IS #67: DK Cardigan Roundup

Posted on April 5, 2014 by shoelaceswitcher

Following up on my DK weight pullover/tee/top roundup from last week, here are some of the DK weight cardigan patterns that have caught my eye lately. Which would you knit with 4 – 6 skeins of Cephalopod Yarns Traveller?

First up is Lanata designed by Amy Christoffers. I like the wavey lines of lace, the simple raglan shaping. This one is pretty classic in style and feel, with just a little bit of fun detail from the lace. I think I’d probably need closer to the full 6 skeins for this pattern, which is a slight problem since they are mismatched, so it might not be ideal right now but it is still lovely.

The Bayview Street Cardigan designed by Elinor Brown is similar to the Lanata in that it is a classic shape in a lace stitch pattern but this one has set-in sleeves. Since I have yet to knit a sweater I’m not sure which sleeve method I would like more, but I do tend to like the look of store-bought raglans on me, even though I’d read that raglan shaping isn’t the most flattering for larger sizes or larger-busted ladies. So I could go either way, I suppose. Do you have a favorite sleeve method? Flippant by Nora Hinch is pretty much the same idea as the Bayview cardi, just with a different lace pattern.

The Estelle Cardigan designed by Melissa LaBarre was recommended to me when I asked for advice on the CY Ravelry board. I like the wavy lace details and the subtle ribbed waist shaping. I’m not sure I would love a cardi without closures on me but it does look really great here.

Exploring the no-closure idea further, I came across Vonica designed by Bonne Marie Burns. I love the mixing of solid panels of stockinette (which I had actually thought was garter stitch before until I just looked more closely at it… weird) with zig-zag lace. It creates a really nice visual interest and breaks up the body in a flattering way.

Then I had a ‘DUH!’ moment and remembered Amy Herzog. I love almost everything that Amy designs and she has that cool CustomFit software that I could use with a pattern recipe to get a perfect fit without worrying about modifications. This lovely thing is Aislinn. I love the lace panels and the interesting waist tie detail. It’s very feminine and flirty.

Another Amy Herzog pattern I’m digging right now is Petrea. It still has the lace detail but is not all-over so it serves as more of an accent. I love the lace on the sleeves, as well, and that this is a short-sleeved cardi. I have a few store-bought short-sleeved pullovers that are great to wear at work so even though it wouldn’t be the warmest thing year-round, it is probably perfect for spring through fall. The scoop neck is pretty, too, and I think I could make this in my size with just 4 skeins.

I think Petrea, Aislinn, Vonica, and Snowflake (from last week) are the front-runners right now, but I’m still so torn! What would you knit? Anything inspiring you, lately? Please share in the comments!

IS #66: DK Weight Top Roundup

Posted on March 29, 2014 by shoelaceswitcher

A couple of months ago I did a DK Weight Sweater Roundup and, well — I’m still at it. I’m still trying to find the perfect thing to knit with either 4 or 6 skeins of Cephalopod Yarns Traveller.

CY Traveller, colorway Kalamazoo.

I say 4 or 6 because sadly, as you can see, my skeins are quite mismatched. CY has generously offered to take them all back and send me 6 matching skeins, but I’m not quire sure I need all 6 skeins, it depends on the pattern, and I really kind of love the 4 on the left and would rather just use them. (Plus I’m being lazy about shipping things around.) So, I’ve been combing Ravelry for tops I can knit with only 1120 yards to fit a 42″ size. It hasn’t been easy but I’ve found some lovely patterns!

Photo copyright Interweave Knits. Click for pattern page.

This Ruched Yoke Tee designed by AnneLena Mattison reminds me a lot of the wee baby sweater the Yarn Harlot just finished. It’s sweet, simple, and just the kind of thing I would wear to work in the spring/summer since it’s classier than a normal t-shirt but still relatively cool temperature-wise. The sample is knit in a cotton yarn, which makes me wonder if I would prefer it in cotton, rather than superwash wool.

Photo copyright Jiminez Joseph. Click for pattern page.

This fun little number is Boss. by Jiminez Joseph. I had a storebought sweater kind of like this one (lacey openwork t-shirt shape, drop shoulder) that I wore like crazy last year but I’ve since lost a bunch of weight and had to pack it away. It has a really simple construction, the front and back are just two panels that are seamed up the sides, which might be nice for a first garment. This is written for a wool/silk blend and one of the suggested yarns is actually Codex (a light worsted weight) so perhaps I should use that instead of the Traveller.

Photo copyright Knitscene/Harper Point Photgraphy. Click for pattern page.

This Balas Ruby Raglan by Vera Sanon is just a really cool-looking top. I love the lace and the accent color sleeves. The color values in mine would probably be reversed: using the purple for the main lace and a light grey for the sleeves. Or, I could always acquire enough grey to do the body and then use the 2 mismatched purple skeins for the sleeves! (More yarn, more sweaters, yay!)

Photo copyright Gudrun Georges. Click for pattern page.

This Layered Ruffle Sweater by Kristina McGowan is just gorgeous. I love, love, love the ruffle detail, and it’s knit in a DK weight Merino so my version would likely be similar in look. The ruffles sound a bit difficult to attach (crocheted elastic chord, what?!) but check out this amazing dress-length version.

Photo copyright Mary Annarella. Click for pattern page.

My love for this pattern might be a case of just really loving the name: Girl on Fire, by Mary Annarella. (Reminds me of Katniss!) I like the lace panel and the square neckline, too. I’d probably shorten the sleeves to 3/4 or elbow length to make the best use of yardage and because I like those lengths in pullovers.

Photo copyright tin can knits. Click for pattern page.

Snowflake by tin can knits is another pattern where I could grab a contrasting skein for the lace yoke and do the body in the purple yarn I already have. Plus it would involve finding fun buttons! I love fun buttons. This one might be nudging its way to the top of the list…

But then there are cardigans, too, which I haven’t even touched on today! We’ll leave those for another post. Have a favorite DK weight pattern? What’s been inspiring you, lately? Please share in the comments below!

IS #65: Lightweight Hats

Posted on March 22, 2014 by shoelaceswitcher

Spring has officially sprung! The slight break in weather that makes it not quite warm yet but not freezing anymore, either, has arrived in the northeast and it makes me want to knit a veritable army of lightweight, slouchy, spring-appropriate, one-to-go-with-every-outift hats.

Photo copyright Kelly McClure. Click for pattern page.

I think the slouchiest of all slouchy, lightweight hats has to be this Sockhead Hat pattern by Kelly McClure. It’s free and utterly simple but really effective, too, knit with a great stripey skein of sock yarn. Quite frankly, 4500+ Ravelers can’t be wrong — this is a great hat. I’m planning to knit one in a skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts BFL Fingering in one of Tina’s nifty Tipsy Clan colorways.

Photo copyright Hunter Hammersen. Click for pattern page.

Not surprisingly, one of my must-knit-someday hat patterns was designed by Hunter (I just love everything she does). I knit a couple of pairs of her Fracas Cuffs a while back (oh dear, a year ago already?!) and really like how the lace pattern translates to the brim of this Fracas Hat. It’s sweet, simple, and brimming (pun accidental but I like it) with springtime freshness.

Photo copyright Brooklyn Tweed / Jared Flood. Click for pattern page.

This hat — Norby designed by Gudrun Johnson — is so texture-iffic, I love it. The sample shown is knit with Brooklyn Tweed Loft, which we’ve talked about before. I bet it feels velvety, fuzzy, and cohesive and is probably plenty warm for those days when March might behave more like the lion than the lamb. I can absolutely picture this knit with handspun and check out this great striped version, too.

Photo copyright Coop Knits. Click for pattern page.

Confession time: this is the hat that inspired this entire post. It’s the Bedale pattern from Rachel Coopey’s new book Toasty Knits Volume 1. I love the color choices and the classic yet geometric shapes created by the all-over colorwork. On the pattern page you’ll see it with a big ol’ pom pom on the top, which is kind of irresistible. The yarn used in the collection sounds really interesting, too: Titus by baa ram ewe. It’s a blend of wool from two British breeds (Wensleydale and BFL) with some UK-raised alpaca added for softness. It sounds delightful and I’m itching to get my hands on some…

Photo copyright Kelbourne Woolens. Click for pattern page.

I couldn’t resist showing you one more hat! This is another lovely little colorwork number, Selbu Modern designed by Kate Gagnon Osborn. This one is knit with an alpaca, merino, bamboo blend which is likely providing that great drape. It has such a gorgeous, romantic feel to it that I think is really enhanced by the light, neutral colors.All of the hats in this post were knit with fingering or light fingering yarns, so I’m definitely going to be inventorying my sock yarn stash to see what I can delegate to headwear instead of footwear! How about you? Have you a favorite springtime hat pattern? What’s been inspiring you, lately? Let us know in the comments below!