A new mission

After releasing Brigade, I was looking forward to a few weeks of easy knitting and picking up some of my neglected projects that have been waiting patiently for me to come back and finish them.  However, I have been asked if I would like to submit 4 or 5 patterns for a knitwear fashion show which will be happening in Chicago at the end of February!  I was flattered and ecstatic and very happy . . . a feeling which lasted a few seconds, at which point I realized that I will need to get 2 or 3 projects designed and knitted in about two months!!  Of course I said yes, and will now be working feverishly to get everything done in time.

I think I have figured out what I am going to do for the show, but I am not sure if I can get everything done in time.  As  Tim Gunn says, I will "make it happen"  I wonder if this is the first step to me being famous!

Brigade Pullover

Military inspired knitwear exemplifies the ideal of form following function. General Raglan and Field Marshall Kitchener were not fashion designers. Their garments were not created for the runway, but for a military campaign. Their appeal, however, is timeless.

The Brigade Pullover extends this tradition. With seamless construction and an offset zippered placket, the sweater hints at its military heritage, while maintaining a modern, stylish design

This sweater is worked bottom up, with seamless construction. It features ribbed sleeves and side panels for a sleek, fitted look.

Yarn: Cascade 220, Cascade Yarns

Yarn Weight: Worsted

Needle Size: US7 (4.5mm)

Gauge: 20sts-28rows/4” in St st

Yardage: 1000 -1750 yards

Finished Sizes: 36(40,44,48,52) in. chest

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, 9”-12” zipper

This pattern is available for $7.00

Available for Purchase at Ravelry

or here

New Knitting

I have recently had an increase in my yarn buying budget (up from $0.00), and now feel pressured to knit more. I am not a stasher, generally, but working at a LYS has it's privilages. I am currently working on two sweaters, one is a cardigan done in Briggs and Little 3 ply Atlantic. This is a great, coarse-ish woolen spun yarn which whould make EZ and Brooklyn Tweed proud. I really enjoy working with it, and I love nice hearty, natural wool. The sweater is about half done, and no roadblocks yet. It currently looks like an overgrown swatch, so nothing to take a picture of yet.

The other sweater is a seamless pullover done in Cascade 220 with a cool construction adjustment, which makes it unique and intersting, without being wierd. The Cascade220 is great for this project, it is soft enough for a fitted sweater, but not too fussy.

My LYS/Place of employment has Harrisville Shetland on sale, so I had to buy some (17hanks) of it. It will become two Fair Isle vests, with unorthodox construction (notice a pattern here?). I have done the designs, but I have told myself that I will not cast it on until I get the others done.

Other than that, I have a few lace projects sitting on needles begging for attention, but they will have to wait. hopefully new pictures soon, and patterns to follow.

ciao for niao

EXPEDITION PULLOVER

Having a sweater that works is a necessity for all men, whether they are hiking a nature trail, exploring a new neighborhood, or navigating a weekend dinner party.
The Expedition Pullover continues the tradition of achieving attractiveness through function. It utilizes traditional, seamless Gansey construction, as well as a front split to maintain a comfortable body temperature. Cables at the shoulders provide extra structure and a better fit.
The Expedition Pullover is destined to become a favorite of any man.
Finished Measurements 39,43,47,51,55 in. chest


Yarns suggested Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool
Yarn weight Bulky / 12 ply (7 wpi)
Gauge 19 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Needle size US 8 / 5.0 mm, US 7 / 4.5 mm
Yardage 1000 - 1750 yards
Sizes available S, M, L, XL, XXL





This pattern is available for $7.00 USD.

Available for purchase on Ravelry

Or here:

NORWEGIAN SNOWFLAKE SCARF

Nothing says winter like Norwegian inspired knitwear and this hat is no exception. It incorporates the star motif popular in many Norwegian and Selbu designs. This hat matches the Norwegian Snowflake Scarf, and together they make a great set. Similar to the scarf it is a relatively simple knit and suitable for those with limited experience in stranded colorwork knitting. When choosing colors for this, it is important to know that traditional knitters in Norway had access to only red dye (madder) and blue dye (woad) in addition to the natural sheep colors of white, black, and grey.


Yarns suggested: Falk by Dale of Norway
Yarn weight: Sport / 5 ply, 116 yards(106 meters) per 50g skein
Gauge 8 stitches per inch
Needle size US 3 / 3.25 mm circular or DPNs US 1/ 2.25mm circular or DPNs
Yardage 5 Skeins, 580 yards (212 meters) MC 1 Skein, 116 yards (106 meters) CC


Instructions:

CO 108 sts in MC and join in the round, making sure that the stitches are not twisted.

Begin Chart 1, working the chart twice for each row.
Be sure to take notice of the k2tog in row 52 to account for the difference in gauge between stranded and stockinette knitting.

Continue in MC until half the desired length of the scarf. Place on stitch holders or waste yarn and cast on for the second half of the scarf, work second half of scarf identically to the first.

Join the two halves of the scarf using one of the following methods:

Three needle bind off – turn one of the scarf halves inside out over the other half (both RS should be facing each other and the live stitches should be at the same end.) Line up the start of the two rows and do a 3 needle bind off, weave in ends. This leaves a slightly noticeable seam.

Graft using Kitchener stitch – using Kitchener stitch, graft the two ends together, weave in ends. This method is completely invisible and my preferred method.

Seam the open ends, weave in ends.

Chart 1
The triangles on the side and bottom are indicators of row/stitch numbers (every 5th row is indicated) with the green indicating the start/beginning.

The last column on the chart is identical to the first and should not be knit, it is only used as a reference. Additionally the grey squares above the K2tog are placeholders and also should not be knit

NORWEGIAN SNOWFLAKE HAT

Nothing says winter like Norwegian inspired knitwear and this hat is no exception. It incorporates the star motif popular in many Norwegian and Selbu designs. This hat matches the Norwegian Snowflake Scarf, and together they make a great set. Similar to the scarf it is a relatively simple knit and suitable for those with limited experience in stranded colorwork knitting. When choosing colors for this, it is important to know that traditional knitters in Norway had access to only red dye (madder) and blue dye (woad) in addition to the natural sheep colors of white, black, and grey.

Yarns suggested: Falk by Dale of Norway
Yarn weight: Sport / 5 ply, 116 yards(106 meters) per 50g skein
Gauge 8 stitches per inch
Needle size US 3 / 3.25 mm circular or DPNs
US 1/ 2.25mm circular or DPNs
Yardage 2 Skeins, 232 yards (212 meters) MC
1 Skein, 116 yards (106 meters) CC

Instructions:

CO 168 sts in MC, PM and join in the round, making sure the stitches are not twisted.

Work for 3 inches in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches) on smaller needles

Purl one round

Knit one round

Switch to larger needles and begin Chart 1, working the chart 4 times for each round.

For the next round work as follows:

*k21, PM repeat from * for entire round.

All remaining rounds are decrease rounds, and are worked as follows:

*k2tog, k to marker, repeat from * to end of round.

When only 16 sts remain, break yarn and weave tail through remaining sts.

Fold the brim of the hat inward along the purl row, stitch the CO edge to the inner side of the colorwork.

Chart 1
The triangles on the side and bottom are indicators of row/stitch numbers (every 5th row is indicated) with the green indicating the start/beginning.

The last column on the chart is identical to the first and should not be knit, it is only used as a reference.

Basket Weave Hat

Todd’s Basket Weave Hat

Needles and yarn

Needle: US 8 / 5.0 mm
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool, Worsted / 10 ply, Wool
Gauge: 4.25stitches/1”, 17 stitches/ 4”
How much? 0.2 skeins = 95.6 yards (87.4m)
Finished Size: 21” circumference X 8” tall

This hat, along with the Basket Weave Scarf, will make a matching set, and can be completed out of one skein of Cascade Ecological Wool.

The Hat

Cast on 90 stitches onto straight needles using a long tail cast on. Work in Garter Stitch for 5 rows (knit all rows). Place marker and join in round, taking care not to twist the stitches. Begin working in Basket Weave pattern until the hat equals approximately 6 inches, ending with row 1 or row 9.

• Basket Weave Pattern:
  
  Rows 1-8:
  *Knit 5 Purl 5 repeat from * until the end of the round.
  
  Rows 9-16:
  *Purl 5, Knit 5 repeat from * until the end of the round.
  

Decreases:
The section for the decreases is knit in stockinette stitch (knittin all stitches) As you work you decreases, the circumference of the hat will get smaller. When the circumference is too small to work comfortably, switch to 4 double pointed needles and continue to work the decreases.

For the next round work as follows:

*k15, Place Marker, repeat from * for entire round.

All remaining rounds are decrease rounds, and are worked as follows:

*k2tog, k to marker, repeat from * to end of round.

When only 12 sts remain, break yarn and weave tail through remaining sts.

Finishing:
Break the yarn leaving a 6-8 inch tail, thread onto a tapestry needle and weave through the remaining stitches, pull tight and weave in end, trim excess.

Brim – thread the end of the long tail cast on onto a tapestry needle. Stitch together the sides of the Garter Stitch brim and weave in the ends, trim excess.