Knit by Eden Detrixhe
About the Designer:
Eden Detrixhe grew up on a farm between Clyde and Concordia in North Central Kansas. She attended the University of Kansas and the University of Michigan, earning a master’s degree in political science. Since then, she has been a speech writer, a crime analyst, and an at-home mom. Detrixhe and her familylive in Lawrence, where they are grateful for the vibrant downtown, the Lawrence Arts Center, and the farmers’ market.
Detrixhe’s mother taught her stitchery, sewing, and knitting through 4-H when she was a child. During graduate school in Ann Arbor, MI, Detrixhe’s computer was so old and her internet connection was so slow, she re-learned to knit while waiting for email to send and pages to load. Detrixhe made her first full-size quilt, procrastinating writing her master’s thesis. She has been knitting and quilting ever since.
Knit by Eden Detrixhe
Running an etsy shop has been liberating for Detrixhe in that she can create anything she imagines instead of limiting projects to gifts for friends and family.
“Before I even created an etsy account, I firmly decided to only sell my original designs, and designing has been a pleasure ever since. Writing my knitting patterns is my latest project, and it’s exciting to think of people making their own versions of my ideas.”
Visit Eden’s online shop, Woolflower Boutique, and her Woolflower Boutique fan page on facebook. If you’re on Ravelry, stop by Eden’s Ravelry profileas well!
Knit Ginkgo Leaf
©2011 Eden Detrixhe
Woolflower Boutique Original Designs Knit & Sewn
Knit by Leanne @ KCQ
MATERIALS
- Yarn of choice. I have successfully used sport weight wool, baby yarn wool, and superfine alpaca.
- Double-pointed needles.
- Tapestry needle.
- Blocking supplies, optional: Towels, “T” pins or other pins, water spray bottle.
- Finishing supplies, optional: Object to applique the leaf to, hairclip, brooch pin, or ribbon to hang.
Knit by Leanne @ KCQ
GAUGE & FINISHED SIZE
The gauge and finished size will depend upon the yarn you choose. A finer yarn with smaller needles will, of course, make a smaller leaf than a heavier yarn with larger needles. Start with the needle size recommended on the yarn’s label. Make a simple rectangular swatch to ensure that the needles you are using make a close-knit fabric. When I used some fingering weight wool with US 2 needles, it was pretty but a little holey. On the other hand, it should not be so close-knit or firm that it hurts your hands to knit.
INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 2 stitches.
Rows 1-15: Make a 2-stitch i-cord for 15 rows: Instead of turning the work after casting on, slide the 2 cast-on stitches to the right end of the needle, knit them, slide them to the right end of their needle, knit them, etc. Continue this for a total of 15 rows.
Row 16: Purl.
Row 17: Knit into the front and back (kfb) of both stitches (4 stitches total).
Row 18: Purl and cast on 7 stitches at the end of the row (11 stitches total).
Row 19: Knit and cast on 7 stitches at the end of the row (18 stitches total).
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21: Knit 8, kfb next 2 stitches, knit 8 to the end (20 stitches total).
Row 22: Purl.
Row 23: Knit 12, turn work, purl 4, turn work, knit 12 stitches to the end of the row.
Row 24: Purl.
Row 25: Knit.
Row 26: Purl.
Row 27: Knit 10. Place the remaining 10 stitches on a holder.
Row 28: Purl.
Row 29: Alternate knit and yarn over (yo) stitches, ending with a knit stitch (19 stitches, not counting the stitches on the holder).
Row 30: Alternate purl and yo stitches, ending with a purl stitch (37 stitches, not counting the stitches on the holder).
Row 31: Bind off.
Cut yarn with an extra 2-3 inches than you would normally allow for tucking in the tail. Place the holder’s stitches onto a needle. Second half of Row 27: Knit. Follow Rows 28-31 as above. Cut yarn with an extra inch than you would normally allow for tucking in the tail. Before you tuck in the tails, sew the top corners (the two ruffled tips) to the corners of the leaf’s broad base (not the cast-on i-cord, but where you cast on 7 stitches to make the leaf wide). This will give the ginkgo leaf the proper shape, changing it from a messy rectangle to a ruffled fan.
Tuck in the tails.
BLOCKING
I strongly recommend blocking. Blocking is pinning your freshly knit or laundered item in the right shape until it dries. I find “T” pins work best. Fold a bath towel into a thick base and place it on a flat surface. Pin the leaf flat to the towel, shaping it into the desired ginkgo leaf shape. The top wide edge should be ruffled, so pin it in a way to create even bumps. Once the leaf is pinned in place, spritz it with water, pat the moisture in, and let it dry. You may need to repeat this process.
SUGGESTED USES
- Sew your leaf to a purse, a garment, or a home décor item such as a pillow or table runner.
- To create a hair clip or brooch, sew or glue a hairclip or pin to the back. You may want to back the leaf with felt or another fabric to keep it from rolling up.
- To make an ornament or mobile, attach it to a ribbon. Backing the leaf with felt or another fabric may keep it from rolling up.
- Felt the leaf according to your favorite felting resources for the type of fiber you used.
