Red Velvet Cupcakes are sleeves inspired by something Holly Golightly might wear in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. They were created to bring some feminine elegance to any occasion.
Details:
Sizes: Women’s Small (Large)
Wrist circumference:
5.5 (7) inches 14 (17.5 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 7 (8.5) inches 17.5 (21.5 cm).
Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4" in St st
Needles: 1 set of US #1/2.25mm 32” circular needles (magic loop) OR 2 sets of 24” circulars (two circulars) OR double pointed needles.
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker.
Yarn: Black Trillium Pebble Sock. [100% SUPERWASH Merino; 400yd/366m per 100g/3.53oz skein]; color: Mean Reds; 1 skein. Or any Fingering weight yarn that gives you proper gauge.
Backstory:
Melanie from Black Trillium came up with the richest red sock yarn and challenged me to make something inspired by the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. It's been a while since I've seen it, to be honest. I recall a shocking character played by Mickey Rooney (you know what I'm talking about, I expect) and shuddered. I knew there was also a ton of chic style in this movie, but what was I to do?
Then I got the yarn. It's amazing. It's not Tiffany blue. It's red. Melanie had just watched the film and was taken by the mean reds. So...I googled the term "mean reds" and found this:
Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?
Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?
Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?
Paul Varjak: Sure.
Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!
I think I know that feeling. Melanie also reminded me that all of the ladies wear elbow length gloves throughout this movie. Okay, done. I knew what I had to do.
This little number is available now as a kit from Yarn4Socks. The pattern will be available individually starting May 1st, 2010. Hey! That's pretty soon!
In conclusion, (yes, I was having fun with these quotes) I have to leave you with this gem:
Holly Golightly: You could always tell what kind of a person a man thinks you are by the earrings he gives you. I must say, the mind reels.
I really like these and am so glad to have snagged "the last kit". My son's girlfriend is going to adore these. But it may take me away from my sock knitting.....
ReplyDeleteStar, I finished the red velvet cupcakes sleeves a week ago and have worn them a couple of times. I wore them last night to drinks and a play (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and got some comments. Despite the fact that it is July in San Diego, the evenings are cool and the sleeves are perfect over long sleeved knit shirts. I used BMFA STR Sock Club yarn in a similar color to the kit. Thank you for such a wonderful pattern, I am going to knit some shorter ones in linen.
ReplyDeleteHi there, I bought this pattern individually about a month ago and love the look of the sleeves.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I've been stymied by the upper cuff '1. SSK, yo' and '2. yo, K2' repeats. Do you yo at the end of row 1, then immediately yo again to start row 2 (so you sort of have 2 yo's in a row)?
I've tried doing this, and then ripping out and not doing the row 2 1st yo, and either way I end up with the wrong number of sts (not 54).
A pal of mine who bought the pattern also had the same q...help?
Thanks for the kind words all!
ReplyDeleteHey Noel - sorry you've got trouble! When I knit the sample I worked the last YO of round 1 at the end of the needle and then the first YO of round 2 at the beginning of the next needle. There are technically speaking 2 yo's in a row but they are on different needles and didn't get in the way of each other when I knit the sample.
Perhaps I am not getting what is tripping you up. (I really want to help!) What kind of issue are you having? If you work the pattern exactly as written the stitches should work out.
Maybe you work yo's differently than I do? Do you work them under your needle from front to back?
Are you working the last yo on round 1 and then picking up the next needle, making sure the yarn is coming from over the top of the last needle? Then you wrap the yarn under and over the next needle?
Does this make sense? Let me know! Thanks!!!
Hey there, thanks for the speedy reply...I've tried it by doing the 2 yo's in a row sort of as you say, but I keep ending up with more/fewer sts than I should have at the end of a round by end of row 3.
ReplyDeleteI'll try again and pay more attn to how I'm wrapping the end/start yo's. Possibly it's more difficult on DPNs...
Thx again for your kind instruction, and I'll let ya know!