knitting designs

knitting designs

moerbei

moerbei

Inspired by the lovely texture and color of almost-ripe moerbei or mulberry fruit, the Moerbei shawl is juicy and sweet and exactly what you need.

Knitted sideways from tip to tip with only 100 g or 420 m (460 yds) of fingering weight yarn, it’s the perfect project for that special skein of yarn. This shawl features both an appealing textured body achieved by working bobbles, as well as a delicate looking and easy to work border. Once the body of the shawl is complete, stitches are picked up for the border and dropped to create the ruffle effect.


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Skills required

This pattern features bobbles, a slipped stitch edge, as well as picking up and knitting stitches for the drop-stitch border. Stitches used include knit, purl, k2tog, kfb, M1 and yo. This pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Pattern details

  • Top-down
  • One size – easily adjustable
  • Written for gauge of approx. 17 sts / 25 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over stockinette
  • Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
  • Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)

Materials for Moerbei

  • 420 m (460 yds) / 100 g fingering weight yarn
  • A circular needle size 4 mm (US #6), 80 cm (32 inches) long.
  • Yarn needle
  • 1 stitch marker

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zomer zilt

zomer zilt by La Visch Designs

Sometimes when I think of summer, I get this picture of a turquoise sea, rolling gently over a white sandy beach. Imagine the heat of the sun and the cool breeze carrying the scent of salt. This image of summer bliss is what inspired me to design the Zomer Zilt shawl, which is just right to throw on when the sun goes down and the air becomes a tad chilly. Knitted from the top down, with only 100 g of fingering weight yarn, it’s the perfect summer project.

This design features broomstick lace, so called because it is similar to lace created with a broomstick and crochet hook. It is worked over two rows: on the first row, the yarn is wrapped twice around the needle between each knit stitch. On the next row, the wraps are dropped to create elongated stitches, which are worked in groups of four.


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Skills required

Zomer Zilt features knitted broomstick lace as well as various increases and decreases. Stitches used include knit, purl, k2tog tbl, kfb, M1R, M1L, yo and double yo. This pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Pattern details

  • Top-down
  • No sewing
  • One size – easily adjustable
  • Pattern languages included: English, German and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse, Duitse als een Engelse versie)
  • Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size) for the English version (updated pattern format per August 2023), and 3 pages (A4 size) for the other versions.

Materials

  • 100 g  fingering (sock) weight yarn. Yarn used in sample: Hand dyed sock yarn by “Atelier Kleurrijk Vilt” [75% wool, 25% polyamide; 333 m (364 yds) / 100 g skein]. Substitute any fingering weight yarn for a similar result.
  • Circular needle size 4 mm (US 6), 80 cm (32 inches)
  • Yarn needle
  • 4 stitch markers

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sweet as pi

Sweet as Pi baby cardigan

Sweet as Pi is a sweet little baby cardigan for that special little baby in your life. Worked back and forth from the top down in one piece, with i-cord neck and hem finishing and either a cute tie or loop and button closure. As a finishing touch, an applique of either the Pi symbol, a rabbit or a sheep is applied with duplicate stitching. If desired, the picture could also be made using intarsia instead.


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Sizing

This pattern includes 4 baby and toddler sizes: Newborn (3 – 6 months, 12 – 18 months, 24 months). Written with 2.5 – 5 cm (1-2 inches) of positive ease.

Skills required

Techniques used consist of provisional cast on, i-cord bind off, regular i-cord and duplicate stitching. For duplicate stitching, a photo tutorial is included. Stitches used: k, p, kfb, and slipped stitches. Therefore, the pattern for the Sweet as Pi baby cardigan is suitable for the beginning knitter, who is ready to learn new finishing techniques.

Pattern details

  • Top-down
  • No sewing
  • Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
  • Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
  • Digital PDF has 6 pages (A4 size)

Materials

  • Yarn in DK weight in the following quantities:
    Main color: 150 (220, 290, 360) m (164 (241, 317, 394) yds)
    Contrast color: 65 (70, 80, 95) m (71 (77, 87, 104) yds)
  • Circular needles in sizes 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4.0 mm (US 6), with a length of 80 cm (32 inches)
  • Yarn needle for duplicate stitching
  • Waste yarn for provisional CO and to hold sleeve stitches
  • 6 stitch markers
  • 2.5 cm (1 inch) button (optional)

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frost giant – free pattern

Frost Giant - a free pattern by La Visch Designs

Sometimes you just want to get warm and make a statement. With the Frost Giant Cowl, you can achieve both. The cowl is worked flat and has two finishing options, choose the one you feel most comfortable with. The finishing options consist of either plain seaming or a three-needle-bind-off.

Materials

Yarn
The sample cowl was knit using 270 m (297 yards) / 450 g Wibra Myrna [80% acrylic, 20% wool; 60 m (66 yds) per 100 g skein] held double.
Substitute any (extra) bulky weight yarn for a similar result. Using a thinner yarn will result in a less humongous cowl.

Recommended needles
Needles in your preferred style in the following sizes (or to match gauge):

  • Size 14 mm (US #18)
  • 1 extra needle in size 14 mm (US #18) or slightly smaller (only needed with the three-needle bind-off finishing option)

Adjust needle size appropriately when using a less bulky yarn for a smaller cowl.

Other

  • Yarn needle
  • Waste yarn (optional) – only needed with the three-needle bind- off finishing option, worsted or aran weight yarn held double or triple can be used

Gauge

Gauge is not critical in this design. For the sample cowl:
5.5 sts / 8 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) measured over 2×2 rib.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

27 cm (11 inch) wide (unstretched), 70 cm (27 ½ inch) long.

Skills required

The plain seaming finishing option in this pattern is suitable for the beginning knitter. The three-needle bind-off finishing option requires a provisional cast on. Because this is a more advanced knitting technique, this version is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Stitches used include knit, purl and slipping stitches.

Abbreviations

BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
p – purl
rep – repeat
sl – slip
st(s) – stitch(es)
wyib – with yarn in back

Pattern notes

  • Yarn is held double throughout.
  • Always slip the first stitch of the row purl-wise with the yarn held to the back.
  • When you run out of yarn, a new skein will be attached by knitting a few stitches with both the new and old yarn held double. The ends can be woven in later.

Instructions

Seamed finishing option:
CO 18 sts with the yarn held double.
Row 1: Sl1wyib, k2, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.

Three-needle bind-off finishing option:
CO 18 sts with waste yarn held double or triple.
Row 1: Knit. Switch to working yarn held double.
Row 2: K3, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.

Both finishing options:
Next: Sl1wyib, k2, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.
Rep this row until length of piece is 148 cm (58 inches) or desired length.

Bind-off
Seamed finishing option:
BO using your BO of choice, for example, the knit bind-off.

Next: Hold the ends of the piece together and use the yarn needle to sew both ends together and form a loop. Be careful not to twist the loop before seaming the ends together.

Three-needle bind-off finishing option:
Transfer the stitches from the waste yarn to the extra needle, be careful not to twist the loop when holding the beginning and end of the piece together.

Step 1: Hold both needles holding sts next to each other.
Step 2: With the third needle, knit each st through both the first st on the needle closest to you as well as through the first st on the back needle at the same time. Wrap as for a knit st and complete the stitch as usual.
Step 3: Rep step 2 one time.
Step 4: There are now 2 sts on your right hand needle. Lift the first st worked over the second st worked, using the tip of your left hand needle.
Step 5: Rep steps 3-4 until all sts are BO.

Click here for a tutorial on how to work a three-needle BO.

Finishing
Weave in ends and wear with attitude!

Tip: Use a crochet hook to weave yarn ends in, when the yarn is to thick to use regular yarn needles. Just grab the yarn with the hook, pull it through the fabric and repeat.

Click here to download the pattern for your convenience.

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stormy seas shawl

stormy seas shawl by La Visch Designs

Stormy Seas is a half circle shawl, featuring Sea Foam lace. It shows off variegated and self striping yarns with long to medium lengths of color wonderfully. Combined with the all-over garter stitch, it gives an airy, textured, reversible fabric. While my version is in a hand spun yarn, it can, of course, also be knit with a commercial yarn. Make the shawl as small or large as you like, just knit until your yarn runs out!

The instructions for the lace are, of course, both charted and fully written out.


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Difficulty level

This pattern features the Sea Foam stitch, which requires multiple yarn overs, that are dropped on the following row. This takes some getting used to, but is quite easy to execute. Stitches used include knit, kfb, k2tog tbl, yo and multiple yo’s. This pattern is suitable for the beginning to intermediate lace knitter

  • The Sea Foam lace pattern is both charted and written out
  • One size (wingspan of 148 cm (58 inches) measured from tip to tip)– easily adjustable
  • Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
  • Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size)

Materials

  • 420 – 630 m (460 – 690 yds) of fingering or sport weight yarn. The sample shawl features a hand spun yarn.
  • Size 4.5 mm (US 7) / 100 cm (40 inches) circular needles were used for the sample shawl. Use needles appropriate for the yarn chosen.
  • Yarn needle.
  • 32 stitch markers (optional)

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autumn leaves shawl – free pattern

Autumn Leaves - a design by La Visch Designs

The Autumn Leaves Shawl features a simple stockinette body knit sideways in a shallow triangle shape. The leafy border is knitted on at the same time. Made in a loose gauge, Autumn Leaves is an airy layering piece, just enough for when there’s a chill in the air.

This design works great with that special skein of fingering weight yarn. The Autumn Leaves Shawl can, however, be made in any size, using any weight of yarn. Just knit until you have reached half of your yarn or half the size you want the shawl or shawlette to be. Since the body is in plain stockinette this pattern is also very suited to use with hand dyed yarns. Instructions for the lace border are both written and charted.

Materials

Yarn
360 m (393 yds) / 100 g Knitcola Alpaca Hand-dyed Yarn [100 % alpaca] in light blue.
Substitute any fingering weight yarn in a solid or semi-solid color for a similar result.

Recommended needles
Size 4.5 mm (US 7), 80 cm (32 inches) circular needles were used for the sample shawl.

Other

  • Yarn needle
  • 2 stitch markers

Gauge

Gauge is not critical in this design. For the sample shawl measured after blocking: 14 sts / 22 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over stockinette.

Size and finished measurements

Finished dimensions of the sample shawl: 140 cm (55 inches) along the upper edge and a depth of 32 cm (12 ½ inches), measured after blocking.
The sample shawl has a total of 16 leaves.

This shawl can easily be made larger by using heavier yarn and/or working more repeats. This will, of course, increase the amount of yarn needed.

Skills required

This pattern features lace knitted on both right and wrong side rows. Stitches used include knit, purl, k2tog, p2tog, kfb, m1, skp, yo, and sl2-k-p2sso. Therefore, this pattern is suitable for the intermediate or lace knitter.

Abbreviations

BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
k2tog – knit two together
kfb – knit in the front and in the back of the stitch
m1 – increase by lifting the loop between the stitch just knit and the next one from the front with your left needle, then knit into the back of the loop
p – purl
p2tog – purl two together
PM – place marker
rep – repeat
RM – remove marker
RS/WS – right side/wrong side
skp – slip, knit, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch
sl2-k1-p2sso – slip two together, knit one, pass two stitches over (2 stitches decreased)
sl1 wyif – slip 1 stitch as if to purl, with yarn in front
SM – slip marker
st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over

Pattern notes

  • Work the Autumn Leaves shawl sideways from tip to tip, with increases and then decreases worked on one side every other row. The lace border is worked simultaneously.
  • The pattern has a garter stitch border of 4 stitches on the upper edge, with a decorative slipped stitch edge finishing.
  • Always slip markers as you come to them.
  • Instead of the skp decrease ssk can be used if desired.

Stitch guide

  • Slipped stitch edge: Slip the last stitch on each WS row as if to purl, with yarn in front.
  • Wrap and Turn (w&t): Bring your yarn to the front between the needles, slip the next stitch purl-wise, bring your yarn between the needles to the back again, slip the stitch back to the left needle, and turn work.

Instructions

CO 2 sts.

Set-up

Row 1 (RS): Kfb, k1. (3 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Knit.
Row 3: K1, kfb, k1. (4 sts)
Row 4: K to last st, sl1 wyif.
Row 5: K2, m1, k2. (5 sts)
Row 6: P1, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 7: K4, m1, k1. (6 sts)
Row 8: P2, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 9: K4, PM, k1, m1, k1. (7 sts)
Row 10: P3, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 11: K4, SM, k1, m1, k to end. (8 sts)
Row 12: P to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Rows 13-22: Rep row 11-12 five more times (13 sts).

Body – increase section

Both the written out and charted instructions for the leafy border can be found at the bottom of this page. Please note, stitch counts given here are only applicable to the body stitches.

Row 1 (RS): K4, SM, k1, m1, PM, work row 1 of Leafy border. (6 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 2 (WS): Work row 2 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 3: K4, SM, k to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, SM, work row 3 of Leafy border. (7 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 4: Work row 4 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 5: K4, SM, k to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, SM, work row 5 of Leafy border. (8 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 6: Work row 6 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Continue in this manner until all 18 rows of the border pattern have been worked. (14 sts in body)

Next: Repeat last 18 rows until 8 leaves or almost half of the yarn has been used. (77 sts in body)

Next: Rep rows 1-16 once again. (85 sts in body)

Tip: Weigh your project in between pattern repeats to get an idea the amount of yarn needed for each repeat. This way, a better estimate can be made whether another repeat is possible with your available amount of yarn. 

Easing the border around the center point

Row 17: K4, SM, k to 1 st before marker, m1, K1, SM, work row 17 of Leafy border. (78 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 18: Work row 18 of Leafy border, RM, w&t.
Row 19: PM, work row 1 of Leafy border.
Row 20: Work row 2 of Leafy border, SM, pick up and purl wrap together with corresponding st, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Body – decrease section

Row 1 (RS): K4, SM, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, SM, work row 3 of Leafy border. (77 sts – 1 st decreased in body)
Row 2 (WS): Work row 4 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 3: K4, SM, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, SM, work row 5 of Leafy border. (76 sts – 1 st decreased in body)
Row 4: Work row 6 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Continue in this manner until the same number of leaves as on the increase section have been completed (14 sts).

Next row (RS): K4, SM, k1, k2tog, k to end, removing marker. (13 sts – 1 st decreased in body)
Next row (WS): P to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Rep these last 2 rows 9 more times, removing marker after final rep (4 sts).

Next row: K1, k2tog, k1. (3 sts)
Next row: K2, sl1 wyif.
Next row: K1, k2tog. (2 sts)
Next row: K1, sl1 wyif.
Next row: K2tog and fasten off.

Finishing

Finally, weave in ends and block your Autumn Leaves Shawl to shape.

Leafy border lace

Chart with Autumn Leaves pattern by La Visch Designs

Leafy border

Stitch counts given here are only applicable to the edging stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K5, yo, k1, yo, k2. (10 sts)
Row 2 (WS): P6, kfb, yo, k2tog, k1. (11 sts)
Row 3: K4, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k3. (13 sts)
Row 4: P8, kfb, k1, yo, k2tog, k1. (14 sts)
Row 5: K4, p2, k3, yo, k1, yo, k4. (16 sts)
Row 6: P10, kfb, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (17 sts)
Row 7: K4, p3, k4, yo, k1, yo, k5. (19 sts)
Row 8: P12, kfb, k3, yo, k2tog, k1. (20 sts)
Row 9: K4, p4, skp, k7, k2tog, k1. (18 sts)
Row 10: P10, kfb, k4, yo, k2tog, k1. (19 sts)
Row 11: K4, p5, skp, k5, k2tog, k1. (17 sts)
Row 12: P8, kfb, k2, p1, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (18 sts)
Row 13: K4, p1, k1, p4, skp, k3, k2tog, k1. (16 sts)
Row 14: P6, kfb, k3, p1, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (17 sts)
Row 15: K4, p1, k1, p5, skp, k1, k2tog, k1. (15 sts)
Row 16: P4, kfb, k4, p1, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (16 sts)
Row 17: K4, p1, k1, p6, sl2-k1-p2sso, k1. (14 sts)
Row 18: P2tog, BO 5 sts by knitting the next st and passing the one already on the right-hand needle over the newly worked stitch 5 times, p3, k1, yo, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)

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handspun delight

Handspun Delight shawl.

The Handspun Delight shawl showcases hand spun yarn. It has been designed to be knit with the typical thick-and-thin yarn which most new spinners produce with their first efforts. This design works well with hand-dyed, variegated yarns, or with a combination of yarn odds and ends. Because of this it is also great for some stash busting.

The shawl consists of a stockinette body and a border based on the Old Shale lace pattern. Charts and full written instructions are given.

This pattern gives instructions for shawls in three sizes: S (M, L) with 5 (7, 9) Old Shale lace fans. On all three versions it is possible to extend the lace edging.
Bulky weight yarn in size S will give a shawlette sized piece similar to the pink sample. Worsted weight yarn in size L and the extended lace border gives a very generous shawl as in the blue-green sample. Working the largest size and border with fingering weight yarn would give a decent shawlette.


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Skills required

This pattern uses various increases and decreases: k2tog, k2tog tbl, skp, kfb, M1, pfb and yo. Because of this it is suitable for the intermediate knitter, or the more adventurous beginning lace knitter.

Pattern details

  • Top-down
  • Written for any gauge
  • Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
  • Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size)

Materials

The pattern for the Handspun Delight shawl works well with a large variety of yarn weights. Here are some guidelines for the required amount:

Small size: 200 – 250 m (218 – 273 yards) of aran to bulky weight yarn.
Medium size: 250 – 350 m (273 – 383 yards) of worsted to bulky weight yarn.
Large size: 350 – 600 m (383 – 656 yards) of fingering to worsted weight yarn.

Yardage estimates are variable due to differences in yarn thickness, needles chosen, preferred gauge and depth of border.

  • Needles appropriate for the yarn chosen.
  • Yarn needle
  • 6 (8, 10) stitch markers

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