Everyone who knows me knows that turquoise, browns and blues are my colours. Every time I walk into a yarn store I am lamentably predictable. But then… then I picked up this lovely thing.
This is Iris, one of the new colours from Tanis Fiber Arts. I picked up a skein in her blue label sock yarn and I am in love. It’s beautiful and punchy, and more variegated than I typically go for, so the question now is, what to do with it?
I’ve considered Jane Richmond’s lovely Strathcona:
And Martina Behm’s Lintilla:
I have never knitted either of these patterns, though I have done patterns from both designers before and I know I love their work. Both these patterns are simple enough that the textural pieces will allow the variegated yarn to shine, and both are great summer pieces.
But I am totally open to suggestions too! Anyone know of a great pattern for 400 yards of sock yarn that will show off these colours they way they deserve? Of the 2 above, which one would you vote for?
Sometimes you just need instant gratification. Like, instant.
Calorimetry. Does the trick. Believe it or not, this is also my first knitty pattern.
It’s a great stash buster – used a tiny amount of yarn, in this case some TFA Green label in ‘grape’ that I had left over from this.
Only mod: I cast on 1oo instead of 120 for a tighter fit. Love it!
Ravelry project page here:
To Kris; if you’re reading my blog this morning, this one’s for you :)
Black Puddin is created for my dear childhood friend Kris, who does not wear colour.
Kris can be seen in black, off-black, grey-black, brown-black and very occasionally dark burgundy-black. This is Kris’s way of introducing variety into her wardrobe ;)
So, when I saw this gorgeous skein of Tanis on Etsy I knew I had to snap it up. It’s a one-of-a-kind colourway called ‘Woodland Path’, a beautiful variegated soft brown sock weight merino with tones of moss green and deep reds. It’s so subtle and so beautiful that it made me see, even more than her brighter, punchier colourways, what a master of colour Tanis is. The yarn is simply delicious.
It’s being modelled by my other beloved childhood friend, Yvette. There’s so much love in these shots, it’s perfect! We even had a cheesy Snow White moment when even the little birds came and sat next to Yvette, admiring my shawl, no doubt, and perhaps contemplating what a shame it was they couldn’t get some of that yummy yarn for a nest. I gave them dirty looks before they could get any ideas, of course.
I paired it with the pattern for a shawl called Sugared Violets by Rose Beck that I fell in love with a year ago but never managed to knit properly. When I was knitting it the fleurette mesh looked terrible – to the point where I was eager to get it off the needles and be done with it. But then I blocked it, magic happened, and I thought “I need to make one of these for myself!”. Isn’t that always the way? So if your mesh looks weird, wait for it!
I followed the pattern for the 550 yard version with one mod: because I wasn’t worried about running out of yarn I used 4.5mm needles instead of the recommended 4mm. The bigger needles added so much drape, and the shawl blocked out to an impressive 6 feet by 20 inches (and I still stayed under the 550 yard mark!).
Ravelry project page here:
My TFA Colour KAL project is finally finished, off the needles and I love it. I love it so much I’ve already cast on another one. The Pink Grapefruit turned out to be just the thing. Ravelry project page here:
This is the Colour Affection shawl all done! Thank you to the lovely Jeanette for modelling it for me.
I love the way these three colours come together. The only change I’m making on the next one is following the Yarn Harlot’s suggestion of adding a yarn over after the first stitch on every row and dropping it on the way back to give the edge some ease. Despite my best efforts, this one is a little tight.
I hate it when I finally cast off a new shawl and it turns out to be way too small to actually wear as a shawl. It becomes a cute little neck warmer that leaves me feeling just a wee bit disappointed. Well, this shawl delivered and then some. It’s super snuggly and easy to wear at a whopping 8 feet by 16 inches after blocking.
The garter stitch does feel endless at the end but it’s …. garter stitch. It’s mindless and fast and I even managed to whip off a few rows in a movie theatre. Honestly, 2 weeks start to finish and I’m not a fast knitter. I’ve already got another one in the works – this time combining 3 skeins (all of which had other plans initially but Oh Well) of precious Viola yarn:
Selfish knitting on both fronts. Oh yes, I cannot bear to part with these babies. Not much can make me wish for winter weather in May… but this comes close!
Just a little update for what’s on the needles – The Colour Affection shawl is coming along nicely, despite the fact that every row feels like an eternity now. We went to the Purple Purl on the weekend to pick up the final colour. So far it’s chocolate and mint. I thought, Mallard? Deep Sea? Olive? Peacock?
But then Tito pulled down a skein of this. Pink Grapefruit. I was appalled at his choice, but then he held it against the shawl and it was…. perfect. Totally, unexpectedly perfect. To seal the deal he said ‘It reminds me of neopolitan ice-cream.’
So there you go. A colour I have never bought and would never choose has just become my new favourite. I loved it so much I caved in and bought a skein of it in Tanis’ new Red Label Cashmere Silk yarn. It’s soft and squishy and the colours seem somehow more saturated than the blue label (it’s the one on the bottom right). I bought the pattern for the Fairview scarf right away and cast on.
Because donating all that yarn meant I had space for more, right?
These are my purchases from Saturday. They make me so stupidly happy that I had to share them. Incidentally, this photo contains my favourite colour range (ocean, earth) and my 2 favourite yarn artists – Tanis Fiber Arts and Viola Viola.
Viola Viola, alas, is not dying any more yarn for the time being. She’s headed to England to go on an adventure, and I wish her well. However, this did result in my purchasing every thing I wanted from her at the frolic, because hey, this is all there is now!
Believe it or not, it’s all planned for. Yep, I’m organized.
1. TFA Blue label yummy sock yarn. One of a Kind colourway, oh yeah! This one is destined to be paired up with this one of a kind TFA sock yarn that I purchased on Etsy a while back:
I’m joining the TFA Colour Knit Along, and using this beautiful pair to make the Colour Affection shawl.
2. Viola sock weight in a gorgeous ocean blue. Yes, it’s time to finally make the Cream and Sugar Cowl.
3. TFA again, a real treat for me: Orange Label AND a new colourway – Frost! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on either. This lovely stuff has got to end up around my neck somehow, it’s so soft and squishy and luxurious. This baby is destined for my new Jeanette cowl (pattern coming soon!).
4. Another gorgeous, earthy skein of Viola. So earthy that I might make a smallish, long Saroyan from it.
5. Dew Drop by Viola. So lovely and soft! This lovely toned down colourway contains such gentle variations, I know it’s destined for a lacy pattern, I just don’t know what – but I’ll know it when I see it.
6. My last Viola – this one needs to be a simple neck kerchief, something I can tie on, or wrap around easily. Either a simple, shallow, long triangle shawl or I might try to create a sock weight version of Purl Soho’s Bandana Cowl.
7. I saw this fabric and couldn’t resist. I’m sewing pillow cases right now and definitely don’t feel ready to tackle this with my current skill set – but when I do I’ve bought enough to make a lovely, girly, A-line skirt.
Oh, and the best part of the weekend? I got to give a yarn bowl to my favourite fibre Artist. Thanks Tanis!
