. . . 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

. . . three easy pieces, #3 . . .

This is #3 of the three easy pieces, a simple pullover with a basic raglan sleeve inset knit at a loose gauge. Check it out here and here

For this one I used a fingering weight and a mohair lace weight together.

It starts in the same manner as both other patterns with a welted cast on. The turtle neck is added afterwards…

I also added a large 2/2 ribbing at the hem and knitted ‘balloon’ sleeves instead of the tapered sleeves…

It is worked top down and seamlessly in the round as are the tow other patterns from this bundle.
At any time you can switch between the three patterns. They all start in the same way and have the same stitch counts. Check #1 for a short sleeved or 3/4 tapered sleeved version in gradients or with some colorwork and A-line body. Go to #2 if you want to embellish your sweater with some steeked fents and sewn in petals (there is also a version if you don’t like to cut in your knitting).

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The neck edge, hem and cuffs are started or finished with a welted cast one / bind off.

In this version a turtle neck, cuffs and hems in 2/2 ribbing are added. Choice between long tapered sleeves or balloon sleeves.

Sizes:
XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL / XXXL
finished measurements chest: 32 / 35 / 39 / 43 / 47 / 50 / 54 “ (81 / 88 / 99 / 109 / 119 / 128 / 137 cm)

What you’ll need
worsted weight, two fingering weights held together or a sport weight paired with a lace weight or mohair
total yardage for a long sleeved pullover with a turtle neck as pictured
± 820/900/1000/1100/1200/1320/1420 m (900/1000/1100/1200/1320/1420/1450 yards)
if you use yarn held double, you need to double the amount

5 mm (US 8) circular needle or size to obtain gauge
4 mm (US 6) circular needle
4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle
4 markers
tapestry needle

Gauge
stockinette stitch blocked with the largest needle: 16.5 sts and 25 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

Check it out here and here

So which one will it be ?

. . . three easy pieces, #2 . . .

Actually #2 came first…

I had this (very old) pullover that is one of my favorite mid-season wears. ‘Old’ because I knit this back in 2005!! and I still wear it.

Don’t remember which yarn I used for it. It is probably a mix of wool and acrylic ??? I knitted it in plain stockinette stitch and top down to use every meter of it.
I thought it looked a bit dull and too grey, although it is a beautiful grey with some blue in it…

So I ‘STEEKED’ and sewed separately knitted petals in the fents. In 2005 I didn’t know the word ‘steek’, didn’t even know it was a known technique… I just cut the fents in my pullover and with my sewing machine added a zigzag along the edges…

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I wrote a pattern for it only just now. With ‘steeks’ (cutting) or without… Instructions are included to knit the fents without the cutting… because that might look scary…

This is my new version holding two yarns together: BC Garn semilla, sport weight in a lovely ‘vieux rose’ and Mirasol Yarn Sulka Legato, colorway pearl, a light fingering weight.

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#2 of Three easy pieces is a simple pullover with a raglan sleeve inset knit at a loose gauge as the two others. Top down, seamlessly in the round and featuring eye catching ‘petals’.
The two methods are included:

• if you are adventurous and like to change the position of the petals, they can be made by steeks and cutting
• or you can knit the fents without having to cut the fabric.

The ‘petals’ are knit separately in the round and sewn in place giving the effect that they are behind the fents.

If you use the steek method, you should use a sticky woolen yarn, don’t use superwash wool or cotton yarns. Instead of using worsted weight yarn you can use a sport weight or light DK weight yarn paired with mohair.

The hem and cuffs are finished with a welted bind off giving it a minimal finished look that prevents stockinette stitch from rolling.

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There are two other versions of this pattern, but they look completely different. I wrote them up in two more patterns. They are bundled in one e-book called: three easy pieces, three patterns to mix and match. More about #1 here and #3 in next post.
At any time you can switch between the three patterns. They all start in the same way and have the same stitch counts. Check #1 for a short sleeved or 3/4 tapered sleeved version in gradients or with some colorwork and A-line body. Go to #3, if you want to add a turtle neck and balloon sleeves.

Sizes:
XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL / XXXL
finished measurements chest: 32 / 35 / 39 / 43 / 47 / 50 / 54 “ (81 / 88 / 99 / 109 / 119 / 128 / 137 cm)

What you’ll need
worsted weight, two fingering weights held together or a sport weight paired with a lace weight or mohair
If you use the steek method, you should use a sticky woolen yarn, don’t use superwash or cotton yarns

main color: ± 750/820/900/1000/1100/1200/1300 m (820/900/1000/1100/1200/1320/1420 yards)
if you use yarn held double, you need to double the amount

small rest of worsted or DK weight in different colors for the ‘petals’

5 mm (US 8) circular needle or size to obtain gauge
6 markers
tapestry needle
sewing machine (for the steek method)

Gauge
stockinette stitch blocked: 16.5 sts and 25 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

Find out more about it here

. . . three easy pieces, #1 . . .

Sometimes I need an easy knit for watching tv or reading…

That is how this started: a quick knit on large needles (5 mm / US 8 needle) with an easy raglan shaping using only yarns from my stash.

I held several yarns together: a lace weight from Bart en Francis held double and a Lace yarn from Wollmeise. It is knit at a loose gauge, so it grew quite fast.

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I wonder if I should add sleeves or not ? I always find short sleeves or sleevecaps very cute, but I don’t wear that very often.

First let’s finish the body and decide later.
I got kinda bored, of course and added a few subtle flowers in stranded knitting at the bottom.

The bind off (and the cast on) method is a welted bind off / cast on that prevents stockinette stitch from rolling too much. It gives it a no-nonsense, minimal finished look.

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Hmm, cute, but I think I will add sleeves, I still have some yarn left from the B&F lace and Wollmeise.

#1 of Three easy pieces is a simple tee or pullover with a basic raglan sleeve inset knit at a loose gauge. It is worked top down and seamlessly in the round.

It is an ideal project to work up some stashed yarn. Use a worsted weight… or hold two fingering weights together, pair a sport weight with a lace weight… whatever you find in your stash and looks good together.

Knit a cropped tee with sleeve caps, a longer tee with 3/4 sleeves or a pullover with long sleeves. Add some stripes, a gradient (fade) or some stranded knitting. Instructions for slow and quick gradients and a chart of flowers are included.

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The neck edge, hem and cuffs are finished with a welted cast on or bind off giving it a minimal finished look that prevents stockinette stitch from rolling.

I made two other versions of this pattern, but they look completely different. I wrote them up in two more patterns. They will be ‘mix and match’ patterns bundled in one e-book called: three easy pieces. More about them in next posts.
At any time you could switch between the three patterns. They all start in the same way and have the same stitch counts. Check #2 if you want to embellish your sweater with some steeked fents and sewn-in petals (there is also a version if you don’t like to cut in your knitting). Go to #3 if you want to add a turtle neck and balloon sleeves.

Sizes:
XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL / XXXL
finished measurements chest: 32 / 35 / 39 / 43 / 47 / 50 / 54 “ (81 / 88 / 99 / 109 / 119 / 128 / 137 cm)

What you’ll need
worsted weight, two fingering weights held together or a sport weight paired with a lace weight or mohair

total yardage for a 3/4 sleeved cropped pullover as pictured
± 750/820/900/1000/1100/1200/1300 m (820/900/1000/1100/1200/1320/1420 yards)
if you use yarn held double, you need to double the amount

5 mm (US 8) circular needle or size to obtain gauge
6 markers
tapestry needle

Gauge
stockinette stitch blocked: 16.5 sts and 25 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

Check it out here or the bundle here

. . . curcuma . . .

Oups, seems that I never presented this pattern last year. Now that the days are getting colder and shorter, I dug up this cardigan again. In a sunny color, perfect for the darker days…

Curcuma is an open front cardigan with an attached scarf. The stitch pattern of the collar and scarf is reversible and looks attractive on both sides.

Instructions are given to knit the cardigan with or without the attached scarf.

But I prefer it with the scarf 😀

First, stitches are cast on to work the collar/scarf partially. Then, the scarf stitches are put on hold. Stitches are picked up along the collar to start working the body simultaneously with the sleeves and collar.

The sleeve inset is based on the ‘contiguous sleeve inset’ developed by Susie Myers. The body is worked flat, top-down and seamlessly. No sewing except for a few stitches to sew down the pockets at the inside. The sleeves are worked top down and in the round ending with the same stitch pattern on the cuffs.

Tech edited by Sue-Cat

Sizes : XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements: 34½, 38, 42½, 48, 52½, 59 “ (88, 96, 108, 122, 134, 150 cm)
Intended to be worn with a lot of positive ease: 5 to 10 “ / 12 to 24 cm.
Model is wearing M with 7” / 18 cm of positive ease

What you’ll need
± 1500/1700/1900/2100/2350/2650 m (1640/1850/2100/2300/2600/2900 yards) worsted /10 ply weight
If you want to make it without the attached scarf yardage will be less. (about 250 m / 275 yards)
long (minimum 100 cm / 40”) 5 mm (US 8) circular needle or 2 shorter 5 mm (US 8) circular needles for the cast on.
shorter 5 mm (US 8) circular needle for the body and the sleeves
and straight 5 mm (US 8) needles (if you prefer working on straight needles for the body and the scarf)
cable needle

markers: it is best to use 2 different kind of markers:
· 4 markers to use in the stitch pattern (m’s)
· 4 markers to mark the sleeves (M1 to M4)

Gauge
18 sts and 29 rows in broken seed stitch pattern (see page 5) = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)

Find out more about the pattern here

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. . . Evidemment . . .

It all started when I tried out this beautiful cable pattern and made a little swatch.

I like it a lot, sure I will use this in a new design.

I already had a faint idea of what it should become. Years ago I had made some sketches for a special construction and I want to try it out. This looked like the right project for this mini swatch.

Changed the basic chart to make it a double cable which later on will undouble …

So here it is: a double cable pattern starting at with a provisional cast on at the center of the back neck.

After having worked the cable at a sufficient length, the provisional cast on is unzipped and the other side of the neck is worked.

Then the double cable splits forming the front cable bands and the bands on the sleeves.

Photo of the WIP: trying out the shape and length of the sleeves first.

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Évidemment is an open front cardigan with drop shoulders, a beautiful cable pattern and some special details.

The cardigan has an easy shape and a loose fit, perfect to slip over your shirt on a chilly morning.

Couldn’t waste that cute little swatch. It is sewn on as a mini pocket.

Sizes
XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL
finished measurements chest: 41.25 / 46 / 50.25 / 54 / 58.25 / 61.75 “ (105 / 117 / 128 / 137 / 148 / 157 cm)
Intended to be worn with lots of positive ease (20 to 50 cm / 8 to 20”).
The sample is size M worn with 36 cm / 14” of positive ease.

What you’ll need
fingering weight
± 1350/1550/1650/1760/1900/2030 m (1480/1700/1800/1950/2100/2220 yards)

3 mm (US 2½) circular needle or size to obtain gauge
3 mm (US 2½) straight needles (optional)
2.5 mm (US 1½) circular needle
cable needle
stitch holders or scrap yarn
3 markers

Gauge
28 sts and 41 rows in dot pattern with the larger needle and blocked = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

Find out more here

. . . fer forgé . . .

Let me present my new pattern to you… It has just been released.

Fer forgé, a cabled pattern inspired by a beautiful ironwork table.

This was my first tryout, but it looked a little too much to me… too many cables and bobbles … So I eliminated a few small cables and bobbles. Below is the new swatch.

I usually don’t know where the inspiration comes from, it just pops up, but this time I do 😀

The slightly oversized, cropped pullover is worked top down and seamlessly in the round.

It starts with the neckband, then a few short rows are worked to shape the back neck, the circular yoke is built up with cables and bobbles.

Similar cable patterns are added to the bottom sides …

and the sleeves…

Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL / XXXL
finished measurements chest: 35½ / 39¼ / 43¼ / 46 / 50 / 52¾ / 57 “ (90 / 100 / 110 / 117 / 128 / 134 / 145 cm)
Intended to be worn with positive ease (5 to 20 cm / 2” to 8“). Model is wearing M with 16 cm / 6¼” positive ease.

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What you’ll need
worsted weight
cropped version
± 900/1000/1050/1150/1250/1350/1400 m (1000/1100/1150/1250/1370/1470/1540 yards)
4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle or size to obtain gauge
4 mm (US 6) circular needle for the neckband
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle for the cuffs
8 markers

Gauge:
20.5 sts and 28 rows in stockinette stitch with the largest needle

Find out more 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…

. . . fading mosaic . . .

A new pattern is up today: fading mosaic.

It is a modern tee or pullover featuring an overall mosaic stitch pattern – only one color is worked per row or round – and a gentle high-low hem.

It is seamlessly worked top down.

The slipped stitch bands that edge the sleeve opening and the V-neck are worked as you go, so there is no extra finishing to do. When it falls off the needles, it is ready to wear…

Unless you want longer sleeves…

Several options are given: you can make a short sleeved, cropped summer tee in cotton with a ‘no finishing look’ bind off method, a longer pullover in wool for colder winter days with a hem and cuffs in corrugated ribbing, or you can make a mix of both.

And, you can – as most of the testers did – make a short sleeved version and wear it right away and add the sleeves later when it gets colder 😉

And let’s talk about yarn choice. What a difference a yarn makes …

The first one I made was a cropped summer version in cotton and short sleeved.

The D (dark color) is a variegated cotton with quite long color repeats. The lightest color is almost the same tint as the L (light color).

It gives a very special fading effect. I like it 🙂

That is where the name of the pattern came from: fading mosaic.

As you can see I changed the mosaic pattern at the bottom (coz’ I got a little bored and wanted to try something else). That variation is included in the pattern.

The hem, is my very special –  no roll, minimal finishing – bind off method that I used before in a few other patterns.

But then, I still had some D yarn left, and I will wear this much more if I add sleeves – me thinks.

I added them by picking up stitches along the slipped stitch edge. It gives them a layered look, which is fun. The sleeves are in D. Here you can see the long color repeats, I didn’t add a second color. The same special bind off is used.

I like the patterning of these mosaic motifs very much. They are repetitive and still, they look like some handcrafted block printed fabrics.

I wanted to try that same pattern in solid colors to see what it would look like.

Halfway…

Body is finished… still sleeveless

Phew, that was close… That is all what’s left of the L, light color…

The photos at the start of this post are also the winter version in wool with a hem and cuffs in corrugated ribbing. Here are some more.

Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL
finished measurements chest: 31½ / 35½ / 39½ / 43½ / 47¼ / 51“ (80 / 90 / 100 / 110 / 120 / 130 cm)
Intended to be worn with some positive ease (6 to 15 cm / 2½ to 6 “) at the high bust (under the armpits).

What you’ll need
DK weight
cropped summer version
cotton or cotton blends
D (dark color) ± 320/360/400/450/500/550 m (350/390/440/490/550/600 yards)
L (light color) ± 320/360/400/450/500/550 m (350/390/440/490/550/600 yards)
if you add 3/4 sleeves you will need more.

woolen winter version with long sleeves
wool
D (dark color) ± 500/550/610/680/750/820 m (550/600/670/740/820/900 yards)
L (light color) ± 500/550/610/680/750/820 m (550/600/670/740/820/900 yards)

4 mm (US 6) circular needle and 2 double pointed needles
4 mm (US 6) straight needles
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle
4 markers

Gauge
stockinette stitch with the larger needle: 20 sts and 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)
mosaic stitch pattern: 22 sts and 38 rows (19 stripes) = 10 x 10 cm (4” x 4”)

The pattern has been tech edited and testknit.

Check it out here

. . . mirasol . . .

Mirasol, sunflower…

Mirasol, a cute, little summer cardigan with a doubled collar, three quarter sleeves and small cable details at the fronts, the raglan shaping and the sides.

The colors remind me of sunflowers… hence the name.

The yarn is plantdyed by ‘bynightcreations‘. It is a fingering weight with tiny little sparkles in it: ByNight Dyes Twinkle

Dyed with ‘nerprun’: buckthorn in English, it gives these beautiful golden yellow / greens.

And they look different everytime depending on the kind of light.

Full sun… Look how they match the lichen on the beech tree… No wonder, they are plantdyed…

Mirasol is worked top down starting with the doubled collar. It is completely seamless.

It is a classical cardigan…

But with a twist 😉

detail of the cables at the sides

It can be made in only one color (it will look just as cute) or if you have some lonely matching skeins, like I had, you can make gradients (fades) as in the sample. The easiest way to do so is changing colors every two rows. But the gradient is much smoother if you alternate colors in every row as the sample. Instructions to do so are provided.

A few ‘inside’ photos

and ‘outside’ …

The cardigan has 3/4 sleeves but body and sleeves can easily be lengthened as some of the testknitters did. BTW, the pattern has been tech edited en testknit.

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
finished measurements chest: 35 / 37½ / 40 / 44½ / 48 / 51“ (89 / 96 / 102 / 114 / 122 / 130 cm)
Intended to be worn with some positive ease at the high bust (under the armpits: 4 to 8“ / 10 to 20 cm.
Model is wearing M with 6” / 15 cm of positive ease (at the high bust).

What you’ll need
± 1050/1130/1200/1350/1450/1550 m (1150/1250/1310/1500/1600/1700 yards) fingering weight /4 ply
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle and straight needles,
2.5 mm (US 1½) circular needle and straight needles,
cable needle,
11 buttons diameter 18 mm / ¾”
10 markers

Gauge
29 sts and 42 rows in stockinette stitch = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”)

Read more and see more versions from the testknitters here