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Introducing the Sun Catcher Shawl

by artyarns on December 5, 2012

Why do I love shawls? They can be worn as scarves, wraps, or merely decorative. If you have not experienced knitted shawls made from the finest yarns available–here’s your chance. It really makes a difference. You can collapse them down into nothing. They are so delicate they can pass through a small wedding band, yet are very substantial in appearance when held open. Just like this one (which is still on the needles):

The Sun Catcher is made with 1 skein of Ensemble Light, a side-by-side blend of 50 silk and 50 cashmere in a dk weight yarn, that is 400 yards. I prefer side-by-side silk/cashmere blends, because the 2 yarns are not forcibly twisted together, and there is less pilling, and the resulting stitches are so delicate and lovely. I used stonewashed color 924, but all of them would be gorgeous in this design. Here’s a color card for these new stonewashed colors.

I am bringing this pattern to you in parts as a free Ravelry knitalong. I just ask that you use Artyarns yarn for this. If you choose Ensemble Light, you will get the same results that I did–heavenly. I will wear this shawl everywhere this spring/summer. It reminds me of the lace patterns on those beautiful clothes at the turn of the 20th century (thinking Downton Abbey).

Summer Swirls Knitalong

by artyarns on July 19, 2012

This started on July 15 and continues until August 30. It is a 1-skein project using Ensemble Light, that can be enlarged if you use 2 skeins. I used Beaded Silk & Sequins to trim the right sides of the front triangles.

Lots of techniques:

1. center increase triangle with cables, lace, twisted stitches

2. mesh insertion with short rows

3. more cables and lace panels

4. final mesh insertion with short rows

5. steps 1-4 repeated on other side for mirror image

6. special grafting of both pieces with short rows instead of kitchener or seaming

7. optional edging with Beaded Silk & Sequins Light

Join me for the fun.

I’m always checking the knitalong group here, so I can give help and encouragement as needed 🙂

Now I want to try one in a variegated yarn, because this multidirectional pattern is perfect for this. Here’s what I have so far. What do you think of Ensemble Light color 1026?

The Mesh Collection

by artyarns on June 18, 2012

I have been very intrigued by this mesh lace pattern lately. First, I designed a vest with mesh lace panels in double-stranded Ensemble Light.

lacevest_grey — Lace Vest unblocked in color 923s

mesh tee — Mesh Tee in Ensemble Glitter Light

Both of these summer tops go with anything and everything. The Ensemble Light is both cool and warm – the silk and cashmere blend is like magic.

The pattern collection is available completely free of charge when you buy the yarn for it (Ensemble Light), or you can purchase it on both Ravelry and Craftsy, so go ahead and choose the one you prefer! But first, we are giving away one collection free! Just leave a comment, and we’ll choose the winner on Thursday, June 21st.

NEW KNITALONG: Dangling Leaves Shawl

by artyarns on January 2, 2012

Knitalong is now over.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Artyarns yarn, approximately 360 yards for shawl that is 64″ circumference (crescent shaped) and 13″ wide

1 skein of Ensemble Light (shown in photo)–good substitutions are any of our DK or Worsted weight yarns, including Rhapsody Light, Silk Rhapsody, Ensemble, Beaded Mohair & Sequins, Mohair Splash, Beaded Mohair, Beaded Silk Light, Beaded Silk & Sequins Light, Regal Silk, Silk Pearl, Cashmere 3, 4, or 5, or Cashmere Sock Yarn. Any of our merinos would work as well.

Needle Size: Size 7 for dk weight yarn, or size 8 for worsted weight yarn,

Gauge: Each leaf is 2″ wide x 2-1/2″ long

Note: Leaves are added and during first decrease, unraveling begins between leaves to create mesh appearance.

Part 1:

Abbreviations:

Inc1: Knit into the front and back of the same stitch (kfb), an increase of 1 stitch

Ssk: Slip 2 sts, and knit 2 together through the back loop, a decrease of 1 stitch

K2tog: Knit 2 sts as though they were 1 stitch, a decrease of 1 stitch

L: Make a left-leaning increase, by inserting the left needle into the strand between the stitches from front to back, and knitting into the back of the strand.

R: Make a right-leaning increase, by inserting the left needle into the strand between the stitches from back to front, and knitting into the front of the strand.

Knitted Cast On: knit into the first st on the needle, but leave it on the needle. With the right hand needle put the stitch back on the left hand needle. Repeat the process and continue until all the required sts have been added.

C2dec/2decF: Take 2 sts and put on cable needle in front of work, knit next two sts together, knit 2 sts on cable needle together—a decrease of 2 sts

CO 4 sts, and k1, p2, k1

Row 1: K1, [inc1, inc1] k1

Row 2: K1, [p4], k1

Row 3: K1, [k1, L, k2, R, k1], k1

Row 4: K1, [p6], k1

Row 5: K1, [k2, L, k2, R, k2], k1

Row 6: K1, [p8], k1

Row 7: K1, [k3, L, k2, R, k3], k1

Row 8: k1, [p10], k1. Using Knitted Cast on cast on 3 sts.

Row 9: K1, [inc1, inc1], p1, [ssk, k6, k2tog], k1

Row 10: k1, [p8],

k1, [p4], k1

Row 11: K1, [k1, L, k2, R, k1], p1, [ssk, k4, k2tog], k1

Row 12: k1, [p6], k1, [p6], k1

Row 13: K1, [k2, L, k2, R, k2], p1, [ssk, k2, k2tog], k1

Row 14: k1, [p4], k1, [p8], k1

Row 15: k1, [k3, L, k2, R, k3], p1, [c2dec/2decF], k1

Row 16: K1,[p2], k1, [p10], k1.

Finish Part 1 in any Artyarns yarn, post a photo of your project here by following the instructions to set up a project page.

Additional parts will be sent to you by Ravelry private message.