Project Spotlight: Aleksandra's Thistle Down Shawl

Rather than introduce this project, I cannot wait another minute so I'm just going to show you!

This gorgeous shawl was crocheted by theGreyGirl, Aleksandra, from Wash My Lace in Poppy and Curry. The pattern that she used is Thistle Down Wrap by Robin Abdullah. Aleksandra was happy to share a little more about the inspiration behind this stunning (and as you'll see, versatile!) piece.

"I chose the Thistle Down Wrap because I was looking for a versatile shawl with open lacework that could also be used as a wrap-around skirt. I’m also particularly found of leafy looking patterns so I instantly had this on my mental to-do list as soon as I saw it."

"I purchased the yarn at Loopy Yarns in downtown Chicago. The Poppy colorway instantly stuck out to me and I knew I wanted to make something with it. I’m very attracted to deep, saturated colors so it was something I was just naturally drawn to."

Thank you so much to Aleksandra for allowing us to share her incredible shawl and beautiful pictures!

Project Spotlight: Elena's Asunder in Haiku

Stitches West is this weekend! I thought this would be a good time to spotlight a gorgeous shawl that was born last year at Stitches. I asked Elena if she would allow us to share her project, and let us know more about it, and she graciously agreed.

I met Haiku at Stitches West last year. I usually buy yarn with a project in mind. When I go to Stitches I take with me a list of projects I would like to knit with notes about yarn weight and yardage required for each project. Asunder shawl was on my list.

I seem to have a soft spot for large shawls with clean simple lines. What I like about Asunder is that it’s elegant and modern at the same time. In particular I was attracted by its dropped stitch sections, those made the shawl look different from others I knit before.

When I saw Haiku as I was walking into the Anzula booth, I fell in love with the yarn. I was definitely taken by the amazing colors. I mostly like solid or subtle variegated colors and Haiku was just perfect. It had the right amount of light and darkness, enough to give the yarn a beautiful depth.

I knew I wanted a darker color for the main body and a lighter one for the dropped stitches stripes. I chose the colors Bark and Lenore and I must say the choice was surprisingly easy. Those colors looked so good together!

Only afterward I realized my color choice was probably unconsciously influenced by other people’s Asunder. I was quite surprised to notice that, because I had no specific color plan when I chose and bought the yarn. Some people before me used a golden color combined with a cooler shade though, so I guess that stuck in my head.

I really enjoyed knitting Asunder with Haiku. I think the shawl turned out great, it has soft sheen and a lovely drape thanks to the bamboo content of the yarn. I find it extremely gratifying when I am able to spot a good yarn-pattern match.

I can't wait to see what beautiful projects originate at this year's Stitches West, this weekend in Santa Clara, CA. This is our one retail event each year, and we offer our most comprehensive selection of yarns during this event. 

Featured Project: Spring Garden Tee in Cricket

As a new-ish member of Team Anzula, this past February was my first experience at Stitches West. Because we only work directly with our yarn shops, Stitches West is our opportunity every year to meet directly with you, the knitter/crocheter/spinner/weaver. It energizes us to see the projects you make and to talk about the craft with you.

​© grandmastatus 2013

After meeting so many wonderful people and seeing all the Anzula they took home, I found myself wondering what amazing items everyone worked from their skeins. Thanks to Ravelry I was able to meet Cecilia, a Stitches West shopper who created a beautiful Spring Garden Tee from Cricket.

Cecilia was originally shopping for Oasis, but when we didn't have a sweater's worth of the colorway she wanted she shifted her focus to Cricket. Unable to choose between 1 Red Shoe and Madam, she says she chose Madam because it is “more of a rich subtle color” rather than “bright and outstanding.”

​© grandmastatus 2013

With Cricket in hand, she had to find a new pattern. She chose the Spring Garden Tee from Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting. It's a lovely delicate tee with lacy cap sleeves and a lacy detail around the bottom. It's elegant alone, or also fabulous styled with a simple ribbon or other thin belt.

Visit our website to find a local or online Anzula retailer. ​If Cricket is not available at your LYS, you can place a special order through any store that carries Anzula.