boutique knits

20+ must-have
accessories

laura IRWIN boutique knits 1

2 boutique knits
alpaca silk
bow scarf
It’s not only about
wearing a beautiful
scarf, but how you wear
it. This scarf was
designed specifically to
be tied in a bow, always
one of my favorite ways finished size notions
to wear a scarf. 9½' (2.9 m) long, 4" (10 cm)
wide in ribbed sections, and 6¼"
3 bobbins; tapestry needle.

(16 cm) wide at widest point. gauge

yarn
DK weight (Light #3).
Shown here: Blue Sky Alpacas
Alpaca Silk (50% alpaca, 50%
silk; 146 yd [134 m]/50 g):
#128 plum (dark purple), 4
skeins, and #129 amethyst (light
purple), 1 skein.
needles
U.S. size 5 (3.75 mm). Adjust
needle size if necessary to obtain
the correct gauge.
22 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm)
in St st; 39 sts and 28 rows = 4"
(10 cm) in rib patt.
note
For the intarsia section, use
separate lengths of yarn for each
color section and twist the yarns
together at color changes to avoid
leaving holes. Wind each length
of yarn into a small yarn butterfly
or onto a bobbin to manage
them easily.

boutique knits 3
4 boutique knits

finished size
10" (25.5 cm) long and 7"
(18 cm) hand circumference.
To fit woman’s size small to
medium.
yarn
DK weight (Light #3).
Shown here: Blue Sky Alpacas
Brushed Suri (67% baby suri
alpaca, 22% merino wool, 11%
bamboo; 142 yd [130 m]/50 g):
#905 Earl Grey, 1 skein.
softly
pleated
sleeves
A sleeve to rest your head
upon while daydreaming in the
colder months. Victorian-style
trim is appliquéd after sleeve
is completed.
needles
U.S. size 6 (4 mm) and U.S.
size 7 (4.5 mm): set of 5 double-
pointed (dpn). Adjust needle
size if necessary to obtain the
correct gauge.
notions
Marker (m); ½ yd (.5 m) beaded
trim (see Sources); sewing
needle and thread to match trim;
tapestry needle.
gauge
20½ sts and 31 rnds = 4"
(10 cm) in St st on smaller
needles.
boutique knits 5
 project gallery

hood devoteé

bamboo diamond shell

sideways grande hat

6 boutique knits
 table of
contents
Knitting with
a Toolbox: Tools
sunshine oval bag & Inspiration
Projects
Pseudo Shibori Scarf
Fawn Earflap Hat
Best Felted Collar
{felting}
Softly Pleated Sleeves
Silky Tweed Vest
Sunshine Oval Bag
{zippers &
chicago screws }
Side Slip Cloche
Alpaca Silk Bow Scarf
Felted Silver Bag
{working with
chain & d-rings}
Sideways Grande Hat
Wool Cotton Raglan Cape
Whiskey Felted Cap
{Custom Labels}
Teak Bittersweet Gauntlets
pseudo shibori scarf Beaded Fair Isle Hat
teak bittersweet gauntlets Big Brown Bag
{Grommets &
Horseshoe Hooks}
Heather Headband
Plain Talk Mittens
Argyle Lace Hat
{Fabric-Covered
Buttons}
Ruffled Neck Kerchief
Bamboo Diamond Shell
Pleated Denim Purse
{Jewelry Techniques
for Knitters}
Braided Cable Belt
Hood Devotée
{Sewn linings}
Soft Kid Bubble
braided cable belt

boutique knits 7
 make must-have
knits that show off
your personal style
Make your very own knockout accessories with Boutique Knits. If you
love making heads turn with the “it” handbag, funky scarf, or pre-
cious hat, then this book is for you. Innovative knitwear designer
Laura Irwin presents designs for all kinds of knitted accessories
that stand out from the crowd.

The patterns in Boutique Knits feature a variety of knitting techniques

including felting, colorwork, lace, and cables. But the showstop-
ping details in this collection come from incorporating non-knit-
ting tools and techniques to transform craft into couture.

Buckles and bolts borrowed from leatherwork close an intricately

cabled belt. A chain handle and leather lacking finish a half-felted
purse. Metal rings and a silky ribbon top off a stylish cap. And
leather lacing and grommets dress up a felted knitted bag. Vintage
details like lace, beads, ribbon, and fabric-covered buttons em-
brace the softer side of cutting-edge design. Then borrow sewing
and millinery techniques to finish your knits to perfection.

This collection of modern, stylish patterns will inspire knitters of

all levels with its uncommon techniques and materials. The next
time someone stops you on the street to ask where you got that
perfect knitted piece, tell them it’s from Boutique Knits!

Paperbound, 8½ x 9, 144 pages

70 photographs, 20 illustrations
ISBN 978-1-59668-073-9
$21.95
October 2008

laura irwin began her ready-to-wear handknits line in 2002 and is a

featured designer at Seaplane, an independent designer boutique in Portland, Oregon.
Her knitwear patterns have appeared in Knitscene and Interweave Knits, and
she has been featured on HGTV’s That’s Clever. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
interweavebooks.com