I do love Springtime in California…  I hope you’re feeling the effects of Spring wherever you are.  I’d like to share with you my latest published design, from the Spring Twist Collective, Colette (Ravelry Link)…

Photo copyright Jamie Dixon

Photo copyright Jamie Dixon

Photo copyright Jamie Dixon

Photo copyright Jamie Dixon

Photo copyright Jamie Dixon

Colette is a seamless top-down raglan sweater, worked in one piece.  The sleeve stitches are put on stitch holders while you work the body and the sleeves are worked last.  The empire waist and lower body ribbing lengthens the torso.  Horseshoe lace emphasizes the empire waist and trails down the center of the short sleeves.  A wide boat neck accentuates the neck, and is trimmed in 3 x 2 ribbing, matching the lower body.  Waist and bust shaping occurs at both sides of the garment, hugging curves, providing a flattering elegant look.

In case you’re curious, you can see a few photos of what I and my mannequin look like wearing the sweater here.

The Design Process

When I first roughly sketched this garment, I knew I wanted lace or a cable defining the empire waist, the same lace or cable down the sleeves, ribbing on the lower body, and stockinette stitch on the upper body.  I didn’t know what kind of ribbing I wanted, or what lace or cable pattern I wanted to use.  You can see my very rough sketch below.

After this sketch, I poured through stitch dictionaries looking for the right stitch pattern to work with the concept. I decided to go with a lace pattern instead of a cable pattern, because lace would provide more of a light spring garment than a heavier cable. After looking through several stitch dictionaries, I settled on Horseshoe Lace. Then I thought about what ribbing I wanted to use. I didn’t want to go with 2 x 2 ribbing, because I thought it would be too plain, so I decided to go with 3 x 2 ribbing. Then I thought about what type of yarn would work well for the sweater. I decided to swatch with Tahki Sierra (62% silk, 30% linen, 8% nylon), because I envisioned a soft drapey garment.

After I swatched, I drew more detailed sketches with a front view (above) and side view (below), so I could get a better idea of what the completed garment would look like with the Horseshoe Lace stitch pattern.

After the piece was accepted into the Twist Collective Spring Issue, I spoke with Kate Gilbert about what yarn to use, and we decided on Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo (50% Wool, 50% Bamboo; 118 yds/108 m per 50 g skein) in Bay Blue, because it would hold the ribbing better than a silk or linen yarn like the one I swatched in. For more yarn choice options, see the Swatch It article by Clara Parkes from the same issue, in which Clara talks about several different yarns she used to swatch for Colette, including Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy (34% hemp, 41% cotton, 25% modal).

P.S.  I’m off to Italy in about 2 hours for the next 12 days for a good friend’s wedding, so if I’m a bit slow to respond to any emails, that’s why.  I will have intermittent email access, but I’m not sure I’ll have it every day.  I’m going to miss my doggies!  But they’ll be in good hands, with wonderful dog/house sitters.

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