Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Open Road Pattern Spotlight: Allons Mitts and Camerado Cowl

Today's post is all about the two matching accessories in my Open Road collection—Allons and Camerado.

Allons Mitts_1_72

The Allons mitts are a feminine yet practical cool-weather accessory featuring the same pretty stitch pattern as the Journeyer pullover.  Since Journeyer and Camerado are symmetrical, I thought it would be fun to add a touch of asymmetry to the collection. So I placed the stitch pattern in Allons off center.

Allons Mitts_8_72

Ribbing on the palm and sides ensures a comfortable fit. And with instructions for two sizes, you should be able to make Allons for almost anyone. They're worked in the round on double-pointed needles, from the bottom up, beginning and ending with rolled stockinette.

Allons Mitts_4_72

These mitts are knit in DK weight yarn at a fairly firm gauge, for warmth. I used Acadia from the Fibre Company, a slubby blend of merino, silk, and alpaca. When I swatched with Acadia, I felt it would really shine in an uncomplicated design. So I chose to keep the design clean and simple and allow the beauty of the yarn to take center stage.

Allons Mitts_6_72

The same smocked lace stitch appears along the sides of the matching cowl, Camerado. For this design, I felt a smooth fingering weight yarn with good stitch definition would be best. I used Quince & Co.'s Finch in Kumlien's Gull for the blue cowl (three skeins) and Egret for the cream cowl (five skeins).

Camerado Cream_72_2

Camerado Both_72

The pattern provides instructions for two widths and lengths. The cream cowl is quite wide and long (13.25 inches/34 cm wide by 68 inches/173 cm in circumference). It's designed to be extra warm and cozy for those cold days ahead! But if that's more knitting than you're up for, no worries—the blue cowl is just 8.5 inches/22 cm wide by 54 inches/137 cm in circumference and knits up very quickly.

Camerado Cream_72_4

Camerado Blue_3_72

Camerado is worked flat (back and forth) from a provisional cast on. When you're finished, you join the beginning and ending edges with a three-needle bind-off. Complete instructions for these techniques are provided in the pattern. And for all three designs in Open Road, stitch patterns are given in both charts and written, line-by-line form. So whichever format you prefer, you're covered.

Camerado Cream_72_1

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I just love the cream colored cowl so much!

Bonnie said...

Thanks, Hattie! Me too! I love wearing it. So cozy and warm.