Buchanan Street Sweater

Released a new pattern today! Buchanan Street Sweater is a classic wardrobe staple. It's a flattering longer length with some little tricks for a perfect fit. For example, there are more stitches at the front than the back (I don't know why more patterns don't do this!) and there is extensive guidance on how to change the fit of the shoulders, sleeves and where the waist sits. I really love an "almost plain" sweater, and this one totally fits the bill for me. The pretty stitch detail at the shoulders adds just enough interest without it being overly fussy. 

Here's some pictures!

It's available to download on Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Chunky Fairisle Cushion

This pattern is now available on my new website here. 

Felted Lace Wrap Pattern

Just released this week, Felted Lace Wrap:

An easy lace pattern in worsted weight wool (so it's quick to knit)! The wrap is lightly felted once it's done which gives it a fuzzy, worn-in look, and softens it up. Available to download from Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Yarn: Croft Wools Aran weight Gotland yarn, one 250g skein. Available by mail order from http://www.croftwools.co.uk/wool.html

Gauge: 14 sts = 4” with 6.5mm / US 10.5 needles before blocking.

Needles: One 40” 6.5mm / US 10.5 circular needle.

Extras: Two stitch markers

Dimensions: 16” x 60”

Asphodel Shawl

I've just released a new lace pattern, Asphodel Shawl:

 

A stunning lace shawl with a geometric design. There are three distinct bands of lace in the shawl, working from larger to smaller diamonds with a lace edge. The shawl is constructed as a traditional triangular shawl, with the lace patterns to the right and left sides of the spine mirror images of each other.

Asphodel is available on Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace or other laceweight yarn. Two skeins = 840 yards / 768m.

Gauge: 21 sts = 4” with 4mm / US 6 needles after blocking. Exact gauge isn't crucial though.

Needles: One 40”/100cm 4mm / US 6 circular needle.

Extras: Two stitch markers, crochet hook and yarn in a contrasting colour for provisional cast on, 4.5mm/US7 needle for bind-off, pins and a large towel for blocking.

Dimensions: makes a triangle 58” across

and 29” high after blocking.

Islay Hat

 

A simple unisex hat in a stylish textured stitch pattern. Includes directions for two sizes.

Yarn: Shilasdair Luxury dk 35 (45)g from a 100g skein.

Needles: Set of four 4mm / US 6 double pointed needles (dpns), or one 4mm/US 6 circular needle for magic loop.

Gauge: 18 stitches and 26 rows = 4” in Twisted Moss Stitch.

Dimensions: 18 (21.5)” around. Stretches to fit the average ladies (mens) head.

Notation:

CO = cast on

k = knit

p = purl

k1b= knit 1 into back of next stitch

k2tog = knit next two stitches together

k1bw = knit one into the stitch directly below the next stitch on the needle.

dpn = double pointed needle

Techniques

k1bw

Knit into the stitch below by inserting needle as shown:

 

Stitch Patterns

Twisted Rib

Round 1: *k1b, p1* to end of row.

Repeat round 1 for pattern.

Twisted Moss Stitch

Round 1: purl.

Round 2: *k1bw, k1* to end of round.

Round 3: purl.

Round 4: *k1, k1bw* to end of round.

Repeat these four rows for pattern.

Directions:

CO 80 (96) stitches over three dpns or on circular needle for magic loop method. Join stitches in the round ensuring they're not twisted and if using circular needle, place marker for beginning of round.

Work in Twisted Rib Pattern for 8 (10) rounds, then knit one round.

Work in Twisted Moss Stitch until hat measures approximately 6½” (7½”), finishing with Round 3 of pattern

For smaller size, follow instructions for decreases immediately below. For larger size, follow instructions below that, headed "Decreases for Larger Size".

Decreases for Smaller Size

Decrease round 1: *(k1, k1bw) four times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 2: *p8, k1* to end of round

Decrease round 3: *(k1bw, k1) three times, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 4: *p7, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 5: *(k1, k1bw) three times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 6: *p6, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 7: *(k1bw, k1) twice, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 8: *p5, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 9: *(k1, k1bw) twice, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 10: *p4, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 11: *k1bw, k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 12: *p3, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 13: *k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 14: *p2 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 15: *k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 16: *k2tog* to end of round.

Decreases for Larger Size

Decrease round 1: * (k1, k1bw) five times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 2: *p10, k1* to end of round

Decrease round 3: *(k1bw, k1) four times, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 4: *p9, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 5: *(k1, k1bw) four times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 6: *p8, k1* to end of round

Decrease round 7: *(k1bw, k1) three times, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 8: *p7, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 9: *(k1, k1bw) three times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 10: *p6, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 11: *(k1bw, k1) twice, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 12: *p5, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 13: *(k1, k1bw) twice, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 14: *p4, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 15: *k1bw, k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 16: *p3, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 17: *k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 18: *p2 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 19: *k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 20: *k2tog* to end of round.

You should have 8 stitches left. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6” tail. Thread the long tail onto a needle, and slip the remaining stitches onto the thread. Pull tight and sew over the little hole at the top a few times. Weave in the loose ends on the wrong side and you're done!

Copyright Littletheorem: Do not reproduce in full or in part without the author's written permission.

 

Knit 1 Pearl 1

A cute knitted storage box with pearl detail

Yarn: Rowan R2 Rag One ball = 25m/27yds

Needles: One set of 5 6.5mm/US 10.5 double pointed needles

Gauge: 12 stitches = 4” in stocking stitch using 6.5mm/US 10.5 needles. (exact gauge isn't crucial but your knitting should be pretty tight)

Dimensions: 4” x 3” x 2”

Extras: Crochet hook for weaving in ends, needle and thread, three freshwater pearl beads

Notation

k = knit

p = purl

dpn = double pointed needle

Stitch Patterns

Stocking Stitch

Row 1: knit

Row 2: purl

Repeat these two rows for pattern

Garter Stitch in the round:

Round 1: knit

Round 2: purl

Repeat these two rows for pattern

Techniques

Pick Up and Knit

The edge stitches of a piece of knitted fabric look like a column of v shapes. To pick up and knit from the edge, put your needle under the v from front to back, bring your yarn round the needle and pull it through, this is one more stitch on your needle.

If working from a cast on edge, put your needle under each cast on stitch from front to back, bring yarn round the needle and pull it through. Work from left to right along the edge of the knitting picking up and knitting stitches as you go.

Directions

Cast on 10 stitches. Work in stocking stitch for 10 rows, starting with a knit row (it'll be ok to use dpns for this since you have so few stitches).

Next row: k10, with a second dpn, pick up and knit 10 stitches from the left hand side of your knitting, with third dpn, pick up and knit 10 stitches from cast on edge, with fourth dpn, pick up and knit 10 stitches from right hand side of your knitting. You should have 40 stitches on the needles and be ready to work in the round.

In the round (i.e. the next stitches you work will be from the first dpn), work in garter stitch for 8 rows, starting with a purl row. It may be easier for you to work with the box turned inside out.

Bind off all stitches tightly.

Finishing

Weave in any loose ends. Sew the three pearl beads to the bottom of the box as shown.

Caora Fibres

I've started a new Etsy shop, Caora Fibres, selling my own range of spinning fibre. It mainly sells batts, but also some handspun and knitted items from my own batts. 

We aim to carefully select and blend top quality fibres by hand to give you the best possible materials for your spinning and felting. We love producing beautiful semi-solid, jewel tones; subtle gradients and luxurious blends of natural, undyed fibres.

Please pay us a wee visit, or pass this link on to any friends who spin!