Tuesday, June 03, 2008

KNIT A BEACH ALONG

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN KNIT IT…

Join me for a free-range, evocative knitting tutorial right here starting June 18th. With the help of the guide you can download here: http://www.janethornley.com/patterns_knitabeach.html  

to which I'll be adding more tips and photos plus additional how-tos on this page, you can reach your knitterly potential and have fun in the process. Also, the print version is available both at Earthfaire here:

 http://earthfaire.com/product_info.php?products_id=2938&osCsid=393a865c5c98ca7e9d0abff78e0ded1c  

and through Lulu.com here  http://www.lulu.com/jane23 .

Think of this as your own private beach escape minus sunblock, gas-guzzling or sand in your sandwiches. Besides, isn't it time to knit off the grid? 

Check out the little vest we'll be using as our project—a vest in two styles, either a tabard (perfect for ample figures) or a fitted version, to suit any figure preference.

Can't start June 18th? No problem because the tips, suggestions, photos and conversations will remain here as a resource. 

• Learn how to knit with a guide rather than a pattern
•  Experience combining simple stitches to create textures that evoke the blue and sand hues of a summer beach
• Create a vest/tabbard design so gorgeous you won't want to knit just one. Make yours either fitted or loose and easy

Evocative stitch work

Supplies you'll need:

• US6, 7 and 9 needles with the smaller size in circulars. In truth, with free-range any size will work but the the larger the needle, the bulkier the result and with this much texture happening, you may want to keep the stitches smaller. That's why I used US 6-7.

• a mix of blue, cream, white and sand-colored yarns in any weight though a marine blue recommended for US7 needles would be ideal for certain effects. Textured yarns are great but not required as we’ll be texturizing through our stitches. I used textured yarns for the sand and then only in small amounts.

• Shell beads, mother of pearl buttons or small beach findings for post embellishment, which is entirely a matter of taste, of course, but just wait until you see those little (cheapy) rice perals peeking out from the creat of a wave—just too fabulous to resist!