#stacked stitches

Patrick T. Stewart wrote the instructions and I ( Xandy Peters) made the charts. Whichever way you prefer to get your crochet patterns, you are covered.

Sizes: Baby (Throw, Twin*, Full*, Queen, King)

Finished Dimensions: 23" x 28" (57" x 50", 91" x 72", 91" x 94", 91" x 116", 108" x 116") / 58 x 71 cm (145 x 127 cm, 231 x 183 cm, 231 x 239 cm, 231 x 295 cm, 274 x 295 cm)

*Twin and Full size are turned 90* to fit on a bed.

Yarn: 4 Colors of worsted weight (#4 Medium) blanket yarn such as:

Loops & Threads Soft Classic, 354 yards (324 m) per 7 oz. 100% acrylic. Color A - Raspberry, Color B - Wine, Color C - Clay.

Red Heart Super Saver Solids, 364 yards (333 m) per 7 oz. 100% acrylic. Color D - Orange.

More yarn info is in the image below.

Hook: Size I (5.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 20 sts x 10 rows = 6 x 6" (15 x 15 cm)

Other Materials: Tapestry needle for finishing.

This pattern uses US notation

The wavy colorwork in Bear Claws is created using stacked increases and decreases. There are no loops on the wrong side and the wrap is very stretchy and drapey. The fabric is light and airy, not dense like stranded colorwork and mosaic knitting. If you're new to stacked stitches, check out my playlist on YouTube. You'll have an easier time with these stitches if you've tried increases, decreases and slipped stitches.

This pattern can be recolored in many ways, the coloring page available to anyone who wants to download it. You can use any number of colors you like, as long as they have good contrast. I recommend picking a Main Color that is not too bright or flashy in comparison to the others.

Written instructions are included in the pattern alongside a visual guide called a “stitch map.”  It's not the same as a traditional chart and is meant to be used with the written pattern. The rapidly fluctuating stitch count of the stacked stitches doesn’t fit nicely into a square grid. Instead, the map uses symbols and lines that bend and flow as the rows do, as they would in a crochet chart. The primary use of the stitch map is to show how each row relates to the last and to help you find mistakes and get back on track. 

Finished Size: 14 (23.75)˝ x 82 (82)˝ / [36 (60) x 208 (208) cm] rectangular scarf including fringe.

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK; 191 yards (175 meters) per 50 gram skein, 50% Merino Wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Viscose.

Pink Scarf - 5 colors and 3 repeats wide

Main Color: Peony, 3 balls

Outer Color: Zinnia, 2 balls

Inner Color 1: Pink Bliss, 1 ball

Inner Color 2: French Mustard, 1 ball

Stripe Color: Barbara, 1 ball

Brown Wrap - 7 colors and 5 repeats wide

Main Color: Ginger, 4 balls

Outer Color 1: French Mustard, 2 balls

Inner Color 1: Stone, 2 balls

Stripe Color 1: Zinnia, 1 ball

Outer Color 2: Duck Egg, 1 ball

Inner Color 2: Watery, 1 ball

Stripe Color 2: Canary, 1 ball

Needles: Size 6 (4mm) 32˝circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 16 sts x 36 rows = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in garter stitch.

Other Materials: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, blocking wires, blocking surface.

Get the pattern on my website and on Ravelry.

From now until the end of October, take 20% off all patterns, pins, books and stickers when you use the code "FoxyBday" on Ravelry or on my website.

Video Resources:

Bear Claws Playlist

Weave in tails as you knit

General Stacked Stitch Resource Videos

Yarn for this project was provided by Rowan

The technique was named for how these stitches are created: increases and decreases are stacked up on top of each other in order to create height within a row. The result is something that was previously unattainable without the use of a warp knitting machine or knitting loom (more on this in another post). Tutorials for these techniques are also posted on YouTube.

This extra wavy pattern was published when millennial chevrons were at peak trendiness. I believe it has remained popular because knitters remain curious about the stitches, they always look for challenging patterns, and the chevrons are not *too* cheugy.

From the original pattern description: "The Petal Cowl is designed to highlight the color shifts of a self striping yarn. The stitch shapes are inspired by flower petals, fish scales, and vintage crochet afghans. A great summer knit, or a cold weather project when made in heavy yarn. The extra long chevron motif is created using the Stacked Stitch technique which sets this cowl apart."