This week we are featuring two lace patterns, one for those who are experienced with lace and light weight yarns, and another for those who are looking to gain experience with lighter weight yarns and lace: Rock Island by Jared Flood, and the Multnomah Shawl by Kate Elsa.

Rock Island is the latest shawl from Jared Flood, a Studio staff favorite designer.   Rock Island starts with the outer edge of the shawl, worked back and forth.   After that part is complete, then stitches are picked up and the shawl is worked to a triangular shape, with an ever decreasing number of stitches.   There is patterning on both the wrong and right side of the shawl, so this is definitely a project that requires experience and concentration.   In terms of yarn, we have a lot of small treasures in lace weight right now, definitely worth checking the lace area to see if a color appeals to you.   One of my new favorites is Ella Rae Lace Merino, which is available in 8 semi-solid colors.

The Multnomah Shawl is a beautiful garter stitch based triangular shawl, which finishes with a feather and fan lace pattern on the edge.   Multnomah is perfect for trying out lighter weight yarns, as well as a simple knit when other things are on your mind.   This is also a great pattern for understanding triangular shawl structure and learning to customize to get your desired size.   My favorite yarn for this is Koigu’s fingering weight yarns(KPM and KPPPM).   The shawl will take anywhere from 2-6 skeins, depending on the size you’d like.

Take a look at these two patterns and see if either is something that inspires you and your summer knitting.

Yes, you’ve read that correctly: the pattern of the week is back again, only with a new voice.   Laura Gayle kept all of us abreast of the newest and best patterns out there, and the patterns she chose were always something I wanted to knit.  Hopefully a few of the patterns I select will be something that you’ll be excited to cast on, work through and wear proudly.

This week, our pattern is a cardigan sweater.   The Spring Ribbed Cardigan has only been out a few weeks, so there aren’t many projects out there yet, but looking at the pattern, it has a lot of great things going for it.

First, the Spring Ribbed Cardigan has been written with a wide range of sizes in mind.   Going from a 32” bust up to a 56” inch bust, there is a size for almost everyone, especially when you consider that it can easily be worn with negative ease (open in the front).

Second, with the strong vertical design element, this cardigan will be flattering on most of us ladies.   Being plus sized myself, this is one of those things that I’ve learned to look for in a pattern, and the Spring Ribbed Cardigan definitely has it.

Third, there isn’t any seaming.   When you have the knitting done, block it and wear it proudly!

I could list many more great things about this sweater, but the final thing I’d like to add, is that this is a great take-along sort of project.   Many of you are knitting at kids’ sports, Royals games, vacations, and out at the park this time of year and this is a great take a long sort of project.  The stitch pattern is a garter stitch variation on ribbing, so it will keep your mind occupied, but not so much that it’s challenging.   On top of that, it is knit in one piece, so one needle, a few stitch markers, and some yarn and you can take it on the road.

Well, now that you are sold on the pattern, let’s talk yarn.   The pattern calls for a DK weight yarn.   For the summer, I’d recommend either Classic Elite’s Premiere, a cotton/tencel blend, which is really soft, and available in a number of soft springy colors, or I’d recommend Cascade Yarn’s Ultra Pima, which is a 100% Mercerized Pima cotton, which we have in many bright colors, pastels, and neutrals.

Be sure to watch for the pattern of the week here on our Studio blog, Facebook, or on Ravelry.  Next week, I’ll be featuring a fabulous lace pattern.