Lady Gossamer, the Steampunk

Lady Gossamer, the Steampunk Collar by Linda Day Morehouse

What Is Being Made

Lady Gossamer is a versatile knitted collar designed to add vintage-inspired elegance to everyday garments. This decorative neckpiece offers styling flexibility, allowing the wearer to position the opening either at the back of the neck or at the front to display a treasured brooch. The design combines old-fashioned femininity with practical wearability, transforming plain garments into statement pieces with sophisticated flair.

Craft and Techniques

This project is executed entirely through knitting, making it an ideal choice for advanced beginners seeking to expand their technical skills. The pattern introduces knitters to specialized stitch techniques that may be unfamiliar but are more approachable than traditional bobble stitches. The collar construction involves working with circular needles in two different gauges, requiring attention to tension and stitch consistency throughout the project.

Stitches Used

Lady Gossamer employs a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Cast on (CO) – Foundation stitch for beginning the project
• Knit (k) – Basic knit stitch creating the primary fabric texture
• Purl (p) – Reverse knit stitch used for textural variation
• Yarn over (yo) – Creates decorative openings and lace elements
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) – Decreases stitches for shaping
• Knit 2 together through backs of stitches (k2togb) – Left-leaning decrease variation
• Slip as if to purl (sl) – Moves stitches without working them
• Pass slip stitch over (psso) – Completes decrease sequences
• Knot stitch – Signature decorative element created by working five stitches into one stitch location, then binding off in a specific sequence to form a textured knot

Materials and Specifications

This collar requires 125 yards of sport-weight yarn, making it an economical project that uses minimal yardage. The designer recommends mohair, cashmere, or angora blends for a luxurious, rich appearance, though mohair/acrylic blends offer a more budget-friendly alternative while maintaining the desired drape and softness. The project calls for two circular needles: a size #9 circular needle measuring 18 inches for the main fabric and a size #2 circular needle measuring 18 inches for finishing or edging work. The working gauge is 5 stitches and 5 rows per inch in stockinette stitch, which should be checked before beginning to ensure proper fit and finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is suitable for advanced beginners who have mastered basic knitting fundamentals and are ready to tackle more complex stitch work. The knot stitch, while appearing intimidating, is actually more straightforward than traditional bobbles, making this an encouraging project for skill advancement.