women of a certain age are like sunflowers; they know how to turn their faces to the sun.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Isengard

"In the moonlight, the Ring of Isengard looked like a graveyard of unquiet dead. For the ground trembled."

-Tolkien


I am enjoying a few weeks respite at the lake in Michigan (while the men in my life keep the home fires burning) but just couldn't wait to send this pattern out to all of my loyal subscribers.

This pattern is an exclusive extra. It will retail at $8 eventually, but will not be available for separate purchase until 2012. Until then it is a little something special just for the fellowship. Yes, that's right...


Sorry - had to do it - Gollum made me.

Anyhow...

ISENGARD
THE TWO TOWERS SERIES


A twisted stitch stole from the needles of Susan Pandorf
Size: 18 inches wide by 72 inches long


Materials: 1200 yds Rowan Fine Milk Cotton in Pastille or other fingering weight yarn
size 3 (US) needles or to obtain gauge
markers
Gauge: 6 st = 1 inch, blocked
charted - intermediate level pattern


Isengard is a highly textured twisted stitch & openwork stole. It incorporates lacework into the overall design in such a way as to evoke the crenellated battlements of Orthanc, Saruman's stronghold.

Towering windows form the central theme of this long stretch of a wrap, with circular motifs that evoke the surrounding ring on which the tower sits. A winding river-like motif on the sides hints at the surrounding natural landscape that in the end contributes mightily to Saruman's defeat.

Any solid or semi-solid color fingering weight yarn will work: I did mine in Rowan Fine Milk Cotton for a summer piece, but you may choose something woolier. It would look stunning in charcoal for winter...

The stole is worked in one piece end to end - no grafting or picking up of stitches required. The pattern is complex enough to be interesting, but you should soon memorize it and no longer need to consult the chart every row. The pattern is charted.

If you are not a subscriber, it is not too late. You can subscribe here on the left hand sidebar (scroll down till you see the picture of the Two Towers - after the view cart button) or on Ravelry. The $60 subscription deal is available through the end of July.

We now return you to our previously scheduled vacation...






No comments: