Tuesday, June 12, 2007
SHRUGGING THROUGH SPRING
A Shrug goes relaxed on my deck
Remember the Watergarden and Dune shrugs, one of the first patterns I ever made? Well, I keep making it. And making it. By changing the yarns and mixing up the stitches, experimenting with finishing details and adding or subtracting embellishments, I find the same design keeps creating new looks. The one above, knit in gold, cream and black ribbons and textury tapes, has turned into this elegant slouch of a garment. How can one be elegant while slouching, you ask? Easy. Put it down to a relaxed insouciance.. In any case, the same pattern worked in different yarns can bring about quite dramatic results, methinks. The one pictured above just sold in Toronto, by the way, but it inspired Jackie and I to design a kit with all the necessary yarns to duplicate the look.
I LOVED working with these yarns: Tilli Tomas silk shantung ribbon like crispy cream strung with tiny beads, Tilli Tomas black silk woven with copper beads (Salt&Pepper in 'Burnt Pepper' ), a black tape from Crystal Palace, a hand-dyed ribbon from Judi&Co (Cappuccino) that feels like vanilla icing between the fingers and mixtures of Prism yarns in tasty, sugary shades complete the look. Oh, it's luxe all right. This is a project for the fiberholic who needs a bit of indulgance. This is a sensual feast of yarn with the end result a gorgeous shrug wearable any season, any time.
These colors reminded me of Florence, the center of luxury goods for centuries so I named it 'The Florentine Shrug'. The design, however, is exactly the same pattern as seen here: http://www.janethornley.com/patterns_shrugs.html#4 . Now I'm plotting on how to take the same pattern and further embellish it with beads.
More kit information on this design to come!
Posted by Jane on
06/12 at 08:56 AM
It's gorgeous enough but I can see more beads . I have always thought of India , China and a lot of other asian countires as inspiration. You have made me realise that there are so many influences .Holly and I are collecting some Moroccan type colours as I'd like to do a North African themed shawl.
By angie Cox on 2007 06 14
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. I have just returned from Istanbul, where the light, the colors, the textiles, the textures, are dramatic. But as usual,you manage to woo me away (albeit temporarily) from my usual preference for strong, spicy, and bold colors with your wonderful shrug. I can't wait for the kit. Esther
By Esther Gumpert on 2007 06 15
Thanks for the comments on yarn hand. I know you will be putting all this good stuff in a book one day, Jane. I would rather learn this kind of information easily, and not have to spend so much time frogging! What about it knitters? ....Life is too full of wonderful pastimes and adventures to spend it frogging!
By Mardi on 2007 06 18
Oh Jane, this kit I think I may have to "splurge" on-it's truly lovely. I am still a basic knitter so it's not too hard, I hope. Knitaly will remain a dream for now, but perhaps I can at least have a florentine shrug! Hopefully beginning in the fall i'll be able to work more this next school yr. now that I'm done helping my daughter with my granddaughter's care so...I hope you have several trips planned for 2008-maybe I'll make one of them yet. I so hate to miss Italy. Being 'retired" from teaching is lovely in many ways but in my case there isn't much money for travel (sadly). Oh-don't forget about the idea of a hydrangea shaded piece!
By Pamela Gardner on 2007 06 12