Free Pattern Friday – Riviette
Until next time, happy crafting!
Needles Out! Knits for Guys with Sweater Envy
Have we all seen Knives Out? Or at least seen photos of Chris Evans wearing The Sweater?
This pullover became such a rage on the internet that Evans wound up getting one for his dog for Christmas.
Fortunately, as crafters, we can create this look on our own, no costume department needed. If you or someone you know has sweater envy, we’ve got five sweaters (and one vest) for the knitter who wants to cast on some fashionable cables!
1. Infinite Diamonds
We’re starting with the one that requires the least cabling, to ease into things. Infinite Diamonds (pattern link here) is knit in Fibra Natura Dona, a 100% superwash extrafine merino with a tight twist that really makes stitches pop.
No cables on the back, just plain stockinette. Infinite Diamonds is knit flat in pieces and seamed.
We love the windowpane effect given by the cables inside cables on the front panel. This is part of e-book The Dona Collection, featuring bold use of color blocking to create dramatic modern pieces. For a standalone design, though, let’s move to the world of magazines.
2. Anchorage Cardigan
Published in Interweave Knits Winter 2018 issue, the Anchorage Cardigan (Ravelry link) shares a few features with Infinite Diamonds. Both are designed by the amazing Amy Gunderson, and both feature Dona yarn.
The differences, though, are obvious. The Anchorage Cardigan features a textured back (in fact, a textured everything).
Saddle Shoulders create a lovely line. As you might guess from the shoulders, this sweater is worked in pieces and seamed.
Carrying the pattern onto the pockets is a thoughtful design detail. If you’re confident working twisted stitches without a cable needle, you need never have to use one at all. Let’s move on to another cabled cardi, from an entire collection full of cabled designs.
3. Greensboro Cardigan
Unlike the previous sweaters, the Greensboro Cardigan (pattern link here) is worked in Deluxe Worsted wool, on US size 7 (4.5mm) needles as opposed to size 6 (4mm).
This stitch pattern is very stretchy – something to keep in mind when picking your size.
As with the Anchorage Cardigan, if you’re proficient with crossing stitches, you can do this without using a cable needle. Amy Gunderson even has a blog tutorial for this design (and others from the Deluxe Cable Collection) on creating the set-in pockets and installing a zipper. She even made a special chart for the sleeve increases to help a new knitter here in the office.
4. Wesley Heights
For my money, this pullover is the most “Knives Out” one we’ve seen so far. Wesley Heights (pattern link here) is part of the same Deluxe Cable Collection that the Greensboro Cardigan above is in. (And friends, there are 17 designs in that e-book for $20, so if you love cables… I’m just saying.)
Like the Greensboro Cardi, this is a very stretchy stitch pattern knit in Deluxe Worsted wool. This one has a greater variety of stitch patterns, though, to satisfy your knitting itch.
Amy Gunderson knitted this one for herself, and shares little tips (do you know how to spit-splice?) on our blog.
5. Kerf
Kerf (pattern link here) is knit in Deluxe Worsted Superwash, the machine washable sibling to the Deluxe Worsted used in Wesley Heights, above.
Columns of classic cables are split by welting for a well-defined look.
LOVE the detailing where the shoulders meet the collar.
This was one of our most popular sweaters of the year, and it’s not hard to see why. Kerf is available on its own or as part of the Deluxe Men’s Collection.
…and one more for luck.
The Chapel Hill Vest (pattern link here) is a free pattern on our site!
Knit in Deluxe Worsted, the vest is worked in two pieces and seamed. Stitch patterns are written and charted.
The center cable is a fantastic focal point, surrounded by smaller cables and twisted stitches. Fabulous.
We hope you’re inspired to get your needles out, and cast on something warm and wonderful.
Happy crafting!
Day 10 of Winter – Series 3 Edition
It’s Day 10 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. Today, the Snowdrift cowl designed by Adrienne Larsen. This design combines cables, twisted stitches, and eyelets to create a show-stopping winter accessory. It’s knit up in Fibra Natura Dona – one of our favorite yarns for knitting cables because of its superior stitch definition. Did we mention that it’s incredibly soft, too? For today’s post, we’ve asked Adrienne to share her passion for cable design with us. Here is what she had to say: “I love cables. I love how they look and I love thinking about how they work. When creating a new cable pattern, I always break into two main elements: the ground and the squiggle.
The ground is pretty self-explanatory. The ground is what the cable is sitting on: the background. It is usually reverse stockinette stitch because it’s simple and doesn’t pull focus from the main event: the squiggle. If you want to add a little zing, the ground could be seed stitch or garter stitch. If you prefer a really smooth look, it can even be stockinette.
The squiggle is where you can really get creative. You can do a simple cable, which sits in place, and just crosses over itself, like in a 2×2 Right Cross. The squiggle can also move back and forth over the ground as a traveling cable. The stitches in the squiggle usually stay together and move on top of the ground. It can also move under or over other squiggles. The stitches in a squiggle are classically groups of knit stitches. In this pattern, I decided to change things up by adding some twisted stitches and purls to some of the squiggles. If you look, the twisted stitch squiggles and the plain squiggles always stay that way, even when they move under or over each other. I also added yarn-overs to some of the stationary squiggles. I didn’t like that you could see the underlapping stitches in the cables in the yarn-over squiggles, so I only placed them when they were stationary. I also only changed from twisted/purl combination squiggles to yarn-over squiggles after during an underlap, when possible where it could be hidden.
That’s just a few things that are considered when cable patterns are designed!” -Adrienne We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit more about Adrienne’s approach to cable design. We think it’s fascinating and feel so lucky to have her designs in this kit collection. Remember, you can find the Snowdrift kit and the rest of the 12 Days of Winter kits at your local yarn store.
Day 2 of Winter – Series 3 Edition
Happy Day 2 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection! We know you are all eager to see what we’ve whipped up for the second day of the series, and we are thrilled to share with you – the Birch Gloves. Everyone needs a pair of elegant long gloves in their wardrobe, and hand-knitting them means these are perfect for yourself or made up as a gift for a loved one. Designed by Adrienne Larsen, the Birch Gloves are guaranteed to be cherished for seasons to come! Knit in our Kingston Tweed yarn, this project features two different colors; 102 Calcite and 112 Basalt. These gloves are a gauntlet style with a flared cuff that gives a refined appearance to any outfit. Wool and alpaca fibers are blended into the yarn, meaning the Birch Gloves will also keep your fingers warm and toasty – maybe while out at a holiday market or off to see the Nutcracker ballet! The neutral colors of the yarn for this project are also certain to pair well with any sweater you choose. The Birch Gloves feature cables and a slip stitch colorwork pattern for the cuffs, and the beautiful Kingston Tweed yarn is on serious display for the hands and fingers in stockinette stitch. Knitting the cuff and glove separately, you seam them together with an I-cord edge that adds a tidy finish. Both the cuffs and glove are knit in the round, working from the bottom up. Construction-wise, this is sure to be a fun project to take on and maybe a new method of knitting gloves to learn! Whether you choose to knit the Birch Gloves for yourself or as a gift for someone special, these are guaranteed to be loved by everyone around. We hope you are inspired to kick back with a mug of warm Cider or Gløgg , turn on your favorite holiday film, and get to knitting these stunning gloves! You can pick up your 12 Days of Winter Kits including the Birch Gloves Kit at your local yarn shop.