The Amalfi Collection: Caio!

Light, breezy, versatile

The Amalfi Collection evokes the beauty and inspiration I felt visiting the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Those familiar with all the regions of Italy will often say that the Amalfi coast is the most beautiful. It is hard to argue. I have to admit I’ve only been to Sorrento and Capri, and transited through Naples, and am contemplating my next exploratory trip.

The Amalfi Collection

This collection is composed of nine designs utilizing two types of open stitches: dropped and elongated. These stitche patterns allow me to create fabric that reflects the light, breezy, and airy aspects of the Amalfi towns they represent. Each town, and each accessory, is unique, but they overlap in many aspects.

The Amalfi Collection patterns are each offered as a written pattern in a particular yarn weight. and gauge Many of them also include an an accompanying written pattern to work the design in Any Size. Any Gauge. A Pattern Calculator finds the numbers you need for your size and gauge. Pattern Calculators are clever, and also incredibly useful, and make patterns far more versatile than a standard written pattern. The written pattern is presented in a range of sizes at a set gauge, and often accompanied by a written pattern with blanks to be filled in from the Pattern Calculator for an Any Size. Any Gauge project. Follow my guidance to make these in your choice of yarn, in your size!

Nine Pieces of the Amalfi Collection

Scarves, Cowls, & Collars

Ischia Scarves

If you have watched or read Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan books (or watched the series), Ischia is the location of a summer of joy and turmoil for Elena.

I began knitting Ischia while I was in Sorrento, but is based on an idea I had been considering for a while. There are three different versions of the scarf in the pattern. Ischia can be worked in stripe variations and it works well as a non-gendered project. The fabric is focused on the vertical drop stitch. There is not a Pattern Calculator yet and the price will go up to $21 for the individual pattern when that is added!

Naples Collars and Cowls

Next up came Naples. Naples is a very unique city. If you have watched the series Gomorrah (which I totally recommend!) you have a sense of Naples being very gritty. Of course Naples is home to what is considered the best pizza — Neapolitan pie!

These collars and cowls reflect the diversity of Naples. Six variations, four collars and two cowls, blending the vertical drop stitch and 2×2 rib. Watch me Style each variation. Naples currently does not have a Pattern Calculator, but when I get to it, the retail price will go up to $24 for the individual pattern!

Positano & Steps to Positano Moebius Cowls

Positano is a seaside village which looks like a colorful, layered pastry as it rises from the coastline. The moebius structure and use of both open stitch patterns create a soft, almost ruffly fabric perfect for a special yarn. Steps to Positano introduces Any Size. Any Gauge. into the Amalfi Collection. Use the Pattern Calculator that comes with the pattern to make your custom size, using your perfect yarn.

The written pattern is for Super Bulky yarn, then Steps to Positano can be worked using any yarn, plus it can be adjusted to fit the amount of yarn you have. Truly an Any Size. Any Gauge project! The Pattern Calculator will soon be upgraded. Another pattern using the Vertical Drop Stitch and 2×2 Rib.

Sorrento & Piano del Sorrento Cowls

On arrival it is clear that Sorrento is not a resort town, yet it is. Sorrento is for local commerce and activity center, so it bustles a little more briskly than other towns reliant on tourism and locals. There are lovely hotels along the coastline, which are all situated very high above the water. Getting to the narrow beaches and docks requires a steep walk downhill or an elevator. Piano del Sorrento, a separate municipality, is between Sorrento and Naples.

The Sorrento written pattern is for dk yarn, and with the addition of a Pattern Calculator it makes it an Any Size. Any Gauge project as well. Sorrento combines Seed Stitch and Seeded Seafoam, set off with Knotted Rib. There is an Accelerator to help navigate through the document using hyperlinks, and to jump to sections.

See more photos here.

Maiori & Path to Maiori Moebius Cowls

Maiori and Path to Maiori are evocative of this, the largest Amalfi town, with the longest beach to be found along the Amalfi Coast. The Path of Lemons goes from Minori in the hills to Maiori on the coast.

The Maiori written pattern is for bulky yarn. Make it your own using the Pattern Calculator with the Any Size. Any Gauge Path to Maiori pattern. Combining 2×2 Rib, Vertical Drop Stitch, and Garter Seafoam.

Shawls, Tanks, & Wraps

Furore & Fiordo Wraps

Moving into larger projects with Furore Wrap. Furore rises from the coast up into the hillside. Fiordo is on the Fiordo with a lovely beach, with two other hamlets to pass through as the town rises from sea level and the beach.

Furore and Fiorde are based on a ruana or poncho shape, and are incredibly versatile; the rib-based fabric hugs shoulders and arms. The Vertical Drop Stitch is worked in different ways for a variety of fabrics. Furore is the written pattern in sport weight, with a couple of variations given. Fiordo is the Any Size. Any Gauge pattern. The Pattern Calculator works with the written pattern and the variations.

Capri Shawl

Capri is an island and a town, with each noted for beauty and the town of Capri for its high-end shopping. Take a ferry, do the trip around the island, take the funicular up to Capri where you can shop, dine, or people watch. Retrace your steps to return. The coastline is magical, and the interaction of minerals, water, and light create some of the most amazing photo opportunities.

The Capri wrap is a shawl with all the style of the Isle of Capri. Take charge and make it the size you like. Capri’s construction is based on stitch multiples and repetitions of row sequences which include german short rows which doesn’t necessitate a Pattern Calculator for custom sizing. Capri shawl is all garter-based; cast on based on your gauge and follow the directions to make the most of your yarn, a different approach to Any Size. Any Gauge.

Ravello Tank

Summer leads to a tank top using the drop stitches in a new way. Mainly worked stockinette-based Vertical Drop Stitch to create something light and breezy. I love tanks like this over a sundress. Make it a length that works for you and your yarn.

The written pattern is for fingering yarn. For Any Size. Any Gauge. use the Pattern Calculator and my sizing tables to find your perfect size. Vertical Drop Stitch on stockinette and in Rib.

• Missy: Standard, Inverted Triangle, Triangle
• Lavish (Plus): Standard, Inverted Triangle, Triangle

Salerno & Promenade Trieste Wraps

Wrapping this up is Salerno — an extravagant wrap in the shape of a parallelogram. Wear Salerno as a skirt, or as a shawl. Knitted in lace weight, with an addition of Seeded Rib, Salerno worked modularly, with borders of Seeded Rib. A panel of Vertical Drop Stitch, plus a panel of Garter Seafoam and one of Seeded Seafoam to maintain portability and ease of knitting. There are short rows, inserted strategially, to get the finished shape. Take a length of belting and double wrap it around your waist or hips for a skirt over leggings or tights, or engulf your torso in a beautiful wrap. Follow my written instructions or the Promenade Trieste Pattern Calculator for Any Size. Any Gauge instructions.