ClassicCableKnits

This easy cowl knits up in no time and is perfect for keeping you warm on a brisk autumn walk.

Delia is worked from the top down for a seamless finish.   Delia has a deep v-neck that sits below the bust line.   Please note when substituting yarns that a worsted weight yarn is used and worked on #9 needles to create a garment that is light and airy.   Any Alpaca or Alpaca blend works really well with this design.

The Emma Jacket is worked seamlessly from the top down.   It features flared sleeves and an A-line body.  A cropped version (shown here) or a hip-length version is included.   Short-row shaping is used to ensure a nice fit across your shoulders.   The neck ribbing is worked all in one piece for a truly tailored look.

Garter Leaves is a crescent-shaped shawl that is knit from the outer edge to the top. Short rows are used in the center garter portion of the shawl to give it a crescent shape.

The small shawl makes an elegant neckerchief or cowl. The medium shawl offers a little more coverage without being too ostentatious while the large shawl is a full blown knockout. I love to wear the large shawl over a winter coat or sweater in the dead of winter.

Ginger Leaves is a neckerchief or shawlette that begins at the neck center and is worked to the bottom edge.

The flower lace pattern flows seamlessly into a leaf lace pattern, which then flows into a simple edging pattern.

Three buttons are used to close the kerchief in the back; they are left off for the shawlette.

Neckerchief: 34" x 15"

Shawlette: 52" x 20"

Gauge:
6 sts x 9 rows = 1” on US #4, st st, blocked

Materials:
US #4, 24” circular needle
175 yards (350 yards) fingering weight yarn
3, ¼” buttons (Kerchief only)
Yarn Suggestions:
KnitPicks Stroll Tonal 1 (1) skein

Thoughts about the design…

I was watching the newest version of Jane Austen’s Emma on Masterpiece Theater one Sunday night. I was munching away happily on popcorn and sipping a cup of tea. “The costumes are fantastic,” I cried to my husband who was dutifully sitting beside me. Actually he doesn’t mind watching a chick flick every once in a while, as long as it is based on a good classic, which is soooo nice for me! Yeah, I know I’m spoiled.

During one of the scenes in the village I was struck by this remarkable slouchy beret Emma (Romola Garai) was wearing. It had a delightfully sassy tassel on the top of it. Her beret was made out of a lovely velvet and silk but I could just envision a lace beret, knit from the top down with concentric shaping all stemming out of the tassel! I was inspired. Thus the Lamb’s Lace beret was born!

I hope you enjoy the Lamb’s Lace Beret! May it give you the vim, vigor and grace of Emma Woodhouse!

Thoughts about the design…

To me spring is a miracle.  After the deluge of wind, snow and ice it is hard to imagine anything colorful and bright emerging from the earth. But as the spring rains come and start softening up the cold, hard earth, and as the warm wind starts winding it’s restorative power on all plant life, something magical happens and the earth springs forth with some of the most beautiful and delicate flowers known to man, (and some of the most sweet smelling too). I wanted to capture the delicate beauty of spring in this cardigan and yet contrast it with simplicity – thus the marriage of lace, garter stitch and stockinette. I love how the lace flows organically from the increases that form the raglan sleeves as well as the contrast of the garter stitch belt that bands the sweater’s waist. I hope you enjoy it!

The Name…
The delicate lace on the upper portion of this cardigan reminded me of Lamb’s Ear (the plant). The wool that I used to knit the first draft of this cardigan was soft and wooly, much like that of a newborn lamb.  Thus it was under these two influences I decided to name this cardigan, “Lamb’s Lace.”

Note:
Lace pattern is charted. There are no written lace instructions.

Designed to coordinate with the Lamb's Lace Beret, the Lamb's Lace Mitts are quick and easy feminine mitts.

Thoughts about the design…

I love the leaves of spring. As they break forth from their buds each spring they paint the landscape Monet-like with their vivid color. The result is breathtaking. This oversized cowl is meant to celebrate the delight of the leaves of spring. Snuggle into it as you take a nice long spring walk.

The Moss Henley Pullover is a top-down raglan sweater perfect for those early fall days. The Guernsey stitch pattern evokes a traditional look while the tunic length, moss stitch edging and Henley neckline gives it a modern flare. ...

The Pearl Street Scarf is a lace scarf knit sideways.   I got the idea for it when I was out in Boulder, CO walking up and down Pearl Street, window shopping.   At that time, everyone was wearing a cloth scarf around their neck -- even some of the young men.

I was tempted to buy a scarf just to fit in.   But then I realized, no, I needed to knit one!  So here we are!

I love the flower, Queen Anne’s Lace. It graces the long warm days of summer with ethereal beauty. I’m always amazed how they never look faded or wilted in the hot summer sun but always dance about merrily in the fields.

This pattern is named after that lovely flower. The circular deep lace color is designed to mimic the circular shape and lace of the Queen Anne Lace flower. When you wear this sweater may you feel as beautiful and graceful as the flower.

Regina is a delightful raglan sleeved cardigan knit from the top down. The unique A-line shaping comes entirely from the variation in the rib stitch.

The Design:

I love long flowing scarves – they add a style and grace to any outfit whether it is casual or formal. Last year I designed the Pearl Street Scarf after a visit to Boulder, Co. I had spent an afternoon walking up and down Pearl Street and was mesmerized by all the gorgeous, long scarves that adorned the ladies (and men) on Pearl Street. This year I find myself dreaming of the seaside, the beach and long, lazy afternoons.

My mother is from Long Island and we often went there when I was a young child to visit family. When I finished this scarf I realized that it belonged on an elegant woman walking the streets of South Hampton, Long Island. Perhaps she is looking for a place to sit and knit while enjoying an iced coffee or perhaps she is shopping for a new outfit to wear to dinner in the evening.

The Summer Lace Cardigan is a loose fitting, cropped cardigan that is light weight and cool for summer.  The lace panels are easy enough for an ambitious beginner, yet interesting enough for a more advanaced knitter.
Shown in size 34

The Little Professor, is a little cabled vest, knit in the round until the arm holes. At the arm holes the back is knit separately from the front and joined at the shoulders.

Whispers of Spring Collection includes the following patterns:
Lamb’s Lace Cardi - Sizes 32 - 46, charted lace instructions
Leaves of Spring Cowl - charted and written lace instructions
The Fiber Event - thoughts on a spring fiber fair in the back country of Indiana.
Lamb’s Lace Beret - charted and written lace instructions
Lamb’s Lace Mitts - charted and written lace instructions
Woodland Spring Shawl - charted lace instructions

Not long ago I was looking for the perfect shawl to give to someone who was going through a rough patch of life. I couldn’t find something that expressed my love and concern.

So out came my needles, pen & paper and With Love was made.

The little heart encircled by the larger heart is meant to symbolize love, care and concern.

We can’t solve the world’s problems with our knitting needles, but we can certainly show our love for one another with them.

Happy knitting!
Christina

Thoughts on the Design…

Spring is a miracle.  Just when you can no longer stand the bitter cold, the dark gray days, the piles of snow blocking the paths and preventing afternoon walks, something happens and slowly the days begin to lengthen, the sun appears a little sooner each morning and stays a little later each evening. Then the buds on the bushes and trees begin to swell, the sap begins to flow again, bits of green begin to break forth from dismal mud and then without fanfare a whole symphony of color and flowers breaks forth upon the dull earth and the sky is filled with delicate green leaves. Spring appears with no human effort or coaxing leaving us mortals in awe of the miracle that has just happened.

The garter stitch beginning of this shawl is meant to symbolize the plain earth as it lies still, waiting for the sun to do its magic and bring forth the little flowers of spring. The floral lace that flows out of the garter stitch is meant to mimic the way the flowers of spring pop up and stand out in contrast to the earth that seemed so fruitless only a month or two before. Lastly the floral lace flows into an edging that looks like leaves is meant to evoke the canopy of leaves that eventually covers the sky in late spring, tiny at first but then larger and greener than ever before.

Happy Knitting and Enjoy!