looked like. I like it but it is also quite heavy.
I finally removed one pattern repeat and now the length is much better. To do so I cut the thread in the 4 rows without lace pattern, undid one row in the same manner as I did with the afterthought pockets (see this post ) and frogged 27 more rows leaving me with 2 pieces: a top and a bottom piece with live stitches. I then grafted both sides together using the kitchener stitch.
Intended to be worn with 6 to 15 cm / 2½ to 6 “ of positive ease.
What you’ll need
± 1100/1200/1360/1550/1700/1850 m (1200/1320/1480/1700/1850/2000 yards) worsted /10 ply weight
4 mm (US 6) circular needle and straight needles (if you prefer)
markers: it is best to use 2 different kind of markers:
· 4 markers to use in the lace pattern (m’s)
· 4 markers to mark the sleeves (M1 to M4)
Now that autumn is around the corner it is time to present a pattern to you that I made a while ago, but never showed. I called it ‘mont blanc’ as the colorway I used for it. The yarn is Wollmeise DK in the so called colorway.
The design grew as I was knitting it (top down, of course). The only element that I was sure of is the deep cabled V-neck that starts at the back.
A bad photo of the WIP, such a pity I didn’t take more photos of the construction. I got too carried away to see if it works, I guess. Here you see the start of the cables at the back neck. At the right you see the stitches that are picked up & knit to start work the back and right sleeve.
Cropped or longer ? I like it cropped as some kind of sleeveless vest, but making it a bit longer is maybe a better idea.
Sleeveless ?
or sleeves ? and what kind of sleeves ?
I opted for skinny ribbed sleeves. What do you think ?
A pic of the back 🙂
One could even make a cardigan of it (instructions included in the pattern) I don’t have pics to share. I am more of a pullover kind of ‘gal’.
Mont blanc is a sleeveless vest … or a pullover with fitted sleeves … or a cardigan … all with a large V-neck and a gentle A-line. The cable panel is first worked bottom up at the back. Then stitches are cast on to work the sleeve caps and from here on, mont blanc is worked top down …
Sizes
Available for size: XS, S/M, M/L, L/XL and XXL
finished measurements: 36½, 42, 46½, 50, 54 “ (93, 108, 118, 128, 137 cm)
Mont blanc is intended to be worn with lots of positive ease: 15 to 25 cm / 6 to 10”
Model is wearing the M/L size with 26 cm / 10 “ of positive ease.
What you’ll need
DK weight / 8ply
Yardage pullover without sleeves
± 900, 1000, 1100, 1250, 1450 m (990, 1100, 1200, 1360, 1600 yards)
Long sleeves
Add ± 200 to 300 m / 220 to 330 yards
If you make a cardigan you might need a little more.
4 mm (US 6) circular needle and straight needles or size to obtain gauge
3.5 mm (US 4 circular needle
8 markers
Gauge
20 sts and 30 rows stockinette with
the larger needle = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)
ALFAKNITS 