Simply Claire

Hello!  Welcome to my blog! 

I’m very excited to begin this blog.  In this first, inaugural post, I want to introduce a new sweater pattern I just released named “Simply Claire”.  I often wonder how people come up with names for their patterns.  Is it random?  Are they inspired by something in particular?  For this pattern, I was inspired by my grandma, Claire.  She turned 80 on the day I finished writing the pattern and so I thought it apt that the two coincided. 

I’ll give a little more information on me and this blog in my next post.  But for now, check it out!  Available on Ravelry or Craftsy.  My sister, Gillian, is the model and I have to say, she look hot in this sweater!  Apparently she wore it to the grocery store last week and got all sorts of compliments on it.  I don’t know what pleases me more – that she got compliments on something I designed or that she’s actually wearing it!  You knitters out there know how frustrating it can be when you put your time and energy into a project only to it go unappreciated by the recipient.  I know Gillian appreciates the effort (she loves hand knit socks!) but to have her wear it out and about is just fantastic. 

Simply Claire

This sweater was inspired by the desire for something I could wear to the office with a skirt or work pants instead of a blazer or jacket. In keeping with this desire, Simply Claire was designed with clean lines, set-in sleeves and shaping to hug your curves in all the right places without creating bulk. At the same time, because it is knit in a worsted weight yarn, it knits up relatively quick.

As it happens, not only does this simple little cardi look great paired with a skirt, it's also perfect for a Saturday afternoon in jeans!

Simply Claire is designed to be worn with 1" to 2" of negative ease and would look fabulous on a woman with curves.

Sizes

For women's garments: XS [S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL]

Finished Measurements

Chest: 30 [34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches

Length: 23.5 [24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 27] inches

Gauge

20 sts / 25 rows = 4" x 4” in stockinette stitch

Materials

Cascade Yarns 220 [100% Wool; 220yds/200m per 100g skein]; color: 890; 5 [5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9] skeins

1 set 4.5mm (US#7) double-point needles

1 40” 4.5mm (US#7) circular needle

Tapestry Needle

1” buttons – 7 [7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8]