~ Kalimotxo ~

Today, I am delighted to show off my most recently completed design, the Kalimotxo Tee. This is a summer tee worked seamlessly from the bottom-up, with raglan sleeve and neck shaping. Stripes are joined to a seed stitch front band using intarsia, which facilitates both the seamless construction and the prevention of jogs. There is a slight ‘poof’ worked into the sleeves for added interest. The pattern includes instructions for two lengths; a shorter version cropped at the high hip and a longer version that extends to the hip. The following photographs show the tee in size x-small. The first photo below shows the longer length and the second photo shows the cropped length.

As for the name, a kalimotxo is an adult beverage consisting of about half red wine and half cola. Considering that this tee uses approximately equal amounts of yarn in two colors, I wanted the name of the pattern to reflect that. In addition, the kalimotxo (adult beverage version) is a beverage that I associate with warm weather; and the kalimotxo tee is a warm weather tee. The adult beverage version of the kalimotxo is enjoyed around the world, known by a variety of names... however, one might be surprised to learn that one place in which it is popular is Boise, Idaho. One Ravelry user from Spain sent me a personal email message inquiring how I, a Boise Idahoan, would have ever heard of the kalimotxo. I explained to her that Boise has a significant Basque population, including a Basque district in our downtown, and she found that very interesting.

This pattern has been through a complete round of test knitting for each size and reviewed by a professional tech editor. During my adventures in designing, I have discovered that knitters are a wonderfully diverse group; and instructions that make perfect sense to some knitters might be confusing to others. I have attempted to make this pattern as clear as possible, and my test knitters (coming from multiple countries, with a variety of personality/thinking styles, and knitting experience) were invaluable to me in this process. I have decided that part of my commitment to offering patterns includes offering pattern support. I welcome anyone to email me with questions and I will do my best to help in a timely manner.

Pattern: Kalimotxo (ravelry link)

Difficulty Level: Intermediate (pattern uses increases, decreases, and intarsia).

Materials Needed

Yarn: Use a light worsted/DK weight cotton, linen, or bamboo yarn, in two colors. Yarn used for tee pictured is Filatura Di Crosa Lovely Jeans (100% cotton, 93 yards per skein).

For cropped version:
~ 360 {418, 478, 536, 596, 664} yards for Main Color
~ 256 {300, 342, 384, 426, 476} for Contrasting Color

For longer version:
~ 460 {538, 614, 690, 766, 854} yards for Main Color
~ 358 {418, 478, 536, 596, 664} yards for Contrasting Color

Needles: US 5 / 3.75mm, 24” circular and set of double pointed needles, or size to achieve gauge

Gauge: 20 stitches by 28 rows in stockinette stitch = 4” x 4”

Notions: stitch markers (9 total), stitch holders (4 total), tapestry needle

Finished Measurements
Bust/Hip Circumference: 30” {34”, 38”, 42”, 46”, 50”}

Length from Underarm to Hip:
~ Cropped Version: 12.5”
~ Longer Version: 15.5”

Top Arm Circumference: 11” {12”, 13”, 14”, 16”, 18”}

Posted by jennifer at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

~ YO YO Stripes ~

Finally, actual knitting content!

Pattern: YO YO Stripes (click for free download)
Yarn:: stashed mohair
Needles:: US 7
Ravelry Link

Despite the lack of fiber-related content on this blog, I have actually been doing a lot of knitting. And speaking of my original patterns, tomorrow I hope to share a pattern that has been through test knitting and tech editing... and survived. The test knitting and tech editing processes I found rewarding in the sense that they exercised my ability to problem solve, organize data (both qualitative and quantitative), negotiate differences, and continually strive for writing clarity. I also found them to be humbling, and opportunities for my introverted self to "really put herself out there."

I would not say that the experience was stressful, but as the previous sentence suggests, it was a little intimidating. As a result, this week I decided to knit something easy and that required no mental expenditure.

The yarns that I used for this shawl were the remnants from two different mohairs that I acquired almost five years ago to make some scarves. These remants have sat at the back of my stash for almost five years (gathering metaphorical dust). A few days ago, I decided to use them together to make a modified version of the YO YO stripes pattern, as a stashdown project.

Because I did not have sufficient yarn to make a full version of the shawl, I modified it have a more gradual edge (thereby making it longer and shallower), as follows:
- worked in pattern until shawl measured 8” deep
- after that, on every WS row I would knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, and knit to end

I used up every last scrap of yarn for this project, barely having enough with which to bind off. As a stashdown project, this was particularly satisfying. It was also satisfying making stripes that are not at all symmetrical.

Posted by jennifer at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)