WAYne F.
Design by Amy E. Anderson @
Lacy Smoke Ring Intermediate Skill Level One Size Handpaint Merino Wool Sock Yarn design by Amy E. Anderson This is a very feminine design, so it may seem odd that I've named it after my father - but there's a reason. The vertical panels in the lace pattern remind me of little neckties, and my father was a devotee of neckties. He said they were a man's only opportunity to make a fashion statement and he had dozens and dozens of them. To me, they were all variations on navy blue with maroon and gold stripes, but to him, each one was an individual. He'd pick one out and say something like, “l bought this in 1952 in Athens, Greece, at a little shop on such-and-such street. The owner was Armenian and we talked about blah blah blah. I paid 50 drachma for it." It occurs to me that most people would look at a knitter's stash and just see balls of yarn, but to us, each skein has a story. I'm sure my sweet Dad would understand. This design was inspired by a litle chevron scarf and a neck gaiter with a lace pattern that was much too complicated for my addled brain. By working in the round, you eliminate the purl rows and by adding some shaping to the lace pattern, the gaiter flares at the bottom to rest comfortably on your shoulders. Directions are given for one size. Materials: Approximately 350 yds of sock weight yarn. i used Koigu KPPPM and Richesse et Soie by Knit One Crochet Too Needles: Size 6, 16"circular, or size needed to obtain gauge Gauge: 11 sts $=2^{\circ}$ in stockinette stitch
Directions:
With $16"$ circular needle, cast on 204 sts, very loosely!. (Note: You may want to cast on with a larger size needle, if you have one. Switch to Size 6 needle on first round.) Join, being careful not to twist. Purl 1 round. Knit 1 round. Purl 1 round.
Pattern A (multiple of 17 sts):
Round 1: \*K2tog, K6, yo, K1, yo, K6, SSK\* rep \* - \*. Round 2: Knit. Work in Pattern A for 8 rounds. Work $1^{\mathrm{st}}$ Decrease Rd as follows: \*K2tog, K4, K2tog, yo K1, yo, SSK, K4, SSK\* rep \* - \*. You will have a total of 180 sts. Knit 1 rd. plain.
Pattern B (multiple of 15 sts):
Round 1: \*K2tog, K5, yo, K1, yo, K5, SSK\* rep \* - \*. Round 2: Knit. Work in Pattern B for 8 rounds. Work 2nd Decrease Rd as follows: \*K2tog, K3, K2tog, yo K1, yo, SSK, K3, SSK\* rep \* \* You will have a total of 156 sts. Knit 1 rd. plain.
Pattern C (multiple of 13 sts):
Round 1: \*K2tog, K4, yo, K1, yo, K4, SSK\* rep \* - \*. Round 2: Knit. Work in Pattern C for 8 rounds. Work $3^{\mathsf{r d}}$ Decrease Rd as follows: \*K2tog, K2, K2tog, yo K1, yo, SSK, K2, SSK\* rep \* \* You will have a total of 132 sts. Knit 1 rd. plain.
Pattern D (multiple of 11 sts):
Round 1: \*K2tog, K3, yo, K1, yo, K3, SSK\* rep \* - \*. Round 2: Knit. Work in Pattern D until piece measures $15\%^{3!}-18^{\circ}$ tall. If you plan to wear your smoke ring scrunched around your neck, the shorter length is plenty. If you plan to wear it as a head covering, the longer length is nice. End so the next round worked would be a plain knit round. Purl 1 round. Work I-Cord Bind off as follows: Using knit-on cast on, OR backward loops, cast on 3 new sts. \*Knit 2, Knit 2 together through the back of the loops. Replace these 3 sts on the left needle\*, rep \* - \*. Continue until all sts have been bound off, draw 3 remaining sts together and tie off.
Finishing:
Weave in loose ends. Block with a steam iron.
Abbreviations:
${\mathsf{C O}}={\mathsf{C}}.$ ast On BO Bind off $\mathsf{K}=\mathsf{K}\mathsf{n i t}$ $\mathsf{r e p=}$ repeat $\mathsf{P=P}\mathsf{u r l}$ $\mathsf{S t}(\mathsf{s})=$ stitch(es) Inc $=$ increase $\mathsf{R d}(\mathsf{s})=$ round(s) Dec $=$ Decrease $12\sf{t o g}=$ knit 2 together SSK - slip 2 knitwise, insert left needed back through both sts and knit them together.
