MPG (Multipurpose Garment)
The Multi-Purpose Garment (MPG) is started out as a cowl, but I quickly realized that I wanted to use all 320 yards of my luscious handspun. I discovered that the drapey fabric of the cowl could become a capelet when pulled over the shoulders. The resulting garment is a relaxing knit of stockinette stitch in the round with a garter ridge thrown in every so often to hide the decreases that go up to the neck. The multi-purpose garment (MPG) also transforms into a hood/wimple with the addition of short rows that create extra fabric that comes in handy on really blustery days. Whether you use it as a cowl, capelet, or wimple, you'll get a ton of mileage from your MPG. Yarn: Handspun from JulieSpins, 50/50 BFL/silk 2 ply, 11 wpi, 320 yards. A commercial yarn that has a high silk content and is DK weight (320/360 yards) should work well in this pattern. The fabric you create needs to be drapey. Size: M/L 18/21.5 " at the widest spot (where it goes over the shoulders if desired). Total length for both sizes is 23" when measured from the short row section to the bottom. Gauge: 17 stitches, 32 rows per 4"/10cm after blocking. Needles/notions: US 7 (4.5mm) circular needles with a 32" cord, stitch markers if desired, tapestryneedle
Cast on 130/145 stitches using a long tail cast on. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Knit the body of the MPG
1. Knit 6 rounds of garter 2. Switch to stockinette stitch (knit every round) and knit for 4.5" 3. Knit 4 rounds of garter stitch (knit one round, purl one round), decreasing 2 stitches evenly on the first round. 128/143st. 4. Knit in stockinette stitch for 3.5 " 5. Knit 4 rounds of garter stitch, decreasing 4 stitches evenly on 1st round. 124/139 st. 6. Knit in stockinette stitch for 3.5" 7. Knit 4 rounds of garter stitch, decreasing 2 stitches evenly on 1st round, 122/137 st. 8. Knit in stockinette stitch for 3.5" 9. Knit 4 rounds of garter stitch, decreasing 2 stitches evenly on 1st round.120/135 st 10. Knit in stockinette stitch for .75".
Divide the MPG into front and back sections
Place 2 markers to divide the work into portions for the front and back of the garment. (30/35 st for the front and 90/1o0 for the back). Place an additional marker at the midpoint of the back stitches.
Knit the short rows that form the wimple
\*\*\*Knit short rows over the 90/100 stitches designated for the back for a length of 3.5" total from the start of the short rows.\*\*\* \*\*\*At the same time, decrease 20 stitches on either side of the midpoint marker on right side rows. So, knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, (slip 2 stitches as if to knit to the right needle, insert the left needle into the fronts of these two stitches and knit them together), slip marker, k2tog (knit 2 stitches together).
Short rows:
1. knit to 1 stitch before the first marker indicating the back stitches of the garment, wrap & turn.\* 2. purl to 1 stitch before the second marker indicating the back std of the garment, wrap & turn. 3. knit to 1 stitch before previous wrapped stitch, wrap & turn. 4. purl to 1 stitch before previous wrapped stitch, wrap & turn. Repeat rows 3 & 4 a total of 5/7 times -don't forget to do your \*\*\*At the same time decreases! \* Wrap and Turn To work a short row on the Rs: Work to the next stitch to be wrapped, move yarn to the front of the work and slip next stitch knitwise. Bring yarn to back and turn work to other side. With WS facing, slip same stitch back to right hand needle. Work across the row. To work a short row on the Ws: Work to the next stitch to be wrapped, move yarn to back of work and slip next stitch purlwise. Bring yarn to front and turn work to other side. With RS facing, slip same stitch back to right hand needle. Work across row. )ws with a wrong side row, then knit 1 round, picking up wre
Finish off your MPG
Knit 1.5" in stockinette stitch Knit 10 rounds of garter stitch and bind off loosely. MPG achieved.
