Chevron and Feather Scarf in Sunseeker

Subtle sparkle is fun - especially if it is wearable sparkle.  I am a big fan of something that is soft and sparkly.  Sunseeker is our newest cotton blend - Cotton - Acrylic and Metallic and comes in 15 fashion inspired colors.  As an added bonus it is machine washable and dryable - I actually ended up testing a swatch with towels and it came out unscathed!

Once again, I am trying to find out what I can create with just 1 skein.  Fortunately with Sunseeker, there are 237 yards/100 grams.  I thought a simple lacy scarf might be a great fit and it worked up quickly and beautifully on size 8 needles.

Materials
 - 1 skein Sunseeker (47% Cotton/48% Acrylic/5% Metallic Yarn - 237 yd/100 g) - shown in 10 (Blue Turquoise)
- US 8 needles
- Yarn Needle

Abbreviations
 - K - Knit
 - YO - Yarn Over
 - K2Tog - Knit 2 Together
 - Sl1 - Slip 1
 - psso - Pass Slipped Stitch Over

Cast on 40 stitches
Start Pattern:

Row 1 - *[K1, YO, K4, K2Tog, Sl1, K1, psso, K4, YO], repeat from * to last stitch, K1

Row 2 - K

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until reach desired length.  Bind off loosely.  Weave in ends.

Note - you can make this wider by adding mutliples of 13 to your cast-on, and can add a 2nd skein to make it longer.

Fishtail Lace Slouch Hat in Eco Highland Duo

 Eco Highland Duo is warm, soft, squishy, and told me it wanted to be a hat.  There is enough wool in this scrumptious blend of Baby Alpaca and Merino Wool to make the Alpaca behave.  The generous 197 yard skein provides more than enough yardage for a lacy slouch hat.

 I made one mistake with this hat - I attempted to knit in while at Stitches West, while talking to people in our booth. This was not a good idea - fortunately it is possible to rip this out very carefully, but I don't know of any soft single ply yarns that are fond of being frogged.  Fortunately I was able to pick it back up again afterwards.

Materials

• Eco Highland Duo (70% Undyed Baby Alpaca/30% Undyed Merino Wool - 197 yards/100 g) - 1 skein - shown in 2202
• US 7 - 16" Circular needle
• US 9 - 16" Circular needle
• US 9 - DPN's
• 1 Stitch Marker
• Yarn Needle

Abbreviations

• K - Knit
• P - Purl
• YO - Yarn Over
• K2Tog - Knit 2 Together
• s1 - Slip 1
• psso - Pass Slipped Stitch Over

Finished Measurements

16" circumeference unstretched (will fit average woman's hat)

10" long from cast on edge

With US 7, Cast on 88 stitches.  Join in the round, careful not to twist.  Place marker.

K2, P2 for 1.5"

Change to US 9

Row 1 - (YO, K2, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K2, YO, K1)
Row 2 - K
Row 3 - K1, (YO, K1, sl 1,K2tog, psso, K1, YO, K3), last 7 - YO, K1, sl 1,K2tog, psso, K1, YO, K2
Row 4 - K
Row 5 - K2, (YO, sl 1, K2tog, psso, YO, K5) to last 6 sts - YO, sl 1, K2tog, psso, YO, K3
Row 6 - K

Continue until reach desired length.

Start decreases (switch to DPNs when necessary)
Row 1 - K6, K2tog
Row 2 - K5, K2tog
Row 3 - K4, K2tog

Row 4 - K3, K2tog

Row 5 - K2, K2tog

Row 6 - K1, K2tog

Row 7 - K2tog

Cut yarn and thread yarn through remaining stitches.

Weave in ends.

Color Shift Shawl - knit in Cascade 220 Fingering

Fingering weight yarn is not usually on my needles.  It probably has something to do with a crazy schedule and getting distracted by all of the fabulous yarns I am surrounded by on a daily basis.  I was quite pleased that I figured out a project that I could complete in about a week on a US 9 needle.  Double stranding the Cascade 220 Fingering allowed me to play with the colors that had been having full blown conversations about wanting to be a shawl.  Originally I had 8 repeats of the garter stitch section, but ran slightly over on the yarn requirement.  However, with that modification, this shawl will only require 3 skeins!  Essentially you start with 2 strands of Color A, then switch to 1 strand of A and 1 of B, then 2 strands of B, then 1 strand of B and 1 strand of C, and end with 2 strands of color C.

Materials:

• 1 skein each of 3 different colors of Cascade 220 Fingering (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 273 yds/50 g) - shown in 9593(A). 9332(B), 9594(C)
• US 9 needles - I used a 32" Circular so I wouldn't struggle with the stitches falling off as it grew
• 2 Stitch Markers
• Yarn Needle

Abbreviations:

YO - Yarn Over

pm - Place Marker

sm - Slip Marker

K2Tog - Knit 2 Together

SSK - Slip, Slip, Knit

K - Knit

With Color A, cast on 4 stitches (Double Stranded).

Set-up 

1 - K1, YO, pm, K2, pm, YO, K1

2 - K

3 - K1, YO, K1, YO, sm,  K2, sm, YO, K1, YO, K1

4 - K

Pattern A - 

1 - K1, YO, K to marker, YO, sm, K2, sm, YO, K to last stitch, YO, K1

2 - K

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 a total of 7 times (14 rows)

Pattern B - 

1 -  K1, YO, K1 *[YO, SSK] - repeat from * to marker, YO, sm, K2, sm, YO, *[SSK, YO] - repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K1, YO, K1

2 - K3, *[K2Tog, YO] - repeat from * to 1 stitch before marker, K1, sm, K2, sm, K1, *[YO, K2Tog] - repeat from * to last 3 stitches, K3

Knit rows 1 & 2 - 2 times (4 rows)

Complete Pattern A and Pattern B 2 times (total 40 rows from cast on edge) (A+A)

Cut 1 strand of Color A with enough tail to weave in and add 1 strand of Color B (A+B) - Complete Pattern A and Pattern B 1 time (18 rows)

Cut 1 strand of Color A with enough tail to weave in and add 1 strand of Color B (B+B)

- Complete Pattern A and Pattern B 1 time (18 rows)

Cut 1 strand of Color B with enough tail to weave in and add 1 strand of Color C (B+C) - Complete Pattern A and Pattern B 1 time (18 rows)

Cut 1 strand of Color C with enough tail to weave in and add 1 strand of Color C (C+C) - Complete Pattern A (14 rows)

Bind off loosely

Weave in ends.

The Seamless Artesemia Sweater - designed by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark

Mercedes approached me about being on her blog tour for her sweater pattern and class - The Seamless Artesemia Sweater and I fell in love with the her pattern.  I'm a big fan of top down sweaters as they are very easy to customize to your body type.  Even better, the sweater is knit in one of my favorite yarns - Venezia Worsted - a luscious blend of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Mulberry Silk.

Venezia Worsted is available in more than 40 rich colors.  Each 218 yard skein offer a subtle sheen and a complex twist that showcases stitch definition beautifully.  It is a personal favorite as I love the hand and can wear it next to my skin without any itchiness.  The Merino wool in Venezia Worsted, lends stability and memory, as the Mulberry Silk contributes drape and shine.

The Artemesia Sweater features a number of techniques that helps create a beautiful finished garment.  Set in sleeves, short row neck shaping and waist shaping help to flatter  any body.  The lace panel and set in pockets are lovely details that distinguish this pattern from others.  There are 2 sleeve length options for this sweater - although I am quite partial to the 3/4 length sleeve.

This feminine sweater is figure flattering and comes in a wide range of sizes from 30.25" - 55" finished bust measurement. Equally comfortable with your favorite jeans or a cute skirt, this will easily become your go-to sweater.

Jean's Scarf - knit in Kid Seta Noir

Kid Seta Noir is a lovely lightweight (yet warm) mohair blend with just a hint of sparkle.  It also has the lovely ability to play nicely on big needles and still hold its shape.  In December I had made a scarf for Ann which I called Popcorn Scarf rather than Potato Chip Scarf (something about mixing up snack foods late at night).  I thought is would be lovely in the Kid Seta Noir, but knew that I wanted to modify it a bit.  Even better, I knew the perfect color to use for a gift.

Materials
 - US 8 Needles
 - 1 Ball Kid Seta Noir (60% Super Kid Mohair/22% Silk / 11% Nylon/7% Metallic Yarn (Lurex) - 232 yds/25 g) - shown in 13 - Lavender

Abbreviations
K - Knit
W&T - Wrap and Turn

Cast on 23

Knit 9, W&T
Knit 9, Turn
Knit 7, W&T
Knit 7, Turn
Knit 5, W&T
Knit 5, Turn
Knit 23

Continue until reach desired length.

Bind off loosely and weave in ends.

Ribbed Hat - knit in Greenland

This holiday season, I took on a bunch of projects (more than I would normally think was sane) and was able to complete most of them.  This hat was was for a neighbor and I was more than happy to knit with Greenland again.  Greenland  is an ideal yarn to knit for a guy - it is durable yet soft - plus it is easy care - just throw it in the washer and dryer.

While knitting this, I realized this stitch would also make a lovely cowl, so I am sure that will be on the needles at some point in the near future.

Materials - 

• 1 ball Greenland (100% Superwash Merino Wool - 137 yds/100 g) - shown in 3533 - Walnut Heather
• US 8 16" Circular Needle
• US 8 DPNs
• Stitch Marker
• Yarn Needle

Abbreviations - 

• K - Knit
• P - Purl
• K2Tog - Knit 2 Together

Using 16" Circular Needle - Cast on 80 stitches.

Join in the round.  Be careful not to twist stitches.  Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round.

Start Pattern:

Row 1 - K1, P1, K1, P2

Row 2 - P2, K3

Continue for 6"

 Start Decrease Rows - Switch to DPNs when necessary.

Row 1 - K1, P1, K1, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2tog
Row 2 - P2tog, K3,P2, K2
Row 3 - P1, K1, P2, K1, P1, K2tog
Row 4 - K2tog, K2, P2, K1
Row 5 - K1, P2, K1, K2tog
Row 6 - K2tog, K1, P1, K1
Row 7 - P2, K2tog
Row 8 - K2tog, K1
Row 9 - K2tog

Cut yarn, pull through remaining 8 stitches.  Weave in ends.

Honeycomb Cable Hat - Greenland

I got the brilliant idea this year to knit a number of people gifts.  I managed to finish 6 projects in the month of December and write out the patterns for most of them.  One of my favorites was this lovely cabled hat knit in Greenland.  Greenland is one of my favorite yarns - it has this amazing springy twists and has fabulous stitch definition.  Sadly, I seem to never get a chance to knit it.

The finished hat shown is for an average adult - finished (unstretched) measurement is 7" wide and 8" long from the cast on edge.  I cast on 88 stitches.  It can easily be adapted to be smaller (cast on 80 stitches) or larger (cast on 96 stitches).

Materials:

• (1), 1, (2) ball Greenland (100% Superwash Merino Wool - 137 yds/100 g) - shown in color 3549
• US 7 - 16" circular needles
• US 9 - 16" circular needles
• Cable needle (or spare DPN)
• Stitch Marker

Abbrevations

• K - Knit
• P - Purl
• cn - cable needle
• Sl - slip
• 4-st RC - Sl 2 sts to cn and hold to back, K2, K2 from cn. 
• 4-st LC - Sl 2 sts to cn and hold to front, K2, K2 from cn
• K2Tog - Knit 2 together

Using US 7 - 16" circular needle.  Cast on (80),88, (96) stitches.  Join in the round, be careful not to twist.  Place marker.

K2, P2 for 2"

Change to US 9 - 16" Circular Needle

Row 1 - *4-st RC, 4-st LC; rep from * 

Row 2 (and all even rows) - K

Row 3 - K

Row 5 - *4-st LC, 4-st RC; rep from * 

Row 7 - K

Rep rows 1–8. 

Continue until reach 6.5 - 7" in length from Cast on edge (for smaller hat - 6", for larger hat - 7 - 7.5").  Begin decreases.

Row 1 -  *4-st RC, 4-st LC; rep from *
Row 2 - k6, k2tog
Row 3 - k2tog, k5
Row 4 - k4, k2tog
Row 5 - k2tog, k3
Row 6 - k2, k2tog
Row 7 - k2tog, k1
Row 8 - k2tog

Cut yarn, pull through remaining stitches.  Weave in ends.