Description
Sceles
Knitted in Kalinka Fingering 4 ply – 100% Linen
Everything about this tee is designed to utilise the exciting properties of linen. Wonderfully oversized to make maximum use of linen’s superior drape, further heightened by the fact it is knitted on much larger needles then you would ordinarily approach a 4ply/fingering weight.
In fact, I devised the stitch especially for it (inspired by the greatest summer triangle – the ice cream cone): clusters formed by passing stitches over both ways keep in check linen’s tendency to drop and the crisp definition shows off the triangles and tear shaped holes perfectly. You’d be excused for thinking it was crochet at first glance.
Knitted in one piece, the body is worked in the round on circular needles while the sleeve section is worked flat. The shoulder seam falls at the back and the 3-needle cast off brings the stitch pattern together beautifully. A small neckband is picked up afterwards and knitted with decreases at 4 corners. It’s no-sew, save for the ends.
Flattering on all sizes for jazzing up trousers, skirts or a dresses. Wear with jeans over a singlet or just a fabulous coloured bikini shining through! Flowing or belted, it’s up to you. Wash it and wash it: it will only get softer.
Sceles first appeared in PomPom Quarterly, Issue 9 in Summer 2014. This pattern is an updated version with the repeat happening over 6 stitches rather than 5 for ease of shaping the sleeves and neckline. The yardage required is the same, but the measurements are just slightly different. I have also designed Tricosceles, a shawl using the same stitch pattern and you can purchase Sceles along with your Tricosceles as a bundle for a little discount.
SCHEMATIC MEASUREMENTS for single pattern
hem to underarm:
29.5 (33.5, 37.5, 41.5, 45.5)cm
11½ (13¼, 14¾, 16¼, 18) inches
sleeve –underarm to cuff
16cm
6inches
underarm to shoulder
18 (22, 24, 28, 30)cm
7 (8¾, 9½, 11, 11¾)inches
neck round
45 (50, 50, 55, 55)cm
17½ (19½, 19½, 21¾, 21¾)inches
YARN
Blue Colourway
A: Antracitgrå; 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) skeins
B: Blå; 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) skeins
Note on choosing colours: When choosing colours for Sceles, use the darker of the shades as A and the lighter for B. The gathering that happens in the formation of the stitch pattern creates an optical shadow that is enhanced by using the colours in this way. You can go for a very striking difference or a more subtle one. The stronger the contrast, the easier it will be to tell which row you are on in the pattern.
Photos: © Juju Vail for PomPom Quarterly & © George Lavender for Anna Maltz, respectively.