Boutique Knits

boutique knits 20+ must-have

accessories

laura IRWIN

boutique knits 1

2

boutique knits

alpaca silk bow scarf It’s not only about wearing a beautiful scarf, but how you wear it. This scarf was designed specifically to be tied in a bow, always one of my favorite ways to wear a scarf.

finished size

9½' (2.9 m) long, 4" (10 cm) wide in ribbed sections, and 6¼" (16 cm) wide at widest point.

yarn

DK weight (Light #3). Shown here: Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk (50% alpaca, 50% silk; 146 yd [134 m]/50 g): #128 plum (dark purple), 4 skeins, and #129 amethyst (light purple), 1 skein.

needles

U.S. size 5 (3.75 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

notions

3 bobbins; tapestry needle.

gauge

22 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in St st; 39 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in rib patt.

note

For the intarsia section, use separate lengths of yarn for each color section and twist the yarns together at color changes to avoid leaving holes. Wind each length of yarn into a small yarn butterfly or onto a bobbin to manage them easily.

boutique knits 3

4

boutique knits

softly pleated sleeves

A sleeve to rest your head upon while daydreaming in the colder months. Victorian-style trim is appliquéd after sleeve is completed.

finished size

10" (25.5 cm) long and 7" (18 cm) hand circumference. To fit woman’s size small to medium.

yarn

DK weight (Light #3). Shown here: Blue Sky Alpacas Brushed Suri (67% baby suri alpaca, 22% merino wool, 11% bamboo; 142 yd [130 m]/50 g): #905 Earl Grey, 1 skein.

needles

U.S. size 6 (4 mm) and U.S. size 7 (4.5 mm): set of 5 doublepointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

notions

Marker (m); ½ yd (.5 m) beaded trim (see Sources); sewing needle and thread to match trim; tapestry needle.

gauge

20½ sts and 31 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st on smaller needles.

boutique knits 5

project gallery

hood devoteé

bamboo diamond shell

sideways grande hat

6 boutique knits

table of contents

sunshine oval bag

Knitting with a Toolbox: Tools & Inspiration Projects Pseudo Shibori Scarf Fawn Earflap Hat Best Felted Collar {felting}

Softly Pleated Sleeves Silky Tweed Vest Sunshine Oval Bag {zippers &

chicago screws }

Side Slip Cloche Alpaca Silk Bow Scarf Felted Silver Bag {working with

chain & d-rings}

pseudo shibori scarf

teak bittersweet gauntlets

Sideways Grande Hat Wool Cotton Raglan Cape Whiskey Felted Cap {Custom Labels} Teak Bittersweet Gauntlets Beaded Fair Isle Hat Big Brown Bag {Grommets & Horseshoe Hooks}

Heather Headband Plain Talk Mittens Argyle Lace Hat {Fabric-Covered Buttons}

Ruffled Neck Kerchief Bamboo Diamond Shell Pleated Denim Purse

{Jewelry Techniques for Knitters}

Braided Cable Belt Hood Devotée {Sewn linings}

Soft Kid Bubble

braided cable belt

boutique knits 7

make must-have knits that show off your personal style

Make your very own knockout accessories with Boutique Knits. If you love making heads turn with the “it” handbag, funky scarf, or precious hat, then this book is for you. Innovative knitwear designer Laura Irwin presents designs for all kinds of knitted accessories that stand out from the crowd. The patterns in Boutique Knits feature a variety of knitting techniques including felting, colorwork, lace, and cables. But the showstopping details in this collection come from incorporating non-knitting tools and techniques to transform craft into couture. Buckles and bolts borrowed from leatherwork close an intricately cabled belt. A chain handle and leather lacking finish a half-felted purse. Metal rings and a silky ribbon top off a stylish cap. And leather lacing and grommets dress up a felted knitted bag. Vintage details like lace, beads, ribbon, and fabric-covered buttons embrace the softer side of cutting-edge design. Then borrow sewing and millinery techniques to finish your knits to perfection. This collection of modern, stylish patterns will inspire knitters of all levels with its uncommon techniques and materials. The next time someone stops you on the street to ask where you got that perfect knitted piece, tell them it’s from Boutique Knits! Paperbound, 8½ x 9, 144 pages 70 photographs, 20 illustrations ISBN 978-1-59668-073-9 $21.95 October 2008

interweavebooks.com

laura irwin began her ready-to-wear handknits line in 2002 and is a featured designer at Seaplane, an independent designer boutique in Portland, Oregon. Her knitwear patterns have appeared in Knitscene and Interweave Knits, and she has been featured on HGTV’s That’s Clever. She lives in Portland, Oregon.