Innovative patterns
for knitters
Two of Sticks is an independent knitwear design brand of thoughtful patterns, designed and written by Kirsten Hipsky.
We believe every pattern should be designed with the knitter in mind, with no unnecessary complication.
All decorative elements must work in harmony with structural and functional elements.
Every piece is timeless, functional, beautiful, and designed to be worn with pride.
Featuring endless, intricate, twisted cables, this cowl’s complexity still pales in comparison to all the shapes and recombinations found in the bark of a mature ash tree. Not just for cowls, this stitch pattern would look stunning on any circular project like socks or as a panel on a pullover.
Finished Size:
36” around and 9” wide
Needles:
US size 3 (3.00mm) 36” circular needles or size needed to get gauge
Yarn:
400 yds of sport or heavy fingering weight yarn
Shown in Green Mountain Spinnery Forest color White
Other Materials:
Cable needle (cn): optional, instructions included for working cables without a cable needle
Gauge:
24 sts and 26 rnds = 3” in cable pattern after blocking
About 6.5 sts = 1” in stockinette stitch after blocking
Skills used:
Knitting through the back loop, purling, working small cables without a cable needle
Waving texture wraps up and over this over-size, one-piece pullover. You cast on at the bottom of the front, cast on gradually for the length of the sleeves, work from cuff to cuff up and over the shoulders, then down the back.
To Fit Sizes:
30-34” (36-40”, 42-46”, 48-52”, 54-58”, 60-64”)
Finished Chest Measurements:
36 (42, 48, 54, 60, 66)” (shown in size 42”)
Yarn:
About 1500 (1750, 2000, 2250, 2500, 3000) yds worsted weight wool
Shown in Green Mountain Spinnery Maine Organic (100% wool, 250 yds / 4 oz) color Dark
Needles:
US size 7 (4.50mm) 40” circular needles or size needed to get gauge
Gauge:
About 4.5 sts and 6 rows = 1” in stitch pattern.
One 14 st pattern repeat = 3” wide
Skills used:
Knitting and purling, single increases and decreases, working shaping in stitch pattern, casting on at the beginning of a row, seaming
Horizontal streaks of elongated stitches resemble the lenticels on pale birch bark in this warm, reversible and easy-to-knit triangular shawl.
Finished Size:
18” x 60”
Yarn:
400 yds DK weight yarn
Shown in Green Mountain Spinnery New Mexico Organic color White
Needles:
US size 10 (6.00mm) needles or size needed to get gauge
Gauge:
About 3 sts and 6 rows = 1” in garter stitch
Skills used:
Knitting, single increases
Deep, furrowed and flowing cables make this soft and cozy cardigan hum with life. Raglan sleeves are worked in the round and the yoke is worked all in one piece to minimize seaming.
To Fit Sizes:
32”-34” (36”-38”, 40”-42”, 44”-46”) (48”-50”, 52”-54”, 56”-58”)
Finished Sizes:
36 (40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60)” (shown in size 40”)
Yarn:
About 1800 (2000, 2200, 2500) (2800, 3200, 3500) yds DK Weight yarn
Shown in Green Mountain Spinnery New Mexico Organic (100% fine organic wool, 180 yds/2 oz) color Gray
Needles:
US size 5 (3.75mm) circular and double pointed needles or size needed to get gauge
Other Materials:
4 stitch markers
Cable needle (cn)
Scrap yarn or spare circular needles to use as stitch holders
2 buttons
Gauge:
5.5 sts and 8 rows = 1” in Stockinette stitch
6 sts and 8 rows = 1” in Burr Oak cable pattern after blocking
Skills Used:
Moderate cable stitch pattern, single increases and decreases, working decreases in stitch pattern, working in the round with double pointed needles (or preferred small-circumference knitting method), picking up stitches, minor seaming at underarms
Arranged in a soft, quilted diamond formation, the eyelets in this cowl are formed in an unusual and educational way. Instead of the expected yarn overs, you knit the strand that runs between your needles. This creates a slightly smaller and tidier eyelet that is easier to work on circular needles than a yarn over, since there are no loops of yarn to drag around the cable. It’s also the professional trick for fixing any missing yarn overs in traditional lace patterns— just knit into the strand running between the needles!
Finished Measurements:
80” around and 5” tall
Yarn:
400 yds fingering weight yarn, shown in Green Mountain Spinnery Lana color Gris
Needles:
US size 5 (3.75mm) 40” circular needles or size needed to get gauge
Gauge:
About 6 sts = 1” in dogwood stitch pattern after blocking
Skills Used:
Working in the round, knitting and purling, single and double decreases, single increases
Nothing ordinary about this cardigan! From not-quite-moss stitch and unexpected Fool’s Welt stitch to cables with lacy, empty centers, hidden pockets and a somewhat center-out construction, surprising details abound in Bouldering. Worked at a relatively loose gauge on large needles, this oversized V-neck cardigan will be done in a flash and keep you cozy all fall, winter, and spring. Shown here in Aran weight Osprey color Kumlien’s Gull, this cardigan is sure to be the statement piece of the season—no matter the colorway you choose!
Shown in size 46” / 117 cm on a 35.5” / 90 cm, 5’9” / 175 cm tall model (10.5” / 27 cm positive ease).
Suggested ease: positive 6–10” 15–25.5 cm
yarn
Quince & Co. Osprey
6 (6, 7, 8, 8) (9, 9, 10, 10) skeins Kumlien’s Gull 152
needles
One 40” circular needle in sizes US 10½ / 6.5 mm and US 11 / 8 mm
Spare needle size US 11 / 8 mm for 3-needle bind off
notions
Five 13/16” / 20.6 mm Woodgrain Brass Buttons
gauge
13 sts and 18 rows = 4” / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch with larger needles, after blocking.