19 December 2012

Reversible Stripes

Chalfont Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Autumn just wouldn't be the same without a visit to the Knitting and Stitching Show in "Allie Pallie" (Alexandra Palace in London). The show has its own special character, with three halls overflowing with display booths, shops, classes, student shows and so on.

Every year there is also a special event such as a quilting display or a Japanese knitting exhibition which is always magical.

I returned back to the USA filled with ideas and renewed enthusiasm, and within a few hours had ordered a whole boxful of yarns! There was a beautiful cream colour merino yarn, two different blues and a wonderful combination of rich chocolate brown and russet.
Chalfont Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
So I started playing with the yarn and discovered that it worked beautifully with one of my favourite stitches in our book, Reversible Knitting Stitches. The stitch is called Roman Striped Lace which is a lovely pattern even when worked in a single colour, as can be seen in the cream version shown above.

However it really comes into its own when two different coloured yarns are used. Usually a stripe will look good when seen from the right side, but turn it over and there is a little line of two-colour "purl bumps" which mar the wrong side. You can try to ignore them or even embrace them and make part of your design, but they are almost always there.

But here . . .
Chalfont Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Ta-Da! No bi-colour purls. No off-colour lines at the transition points. In fact it is really hard to see which is the right side and which is the wrong side!

It really is quite intriguing from that point of view and I can see why it is such a popular stitch.
Chalfont Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
So here is a new scarf ready for your winter knitting: the Chalfont ScarfThe pattern includes instructions for three different sizes so you can tailor it to your own needs. Work it in two-blue blue or the chocolate and russet combination shown in the previous photo. Or opt for the single cream colour for a scarf ready for the winter snows ahead.

The pattern is available for immediate download here so you can start work on it straight away. It will be perfect for some fireside knitting during the holidays.

I do hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends. See you next year!

Until then - Happy Knitting!
 
Moira 
Keywords: Patterns/Women’s Scarves & Wraps, Book/Reversible Knitting Stitches,
ladies scarf, scarf, scarves, stripes, lace, reversible lace, reversible stripes, bands, wool, reversible scarf, reversible knitting, reversible stitches, cream, blue, navy, brown, rust, 

06 December 2012

Rare Earth Cushions

Rare Earth Cushions by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
You can never have too many cushions. Scattered over a comfy sofa they add a homely touch to any room, softening the look of a bare area and making it feel warm and welcoming.

So here’s a new set of cushions you can start now ready for the coming winter. They are the Rare Earth Cushions and are perfect both for your own home or as a gift for a friend.

I chose rich natural tones for my set of cushions – the colours I was seeing as the first snows of winter coated the bare branches of aspen and oak outside my window. However, they would work in other colour combination too… in bright zingy tones to suit a child's playroom or in reds and greens for a seasonal holiday look.
Yarns for Rare Earth Cushions by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The cushions are worked in a worsted-weight yarn using five co-ordinating colours. You can use any worsted weight yarn if you have a particular brand you prefer, but I do like Cascade 220 for these as they have such a wide range of colours available.

If you’re a hand spinner, then you can also use handspun yarn of course! I still had lots of yarn left over from working my Rare Earth Rug that I wrote about here, so was able to use that to make a beautifully co-ordinating set.

The lightest yarn is a wonderfully creamy colour, the darkest shade is a rich chocolate brown/black and then the middle three colours blend in-between to give a gradation of tones.
Rare Earth Cushions by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The cushions feature a sampler set of five textural patterns taken from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book. Each cushion starts the patterning with a different colour to give a co-ordinated set of cushions. Knit just one or two cushions to add to your existing collection or all five for a brand-new look!

The covers are easily removed as they are buttoned over the cushion pad underneath, making it easy to change the look in your room as you move from season to season.
Rare Earth Cushions by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
For more information about the Rare Earth Cushions, please click here and if you would like to read more about the co-ordinating Rare Earth Rug pattern, then please click here.

Until next time – Happy Knitting!

Moira
Keywords: Patterns/Cushions,
cushions, pillows, brown, cream, natural, texture, reversible stitch, knitting stitch,

26 February 2012

Either Way Up - The Elizabeth Scarf.

Elizabeth Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I have a new pattern to introduce today – the Elizabeth ScarfThis is available in two versions for either a DK-weight wool or a soft chunky yarn and both versions are fully reversible. ​This is so important for a scarf because if it is reversible, you can just throw it on without worrying whether you have the right side showing. Just wrap it around your neck and you can be on your way!

However, this isn't the only benefit of a reversible design, as I discovered a few years ago. I had been gathering examples of reversible knitting stitches and designing some new ones. As each appeared, I added them in to a sampler like a huge long scarf. After a while there were about 100 different stitches – and that is when I made my discovery:

Every reversible stitch in the sample was flat!
Elizabeth Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
So I started to think about this and after a while it made perfect sense. After all, it's the imbalance between knits and purls that make a Stocking Stitch fabric curl inwards. The purls are trying to force themselves outwards in one direction while the knits recede. Put too many of them together and the knitting will curl into a roll.

It's also the reason why Garter Stitch becomes so compressed: because the lines of purl bumps on the back force themselves outwards to form pronounced ridges while the knits recede into tight valleys.

Reversible fabrics, though, have a wonderful balance between knits and purls on both sides, so the fabric lies compliant and flat while showing stunning textural effects. Simple!
Elizabeth Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
So from that day onwards, I have always used a reversible knitting stitch when knitting scarves.

For the Elizabeth Scarf, I used one of my favourite stitches from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book, Hatfield Check. This is an easy stitch to work but still has a lot of interest with a deep texture and contrasting vertical and cross-wise stripes. The scarf also features extra bands of Garter Stitch at each end for extra definition and detail.
Elizabeth Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The first version in the pattern uses a yarn called Swish, which is a DK merino wool yarn from KnitPicks. This has a wonderful drape and has already become one of my firm favourites this year.

I like long scarves as they lend themselves to all kinds of fancy scarf tie-ups, so I made this one 185cm/72 ins long. You can find lots of examples of interesting scarf knots and tying techniques on the internet, so this version is perfect for experimenting with all the new ideas. ​In the photo above, for example, you can see our daughter Anna modelling the scarf tied in a four-way knot. If you would like to see how this is worked, then please click here.
Elizabeth Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
However, sometimes you want a shorter scarf so that it can easily tuck into your neckline while you are cycling or walking in the countryside. So the second version in the pattern is a neat length of 150cm/60 ins long. This is worked in a chunky wool mix yarn, giving an altogether softer and bolder appearance. The added thickness is perfect to stop those wintry draughts at your neck when you are cycling home!

To see more details about the Elizabeth Scarf pattern, please click here. The pattern is available for instant download from the site so you will be able to start work on your new scarf today.

To read more about the benefits of using reversible stitches in your work, please click here, and for more information about our Reversible Knitting Stitches book, please click here.

Happy Scarf Knitting!

Moira 
Keywords: Patterns/Women’s Scarves & Wraps, Book/Reversible Knitting Stitches,
reversible knitting, reversible stitches, flat, stitches stay flat, scarf, scarves, ladies scarf, DK yarn, chunky yarn, wool, merino wool, maroon, purple, z-R231114

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