AHOY THERE! Today’s yoke is called Keith Moon (bear with me . . . )
I wanted to include a sixties-inspired, mod yoke in this collection: a sweater that would be really easy for even a beginner-knitter to create but which also had the potential to look really sleek and stylish. I love the simple boat-neck shape of many sixties jumpers and thought it would be fun to combine this with the straightforward construction of a seamless yoke.
My inspiration came from the tri-colour roundels with which British mods adorned their clothing and scooters:
. . . perhaps most famously sported by Keith Moon, The Who’s explosively talented drummer.
As you can see, I’ve taken the idea of the mod roundel as three decreasing rings of different colours, and applied this to the circular structure of the seamless yoke, swapping out the positions of the red and blue.
This is one of those sweaters where the finishing really makes a difference. The hems, belled cuffs, and boat-neck collar are all creating with facings of contrasting shades, which are neatly finished off with i-cord.
The yarn is Lett Lopi (yes, its my new favourite). I found it very interesting that a few tailored details could give a really sleek finish to a yarn that is sometimes regarded in a more, um, rustic context. How I love a facing!
I’ve styled my Keith Moon in a rather nautical fashion . .
. . . but I think this is a very versatile jumper with which a variety of different looks could be achieved – Mel has knitted a really striking sample in jade, black, and silver, and I also think Keith would look completely amazing worked in a single shade of charcoal or a lighter grey. As soon as I made my sweater, though, I felt that its red, blue and white would work particularly well in a maritime setting. . .
. . . so we went to Portnahaven, on the island of Islay, where, on a beautiful, calm, sunny Sunday, the colours of the sea and boats and sky and jolly paintwork really seemed to speak directly to those of Keith Moon!
The seals were singing out at sea while we shot these photographs around the village – it was a lovely morning.
I find that, if I block it correctly, I have no problem wearing Lett Lopi next to my skin, and here is my top tip to finish your jumper for maximum smoothness and softness: block it out in luke warm water with a solution of a good quality hair-conditioner for at least 30 minutes — I use one of the straightening kind, that is designed for human hair (though I do know someone who swears on the transformative effects of Mane and Tail – the original horse-to-human crossover.)
You can find more information about Keith Moon here.
And Yokes is now available for pre-order here
A few of you have been asking about the relationship between the print and digital versions of Yokes. Well, there are two basic options:
Option 1: Print + digital. If you purchase a print copy of the book, you will receive a complementary download code to enable you to access the digital version.
Option 2: Digital only: You can also choose to purchase the digital book separately, without a printed copy.
The book costs exactly the same for both options, and the digital-only version will be made available on Ravelry after the book has started to ship, on or just after November 17th.
I love this design, but then I love them all! Can’t wait to get started both reading the new book and knitting the lovely garments.
LikeLike
Hi is it possible to buy this pattern by itself, and not the whole book?
LikeLike
I’m afraid not – this pattern is only available as part of the Yokes collection
LikeLike
Could you possibly post a photo of Mel’s version? This sweater is totally adorable!! And if anyone knits it in charcoal as you suggested, I would love, love to see that too. If I could make it right now, I would but we are in the middle of a gigantic home renovation that takes every ounce of my strength every day. Maybe next year, I can get back to my knitting. You are so talented!
LikeLike
Each of your designs is more beautiful than the last — it’s hard to decide where to start!
LikeLike
Hello Kate! Now that I have ordered “Yokes” I am sitting here in the mountains of Montana, USA wondering if there will be a photo of Bruce somewhere in your book. My dog Onyx is asking. She has problems viewing Bruce on the computer. I try to get Onyx to sit still in the chair and look at the computer screen but she finds too many distractions in that unusual situation and can’t seem to focus. So we are both looking forward to “Yokes”.
LikeLike
i love this so much, i’m over the Mooooon ;) my favorite thing about your designs as a whole, aside from their clear beauty and cleverness, is the way you weave humor and delight into what one wears… it’s incredible, really!
LikeLike
<3 ! The retro feel is fab!
LikeLike
It IS Keith Moon!
LikeLike
What a beautiful jumper – though all your designs from your new book are stunning. Interesting that you should mention blocking Lopi in hair conditioner as this was what was recommended to me by an Icelandic woman in Reykjavik this summer. She suggested washing Lopi items (these were socks and mittens btw so much smaller than a jumper) in shampoo and then using hair conditioner instead of fabric conditioner to keep them soft. I haven’t tried it yet but it seems a good idea.
LikeLike
Wow, all the designs are just fabulous and unique Kate!! Can’t wait for my copy to be delivered not only to look at the photo’s and study the patterns but I am also very much looking forward to all the articles. I am probably going to be a very boring person for everyone here at home once the book has arrived :-)
LikeLike
Love this design! (Love all the designs!). Not sure, but I think the head scarves come from Seasalt?
LikeLike
Dear Kate: your sweaters are as lovely, interesting and amazingly crafted as usual. Bravo. Also, I think you are becoming more beautiful.
LikeLike
Ack! I don’t know how I will ever pick which one to start first!
They are each so wonderful, with their different personalities.
LikeLike
I am GRATEFUL that you give a nod to beginners with such an artful and way cool design. Thanks from the beginning end of the knitter spectrum!!!
LikeLike
love this sweater and checked, where i can get the yarn … looks like the blue shade (9148) isn’t available anymore. :(
LikeLike
Hi – it is still available – for example here: http://www.deramores.com/lopi-lettlopi
LikeLike
or here . . . http://www.nordicstore.net/lett_lopi_wool_yarn_stone_3303_prd1.htm
LikeLike
http://carregyarns.com/ in Shropshire carries that colour.
LikeLike
So simple and lovely! I love that you are wearing pants, too. (Trousers? Short trousers?) Lovely sweater, great inspiration, perfect setting!
LikeLike
The jumpers you have shown us from your new book are stunning. I think you young lady are one of the top knitwear designers out there!
Beautiful Kate, they are all so beautiful
LikeLike
I’ve read that brushing the inside of a Lopi sweater also makes it a whole lot softer. I haven’t tried it yet but I thought I would pass on the information. :-)
LikeLike
My gosh, how can ‘they’ get any better??? The facings are a special touch. Perfect and I do love the colours. Great photos as always!
LikeLike
Beautiful knitting, gorgeous photography, I would love to know more about your head scarves. Any chance of a post on that?
LikeLike
A beautiful, classic jumper – along with the others this is going on my list of things to knit.
LikeLike
Dang! I love your head scarf, too — where did you find that?
Can’t wait until the digital edition of YOKES is available on Ravelry.
This book is great, Kate. Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Hi Boocatbutterbee, I think the head scarf Comes from Seasalt. Have a look here http://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/all-accessories/womens-accessories/handybands.
I already ordered the book! thank you so much, Kate!!!
LikeLike
I ordered the book yesterday and I’m so happy to hear about the digital copy. After all, I wouldn’t want to scribble notes all over the book. I was most pleased today to see a yarn choice that my LYS actually carries and a solution for making it wearable. The 17th can’t come fast enough.
LikeLike
More beauty than I can stand – this is spectacular 💐🌟🎈
LikeLike
Love, Love! I have some handspun Icelandic yarn that I need to start swatching to see if I can get gauge, then it will be off to the dye pots for me! Love Icelandic wool!!
LikeLike
Love Keith Moon. You captured the era in yet another wonder sweater…you rock Kate!
LikeLike
Love this………especially the neckline. Can’t wait to see other color combinations.
LikeLike
Love this! Very exciting about the book-can’t wait to receive it.
LikeLike
Each design is so different! Amazing.
LikeLike
Red and blue, my favourite combination!!
LikeLike
This is gorgeous, so striking and classic
LikeLike
I love this sweater, and you look fantastic. Thanks for the lovely post.
LikeLike
Your Yokes designs are lovely, I have already pre-ordered my copy. Can I ask if you have any substitute suggestions for the yarns you have used, they are a bit above my price range.
LikeLike
Clemcat, as for Létt lopi, it is an extremely affordable yarn if you buy it at nordicstore.net. I just ordered the 12 balls I will need to make the Ásta Sóllilja pullover for less than $4 a ball including postage to Japan. Although I would love to buy the yarn at my local LYS since it is available, I would sadly have to pay almost double the online price.
LikeLike
I love it!
LikeLike
Kate son increibles tus jerseys de lana,con un acabado y una delicadeza magistral!!!no me veo capaz de hacer algo parecido,enhorabuena!!eres una artista!!
LikeLike
Ooh, I love that – the three-quarter sleeves with the facings give a beautiful belled effect on the sleeve.
LikeLike
That clinches it. Book pre-ordered! I love all the designs so far, but this one yelled to me, although i was never a mod (too young) or post mod mod (too old). :)
On a completely different note, where do you get your headscarves from?/how to tie?
LikeLike
What a great interpretation, I’m pretty gob-smacked!
Coincidentally, I’m just knitting Lettlopi for the first time (thanks wonderful friend who got to go to Iceland and actually brought me back 6 balls!! She doesn’t even know about knitting…:o!!) so was particularly interested in that detail and your tips to make it “wearable”. I’m loving the rusticity of it so it was remarkable to see something so crisp and atypical.
May I also comment on how beautifully you style your patterns? I don’t find that most yoked sweaters suit me, but I’ll still be buying your book and studying the techniques because other people can wear them LOL Apparently I’m a process knitter…
LikeLike
Love it and matches your fit
bit too.
LikeLike