Saturday 25 May 2013

Inspiration 4



My obsession with Kaleidoscope in Photo Booth continues, but I tried out X-Ray on these Pansies.  Not quite as fun as Kaleidoscope, although I love how the leaf veining shows up, and the halo effect of shadows in X-Ray.

Tuesday 7 May 2013

TRELLIS




This pattern was born out of the arrival, several years ago, of a beautiful new yarn at the LYS where I work.  The yarn was Louet's KidLin Lace.  This yarn is no longer available, but it was literally the combination of a thread-like strand of linen and a fine mohair.  It provided the best of the two yarn families; a light and airy finished product, that also had drape and warmth.

With KidLin out of picture, I reworked this project with the two halves of that yarn.  I also added a shawl size.



Linen and hemp have incredible stitch definition and drape.  They are a great choice for a fashion scarf, or a spring/summer scarf or shawl.  And don't let the rough feel of these yarns turn you off.  After even just one washing, they soften considerably.



The mohair version is feather light, with a soft haze and open, gossamer beauty.


Despite its delicate appearance, mohair provides an amazing amount of warmth.  Out of all the various versions of this project (and I have knit several), my favourite is the mohair scarf.  Made from just one ball of fine mohair, the scarf folds up so small it can be stowed in the most compact of purses, making it easy to have on hand in case the weather takes a turn for the worst.




So many choices in one pattern.  Make a scarf or a shawl, out of hemp/linen or mohair.  Or maybe make your own KidLin-type combination.  You could always make one for each season.



Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.


SIZE:  
  • Scarf [shawl] in linen or hemp measures approx. 178cm (70") long and 23cm (9") [46cm (18")] wide, after blocking.
  • Scarf [shawl] in fine mohair measures 147cm (58") long and 23cm (9") [46cm (18")] wide, after blocking.

GAUGE:  

  • 15 sts/22 rows = 10cm (4") in Trellis St pattern on 5mm (8US) needles, blocked, using linen/hemp
  • 14 sts/24 rows = 10cm (4") in Trellis St pattern on 5mm (8US) needles, blocked, using fine mohair


MATERIALS:
  • 280-560m (306-612yds) of linen or hemp yarn, such as Hemp for Knitting's allhemp3 OR 200-400m (219-438yds) of fine mohair yarn, such as Debbie Bliss' Angel or Rowan's Kidsilk Haze
  • 1 pair 5mm (8US)  - 100cm (40 inch) needles
  • 1 pair needles at least one full size larger than 5mm (8US) if using hemp or linen, and at least two sizes larger than 5mm (8US) if using fine mohair