Clarinette

Clarinette by Kyoko Nakayoshi

What is Being Made

Clarinette is a versatile knitted accessory designed by Kyoko Nakayoshi that offers multiple styling options. This piece can be worn as a scarf, cowl, or shrug, with the option to create a shorter version suitable for use as a neck warmer or short bolero. The garment is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large, with upper arm circumferences ranging from 28 to 47.5 cm (11 to 18.75 inches). The full-length version measures 150 cm (59 inches), making it an adaptable accessory for various occasions and preferences.

Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project features several intermediate to advanced techniques that elevate it beyond basic knitting. The pattern incorporates cable crossing techniques, which are fundamental to creating the distinctive textured appearance of the piece. Yarn-over decreases are utilized to add decorative eyelet details, and increases through knit-front-and-back (KFB) stitches are employed to shape the garment. The pattern demonstrates skilled stitch manipulation and requires careful attention to cable placement and timing throughout the project.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs a specialized cable stitch pattern as its primary design element. Key stitches include:

• C8F (Cable 8 Front): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit the next 4 stitches, then knit 4 stitches from cable needle. This creates a cable that twists toward the front of the work.
• C8B (Cable 8 Back): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit the next 4 stitches, then knit 4 stitches from cable needle. This creates a cable that twists toward the back of the work.
• KFB (Knit Front and Back): An increase stitch worked by knitting into both the front and back loops of a single stitch, creating one additional stitch.
• K2tog (Knit Two Together): A right-leaning decrease that combines two stitches into one.
• P2tog (Purl Two Together): A decrease worked on the purl side, combining two stitches into one.
• yo (Yarn Over): A decorative increase that creates an eyelet hole, often paired with decreases for lace or textured effects.

The pattern alternates between knit and purl stitches to create contrast and structure, with the cable stitches forming the focal point of the design.

Materials

While the complete materials list is not fully detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the project requires knitting needles and yarn appropriate for the cable stitch pattern. A cable needle is essential for executing the C8F and C8B cable crosses. The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF format, making it accessible for independent knitters working on this advanced project.

Difficulty Level

Clarinette is classified as an advanced knitting pattern, suitable for experienced knitters who are comfortable with cable techniques, stitch increases and decreases, and reading complex stitch patterns. The combination of cable crosses, yarn-over decreases, and shaping techniques requires strong foundational knitting skills and the ability to maintain stitch counts across multiple pattern repeats.