The Ayamaru Cowl, with its distinct texture resembling scales, is named after the Ayamaru rainbowfish. This cowl is designed to make the most of that one special skein of hand-dyed fingering weight yarn.
The diagonal scallop stitch featuring in the body of the cowl shows off the many colors often present in hand-dyed yarns. The garter stitch Latvian Twist edge gives a lovely finish and also prevents the fabric from rolling. Wear the larger size as a big loop to show off your yarn and stitching, or doubled up for optimal warmth. Pick the smaller size for a closer fitting cowl.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Difficulty level
Work this cowl in the round, it also requires Kitchener stitch (grafting). This pattern contains a photo tutorial on how to work a Latvian Twist edge. Therefore, the Ayamaru cowl pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
Available in 2 sizes S (L) – finished dimensions: 22 cm (8 ½ inches) wide and 58 (116) cm (23 (45 ½) inches) circumference, measured after blocking.
Pattern details
Worked in the round
Written for a gauge of approx. 22 sts / 36 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) on smaller needles in Scallop Stitch pattern, measured after blocking
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)
Materials
50 (100) g / 204 (407) m (223 (445) yds) of fingering weight yarn
2 size 4 mm (US Size 6) 80 cm (24 inches) circular needles, one for grafting
Needles one size larger than size to obtain gauge, for cast on only
This pattern was originally published in I Like Crochet issue February 2015 as part of the “Downright darling: adorable baby patterns” chapter. In this issue, I’m presenting the Lime-Trimmed Cardigan. Photo courtesy of I like Crochet Magazine.
This pattern is now also available through La Visch Designs under the name Stip Baby Cardigan.
This little two-tone baby cardigan is a simple and elegant layering piece. Great for when the weather is still cold and a little extra warmth is much appreciated. With its eye-catching dot yoke and soft A-line shape, it is bound to become a timeless favorite
A lovely scarf in a simple and elegant lace repeat pattern, easily transformed into a cowl. Worked flat, the IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf is available in one size, that can easily be made wider or longer, or both. With both written and charted directions for the lace, this convertible scarf knits up like a dream. Pair it with the IJskristal Slouchy Hat for a lovely coordinating set.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Difficulty level
The IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf is worked flat. Stitches used include knit, purl, skp, k2tog, yo and the centered double decrease sl2-k1-p2sso. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
One size – finished dimensions: 23 cm (9 inches) wide and 130 cm (51 inches) long, measured after blocking.
Pattern details
Worked flat
Written for a gauge of approx. 19 sts / 21 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern, after blocking.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)
Materials
100 g / 320 m (350 yds) of DK weight alpaca yarn. The sample cowl/scarf features Ice Yarns Pure Alpaca (100% Alpaca; 160 m (175 yds) / 50 g). Substitute for an alpaca yarn of comparable weight for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style in the following sizes (or to match gauge): Size 3.5 mm (US 4) and size 4.5 mm (US 7).
The Zoel Scarf is a very soft and delicate scarf knit using laceweight mohair yarn. It is a great pattern to learn some basics of lace knitting or to get familiar with using this type of yarn. Because of the simple two-row lace, this pattern not only lets the yarn shine but also makes for a wonderful portable project.
Pair it with the Zoel Hat to warm up a cold day in autumn or winter.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Skills required
Stitches used include knit, purl, yo, k2tog and the double decrease sl1-k2tog-psso. The pattern is suitable for the beginning lace knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
As written, the finished measurements of this scarf are 20 cm (7 ¾ inches) wide and 130 cm (51 ¼ inches) long.
The Zoel scarf can easily be made larger by using heavier yarn and/or working more repeats of the lace pattern. This will, of course, increase the amount of yarn needed.
Pattern details
Worked flat
Written for gauge of approx. 16 sts / 20 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 2 pages (A4 size)
Materials
Yarn: 35 g / 192 m (209) yards) of Lana Grossa Lace Pearls [40% wool, 26% polyamide, 18% alpaca, 18% mohair, 8% glass; 137 m (149 yds) per 25 g skein]. Substitute any lace weight kid mohair/silk type yarn for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style in size 4.5 mm (US 7)
Today my second interview with a fellow Indie designers participating in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2014. I’m talking to Tanja Luescher from Tanja Luescher Designs, also known as knittedinswitzerland. She joined me in the chat room of the La Visch Designs group on Ravelry:
First of all, I’m very excited to be having this interview with you and get to know one of my fellow Indie Design Gift-A-Long designers a bit better. So thank you very much for having this interview with me!
Thanks to you for interviewing me 🙂
Would you please tell me (us) a little about yourself?
I live in Switzerland with my hubby and two cats. I learned to knit in 2003, when I met my husband. We were living 600 km apart from each other, and every Sunday when he brought me to the station, and we waited for the train, he was so cold. So I decided that I wanted to learn to knit and make him gloves. Unfortunately, he almost never wears knitted things, but I knit on anyway 😀 I soon began to make up own patterns (Top Down Custom Fit Raglans, for example) to get something that fits me. In 2013 I published my first pattern 🙂
That is so romantic!
🙂 Yes… apart from the “he doesn’t wear knitted things” part 🙂
Mine also doesn’t wear my knits 🙂
They don’t know what they’re missing…
So right! When looking at your portfolio, the emphasis seems to be on lace. How did you start designing lace shawls and other accessories?
I took a two part course from Renee Leverington (GoddessKnits), Design your own Shawl and Advanced Shawl Designing. I hadn’t even knit much lace or shawls before, but I was completely hooked 🙂
For me, lace is the most beautiful thing you can create with knitting
How would you describe your design style?
Well… Lacy, I guess 🙂 I try to design things that keep me (and hopefully) others motivated, miles of stockinette would probably kill me. I love the look of a nice stockinette sweater, but I can’t knit it without adding a cable here or a little something there. 🙂
Besides (obviously) lace, what’s your favorite thing to knit? Shawls, hats…?
At the moment it’s definitely shawls, and recently I’ve fallen in love with cowls. I also love knitting socks, although I might have a little bit of Second Sock Syndrome…
Ah, the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome… I’m a victim of that too. To battle it I usually knit 2 socks at the same time. Which means that my latest pair of socks has been without top ribbing for the last 2 years 😉
LOL Yes, two at a time is one of the greatest inventions of all time 🙂
What is your favorite pattern of your own design? And why?
The shawls I made for special people in my life (my friend Eri, my MIL Margrit, my great-grandmother Betty and my friend Jolanda) are close to my heart, of course. I couldn’t choose one of them – that’s like asking which of my four-legged children I love the most. 🙂
I was wondering about the names of your patterns… Could you tell me more about the background of one of those?
Okay… In May 2013, my father-in-law died all of a sudden, and we took my mother-in-law, Margrit, to live with us because she has Alzheimer’s. She loves to see me knitting, she always says “Tanja, you’re an artist” or “Martin, you married an artist, you know?”. At that time I was knitting a Pi Shawl, and she kept telling me how beautiful she thought it was. When it was done, her birthday was just around the corner, so I named the shawl Margrit and gave her the sample for her birthday.
That is such a touching story… And I must say, the Margrit shawl is really gorgeous!
Margrit Pi Shawl
I’m curious, what do you do in your down time besides knitting?
I love reading, sometimes I play the piano and I love to play The Sims (2 and 4) 🙂
What is your taste in books?
Many different things… The last two books I’ve read were a crime story and “Radical”, the biography of Majid Nawaz. I also love absolutely everything written by Jasper Fforde. But then I can’t say no to all the knitting novels out there, either …
I must admit I’m not familiar with these writers. I’m more of an old-school sci-fi person myself. I love me some Asimov, Vance and Niven 🙂
I’m a Trekkie deep in my heart 🙂
Old or new?
All 🙂
A true fan! 😉 Are you doing any gift knitting this year?
Yes, I’m making a blanket for my daddy and if I can somehow make the days have 48 hours I’ll also make him a few pairs of socks. 🙂
Wow, those are not small projects either! I can see where the wish for longer days comes into play.
The blanket is made from bulky yarn, fortunately. 🙂
That makes a big difference!
Oh yes 🙂 But the GAL with all its tempting patterns doesn’t really help 🙂 But it’s fun to knit from someone else’s patterns for a while.
I very much admire the various sock yarn blankets that sometimes do their rounds over Ravelry, but for me personally that just is a no-go…
I’ve made one blanket from sock yarn held double, that was okay. Unfortunately, the cats have loved it to death…
For a very long time I’m now knitting a pattern form someone else and it so relaxing… Not having to think through every step 😉
So true 🙂 Just do what the pattern says, it will be alright 🙂 Tanja Luescher Designs
International cowl
Pick one of your own designs that you think makes the perfect gift and tell us why you think that.
I’d say International Cowl – it’s an interesting Estonian stitch pattern and a quick knit.
That is indeed a very lovely pattern. Do you intend to make it a set with (fingerless) mittens and/or a hat in the future?
Not at the moment, I have too many new ideas 🙂 But who knows…
I know the feeling!
Lovely! That’s it for my questions. Thank you very much for your time. I really enjoyed this chance to get to know a fellow designer a little bit better 🙂
Thanks, I’ve enjoyed it, too 🙂
Wonderful and thank you. Have a great evening!
Same to you, have a nice weekend 🙂 Tanja Luescher Designs Tanja Luescher Designs
The Zoel Hat is a very soft and delicate hat knit using lace weight mohair yarn. It is a great pattern to get familiar with using this type of yarn. Because of the simple two-row lace, this pattern not only lets the yarn shine but also makes for a wonderful portable project.
Pair it with the Zoel Scarf to warm up a cold day in autumn or winter.
Pay what you want: (minimum €4.90)
€
Skills required
This hat is knit in the round. Stitches used include knit, purl, yo, k2tog and the double decrease sl1-k2tog-psso. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
The Zoel hat is available in 3 sizes: S (M, L). In the pictures, the M sized hat is worn with 7.5 cm (3 inches) of positive ease. Finished size at brim: 55 (60, 65) cm, 21 1⁄2 (23 1⁄2, 25 1⁄2) inches. Length from brim to crown: 20 cm, 7 3⁄4 inches.
Pattern details
Bottom-up
Written for gauge of approx. 14 sts / 24 rounds = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 2 pages (A4 size)
Materials
15 (16,17) g / 83 (89, 95) m (91 (98, 105) yards) of Lana Grossa Lace Pearls [40% wool, 26% polyamide, 18% alpaca, 18% mohair, 8% glass; 137 m (149 yds) per 25 g skein]. Substitute any lace weight kid mohair/silk type yarn for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round in the following sizes (or to match gauge): Size 4 mm (US #6) and size 4.5 mm (US #7)
The IJskristal Slouchy Hat is a shapely tam which combines a simple and elegant lace repeat pattern with a wonderful amount of slouch.
Worked in the round from the bottom up, this pattern is available in two sizes. With both written and charted directions for the lace, this hat knits up like a dream. Pair it with the IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf for a lovely coordinating set.
Pay what you want: (minimum €4.90)
€
Skills required
The IJskristal Slouchy Hat is worked in the round starting at the rolled edge brim. Stitches used include knit, skp, k2tog, yo, M1 and the centered double decrease sl2-k1-p2sso. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
To fit size: 51-53.5 (56-58.5) cm, 20-21 (22-23) inches. Finished size at brim: 45 (49.5) cm, 17.75 (19.5) inches. Length from brim to crown: 27.5 cm, 11 inches.
Pattern details
Bottom-up
Written for gauge of approx. 24 sts / 29 rounds = 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
50 (60) g / 160 (192) m (175 (210) yards of DK weight alpaca yarn. The sample hat features Ice Yarns Pure Alpaca (100% Alpaca; 160 m (175 yds) / 50 g). Substitute for an alpaca yarn of comparable weight for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round in the following sizes (or to match gauge): Size 3 mm (US #2 ½) and size 3.5 mm (US #4)
Inspired by the Dutch seafarers of old, this shawlette owes its distinct asymmetrical shape to the “bezaan” sail of the boats which sail the Zuiderzee. The waters of the Zuiderzee are often treacherous during stormy weather with the winds blowing its waves into dark gray ridges before breaking into heavy froth on the Dutch shores.
The textures of the moving waters are translated into the ridged body pattern and simple lace edging and border. Bezaan: a very different one skein shawl.
Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)
€
Difficulty level
Stitches used include knit, purl, kfb, M1, yo, p2tog, k2tog tbl. The pattern is suitable for the advanced beginner.
Pattern details
Knit sideways from tip to tip
One size – easily adjustable
Written for a gauge of approx. 18.5 sts / 24 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over body pattern
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)
Materials needed for Bezaan
400-420 m (437 – 459 yds) / 100 g fingering weight yarn.
A circular needle size 4 mm (US #6), 80 cm (32 inches) long.
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.
Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)
€
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.
Kimono Wrap Revisited: a highly customizable crochet wrap pattern with sizes ranging from 3 months to 10 years and multiple options for finishing and closures. Make it in a camouflage variegated yarn or make a very girly version in pink with a picot or shell edging. Anything is possible!
This kimono wrap is worked back and forth from the top down in one piece, with either single crochet, reverse single crochet, picot or shell neck and hem finishing. You can add cute ties, or loops and buttons, to fasten. You can make it sleeveless, or with long sleeves.
This pattern is written in American English crochet terminology.
Pay what you want: (minimum €7.10)
€
Sizing
Kimono Wrap Revisited includes the following baby, toddler and children’s sizes: 3M (6M, 12M, 18M), 2, 3, 4, {6, 8, 10}. The pattern includes approx. 8 to 9 cm (3 ¼ to 3 ½ inches) of positive ease.
Difficulty
Techniques used consist of half double crochet foundation row, hdc, hdc increases and hdc decreases. Because of this the pattern is suitable for the advanced beginner.
Pattern details
Top-down
Gauge: 15.6 stitches and 12.7 rows = 4 inches in hdc
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 4 pages (A4 size)
Yarn
Yarn in DK weight in the following quantities:
MC short sleeve version: 255 (285, 300, 350), 385, 420, 475, {550, 660, 795} m or 280 (310, 330, 385), 420, 460, 520, {600, 720, 870} yds.
MC long sleeve version: 325 (365, 405, 455), 505, 550, 620, {715, 855, 1020} m or 355 (400, 445, 385), 500, 550, 600, {680, 935, 1115} yds.
CC both versions: 65 (70, 70, 75), 80, 80, 85, {90, 95, 105} m or 70 (75, 75, 80), 85, 85, 95, {95, 105, 115} yds.
