Step It Up Knits by Vickie Howell - Chronicle

: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

contents

INTRODUCTION XX TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS XX

Moving on Up T ECH N I QU ES

XX

PROJECTS: LEARN IT,

Mo’ Warmers

Sock It to Me

Squared Up

M O SA I C WR I ST WA R M ER S

LAC E CU F F AN K LE S O C KS

TO D D LER S’ M I T ER ED

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S QUA R E B EAN I E

Stop, Drop, and Cable

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CA B LE AN D D R O P P ED

XX

Urban Kicks

Wild Warmers

BA BY B O OTI ES

LI T T LE Z EB R A LEG COZI ES

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XX

Boot Legged

Cadet About It!

B O OT S O C KS

T WI ST ED R I B CA D ET CA P

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XX

MAKE IT

Hand Over Twist CA B LED H AN D WA R M ER S

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Bob(ble) and Weave B O B B LE STI TCH M I T T EN S

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Leg Bone

Sloucher Beanie

H ER R I N G B ON E R I B LEG

CA B LE AN D EY E LET CA P

WA R M ER S

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XX

Fancy Pants LAC E CU F F BA BY LEG G I N G S

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Downward Spiral S PI R A L TO P B EAN I E

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STI TCH COW L

Head Space LACY H EA D BAN D

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XX

Raindrop Wrap TR I AN G LE LAC E S H AW L

Cable Ace ET ERN I T Y S CA R F

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XX

Cape Dear

In the Bag B ER RY STI TCH PU R S E

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iLace, uLace LACY I PA D S LEEV E

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Felt Good FE LT ED ZI P PY BAG

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K I D’S CA P E LET

Fair Weather FA I R I S LE PON CH ET T E

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XX

Hoodwinked COZ Y H O O D ED S H R U G

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Brioche the Subject

Vested Interest

B R I O CH E R I B S CA R F

S PA R K LY V EST

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RESOURCES XX ACKNOWLEDGMENTS XX INDEX XX

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Moving On Up

note: Patterns will call for varying widths of cables, but the technique for knitting them is basically the same. Just keep in mind that the

number given for the cable (for example, CF6 or 6-st CF) is the total number of stitches for the cable.

On a right-side row, slip the number of cable stitches designated in the pattern onto a cable needle, letting that needle fall in front of the work (a).

Knit the designated number of stitches not on the cable needle (b).

: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

Basic Cable Left

(A.K.A. CAB LE FRONT/CF)

Knit the stitches off the cable needle (you’ll probably need to let the lefthand needle drop so that you can work with the cable needle for these stitches) (c).

TECHNIQUES

All techniques used in the projects in this book are illustrated here with step-by-step instructions and photography. Turn to this section as often as you need to, and you’ll be an accomplished knitter in no time!

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Bobble Stitch

(A.K.A. CAB LE BACK/CB)

On a right-side row, slip the number of cable stitches designated in the pattern onto a cable needle, letting that needle fall to the back of the work (a).

Knit the designated number of stitches not on the cable needle (b).

Knit the stitches off of the cable needle (you’ll probably need to let the left-hand needle drop so that you can work with the cable needle for these stitches) (c).

: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

Basic Cable Right

Knit in the front (a) and back (b) of one stitch, three times, so you have 6 stitches on the RH needle (c).

Blocking To block your knitted piece, lay it out on an ironing board, carpeted floor, or even a table with several layers of towels taped to it. (Basically, you just need a flat surface that can handle a little moisture and some sewing pins.) Arrange the piece smoothly in the size and shape called for in the pattern’s schematic. Carefully pin the pieces into place.

Using Mist: Using a spray bottle on the “mist” setting, dampen the piece(s).

Using Steam: Move an iron slowly over your project about 4 to 6 inches above the piece, using the steam setting to dampen it.

Do not place the iron directly on the knitted fabric.

Let dry overnight.

Turn your work, and purl those 6 stitches (d).

Turn your work again; k2tog three times (e) so you have bobble stitches on the RH needle (f).

Pass the second (g) and third stitches (h), one by one, over the first stitch, letting them drop off the needle (j).

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ST EP I T U P KN I TS

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: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

Brioche Stitch (TWO CO LORS)

Prep Row: (RS CC, forms purl columns in CC on RS) (a).

Slide work to the other tip of the needle and attach CC, wyif (with yarn in front) (b), *sl 1 (c), yo, p1; rep from *.

Row 1: (WS CC, forms knit columns in CC) Slide work to other tip of needle where CC is hanging. With CC, *bk1 (brioche knit—knit together the slipped stitch and yo from row before) (h), yf s sl 1, yo (i); rep from *.

Turn work.

Row 2: (RS MC, forms knit columns in MC) Maintain the CC yo of last worked st by holding it under left needle to the back, with MC, *bk1, yf (j), sl 1, yo; rep from *. Do not turn work.

Turn work (d).

Row 2: (RS CC, forms purl columns in CC) Slide work to other tip of needle where CC is hanging. With CC, wyif, *sl 1, yo (k), bp1 (l, m); rep from *.

Turn work.

Row 1: (WS MC, forms purl columns in MC) Wyif, *sl 1 (e), yo, bp1 (f) (brioche purl—purl together the slipped stitch and YO from row before); rep from * (g). Do not turn work.

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: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

Sock It to Me LACE CU FF ANK LE SOCKS

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a project stand out. Here, a sweet, 7-round lace cuff turns an otherwise plain sock into something special. Pair these with some funky platforms and you’ll be too cute, to boot!

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: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

Instructions (make 2) Ski lls

Knitting in the Round with Double-Pointed Needles (page XX) Short Row Heel Turn (page XX) Kitchener Stitch (page XX) Size

Women’s M Finished Measurements

Foot circumference: 8 in/20 cm Yarn

Staccato Sock by Shubui (65% superwash merino/ 30% silk/5% nylon; 191 yd/176 m; 50 grams): Ivory #101, 2 hanks or substitute any sock-weight (#1) superwash wool blend Need les

Set of 4 or 5 US 2/2.75 mm double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge) Notions

Stitch holder Yarn needle Gauge

30 stitches and 39 rows per 4 in/10 cm in stockinette stitch

lacy cuff CO 60 sts on 3 dpns. Join, taking care not to twist.

Rnd 1: *Yo, k1, yo, k2, [k2tog] twice, k2, yo, k2tog, k1; rep from * around.

Rnd 2 (and all even rnds through rnd 8): Knit.

Rnd 3: *Yo, k3, yo, k1, [k2tog] twice, k1, yo, k2tog, k1; rep from * around.

Rnd 5: Yo, k5, yo, [k2tog] twice, yo, k2tog, k1; rep from * around.

Rnd 7: Yo, k3, k2tog, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice, k1; rep from * around.

Rnd 9: Knit, decreasing 4 sts evenly around—56 sts.

Rnds 10–13: *K2, p2; rep from * around.

7

heel flap Place 28 sts on one needle. Place rem instep sts on stitch holder and continue in rows as follows: Row 1 (RS): *Sl 1, k1; rep from * across.

Row 2: Sl 1, purl to end.

Rep rows 1 and 2 for 17 more times, or until heel flap is square.

5 3 1

heel turn Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, k15, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 2: Sl 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 3: Sl 1, k7, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 4: Sl 1, p8, p2tog, p1, turn.

Continue in this manner, slipping first st, working to 1 st before gap, and working sts before and after gap tog, until all heel sts are worked.

(18 sts rem)

gusset Setup rnd: Needle 1: Knit heel sts, pick up and knit 16 sts along side of heel flap; Needle 2: Knit 28 instep sts; Needle 3: Pick up and knit 16 sts along side of heel flap, then knit first 9 sts of heel from Needle 1.

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Rounds beg and end at this point—78 sts.

Rnd 1: Needle 1: Knit to 3 sts before the end of needle, k2tog, k1; Needle 2: Knit across instep sts; Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end of rnd.

Rnd 2: Knit 1 rnd even.

Rep rnds 1 and 2 until 56 sts rem.

foot Work even in St st until foot measures 8 in/20 cm from back of heel.

toe Rnd 1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end of rnd.

Rnd 2: Knit 1 rnd even.

Rep rnds 1 and 2 until 20 sts rem.

finishing Place rem sts evenly on 2 dpns. Using a yarn needle and the yarn tail, sew the toe closed using the Kitchener stitch.

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