Monday, September 24, 2018

Versatile Lace Scarf Knit Pattern

A lovely lace knit scarf pattern you can play around with. Recommended for an advanced beginner though I honestly think it isn't too hard so don't be shy at giving it a try even if you are a true beginner. It is a great way to start practicing your increases and decreases while making a lovely lace scarf.

I chose to combine Berroco Gem yarn and Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool Designer's Choice yarn for this project. I have been looking for a way to look use my beautiful, but bright, Gem Tangerine yarn for a while and this seemed perfect. When combined with the Granite wool yarn, it balances it out to give the scarf a more elegant look.

When you decide to knit two strands of yarn together, you need to decide what size needle to use. The thickest yarn of the two, that I used for this project, is the Gem. The Gem's yarn label recommends a size # 9 US. Now that it will be combined with yet another yarn, I need to go up a needle size and chose to use size # US 11 knitting needles.

Please note that you can use just one type of yarn for this project. If so, look at your yarn label, see what knitting needle size they recommend and use the largest size they recommend or just one size larger than recommended for this pattern. And have fun! Maybe use yarn that has adornment already on it, like sequins, which will make it look even more unique! Have fun with this pattern! See the bottom for various modification possibilities!

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Stitches Used:
k - knit  (example, k2 would be knit two stitches)
p - purl
yo - yarn over (this creates an increase)
k2tog - knit two together (this creates a decrease)

Yarn: 
320 - 344 yards
If you decided to knit two strands of yarn together, make sure you have enough of each yarn. Meaning that you will most likely need at least 320 yards of each type of yarn.

Needle:
# US 11 (when knitting two strands of yarn together)
- or -
# US  7 (for one strand only with light worsted yarn)

Other Materials:
Yarn/tapestry needle or small crochet hook to weave in ends.

--- Pattern ---

Cast on 24 stitches - if using # US 11 needles.
Cast on 34 stitches if using one strand of yarn and size # US 7 needles or smaller.

Foundation
Knit two rows.

Body
Row 1: k2, *purl* until last two stitches, then k2.
Row 2: k2, *k2, yo, k1, k2tog, k2tog, k1, yo, k2* repeat across until last two stitches. Then k2.
Row 3: k2, *purl* until last two stitches, then k2.
Row 4: k2, *k3, yo, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k3* repeat across until last two stitches. Then k2.
Row 5: k2, *purl* until last two stitches, then k2.
Row 6: k2, *k2tog, k1, yo, k4, yo, k1, k2tog* repeat across until last two stitches. Then k2.
Row 7: k2, *purl* until last two stitches, then k2.
Row 8: k2, *k2tog, yo, k6, yo, k2tog* repeat across until last two stitches. Then k2.

Repeat rows 1-8 until you have desired length of the scarf.  

Final Row before "End"
k2, *purl* until last two stitches, then k2.

End
Knit two rows.

Bind off loosely in knit.

Weave in ends. 

You do not have to block. However, depending on the yarn and other factors, it may help the lace pattern really show. And if you have any curling, blocking would help that as well.

--- Pattern Modifications Possibilities ---

To make wider - Do so in multiples of 10. Then repeat the pattern as noted between the * in the Body section. This is due to the pattern repeats on rows 2, 4, 6, and 8 are all sets of 10 which is why if you want to widen the scarf, you would widen it by 10 stitches at a time, thus by one set of pattern repeats at a time.

To make longer - Just remember the pattern looks best when the entire set of rows 1 through 8 are completed. If you decide to go longer, suggest doing an entire another set of rows 1 through 8. 

To make it as a cowl (instead of a scarf) - Do not do the "Foundation" or "End" rows at all. Still do the "Final Row before the Foundation - End", though, before binding off. Seam the ends together (which makes it into a cowl/infinity scarf). Then weave in the ends.



Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Pattern Notes for Mostassa Cowl

I found this wonderful pattern on Ravelry for a cowl. It helps a beginner play with different stitches. In the end, you have this great-looking cowl. I have had so much fun doing this pattern!

Yet I kept finding myself running into the same pattern issues over and over again.
Originally I made notes for myself but realized it could be useful for others. Which is why I decided to put it into a blog post (below).

Here is the Mostassa Cowl with instructions additions and note additions I completed early September 2018.

You can find me on Ravelry via handle AstroGirlBunny.
_________________________________________________________________________

MOSTASSA COWL

Designed by Ovejita Be! – Teresa Sánchez © 2018 Link to pattern on Ravelry: Mostassa Cowl
www.ovejitabe.com – info@ovejitabe.com

ABOUT
The Mostassa cowl is designed to be a sampler of knitting stitches, an invitation to try new techniques and experiment. The name is inspired by the color of the chosen yarn, a yellow mustard tone perfect for brightening grey days. This cowl is knitted seamless in the round, with a circular needle or DPNs. It features easy to knit and purl stitch patterns, decreases, yarn overs and slipped stitches, suitable for advanced-beginners. It is an ideal project to try circular needle knitting!

Needles:
24” (60 cm) length cord and US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle or size needed to achieve gauge. See “Final Measurements” below to see final circumference. Using a tape measure, make sure that this will be wide enough to pull over the head of the person you are making this for. If it is not, going up one needle size to US size 8 (5 mm) is usually sufficient as long as the yarn label suggests needle size US 7 (4.5 mm). For even larger, find a yarn with a label that indicates use of needles US size 8 (5 mm) and use then use needles US size 9 (5.5 mm). But please know once you go this large, it will be much larger. Alternatively: You can use a 40” (100 cm) or longer circular needle to work in magic loop or DPNs if preferred.

Yarn Used:
Rosas Crafts’ Mogollon 4 (100% acrylic; 200 m / 100 g). One ball in color 115. This is a worsted yarn which recommends size 6 or 7 US knitting needles (in case you are looking for a similar yarn). Solid or semisolid colors are recommended. This will allow the stitch patterns to show better.

Yardage actually needed:
130-150 meters / 142-164 yards.

Gauge:
15 sts x 18 rows in 10 cm/ 4”, in stockinette stitch.

Other notions:
Darning needle, though a small crochet hook (4 mm or 4.5 mm) can be used instead. 1 stitch marker for round starting point (optional but highly suggested).

Final measurements:
Using US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles: One size - 48-52 cm / 19-20.5” circumference, 23 cm / 9” height.


Finished Size:



Techniques used:
-             Knit & purl.
-             Knit two stitches together.
-             Yarn over.
-             Slip one stitch.
Cindy’s notes – The videos she provides are her own but are not in English (for the cast on and bind off.) Therefore I am providing videos I have found that are in English and think are helpful. But I’ve kept her original links within the pattern as well.
-             German twisted cast on: VideoLink.
                     Cindy’s Notes: Here are some others which I found more helpful:
                           My favorite German Twisted Cast On video:        German Twisted Cast On - 1
                           My 2nd favorite German Twisted Cast On video: German Twisted Cast On - 2
-             Working in the round with circular needles or with DPNs.
-             Bind off in pattern: VideoLink.
                      Cindy’s Notes: Here is a bind off in 2x2 pattern I found helpful:
                           This is specifically bind off for 2kx2p pattern: Binding Off in 2x2 Pattern

STITCH ABBREVIATIONS
K            knit
P            purl
K2tog    knit 2 sts together
Sl           slip stitch
Yo          yarn over
St(s)       stitch(es)
R            round
PM        place marker


PATTERN

Cast on 77 sts using the German twisted cast on. Suggest using small PM’s after every 20th stitch.
Later, when working the first Ribbing Round, it will help you with keeping the casted stitches from
getting twisted. At least it helped me in the sense of it helped on keeping the yarn straight during the first round.

Join in the round by knitting together the first and the last stitch: slip first stitch from the right to the left needle, then place marker on right needle (beginning of the round), then knit the two stitches on the left needle together. This stitch, that you  just knitted, counts as your first stitch on the first “Ribbing Round” (see below). At this point you will have a total of 76 stitches.

Please be careful to not twist the cast of stitches which you work the first Ribbing Round. After completing the first round, it should become much easier to keep the stitches from becoming twisted. PM if needed at the beginning of the round, then knit the two sts together.

Ribbing Rounds Begin:

Note on the first round: If you had placed markers after every 20th stitch during cast on, now remove them as you come across them. You should no longer need them once you work up to that point.
Make sure you do not ever remove the main Place Marker for the project which indicates the start/stop of each round. Not until you are done with the project.

Complete this Ribbing pattern for 6 rounds: *k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.


Section 1: Stockinette Stitch

Knit 8 rounds.
Purl 1 round.


Section 2: Moss Stitch

Knit 1 round.

Moss Stitch (Rounds 1 & 2 are repeated 2 more times but I’ve chosen to write it out.)
R1: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R2: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
R3: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R4: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
R5: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R6: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Knit 1 round.
Purl 1 round.


Section 3: Eyelet Pattern

Knit 2 rounds.

R1: *k2, k2tog, yo, repeat from * to end of round.
R2: k.
R3: *k2tog, yo, k2, repeat from * to end of round.
R4: k.
R5: *k2, k2tog, yo, repeat from * to end of round.
R6: k.

Purl 1 round.


Section 4: mock ribbing stitch

Knit 1 round.

Mock Ribbing Stitch (It calls to repeat 1 & 2 two more times but I decided to write them out.)
R1: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R2: k.
R3: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R4: k.
R5: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R6: k.

Purl 1 round.


Section 5: Slipped Moss Stitch

Knit 1 round.

Slipped Moss Stitch (It calls to repeat 1-4 one more time. I’ve decided to write it out.)
R1: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
R2: *sl1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
R3: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R4: *k1, sl1, repeat from * to end of round.
R5: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
R6: *sl1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
R7: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
R8: *k1, sl1, repeat from * to end of round.

Knit 1 round.
Purl 1 round.


Section 6: Stockinette Stitch

Knit 8 rounds.


Ribbing Rounds End:
Do Ribbing pattern for 6 rounds.

*k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.


Finishing:
Bind off in pattern (see videos at beginning of pattern). Block.
Weave in ends with the darning needle or small crochet hook.

You are done! Below are some of my completed cowls for this pattern...


Blue Mist Mostassa Cowl



Tidal Blue Mostassa Cowl


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TERMS OF USE
About the pattern: This pattern is copyrighted by Ovejita Be! – Teresa Sánchez © 2018.
About finished objects: The copyright applies only to the pattern itself. You can sell, donate or give your finished objects. If you list them online, I just ask you for credit for the design in the item’s description. Thank you!