Sweaters

Son of a Goat Herder

April 20, 2020 / Children, Sweaters / 2 Comments

In response to the popularity of my adult-sized Goat Herder and infant/toddler-sized Junior Goat Herder pullovers (both available on Ravelry), I’ve reworked the design in sportweight yarn for in-between sizes of 3 to 12 years and named it Son of a Goat Herder.

Like it’s siblings, wide ribs in the lower body give way to a chevron pattern worked with twisted stitches—no cable needle is necessary! The body is worked in rounds from the hem to the armholes, then the back and front are worked separately in rows to the shoulders. Stitches are picked up around the armholes, the sleeve caps are shaped with short-rows, then the rest of the sleeves are worked in rounds down to the cuffs. There are no seams to sew.

Finished Size: About 231/4 (28, 32, 36)” (59 [71, 81.5, 91.5] cm) chest circumference. To fit approximate sizes 3 (5, 8, 12) years. Sweater shown measures 28” (71 cm).

Yarn: Sportweight (#2 Fine). Shown here: Elemental Affects Cormo Sport (100% wool; 400 yards [365 meters]/4 ounces [112 g]: #31 Limoncello, 2 (2, 3, 4) skeins.

Needles: Size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm): 24” (60 cm) circular (cir) and set of 4 double-pointed (dpn). You may substitute the magic-loop method using a single circular needle for the double-pointed needles.

Notions: Markers (m); removable markers; small amount of waste yarn for marking sleeve caps; tapestry needle; stitch holder (optional).

Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows/rnds = 4” (10 cm) in St st, after blocking.

Use the code GOAT to receive 20% off any (or all) of the Goat Herder family (Goat Herder Pullover, Junior Goat Herder Pullover, and Son of a Goat Herder) between now and midnight Sunday, April 26.

Below left to right: Goat Herder Pullover, Junior Goat Herder Pullover

Port Townsend Swing Pullover

March 3, 2020 / Patterns, Sweaters / 5 Comments

I’m quite thrilled to announce my latest design, Port Townsend Swing Pullover, which debuts just in time for the Bazaar Girls Getaway Retreat 2020 in Port Townsend, Washington.

This pullover version of my top-down Port Townsend Swing Cardigan features a V-neck, long set-in sleeves, folded hems, and an A-line silhouette achieved through mirrored increases worked along the center back.

The yarn, Colinton Australia Lace Blends, is a luxurious blend of 80% fine mohair and 20% silk that is hand-dyed in Australia and exclusively distributed in the U.S. by The Bazaar Girls Yarn Emporium in Port Townsend, Washington.

I’ve included nine sizes in the pattern: 34 (37 1/2, 41, 44 1/2, 48) (50 3/4, 54 1/2, 57 3/4, 60 3/4)” or (86.5 [95, 104, 113, 122] [129, 138.5, 146.5, 154.5] cm) bust circumferences, which require 6 (6, 6, 7, 7) (8, 9, 9, 10) skeins of yarn.

The gauge is 23 stitches and 36 rows to 4″ (10 cm) on size U.S. 4 (3.5 mm) needles.

You can get 20% off the purchase price of Port Townsend Swing Pullover by using the code SWING! by midnight Mountain Standard Time Saturday, March 7, 2020.

A Year of Patterns

November 24, 2019 / Accessories, Baby, blanket, Cowls, Patterns, Sweaters / 2 Comments

I’m not one to make New Year’s Resolutions (too much pressure), but I do find myself reflecting on my accomplishments at the end of each year. I posted nine (9!) projects on website and I’d like to celebrate that with you.

From now until midnight Sunday, January 5, you can receive 30% off the Ravelry purchase price of all of my 2019 patterns. Use the code 9in2019 when you check out with any (or all) of the following patterns.

1.Aubrey Cardigan                       2.Beach Cusps Cowl                       3.Dalton Cardigan

 

4.Florentine Filigree Cowl     5.Junior Goat Herder Pullover       6.La Jolla Shores Cowl

 

7.Mont Tremblant Cowl       8.Port Townsend Swing Cardi           9.Walker Baby Blanket

Port Townsend Swing Cardi

December 4, 2019 / Patterns, Sweaters, The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns / 3 Comments

I’ve uploaded the Port Townsend Swing Cardi on Ravelry. This lightweight cardigan features a crewneck, three-quarter-length set-in sleeves, folded hems, and an A-line silhouette. It’s an ideal layer that spans multiple seasons. The swing shape is achieved by mirrored increases worked along most of the center back.

The sweater is worked from the top down following the general template for set-in sleeve construction in The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters.

The brushed yarn, Colinton Australia Lace Blends, is a luxurious blend of 80% fine mohair and 20% silk that is hand-dyed in Australia and exclusively distributed in the U.S. by The Bazaar Girls Yarn Emporium in Port Townsend, Washington.

The pattern is provided in nine sizes ranging from 34″ (86.5 cm) to 60 3/4″ (154.5 cm) bust circumference.

Use the code SWING to receive 20% off Port Townsend Swing Cardi by midnight Saturday, December 7.

 

Junior Goat Herder Pullover

September 12, 2019 / Baby, Children, Patterns, Sweaters / Leave a Comment

In response to the popularity of my adult-sized Goat Herder Pullover, I’ve reworked the design in fingering weight yarn for baby and toddler sizes, and named it Junior Goat Herder Pullover.

Like the adult version, the body is worked in rounds from the hem to the armholes where wide ribs give way to a chevron pattern worked with twisted stitches (no cable needle necessary!). The upper back and front are worked separately in rows to the shoulders. Stitches are picked up around the armholes, the sleeve caps are shaped with short-rows, then the rest of the sleeves are worked in rounds down to the cuffs. There are no seams to sew!

The pattern is written for four sizes: About 17 1/2 (21, 24, 27)” (44.5 [53.5, 61, 68.5] cm) chest circumference to fit 3-6 (6-9, 9-12, 12-24) months.

I used Emma’s Yarns Practically Perfect Sock yarn (80% superwash Merino, 20% nylon; 400 yards (365 meters)/100 g) in the color Beach Please on size U.S. 2 (2.75 mm) needles at a gauge of 8 stitches and 10.5 rows/rounds per inch.

Use the code JUNIOR to receive 20% off the purchase price of the Junior Goat Herder Pullover on Ravelry through midnight Tuesday, September 17.

Kraemer Yarn Mill

July 31, 2019 / Sweaters, Travel / Leave a Comment

This summer I had the opportunity to visit Kraemer Yarns mill in the small town of Nazareth, Pennsylvania.  There, they accept bales of fleece, card it into roving, and spin it onto huge cones of beautiful yarn. After experiencing the heat and high noise levels first hand, I have enormous respect for mill workers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The yarn that’s sold in the on-site store is only a fraction of what Kraemer Textiles produces. The bulk of their business is custom spinning yarn for industry, including apparel, carpet, home furnishings, industrial, and craft. Perhaps the most notable of these is the yarn they produced for the unforgettable hats and sweaters that Ralph Lauren designed for the athletes in the 2014 Winter Olympics!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Hopes

July 31, 2019 / Sweaters / 1 Comment

Last spring when I taught at Bazaar Girls Yarn Shop and Fiber Emporium in Port Townsend, Washington, I picked up some handpainted unbrushed mohair by Colinton Australia.The yarn is 80% fine mohair and 20% silk. Each 50-gram skein has 250 yards (229 meters). Although it feels a bit rough in the skein, it blooms beautifully when washed.

I love the Bazaar Girls and all they do to support their town and community. I therefore figured that least I could do is design a sweater to help them sell the yarn. Apparently, they are the only shop that sells this fabulous yarn in the United States and there aren’t many patterns that specify it.

I’ve knitted a couple of swatches and have decided that I like the one that gets 5.5 stitches/inch best. I’m now going to refer to The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters for the template for a top-down set-in sleeve cardigan. At this point I thinking something light and airy.

If all goes well, I’ll have the completed sweater and pattern available for sale when I return to Port Townsend next March!

Junior Goat Herder

April 23, 2019 / Children, Patterns, Sweaters / 1 Comment

 

With 2529 likes and 121 projects on Ravelry, the Goat Herder Pullover is one of my most popular single-issue patterns. I designed this sweater for my oldest son, who was raising pigmy goats at the time, as a challenge to come up with a sweater that was interesting to knit but not too fancy for males who prefer “plain” sweaters.

Following a bit of knit-two-purl-one ribbing at the hem, wide ribs at the lower body give way to a chevron pattern worked with twisted stitches (no cable needle necessary!). The body is worked in rounds from the hem to the armholes, then the back and front are worked separately in rows to the shoulders. Stitches for the sleeves are picked up around the armholes and the sleeves are worked in rounds down to the cuffs, with a chevron pattern across the upper arms.

Happily, there are no seams to sew!

The original pattern includes four sizes: 35 3/4 (40 1/4, 43 3/4)” (90.5 [102, 113.5, 124.5] cm) chest circumference. However, I’ve been asked to provide it in children’s sizes as well.

To that end, I’m now working on a toddler version knitted out of fingering weight yarn (the original is knitted in worsted weight).

The yarn is Emma’s Yarn, dyed by seventeen-year-old Emma Dobratz of Winter Haven, Florida, in the colorway Beach Please on size U.S. 3 (3.25 mm) needles.

I’m thinking of adding buttons across one shoulder to facilitate putting the sweater on an active toddler. I hope to make significant progress while on my upcoming travels. Stay tuned!

Pretty in Pink

March 28, 2019 / Baby, Patterns, Sweaters / Leave a Comment

With my niece expecting the first grandchild on my side of the family, I’ve been enthusiastically knitting baby things. I designed the Aubrey Cardigan in case her baby is female (though there’s no reason a male wouldn’t look adorable in it, too!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knitted in the softest pink color, this sweet little cardigan is worked in one piece from the top down with yarnover increases along the four raglan lines. Sleeve stitches are then placed on holders while the body is worked to the hem. Stitches are increased across the back to create a feminine ruffle and a comfortable fit. The lower body, cuff, and neckband edges are punctuated with eyelets and a simple rib pattern. Tiny shell buttons provide the finishing touch.

The pattern is available in two sizes: about 191/2 (221/2)” (49.5 [57] cm) buttoned chest circumference, which fit 3-6 (6-9) months. The sweater shown here is knitted in the larger size and shown on an 8-month-old miracle.

You can use any fingering weight yarn for this design. I used Manos del Uruguay Alegria (75% superwash merino wool, 25% polyamide; 445 yd [407 meters]/100 g) in color #A2149 Petal. I used size 3 (3.25 mm) needles for a gauge of 16 sts and 21 rows to 2″ (5 cm).

Use the code SWEET! to receive 20% off the Ravelry purchase price of Aubrey Cardigan between now and midnight on Sunday, April 7.

Baby Blue

March 18, 2019 / Baby, Sweaters / Leave a Comment

I’ve posted the Dalton Cardigan on Ravelry. This sweet little cardigan is worked from the top down in a simple garter rib pattern. Tailored details such as shaped shoulders and set-in sleeves give it sophisticated appeal, even on the smallest infant. The instructions follow the basic set-in sleeve instructions from The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters, adapted for smaller sizes than offered in the book.

The upper back and upper fronts are worked separately in rows from the neck/shoulders to the underarms, then joined for working the lower body in one piece to the lower edge. Stitches for each sleeve are picked up around the armhole, the sleeve cap is worked back and forth in short-rows, then the lower sleeve is worked in the round down to the cuff.

Sizes include 3–6 (6–9, 9–12, 12–18) months with chest circumferences of 18 1/2 (19 1/2, 21 3/4, 23 3/4)” (47 [49.5, 55, 60.5] cm) when buttoned. The smallest size is shown here.

The fingering weight yarn I used is River City Yarns Hat Trick Semi-Solid (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon; 382 yd [352 meters]/100 g): Faceoff (gray), 1 (2, 2, 2) skein(s). The sweater is knitted at a gauge of 14 stitches/2″ (5 cm) on size U.S. 3 (3.25 mm) needles.

I couldn’t resist adding a “handmade” label that I got at River City Yarns when I purchased the yarn.

Use the code BABY BLUE to get 20% off the purchase price when you order this pattern on Ravelry before midnight on Sunday, March 17.

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