Winslow - Graphic Knits

Doors open, doors close: West 4th street, 14th street, 23rd, and so forth. I ride the subway every day, my knitting bag in tow. With each passing station, interesting characters wearing interesting garments come and go, and all the while I make steady progress toward my destinationand on my project.

Knitting makes me treasure these otherwise tedious moments because its transformative: making yarn into sweaters, making ordinary girl into creator of extraordinary thingsall during my daily commute.

Im fascinated by this idea of trans-formation. As a designer and an artist, I think a lot about the potential of raw materials and the potential of the people who knit my patterns. With each new project there is opport-unity to grow as a craftsperson, to incorporate new skills. And each new skill has the power to transform you just a little more, expanding your creative potential.

Writing Graphic Knits was a project on a grand scale. The garments in this book feature an interplay of color, shapes, and texture that I found fun to create, and often yielded surprising results. The experience pushed me to grow as a designer, to refine my aesthetic, to think about every detail. I tried to not only write thoughtful patterns, but also create an entertaining knitting experience. This special bit of knitting magic is something that is understood by every knitter who has ever followed a pattern. Its that unexplainable craving for just one more row.

As you work through the pages of my book, I hope you look for opportunities to transform yourself into a master of your craft. I hope the patterns not only produce beautiful garments, but also help you become a better, more curious knitter. And above all else, I hope you have fun.

Alexis Winslow

This loose, lacy top shows how the concept of graphic can be interpreted through texture as well as color. The openwork chevron patterning makes this a beautiful layering piece for any time of year. The top is meant to be worn with a lot of positive ease for an unfussy look. An i-cord tie a few inches below the waist gives this top an elegant, feminine touch and accentuates the beautiful drape and sheen of the light, lacy fabric. The neck is edged with a simple rolled hem for a soft, easy finish. The lace is surprisingly fun and easy to knit, and will keep you always wanting to knit just a little more.

3212 (3612, 41, 45)" (82.5 [92.5, 104, 114.5] cm) bust circumference.

Garment shown measures 3212" (82.5 cm).

Sport weight (#2 Fine)

Shown here: Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico (50% baby alpaca, 50% mulberry silk; 147 yd [135 m]/50 g): #1615 Cinnabar, 5 (5, 6, 6) skeins.

Body: Size U.S. 8 (5 mm): straight.

Neck Edging: Size U.S. 8 (5 mm): 16" (40 cm) circular (cir).

I-cord Tie: Size U.S. 8 (5 mm): set of 2 double-pointed (dpn).

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Stitch markers (m)

8 removable stitch markers (safety pins are great)

Stitch holders or waste yarn

Yarn needle

19 sts and 26 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Chart A.

Notes

The front and the back are knitted flat in one long piece, connected at the shoulders. Shoulder shaping is achieved using short-rows. Stitches for the rolled hem at the neck are picked up and worked in the round.

With straight needles, CO 77 (87, 97, 107) sts.

Knit 5 rows.

Set-up Row (WS): K3, place m (pm), purl to last 3 sts, pm, k3.

Est Patt (RS): Work 3 sts in Gtr st (knit all sts, every row), sl m, work to next m in Chart A, sl m, work last 3 sts in Gtr St.

Cont to work Chart A until Rows 136 have been completed 4 times. (Piece should meas about 23" [58.5 cm] to here.)

Divide for Neck (RS): K28 (31, 35, 39), k2tog, k1, put the next 15 (19, 21, 23) sts on a holder for neck front, and keeping the marker intact put the last 31 (34, 38, 42) sts on a separate holder for right shoulder30 (33, 37, 41) sts rem for left shoulder.

Next Row (WS): Purl to m, sl m, k3.

Next Row (RS): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k129 (32, 36, 40) sts rem.

Short-row 1: Purl to 2 sts before m, w&t, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 28 (31, 35, 39) sts rem.

Short-row 2: Purl to 4 sts before m, w&t, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 27 (30, 34, 38) sts rem.

Short-row 3: Purl to 6 sts before m, w&t, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 26 (29, 33, 37) sts rem.

Short-row 4: Purl to 8 sts before m, w&t, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 25 (28, 32, 36) sts rem.

Short-row 5: Purl to 10 sts before m, w&t, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 27 (31, 35) sts rem.

Short-row 6: Purl to 12 sts before m, w&t, knit to end.

Short-row 7: Purl to 14 sts before m, w&t, knit to end.

Short-row shaping is complete. Incorporate the wraps on the next row as you pass them.

Next Row (WS): Purl to m, sl m, k3.

Dec Row (RS): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k124 sts rem.

Next Row (WS): Purl to m, sl m, k3.

Next Row (RS): Knit.

Rep the last 2 rows 0 (0, 1) times.

Knit 2 rows.

Next Row (WS): Purl to m, sl m, k3.

Est Patt (RS): Work 3 sts in Gtr St, sl m, work 21 (21, 26, 31) sts in Chart A (A, B, A), work 0 (3, 2, 1) sts in St st (knit on RS, purl on WS).

Work Rows 213 of chart as est.

Break yarn and put the 24 (27, 31, 35) left shoulder sts on a holder, keeping the m in place.