Wa Knitted by Karen

Karen, aka Knittywarbler on Ravelry & Instagram, has knitted Wa for her gorgeous granddaughter who is modelling it in these photos. This is another of the many test knits that Karen has done for me in my Ravelry group. Karen is retired and has knitted since she was a child and does not let her illnesses, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, stop her.  Wa is knitted in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in Lilac using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needles to the gauge specified in the pattern: 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Wa, was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and their Tinde pelt yarn. Here is my introduction to the shawl: “A shawl turned into a vest with a back piece, named Wa; Eskimo for ”here it is”. A large Celtic Cable adorns the center with Round cables on each side and small framing cables, on both parts; the shawl and the back piece which is sewn onto main piece at the end. Wear it as a vest, a wrap or a generous shawl around your neck.”

Karen made both parts of the shawl, unlike some of my testers who decided only to make the long top part and not the bottom part for the back or vest part. In the photo above you see the back piece.

Not only has Karen done an amazing job test knitting this shawl, she has also taken these stunning photos! Thank you so much, Karen!

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Airic Knitted by Karen

Karen, aka Knittywarbler on Ravelry & Instagram, knitted this wonderful Airic version for her Norwegian friend who grew up in Sarpsborg – not far from where I live – but now lives in the US. Karen test knitted the pattern for me in size Small in the divine SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash Sport, a pure merino wool, in the hand dyed shade Cayenne – perfect for her friend – using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles. I meet Karen on Ravelry and she is one of my brilliant test knitters. I have lost count of all the patterns she has knitted so I plan to show you more of them. You might remember that I blogged about the jacket she knitted for her friend Lizzy: Suli Knitted by Karen. Karen is ever so generous with her knitted garments and give them away to her grand daughter and friends. Thank you, Karen for being my test knitter and making such stunning versions of my patterns!

Here is a side view of the Airic, where you can see the construction with its lower body cable panel which is worked sideways. Then the upper body is picked up and knitted along the long side of the lower body and worked from the bottom and up. The upper body is worked back and forth in one piece with false seams from the pick up on the lower body to the underarm, then the upper fronts and back are worked separately. The outer 20 cm/7.75″ on each side of the lower body will be attached to the collar. The cuff is worked sideways, while the remaining sleeve is worked back and forth from the cuff with garter stitch in each side. The collar is worked back and forth in two parts with an interfacing, beginning with a RS row across cable and a WS row across interfacing. The parts are joined with a 3-needle bind off and attached along opening and outer side of lower body.

The pattern is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 86 to 128 cm/33.75 to 50.5″ with collar overlapped. This is how I introduce the pattern:  In a contemporary style with provocative visual lines – created by the sideways knitted cable panel to make a waterfall bottom – is this long cardigan. The body is all in stockinette stitch to offset the cables. Even the sleeve has a cable panel knitted sideways as a cuff. Airic is Celtic for agreeable, just as this long cardigan will cover you up. It is knitted in the divine Di Gilpin, Lalland a Scottish lambswool with a magical twist. The English pattern is available on both Ravelry & Loveknitting as well as on Deep South Fibers for retailers, while the Norwegian pattern will be available in the special magazine Høststrikk from Familien out on 24th September.

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Suli Knitted by Karen

Karen, aka Knittywarbler on Ravelry & Instagram, has knitted this gorgeous version of Suli for her friend Lizzy who is modelling it together with her horse Ty. This is one of many designs that Karen has test knitted for me, and I am so grateful that she is one of my skilled test knitters. Lizzy’s Suli is knitted in the divine semi-solid hand-dyed SweetGeorgia Yarns, Cashluxe Fine in the shade Bluebird using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle, in size Medium. It is one of those yarn I would love to test myself. Karen is retired and lives with her husband in Easton, Maryland, US. She has been knitting for more than 55 years, so Karen is an eagle-eyed test knitter! I will share more of her projects and stunning photos! Thank you so much, Karen!

The loop collar can be worn in several different ways, and above it is worn an extra time around the neck. Karen knits for her granddaughter in addition to Lizzy and herself. It was fun to hear that Lizzy is not used to having knitwear made for her so she was looking forward to wearing this jacket which suits her so well!

Last, is the back view of the lovely Lizzy in the stables. The jacket Suli was designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and the sample was knitted in Sølje Pelsullgarn/Pelt wool yarn. It is available in sizes XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 86 to 126 cm/33.75 to 49.5″. The pattern is available in English and in Norwegian from Ravelry and from Loveknitting.

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