DIY Network

Tissue Box Turtleneck There are tea cozies, so why not a tissue box cozy? From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-813

Debbie Brisson, the author if The Museum of Kitschy Stitches, begins to demo her tissue-box turtleneck. She casts on with smaller needles, knits rows of ribbing, switches to larger needles and begins to work the stitches in the decorative Fair Isle chart.

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Tissue Box Turtleneck

Materials:

16" circular needles, 1 pair each US sizes 6 and 7
1 set double-pointed needles (dpn), US size 7
Caron Simply Soft yarn, I skein each Dark Sage (A) and Autumn Red (C)
Patons Brilliant yarn, 1 skein Gold Glow (B)

Gauge: approximately 4-1/2 stitches per 1"

Note: Entire piece is worked in the round.

Using smaller needles and A, co 100. Place a marker every 25 sts (make it easier to remember where the row starts by using a different color or size marker after the last st).

Join and work 2x2 ribbing for 4 rows (setup row: k1, *p2, k2*, k1)

Switch to larger circular needles.

Work 1 row of straight knitting.

Switch to B and work 1 more row of straight knitting.

PDF Granny Chart: click to enlarge.

Begin working intarsia chart (see link, at right). One chart fits between each set of stitch markers. There is no space between charts. The chart is outlined in B, so you'll start and end with a row of knitting in B.

After the last row in the chart, work 1 more row of straight knitting in Color B.

Switch to Color A, work 1 row of straight knitting.

Work 2x2 ribbing for 4 rows (as above: k1, *p2, k2*, k1).

Note: At this point, decide if more rows of ribbing are needed before beginning decreasing for the "neck." It may take 5 or 6 rows to reach the top.

Changing yarn

Building the body

The Fair Isle chart completed, Debbie Brisson works more ribbing and starts decreasing to create the turtleneck on double-pointed needles.

If the sides if the tissue box are completely covered, start decreasing.

Before every stitch marker, slip two sts as if going to k2tog, but don't actually k2tog.

Take the marker off the needle.

K the next stitch. Pass the 2 slipped sts over it. Put the marker back.

Keep decreasing until it starts to get hard to maneuver the sts on the circular needle, then switch to the dpns. This will probably take 6 rows.

Decrease a total of about 12 rows. Try the sweater on the box to determine whether the opening is covering the top of the box without covering the hole at the top.

Once you're happy with the size of the opening, continue the ribbing without decreasing.

Decide how tall the turtleneck should be; 12 rows is enough to fold over but not be too bulky. Give it more or less depending on your preference.

Bind off loosely. Use a needle one size up if you are finding it difficult.

Weave in the end from the neck.

RESOURCES :

The Museum of Kitschy Stitches: A Gallery of Notorious Knits
Quirk Books, 2006
Website: www.quirkbooks.com

GUESTS :

Debbie Brisson
Blog: www.stitchymcyarnpants.com