Byron's Sweater (free knitting pattern)

My husband doesn't like wearing sweaters. That's not unusual. And not really a problem. Unless... Unless you're an aspiring knitwear designer--as I was from 2002 to 2010. So I decided to design a sweater he would wear. My first step: consult him on the design. My next step: consult him on the yarn. My last step: consult him on the fit. This sweater is truly a combined effort. Yet I didn't hesitate to claim I designed it.

Well, look at it.

Do you blame me?

I was still working on the sweater when we vacationed in Hofsos, Iceland. I finished it while there and I had my first International photo shot. Hofsos is a picturesque village in northern Iceland. 

Byron's Daylight in Hofsos sweater 

was first published in 

Knit Together: 

the quarterly publication of Canadian Guild of Knitters 

(November, 2007)

Skill level:  Beginner

Materials:

Cabin Fever Aran Tweed or Kraemer Tatamy Tweed Worsted

250 yards per 100 gram ball - 8 [9, 10, 10, 11] balls

OR 1475 [1650, 1825, 1825, 2025] yards

1350 [1500, 1650, 1650, 1850] metres

worsted weight yarn

1 pair 5 mm 8 US 6 UK straight needles

or whatever size necessary to obtain tension

Tension:  16 stitches = 4 inches/10 cm

Size:  

Finished sweater:  

Chest:  38 [42, 46, 50, 54] inches

97 [107, 117, 127, 137] cm

Length:  25.5 [26.5, 27, 27.5, 28.5] inches

65 [67, 68.5, 70, 72] cm

Instructions are given for smallest size with instructions for larger sizes placed in square brackets []. When only one instructions is given, work it for all sizes.

Rib stitch

Row 1 (right side):  knit to end of row

Row 2:  knit one, purl one--to end of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Seed stitch (over even number of stitches)

Row 1:  knit one, purl one--to end of row

Row 2:  purl one, knit one--to end of row

Repeat rows for pattern

Stockinette stitch

Row 1 (right side):  knit--to end of row

Row 2:  purl to end of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Back

Cast on 76 [84, 92, 100, 108] stitches

Work in rib stitch for 2.5 inches (6 centimetres)

Work in Stockinette stitch for 14 [14.5, 15, 15, 15.5] inches 

35.5 [37, 38, 38, 39.5] centimetres 

For tall size, add 2 inches (5 centimetres)

Armhole shaping:

Decrease 8 stitches at the beginning of next 2 rows

60 [68, 76, 84, 92] stitches remaining

Work in Stockinette for 9 [10, 10, 11, 11.5] inches 

23 [25.5, 25.5, 28, 29] centimetres

Shoulder shaping:

Cast off 8 [6, 8, 10, 12] stitches at beginning of next 2 [4, 4, 4, 4] rows

44 stitches remain for all sizes

Collar:  Work in seed stitch for 4 inches (10 cm) 

Cast off

Front

Cast on 76 [84, 92, 100, 108] stitches

Work in rib stitch for 2.5 inches (6 centimetres)

Establish pattern:  Work 12 [12, 12, 12, 14] stitches in Stockinette stitch, 10 stitches in seed stitch, 54 [62, 70, 78, 84] stitches in Stockinette stitch

Work established pattern for 14 [14.5, 15, 15, 15.5] inches 

35.5 [37, 38, 38, 39.5] centimetres

Tip:  Place a stitch marker at each side of seed stitch panel

Armhole shaping: 

Decrease 8 stitches at the beginning of next 2 rows.

60 [68, 76, 84, 92] stitches remain

Check:  with right side facing there are 4 [4, 4, 6] stitches in Stockinette stitch, 10 stitches in seed stitch, 46 [54, 62, 70, 76] stitches in Stockinette stitch

Continue for 4 [4, 5, 5, 5] inches

10 [10, 13, 13, 13] centimetres

Yoke

Establish pattern:  (right side facing) Work 4 [4, 4, 4, 6] stitches in Stockinette stitch, 10 stitches in seed stitch, 18 [20, 22, 26, 26] stitches in Stockinette stitch.

60 [68, 76, 84, 92] stitches remain

Continue as established for 2 [2.5, 2.5, 3, 3] inches

5 [6.5, 6.5, 7.5, 7.5] centimetres

Right side facing for next row. On next row, join a new ball of yarn in the centre of the seed stitch yoke panel, using one ball on each half of front. 

Continue working in pattern as established until armhole measures 8 [9.5, 9.5, 10, 10] inches

20 [24, 24, 25.5, 25.5] centimetres

Widen yoke as follows:  Work 4 [4, 4, 4, 6] stitches in Stockinette stitch, 26 [30, 10, 10, 10] stitches in seed stitch, 0 [0, 2, 6, 8] stitches in Stockinette stitch, 22 stitches in seed stitch, 0 [0, 22, 22, 22] stitches in seed stitch, 8 [12, 16, 20, 24] stitches in Stockinette stitch

60 [68, 76, 84, 92] stitches remain

Continue until armhole measures 9 [10, 10, 11, 11.5] inches

23 [25.5, 25.5, 28, 29] centimetres

Shoulder shaping:  

Cast off 8 [6, 8, 10, 12] stitches at the armhole edge of next 2 [4, 4, 4,4] rows

22 stitches on each side of yoke for all sizes.

Collar:

Continuing as for yoke, with separate ball of yarn for each half of front, work in seed stitch stitch for 4 inches (10 centimetres)

Cast off

Sleeves (make 2)

Cast on 72 [80, 80, 88, 92] stitches

Work in Stockinette stitch for 2 inches (5 centimetres)

Increase 1 stitch at the beginning and end of next row

74 [82, 82, 90, 94] stitches

Work in Stockinette stitch for 1 inch (2.5 centimetres)

Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and end of next and every following 6th row until 50 [58, 58, 60, 64] stitches remain

Continue in Stockinette stitch until sleeve length is 2 [2, 2.5, 3, 3.5] inches 

5 [5, 6, 7.5, 9] centimetres less than desire length

Wrong side facing for next row

Decrease 8 [16, 16, 18, 22] stitches evenly across next row

42 stitches remain

Work in rib stitch for 2 [2, 2.5, 3, 3.5] inches 

5 [5, 6, 7.5, 9] centimetres

Cast off

Finishing

Attach sleeves, sew side, shoulder, collar and sleeve seams. Weave in ends.

***

Next post:  Meeting the Canadian Authors Association

knitting pattern: Book sweater by Leanne Dyck

Keep your books looking new. Even if they travel with you and end up at the bottom of your purse or backpack. Keep them safe from dog-eared pages and torn covers with a book sweater.

This is the first pattern I designed.
Makes an excellent first knitting project.

Yarn:  Approximately 100 yards or less
Knitting needles:  4.50 mm/US 7/ UK 7
Tension:  five stitches = one inch

1 x 1 rib stitch (over odd number of stitches)
Row: knit one, purl one--to end of row
Repeat row for pattern

Stockinette stitch
Row 1:  knit--to end of row
Row 2:  purl--to end of row
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Directions
Cast on 45 stitches
Work in 1 x 1 rib for one inch
Work in Stockinette stitch for 6 inches [15.24 cm]
Work in 1 x 1 rib for one inch [2.54 cm]
Cast off

Finishing
Weave in ends
Fold in half width-wise.
Sew sides--to form a pouch.
Weave in ends.

Variations:
Use two colours and work in stripes.
Instead of Stockinette stitch work in your favourite stitch--such as seed stitch.

More...

 The story behind this design

handknitting pattern: winter hat designed by Leanne Dyck

My favourite toque
Fits most adults

Fast, easy, and fun--a perfect first knitting project

Yarn: worsted weight
Weight (in ounces and grams) of the skein/ball:  3.5 oz/ 100 grams
Length (in yards and meters) of the skein/ball:  230 yards/ 210 metres

Needle size:  1 pair of 4.50 mm (7 US, 7 UK)

Tension:  20 stitches x 8 rows = 4 inches over Stockinette stitch

Stitch pattern

4 x 4 rib stitch (over even number of stitches)
Row 1:  knit 4, purl 4--to end of row
Repeat row for pattern

1 x 1 rib stitch (over even number of stitches)
Row 1:  knit 1, purl 1--to end of row
Repeat row for pattern

Cast on 80 stitches
Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 11 inches (27. 5 cm)
This row:  knit two together to end of row (40 stitches remain)
Work in 1 x 1 rib for 1 inch (2 cm)

Pull yarn through remaining stitches, sew the side seam and weave in ends. 


***
Next post:  I will share the story of how I developed this design.

Knit easy lace by Leanne Dyck

Who hasn't admired and dreamed of knitting lace?

The Knitting Directory has a selection of lace stitch patterns. Each are classified 'Intermediate'. The instructions include gobbly-gop like this:  k1, *yo, k3, y0, k1 and k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, *k3, sl1, k2tog, psso

What if you are a new knitter? What if you don't know how to follow the instructions for knitting lace? Does it mean that you can't knit lace?

I have a solution...

Double wrap yarn

 

Simply wrap yarn around your needle twice.

The first rows of this sample is seedstitch. The results of the double wrap can be seen in the last row--cute and lacey.

Do the Combo

 

I knit the seed stitch using 4.50mm/US 7

Simply changing to 10mm/US 15 resulted in this lacey stitch.
My 'Queen Anne Lace scarf' pattern uses this method.

Queen Anne's Lace scarf pattern by Leanne Dyck

Inspiration for this scarf came from...

(Queen Anne's Lace)

Finished scarf measures 50 inches long by 6 inches wide.

Knitting needles:  5mm/ US 8/UK 6
Yarn:  worsted weight yarn approximately 210 yards (less or more depending on desired length and width of scarf) I used Kraemer Yarns' Summit Hill (100% Merino Superwash Wool)


Stitch pattern:
seed stitch (over an even number of stitches)
Row 1:  knit one, purl one--to end of row
Row 2:  purl one, knit one--to end of row
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Cast on 26 stitches
Work in seed stitch for one inch
Double wrap stitches
Work in seed stitch for 4 rows
Double wrap stitches
Work to desired length.
Double wrap stitches
Work in seed stitch for 4 rows
Double wrap stitches
Work in seed stitch for one inch
Cast off
Weave in ends

Determining the length of a scarf
Based on your height and how you will be wearing the scarf. For example, I'm five foot five and plan to wear this scarf with one end flipped to the back--no wrapping it around my neck twice. I continued knitting until the scarf measured fifty inches.
As I knit, I coil the scarf around my neck this helps me determine the length of my scarf.

Width
Ideally for a scarf, I recommend casting on no fewer than twenty and no more than forty stitches.

How-to double wrap stitches

Free pattern: spring coil scarf

You got to know that if I'm ever offered yarn, I seldom if ever refuse it.
Case in point, two years (a guesstimate) a box of novelty yarn appeared on my doorstep.

The balls varied in size and colour. However, all were less than 200 yards.
What am I going to make with this?
I grabbed circular needles (4.50 mm/US 7/ UK 7) 32 inches long--from needle tip to needle tip.
Tension: 5 stitches = one inch

I cast on 80 stitches and I worked in garter stitch for approximately four inches.

What would you have made?
***
Work in progress: Turning ( a young adult adventure)
Word count: 37, 098 words
A new sentence added: They clung to her curve and accented her china doll colouring.

knitting in circles: free pattern

This is part of a larger post, but I'm currently (having an argument with my camera) experiencing technical difficulties. So, in want of the whole, I offer part.
*
Do you recall my pictorial tutorial on double knitting? You'll want to refer back to that post (12/17/10) because today's pattern use that technique.
*
I'm a lazy knitter and as such I've 're-invented' techniques so that I remain in my comfort zone.
*
What am I avoiding in employing the double knitting technique?
*
Answer: knitting with circular needles.
*
I know I can hear some of you, "Why would you avoid knitting with those? They're so much fun."
*
To which I say "Yes, maybe for you."
*
Anyway, today's offered free pattern:

Thirsty bottle holder

Knitting needles: 4.50 mm (7 US/ 7 UK)
Yarn: worsted weight (approximately 200 yards)
Tension: 5 stitches = one inch
*
1 x 1 rib stitch
(odd number of stitches)
Row 1: knit one, purl one--to end of row.
Repeat row for pattern
*
1 x 1 rib stitch
(even number of stitches)
Row 1: knit one, purl one--to end of row.
Row 2: purl one, knit one--to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.
***
Cast on 45 stitches
Work using the double knitting technique for 6 inches
Divide stitches--starting with the first stitch, place every second stitch on a needle (for a total of 23 stitches). Place the remaining 22 stitches on a stitch holder.
Work both groups of stitches in a 1 x 1 rib stitch for one inch.
Cast off
**
Finishing
Sew ribbing side seams
*
Next post: How to make the I-cord strap
*
Word count: I didn't work on my WIP.
Yes, I know--I'm ashamed.
I promise to correct that situation today.
I did start reading a very well written book--Pluto's Ghost
I, as a reader, am enjoying the read.
I, as a dyslexic, not so much.
I'll explain in a future post--maybe tomorrow.

*

Please visit me, I'm visiting Kiki Howell's blog today

Free knitting pattern: hood designed by Leanne Dyck

A toque can give you hat head, but Guna won't. 

This knitting pattern uses the 3-needle bind-off technique.

Guna
Yarn: one skein of worsted weight yarn
Needles: one set 4.50 mm (US 7, UK 7)
two double-point needles
Stitch pattern
seed stitch (over an even number of stitches)
Row 1: knit one, purl one--to end of row.
Row 2: purl one, knit one--to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

Stockinette stitch
Row 1: knit
Row 2: purl
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

Cast on 90 stitches

Establish pattern as follows: work in Stockinette stitch for 10 stitches, seed stitch for 70 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 10 stitches for a total of 90 stitches.
Work in established pattern for 10.5 inches (26.5 cm)

Fold in half, width-wise
Cast off using the three-needle bind off technique, weave in ends.

Make two I-cords
Using two double-pointed, cast on 8 stitches and work for 10 inches (25.5 cm) or desired length. Use a darning needle to collect stitches and secure. Attach I-cord to hood.

Every attempt has been made to ensure that the instructions are clear and correct. Please notify me of any errors so I may correct the pattern immediately. ldyck(c)2/8/2008