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I have another pattern update, and this one is especially for those of you living in warmer climates. Agave Tank was the first pattern I ever designed, and I'm happy to introduce new photos as well as an added shorter version. This tank was inspired by the year I moved back to Tucson, Arizona.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
I spent a lot of my growing-up years in Tucson, and I have to say I really didn’t have much appreciation for the natural beauty of the desert. I was born in Peru and having lived in the jungle until the age of eight, I never got used to the hot weather and having to wear shoes because of cacti and rocks and blazing pavement.
But when I returned to live in Tucson for a year as an adult, I was impressed by how striking the plants, the sunsets, and the storms were. I noticed things that I’d ignored as a kid because I had been so busy missing my climbing trees and grass and the lake.
What I appreciated the most, though, were the agave plants. They seemed like the perfect metaphor for the person I seek to be and the kind of art I want to create. They have this appearance of delicacy and beauty, but are at the same time, intensely pragmatic. Those elegant thorns are sharp and protective. The slick, fleshy leaves are graceful as well as being the perfect water storage device for an inhospitable climate. They’re lovely and functional.
And it isn’t just within the plant - they’re useful to people as well. If you carefully remove a thorn from the tip of an agave leaf without breaking the fibers it’s attached to, you have a read-made needle-and-thread that some indigenous people in the Sonoran Desert used for sewing.
The Andrea Rangel Knits logo is a graphic of an agave plant for this very reason. It reminds me what I love about the craft of knitting - its potential to create objects that are both practical and artistically beautiful.
I had spent a lot of time admiring the agaves in our backyard in Tucson when I came across this lace pattern in a Barbara Walker stitch dictionary. It had a vaguely plant-like feel, and I realized that when I turned it upside down, it was very reminiscent of the upward-reaching agave leaves. I decided it would be perfect for a top-down lace tank worked in a plant fiber so I could wear my knitting in the hot weather.
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Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013
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The tank features a row of single crochet at the top to help stabilize the edge, especially since plant fibers aren't very elastic. The I-cord straps cross at the back for a beautiful, distinct look that would work well over a camisole or racerback tank.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
I’ve always loved this design, and have wanted for a long time to update it so that I would be happier with the photos. I also wanted to include a shorter version, since I know tunic-length doesn’t work for everybody.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
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The updated pattern includes both the short, wide-hemmed version, and the original tunic-length version. The layout has also been updated to match my current style sheet, and I took some time to re-write some of the pattern language. Reading the original pattern made me realize that I have (happily!) grown as a designer over the years, and I think the new way is clearer and more consistent.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
You can get the pattern on my website, on Ravelry, on Craftsy, and on Patternfish. These samples, along with many others will be on display in my booth at TNNA too.
Thanks are due to my photographer, Kathy Cadigan, and model Jessie Kwak. She's modeling the longer version, and that's me in the shorter one.
One quick note: This coming Friday, January 3, I'll be having my annual birthday sale. All my independently-published patterns will be 31% off for that day only. You can get the discount by shopping on Ravelry and entering the code "birthday" at checkout.
PATTERN INFO
Sizes & Finished Measurements
Pattern is designed to be worn with 1-2 in/2.5-5 cm of negative ease at the bust since the lace is very stretchy.
Bust Circumference: 28.75 (32.25, 35.75, 39.25, 43, 46.5, 50) in/73 (82, 91, 100, 109, 118, 127) cm
Long sample shown in size 32.25 in/82 cm with 1.75 in/4.5 cm of negative ease on model
Short sample shown in size 28.75 in/73 cm with 1.25 in/3 cm of negative ease on model
Yarn
LONG VERSION
575 (650, 760, 835, 975, 1055, 1135) yd/525 (595, 695, 765, 890, 965, 1040) m fingering weight yarn
Shown in Rowan Panama (55% Rayon, 33% Cotton, 12% Linen; 148 yd/135 m per 50g skein)
Color: #310 Aster; 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8) skeins
SHORT VERSION
390 (440, 505, 550, 615, 665, 715) yd/355 (400, 460, 505, 565, 610, 670) m fingering weight yarn
Shown in Rowan Panama (55% Rayon, 33% Cotton, 12% Linen; 148 yd/135 m per 50g skein)
Color: #304 Orchid; 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins
Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.
21 sts/31 rnds = 4 in/10 cm in lace pattern using larger needle
19 sts/32 rnds = 4 in/10 cm Garter stitch pattern using smaller needle
Needles & Notions
Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.
US #3/3.25mm double-point needles (used for i-cord straps)
US #5/3.75mm 24 in/60 cm circular needle
US #6/4.0mm 24 in/60 cm circular needle
size D crochet hook
tapestry needle
Skills
lace (charted and written instructions given), increase purl wise, single crochet, I cord
You may remember these bloomers as Miss Bloomers Bifurcated Ensemble, but I'm excited to re-introduce them with gorgeous new photos, extended sizes, and a new name! Meet Parisian Delight.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
I re-knit my sample in a currently-available yarn, Hazel Knits Entice, a merino/cashmere/nylon blend that is so perfectly luxurious. As fun and flirty as these little bloomers are, they're also incredibly comfortable.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
These are knit from the bottom-up with a sweet lace edging and eyelets for threading I-cord through and cinching just below the knee. The length is easy to modify since the legs are worked in a simple and clean pinstripe ribbing pattern. Just work them as long or short as you'd like!
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
The waist is also cinched with a drawstring, and the seat is shaped using short rows for a perfect fit. Aside from the I-cord lacings, finishing is very minimal - no seams, just a bit of Kitchener stitch and a few ends to weave in.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
I find knitted pants to be hilarious and quite silly, but the more I wear them, the more I love them for practical purposes. My Kalaloch leggings are in regular circulation in my winter cycling wardrobe, and I have a silky pair of Zoe Beach Shorts that I lounge around the house in.
Parisian Delight would work well for fall and winter cycling too - the lace is high enough on the leg not to get caught in the spokes, and the waist drawstring could be double knotted for extra security. I think I'd make a pair out of something a little sturdier like Hazel Knits Artisan Sock if I wanted to add to the durability, but there's nothing quite like wearing cashmere on your bum.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
I want to give a big thank you to Jessie Kwak for help with wardrobe - she painted those shoes! She and her husband, Rob, also helped me procure that rad Torker bike for the photo shoot (not to mention she also modeled at this shoot and copy edited the pattern! I think her talents know no bounds.)
The model, Dianna Walla, was actually walking near the Ballard Locks in Seattle, but I couldn't help thinking she looked like she was taking a stroll in a Paris park. Thanks to Kathy Cadigan too for more beautiful photos!
The pattern is now available on my website, Ravelry, Craftsy, and Patternfish. If you have a yarn shop, you'll soon be able to get it in print too. Keep an eye on my Stitch Sprouts page or feel free to send me or Stitch Sprouts an email if you have questions.
PATTERN INFO
Finished Measurements
Hip Circumference:
33.25 (37, 40.5, 44.25, 48, 51.75, 55.5, 59) in/84.5 (94, 103, 112.5, 122, 131.5, 141, 150) cm
Intended to be worn with 1-2 in/2.5-5 cm of ease measured at high hip; shown in size 37 in/94 cm on model with 1 in/2.5 cm of ease
Yarn
905 (1110, 1420, 1725, 2145, 2565, 3080, 3505) yd/830 (1015, 1300, 1575, 1960, 2345, 2815, 3205) m fingering weight yarn
Shown in Hazel Knits Entice MCN (70% Merino, 20% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 400yd/366m per 115g skein)
Color: Frost; 3 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) skeins
Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.
26 sts/33 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch
Needles and Notions
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
US #3/3.25 mm 16 in/40 cm circular needle
US #3/3.25 mm double pointed needles
US #4/3.5 mm 16 in/40 cm circular needle
US #4/3.5 mm 32 in/80 cm circular needle
place markers
tapestry needle
Skills
working lace from charted and/or written instructions, working in the round, short row shaping
The snow has melted here in the Cowichan Valley, and we had a few days that felt almost like spring. These shaggy visitors showed up right outside our window yesterday, and I was amazingly able to get some cute shots of them!
They didn't seem to quite understand the concept of the window - I felt like they were looking right at me, but they didn't appear to care.
We're expecting more snow tomorrow, so I'm glad they have those furry coats to keep them warm. I'm always happy to get to wear more wool!
Sometimes a knitter just wants a project that turns out dramatic and gorgeous, but is really fast to make. Meet Sentiment:
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
This crescent-shaped shawl is knit up in Malabrigo Rasta in the intensely saturated color, Sunset. It's just semi-solid enough to make each huge stitch pop next to its neighbor, and the gauge (2 stitches to the inch) makes for a quick and satisfying knit.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
To get that lovely crescent shape, the lace edging is worked first, followed by a series of short rows in easy Stockinette. Finish it off with just a couple rows of Garter stitch and you have a stunning lace-edged shawl using just over 300 yards of yarn.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
It's been a few years since I designed a super bulky shawl, but Pembroke was such fun that I decided I needed another one in the same spirit. Sentiment takes a popular shawl shape - the short-row shaped crescent - and gives it oversized drama in the same way that Pembroke did for the classic lace triangle. This time I wanted to really celebrate the large stitches and breathtaking yarn by showing them off with a big swath of Stockinette too.
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| Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013 |
The easy lace and heavy yarn makes this such a quick project that it’s perfect for that last-minute gift-knitting. Or even better, for a special present just for you (as a reward for all that gift-knitting of course!) You can get the pattern right here on my website, on Ravelry, Patternfish, Craftsy, or if you're a yarn shop, in print through Stitch Sprouts.
I want to say a huge thank you to Kathy Cadigan, who took these gorgeous photos, and to designer Diana Walla for modeling. (I just finished knitter her wonderful pullover design, Skydottir.)
PATTERN INFO
Finished Measurements
Wingspan: 48 in/122 cm
Depth at Center: 21 in/53.5 cm
Yarn
320 yd/295 m super bulky weight yarn
Shown in Malabrigo Rasta (100% Merino; 90 yd/82 m per 150g skein)
Color: Sunset; 4 skeins
Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.
8 sts/13 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette stitch
Needles and Notions
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
US #15/10 mm needle
tapestry needle
blocking pins
blocking wires (optional)
Skills
working lace from charted and/or written instructions
short row shaping
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