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
