Friday, May 30, 2008

PATTERNS OF INSPIRATION: TUSCAN TILES VEST

Tuscan Tiles: the Knitaly 08 Vest Design

Each of my inspired voyages features a specific knitting project through which to reflect the country's creative spirit. Last year's Knitaly project was a free-range wrap highlighting all the colors of a Tuscan autumn—vibrant rose, dusty pink, olive green, see-forever blue and the golden sienna hue so prevalent in the landscape.  Loose and very flowing , it symbolized a feeling of  gleeful discovery.

Works in progress hang out in the Tuscan sun Knitaly07

But Knitaly 08 delves deeper, deeper into all that is Tuscan including its artistic and historical heritage. For this project, the free-range dances with the modular in a simply gorgeous Tuscan Tiles vest, a hybrid of Patrician Werners dazzling triangles (tiles) and my romping random rib. Between our two different but compatible approaches, Patricia and I designed a slimming scuplted vest to fit each Knitaly knitter perfectly while reflecting our Tuscan travels in multiple ways. We'll have two colorway options from which to choose and the kit will feature silk and silk blend yarns while providing ample foraging opportunities through prime Tuscan knitting shops.

Tuscan Tiles Front

Tuscan Tiles side view

 Tuscan Tiles in the raw

And above, a photo of one of the sites on our Florence tour: the Palazza Davanzati, a 14th century palazzo once owned by a wealthy wool merchant whose gorgeous home accurately reflects the social and domestic designs of the period. This main sitting area, dominated by the central fireplace, is rich in the Tuscan tile work that serves as inspiration for our Knitaly 08 vest. Feast your eyes and be inspired!