Lithuanian Wristers (Ethnic Knitting Adventures): Knitty Deep Fall 2011

by Donna Druchunas,
photos by Dominic Cotignola

My interest in knitting has been kept alive over the years by the almost infinite variety of color, pattern, and texture that is found in collections of knitters and museums around the world. Although I love the smooth, quiet repetition of knitting a rectangular scarf in garter stitch using a luxurious yarn, it is the endless diversity of technique and style that keeps me interested in knitting as more than a way to keep my hands busy while watching TV.

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
--from The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

by Donna Druchunas

Beads add a fabulous touch! Knowing just the basics of knitting, you can easily create colorful designs with beads. Using only garter stitch and learning how to read and work from beading charts, you can make beautiful jeweled wrist warmer cuffs that are inspired by those popular in Lithuania.

photos: Dominic Cotignola

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference: 7 inches
Length: 5 1/2 inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Brown Sheep Nature Spun Fingering [100% wool; 310yd/283m per 50g skein]; color: #N62 Amethyst; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
Size 000 US (1.5mm) knitting needles

Notions
Approx. 500 size 8 or 10 glass seed beads
Beading needle
Sewing thread
Quick-drying craft glue (if using size 10 seed beads)
Small steel crochet hook (optional, for beaded picot edging)
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

36 sts/68 rows = 4" in garter stitch

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Note: You may prefer to begin with a provisional cast-on and finish with three-needle bind off or even grafting, but this is not the traditional method in Lithuania.

Charts
The chart for this pattern is very large and fits on a letter-sized page.
Click here and print the resulting page.

DIRECTIONS

CO 50 sts.

Set-up Row [RS]: K all sts.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, k following chart row, reading from left to right, placing beads as indicated; k to end of row.

Row 2: Sl1, k all sts (without placing beads).

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until work is long enough to fit around wrist, ending with a WS row. If possible, end after completing a full repeat of the charted pattern.

BO all sts knitwise; do not break yarn.

FINISHING
Beaded Picots (optional)
Using crochet hook, work from right to left across side edge of piece as follows:
Work 1 single crochet. *Skip 2 or 3 garter st ridges. Slide 6-9 beads up to the join, then work a single crochet in the 3rd or 4th garter st ridge. Pull the loop very large and draw the whole ball of yarn through it as if you're fastening off. Repeat from * across the edge of the piece. Work 1 single crochet in last garter st ridge. Fasten off.

Sew CO and BO edges of piece together.
Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Donna Druchunas escaped a corporate cubicle to honor her passions for knitting, world travel, research, and writing. She is the author of six knitting books including Arctic Lace, Successful Lace Knitting, Kitty Knits, and Ethnic Knitting Exploration: Lithuania, Iceland, and Ireland. Donna has just finished writing a book about knitting in Lithuania. She lives in Colorado with her husband, mother, and three cats who all help her test the usability and comfort of her finished knitted items.

Visit Donna's website at sheeptoshawl.com.