Ignus is the cover photo from my newest booklet Scrumptious Knits. This booklet is still on pre-order but it’s almost ready. We’re on the last set of edits and it will be released at the end of the week. So if you want to take advantage of the reduced pre-order price (and the exclusive bonus pattern Ignus Junior) order quickly!
I had promised you some details about the patterns in the booklet, the first I’ll look at is Ignus. I’m really happy with how this tunic turned out, it incorporates so many things I love, raglan shoulder shaping, ribbing, just a little cables and a long length. Over the last year I’ve found myself drawn to longer tops, they are so versatile and flattering to wear with leggings or skinny jeans. If longer tunic styles isn’t your cup of tea it’s an easy job to shorten this, just omit some of the hip increase rounds, start the ribbing sooner and make it just a couple of inches rather then the depth shown.
Here is a detail of the side cable. It’s worked into the ribbing pattern and ends just before the bottom of the ribbing. This cable detail is echoed in the cowl neck sleeve and in the hip ribbing. The ribbing along the side gives a very flattering fit, it adds a little extra stretch without being clingy. It’s the same with the sleeves, worked in ribbing it does take a little longer but they fit so nicely it’s worth it!
Here in this detail of the front you can see that it has raglan shoulder shaping. This is started at the neck and is worked from the top down. There are a few short rows at the back of the neck to raise it up and the neck is curved to create a good shape. When the neck shaping is finished you join to work in the round and the rest of the top is worked in the round. The side shaping is worked on either side of the ribbing as you go so it’s easy to move it up or down to suit your own natural waist.
Finally the cowl neck is worked at the very end. I love the finishing touch this gives to the tunic. Until this was added when I was knitting it looked almost naked! It really needed the extra detail to finish it off. As with the length of the tunic the length of the cowl is also customizable. I knit a longer version but just try it on as you go until you get the finish you want. I’ve got a little secret to tell you about my blocking, I had a bit of a disaster….It got slightly shrunk!! I ended up stretching the body, cowl and sleeve length back to the original size and it just about worked. The sleeves ended up a touch shorter than originally but only I’d notice! It worked really nicely for the cowl, stretching it created really nice drape, so due to my accident I discovered how nice a drape you get in the cowl with extreme blocking!
Off-topic, but I love your boots!
This is a beautiful sweater. Very flattering! I love the cables on the side.