When I saw this yarn, I knew I wanted an open lattice design, like a trellis or a tomato cage, and something that would work well with the nature of this yarn, which ranges from skinny to chunky and has felted bits spun in. The pattern combines narrow garter stitch borders with an adaptation of Barbara Walker’s “Mermaid’s Mesh” stitch pattern.

The pattern includes line by line instructions and a chart of the mesh stitch as well as tips for working with the yarn and suggestions for modifying the design.

I would rate this Advanced Beginner as it requires several different increases and decreases as well as single and double yarnovers.

The pattern would also work with other yarns such as the various beaded and sequinned silks that are available, or by combining thinner yarns--but, then, you wouldn’t have the tomatoes!

June 2013: reformatted pattern uploaded