Circe's circles

Circe's Circles by Ellen Torunn Kvalheim Andresen

What Is Being Made

Circe's Circles is a versatile knitted accessory that functions as either a necklace or a cowl, depending on how you style it. The design features nested circles of stockinette stitch knit in the round, creating an elegant layered effect. This project is ideal for gift-giving and provides subtle warmth without the bulk of traditional larger cowls, making it a practical yet decorative piece.

Project Overview

This is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern that can be completed in a single evening, making it perfect for quick projects or last-minute gifts. The design's simplicity combined with its sophisticated appearance makes it an excellent choice for knitters new to circular knitting techniques.

Yarn and Material Options

Circe's Circles offers flexibility in yarn selection, allowing knitters to customize the project based on available materials and desired aesthetic:

• Two-strand combination: Knit one strand of kidsilk yarn together with a strand of fingering weight yarn in alpaca, wool, or wool-mix fibers
• Alternative pairing: Combine sport weight kidsilk or mohair yarn with lace weight alpaca, wool, or wool-mix yarn
• Single strand option: Use a luxury fingering weight yarn alone, such as Rowan Kidsilk Haze, optionally embellished with beading

The pattern includes specifications for Rowan Glamour 285 and Rowan Fine Lace 934 in black as the example yarns used in the original design.

Yarn Weight and Yardage Requirements

The pattern accommodates multiple yarn weights to suit different preferences and stash options:

• 4-ply weight yarn
• DK weight yarn
• Sport weight yarn
• Lace weight yarn
• Aran weight yarn

Total yardage required is approximately 78 meters (85 yards) per yarn component, making this a truly minimal-yardage project ideal for using up luxury yarn remnants.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Primary stitch: Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of this design, creating smooth, classic fabric that showcases the yarn's qualities beautifully.

Construction method: The circles are knit in the round using circular needles, a fundamental technique in modern knitting that creates seamless, tubular fabric. This method is ideal for beginners learning to work with circular needles.

Design structure: The nested circles create dimensional layers that give the accessory visual interest and depth despite the straightforward stitch pattern.

Tools and Notions

• 2.5 mm (US 1 1/2) circular needle, 40 cm (16 inches) length, or appropriate size to achieve correct gauge
• Tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends
• Stitch marker for tracking round beginnings

Gauge Considerations

Gauge is an important element of this pattern, and knitters should swatch to ensure their needle size produces the correct tension. The pattern specifies using an appropriate needle size to achieve the intended gauge, which is essential for proper fit whether wearing the piece as a necklace or cowl.

Designer Information

This pattern is designed by Ellen Torunn Kvalheim Andresen of SISO Designs, an independent knitwear designer. The pattern reflects thoughtful design that balances simplicity with elegance, making luxury yarn combinations accessible to knitters of all skill levels.