New Design: Shalana

XT1A9629-Edit-EditI am thrilled to show you one of my new designs, Shalana. One of my latest obsessions is moving cables across the body. Here I looked for cable or panel of cables which could be moved from the center to the shoulder. I choose Sand Cables surrounded by double moss in the center framed by a twisted stitch and stockinette in the sides. Rowan Felted Tweed  in Avocado begged to be used to give life to the cables. The resulting sweater is fitted with long sleeves decorated with Sand Cables just as the front. Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted this sample for me with a different gauge than planned, hence I am wearing size Large in these photos. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted before its release on Ravelry. Shalana will be included in my next photo shoot at the end of this month.

XT1A9631Here is my introduction to the pattern: Sand Cables that move from the center towards each shoulder dominate this fitted sweater with a rounded neckband. The center panel of double seed stitch is framed and increases in size with the cable move. On the long sleeves the cables dominate. Named after the most powerful spirit Shalana.

XT1A9621The intended gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. The 18-stitch Sand Cables Panel measures 7 cm/2.75″ across. This is the result of my swatch. I decided to work all parts flat, to enhance the fit. But you could easily remove the added selvedge stitch and knit the body and the sleeves in the round.

XT1A9617The sand cables move from their center position on the body towards the shoulder by increasing into the center double seed stitch panel and decreasing into the stockinette stitches at the side. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end. I am really happy how well this turned out, despite not being the size I wanted it to be. All the photos above are taken by my husband on a chilly but wonderful day earlier in May just 10 minutes from where we live at Ormøya by the fjord. We have chosen an equally stunning location for our next photo shoot. More news will follow.

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Nuala Pattern Released

Nuala COVERWe seem to have skipped Spring in Oslo and went straight into Summer. A perfect time to release the English pattern of Nuala a straight summer shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug with a matching cowl. The pattern has been test knitted in my Ravelry group. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Julens Småstrikk last November. Above you see the set worn by model Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Wear it with a cowl as a collar.

Size: One Size

Finished Measurement: Shawl: Width: 42.5 cm/16.75″. Length: 143 cm/56.25″ Cowl: Width: 70 cm/27.5″. Height: 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Rowan, Softknit Cotton (92% cotton, 8% polyamide, 50 g, 105 m/115 yds). Sample is knitted in Marina 580. https://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softknit-cotton               Shawl: 6 skeins; 588 m/643 yds. Cowl: 2 skeins; 202 m/221 yds.

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (60 cm/24″) for shawl and cowl. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 8 buttons (21 mm/0.82″), 4 stitch markers and yarn needle. 

Gauge: 17 sts and 25 rows in Dropped sts using 4.5 mm/US 7 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square.

 Notes: The shawl and cowl are both knitted flat. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method. The cowl is sewn together, but add buttonholes rows instead if you prefer and work selvedge st as on shawl.

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Imra Pattern Released

Imra COVERThe long vest, Imra, has been released after a test knit in my group on Ravelry. As always I am curious to see what changes the test knitters do. This time it was a question of length and closure; one chose to make a short version and another added a buttonhole at the top. You can see some of the results on the pattern page. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk last August, and the magazine is still available to order in print or digitally, see klikk.no. Above you see the Vest modeled by the gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Here is my intro to the pattern: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished measurements:                                                                                                          Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                            Length: 81.5 (81.5, 81.5, 84, 84, 84) cm/32 (32, 32, 33, 33, 33)”                                           Loose sleeve: Length: 49.5 cm/19.5″

Yarn: Hifa, Ask (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/345 yds). Sample is knitted in Corn Yellow 6502. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/ask-melert                                                               Vest: 3 (3.5, 3.5, 4, 4, 4.5) skeins; 882 (954, 1025, 1120, 1216, 1323) m/965 (1043, 1121, 1225, 1330, 1447) yds.                                                                                                                  Loose Sleeves: 1 (1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5) skeins; 279 (313, 329, 362, 395, 428) m/305 (342, 360, 396, 432, 468) yds.                                                                                                                  Rowan, Fine Tweed (100% wool, 25 g, 90 m/98 yds). Sample is knitted in Leyburn 383. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-fine-tweed                                                          Vest: 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) skeins; 882 (954, 1025, 1120, 1216, 1323) m/965 (1043, 1121, 1225, 1330, 1447) yds.                                                                                                                  Loose Sleeves: 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins; 279 (313, 329, 362, 395, 428) m/305 (342, 360, 396, 432, 468) yds.                                                                                                                        Note: Yarns are held together throughout.

Alternative yarn for Hifa, Ask: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Sport.asp                                                   Madeline Tosh, Pashmina (75% superwash merino, 15% silk, 10% cashmere, 100 g, 329 m/360 yds). http://madelinetosh.com/pashmina/                                                  Alternative yarn for both: Brooklyn Tweed, Shelter (100% wool, 50 g, 128 m/140 yds). http://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/shelter/                                                                Berroco, Blackstone Tweed (65% wool, 25% mohair, 10% angora, 50 g, 119 m/130 yds) http://www.berroco.com/yarns/blackstone-tweed                                                                     BC Garn, Loch Lomond (100% wool, 50 g, 155 m/169 yds)                http://garn.dk/en/wool/loch-lomond/

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″ and 40 cm/16″). 4 mm/US 6 DNPs for I-cord cast-on. Adjust needle size as neede to match gauge.

Notions: 1 m/1 yard thin round elastic for loose sleeves, cable needle, stitch markers, stitch holders, and yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 sts and 28 rows in st st and Double Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square, blocked. 1 cable measures 8 cm/3.25″ across, blocked. 1 cable repeat measures 21.5 cm/7.5″ blocked. 28 rows in Cable measures 10 cm/4″ blocked.

Notes: The vest is worked in rows in one piece to the armhole where it is separated. Each front has a 3-sts I-cord edge that is worked at the same time as the vest. Both the narrow neckline and the armhole band has an I-cord bind off but the armhole band is worked in the round with a Double Seed stitch band. If you prefer a smaller armhole band continue working decreases. To achieve a looser bottom band, use a provisional cast-on method, and then make an I-cord bind off instead.

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Oydis Sweater Pattern Released

Oydis Sweater E COVERThe test knit of Oydis has just been completed and the English pattern is released. 18 testers took part and you can see the different variations on the pattern page and there are more too come as well. I am grateful that some testers knit it as I intended, but I am also curious to see what changes testers would prefer to do. Quite often a test knitter suggest an idea I had thought about but chosen not to follow through. It is amazing how much a different color and different fiber will change the outlook of the garment too, hence a treat to see a large number of completed projects to compare against. Above you see Oydis worn by Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design all captured brilliantly by Eivind Røhne. Here is my introduction to Oydis: A shadow diamond cable dominates this a-line sweater with a curved flattering hem. I-cord bands frame the bottom of the sweater, while garter stitches mark the sides and the round neckband. The sweater, with or without the cowl to dress it up, make the outfit ideal for the Goddess of good luck; Oydis. The body of the sweater is knitted flat, while the sleeves and the cowl, are knitted in the round. A fine tweed yarn is held together with an alpaca lace yarn, with a chain construction, to create a fabric with a beautiful stitch definition and a slight halo.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished Measurements:                                                                                                             Bust: 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                                   Hip: 98 (104, 110, 120, 130, 140) cm/38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55)”                        Length: 74 (75, 76, 77, 78, 79) cm/29.25 (29.5, 30, 30.25, 30.75, 31)”                                Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul (68% baby alpaca, 32% nylon, 25 g, 177 m/195 yds). Sample is knitted in DL204 Greybrown.                 http://www.dustorealpakka.com/garn-sortiment/?category=29                                                7 (8, 9, 10, 12, 13) skeins; 1111 (1274, 1437, 1713, 1996, 2269) m/1215 (1393, 1571, 1873, 2183, 2481) yds.                                                                                                                               Pickles, Merino Tweed (100% wool, 100 g, 380 m/415 yds). Sample is knitted in PMT5508 Nature.                                                                   http://shop.pickles.no/en/products/yarn/pickles-merino-tweed/                                                3 (4, 4, 5, 6, 6) skeins; 1111 (1274, 1437, 1713, 1996, 2269) m/1215 (1393, 1571, 1873, 2183, 2481) yds.                                                                                                                                           Note: One strand of each yarn is held together throughout.

Alternative yarns:                                                                                                                       For Soul: Fyberspates, Gleem Lace (55% British Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 45% silk, 100 g, 800 m/874 yds). http://fyberspates.com/gleem-lace/                                                    Madeline Tosh, Praire (100% superwash merino wool, 100 g, 768 m/840 yds). http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/prairie.html                                          Shuibui, Cima (70% alpaca, 30% merino, 50 g, 300 m/328 yds). http://www.shibuiknits.com/Yarn/Colorways.php?Yarn=Cima                                           For Merino Tweed: Rowan Fine Tweed (100% wool, 25 g, 90 m/98 yds). http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-fine-tweed                                                                Or another DK/8 ply yarn held singularly.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 4 mm/US 6 DPNs. 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (40 cm/16″) for neck band. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts x 30 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 1 Shadow Diamond Cable across 30 sts measures 11 cm/4.25″. 20 sts x 30 rows in garter st measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The body is worked flat, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The sleeves begin with making an I-cord and picking up stitches from the cord, but use a provisional cast on and then later work an I-cord bind off, as on the body, if you prefer. Each side has garter stitches as edging and the sleeves have a fake seam created with garter stitches.

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Gyda Knitted by Inna Guli

lfihet5heu6khz0myxemi8imujtgph9seeiepqz7qqg_w459-h618-no_mediumI was so attracted to Russian Inna Guli, aka inchi’s project page on Ravelry not only by her photography but also by her knitting skills and attention to details. Inna also designs and on her blog you will find a large selection of her photos. I was delighted when she wanted to join the test knit of Gyda. She choose a lilac blue color in Vita Alpaca-Wool, since her gauge was slightly off, she recalculated the pattern to fit and knitted it using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4. Inna chose to make button loops instead of button holes and use some buttons she had in stock. The color and fit is perfect on her. Thank you so much, Inna!

p4126405_medium2Above you see the back, with her blog address: inchi-guli.blogspot – where you can see more gorgeous photos. The sample was knitted in the lovely Hifa Ask in Melange Turquoise. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Trend in March 2015, but is after the completed test knit now available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and Loveknitting.

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Tyrol Jacket Knitted by Maria Niedermayer

P2200001_02Maria found my Tyrol Jacket on Ravelry, just as I announced the English test knit of it back in October 2013. I am delighted that she joined. Maria is a keen knitter, sewer and now also a designer as well as a Rowan Ambassador. She decided to knit the Tyrol Jacket in hand-dyed pink Tabbycat YarnsMerino DK Tabby and had her yarn especially dyed for her. Here is what Maria, aka westie99 on Ravelry, has written on her project page about the yarn: “It is a pleasure to knit with this yarn, it has such a good stitch-definition and the colours are tasteful and beautiful: powder shades with rosé-powder and shades of rosepinks, now and then flecks or spots of peony pink.” Maria knitted size Medium – using a 4 mm/US 6 – with less waist shaping and worked the sleeve increases one stitch further in, and has written a number of advices for how to finish it neatly with accompanying photos. I recommend you take a look on her project page to admire her projects, her gorgeous flower photos and to spot her cute dog Nigel! Thank you so much, Maria!

PB150072_medium2Above is one of her lovely detailed photos of the cables. The Tyrol Jacket sample was knitted in another hand-dyed yarn: Tosh DK and first published in Norwegian in Familien Håndarbeid in March 2014. The pattern is now available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on Loveknitting.

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Strikketid by Marte Helgetun

Strikketid.-Tidloese-hverdagsplaggThis lovely book dropped into my postbox awhile back. Strikketid. Tidløse Hverdagsplagg” is the full title in Norwegian and it translates to “Knitting time. Timeless Everyday garments”. As you can see even from the cover it does contain just that. This is Marte Helgetun’s 3. book, and I would have loved to attend the launch weekend the perfect – in my opinion – “Strikkeweekend/Knitting weekend” at Thon Hotel Vårsøg in Surnadal. The program for the weekend included presentation of the book, a fashion show, an exhibition of the garments and a visit to her farm-yarn-shop, as well as a celebration dinner. It sounded like an excellent way to spend a weekend as well as way to launch a book. There are more than 30 patterns for women in the book, all written without any abbreviations and easy to understand. There are sweaters, cardigans, dresses, skirts, hats and scarfs in the book, all in Marte’s casual elegant and edgy style.

DSC_1003-EditIn fact you will find one of the book patterns, in Norwegian; Rillejakke free on her website. All the beautiful photos in the book are taken by Nathan W. Lediard, see lediardfoto.com. At the back of the book is a page of yarn alternatives based on gauge as well as an illustrated Strikke-ABC. You can have a look inside the Norwegian book here: issuu.com. Enjoy!

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My Irina Pullover

XT1A5418I knew I had to submit a design for the Film Noir Ballet theme and re-launch of knit.wear because I adore the grace of ballerinas and because knit.wear is such an outstanding magazine. A body conscious silhouette with set-in sleeve and tailored waist, was just what I had in mind. I obviously wanted to include cables and instantly knew which one I wanted to use for this pullover I had in my mind. The very same ones I used for a set of accessories, I called Talila was not forgotten and would be ideal as a panel on a sweater. In between the panels I decided to use garter stitch and also on the sides I opted for garter stitch. These were made to simplify shaping the garment but also to let the cables be the focus point. What if I move the cable panels towards each other, was one I idea liked and will continue to explore in the time to come. In the end I choose a minimal move. Above you see it worn on my, and yes, I do have an extra long back making the pullover seem cropped, not intentional. The Irina Pullover is available in English as a single pattern, in a digital version and in a printed version of knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016.

XT1A5419The sleeves have the same cable panel as the body. The remainder of the sleeve is knitted in garter stitch. Here is my introduction to the pullover:  Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, this fitted pullover has elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I initially suggested Rowan Fine Lace an alpaca mixture which makes the cables flatter. Editor Meghan Babin suggested the well known combination instead making the cables pop and giving the pullover a fuzzy appearance. She also choose a lighter blue tone giving it a more delicate look. By holding the two yarns together and using a 4 mm/US 6 needle the cables stand out.

XT1A5421I knitted this myself, while sample knitter Grete Jenssen was busy knitting Helka, last October. Both the body and the sleeves are worked in the round up to the underarm and then worked back and forth to the end. It is an enjoyable knit. I love how it has been photographed on a ballerina and the styling of the theme in knit.wear. I look forward to sharing more of my design ideas, as my new ones come off the needles.

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knit.wear with My Design

FC_KW_Spr_16-769x1024Interweave’s magazine knit.wear Spring/Summer-2016 is now released digitally and I have design in this for the first time! The magazine is a re-premiere issue, as it has taken back its old name, instead of using knit.purl. I am delighted to have my design submission accepted in this fashion forward magazine. The theme I choose was initially called Film Noir Ballet but has been changed to Odile & Odette in the magazine. Editor Meghan Babin described it as follows: “1940’s drama and intrigue. Pulp fiction ingenues. Urban spaces. Body-conscious silhouettes and singular design elements. The set-in sleeve and tailored waist give way to low-backs and floaty fabrics, styled with tights and ballet flats and the unexpected leather jacket. Explode one element of a vintage sweater and go over the top—an outrageous intarsia flower on a cream mohair pullover; a plunging back; an exaggerated puffed sleeve cap, a profusion of bobbles. Subversive, beautiful, refined.” My submission with the working title Baranova Pullover was given its first name Irina Pullover. I am thrilled that the series, including my pullover, was photographed on a ballerina by Harper Point Photography.

Irina Pullover_1 crop

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, is this fitted pullover with elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Fine Lace.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Meghan suggested using Rowan Kidsilk Haze instead of Rowan Fine Lace and choose an ever more delicate color combination than I did. In Kidsilk Haze she choose a light blue called Heavenly which is held together with Rowan Felted Tweed in a whitish tweed with light blue flecks. They make the cables even more visible and make then pop. Using 1 strand of each yarn, I choose to use a 4 mm/US 6 size needle and got a gauge of 18 stitches and 30 rounds in garter stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. You might recognize the cables I choose, as they are the same I used for the accessories; cowl, wrist warmers and clutch called Talila. I discovered after designing Talila that I was not finished with those yet.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

I decided to use garter stitch as the background and make the cables into panels so that I could shape in between them. The sleeves were given a narrower panel than the one on the body. This body of this pullover is worked in the round to the underarm, then the front and back are worked separately back and forth. The sleeves are worked in the round from the bottom up, with the sleeve cap worked flat. Decreases and increases are worked on each side of the body to create a fitted shape. I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 2XL.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Here is a detail of the square neckline that is knitted double, folded and sewn in place at the wrong side. I am delighted to be in the design company of my tech editor Corrina Fergusson, Carol Feller and Sarah Wilson who has designed the amazing huge Anna Cowl on the cover, just to mention a few. The digital version of the magazine is available to download from the Interweavestore.com and while the print version can be ordered here: knitwear-springsummer-2016. The pattern will be available in Norwegian after the rights return to me in a year, and new photographs will be taken. It will be a challenge to make them as brilliant as these.

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Stige Pattern Released

Stige NEW E COVERI am pleased to release another of my patterns from my Norwegian knitting book in English. The Stige pattern has been revised, tech edited and given a schematic. My husband suggested I shorten its long Norwegian name “Oversized Stigehull Genser”/Ladderlace Sweater simply to “Stige” meaning “ladder”, and I did. The sweater is worn by Nasjonalballetten’s dancer Cristiane Sà with hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad, and captured by photographer Kim Müller at National Museum – Architecture in Oslo. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A sweater inspired by Donna Karan’s style. I wanted to design a comfy yet trendy maxi sweater with a large collar that could be folded down on your shoulders. The yarn I chose has a subtle sheen and fabulous drape, made by Valley Yarns, and knitted double. The sweater is knitted in one piece so that the stitch pattern creates flattering vertical stripes casting shadows. A matching pair of wristwarmers is essential.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements:                                                                                                       Bust circumference: 117 cm/46″                                                                                                    Length: 82 cm/32.25″                                                                                                                      Sleeve length incl turn up: 42 cm/16.5″ (34 cm/17″ + 8 cm/3.25″)                      Wristwarmers: 34 cm/13.5″ long, 24.5 cm/9.75″ width.

Yarn: Valley Yarns, Colrain Lace (50% Merino wool, 50% Tencel, 249 g cone, 1408 m/1540 yds). Sample is knitted in Steel:                                                                             Sweater: 3 cones; 4141 m/4529 yds. Wristwarmers: 1 cone; 396 m/433 yds. http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/3DE2C30C-6D95-43DD-8AB5-B8DB265D6674/productID/09524FC9-99A1-49B6-B68D-23A9FC6DE02A/

Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Yarn alternative: Green Mountain Spinnery, Sylvan Spirit (50% Wool, 50% Tencel, 57 g, 165 m/180 yds). http://www.spinnery.com/shop/products.php?cat=13                        Hand Maiden, Lady Godiva (50% Wool, 50% Silk, 100 g, 250 m/273 yds). http://handmaiden.ca/product/lady-godiva/                                                                               BC Garn Silkbloom Extrafino (55% Merino wool, 45% silk, 50 g, 300 m/328 yds) held double. http://bcgarn.dk/pi/SILKBLOOM_EKSTRA_FINO_2976_8.aspx                              Or another DK/8 ply held single or a Lace/2 ply held double.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (100 cm/40″). 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for neck and collar. 5 mm/US 8 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for collar. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch holder or extra circular needle, stitch markers and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 and double yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

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