Tag Archives: Rowan Softyak DK

Ronette Pattern Released

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The English pattern for Ronette was test knitted last autumn, and it has been released for awhile now. But I have not caught up with my posts, yet. I choose a modified boat neck and vents in the sides, but some of the test knitters choose otherwise. It gives me great pleasure to see the different results, as well as seeing it in different colours and yarns than the one I chose for the sample. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk in August 2016 with magnificent photos taken by Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair and makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Villa Malla on a sweltering June day.

A central cable that ends in a bulb captivated me into designing this long a-line sweater with vents in the side along the bottom rib. A few garter stitches in the side makes the seam look like a zip. The sweater ends in an I-cord bind-off at the neck only shaped by the shoulders. It is named Ronette which means ”strong councel” in Old English, because the cable pattern did just that.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                                                                                                                                            Hip: 98 (104, 110, 120, 130, 140) cm/38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55)”                            Length: 74 (74, 76, 76, 78, 78) cm/29.25 (29.25, 30, 30, 30.75, 30.75)”                                Sleeve Length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK (76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon, 50 g, 135 m/147 yds). Sample is knitted in Praire 233: 9 (11, 12, 14, 17, 19) skeins; 1188 (1377, 1566, 1881, 2196, 2511) m/1299 (1506, 1712, 2057, 2401, 2746) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softyak-dk

Alternative yarns: Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK (66% merino wool, 34% silk, 50 g, 135 m/147 yds). http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/baby-merino-silk-dk                                     Baa Ram Ewe Doverstone DK (100% wool, 100 g, 230 m/521 yds). http://baaramewe.co.uk/collections/yarn/products/baaramewedovestonedk?variant=3272919620                                                                                                                     Malabrigo Arroyo (100% merino wool, 100 g, 306 m/334 yds). http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/pattern-arroyo-14#.V0MAPmMaK6Q

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/36″). 4 mm/US 6 DPNs. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st after blocking measures 10 cm/4″ square”. 21-sts Bulb Cables Sleeve measures 8 cm/3.25″ across after blocking. 51-sts Bulb Cables Body measures 19 cm/7.5″ across after blocking. 44-rows Bulb Cables pattern rep measures 14 cm/5.5″ high after blocking.

Notes: The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Ronette

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20160601 LM Villa Malla 494 lighterNext out is Ronette. I was thrilled to see how well the teal color, called Praire, suited gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency. After photographing Kori, skilled hair and make up artist Jens J. Wiker suggested a change in hair style and I suggested adding a pleat. I love the result and how it shows off both the playful bulb cables as well as the stunning statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured these iconic shots, on the terrace at Villa Malla on a sweltering day in June, when the Oslo fjord looked like the Mediterranean Sea. The sample and these photographs will be exhibited at Strikke 2016 Festival at Hadeland Glassverk, together Kori, Hel, Yellow Gold Pullover and Shalana from 3. September to 30. October. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikkebok out on 22. August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 510Here is my introduction to Ronette: A central cable that ends in a bulb captivated me into designing this long a-line sweater with vents in the side along the bottom rib. A few garter stitches in the side makes the seam look like a zip. The sweater ends in an I-cord bind-off at the neck only shaped by the shoulders. It is named Ronette which means ”strong councel” in Old English, because the cable pattern did just that.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 530Ronette is knitted in Rowan Softyak DK, a lovely soft mixture of 76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon with a dark grey undertone to all colors, with 135 meters/147 yards on each 50 g skein. The gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. The yak fibre makes it feel more like working with a wool mixture than a cotton one, and it feels lovely against the skin. The stitch definition is crisp hence makes the cables pop.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 534I have graded the pullover from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end. Next is Shalana!

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New Design: Ronette

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XT1B1284I came across these cables in one of my Japanese stitch pattern books and new I had to design with it. The way the central cable ends in a bulb or Tulip shape drew me in. I tested out different yarns and loved how it looked in Rowan Lima but since the yarn has been discontinued I opted for the new lovely blend of cotton, nylon and yak called Rowan Softyak DK; it is indeed soft and lovely to wear. Why not make a long a-line sweater with rib at the bottom creating a vent and then add a few garter stitches in the side so that the seam looks like a for a zip. Each front and back were given the full cable panel, while I chose to distract a third of the cable for the sleeve so that I could take it all the way to the top of the sleeve. I did want to knit this sweater myself but since speedy sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, had finished Shalana she was ready for another one. A relief in the end since I still had more to knit. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk in late August, while the English pattern will be test knitted and then released on Ravelry. But first I need to finish the pattern, that is.

XT1B1296The sweater is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needle with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch after blocking. The cables might look complicated but they are not and they do keep you interested as the cable pattern develops. I choose stocking stitch on each side of the cable to frame them. The neckline, identical on both sides is created by the shoulder shaping, and ends in an I-cord bind off. The Softyak DK comes in 50 gram skeins with 135 m/148 yds and was generously sponsored by Permin Rowan’s agent in Scandinavia.

XT1B1288The pullover is named Ronette which means “strong counsel” in Old English, because I think it fits. It will be available in sizes XS to 2XL. I am wearing size S, knitted with a gauge of 21 instead of 22 at the top part hence with a slightly looser fit than intended across the bust and cross back. It is easy to do when under time pressure. My husband took these photos of me on our terrace in the rain yesterday.

Ronette is one of 5 new designs for Familien Strikk, and one of 9 new designs to be photographed by Eivind Røhne at our photoshoot on 1st June. 2 of my designs for Interweave Knits; Yellow Gold Pullover and Inverness Sweater will also be photographed again, this time so that I can sell the pattern when the rights revert to me. More news about the upcoming photoshoot and new designs will follow, so keep in touch.

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