Novus Collection: The Construction!

I promised you all a blog series outlining some of the tips and tricks you'll need to know for the Novus Collection. Hot Flash and Las Cruces use the same techniques and construction so the series will apply to both patterns.
I first played with this concept in Kinetik Mystery Shawl, and then started riffing off of it as the technique allows for intriguing modular construction. I always knew that a sweater using it was in the works, but I was happily surprised to see that I couldn't stop with just one!

This first post outlines the step by step construction used in the Novus Collection.... it's a little crazy, but surprisingly simple. The only trick is to follow the pattern exactly as written. : )!

Step 1: 
Cast on for the right side of the sweater.

Knit the sleeve and then to cast on for the front and back and work them along with the already established sleeve stitches.

Next, you’ll be splitting your stitches for the neckline, working neckline shaping and separating the shoulder from the front and back.

When finished the sts are put onto scrap yarn and held.
 
Step 2:  
Repeat for the left side of the sweater.

 
Step 3: 
Place all back held sts onto one long circular needle and cast onto left needle tip ready to work back panel!

 
Step 4: 
Work back panel from bottom of sweater to collar. As you work through the Back Panel, RS rows decrease st(s) from the Left Back, and WS rows decrease st(s) from the Right Back.

Step 5: 
Time for some Origami...
fold your sweater in half at the shoulder! 

 
Step 6: 
Pick up stitches along each edge of a sleeve and coordinating side seam and then work a side panel in the same fashion as  the back panel.

 
Step 7: 
Finally, place your front stitches, back onto the needle, pick up a few stitches along the neckline decreases, replace the shoulder and back panel stitches on the needle, and then pick up more stitches on the left neckline decreases and finally put the left front stitches back on the needle.

Now you are ready to work the shawl collar!

 
Please do ask questions as this series on knitting The Novus Collection progresses! We've got a KAL thread in my Ravelry group... I can't wait to see these sweaters come off your needles!

Also, before I go any further I want to give a huge shout out to all of you who helped me get these sweaters together! Novus Collection had 3 editors, Renee Lorion, Kate Atherley, and Anne Weaver, and  seven test knitters, Ana Cecilia, Laurel, Lorrie, Lori, Carol, Kelly, Suzie (y'all rock!).

Dave Burbank offered his photography servies and we shot on location at Firelight Camps a new glamping destination outside of Ithaca. I think Firelight would be an AMAZING place to hold a knitting retreat, as long as people don't mind walking to the bathroom : )! I'm thrilled with how all the photos came out, it's much easier for me to be behind the camera than in front of it and Dave did a great job relaxing me!

Comments

  1. OMG- I've done something similar but you have improved on it sooo much. Can't wait to try it. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment