I was instantly drawn to this light turquoise color in the stunning Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18, a merino and tussah silk mixture in lace weight, at Handweavers Studio in London, many years ago. The delicate color filled my mind with visions of ballerinas in tulle petticoats. Perfect for a ballerina wrap with oriel lace sleeves, and a garter stitch belt to tie one or two times around your waist. With all the focus on the sleeves, the body is knitted in stockinette stitch, and the belt in garter stitch. The wrap was intended to be part of my book, but it was not finished on time, nor needed to fill the book, so instead it will be my first pattern printed in the Norwegian magazine Made By Me, also published in Swedish, in the next issue out on the 3.rd of February. The first three issues are now available in an English-US version as an app, see MbyM Magazine. The English pattern will be released on Ravelry, after test knitting, set to begin in February. The Oriel Ballerina is knitted flat and seamed, using a 3 mm/US 2.5 knitting needle. I was delighted to model it on a stunning ballerina; Francesca Golfetto from the Norwegian National Ballet and brilliantly captured by photographer by Kim Müller.
Instead of decreasing into the lace pattern on the sleeve cap, I decided to make a pleat at the top, see the detailed photo above. I also wanted to show the beautiful Oriel lace pattern in detail. The front band is a continuation of the garter stitch belt and makes the fabric lie flat. I cannot wait to show you how it looks in the MbyM magazine.
Absolutely stunning! Definitly a “must-knit”!
Oh, I am delighted that you think so! Thank you, Nina!
Beautiful. Each time I see it, it looks even more gorgeous.
I am so happy you think so, Janie! Thank you so much!
I love your designs, and I’m definitely bookmarking this one! I love how you handled the sleeve cap – the pleats add a special touch and make it so feminine and lovely.
Oh, marvelous! I am delighted that you think so! Exactly what I wanted to achieve, thank you!
Love the pleat at the top of the sleeve. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have the slender body to wear this successfully!
Thank you, Tracy! I am so pleased that you do! I used to wear this style a lot more than I do these days, so I decided not to grade it any larger than an XL, thinking the demand for any larger sizes would be non-existent.
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Just beautiful. Gorgeous. And the photographs beautifully illustrate what you said about the pleats/gathers not puffing up as was popular in the ’80s. 🙂
Oh, I am so happy you think so, Karen! Yes, it would look to dated if the sleeves puffed upwards, in my opinion. 😀
What lovely sleeves! You have such a wonderful sense of elegance.
Thank you so much, Ruth! I am so delighted that you think so!