This is Jared Flood’s Umaro, knitted here in Cascade Yarns Lana Grande. Lana Grande is a super bulky wool. The pattern forms over 28 rows and is repeated six times. So, for a throw, it’s quite a quick knit. Flood’s pattern is completely error-free–so cool in an age when, either for insufficiency of test-knitting or publisher issues, too many patterns have mistakes in them.
The pattern had me flummoxed at first. I separated the 12-stitch repeats by stitch markers, thinking that would help me keep my place. But it turns out this pattern “jumps” the markers as you move along, so I had to remove them. That meant keeping a bit more alert to the charts than I am comfortable with, but after the second repeat I was already able to see when I screwed up and fix it quickly.
Flood recommends Lana Grande for Umaro and I came across it at 30% off, so that was a nice find. The yarn usually had at least 2 knots in each 80 meter skein, which was fairly easily dealt with because it spit-splices well.
I knit the pattern on size 15 needles. My gauge was off a bit, but the fabric felt right so I just plowed ahead. Instead of blocked dimensions of 47 inches by 58 inches, I ended up at 45 by 52. Not sure how I lost that much length, but I suspect I didn’t steam the blanket aggressively enough as I blocked it. Mine does not have quite the verticality to the pattern as Flood’s sample.
The other possibility? I am not an experienced lace knitter. Until fairly recently I gave up on patterns that needed a yarn over between a knit stitch and a purl! I just couldn’t figure out how to do it. Kind of like “True Confessions” time here. More than 50 years knitting and still much more to learn. Then I found these directions on Carole Wulster’s blog. I’m been using them on a (small) series of lace knits and they’ve been working like a charm. No more odd yarn overs that don’t match their partner yarn overs. I’ve just learned some call this approach a “cheater yarn over.” Yipes. That sounds rather judgmental. But do you think there’s a chance this particular yarn over technique might tighten the yarn overs a bit so that the shape of the pattern changes some?
That blanket is beautiful!
@Panhandle Jane…thanks so much. I tried to photograph it full length but the color comes out all wrong indoors and we’re havin’ nothing but gray or snowy or rainy days here in Michigan of late.
the blanket is gorgeous! but even more, thank you for posting the link about the yarn overs. i always struggle with that too, and her instructions are so simple and clear!
@lori…I’ve printed out those yarn over instructions and keep them in my knitting bag. “Cheater” or not…they are working for me.
Lace knitting is a real skill and you definitely have it. Lovely throw and wonderful color. I really appreciated what you wrote about the pattern being error-free. So, far the last two patterns that I bought and knitted contained so many errors that I felt discouraged … I almost wish designers could have ratings to know whether they are usually mistake-prone or not!
@Evelyn…thanks so much. This came out well, but I don’t think I’ve earned my lace “stripes” yet. This dude is on size 15 needles with SuperBulky yarn! I think Jared Flood patterns are becoming known for being error-free….at least with his self-published ones.
Beautiful stitch pattern! Great results 🙂