Thursday, April 28, 2011

SAFARIS AND SAVANNAHS EVOCATIVE GUIDE

Three Patterns, one Guide

Safari and Savannahs Evocative Guide

Time to bring out your wild side in this new evocative guide. Two vests and one loose topper create a tribal ensemble for the urban safari. Consider the Great Zimbabwe vest pictured below. Knit side to side on 5.5 mm/ US 9 needles, it crosses across the front to fasten with a button or pin and features an intarsia African triangle motif in the back. Sized for small, medium and large, side gussets picked up and knit after the back and fronts are completed make it easier to tailor armhole and width to suit most preferences.

GREAT ZIMBAWE VEST

Then there's the Swahili Basket vest, modeled here on my Zimbabwe friend, Linda (more about her next posting). A mix of basketweave stitch and Indian cross stitch braced with bands of garter in contrasting yarns simulates the fabulous basketry of the African peoples. Knit on 5.5 mm/ US 9 needles, this creation is a quick knit and the addition of gussets complete with a cross stitch band adds to the visual interest.

Swahili Basket Vest on Linda

And my favorite not-a-poncho, one that came with me to the Beadfest in Santa Fe and created quite a stir: the Safari and Savannah Not-a-poncho. Rate this one right up there among your fav must-knits since it looks great on just about anybody's body and is great free-range fun to make. Simply cast on and I'll guide you on your adventure from there. Includes a motif color guide to help lead the way but you really don't need one.

Jane among the wildlife

To purchase, click on link below:

http://www.janethornley.com/patterns_booklets.html#8

Linda and I on safari…!