My newest pattern, the Andokides Jacket, is named for the painter from Ancient Greece who is credited with the invention of the red-figure pottery style.
A few months ago IJK and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art so she could do research for her IB extended essay. Going to an art museum with Izzy is always a joy. She is truly in her element when she is surrounded by art, and if it's ancient art - even better. On this day we spent most of our time in the Greek and Roman Galleries. Although the research she was doing was focused on Ancient Greek sculpture, I couldn't tear myself away from the red figure and black figure pottery. I had a colorwork jacket in mind, but couldn't quite settle on a design for the colorwork sections. When I saw the delicate embellishments on the Greek pottery I knew I'd found my inspiration.
The Andokides Jacket is worked from the bottom up, in the round. The sleeves are worked separately and joined to the body at the yoke. The front edges are steeked and garter stitch front bands are added. Don't fear steeks. Most of my test knitters hadn't steeked before and several reported that the steeks were fun and not nearly as difficult as they'd thought. I give instructions for steeking in the pattern and there are also many excellent on-line tutorials.
I used Cascade 218 Superwash for my version of this design. It's a great choice for the price and it comes in a wonderful range of colors. Test knitter Linda used Quince & Co. Osprey. I love the colors she used. Knit Picks also offers several yarns in appropriate weights.
Sizes: XS[S, M, L, XL, 2XL] Shown in XS
Finished Measurements: Bust - 34.75 [38, 42.75, 46, 50.75, 54]”
Gauge: 15 sts & 21 rows = 4” in stockinette blocked.
Yarn: Cascade 128 Superwash, 100% Superwash Merino Wool, 128 yrds/117m per 3.5ox/100g skein
MC: Charcoal #900, 7[8, 9, 9, 10, 10] skeins
CC 1: Ruby #893, 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
CC 2: Black #815, 1[1, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
CC 3: Doeskin Heather #1926, 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1] skeins
Needles: US 10/6mm 32” circular
one set US 10/6mm DPN’s
or size to obtain gauge (See “notes” about needle size)
Other Materials: 6[6, 7, 7, 7, 8] toggle buttons, leather strips or other cord to form loops for toggles, Place Markers (PM), Scrap Yarn in two colors, Tapestry Needle, Sewing Thread in a contrasting color and in a color close to the MC, Sewing Needle, Sewing Machine*, 3 yards of grosgrain ribbon in color to match MC (optional)
*there are several ways to re-enforce a steek. Not all of them require a sewing machine. If you do not have a sewing machine a quick internet search for “steek” will yield tutorials for many other options.
Price: $6.50 US
Thank you to my test knitters: Linda, Stephanie, Momoko, Emily, Carrie, Melissa, Kim, and Diana
Gorgeous!
Posted by: allison | February 21, 2011 at 09:55 AM
Wow, what a beautiful pattern! If it weren't for my broad shoulders (Mom says yoke designs accentuate them) I would cast-on immediately. Also, I have those exact snow boots -- aren't they the best! I saw a woman with them on the subway a few years back and immediately hunted them down online.
Posted by: Samantha | February 21, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Instant classic , Kirsten. And I love the styling, with red bootlaces.
Posted by: gale (she shoots sheep shots) | February 21, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Jen S. | February 21, 2011 at 11:46 AM
I love this sweater so much! Have you taken IK to the Princeton Art Museum? They have some nice black-figure and red-figure vases. Also, next time you find yourself wanting to come to Philly, think about taking her to the Penn Archaeology and Anthropology Museum. Amazing collection of ancient pottery as well as lots of weaving and fabric arts from a variety of regions and disciplines, throughout the centuries. Worth the travel.
Posted by: andrea | February 21, 2011 at 01:25 PM
It's beautiful Kirsten. I can see her getting many years out of this jacket - It's classic!
Posted by: mel | February 21, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Absolutely gorgeous! I'm hoping one day to be to a knitting level to make this!
Posted by: Leslie | February 21, 2011 at 04:32 PM
It looks to me as if the photo you posted last week had some pale blue in it, too, but I don't see that listed among the colors. Are my eyes deceiving me?
Posted by: Rebecca | February 21, 2011 at 05:10 PM
Holy Gorgeous!
Posted by: Knitterella | February 21, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Bev | February 21, 2011 at 09:44 PM
totally gorgeous, thank you for all your wonderful designs
Posted by: Liz | February 21, 2011 at 10:49 PM
You never stop making patterns that I want to knit...
Posted by: Elizabeth Raine | February 22, 2011 at 05:45 AM
Outstanding. And I think you've
just prompted a good idea for a design of my own, only ancient Egyptian!
Posted by: Stellamarys | February 22, 2011 at 01:08 PM
That is something else! I love the knit as well as the inspiration.
Posted by: Suzanne | February 22, 2011 at 02:52 PM
It's fabulous, Kirsten. I hope the extended essay goes well (I was an IB'er, back in the day, ahem).
Posted by: nova | February 22, 2011 at 03:07 PM
This is so gorgeous! What a beautiful pattern! Uh, steeks, boy I don't know. . . !
Posted by: Debbie | February 22, 2011 at 06:56 PM
kirsten, this jacket is absolutely gorgeous. has izzie claimed this one as her own? :) it looks great with those boots of hers!
Posted by: mai | February 23, 2011 at 11:03 AM
So QUEUED!!!!!
Posted by: Meghan | February 23, 2011 at 03:13 PM
Wow it's soo beautiful. I like that color.
B.Rgds.
Jolanda
Posted by: jolanda | February 25, 2011 at 01:14 AM
If I knit the sweater, will I look like she does in it? That's all I really want...
Posted by: Lisle | February 28, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Isn't it great when you achieve your vision? I succeeded - once! - on a MUCH smaller scale, but I still pat myself on the back for persevering and not compromising. Like Gale said, Andokides is an instant classic. So original. Congratulations! On another note, I looked for you at the VK Live marketplace. Must have been the wrong time, because I missed you. Maybe next time!
Posted by: Chloe | February 28, 2011 at 09:11 PM
This is gorgeous!
At some point I will have to brave an attempt at colorwork and steeks.
Posted by: K Blue | March 05, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Gorgeous sweater. Simply gorgeous. And what can you tell us about the boots?
Posted by: Turner | March 07, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Thank you. The boots are several years old. She got them at a store in NYC. They are made by the Canadian company Pajar. I think they still offer a very similar model.
Posted by: Kirsten | March 07, 2011 at 09:40 AM