pattern Archives - Megaptera knits

December 27, 2021

For the Greater Good Fingerless Mitts Pattern

I like Harry Potter.

I also like fictional villains.

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These mitts were created for my fellow Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them fans, in time for the release of The Secrets of Dumbledore in April, 2022.

For the Greater Good mitts are inspired by Gellert Grindelwald’s organization, The Alliance, whose purpose was to promote wizarding supremacy, until Grindelwald’s defeat by Albus Dumbledore in 1945. Grindelwald used the phrase For the Greater Good to justify his crimes against those who opposed him and his self-proclaimed superiority.

The mitts are knit in the round from the bottom up, and include a shaped thumb gusset. The Alliance’s logo (the two G’s incorporating the Deathly Hallows symbol) adorn the front while mysterious magical symbols circle the cuff.

The pattern can be worked with a long circular needle and Magic Loop or with double-pointed needles. Mitts contain long floats, so be sure to “catch” the yarn frequently on back of work.

If you like these, check out my Budgie Mittens and other designs on Ravelry.

Materials Needed for For the Greater Good Mitts

For these mitts, you’ll need two colors of fingering weight wool yarn. I used 90 yards of Knit Picks Palette in Oregon Coast Heather for the Main Color. For the Contrasting Color, I used 85 yards of Palette in Asphalt Heather.

You will also need needles that will give you the correct gauge. I used Size US1.5 for a gauge of 9 stitches/inch. This produces about a women’s medium with a hand circumference of 8 inches. Change needle sizes if you want a smaller or larger size.

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I hope you enjoy this pattern!

Download For the Greater Good here.

August 31, 2021

Jack-O Garter Mosaic Knit Washcloth

It’s almost here folks. The best time of the year. You know, falling leaves, pumpkin spice, rain, football, crisp air. And Halloween. And to celebrate, I’ve got this jolly jack-o-lantern washcloth pattern to get you into the spirit.

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Jack-O is a garter stitch, mosaic knit washcloth that is created by working one color at a time and slipping stitches to create the design. It’s an easy and entertaining method that uses only one color per row, making it a great colorwork technique to start out with.

Size and gauge aren’t critical. The sample turned out at about 10 x 10 inches.

Materials

I like worsted cotton for washcloths. For this one, I used Peaches & Creme in colors Black (50 yards), Bright Orange (40 yards), and Rosemary(8 yards). Traditional, I know, but maybe you want to make a purple Jack-O. Now that I think about it, that’d be pretty cool.

You’ll also need size US 7 Needles or whatever is recommended for your yarn. And a tapestry needle comes in handy for weaving in those ends.

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The Jack-O pattern includes a color chart AND line-by-line written instructions. It can be purchased here for $2.50.

Please feel free to contact me at tara@megapteraknits.com with any questions or comments.

Happy Autumn!

August 4, 2021

Rubus Sleeveless Top – Knitting Tutorial

I’ve got another great summer top tutorial available: Rubus Sleeveless Top. It’s worked sideways and has a cute little stitch pattern that runs down the front. It reminds me of raspberries. They’re all over at the markets here now.

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Check it out:

The stitch video is here.

Rubus is a stockinette garment worked sideways, from side to center, in four separate panels, with underarm rows added later. Short rows and increases/decreases are used for shaping. I created this tutorial so that it could be made in pretty much any size and gauge. I’ll repeat: no specific sizes and gauges are provided. You get to take your own measurements, determine your own gauge from a knitted swatch, and calculate your own numbers. I like to be flexible that way.

Materials

Yarn: Whatever you like to wear for summer. The amount will depend on your yarn, size, and gauge. I used Plymouth Yarn Tussah Kissed. My gauge measured 5 stitches and 7 rows per inch, with a 39-inch chest circumference.

Approximate amounts at a similar gauge are as follows:

Finished bust size (inches)

Total yarn amount (yards)

810

870

960

1040

1110

1180

1230

1280

1330

1380

Thicker yarns will require less yardage; thinner yarns, more. I’m happy to help you determine amounts for significantly different gauges.

Needles: Long circular needles in whatever size is appropriate for your yarn to give you a nice drape. I used size US5 for the main body and US4 for the neck and bottom edgings.

Other items needed are stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a good notebook to keep track of everything. And a calculator. But don’t worry, the math is easy.

Construction of Rubus

Rubus is worked in several pieces sideways, in this order:

Work front right panel from side to center of front.
Work front left panel from side to center of front.
Graft front right and left panels together.
Work back left panel from side to center of back.
Work back right panel from side to center of back.
Graft back right and left panels together.
Sew front shoulders to back shoulders.
Pick up stitches from left front side and work desired number of rows, then graft to back left.
Pick up stitches from right back, work desired number of rows, then graft to front right.
Add neck, arm, and bottom edges if desired

That’s it! Once you have your measurements and numbers, you’re ready to roll.

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You can purchase the Rubus tutorial here for currently only $1. Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments at tara@megapteraknits.com

Have a great rest of the summer.

February 18, 2021February 19, 2021

Arctic Trellis Shawl Free Knitting Pattern

Hey , I’ve got another Spring pattern for you. It’s called Arctic Trellis, and it sounds way Spring-ish, right? No? Well, I had to call it that since I’m working on it while there are several inches of snow here on the ground here in the Seattle area. (But sending prayers to those of you in Texas right now who are persevering against much crazier winter madness.)

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Check out this super-easy lace stitch:

Arctic Shawl knitting — …and my snowy backyard.

Arctic Trellis is one of those simple one-skein patterns to show off that cake of sock yarn that really needs to be showcased on your shoulders rather than keeping your feet toasty. (Not that I have anything against socks; they’re my favorite thing to knit in the whole world.)

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I used this skein of Darjeeling Sock (Ravelry link) from Earl Grey Fiber Company. This delightful color is called Autumn Skies. Of course it is.

Arctic Trellis is a simple triangle shawl worked from one corner to the opposite edge. It is made up of a garter section with a simple, easy-to-memorize lace pattern. Gauge is not essential, but use a larger needle for a nice drape and an open lace section. My finished measurements were about 70 inches across and 20 inches deep, with a size 4 needle.

Other materials that you’ll need are a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and blocking supplies like a mat and wires. You’re gonna want to do some heavy duty blocking to get that lace to submit.

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I hope you enjoy this quick and easy knit. You’re going to want to sport that beautiful skein of sock wool when the weather warms up a tad bit.

Arctic Trellis has only been tested by me. Please contact me (Ravelry link) with any questions, comments, or errors.

Download here: ArcticTrellis

Stay cool (but warm!),

November 23, 2020February 18, 2021

Marram Tee Knitting Pattern

Is it too early to think about Spring knitting? I don’t think so, but I’m generally not a rule follower. Don’t get me wrong though; I will always be an Autumn girl at heart all year long.

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If you like to knit out of season, check out Marram Tee. Pattern is a simple, lightweight top that is worked top down with minimal shaping. The front is first cast on and worked flat to the underarm with some short row shaping for the shoulders and neck. The back is then cast on and worked similarly with short row shoulder shaping. The front and back are joined at the underarms and tee is worked in the round with a bit of waist shaping to the bottom. Finally, the shoulders are seamed, and stitches are picked up for the sleeves.

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Recommended ease for Marram Tee is 5-6 inches at the bust. Sizing is as follows: