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Craftsy Brioche Class

Due Capre Cowl

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It’s summer, and time for easy to follow and simple to carry projects!

And so I bring you the Due Capre cowl. This is a one-skein stashbuster with a simple-to-follow lace pattern, that can be sized up or down according to your yardage. If you have a margarita and get chatty, it’s unlikely that you’ll veer too far off course on the lace pattern (charted and written, btw). Knit in one skein of Mrs. Crosby’s limited edition Due Capre, a luscious cashmere and mohair blend, this is also a great pattern for other luxury skeins you may have set aside for the perfect pattern.

Due Capre PDF pattern download, $5.00 

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Due Capre PDF pattern download, $5.00 

Fremen

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Fremen Cowl PDF, $5.00

Have you ever watched the movie Dune?

Dune_(1984_Film)

It’s a 1984 piece of David Lynch weirdness. It’s got this whole outer space rock opera, sci-fi visual thing going on. Bizarre characters, a lot of over-the-top hammy acting, but fun to watch. Likewise, the books that the movie is based on, by Frank Herbert, are also a fun read, if sci-fi is your thing.

This cowl pattern, Fremen, is named for the desert-dwelling people of the planet Arrakis from “Dune.” It features cables and lace which alternate to create soft textured chevrons on an oversized cowl, like undulating waves on the sand dunes of Arrakis. Wear it loose or pin it up for a closer fit. Fremen uses 1-2 skeins (approx. 400 yards) of fingering weight yarn.

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This model is knit in an alpaca/silk/linen blend yarn, Aegypte by Phydeaux Yarns. Aegypte is really lovely to work with, it has an amazing sheen and drape. The best yarn substitutions would have some drape, but most fingering weight yarns would work well with the textured stitches. Fremen is a great stash-buster.

Pattern includes both written and charted instructions. Originally released for the Badass Women’s Yarn Club, March 2016.

Fremen1

Fremen Cowl PDF, $5.00

Caeruleum

I’m not just a geek, but also a total nerd.

Being back in school has made this clear.

I took Latin for 3 years in high school. I can’t remember verb tenses to save my life, but the classes sparked a lifelong interest in etymology and vocabulary. I often look at words and try to guess root words, their origins, and how meanings shift over time.

Like the word cerulean for a gorgeous shade of blue. When I was a kid, my original box of 64 Crayolas had blue-green, and also green-blue. Two favorite crayons. Then NEW colors arrived, including cerulean. I loved everything about this color, including its strange-to-me name. I still do (apparently 9 year old me was hipper than I thought).

When working on a yarn club pattern earlier this year in gorgeous Mrs. Crosby Carpet Bag yarn, Miriam and I chose Sunset Regatta, a luscious, rich aquatic blue. It looked like the sea. Or the sky. Or that favorite childhood crayon. The root word for cerulean is caeruleus, written in various forms, including caeruleum.

caeruleus m (feminine caerulea, neuter caeruleum); first/second declension

  1. Of or pertaining to the sea.
  2. Of or pertaining to the sky.
  3. Of or pertaining to rivers or sea and river deities.
  4. dark colored, dark blue, dark green, cerulean, azure

Definition from the ever-faithful Wikipedia.

 

So without further adieu, meet Caeruleum! A simple but elegantly textured triangle shawl, Caeruleum takes approximately 480 yards of light worsted weight yarn. Twisted and dropped stitches create an undulating wave pattern along one edge, and simple stockinette balances the texture with drape.

caeruleum-front

Caeruleum shawl pdf pattern, $6.
Ravelry download

To celebrate summer (and the end of my summer semester, woohoo!), I’m having a sale on patterns all month long! Buy Caeruleum, get any of my patterns in my Ravelry pattern store for 50% off! Use the code SUMMERSALE16 for discount.

2 new sweaters and a sweet SALE.

It’s been a while since I’ve sent anything out, because things here have been INSANE.
My husband and I traveled to New Mexico in June (so amazing and gorgeous), and while we were gone, our apartment was robbed. Little did we know this was just the first incident in what we first dubbed “The Week of Doom,” which snowballed into “The Month of Doom,” and in reality was six solid weeks of stressful DOOM. More thefts, very sick pets (still reeling from vet bills), total chaos.

Things are thankfully much quieter now. *sigh of relief*

We’ve moved to a safer apartment in a lovely 1920s building in a cute Birmingham neighborhood. I’m writing you from my little screened-in porch with my dog, Leelu, at my feet. I’ve also moved my work stuff into a new studio space, so the apartment doesn’t look like a yarn shop blew up all over the furniture. Chris is very happy about this last part.

If you’d like to write to me, send cookies, postcards, whatever, I have a new mailing address. It’s a rented mailbox and they take all carriers’ shipments:

1116 20th St S #203
Birmingham, AL 35205

In the calm after the storm of June/July, I’ve been able to FINALLY finish up two sweater patterns that have been waiting in the wings. Both are sponsored by Blue Water Fibers, the US distributor for Erika Knight’s luscious classic British wool yarns.

Meet Highland Avenue and Cobb Lane!

Highland Avenue cardigan


Cobb Lane pullover

 

Both of these sweaters, along with everything available in my Ravelry pattern store, are now 30% off, now through my birthday weekend, 9/21. Grab one (or three?) for yourself, gift a pattern to a friend, or perform a random act of kindness for a fellow Ravelry group member. No need for a coupon code, just shop to your heart’s delight and all items will be automatically discounted in your shopping cart. Easy peasy, rice and cheesy.

The Brioche Knitting Made Easy class on Craftsy is still going strong! If you still haven’t signed up, come on over and join us. I’m so proud of what my students are knitting up!

How has your summer been? What are you planning for autumn? Tell me all about it.

New Brioche Patterns: Zillah and Rhoda

Hey, there! No, I haven’t retired, although you might think so from the radio silence around here.

The manuscript is in, and I am slowly crawling out of my hermit cave to enter the land of the living again. I just got back from California, where I taught two days of brioche knitting classes at Interweave Knitting Lab.

IT WAS AWESOME. I had amazing, clever, inquisitive, adventurous students in all four of my brioche classes. If you get a chance to attend one of these events, DO IT. I also spent a few days in the San Francisco/Oakland area, which I will post about soon.

I released two new brioche knit cowl patterns at the Knitting Lab, Zillah and Rhoda, knit in polworth/silk blend yarns from Knitted Wit and Sincere Sheep. They are now available in my Ravelry shop.

If brioche is unfamiliar to you, you can jump into this technique with my help using my brioche basics DVD or video download from Interweave Press. 

 

 

Two-color brioche stitch is shaped into a dramatic pattern using basic brioche shaping.

Rhoda looks fabulous in contrasting pairings of hand-dyed semi-solid or solid DK yarns.

Finished size: Approximately 10 1/2” deep, 26” circumference.

Yarn: Knitted Wit Polworth Shimmer (DK weight yarn, 85% wool, 15% silk; 330yds/4 oz); MC- Salted Caramel (tan), 1 skein; CC- Thistle (violet), 1 skein.

Needles: US size 3 (3.25 mm) 16” circular needle. Ad- just needle size as needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rows = 4” in brioche mirrored wing stitch, worked in the round.

Notions: locking stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Skills needed: Knitting, purling, basic brioche stitches, brioche shaping, 2-color brioche rib stitch.

Rhoda PDF download, $7.00 (via Ravelry)

 

 

 Zillah is a flat-knit brioche stitch cowl uses brioche shaping stitches and cable twists to create a gorgeous, warm, insulating fabric that looks fabulous in hand-dyed semi-solid or solid DK yarns.

Finished size: Approximately 24” long and 9” wide, un-buttoned.

Yarn: Sincere Sheep Luminous (DK weight yarn, 85% wool, 15% silk; 330 yds/4 oz); Kung Hey Fat Choy, 1 skein.

Needles: US size 3 (3.25 mm) straight or circular needle. Adjust needle size as needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rows = 4” in brioche twisted lozenge stitch, worked flat.

Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, 7- 5/8” buttons, sewing needle and thread.

Skills needed: Knitting, purling, k2tog decreases, basic brioche stitches, brioche shaping, brioche cable twists, yarnovers.

Zillah PDF download, $7.00 (via Ravelry)

 

Both cowls are modeled by the glamorous, ever patient Leelu. Leelu is a boxer-pit mix who loves lounging, hugs, hunting varmints, and enjoying a nice soup bone now and then.

Hitch

 

MATERIALS

Approximately 1485 (1560, 1740, 1900, 2120) yards of fingering weight wool yarn
6 (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Loft (100% American Targhee-Columbia wool; 275 yards/50g)
Photographed in color Tent

GAUGE

Working Gauge:
24 stitches & 36 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch using Size A needle, before blocking

Finished Gauge:
23 stitches & 34 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch using Size A needle, after blocking
18-stitch repeat of Cable Panel measures approximately 2¼” wide

NEEDLES

Size A (for Body):
One 32″ circular needle in size needed to obtain gauge listed
Suggested Size: 4 mm (US 6)

Size B (for Edgings):
One each 16″ and 32″ long circular needles two sizes smaller than Size A needle
Suggested Size: 3½ mm (US 4)

FINISHED DIMENSIONS

38 (39¾, 43½, 47½, 52)” finished (blocked) garment at bust
Intended Ease: +4-5″
Sample shown is size 38″ with +4″ of ease on model

SKILL LEVEL

3 of 5

From Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed:

Hitch…has a great casual elegance about it. The dolman shape means that the garment is made with two pieces (front and back, with sleeves integrated). If you look closely at the direction of the garter stitch on the cuffs, you’ll see that the sleeves are worked sideways as a result.

While swatching at the beginning of the design process, Mercedes fell hard for this cable – which she said reminded her of thick links of chain (our inspiration for naming the design) – and built the rest of the sweater as a suitable “frame” for it.

I think the proportions are great – the deep garter hem, the front-only panel of chain cables, three-quarter sleeves and a wide boat neck. The fabric is lightweight – worked in Loft at a relaxed gauge – which means it has that “easy to throw on” thing going for it, too.

I am so proud of this design! I love it as a layering piece, and want (at least!) one in my wardrobe, and hope that you will, too! 

Purchase on Ravelry or at Brooklyn Tweed.

Sazerac

Named after the classic American cocktail, Sazerac is a relaxed fit cardigan with great details. Knit-in pockets, set-in cuffed sleeves, and a generous knit-in shawl collar. Body is knit in one piece to the armholes, and then split for fronts and back.

Shown in Lorna’s Laces Sportmate in colorway “Spats”. Sazerac uses a simple brioche variation combined with garter stitch, which work beautifully with multi-color yarns as well as solids.

finished size:
32 1/4 (36, 39 1/2, 44 1/4, 48, 52 3/4, 56 1/4)” bust circumference. Choose a size that allows for 2-4” of positive ease.

yarn:
1600 (1800, 2000, 2200, 2400, 2600, 2900) yards sportweight yarn.

gauge:
20 sts and 40 rows = 4” in Garter Stitch and Garter Brioche Stitch, after blocking.

needles:
32” circular US size 5 (3.75mm), body and edgings.

notions:
stitch markers in at least two colors, scrap yarn, tapestry needle, blocking supplies.

Sazerac is knit flat in one piece to the armholes, then split for fronts and back. Sleeves are knit flat and seamed in place.

 $7.00 PDF download

 $7.00 PDF download

ravelry pattern page

Seamless Artemisia Sweater Course

Remember a couple weeks back when I talked about going to Denver to make a class with Craftsy?

It’s ready!!! I’m so excited!

The class is The Seamless Artemisia Sweater, and features a top-down, seamless set-in sleeve construction, knit-in pockets, hourglass waist shaping, and a delicate lace panel at the neckline.

Artemisia 1

Students are beginning to enroll (and my brain is amazed by how many people want to take my class right away. Seriously, WOW.), and I’ve been answering student questions already.

I’m in love with the Craftsy class format. As someone who’s been both a teacher and a student in other online class format, this platform is amazing. Easy to navigate and full of features. It’s also making it really easy to keep up with my students to help them quickly and clearly. Plus, once you’re in the class, you’re IN. Replay lessons as often as you need to, they won’t expire. So if life gets hectic, you can come back to class at your own pace. Awesome!

From Craftsy:

Known for cute, feminine and fashionable sweaters, knitwear designer Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark brings a brand-new design to Craftsy! Worked from the top down, the Seamless Artemisia Sweater features set-in sleeves in the round, knit-in pockets and pretty lace details. Shaping at the back neck, shoulders and waist provide a flattering fit.

As you knit along with Mercedes, you’ll learn her techniques for short-row shaping, knitting in the round, following lace charts and lots of nifty tips and tricks. Choose to knit three-quarter or full-length sleeves, building in as much ease as you like. You’ll finish with a sweater you’ll be pleased to wear or give.

What You’ll Learn

  • Knitting a top-down sweater in the round
  • Lace in the round
  • Short row shaping at back neck and shoulders
  • Top-down, set-in sleeves in the round
  • Knit-in pockets
  • Waist shaping

What You’ll Make

Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark’s Artemisia sweater pattern is included free with purchase of this class. Finished Size: 30¼ (34¼, 38¼, 42¼, 46¼, 51, 55)” bust circumference.

What You’ll Need

  • Cascade Venezia Worsted [70 percent merino wool, 30 percent silk, 219 yds/100g]: 5 (6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) skeins; or worsted-weight yarn of your choice
  • Circular needles, U.S. size 5 and 7, or size to obtain gauge
  • Intermediate knitting skills: You should be able to knit in the round and follow a lace chart

I’m looking forward to seeing my students knit their Artemisia sweaters! I hope you’ll join us, this is going to be fun!

 

Fortune Bay

It’s been like a ghost town around here. The universe has spent the last few months throwing a series of curveballs my way, and a lot of it would make for some pretty rich writing material, just not for a knitting blog. Maybe more on that later. In between bits of chaos, I have been working on a few design projects that were really fun.

My new pattern, Fortune Bay, is out in the newest Twist Collective. I am SO happy to finally be able to share this design! I love stripes. Madly. And Fortune Bay takes the idea of a classic sailor striped pullover and turns it on its side. Pretty much literally.

The 2-row horizontal stripes begin at the shoulder, with a seamless, top-down set-in sleeve construction that ensures a matching pattern along the front, sleeves, and back. Once the stripes reach the torso, a series of short rows alter the stripes to create a diagonal slant from underarm to hem. While knitting several striped swatches, I had an “Ah-ha!” moment thinking about short rows that led to the idea for Fortune Bay.

The original swatch and sketch show the origin of the pattern, which came to life in a gorgeous neutral palette of alpaca blend yarn for the final garment.

 

I love thinking about all the possibilities for color pairings for this pullover. Aqua and grey? Black and white? Red and ecru? Mustard and navy? Which colors would you choose for this timeless wardrobe staple?

Buy Fortune Bay via Ravelry download or directly from Twist Collective.

Finished measurements:
Bust: 30 ½ (34 ½, 38 ½, 42 ½ 46 ½, 51 ¼, 55 ¼)” / 77.5 (87.5, 98, 108, 118, 130, 140.5) cm
Shown in size 34″ / 86.5 cm
Intended to be worn with 2–3″ / 5–7.5 cm positive ease.

Yarn:
Green Mountain Spinnery Alpaca Elegance (180 yd / 165 m per 2 oz / 57 g skein; 50% Alpaca, 50% Fine Wool):
3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins in Dark Roast (MC)
3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins in Chai (CC)

Needles & Notions:
Size 5 US / 3.75 mm:
• circular needle, 24″ / 60 cm long
• set of five double pointed needles
Size 3 US/ 3.25 mm:
• circular needle, 24″ / 60 cm long
• set of five double-pointed needles

Four stitch markers (one in a contrasting color), six buttons ³⁄8″ / 9 mm diameter (optional)

Gauge:
20 sts and 32 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch using size 5 US / 3.75 mm needles

Construction Notes:  Boatneck pullover worked in one piece from the top down. Short rows create a diagonal mid-section in the allover narrow stripe pattern.

 

Brooklyn Tweed Wool People 3 – Biston

After a few months of waiting, I can finally spill the beans about one of my top-secret design projects! Brooklyn Tweed’s Wool People 3 is out this week, including my Biston cocoon shrug pattern.

This collection is full of beautiful designs, I’m so happy to be in the good company of designers such as Amy Christoffers (who I FINALLY got to meet this past weekend at TNNA…she’s delightful, and tall!), Veronik Avery (who I’ve had a long-standing design crush on), Hannah Fettig, and Alexis Winslow.

Jared Flood has put together an inspired collection to please wool lovers in the summer season, full of airy layering pieces that take advantage of BT’s light and, well…lofty Loft yarn (seriously, it’s like knitting a fingering weight cloud, in a sumptuous way). A soft neutral palette carries these pieces through the year.

Biston is a simple, light layering piece, knit side-to-side in reverse Stockinette stitch, AKA- knit in regular Stockinette and then flipped over for seaming. Two short seams join the fitted 3/4 sleeves, and then a band of slanting rib is picked up and knit out from the softly draped body. It is light, simple summer knitting. While knitting this, I had many hours of enjoyable tactile experience while engaging in movies, conversations, and time with friends. Biston makes excellent social knitting!

Buy Biston, or any of the Wool People 3 Collection, on Ravelry or on the Brooklyn Tweed website.