Knitscene, Spring 2012: stripes!

The new Knitscene is out and we’re pleased to share this mini-collection of four designs featuring stripes with you!

Born from the question “if you could knit your most perfect garment and accessory for a day out in Philadelphia, what would they be?” the designs are meant to be classic pieces that you turn to time and time again, whether running errands, browsing the boutiques of old city, or walking in the park.

The East Falls Hat {rav link}, named after the neighborhood Kate calls home, is a striped hat knit out of Acadia in blue heron and summersweet. The band is worked sideways in garter stitch, grafter together, and then stitches are picked up to work the body of the hat. Additional subtle texture is created through the use of a knit and purl stripe pattern.

Specs:
• Finished Size: 18” brim circ, unstretched, and 20” body circ
• Yarn: Acadia: blue heron + summersweet, 1 skein each
• Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rnds = 4” in knit and purl jogless stripes on larger ndls; 22 sts and 42 rows = 4” in garter st on smaller ndls
• Needles: Size 4 (3.5 mm): 16” circular (cir) needle and set of dpns, Size 5 (3.75 mm): 16” cir ndl and set of dpns
• Notions: Yarn needle, markers (m), 3 – 3/8″ buttons, waste yarn

Next up, the Gray’s Ferry Cowl {rav link}, named after the neighborhood where Courtney + Max lived when they moved to Philly, is a chevron striped cowl knit out of three colors of Road to China Light, moonstone, abalone + grey pearl. The textural and visual interest in the pattern is created through the use of a modified feather and fan pattern.

Specs:
• Finished Size: 18½” circ and 7½” tall
• Yarn: Road to China Light in moonstone, abalone + grey pearl, 1 skein each
• Gauge: 26 sts and 36 rows = 4” in Wave patt
• Needles: Size 5 (3.75 mm): 16” circular (cir) ndl
• Notions: markers (m), yarn needle

The garment Kate designed for the issue is the Manayunk Cardigan {rav link}, named for a neighborhood in Philadelphia known for its previous life filled with bustling textile mills (as well as its current one filled with restaurants and locally owned boutiques). A classic v-neck sweater knit in pieces out of Terra, black walnut + anemone, the cardigan features two color stripes in varying widths, set in sleeves, garter stitch edges and a small front pocket.

Specs:
• Finished Size: 33½ (38, 42, 45½, 50½)” bust; shown in size 33½”
• Yarn: Terra in black walnut, 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) skeins + anemone (CC), 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) skeins
• Gauge: 19 sts and 27 rows = 4” in St st on larger ndl
• Needles: Size 8 (5 mm): 24” circular (cir) ndl, Size 6 (4 mm): 24” cir ndl
• Notions: Stitch holders , 5 – ¾” buttons, yarn needle

And, last but not least, the Roxborough Dolman {rav link}, named after the neighborhood where Courtney now lives with her family, is a slightly over-sized short sleeved dolman sweater knit out of two colors of Canopy Fingering, river dolphin + palm bud. Knit mostly in the round, the sweater begins at the bottom with a 2 x 2 rib, and then increases are worked to create the dolman shape. The yoke is then worked back and forth and the sleeves and neckline are finished with additional ribbing.

Specs:
• Finished Size: 50¾ (54¼, 58½, 62)” bust, to fit 32–35 (36–39, 40–43, 44–47)” actual bust (see Notes)
• Yarn: Canopy Fingering in river dolphin, 3 (4, 4, 5) skeins + palm bud (blue, CC), 2 (3, 3, 3) skeins
Yarn distributed by Kelbourne Woolens
• Gauge:  23 sts and 35 rounds = 4” in St st on larger ndl
• Needles: Size 5 (3.75 mm): 24” circular (cir) ndl, Size 3 (3.25 mm): 16” cir ndl and set of double-pointed ndls (dpn)
• Notions: Markers (m), yarn ndl, stitch holders