INTRODUCTION

Amalgam

by Nell Ziroli

The gift of a new Dragonfly Fibers base in these amazing hand-dyed colors, a little obsession with short rows and breaking lines of color, and a long-time love of mosaic colorwork were the catalysts for this project.

Amalgam is worked all in one piece, but in sections. The bottom hem becomes an angle with the use of short rows. The angle is topped with a strip of Mosaic Knitting, which is clever colorwork created using only one strand of yarn at a time. A top angle is worked to bring the shape back to parallel the hem, then rejoined to work the ribbed neck band. Oh, and there’s also some shaping to create a hug around your shoulders or hips!

model: Haley Parker

photos: Haley Parker and Nell Ziroli

SIZE

S[L]
shown in Size L

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference at top: 22[26] inches/ 56[66] cm
Circumference at bottom: 38[42] inches/ 96.5[106.5] cm
Depth: 15 inches/38cm

MATERIALS

Yarn

Dragonfly Fibers Valkyrie [100% Superwash Merino, 200 yards/183 meters per 4 ounce/113 gram skein];
[A] Dragonberry; 2 skeins
[B] Cheshire Cat; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US#6/4mm circular needle, 24-inch/60cm length
US#7/4.5mm circular needle, 24-inch/60cm length

Notions
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

19 stitches/26 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch, with larger needle

PATTERN NOTES

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

The ponch-ette begins with ribbing in the round, is then worked flat for the duration of the short-row shaping and angled colorwork center. It is then re-joined in the round and ribbed to completion, then seamed.

For more about Mosaic Knitting in general, see this page. The chart is worked as follows:
Rows 1-2, 5-6, 9-10, 13-14, 17-18 are worked only with color B, slipping the color A stitches.
Rows 3-4, 7-8, 11-12, 15-16 are worked only with color A, slipping the color B stitches.

CHART

DIRECTIONS

With Color A and smaller circular needle, using the Long Tail Method, CO 201[217] stitches.

Do not join.
Set up Row [RS]: [K2, p2] to last st, leave this stitch to the left needle, arranging stitches to work in the round.

Round 1: Place marker, k2tog, k1, p2, [k2, p2] to end of round. 200[216] stitches.
Round 2: [K2, p2] around.

Work in rib pattern as set until piece measures 1.75 inches/4.5cm.
Set up for chart section: Remove marker, k1; change to larger needle, kfb, k to last st, kfb. 202[218] sts.

From here, you will work flat.

Turn to face WS.
Short Row 1 [WS]: P to last 10 sts, turn.
Short Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1 knitwise, k4, pm, k to end.
Short Row 3 [WS]: P to marker, remove marker, turn.

Repeat Short Rows 2-3 16 more times.
With RS facing, there are 95 sts in short row section, and 107[123] unworked.

Decrease row [RS]: Sl1 knitwise, k3, k2tog, pm, [k3, k2tog] 20[23] times, k1[2].
181[193] sts.

With RS facing, there are 100 sts before the marker and 81[93] sts after.

Work Short Row 3 again, and then repeat Short Rows 2-3 10 more times.
With RS facing, there are 155 sts in the short row section, and 26[38] sts after.

Small only, decrease row [RS]: Sl 1 knitwise, k4, pm, [k2tog, k2] 5 times, k1. 176 sts.
Large only, decrease row [RS]: Sl 1 knitwise, k4, pm, [k2tog, k3] 6 times, k3. 187 sts.

With RS facing there are 160] sts before the marker and 16[27] after.

Work Short Row 3 again, and then repeat Short Rows 2-3 1[3] more times.

With RS facing, there are 6[7] stitches unworked, and 170​[180] stitches in the short row section.

Small only, decrease row [RS]: Sl 1 knitwise, k2, k2tog, k to end. 175 sts.
Large only [RS]: Sl 1 knitwise, k to end.

Small only, decrease row [WS]: P2tog, p to last 3 sts, closing gaps as you come to them, p2tog, p1. (See Pattern Notes). 173 sts.
Large only [WS]: P to to end, ​closing gaps as you come to them (see Pattern Notes). 187 sts.

Join B.

Next row [RS]: Work Mosaic chart, working repeat 12[13] times across.
Work as set until chart is complete.
Knit 1 row of color A, then cut A.
Slip work to the other end of the needle.
Using color B, knit 1 row, purl 1 row.

Second set of short rows:
Short Row 1 [RS]: K6, turn.
Short Row 2 [WS]: Sl1 purlwise, p to end.
Short Row 3 [RS]: K to 1 st before gap, close the gap (see Pattern Notes), k5, turn.

Repeat Short Rows 2-3 5 more times. Work Row 2 once more.
41 sts in short row section, 132[146] unworked. 173[187] total sts.

Next row, decrease [RS]: [K3, k2tog] 8 times, close gap, k5, turn.
38 sts in short row section, 127[146] unworked. 165[179] total sts.

Repeat Short Rows 2-3 13 more times, and work Row 2 once more.
103 st in short row section and 62[76]​ unworked; 165[179] total.

Next row, decrease [RS]: K2, [k2, k2tog] 25 times, k1, close gap, k5, turn.
83 stitches in short row section, 57[71] unworked. 140[154] total sts.

Repeat Rows 2-3 9[12] more times, and work Row 2 once more.
128[143] stitches in short row section, 12[11] unworked. 140[154] total sts.

Small only, decrease row [RS]: K3, [k2tog, k5] 6 times, [k2tog, k6] 7 times, [k2tog, k5] 5 times, k2tog, k1. 1 stitch remains unworked. 121 sts.

Large only, decrease row [RS]: K2, [k2tog, k5] 2 times, [k2tog, k4] 20 times, [k2tog, k5] 2 times, k2tog, k1. 1 stitch remains. 129 sts.

With the final stitch still on the left needle, arrange stitches to work in the round.

Round 1: Place marker for start of round, k2tog, k1, p2, [k2, p2] to end of round. 120[128] stitches.

Change to smaller needle.

Round 2: [K2, p2] around.

Repeat Round 2 seven more times.

Bind off in pattern.

FINISHING

Seam opening with mattress stitch. Weave in ends. Block.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Nell Ziroli has been wrapping yarn around needles since she was 8. She is self-taught, but has been inspired by luminaries and students alike. She is a perpetual knitter, published designer, and enthusiastic teacher.  

Currently, Nell works with Mason-Dixon Knitting, teaches at her darling LYS, BaaBaa Sheep, and travels for teaching.

She is a more frequent Instagrammer than Blogger.

Pattern & images © 2017 Nell Ziroli. Contact Nell