Circe's Revenge by Awilda Baoumgren
Materials: 1skein Tri'Coterie Luxury Cashmere Silk, 400 metres (437 yards). Needles: 4.5 mm (US Size 7). I used a 100 cm (40 inch) circular needle. Notions: One cable needle or small double pointed needle to work the centre cable, Stitch markers Gauge: 20 stitches over 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette, blocked. Finished Dimensions: 119 cm (47 inches) across the the top and 59.7 cm (23.5 inches) from top centre to bottom centre. She Walks in Beauty Tri'CoTerie
Abbreviations
K: Knit
Ktbl: Knit through the back loop Knit Over Rib cable twist: Slip the next 5 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, [P, K, P, K, P, K, P] the next 7 stitches. Then from the cable needle, K the first stitch through the back loop (this was previously a purl), K3, and P1. K1b (Row below increase): With the left hand needle, pick up the purl bump from the stitch below the K just worked, and knit it through the back loop. Here is a video showing how to increase one below with the right hand needle if that's more comfortable for you (l'm left handed). She has picked up a knit stitch instead of a purl, but the process is the same. K2tog: Knit two together P: Purl PM: Place marker P2tog: Purl two together Rib Over Knit cable twist: Slip the next 7 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, knit the next 5 stitches (the 5th stitch you will knit was previously a purl), then [P, K, P, K, P, K, P] from the cable needle. Sk2p: Slip one stitch knitwise, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over SM: Slip marker SSK: Slip one stitch knitwise, slip second stitch knitwise, knit the two stitches together through the back loop. YO: yarn over
Getting Started
Cast on 3 stitches. Knit 6 rows. At the end of these 6 rows you will have a small rectangular piece of garter stitch fabric. Do not turn your work. At the end of the 6th row, pick up and knit one stitch in each of the garter ridges along the long left side (turning the rectangle 90 degrees clockwise). 6 stitches on the needle.
Section 1: Circe's Vessel Next, pick up and knit three stitches from the cast on edge. 9 stitches on the needle. Next Row: K3, pm, k3, pm, k3. There are three parts to the pattern inspired by key features of Waterhouse's iconic PreRaphaelite painting Circe Invidiosa: Circe's vessel, Circe's dress, and Scylla's transformation. This first section is inspired by the vessel Circe uses to pour the potion into Scylla's bathing pool. The section is worked in garter stitch, with increases along the way to create the vessel's bowl shape and set the stitch count for the next section. Row 1 (RS): K3, sm, (klb, k1) to marker, k1b, sm, k3. 13 sts. Row 2 (WS): K3, sm, klb, k to marker, k1b, sm, k3. 15 sts. Rows 3 - 6: Knit. Row 7: Repeat Row 1. 25 sts. Rows 8 - 14: Knit. Row 15: Repeat Row 1. 45 sts. Rows 16 - 31: Knit. Row 32: Repeat Row 1. 85 sts Rows 33 - 48: Knit. Row 49: K3, sm, (k1b, k1) 36 times, k7, (k1b, k1) 36 times, k1b, sm, k3. 158 sts. Row 50: Knit to end.
Section 2: Circe's Dress
This section represents Circe's flowing, billowy dress, and the movement shown in Waterhouse's painting as she pours her potion. A key feature of this part of the shawl is the asymmetrical undulating lace, designed to echo the circular pattern of Circe's dress and the way the fabric undulates around her body. The number of stitches in each lace repeat varies subtly by one purl stitch as you work down the pattern to help create movement and depth. The central cable panel is inspired by Circe's potion leaving the edge of the vessel and into Scylla's pool. The cable is also asymmetrical, with a 7-stitch ribbed leg and a 5-stitch stockinette leg, to mirror the movement of the flowing potion. Work Chart 2 according to charted instructions, page 5. When this section is finished, you will have 214 stitches on the needles.
Section 3: Scylla
The final section of the pattern is inspired by the writhing foam and churning waters at Circe's feet, with glimpses of the tentacles and spikes that hint at what Scylla has become. The trickle of potion flowing from Circe's vessel spills and blends into Scylla's lace just as the potion flows into pool. And the lace representing Scylla both grows out of Circe's dress in places and butts up against it in others, playing on the fact that Scylla's literal monster grew from Circe's metaphorical one. Beginning with WS Set Up Row, work Chart 3 according to charted instructions, at right. Be sure to note that Rows 8, 10, 12, 14, 24, and 26 require lace shaping on the wrong side.
Finishing
Bind off with your favourite stretchy bind off. 1 recommend Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off from the Fall 2009 issue of Knitty. Block to a half circle with a radius of about 60 cm (23.5 inches). The bottom edge can be blocked either with a smooth edge or points.
Have Any Questions?
Feel free to message me (Awilda on Ravelry), or come join our group at Awilda B. Designs! Many Thanks to my test knitters Debbie, Regina, and Shannon, and to Gabes and Maylin for all your support! Section 2 Chart, see page 5.
Section 3 Chart
