Ridgely – Part One

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Welcome to the Progressive Needles Knit Along sponsored by Skacel Collection.  I am delighted to have so many knitters return to the KAL and love that we have many first timers with us as well.  Our spring pattern, Ridgely, is brimming with essential techniques, new video lessons and more fun with Cobasi yarn!  Before we begin, here’s a quick overview of how the KAL works:

  • A portion of the pattern is revealed here every Thursday in April.  The complete pattern, video resources and lots of helpful tips are included in each post.  An abbreviated, pattern-only version is included to download.
  • All techniques are supported with video instruction at knitpurlhunter.com
  • All questions and comments are monitored daily both here and in the Knit Purl Hunter group on Ravelry.  It’s like having your own private knitting tutor!
  • Completed projects are eligible for the monthly prize drawing – first prize is a set of addi Clicks!  See skacelknitting.com for all the info.
  • Weekly prizes are awarded to knitters who locate the prize “clues” hidden in the Skacel and Knit Purl Hunter websites.  A small tag line will be inserted in the sites at random intervals with instructions on how to claim the prize.  (Example: Be the first to email “I love addis” in the subject line, etc.)  One weekly prize per knitter, please.

Now on to the knitting!  Ridgely is a two-colored, striped shawlette trimmed with a lace border.  The striped section will be worked simultaneously with the lace border avoiding the need to attach the border at the end of the project.  To accomplish this, all three skeins will be used at one time.  One Main Color skein (MC) and the Contrasting Color skein (CC) will be used for the striped section.  The second Main Color skein (MC2) will be used for the Lace Border.  The skeins are handled in the same manner as in Intarsia knitting where the yarns are interlocked when changing skeins.  Simply stated, work the Striped Section with MC or CC and then interlock the yarns before moving on to the Lace Border worked in MC2.  Sound confusing?  No worries, I walk you through each step with lots of helpful info in the Ridgely -Part 1 Video.  This is my most comprehensive video to date!  In it, I work through the first repeat and give tips in each row to help you manage multiple skeins, carry yarns expertly and simplify the start of Ridgely.  I recommend first watching my Intarsia Video for an up close tutorial if you are new to the technique.

The Striped Section directions are in written form only and spell out the increase instructions and indicate which color to use in each row.  The Lace Border instructions are given in both written and charted forms.  The lace pattern is garter stitch based and is designed to lie flat against the shawl.  Its chart is a bit unconventional in that the same symbol represents a knit stitch on both the right and wrong side.  I like this simpler version when using garter stitch in a chart.  The chart also includes a symbol (X) marking a “no stitch”.  This is simply a place holder due to the changing stitch count of the lace.  When the “no stitch” symbol is reached in the row, ignore it and go to the next symbol on the chart.  As a reminder, charts are read from bottom to top beginning at Row 1.  The Right Side rows (odd numbered) are read right to left and the Wrong Side rows (even numbered) are read left to right.  If you are unsure of the chart, or just prefer written directions, refer to the line by line text.  In these written instructions, the Lace Border (MC2) stitches are in bold for easy tracking.

All of the wrong side rows in the Lace Border begin with a Yarn Over.  The first time I came across a yarn over at the beginning of a row I was perplexed.  How could something so simple have me stumped?  After much over thinking, the simple solution was waiting for me.  If you are similarly stumped, watch the Yarn Over at Beginning of Row Video as I demonstrate the stitch you will use to start every wrong side row.

I highly recommend that you carefully read over the Pattern Notes before beginning the shawlette to familiarize yourself with the instructions.  I also recommend the use of Lifelines in any lace project to avoid tricky repair work.  See Lifelines Video

Enjoy the pattern and your new skills.  I look forward to following your progress!

Ridgely – Part One

Click here to download printable version

KPHtemplate_materials

  • 3 skeins Cobasi – 2 Main Color, 1 Contrasting Color.
  • US #6 (4mm) needles, straight or circular, or size needed to obtain desired gauge.
  • Crochet Hook – size B or C for optional finishing technique

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Approximately 7 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette.

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After blocking, approximately 56” along top edge and 12” deep at center point.

Prior to blocking, approximately 50” X 11”.

KPHtemplate_abbreviations

CC – contrasting color.

k2tog – knit two together.  See K2tog Video

k3tog – knit three together.

kfb – knit into front and back of stitch.  See Kfb Video

MC – main color.

MC2 – second skein of main color.  (Used in lace border.)

 yo – yarn over.  See Yarn Over Video

KPHtemplate_instructions

See Ridgely – Part 1 Video

Pattern Notes

  • Odd numbered rows are Right Side.  Even numbered rows are Wrong Side.
  • Stitches before marker form the Striped Body and are worked in MC or CC.
  • Stitches after marker form the Lace Border and are worked at the same time with a second skein of main color – MC2.
  • Lace instructions are in chart (below) and text (next page) formats.
  • Lace Border chart is used after the marker in Increase Section.
  • Lace Border stitches in the text are in bold for easy tracking.
  • Skeins must be “interlocked” at marker as in Intarsia.  See Intarsia Video
  • Always interlock on the wrong side.  After interlocking on the wrong side, place the working yarn in the correct position for the next stitch, i.e. knit or purl position.
  • Increases are worked in Rows 1, 5 and 9 in MC.
  • Remember to purl with CC in the Striped Body on Rows 4, 8 and 12.

Lace Border Chart

Lace Border stitches worked in MC2.

ridgelybdr3

Increase Section

Using Main Color, cast on 16 stitches.

Set Up

Row 1.  (MC) K1, kfb, place marker, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k3tog.

Row 2.  (MC) Yo, k12, slip marker, k3.

Continue with Row 3 (below) in Striped Body/Lace Border pattern.

 

Striped Body/Lace Border (12 row repeat)

Asterisk (*) indicates increase row – one stitch increased.

*Row 1.  (MC) Knit to 1 stitch before marker, kfb, (MC2) k3, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k3tog.

Row 2.  (MC2) Yo, k12, (MC) knit to end of row.

 

Row 3.  (CC) Knit to marker, (MC2) k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog.

Row 4.  (MC2) Yo, k13, (CC) purl to end of row.

 

*Row 5. (MC) Knit to 1 stitch before marker, kfb, (MC2) k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog.

Row 6.  (MC2) Yo, k14, (MC) knit to end of row.

 

Row 7.  (CC) Knit to marker, (MC2) k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k2tog.

Row 8.  (MC2) Yo, k15, (CC) purl to end of row.

 

*Row 9. (MC) Knit to 1 stitch before marker, kfb, (MC2) k2, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3tog.

Row 10.  (MC2) Yo, k14, (MC) knit to end of row.

 

Row 11. (CC) Knit to marker, (MC2) k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3tog.

Row 12.  (MC2) Yo, k13, (CC) purl to end of row.        

 

Work above repeat 19 times ending after Row 12. (Set Up Rows are considered a part of 1st repeat.) There will be 59 stitches in the Striped Body area.

Happy knitting!