Rollright Shrug and Cape
www.beakerbutton.co.uk Jen Best 2015
Tension 8 sts X 10 rows over 10 X 10cm square using size 10mm needles, 1 skein each in 5 colours of Yaya (for a single colour you need 250m approx of super chunky yarn), yarn needle for sewing in ends, 16 X Dorset buttons 3.5cm across made with contrasting thread. This shrug/cape is worked side to side. It is a one size fits most garment. Change the size by doing up more or less buttons.
Pattern
Change colours in the following order while following the pattern below. A - purple, 10 rows B - mauve, 10 rows C - dark blue, 12 rows D- light blue, 12 rows E - white, 24 rows D - light blue, 12 rows C - dark blue, 12 rows B - mauve, 10 rows A - purple, 10 rows Cast on 40 sts [K1, P1] to end. [K1, P1] to end. [K1, P1] to last 3 sts, yo, K2tog, P1. [K1, P1] to end Repeat last 4 rows 5 more times (24 rows) Knit K4, P32, K4 Repeat last 2 rows 23 more times (48 rows, 80 rows total) Knit K4, P32, K4 K1, K2tog, yo, K37 K4, P32, K4 Repeat last 4 rows 1 more time (8 rows, 88 rows total [K1, P1] to end. [K1, P1] to end. K1, P2tog, yrn, [K1, P1] to last st, P1. [K1, P1] to end Repeat last 4 rows 5 more times (24 rows, 112 rows total). Cast off. Sew buttons opposite yo holes. Do up and wear with pride. Knit K4, P32, K4 K37, yo, K2tog, K1 K4, P32, K4 Repeat last 4 rows 1 more time (8 rows, 32 rows total)
Abreviations
K -knit P- purl sts-stitches K2tog - knit 2 together (insert the needle in the next 2 stitches as if to knit, knit the two together) P2tog - purl 2 together (insert the needle in the next 2 stitches as if to purl, purl the two together) yo - yarn over or yarn forward (bring the yarn to the front of the work and knit, makes a stitch) [...] repeat section as directed Instructions on how to make a Crosswheel button, sometimes known as a Blandford Cartwheel.
Materials
1 brass ring 3.5cm, approximately 4m of 4ply thread (less if using a thicker thread), blunt ended needle. There are four stages to making a Dorset Button on a ring. Casting, Slicking, Laying and Rounding.
Hints and tips:
If you find you are running out of thread simply thread the tail of yarn neatly through the back of the button and leave a long tail. Add new yarn by threading it back the opposite way to the first thread, leaving a long tail, and continue rounding, stitching over the tails as well. The tails can be woven into the back of the button at the end. When laying the spokes make sure the spoke you are laying is perfectly in the centre of the ring at the front. Don't worry about the back. This will help to make your spokes central. The holding stitches you put in will pull the back spokes into place. As you are stitching with single ply thread it helps to twist the thread every now and then to stop it unravelling.
Casting
Have a length of yarn approximately 4m long. Tie the yarn round the ring in a single knot, leaving a tail of about 1-2cm. Stitch round the entire ring in blanket stitch, covering the tail as you go. Bring the needle towards you through the ring and pass it away from you through the loop created. Make sure to cover the whole ring, moving the stitches along the ring so there are no gaps.
Casting in blanket stitch
Slicking
Turn all the stitches so that they face inwards, leaving a smooth edge to the button. The thread should drop from the back of the button.
Slicking
Laying
Bring the yarn towards you over the ring then back up. This forms one spoke. Turn the ring and repeat until there are several spokes around the ring. The spacing should be even. For a crosswheel button 10 spokes looks good. Make two or three stitches in the centre of the wheel to hold the spokes in place, being careful to catch all the threads from the back into the middle. I make my second stitch across my first, so they look like a cross. If your spokes are not central and you want them to be, firmly tug the middle until i's placed centrally, using the side of the needle.
Laying
Rounding
Back stitch round the spokes. Bring the needle up from the back. Pass it back down clockwise over the spoke. Bring it back up two spokes anti-clockwise. Pass it down one spoke clockwise. Repeat this until you reach the start of you first round. Continue back stitching rounds in this way until the entire button is filled. To make the button more central push the stitches closest to the edge into the midle with your finger, but leave the stitches furthest away.
Rounding
Finishing off
Finishing
Thread the tail of the yarn at the back of the button into the middle and make one or two holding stitches. Leave the yarn tail for sewing onto a garment.
