INTRODUCTION

Nukumori

by Asimina Saranti

For the upcoming winter, Nukumori is an accessory that can warm up a part of the body that often gets neglected: knees!

Nukumori is worked in two kinds of ribbing to keep the shaping at a bare minimum, but still provide a good fit. It also incorporates a simple crochet technique that adds a secure grip around the leg. The 9 different sizes mean there is one Nukumori for everyone, while the beautiful hand-dyed yarn adds a special touch to the finished object. Rainbow speckles on grey, like fireworks in the night sky!

model + photos: Asimina Saranti

SIZE

Adult XS[S, M, L, X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Kneecap Circumference: 12.5[13.5, 14.5, 15.5, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25] inches/ 32[34, 37, 39, 43, 48.5, 53.5, 58.5, 63.5] cm
Thigh Circumference: 17[18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24.5, 27.5, 30] inches/ 43[45.5, 48.5, 50.5, 53.5, 56, 62, 70, 76] cm
Length: 12 inches/30 cm

Note: To choose the right size for Nukumori, wrap the tape measure around the center of the kneecap, with knee relaxed, but not bent. Note the measurement and repeat for the other leg. Use the largest measurement of the two and match to the kneecap circumference measurement. If in-between sizes, choose the smaller one.

MATERIALS

Inaya BFL Sock 4-ply [75% Bluefaced Leicester, 25% Nylon; 465 yd/425m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: Rainbow Stripe on Gray; 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #1.5/2.5mm circular needle, 16-inch/40-cm

Notions
yarn needle
3 stitch markers
2.5mm crochet hook
1 spool of elastic thread

GAUGE

30 sts/44 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
30 sts/45 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in 1x1 rib stitch, lightly stretched
21 sts/56 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in fisherman's rib stitch

PATTERN NOTES

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

1x1 Rib
Round 1: (K1, p1) around.
Round 2: (K1, p1) around.

Fisherman's Rib
Round 1: (K1b, k1) to last st, k1b.
Round 2: (P1, p1b) to last st, p1.

Abbreviations:
K1b: in next st, insert needle through centre of st below and knit this the usual way, slipping the st above off at the same time.
P1b: in next st, insert needle through centre of st below and purl this the usual way, slipping the st above off at the same time.

Techniques:

• Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off
• Chain, Slip Stitch & Single Crochet

DIRECTIONS

Make 2.
With Long Tail Cast On, CO 128[136, 144, 150, 160, 168, 186, 210, 228] sts. Place marker and join for working in the round.

Set-up Round: [K1, p1] around, placing a marker after stitch 58[60, 62, 64, 66, 62, 68, 80, 86] , and another, 13[15, 19, 21, 29, 45, 51, 49, 55] sts after the first.

For sizes XS[-, -, -, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X] only:
Next round: Work in Rib as set to first m, work in Fisherman's Rib to second m, work in Rib as set to end.
Repeat the last round 3[-, -, -, 3, 7, 2, 13, 10] more times.

All sizes proceed:

Fisherman Rib Expansion Section
Round 1: K2tog, work in Rib as set to 1 st before m, move m to this position, work in Fisherman's Rib to 1 st after m, move m to this position, work in Rib as set to 2 sts before m, ssk. 2 sts decreased.

Round 2: Work in Rib as set to first m, work in Fisherman's Rib to second m, work in Rib as set to end.
Repeat Round 2 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 1] more times.

Repeat instructions from Round 1, 15[16, 16, 16, 15, 11, 12, 17, 18] more times. 96[102, 110, 116, 128, 144, 160, 174, 190] sts

Fisherman Rib Reduction Section:
Round 1: Work in Rib as set to 1 st after m, move m to this position, work in Fisherman's Rib to 1 st before m, move m to this position, work in Rib as set to end.

Round 2: Work in Rib as set to first m, work in Fisherman's Rib to second m, work in Rib as set to end.

Repeat Round 2 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 1] more times.

Repeat instructions from Round 1, 15[16, 16, 16, 15, 11, 12, 17, 19] more times.

For sizes XS[-, -, -, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X] only:
Next round: Work in Rib as set to first m, work in Fisherman's Rib to second m, work in Rib as set to end.
Repeat the last round 3[-, -, -, 3, 7, 2, 13, 10] more times.

All sizes:
BO using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off.
Fasten off, leaving a 4-inch/10-cm tail.

FINISHING

Weave in ends, wash and block.

Adding the elastic:
Pick a leg opening.
Wrong side facing and close to one of the edges, use the crochet hook to pull the elastic thread through the first stitch. Make a couple of knots, securing the tail of the elastic thread. Make sure to test the knots, as elastic thread tends to unravel rather easily.

Step 1: Insert the hook under the same stitch and pull up a loop of elastic. This is your first crochet chain.

Step 2: Then go through the right loop of the next second knit stitch in the same round and work a single crochet stitch. Repeat this step until you have worked the entire circumference.

Step 3: Join the last single crochet stitch with the first one by working a slip stitch.

Work again once more from Step 1, this time working 2 rows below the previous row.

There should be 2 worked rows of elastic thread. Secure yarn and fasten off, leaving a 4 inches/10 cm tail.

Repeat the above process again for the remaining three openings. Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Asimina Saranti is a Computer Engineer. She likes to travel, immerse in other cultures and of course, knit! You can meet her in person at Wollwirrware in Bern, where she teaches knitting and crochet regularly.

You can find her designs on Ravelry and follow her knitting and life adventures on her blog.

Pattern & images © 2017 Asimina Saranti.