Garter stitch isn't normally my favorite, its intriguing characteristics* notwithstanding. But I also prefer knitting to purling, so I started to think about designing a tank top using garter stitch, worked in pieces to take advantage of that nice Knit-Every-Row quality.
What about garter stitch as a background to set off other stitches? Nothing too complicated, or it might mess with the ease and speed of Knit-Every-Row. Perhaps...a border of some coordinating stitch pattern, and then columns of slipped stitches to play off the garter's texture.
I came up with a few possibilities. I swatched. I want to use a discontinued yarn for this project
(Karabella Empire Silk in an incredibly rich gold, shown in the lower left corner of the 2nd photo), so I came up with the idea of writing up the pattern for different gauges--and so I swatched a few other yarns just for gauge. Clockwise from upper right: Tilli Tomas Fil de la Mer, Berroco Touche', Classic Elite Premiere, the Empire Silk, and RYC Cashsoft DK.
*It doesn't curl. It's reversible. It can be worked with knit stitches only. The row gauge is twice the stitch gauge, making things like mitered constructions and picking up stitches along the side edges quite simple.
Worked in the round from the top down in an all-over cabled rib with eyelets, the Lace Cable Rib Pullover is intriguingly lacy, yet not too racy (no camisole needed!), and the cabled ribs give it a figure-flattering fit without added waist shaping. See more patterns
Posted by Judi | 10 March 2008 - 7:49pm
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