Whitman Sampler

Whitman Sampler by Nancy Whitman

Project Overview

The Whitman Sampler is an intermediate-level knitting pattern collection featuring cowls and scarves designed by Nancy Whitman. This downloadable PDF pattern showcases colorwork techniques using a sophisticated palette of five distinct colors in a structured, blocked design.

What Is Being Made

This pattern collection includes cowls and scarves, with blocked measurements indicating a finished circumference of 48 inches (122 centimeters) and a center depth of approximately 6.5 inches (16.5 centimeters). The designs are constructed to create structured, dimensional pieces suitable for layering or wearing as statement accessories.

Techniques Used

• Colorwork Construction: The pattern utilizes five distinct colors—Dahlia (C1), Jade (C2), Glazed Pecan (C3), Cobalt (C4), and Onyx (BC)—to create a multi-color design with intentional color blocking.
• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch structure is worked in garter stitch, which creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges that showcase the color transitions.
• Increases and Decreases: The pattern employs standard shaping techniques including kfb (knit front back) for increases and k2tog (knit 2 together) for decreases to achieve the desired silhouette.
• Make 1 Increases: The m1 (make 1) technique is used to create additional stitches by lifting the strand between needles and knitting through the front loop, which twists the lifted strand for a clean increase.
• Bind Off Method: The 3NPBO (3 Needle Purl Bind Off) is used to finish edges, creating a professional, secure closure.
• Pickup and Knit: The pattern includes instructions for picking up and knitting stitches (pu&k 7/5), allowing for seamless integration of new sections or borders.
• Blocking: The finished pieces are blocked to measurements, which helps even out the garter stitch texture and sets the final dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: The foundation stitch throughout the pattern, created by knitting every row to produce a bumpy, reversible fabric.
• Knit Front Back (kfb): An increase stitch that creates two stitches from one by knitting into both the front and back loops of a single stitch.
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease that combines two stitches into one.
• Make 1 (m1): An invisible increase worked by lifting the horizontal strand between stitches and knitting it through the front loop.
• 3 Needle Purl Bind Off (3NPBO): A bind-off technique that joins two sets of live stitches while simultaneously binding them off, commonly used for seaming shoulders or edges.

Materials

The Whitman Sampler is designed to be worked with Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light, a 100% superwash merino yarn that offers excellent stitch definition and a luxurious feel. Each skein contains 420 yards of yardage.

The color palette consists of five skeins:

• Dahlia (C1): Approximately 140 yards
• Jade (C2): Approximately 110 yards
• Glazed Pecan (C3): Approximately 110 yards
• Cobalt (C4): Approximately 110 yards
• Onyx (BC—Border Color): Approximately 155 yards

The pattern is worked on a US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, which provides the necessary flexibility for working in the round or flat as the pattern requires. The gauge is 23.5 stitches and 52 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters) when measured in garter stitch after blocking, which is essential for achieving accurate finished measurements.

Design Notes

The use of five coordinating colors in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light creates a sophisticated, modern aesthetic while the garter stitch base ensures the colorwork remains visible and prominent. The superwash merino