xeriscape
Monday, August 30, 2010 at 9:15AM The pattern for Xeriscape is finished, and I'm so excited to release it! (Here's the Ravelry pattern page!) It has started to get cooler here in New Mexico (amazing how temperatures in the 70's and 80's feel cool at the end of a high desert summer!) and I am so ready to start wearing my handknits again. When there's a chill in the air, I always have a little scarf or shawlette wrapped around my neck to keep me warm and cozy and provide a little extra style.
Amanda, my friend from Lorna's Laces, wrote to me a few months back and asked if I would be interested in creating a pattern for their new yarn, Honor, an alpaca/silk blend that is available in all their pretty colorways. I really love working with those fibers, and I love Lorna's Laces yarns in general, so I was eager to work with their newest offering. Honor is just lovely - it's light and drapes beautifully, is soft as can be with a slight alpaca halo, and has a very pleasing "squish" factor.
Inspired by the richly textured rock and low-water gardens here in Albuquerque (I got the idea for the shaping while I was out in my neighborhood walking Charlie), Xeriscape is a shaped, scalloped scarf knit in a drapey and luxurious hand-dyed yarn. Worked from side to side and knit in garter stitch, Xeriscape’s scallops are formed with increases and decreases along one edge. The long, narrow, delicately shaped scarf is easy to wrap, tie, and wear in a variety of ways.
Xeriscape is perfect for beginners who are ready to work on shaping through increases and decreases, and still has the thoughtful details needed to make it a breezy, meditative knit for more experienced knitters. The pattern is a 4-page PDF file (1 cover page, 3 pattern pages), which includes color photographs, detailed construction notes, a schematic, and a table with stitch counts so that you can easily keep track of where you are in the pattern.
Big thanks go to the fabulously speedy and helpful test knitters: StevenA, Julie Frick, and Stephen West. Huge, grateful hugs to Marnie MacLean, who generously provided a detailed pattern review, and Laura Chau for her ultra-helpful and eagle-eyed tech editing.
So, Xeriscape! The pattern is available for purchase for $5.00 through the "buy now" button below. Here's a little more information for you!
materials needed:
Yarn:
235 yards / 215 meters DK-weight (8-ply) yarn
Yarn Shown:
1 skein Lorna’s Laces Honor; 275 yds / 251 m per 3.5 oz / 100 g skein; 70% baby alpaca, 30% silk; shown in the Patina colorway (variegated scarf was knit in the Turtle Rodeo colorway)
Needles:
US 6 / 4 mm needle (circular or straight)
Adjust needle size if necessary in order to obtain correct gauge.
Notions:
tapestry needle for weaving in ends
gauge:
22 sts and 38 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch using US 6 / 4 mm needles.
finished size:
66” / 168 cm from point to point along straight edge of shawl, and 7” / 17.75 cm wide at widest scallop point
skills needed:
cast on, knit, kfb increase, k2tog decrease, slip stiches, bind off
purchase ($5.00):
notes about this pattern purchase:
You are purchasing a pattern in pdf file format, and will be able to download your pattern via a link that will be emailed to you once your payment is completed. All payments are processed by PayPal and you can use either your PayPal account or a credit card to pay. The pattern is delivered by Ravelry but you don't need a Ravelry account in order to purchase. This pattern may be used to make items for personal use, for gifts, or for charitable donations. This pattern may not be used to make items for sale. You may print this pattern for your own personal use only. You many not distribute this pattern in any hardcopy or electronic format, for free or for resale.
If you have any problems with your purchase or any questions about making this pattern please email me and I'll be happy to help you!
Reader Comments (6)
how does your garter grow?
quite well i'd say!