Summer Travels Inspiration Part Three - Russula Shawl

 So it's been a long time since Part Two of this series was released, and certainly a long time since last summer! I had planned on releasing one new pattern a month between the summer and Christmas but life got in the way a bit.

Things have been pretty much non-stop hectic here - I've started tutoring a Maths course with the Open University, which has eaten up pretty much all of my spare time and I was doing a lot of evening work as part of my day job. However, the OU course is nearly finished now and I've just started a new job which is much closer to home and should hopefully leave me with much more free time for designing. Moving one step closer to the dream of going part time in my "real" job and having more time to knit and write patterns.

Anyway, better late than never, this is the third in a series of patterns inspired by my travels last Summer. The first was Abriachan Cowl, inspired by the beautiful colours in the forest at Abriachan. The second was Fiacaill Cardigan, inspired by the Fiacaill Ridge in the Cairngorms. The third pattern is inspired by bright red Russula mushrooms, which were just starting to appear in the forests in late Summer:

You often find them in shady pine woods. At this time of year they look like something from a fairy tale, an eyecatching flash of colour in dark, gloomy surroundings. There's something a bit magical about mushrooms, especially unusual ones, and the Scottish climate seems to really suit them. Here's a few we've spotted through the years:

This shawl was designed to have the same effect as the bright red russulas, a flash of cheery colour that will stand out against Scotland's often dull and dreary weather. Russula is a pretty, crescent shawl with a stunning diamond pattern and pointed edging. It begins with a wide crescent in garter stitch, then work a zig-zag edging of diamond lace. The lace pattern is very simple, and looks much more complex than it really is.  

Available to purchase on:

Ravelry

Craftsy

Etsy

Loveknitting

20% discount on Ravelry with coupon code SUMMERTRAVELS3 until end of December 2017

Details are as follows:

Yarn: Cloudborn Wool Fingering Twist
Colourway Scarlet Heather (100% Fine Highland Wool, 368m/402yds per 100g)
Two 100g skeins (you won’t need much of the second skein) = 384m/ 420yds

Dimensions: 150cm (60”) wide and 40cm (16”) deep at widest point.

Needles: 4.5mm/US 7 40”/100cm circular needle (for working flat) 6.5mm / US 10.5 needles for bind off only.

Gauge: 17sts and 32 rows in garter stitch after blocking.

Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, mat and t-pins for blocking.

 

 

Summer Knitting Inspiration

Two new pattern releases to celebrate!

Loch Katrine Shawl is a pretty little shawl with stunning zigzag edging. Short row shaping gives this shawl a delicate curve and “mini-nupps” add interest to the lace section. This shawl is quick to knit and only uses 50g of laceweight yarn – perfect gifting material!

Castle Sands Scarf is a stunning wide scarf in a pretty Estonian lace stitch pattern with a gorgeous edging, blocked into delicate points. It's worked from the centre out so that both sides are perfectly symmetrical. The yarn is an unbelievably soft and buttery heavy lace weight yarn, almost a 4ply. Its luxurious softness and fabulous handdyed colourways work so well with delicate lace.

And if you need more Summer knitting inspiration, please check out our post about our all time Top Ten Summer Knitting Patterns. There's something for everyone - simple linen tees, pretty wraps and intricate lace. 

Wishing all our readers a happy, knitting filled Summer!

Mae Geri Scarf

Please note: this pattern is now available to download as a pdf from Craftsy for $2. It will still be freely available on this blog, but I thought people might want the opportunity to download a pdf version. 

 I knitted this scarf for my dear old mum. The name sounds very poetic and Japanese, maybe you'd guess it meant cherry blossom or something similar, something suitable for a lacy silk scarf. It means front kick. You see, my mother is in fact a third dan black belt in shotokan karate (i.e. she means business). But, like the ninja she is, she keeps this quite well hidden: a lacy scarf is just part of her disguise...
 

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Silk. Two balls =250m

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7 needles

Gauge:  22 stitches = 4'' in stocking stitch with 4mm/US 6 straight needles
 
Size: One size, 6'' x 60''

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together

yo = bring the yarn to the front of your knitting on knit rows and the back on purl rows

k2togtbl = knit two together through the back of the loops

p2tog = purl two stitches together

p2togtbl = purl two stitches together through the back of the loops

Directions:

CO 29 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 8 rows. Now work pattern as follows:

Row 1: k6, *k2tog, yo, k5* to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 2: k2, p3, *p2togtbl, yo, p1, yo, p2tog, p2* to last 3 stitches, p1, k2.

Row 3: k4, *k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso* to last 4 stitches, k4.

Row 4: k2, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.

Row 5: k4, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k5* to last 4 stitches, k4.

Row 6: k2, p1, *p1, yo, p2tog, p2, p2togtbl, yo* to last 5 stitches, p3, k2.

Row 7: k3, *k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2tog, yo,* to last 5 stitches, k5.

Row 8: k2, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.

Repeat these 8 rows until scarf measures 60'', or as long as desired. Knit 8 rows and bind off on wrong side. Weave in loose ends.

Pirouette Hat

Please note: this pattern is now available to download as a pdf from Craftsy for $2. It will still be freely available on this blog, but I thought people might want the opportunity to download a pdf version.

I'm making this as a Christmas present for a french teacher friend using a bit of leftover malabrigo. It's such a nice yarn and very cosy! I've used a lace pattern that has five stitch repeats, but one extra stitch in the round which gives the twirl effect. 

Yarn Less than one ball Malabrigo Worsted ( = less than 192 m).

Needles 4.5mm/ US 7 dpns

Gauge 18st = 10cm in stocking stitch with 5mm/US 8 needles

Dimensions 19'' circumference, 9'' high. 

Notation 

k = knit
p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together

yo = bring the yarn to the front of your knitting

k1fb = knit into the front, then the back, of the next stitch
dpn = double pointed needle

Directions

CO 80 stitches, 30 on first needle, 25 on second, 25 on third. Work in k2 p2 rib for 8 rounds. Now k1fb, k2, k2tog, yo *k3, k2tog, yo* until your hat measures 7''. You should end up working a k2tog at the end of each dpn (and working the next yo at the start of the following dpn), if this isn't the case shift the stitches around so it is! For the last five stitches on the last dpn before you start decreasing, only work k3 k2tog, don't do a yo on the next needle. Now work decreases as follows:

Row 1: *k3 k2tog yo k3 k2tog* to end of row (i.e. repeat the part in **'s 8 times)

Row 2: *yo k2 k2tog yo k3 k2tog* to end of row

Row 3: *k2 k2tog yo k3 k2tog* to end of row

Row 4: *yo k1 k2 tog yo k3 k2 tog* to end of row

Row 5: *k1 k2tog yo k3 k2tog* to end of row

Row 6: *yo k2tog yo k3 k2tog* to end of row

Row 7: *k2tog yo k3 k2tog* to end of row

Row 8: *k4 k2tog yo* to end of row

Row 9: k3 k2 tog *k4 k2tog* to end of row

Row 10: *k3 k2tog yo* to end of row

Row 11: k2 k2tog *k3 k2tog* to end of row

Row 12: *k2 k2tog yo* to end of row

Row 13: k1 k2tog *k2 k2tog* to end of row

Row 14: *k1 k2tog yo* to end of row

Row 15: k2tog *k1 k2tog* fto end of row

Row 16:*k2tog* to end of row

Note that "to end of row" means work three dpns, rather than 81 stitches, this ensures the pattern "twists" nicely!

8 stitches remain, cut yarn leaving a 6'' tail, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure inside the hat. Weave in loose ends.