Knititude

Twist Collective

Have you seen the new Twist Collective?  It is absolutely stunning:  one amazing pattern after another!  Check out Broderie by Connie Chang Chinchio; Stormsvale by Robin Melanson; Heroine by Jennifer Lippman-Bruno; Vivian by Ysolda Teague; Sylvi by Mari Muinonen; and on and on, I can't list them all!  (The above doesn't even include any of the lovely mitten, sock, or accessory patterns!)  I am really looking forward to being in such exciting designing company in the Spring and Summer 2009 issues! 

Avete visto la nuova "Twist Collective"?   E' proprio stordente:  un modello incredibile dopo l'altro!  Guardate Broderie da Connie Chang Chinchio; Stormsvale da Robin Melanson; Heroine da Jennifer Lippman-Bruno; Vivian da Ysolda Teague; Sylvi da Mari Muinonen; e cosi' via, non li posso elencare tutti!  (Oltre a quanto sopra detto ci sono tanti belli modelli di guantoni, calzini, sciarpe, cappelli...!)  Non vedo l'ora di essere in compagnia cosi' scelta nelle edizioni Primavera ed Estate 2009!

In addition, there's a really interesting article about the Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm, which I never did get to visit last summer, but which will definitely be on the schedule for next summer.

Anche c'e un' articolo molto interessante dell' azienda di fibra di Martha's Vineyard, la quale che non riuscivo di andare a trovare l' estate scorsa, ma sara' certamente sull' orario dell' estate prossima.

Carlotta Lace Beret

Pattern now available!

Look closely at the lace pattern on this beret, and you may see waterfalls, fountains, flowers, umbrellas, birds in flight...or whatever else your imagination can conjure.  I used an organic wool yarn in a natural color, but yarn choice is another area where your imagination can run free:  in the DK weight category, the possibilities are nearly endless!  Just a few:  Cascade Arcadia (80% cotton, 20% angora), Classic Elite Wool Bamboo (50% wool,50% bamboo), Filatura di Crosa Elen Cashmere (25% cashmere, 35% wool, 5% silk, 35% viscose), KnitPicks Swish DK (100% superwash wool), Rowan Purelife Cotton (100% organic Cotton) or Scottish Tweed (100% wool), Shibui Baby Alpaca DK (100% baby alpaca)....

Difficulty
Intermediate:  skills required include knitting in the round and lace knitting.  The beret is worked from the top down, with the option of beginning with Emily Ocker’s Cast On method, and directions are given in both charted and written form.

Sizes/Hat Measurements
Diameter at widest point:  10 1/2 inches (both sizes).
Band circumference:
S-M:  20”/51 cm unstretched; up to 24”/61 cm stretched.
M-L:  23”/58 cm unstretched; up to 27”/69 cm stretched.
(Size S-M should generally fit large child to medium adult; size M-L, medium to large adult.  Shown in Size S-M.)

 Materials
Yarn DK weight, 190 (220) yds. Shown in Rowan Purelife Organic Wool (100% organic wool; 137 yd [125 m]/50 gm), natural #00600, 2 (2) skeins.
Needles 1 set U.S. Size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed (dp) needles; 1 set U.S. Size 3 (3.25 mm) dp needles OR 16-inch circular needle, for ribbing.  Optional:  1 16-inch circular needle, U.S. Size 6 (4 mm).  Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
Notions Crochet hook for Emily Ocker cast on; marker; tapestry needle. 

Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows = 4” in St st.
Check gauge on blocked swatch.

Pattern Notes
Sizes S-M (M- L) are identical except for ribbing.

Click here to buy pattern ($4.50); includes charts, photos and written instructions.  After purchase you will be provided with a link to download the pattern file, in pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format.  As always, please email me with any questions or comments.

(For more photos, see this post.)