Marzen and the Double Chain Cast On:
Need a little something for your overly air conditioned office? This simple wrap for spring juxtaposes cables and airy openwork to create a lightweight, wearable wardrobe staple. It uses some pretty cool techniques, too, like the versatile Double Chain Cast On.
Lightweight, yet still cozy?
You had me at cables and lace! I just love this kind of paradox. Classically warm things (like cables) pierced with little pinholes (like eyelets) create a fabric that is perfectly transitional. In this simple wrap for spring, the rich depth of crossing stitches plays beautifully against the lacy fragility of openwork. This makes Marzen something unique for spring, a cable and lace wrap that provides airy femininity and real-time warmth.
Marzen is a generously sized rectangle that features a woven diamond cable backed with beaded rib. The cables are asymetrically placed, allowing for a field of stockinette pierced with rivers of eyelets. The cables are intuitive and once the eyelet columns are placed, Marzen becomes a very meditative knit.
The Double Chain Cast On
Marzen is constructed in the simplest way possible – from end to end. It is framed by a perfectly matched Double Chain cast on and bind off creating an elegant chained edge on either end. If this is a new technique for you, read on!
Most folks work this cast on using good ol’ knitting needles, but I find it’s much easier to use a crochet hook. Choose one that’s a little smaller than your needles but still large enough to catch your working yarn. The hook makes this cast on a breeze as you can see in this video tutorial. It’s easy to achieve this pretty chained edge that works beautifully for ribbing or garter stitch or anywhere you need a little extra stretch.
I hope this helps as you cast on the Marzen Wrap! In addition to this video tutorial, you’ll find full written instructions within the pattern.
