Read an Excerpt
Knitting 24/7
By Véronik Avery, Liana Allday, Thayer Allyson Gowdy Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 Véronik Avery
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4532-6812-4
CHAPTER 1
a.m.
PATTERNED MITTENS
While the idea for some knitted items begins with the yarn, these mittens were inspired by a hand-printed abstract fabric designed by Gudrun Sjödén. I received a pouch made from this fabric as a giveaway from Selvedge magazine, and I found the color combination—charcoal and green spiced up with yellow and pink—so appealing that I knew I had to find a project for it. I incorporated the palette into this pair of modern mittens with a simple striped Garter cuff and slipped-stitch patterning on the hand.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approximately 7 (7 ½, 8)" hand circumference
YARN
Harrisville Designs New England Shetland (100% wool; 217 yards / 50 grams): 1 hank each #7 Tundra (A), #49 Charcoal (B), #34 Aster (C), and #6 Cornsilk (D)
NEEDLES
One set of five double-pointed needles (dpn) size US 1 (2.25 mm) Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
NOTIONS
Stitch markers (one in contrasting color for beginning of rnd); waste yarn
GAUGE
25 sts and 32 rnds = 3" (7.5 cm) in Slip Stitch Pattern from Chart
NOTES
When changing colors in Garter Stripe Pattern, leave old color hanging in back, bring new color from below, over old color and to the back before slipping the first st and knitting the second.
STITCH PATTERN
Garter Stripe Pattern
(any number of sts; 4-row repeat)
Row 1: With A, slip 1, knit to end.
Rows 2 and 3: With B, slip 1, knit to end.
Row 4: Repeat Row 1.
Repeat Rows 1–4 for Garter Stripe Pattern.
LEFT MITTEN
CUFF
Using waste yarn and provisional CO of your choice, CO 32 sts. Change to A and Garter Stripe Pattern; work Rows 1–4 twenty-three (25, 27) times, then work Rows 1 and 2 once.
Carefully remove waste yarn from CO and place sts on needle. Using Kitchener st (see Special Techniques) and A, graft last row to CO row.
HAND
With RS of Cuff facing, using A, beginning at graft, pick up and knit 1 st for every Garter st ridge along side edge of Cuff—48 (52, 56) sts. Join for working in the rnd; place marker (pm) for beginning of rnd. Purl 1 rnd. Knit 2 rnds.
Next Rnd: *K1, M1, k5 (6, 7), [M1, k6] twice, M1, k5 (6, 7), M1, k1*, pm for side, repeat from * to * once—58 (62, 66) sts. Knit 2 rnds.
Begin Slip Stitch Pattern: Work Slip Stitch Pattern from Chart to first marker, beginning and ending Chart as indicated for your size, work in St st (knit every rnd) to end, working St st in same color as worked in Chart. Work even until piece measures 2 ¾ (3, 3 ¼)" from pick-up rnd.
THUMB OPENING
Next Rnd: Work to last 9 (10, 11) sts, change to waste yarn and knit to end, slip these 9 (10, 11) sts back to left-hand needle, change to working yarn, knit these 9 (10, 11) sts again. Work even until piece measures 5 ½ (6 ¼, 6 ½)" from pick-up rnd, or to 1 ¼ (1 ½, 1 ½)" less than desired length.
MITTEN TOP
Decrease Rnd: Decrease 4 sts this rnd, every other rnd 5 times, then every rnd 3 (4, 5) times, as follows: [K1, ssk, work to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, k1] twice—22 sts remain. Divide sts evenly onto 2 needles. Using Kitchener st, graft sts.
THUMB
Carefully remove waste yarn from Thumb sts and place bottom 9 (10, 11) sts and top 8 (9, 10) sts onto 2 dpns, being careful not to twist sts. Join C to bottom sts, pick up and knit 2 sts at side of Thumb Opening, knit across bottom sts, pick up and knit 2 sts at other side of Thumb Opening, knit across top sts—21 (23, 25) sts. Redistribute sts evenly among 3 dpns. Join for working in the rnd; pm for beginning of rnd. Begin St st; work even until Thumb measures 1 ¾ (2, 2)", or almost covers thumb.
Decrease Rnd 1: *K2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1—11 (12, 13) sts remain.
Decrease Rnd 2: *K2tog; repeat from * to last 1 (0, 1) st(s), k1 (0, 1)—6 (6, 7) sts remain. Cut yarn, leaving a 6" tail. Thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight and fasten off.
RIGHT MITTEN
Work as for Left Mitten to beginning of Slip Stitch Pattern.
Begin Slip Stitch Pattern: Work in St st to first marker, working in same color as worked in Chart, work in Slip Stitch Pattern from Chart to end, beginning and ending Chart as indicated for your size. Work even until piece measures 2 ¾ (3, 3 ¼)" from pick-up rnd.
THUMB OPENING
Next Rnd: Change to waste yarn and k9 (10, 11), slip these 9 (10, 11) sts back to left-hand needle, change to working yarn, knit these 9 (10, 11) sts again, work to end. Complete as for Left Mitten.
FINISHING
Block as desired.
CROSS-STITCH LOUNGE SOCKS
Though a thick sock like this is typically worn with boots, a touch of angora makes this is a true luxury sock—best enjoyed while lounging in a bathrobe, not on a mountaintop. The technique for the cable pattern used in these socks is a little unusual. Instead of crossing stitches in front of or behind one another, as is usually done for cables, two stitches are passed through another pair of stitches. To make this process easy, the stitches are enlarged on the preceding row by wrapping the yarn twice around the needle for each stitch that will be passed through another.
SIZES
To fit women's shoe sizes 6–10
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
* 8" Foot circumference
* 8½" Foot length from back of Heel
* 9½" Leg length to base of Heel
YARN
Naturally Sensation (70% merino wool / 30% angora; 131 yards / 50 grams): 2 hanks #304 Grape
NEEDLES
One set of five double-pointed needles (dpn) size US 3 (3.25 mm)
One set of five double-pointed needles size US 2 (2.75 mm)
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
NOTIONS
Stitch marker
GAUGE
21 sts and 34 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch (St st), using larger needles
STITCH PATTERNS
3×3 Rib
(multiple of 6 sts; 1-rnd repeat)
All Rnds: P2, *k3, p3; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k3, p1.
Cross-Stitch Cables
(multiple of 6 sts; 4-rnd repeat)
Rnd 1: *P1, k4, p1; repeat from * to end.
Rnd 2: *P1, [k1, wrapping yarn twice] 4 times, p1; repeat from * to end.
Rnd 3: *P1, slip 4 wyib, dropping extra wraps; with left-hand needle, slip first 2 sts over second 2 sts onto left-hand needle (sts are now crossed), slip remaining 2 sts from right-hand needle back to left-hand needle, knit these 4 sts in their new crossed position, p1; repeat from * to end.
Rnd 4: Repeat Rnd 1.
Repeat Rnds 1–4 for Cross-Stitch Cables.
LEG
CO 48 sts. Distribute sts evenly among 4 needles. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts; place marker (pm) for beginning of rnd. Begin 3×3 Rib; work even for 1 ½".
Next Rnd: *P2tog, k1, M1, k2, p1; repeat from * to end.
Next Rnd: Change to Cross-Stitch Cables; work even until piece measures approximately 8" from the beginning, ending with Rnd 1, 3, or 4 of pattern.
HEEL FLAP
Set-Up Row 1 (RS): Change to smaller needles. K12, turn.
Set-Up Row 2: Slip 1, p23, working all 24 sts onto 1 needle for Heel Flap, and removing marker. Leave remaining 24 sts on 2 needles for instep.
Row 1: Working only on 24 Heel Flap sts, *slip 1, k1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: Slip 1, purl to end.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 ten times.
Turn Heel
Set-Up Row 1 (RS): Change to larger needles. Slip 1, k13, k2tog-tbl, k1, turn.
Set-Up Row 2: Slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 1: Slip 1, knit to 1 st before gap, k2tog-tbl (the 2 sts on either side of gap), k1, turn.
Row 2: Slip 1, purl to 1 st before gap, p2tog (the 2 sts on either side of gap), p1, turn.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times, omitting the final k1 and p1 sts in the last repeat of Rows 1 and 2—14 sts remain.
Gusset
Next Row (RS):Needle 1: Slip 1, knit across Heel Flap sts, pick up and knit 12 sts along left side of Heel Flap, pick up and knit 1 st from row below first st on Needle 2; Needles 2 and 3: Continue Cross-Stitch Cables pattern as established; Needle 4: Pick up and knit 1 st from row below first Heel Flap st, pick up and knit 12 sts along left side of Heel Flap, k7 from Needle 1. Join for working in the rnd; pm for beginning of rnd—64 sts (20-12-12-20).
Decrease Rnd:Needle 1: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog; Needles 2 and 3: Work even as established; Needle 4: Ssk, knit to end—62 sts remain. Work even for 1 rnd.
Repeat Decrease Rnd every other rnd 7 times—48 sts remain (12-12-12-12).
FOOT
Work even until Foot measures 2" less than desired length from back of Heel.
Next Rnd: K12, p24, k12. Knit 3 rnds.
TOE
Decrease Rnd:Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to end; Needle 3: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; Needle 4: K1, ssk, knit to end—44 sts remain. Knit 1 rnd.
Repeat Decrease Rnd every other rnd 4 times, then every rnd 4 times—12 sts remain. Knit to end of Needle 1.
FINISHING
Break yarn, leaving long tail. Transfer sts from Needle 1 to Needle 4, and sts from Needle 3 to Needle 2. Using Kitchener st (see Special Techniques), graft Toe sts.
Block as desired.
OLIVE HEATHER SKIRT
This skirt is all about versatility—dress it up for the workplace with a tailored jacket or make it playful with a printed blouse for a casual date. And because it is worked in the round from the bottom up, the skirt has no side seams, meaning that it has no true front and back. Wear it as you will, with the decorative slanted lines meeting along the sides or along the center.
SIZES
X-Small (Small, Medium, Large, 1X-Large, 2X-Large, 3X-Large)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
30 ½ (33 ½, 36 ¾, 40, 43 ¼, 46 ½, 49 ½)" hip
For best fit, select a size 3–4" smaller than your actual hip measurement.
YARN
Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Heathers (100% Peruvian highland wool; 220 yards / 100 grams): 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) hanks #9448 Olive Heather
NEEDLES
One 24" (60 cm) long or longer circular (circ) needle size US 6 (4 mm)
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
NOTIONS
Stitch markers (one in contrasting color for beginning of rnd); cable needle (cn)
GAUGE
20 sts and 31 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch (St st)
ABBREVIATIONS
d2r (right-leaning double decrease):
Slip 2 sts to cn, hold to back, [k2tog (1 st on left-hand needle together with 1 st on cn)] twice.
d2l (left-leaning double decrease): Slip 2 sts to cn, hold to front, [k2tog (1 st on cn together with 1 st on left-hand needle)] twice.
STITCH PATTERN
2×2 Rib
(multiple of 4 sts; 1-rnd repeat)
All Rnds: P1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1.
HEM
CO 152 (168, 184, 200, 216, 232, 248) sts. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts; place marker (pm) for beginning of rnd. Begin 2×2 Rib; work even for 6 rnds.
Begin Diagonal Bands: K3, pm, [p2, k13 (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21)] 3 times, p2, k52 (62, 72, 76, 86, 96, 100), pm, [p2, k13 (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21)] 3 times, p2, knit to end.
Next Rnd: Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts as they face you. Work even for 8 rnds.
Shift Bands: Shift bands this rnd, then every 10 rnds 7 (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9) times, as follows: Knit to 2 sts before first marker, [k1-b/f] twice, slip marker (sm), [p2, d2r, k7 (8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15), k1-b/f, k1-b/f] 3 times, p2, d2r, knit to 4 sts before next marker, d2l, sm, [p2, k1-b/f, k1-b/f, k7 (8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15), d2l] 3 times, p2, [k1-b/f] twice, knit to end. Work even for 9 rnds.
Shape Waist
Decrease Rnd 1: Decrease 4 sts this rnd, then every 10 rnds once, as follows: Knit to first marker, sm, [p2, d2r, k7 (8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15), k1-b/f, k1-b/f] 3 times, p2, d2r, knit to 4 sts before next marker, d2l, sm, [p2, k1b/f, k1-b/f, k7 (8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15), d2l] 3 times, p2, knit to end—144 (160, 176, 192, 208, 224, 240) sts remain. Work even for 9 rnds.
Decrease Rnd 2: Knit to 2 sts before first marker, [k1-b/f] twice, sm, [p2, d2r, k9 (10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17)] 3 times, p2, d2r, knit to 4 sts before next marker, d2l, sm, [p2, k9 (10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17), d2l] 3 times, p2, [k1b/f] twice, knit to end—132 (148, 164, 180, 196, 212, 228) sts remain. Work even for 9 rnds.
Decrease Rnd 3: Knit to 2 sts before first marker, [k1-b/f] twice, sm, [p2, d2r, k7 (8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15)] 3 times, p2, d2r, knit to 4 sts before next marker, d2l, sm, [p2, k7 (8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15), d2l] 3 times, p2, [k1-b/f] twice, knit to end—120 (136, 152, 168, 184, 200, 216) sts remain. Work even for 7 rnds.
Waistband: Change to 2×2 Rib; work even for 6 rnds. BO all sts in pattern.
FINISHING
Block as desired.
GRANDFATHER VEST
Styled after a classic menswear piece, this warm, soft angora vest can be worn casually around the house, but would easily spruce up any workday outfit. Because it is knitted in the round, it is a great project to work on when your attention must be elsewhere, with the added benefit of no seams to sew at the end.
SIZES
X-Small (Small, Medium, Large, 1X-Large, 2X-Large)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" bust
YARN
Classic Elite Yarns Lush (50% angora / 50% wool; 123 yards / 50 grams): 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) hanks #4457 Blueberry
NEEDLES
One 24" (60 cm) long circular (circ) needle size US 7 (4.5 mm)
One 16" (40 cm) long circular needle size US 7 (4.5 mm) Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
NOTIONS
Stitch markers (one in contrasting color for beginning of rnd); stitch holders; two ¾" buttons
GAUGE
20 sts and 29 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch (St st)
STITCH PATTERN
2×2 Rib
(multiple of 4 sts)
All Rnds: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
BODY
Using longer circ needle, CO 172 (192, 212, 232, 252, 272) sts. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts; place marker (pm) for beginning of rnd. Begin 2×2 Rib; work even until piece measures 2" from the beginning. Change to St st (knit every rnd); work even until piece measures 2 ¾" from the beginning.
Next Rnd: K86 (96, 106, 116, 126, 136), pm for right side, knit to end.
Shape Waist: Decrease 4 sts this rnd, then every 10 rnds 4 times, as follows: [Ssk, knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog] twice—152 (172, 192, 212, 232, 252) sts remain. Work even until piece measures 11 ¾" from the beginning.
Shape Bust: Increase 4 sts this rnd, then every 10 rnds once, as follows: [K1, M1, knit to 1 st before marker, M1, k1] twice—160 (180, 200, 220, 240, 260) sts. Work even until piece measures 14 ½ (14 ½, 14 ½, 15 ½, 15 ½, 15 ½)" from the beginning, ending 6 (8, 9, 10, 12, 14) sts before end of rnd.
Divide for Fronts and Back: K12 (16, 18, 20, 24, 28) and place sts on holder for left underarm, k31 (34, 38, 42, 45, 48) and place sts on holder for Left Front, k6 and place sts on holder for center Front neck, k31 (34, 38, 42, 45, 48) and place sts on holder for Right Front, k12 (16, 18, 20, 24, 28) and place sts on holder for right underarm, knit to end—68 (74, 82, 90, 96, 102) sts remain for Back.
BACK
Working only on Back sts, purl 1 WS row.
Shape Armholes (RS): Decrease 1 st each side this row, then every other row 6 (7, 9, 10, 11, 13) times, as follows: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2—54 (58, 62, 68, 72, 74) sts remain. Work even until armhole measures 7 ¾ (8 ¼, 8 ¾, 9, 9 ¼, 9 ¼)", ending with a WS row.
Next Row (RS): K5 (6, 7, 9, 10, 10), join a second ball of yarn, k44 (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) and place sts on holder for Back neck, knit to end. Working both sides at the same time, work even for 1 row.
Shape Neck (RS): Right neck edge: Knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1; left neck edge: K1, k2tog, knit to end—4 (5, 6, 8, 9, 9) sts remain each side. Work even until armhole measures 9 (9 ½, 10, 10 ¼, 10 ½, 10 ½)", ending with a WS row. Place sts on holders.
LEFT FRONT
Rejoin yarn to sts on holder for Left Front. Purl 1 WS row.
Shape Armhole (RS): Decrease 1 st at armhole edge this row, then every other row 6 (7, 9, 10, 11, 13) times, as follows: K2, k2tog, knit to end. AT THE SAME TIME, when armhole measures 2 ½", ending with a WS row, begin neck decreases.
Shape Neck (RS): Decrease 1 st at neck edge this row, then every other row 19 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) times, as follows: Knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2—4 (5, 6, 8, 9, 9) sts remain after all shaping is complete. Work even until armhole measures 9 (9 ½, 10, 10 ¼, 10 ½, 10 ½)", ending with a WS row. Place sts on holder.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Knitting 24/7 by Véronik Avery, Liana Allday, Thayer Allyson Gowdy. Copyright © 2010 Véronik Avery. Excerpted by permission of Harry N. Abrams, Inc..
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