Knititude

Yarn substitutions for the Wyvern Wrap

(or the Dragon-Skin Wrap from the IK Holiday Gifts 2007).  I've been asked for some possible substitutions, so here they are.  Please remember that swatching is more important than ever when substituting yarn!  In addition, I have personally worked with only a couple of these yarns, so don't consider the list below to be anything more than a starting point for finding an alternative for the Kollage Yarns "Yummy" called for in the pattern.  Especially since there is a PLETHORA of yarns in the proper weight range!  My criteria for putting a yarn on the list:  same gauge using the same needle size as the "Yummy" (5.5 sts per inch on US #6 needles*); range of colors that appealed to me; some sheen; yarns that would seem to have good stitch definition.  I also tried to choose yarns from a variety of price points, and finally there are some yarns suitable for warm weather or "no-sheep" types, too.

Bamboo/wool blends (like the "Yummy"):  Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo, Sirdar Baby Bamboo
Alpaca/silk blends:  Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK, Knitpicks Elegance
Wool/silk blends:  Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, RYC Silk Wool DK,
Wool/cashmere blends:  RYC Cashsoft DK, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK
Non-wool:  Katia Linen (linen/cotton), Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy (hemp/cotton/nylon), S. Charles Collezione Kyoto (cotton/rayon/silk), Louet Euroflax Worsted (linen)

OR:  Feeling adventurous??  How about Noro Silk Garden Lite (silk/mohair lambswool)--the Dragon Skin stitch pattern just might look really cool with this yarn.  Or how about Rowan Scottish Tweed DK (wool)?  I'm not sure the tweedy look would work well with this project, but then again....

*I noticed that the Kollage Yarns website now calls for US Size 7 needles with this yarn, but the ball bands on the leftover yarn I have call for US Size 6.  Which is what I used.

(Photo:  Lake Lugano on the Swiss-Italian border, from the top of Monte San Salvatore.)

Working on my Wyvern

The right front of my Wyvern Wrap (size small) has been growing at a good clip; I'm almost finished with the side shaping increases, and soon will cast on stitches for the right sleeve.  I'm having a nagging fear that the sleeve, which is essentially a drop sleeve, may end up being too snug for this style, at a circumference of 13 1/2 inches for my size.  I think this fear will be best addressed by knitting a little farther, so I can see how the sleeve looks and feels.

I went into my stash for the yarn:  Filatura di Crosa "Trilly," 50% silk and 50% cashmere, which swatched for me at the same gauge as the Kollage Yarns "Yummy" (merino and silk) called for in the pattern.  The Trilly has a nice tight twist--not the slightest bit of pilling or fuzzing, at least so far--and a silvery green color which reminds me of the leaves of an olive tree--beautiful.  I love the texture of the unblocked fabric, but the wrap isn't going to fit me if I leave it that way!

Wyvern Wrap (Dragon Skin Wrap for Women)

(I decided to rename the grown-up Dragon Skin wrap, to avoid confusion with the child's version in Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007).

Don’t worry, no wyverns (a type of dragon, according to Wikipedia) were harmed to create this jacket!  Instead, the “Dragon Skin” stitch pattern from Barbara Walker’s 2nd Treasury of Knitting Patterns is used to create a simple wrap with a tie closure.  The jacket fronts (including sleeves and front edging) are worked from hem to shoulders, then joined with cast-on stitches at the back of the neck, and from there, the back (including sleeves) is worked down to the hem.  Finishing:  edge the back neck, seam sides and underarms, and add ties and snap (for the inner wrap edge) at the waist.  The kimono-style sleeves do not taper from shoulder to wrist, so directions for both Dramatic (full-length) and Practical (¾-length) sleeves are included.

Wrap shown is child’s version, with a 23” chest circumference; photo included to show general styling and stitch pattern.  In both woman’s and child’s versions, ease is standard (2-4”), but in the woman’s version, overall proportions have changed:  the length is just above the hip (though length from waist to hem is easily altered), the neck is slightly more open, sleeves are not quite so roomy, and gentle waist shaping has been added.

Difficulty is intermediate; skills include chart reading, casting on mid-row, modified I-cord ties, and keeping accurate track of row #s.

Sizes/Measurements
                  XS       S      M      L      1X      2X     3X
Bust/hips    32      36     40     44     48      52     56 inches
                  81      91     102   112   122    132    142 cm
Waist          29     33      37     41     45     49     53 inches
                  74      84      94    104   114    124   135 cm
Length        21      22      22    22.5   23     23     23 inches
                  53      56      56    57      58     58     58 cm
Sleeve circ  15      16.5  16.5   18    19.5   19.5  21 inches
                  38      42      42    46      50     50     53 cm
Sleeve length (from body side seam, not necessarily from underarm):
Dramatic     18      19      18    19.5   18.5  19.5  18.5 inches
                  46      48      46     50      47     50     47 cm
Practical     13.5    15      14    15      14     15     14 inches
                  34      38      36     38      36     38     36 cm

Yarn
Kollage Yarns Yummy (80% bamboo, 20% merino wool; 150 yd [137 m]/70 gm): Celestial, 10 [12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17] skeins with full-length sleeves; 9 [11, 11, 13, 14, 15, 15] skeins with ¾-length sleeves. 
Needles
U.S. Size 6 (4mm) circular needle, 40-60” long depending on size worked (total of sleeves + back = 52-65”!).  Optional:  shorter circular or straight needles for working front and back without sleeves.  Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions
Stitch markers; row counter; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; med or large snap closure.

Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 4” in patt st.  Check gauge on blocked swatch.

My apologies for the lack of an adult-sized sample photo; I haven't had a chance to knit the sample yet!  But if anyone feels like starting a Wyvern KAL, I just might join in....

Click here to purchase pattern (price:  $6.50).  After payment, the pattern will be emailed to you in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.