Red Fruit Jelly

Sometimes really amazing and unexpected things come out of my work. The most recent example is Red Fruit Jelly, a swing-knit shawl that Birgit Fitzke (Fadenzaubereien) created based on Chittagong.

Birgit has written the pattern for her version, which you can purchase here. Note that this pattern is intended for experienced swing-knitters. Right now it's only available in German, but an English translation is in the works. Check out the different versions knitters have created here.

Here's one of my favorites (I can't resist anything in these colors).

These are unbelievable! Like Alice-in-Wonderland versions of my original idea. It's an honor to have provided the initial impetus for this work.

Monomania

a single pathological preoccupation in an otherwise sound mind

In this case, chevrons and making them align. Making them align and working all the shaping for a set-in sleeve cardigan in five sizes was a challenge. According to my sister/layout department, making the lines of the pattern align was also a challenge. Monomania: ALIGN!

I've been working on this pattern for several months, and some of you have probably seen this sample. After test knits in every size, a tech edit, several rounds of proofreading, and a careful layout, it's time to  release this one!

Final pattern page count: 37.

Don't let the page count fool you--this is not a difficult pattern! Quite the opposite. The pattern is written out line by line for each size, so you just print the pages for your size and follow the instructions. Use a row counter and you'll be all set!

Monomania will initially be available exclusively as a kit from The Plucky Knitter. There will be at least 12 color combinations available, and they will go live at 9:00 a.m. EST this Friday, July 12, in The Plucky Knitter shop. The pattern will be available as an individual download in three months, at which point you can knit it in whatever you like (leftover skeins, mix and match skeins, anything!).

Here's the original: It's knit in Plucky Feet in Message in a Bottle, Essie, Wintry Mix, and Cider Mill. This is an elbow-length version, but the pattern includes instructions for both elbow-length and three-quarter-length sleeves.

In this photo, I'm wearing the 37-inch bust size, and I have a 32-inch bust. The reason it doesn't look gappy and too large on me is that the fabric is light and stretchy (fingering-weight yarn knit on US 6 needles). I'll be posting photos of me modeling the 31-inch bust size tomorrow.

Here's Ruth, intrepid 37-inch bust size sample knitter, modeling her version, which was knit in Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Sock. Ruth has a 37-inch bust. This is the three-quarter-length sleeve version.

I tried to pick only the best photos of Ruth, but all the photos of Ruth are the best.

And here's Claudia, intrepid 43-inch bust size sample knitter, modeling her version, knit in Plucky Knitter Plucky Single (a single-ply silk/wool blend).

And here's Karida, the artist behind Neighborhood Fiber Co., modeling the 49-inch sample, which was knit by my lovely friend and intrepid sample knitter Pat. This sample is worked in Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering, a single-ply Merino wool. Again, this is the three-quarter-length sleeve version. 

I love the way the cardigan looks totally different when worked in a gradient.

Note: Better photos of this one are coming. I forced Karida to pose in front of the vacant house next to my house after we went to the farmers market.

So THIS is what I've been doing for the past few months, and I'm so happy to share. Comments? Questions? Let me know!