Venetian Blind capelet : Knittyspin.com

by Vicki Robinson

A fabulous big ball of art yarn, spun from all sorts of fiber and plied just as randomly sat on my desk in still life, venetian blind behind. As venetian blinds do, one side drops rapidly ahead of the other as the catch is released, fanning out to inspire this pattern.
Knit in the round, the increasing rib pattern allows for ease of fit from size small through 2XL, allowing full movement for the wearer. Top-down construction allows knitting Venetian Blind as long as you like or until you use up your lovely handspun.

With your art yarn as the star, a decorative brooch, button or clasp can adorn the stand-up collar.

With so much enjoyment to spin, I am often asked what you can do with handspun art yarns. Cast on and knit ‘coz in the end...it's all just yarn!

model: Cassie McFadden

photos: Vicki Robinson, Sherry Dorst


SIZE One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Note: finished measurements are unblocked.

Neck circumference: 16 inches
Shoulder circumference: 27 inches, unstretched
Length from shoulder: 10 inches

MATERIALS
Fiber:
This pattern used thick/thin handspun art yarn (see photo at right).

The fiber was carded and then spun by Sherry Dorst using bits of everything she had. Including but not limited to mohair, locks, silk, wool and angelina using the technique called Grab 'n Spin' she learned at a Lexi Boeger "Pluckyfluff" workshop, the idea being there is no true plan to it.

Approximately 13 ounces.

Finished Yarn:
Wraps per inch: 5-6wpi (Super bulky)
Ply: 2
Yardage used: 195 yds
Drafting method: Combination semi worsted/semi woolen. Lexi Boeger "Grab 'n Spin" method where fiber is just grabbed and spun randomly, letting go and letting yarn happen.

Spinning Tool: Blue Bonnet, Crafty Bee model, scotch tension, largest whorl
Niddy Noddy: Ashford, 75cm

Commercial Yarn Alternative
Malabrigo Rasta [100% Merino; 90yards per 115g skein], 3 skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #13/9mm 32-40 inch long circular

Tools
yarn needle
stitch marker
optional decorative clasp or button

GAUGE

Note: gauge is measured unblocked.
8 sts/11 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette
13 sts/11 rounds = 4 inches in ribbing pattern, unstretched

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

DIRECTIONS
Cast on 39 sts.

Collar:
Row 1 [RS]:K2tog, [k1,p1] to last 3 sts, k1, k2tog. 37 sts

Row 2 [WS]: P2, [k1, p1] to last 2 sts, p2

Row 3 [RS]: K2, [p1, k1] to last 2 sts, k2.

Repeat Rows 2-3 5 more times, or until neck is desired length, ending with a Row 2, WS row.

Last row, setup for working in the round: Sl 1, k1, [p1, k1] to last 2 sts, k1, p last st together with the slipped st, joining work in the round. Place marker. The piece is completed in the round. [36 sts]

Body:
Rnd 1: [M1L, kfb, p1] around. 72 sts.

Rnd 2: [K2, p2] around.

Rnd 3: [M1L, kfb, pfb, M1R, p2] around. 144 sts.

Rnd 4: [K2, p2] around.

Work in rib pattern as set until piece measures approximately 12 inches from CO edge, or until you've got just enough yarn to bind off.

Note: you need about 4-5 times the width of the round in yarn to BO. If you've got access to a digital scale, weight the yarn before you work a pattern round. The BO uses about twice the amount of yarn needed to work the round in pattern.

BO in pattern.

FINISHING
Block and weave in ends. If you wish, sew on optional decorative clasp or button at neck (no button holes required).

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Born and raised in Australia, Vicki discovered her love for all things fiber living in British Columbia, Canada, with her enabling husband and yarn snob Bichon Frise.
An adventurous knitter, reluctant weaver and fearless spinner, Vicki's voracious appetite for fiber houses no less than 116 sheep breeds where she wrestles with procrastination, blogging her experiences.

Vicki's patterns have been published in Yarn magazine and self published on Ravelry.