Frost at Midnight by Kate Davies Designs

Craft: Knitting

This pattern is available on Ravelry.

“Frost at Midnight” is the title of one of my favourite poems by S.T. Coleridge, and the shimmering beaded trees that surround this yoke seem to be captured in frost on a cold winter’s night. Coleridge’s poem was composed on such a night, and is addressed to his son, who sleeps quietly in his cradle next to the reflective poet. It ends with these marvellous lines:

Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether the summer clothe the general earth
With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the
eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.

The whole purpose of this design is to feature the yoke as jewellery. Worked in a luxurious silk and merino laceweight yarn, the yoke is decorated with a stunning necklace of over a thousand glass beads. The garment is worked straight from hem to bust and the simple shape drapes beautifully from the yoke. Short rows shape the neckline, which scoops to frame the face and neck.

Sizes

30¾ (32½, 34¾, 36½, 39½, 41¼, 42¾, 45¼, 46¾, 48½)

For a close fit (as pictured) select a size with 2.5cm / 1in negative ease from your actual bust measurement. For a neat fit, choose a size with 0-2.5cm / 0-1in positive ease, and for a relaxed fit work with 5-7.5cm / 2-3in positive ease.

Yarn & beads

Fyberspates Gleem Lace (Laceweight; 55% Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 45% Silk; 100g/874 yards per skein)

Beads - size 8: 1680 (1680, 1760, 1840, 1920, 2000, 2000, 2080, 2160, 2160)

Needles & Notions

60-80cm / 24-32in gauge size circular needle for body

Gauge-size needle of your preferred type for working small circumferences for sleeves

80-100cm / 32-40in gauge size circular needle for yoke and front openings

Your preferred tool for bead threading / placement (small crochet hook, dental floss etc)

Waste yarn in a similar weight for provisional cast on and holding sts at underarms

Stitch markers

Tapestry needle

3-4 clear snap fasteners (optional)

Gauge note

28 sts and 36 rows to 10cm / 4in over stockinette worked in rows on 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) needles.

25 sts and 32 rows to 10cm / 4in over beaded section.

Because the recommended yarn has a high silk content it can expand considerably after

blocking. Follow the swatching instructions in the pattern and block and measure your swatch carefully before knitting. You may also wish to check your small-circumference gauge (as the sleeves are worked in the round).