Sunday, 23 September 2012

Argyle Autumn

Classic argyle pattern can be seen on all sorts of knitwear and hosiery, but it is always more fun to find things in a little unexpected places. I used the repeating pattern in a scarf that is basically a closed loop tube worked in the round, as this seemed like the best way to incorporate stranded colourwork.

Argyle autumn tube scarf

The pattern for this scarf can be found in the newly published Knit Now, Issue 13.
Knit Now is a terrific UK based magazine, concentrating mainly on trendy accessories and quick little knits.

Knit Now Issue 13 September 2012
© Practical Publishing


Choosing, which colours to use in this scarf, was quite easy: something blue to go well with denim and something contrasting like the autumn sun. It would be really exciting to see the scarf in other colour combinations.

Argyle autumn tube scarf
© Practical Publishing

Argyle autumn tube scarf
© Practical Publishing


The styling and setting is just lovely. I do hope to visit the English countryside someday - some autumn, preferably.

Argyle autumn tube scarf
© Practical Publishing


This sample scarf was knitted using the wonderfully soft Artesano Superwash Merino yarn in shades Navy, Sand Yellow and Grey.

Artesano Superwash MerinoArtesano Superwash MerinoArtesano Superwash Merino



Sunday, 9 September 2012

Plum and olive mixture

Just accomplished my first yarn painting experiment with purple and green textile dyes. That seems like a dangerously addictive activity, no need to look for that perfect shade of yarn again.

Handpainted yarn in green and purple


As there were no better vessels for this operation to be found in the household, a cake tin had to be sacrificed, and it worked out very well.

Dyeing yarn in cake tin


The colours came out really bright, except for some parts of yarn inside the hank, that remained unintentionally a bit too light.

Handpainted yarn in green and purple


This is how the yarn looks after knitting:

Knitted swatches with handpainted yarn


Leftover dye made it into more experiments, a painted piece of lace

Handpainted lace


and plain cotton fabric (so many new ideas for making a matching wardrobe instantly coming up):

Handpainted fabric in green and purple