Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sea Urchin
The Sea Urchin shirt is turning out to be one of the most popular of my summertime patterns.
It's easy to understand why. With its lacy pattern, it is cool and airy for those warmer days in spring and summer. It can be knitted to any length you desire. Leave it cropped for midrift exposure or make it longer for an elegant look. Wear it over a bikini or bathing suit, with shorts, or with a skirt. Or however you like. Add a necklace, pull it over a tiny black camisole, and it becomes evening wear.
And to top it off, it's a quick knit, once you get the stitch pattern under your hands.
Called the Wave Stitch (a.k.a. Sea Foam Stitch), this stitch pattern uses wrapped stitches which are then released in the subsequent rows to create the openwork effect.
By using different numbers of wraps for each stitch, you create the undulating effect in the pattern.
The other major feature of the design is the construction. Worked from the cuff of the left sleeve, the piece is knitted sideways--across the left sleeve, then across the body (creating an opening for the neck), then across the right sleeve.
The final stage is to pick up and knit from the lower edge, working downwards to the length you desire.
Although this is a very satisfying knit and works up quickly, it does have its challenges and is not for the beginner knitter. Making the stitch pattern consistent during all the increases and decreases across the body requires attention. But when you get to working downward for the lower body, it is clear sailing.
The true joy in this design comes with the blocking. Your knitted Sea Urchin may look rather like a blob of lumpy stitches. But then when you wet it , stretch it out in all its glory, you'll stand back and be amazed by your own creation.
Page 1 of 1 pages
