DIY Network

Diskotek Halter Designer Elisabeth Marmugi introduces knits that make great evening wear. From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-310

Knitting designer Elisabeth Marmugi, from Needful Yarns, proves that knitting can be sexy with garments suitable for a night out on the town. She shows us simple patterns for creating two tops: a halter with crisscross straps and a sweater with fabulous fringe and flared sleeves. We even get a fashion show of other notable garments from the Needful Yarns collection.

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	Diskotek Halter in fuschia
	Diskotek Halter in silver

Knit-O-Meter Rating: Beginner.

Materials:

4 (4, 5, 5) 50g balls (each approx 66 yards) of Needful Yarns Santa Ana (84% wool, 16% nylon)
2 (2, 2, 2) 20g balls (each approx 150m/163yds) of London yarns (60% cupro, 40% metallic)
U.S. size 11, or size required to obtain gauge
2 stitch holders

Note: Remember that many yarns are seasonal and could be discontinued. If the specific yarn called for is not available, purchase a substitution yarn that comes closest to the specified gauge in your pattern. And be sure to make that all-important swatch to see whether the yarn works for your particular pattern

Finished measurements

X-Small: bust 73.5cm/29"; length to underarm: 30cm/11-3/4"
Small: bust 81cm/32"; length to underarm: 30cm/11-3/4"
Medium: bust 89cm/35"; length to underarm: 33cm/13"
Large: bust 97.5cm/38-1/2"; length to underarm: 33cm/13"

Tension: 10sts and 14 rows=10cm/4ins, over St st using one strand of each yarn held together.

Abbreviations

beg = begin(ning)
cm = centimeter(s)
cont = continue
g = gram(s)
in(s) = inch(es)
K = knit
K2 tog = knit two stitches together
mm = millimeter(s)
M1 = make one stitch
p = purl
RS = right side
st(s) = stitches
St st = stocking stitch
skpo = slip one stitch knitwise, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
WS = wrong side.

Rib Pattern (3 rows only)
First row: P1[K1,P1] repeat to end.
Second row: K1[ P1,K1] repeat to end.
Third row: P1[K1,P1] repeat to end.

Back

Using 1 strand of each yarn held together, cast on 37 (41, 45, 49) sts.
Work rows 1 to 3 of rib pattern. Beginning with a knit row, work 6 rows of St st ending with a WS row.
Next row (RS): K2, SKPO, K to last 4 sts, K2tog, K2. Work 3 rows St st.
Repeat last 4 rows 2 more times = 31 (35, 39, 43) sts.
Work in St st for 2 (2, 4, 4) rows, ending with Ws row.
Next row (RS): K2, M1, K to last 2 sts, M1, K2. Work 3 rows in St st.
Repeat last 4 rows, 2 more times = 37 (41, 45, 49) sts.
Work in St st for 2 (2, 4, 4) rows ending with WS row.*
Work rows 1 to 3 of rib pattern.
Cast off in rib.

Knit Bit: Flowers bloom--but what about yarn? "Blooming" is a yarn's characteristic to puff up and get fuller when it's washed and dried (kind of like hair). Take a lock of curly hair: you can brush it straight. Get it wet, though, and it snaps right back. Yarn fibers are combed and plied and spun, but when you get them wet, they want to go back to their natural state. That's why it's so important, when you work with animal fibers, not only to knit your swatch but also to wash and dry it as you would the garment you're about to knit, before you check that gauge.

RESOURCES :

Santa Ana and London yarns
Needful Yarns (USA)
E-mail: info@needfulyarnsinc.com
Web: needfulyarnsinc.com

GUESTS :

Elisabeth Marmugi
Knitting expert
E-mail: info@needfulyarnsinc.com