hugs and kisses set: hat and scarf

hugs and kisses set

I Like Crochet issue December 2014 contains two of my designs! As part of the Warm up to Winter chapter in this issue, I’m presenting the Hugs and Kisses Set consisting of a hat and matching scarf. Photo courtesy of I like Crochet Magazine.

Luxurious, stylish and deceptively easy. The broomstick lace-filled Hugs and Kisses Scarf and Hat set is a perfectly coordinated set. It will last you all winter long. Together, the hat and scarf provide all the warm woolen hugs and kisses one can ask for in winter time.

hugs & kisses scarf by La Visch Designs
Hugs & Kisses Scarf
hugs & kisses hat by La Visch Designs
Hugs & Kisses hat

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latvian twist tutorial

Latvian Twist tutorial by La Visch Designs
The Latvian Twist, also known as the twisted stitch edge, makes a lovely edge. In the above picture, I used it in my Ayamaru cowl. This edge can be worked in both stockinette stitch as in garter stitch, the latter also preventing rolling. The edge can be made in multiples of 3 to 6 stitches, each giving their own look to the piece.
In the step by step how-to below, we are making a garter stitch Latvian Twist, worked over multiples of 4 stitches.

Working a Latvian Twist step by step

1. Cast on stitches, making sure you have a multiple of the type of Latvian Twist you want to make. For this example, I cast on 24 stitches, as multiple of 4 stitches. You can use your preferred cast on, I used a cable cast on.

latvian twist1

 2. Knit 4 to 6 rows, again this depends on the look you want to achieve. Working more rows makes for a fatter Latvian Twist. In this example, I knit 4 rows.

latvian twist2

3. Next, knit 4 stitches or the number of stitches you are working multiples off.

latvian twist3

 4. Rotate your right-hand needle clock-wise around the left-hand needle, twisting the work. Make sure your yarn is positioned in such a way that you don’t create a yarn over.

latvian twist4

5. With the rotating action, the yarn will be twisted together with the rest of knitting on the right-hand needle, around the garter piece already worked. Pull it tight.

latvian twist5

6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until all stitches are worked.

latvian twist6

7.  Knit (or purl) one more row. In this example, I knit 1 row. With this extra row, you lock down the twists worked in the piece.

latvian twist7

8. Then continue with your main pattern. In this example, I worked a couple more rows of stockinette stitch.

latvian twist8

And there you have it: a lovely Latvian Twist edge!

Points of attention

There are also two more points of attention I would like to share with you: A Latvian Twist can only be worked flat. This means that if you want to apply it to a piece knit in the round, you can only join in the round after the Latvian Twist has been worked. During finishing both ends of the Twist can be sewn or grafted together.

Also, this edge can only be worked at the start of a knitted piece. Therefore, if you want to finish both the start and end of your work two separate Twists have to be worked, to be grafted together using the Kitchener stitch at the end.

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ijskristal slouchy hat

Ijskristal Slouchy hat

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.

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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)
  • Yarn needle
  • 17 (19) stitch markers
  • 1 differently colored end-of-round stitch marker

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garter tab cast on tutorial

Knitting a garter tab cast-on - a tutorial by La Visch Designs

Many top-down shawl patterns start with a garter tab cast on. Why? Because it creates a lovely seamless start of any shawl. See for example the start of my Zomer Zilt shawl, pictured above, you almost can’t see where the cast on is! Yes, it can be a bit fiddly to work, especially when working with very skinny yarn. However, don’t let that deter you from knitting patterns that use this cast on: with the below step-by-step instructions and tips you are sure to master this technique.

In this example I used the garter tab instructions as used in Zomer Zilt:

Cast on 2 sts and knit 12 rows. Turn work 90 degrees, then pick up and knit 6 sts from the garter stitch ridges along the long edge. Pick up and knit 2 sts along the cast on edge. (10 sts).

The garter tab cast on step by step

1. Cast on two stitches using your preferred cast-on method. In this example, I’m using the knitted on cast-on.

Garter tab cast on tutorial by La Visch Designs

2. Place markers in each of every CO stitch, this will make it easier to pick them up later on.

Garter tab cast on tutorial by La Visch Designs

3. Work twelve rows in garter stitch (knit every row). This will give you 6 ridges to work into in the following steps. Then turn your work – still on the right-hand needle – 90 degrees clockwise.

Garter tab cast on tutorial by La Visch Designs

4. Using your left-hand needle pick up one stitch in each of the garter ridges along the edge, for a total of 6 stitches. In the picture the purl bumps are picked up, but you could also pick up from the legs of the knit stitches instead. You now have 8 stitches on your right hand needle.

Garter tab cast on tutorial by La Visch Designs

5. Turn your work 90 degrees clockwise again and pick up the two marked stitches along the cast-on edge. These stitches can be a tad hard to see, but because we marked them in step 2 this really isn’t an issue.

Garter tab cast on tutorial by La Visch Designs

There you have it: a garter tab cast on! There are now 10 stitches: 2 stitches on either end which will become the garter edge stitches, and 6 stitches in the middle which will become the body of your shawl. You are now ready to start the rest of your pattern!

Garter tab cast on tutorial by La Visch Designs

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bezaan

bezaan

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.

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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.
  • Yarn needle
  • 4 stitch markers

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duplicate stitch tutorial

How to work duplicate stitch

Duplicate stitch is a very versatile way of adding a colored decoration to an otherwise plain piece of knitting. For example, as I did with the Sweet as Pi cardigan pictured above. This is done by embroidering a contrast color over the V’s of the knit side of stockinette stitch knitted fabric. In a way, duplicating the stitches that are already there. You can apply a design freehand, or use a charted design. When using a chart, every box represents a stitch.

Working duplicate stitch step by step

To start, thread the yarn through your darning needle and determine where to start the duplicate stitching for optimal placement of the design.

1. Pull the needle through the bottom of the first stitch, from the back of the fabric to the front. Make sure you leave a yarn tail long enough to weave in the ends later on.

duplicate stitch_1

2. Insert the needle from the right to left through both loops of the stitch above.

duplicate stitch_2


3. Insert the needle down through the bottom of the stitch again, this time from the front of the fabric to the back. This step completes your first duplicate stitch.

duplicate stitch_3

4. Repeat steps 1 – 3 as required. Try to keep the tension the same as in the knitted stitches underneath, otherwise, the fabric may pull.

duplicate stitch_4

Below, you can see a sweater I made for my youngest. He wanted a Marshmello picture on the front of it, and using duplicate stitch was for me a better option than intarsia. I’ve embroidered the picture in vertical lines, going from left to right. In the right picture, you can see how it looks on the wrong side of the work. Cool, right?

Right side of duplicate stitching
Wrong side of duplicate stitching

And that’s how you work duplicate stitch! Did you know it’s also a great way of covering little mistakes in knitting when found after binding off? A good trick to have in your knitter’s toolkit!

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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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kimono wrap revisited

kimono wrap revisited by La Visch Designs

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.

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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.

Materials

  • Size 4.0 mm (G) crochet hook
  • Yarn needle
  • 4 removable stitch markers
  • 2 size 2.5 cm (1 inch) button (optional)

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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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