Last winter I had the idea of a circular yoked sweater with a skyline around the yoke. Bottom-up circular yoke cardi? Easy for me to work up. But it took a bit of trial and error to get the chart just right. I looked at various actual skylines, skyline line drawings, and other graphic representations, but in the end I just made a grid up in Illustrator and painted in the squares until they looked right.

For yarn, I had 2 colours of Dream in Color Classy that I wanted to use – grey for the main colour, and a deep blue (Midnight Derby) for the background of the skyline. These colours are pretty subtle against each other – the skyline isn’t in as high contrast as it is in the Blue Moon BFL version.

I knit up the first one very quickly in February 2010 – here it is!

There are lots of differences between my first prototype and the final version that ended up in Twist. This first one was knit in quite a heavy worsted weight, superwash yarn. The gauge is 5 stitches per inch, and I had a 50-stitch skyline chart. Also, I ended up knitting this version back and forth, including the colourwork (the sleeves were in the round though). Purling colourwork? Tricky. Especially as this type of motif isn’t as rhythmic as more traditional fair isle type patterns, and the repeat was so big!

Cityscape 1.0 has more buildings that are different heights, which necessitated weaving the yarns in between the taller bits. I always find weaving a little bit annoying, but I know how to do it more easily from the knit side – from the purl side, whew, it was really fiddly! Once I was done though, I was really happy with how my concept had turned out. Only then did I sketch it up and submit it to Twist for the fall issue.

The Blue Moon BFL sport that I used for the Twist version is very different in character from the Dream in Color, and I loved knitting with it – it’s a tiny bit hairy, really wooly, but soft. And the colours worked out great! I knew that I wanted to do a thinner gauge, because it would be easier to see the buildings. I do kind of like that my worsted weight version looks a little less like a pattern up close, and the skyline is more apparent when you stand back a bit, it’s like a bit of a surprise! But with the thinner yarn and a slightly pared down chart (40 stitches) I could have more sizing options and make it a bit easier to knit.

I knew I wanted to do a steek for the Twist version, because that purl colourwork really was a pain, and it was difficult to get the tension right. It was my very first real steek, and it went totally fine! I sewed the steek down by hand and just went for it. Even if you’re scared of steeks, I’d highly recommend trying it out. Plus, at least the body portion of the sweater is all solid, so it isn’t quite the same as cutting up a colourwork-all-over sweater!

With these darker colours I went for pretty pewter buttons – I really like them.

So, overall, Cityscape 1.0 really was a prototype. I was really happy to be able to contribute this concept to Twist, and even happier that because I knit this initial version, I was able to make the final pattern that much better! Of course, I can’t wait for sweater weather so I can get some more wear out of mine.

ASHWORTH SCARF

The only word for this scarf is luscious! Soft, silky, luxurious laceweight cashmere gives an ethereal halo to this light and cozy fabric. If cashmere isn’t in your budget, find the softest merino or alpaca laceweight you can!

Chic oversized cables alternate sides to produce a reversible fabric and provide maximum punch for minimal effort! The fabric scrunches and drapes in fantastic ways. It’s the scarf you’ll keep reaching for over and over.

Technical Editing by Jaya Purswani

SIZE
One – approximately 60” x 12” / 152cm x 30cm, blocked. Size is adjustable.

MATERIALS
Laceweight yarn, approximately 1200 yards / 1097m
Each additional 400 yards / 365m will add approximately 20” / 51cm to the length of the scarf.

Shown in Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply. Colour: Silver Pearl (100% cashmere/400 yds per 55g skein), 3 skeins.

US 2 / 2.75mm circular or straight needles cable needle of similar diameter (or a double pointed needle)
2 stitch markers

GAUGE
28 sts and 40 rows = 4″ square in stockinette stitch

MORE INFO
Skills needed: cast on, knit, purl, cable with a cable needle.

Pattern is a 2-page PDF which contains full colour photographs and a tutorial on the Outline Stitch Bind Off – it’s a great sewn bind off that’ll ensure your cast off edge perfectly matches the cast on! Great for scarves.

Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no registration required). The Ashworth Rav page is here!

$5.00 USD

Knitting this sweater filled my May, and it is so very awesome to see it all done up fancy modeled by the always adorable Mary-Heather. All photos by Jamie Dixon (and aren’t they great?).

This cardigan is knit in the round and steeked, but never fear – this was my very first steek, and I’m delighted to report that while a little bit scary, it was actually very easy!

I first had the idea for this sweater back in the winter, and knit it up quickly for myself in grey and blue Dream in Color (photos another day of that one). Then I decided to submit it to Twist, and knit it up again in the fab Blue Moon BFL Sport.

Won’t you pick up a copy from Twist?

CROSSFIELD SHAWL

A super light, airy square shawl reminicient of a bandana or silk scarf. Easy to knit stockinette in the round with a fun garland lace edging. Wear it folded and tied, over your shoulders or any way you’d wear a bandanna!

This shawl would also make a beautiful baby or lap blanket worked in fingering weight or heavier yarn for a larger finished size.

Technical Editing by Jaya Purswani

SIZE
One Size; 28” / 71cm square, blocked

YARN
Laceweight yarn, 815 yards / 745m.
Shown in The Woolen Rabbit Whisper in Chocolate Chambord (100% merino wool, 1700 yds/235g skein), less than 1/2 skein used.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 2.5 / 3mm double pointed needles (or needles of choice for small circumferences in the round)
US 2.5 / 3mm 24-32” / 60-80cm long circular needles (change length as required as the shawl grows)
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
26 sts and 40 rounds = 4” / 10 cm square in Stockinette Stitch

MORE INFO
Skills needed: cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, optional chart, knitting in the round.

Pattern is a 3-page PDF file with full colour photos, written and charted directions for the lace pattern, and abbreviations.

Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$5.00 USD

The rates are: British Columbia 12%; Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador 13%; Nova Scotia 15%; and everywhere else in Canada 5% GST.

These taxes should be added when you go through the Paypal checkout. For sales from all other places, no tax (the price you see is what you get). I’m currently going through all the pattern pages to add a note about this so you don’t get any surprises!

Enough of the tax talk, how about some knitting?

My cashmere cabled scarf grows! It’s probably about halfway done (I’m in the second skein) and I still love knitting it. This month I have a deadline project looming, so I’m not sure how much love this scarf will get – but I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to release the pattern in August for a jump start on autumn knitting!

BELLEVUE CARDIGAN

A summery, slightly cropped cardigan with a fun lace edging, two yarn weight options and two sleeve options! Worked from the bottom up, the cap sleeve version is completely seamless while the short sleeve version has minimal seaming.

Meant to be worn open (but you can also add a button or tie). Works up quickly in a small amount of worsted or fingering weight yarn and is a perfect topper to take that short sleeved or sleeveless dress into the evening, air conditioning and autumn.

WORSTED WEIGHT BELLEVUE
Works up super quickly! I knit mine in just 3 days!

SIZES
Finished Bust 33.5” (36″, 38″, 42.5″, 44.5″, 47″, 51.5″, 53.5″, 56″) / 85 (91.5, 96.5, 108, 113, 119.5, 131, 136, 142) cm

Worsted weight Bellevue is shown in size 36” / 91.5cm with zero ease, with cap sleeves. Note that the fronts do touch, but swing back when worn.

MATERIALS
Worsted or aran weight yarn. Shown in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted (100% superwash wool, 225 yds/113g skein) in colour Manzanita, 3 skeins for size 36” / 91.5cm.

Yards: 510 (550, 580, 650, 700, 760, 820, 860, 920) for cap sleeve version.

For short sleeves, add an additional:
Yards: 60 (60, 70, 70, 70, 80, 80, 90, 90)

US 7 / 4.5mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge
an additional set of US 7 / 4.5mm needles, circular or straight, if working short sleeves
waste yarn
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
18 sts and 24 rows = 4″ / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch

FINGERING WEIGHT BELLEVUE
Takes a little longer but is so wearable. Perfect for summer mornings and evenings.

SIZES
Finished Bust: 32.5″ (35.5″, 38.5″, 41.5″, 44.5″, 48″, 51″, 54″, 57″) / 82.5 (90, 98, 105.5, 113, 122, 129.5, 137, 145) cm

Fingering weight Bellevue is shown in size 35.5” / 90cm with 0.5”/1.25cm negative ease and short sleeves. Note that the fronts do touch, but swing back when worn.

MATERIALS
Fingering weight (4ply/sock) yarn. Shown in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock (80% superwash wool, 20% nylon; 215 yds/67g skein) in colour Douglas Fir, 4 skeins for size 35.5” / 90cm.

Yards: 580 (640, 700, 760, 820, 880, 950, 1020, 1090) for cap sleeve version.

For short sleeves, add an additional:
Yards: 40 (50, 50, 50, 50, 60, 60, 60, 60)

US 2.5 / 3mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge
an additional set of US 2.5 / 3mm needles, circular or straight, if working short sleeves
waste yarn
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
26 sts and 32 rows = 4″ / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch.

MORE INFO
Skills needed: cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, optional chart, seaming for short sleeve version only.

Each pattern is a 5-page PDF file with full colour photos, with written and charted directions for the lace pattern, schematics and abbreviations.

You get BOTH the Worsted and Fingering weight versions when you buy! A great value! Sorry, these patterns are not available separately.

Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$8.00

Note: As of July 5, 2010, sales tax will be added to this price for all Canadian residents only. The rates are: British Columbia 12%; Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador 13%; Nova Scotia 15%; and everywhere else in Canada 5% GST. Tax will be added in the Paypal payment process.