Wednesday, August 26, 2009

THE ROAD TO TAOS

The Road to Taos

Just give me an excuse to knit yet another rendition of the Feather & Fan evocative wrap (based on the Celestial Blue rendition) and I'm off. Since I'll be teaching a workshop in Taos this September and will be flying out west this weekend, I just HAD to knit a special wrap (well, I must have been collecting these autumnal colors for a reason…as if I needed a reason). What has emerged is my Taos-inspired Painted Canyon wrap, a celebration of earth burnishing into fall. You can access the recipe for this design in my July newsletter archive but I made a minor variation that you won't find mentioned there, something you might try for your next wrap. 

For a little bottom interest, try this: after finishing your wrap according to directions for either the original F&F wrap or it's spin-off, try picking up about 30 stitches along the bottom center using smaller needles than originally used. I worked mine on 5mm/US8. Work feather & fan stitch as usual for as many rows as you want length. The effect is subtle but once beaded (yes!), the detail adds intrigue. I added three drops of turguiose and raku for that hint of desert New Mexican richness.

Bead the bottom…

The Road to Taos front worn open