While we wish for the spring days to come, let’s throw some color into an entrelac knitting project! For February, our staff member Nadia knit up the Estelle Colour Flow into a Sirenia Cowl by Amy Klimt

About the Pattern

The Sirenia Cowl is a perfect intermediate knit that includes the techniques of knitting in the round and picking up stitches to create entrelac. Entrelac is not just a textured knitting technique, but a colorwork one as well! Creating a three-dimensional woven look, each basket weave block can be emphasized when different colors are used. That is why the Colour Flow is the PERFECT entrelac yarn, since you won’t have to change yarns for different colors (and you won’t have to weave in those ends!).

Techniques

Entrelac

This was Nadia’s first time knitting in entrelac, so she found that supplementing the pattern with some beginner entrelac videos was a huge help! The construction of entrelac involves creating base triangles, subsequent tiers of blocks, and the top triangles. Unlike knitting entrelac flat, knitting in the round does not create edges of half blocks.

To build each tier, Nadia picked up stitches from lower tiers, often CHANGING DIRECTIONS of the round. Her one comment for the readers might be to split the yarn between tiers, as she found picking up stitches soon after changing directions keeps the next blocks a similar color to the blocks below. While this only happened once in her skein, it is something to pay attention to!

Applied I-cord

Nadia definitely recommends applying the i-cord finish as it really cleans up the edges. This was her first time as well using the technique, and now she says she might be knitting it on all her apparel!

There are many different techniques for i-cord– one of the most traditional is to use DPNs. Nadia used her 16″ circular needle, that she knit the cowl on, and found that there was no extra effort in sliding the stitches down her cable.

Blocking

Blocking is highly recommended for this pattern. With a textured knit like entrelac, blocking will relax the weave into an even finish. Not to mention, it will condition the already soft Colour Flow to be even softer!

About the Yarn

Colour Flow is a super soft, light and airy yarn. With its interesting air-blown construction, it makes wonderful garments and accessories, while the long colour transitions give a watercolour-like effect to your project!

For more inspiration, click here for a free pattern from Estelle!

Fibres: 80% Merino / 20% Nylon
Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm)
Needles: 6 mm (US 10)
Weight: Chunky / Bulky (5)
Length: 50 g / 136 yards (125 m)

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