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. 

Meet the Designer: Corrina Ferguson

If you haven't heard yet, we are so excited about the booklets coming out from Stitch Sprouts that feature 3 of our most popular yarns - For Better or Worsted, Cricket, and Squishy! Over the next few weeks we will be introducing you to some of the designers who contributed to the booklets. Today's spotlight is on Corrina Ferguson of PicnicKnits.

What drew you to designing?

I wanted to teach classes at my LYS and didn't want to use other people's patterns so I started making up my own.

How do you encourage a novice to take up knitting?

I tell them that once they can knit and purl that everything else is just a combination of that and manipulating the yarn.

Dolinger, knit in Cricket, shown in Pesto.

What's your favorite LYS?

I think the best yarn store I have ever visited has been Eat Sleep Knit in Atlanta. So many yarns and fabulous colors and such a cozy nook for knitting.

Favorite Anzula colorway? Line?

Colorway: Pesto. Line: Cricket - I actually made a top - Dolinger - in that yarn.

Do you have other patterns available in our yarns?

Dolinger, Maragon, and lots more to come.

Tell us about your projects in the booklets!

Kahel, knit in For Better or Worsted, shown in Arizona.

I have two projects in the booklet - the Kahel shawl is in For Better or Worsted and was a total joy to knit. I loved making it so it was reversible, and the knit-purl-lace-eyelet pattern blocked like a dream.

Dalawa, knit in Squishy, shown in Clay. (Gloves are by Katherine Vaughan in Squishy Fiona.)

The Dalawa cowl/hat was worked up in Squishy and the cabled lace patterning works up quicker than you think. The drawstring that turns the cowl into a hat does double duty - it cinches the cowl up perfectly around your neck so you keep out any wintery chills.

Favorite TV show to watch / music to listen to while knitting?

I am completely obsessed with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. And when I have a piece I really need to concentrate on I will rewatch the Harry Potter Movies or the Lord of the Rings.

Maragon, knit in Cloud, shown in Temperance and Prudence.

What's the most overlooked aspect of designing or knitting a finished piece?

I think people really underestimate the magic of blocking. Blocking can really make or break a project!

Do you teach classes? Where?

I've taught at both of my local yarn stores in Florida in the past, and currently do private lessons.

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You can catch up with Corrina on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and Ravelry!

Thank you to Corrina for the interview! You can get your booklets right now on Ravelry, or soon at your LYS. Watch for more interviews coming soon with some of the other Stitch Sprouts designers who created pieces for the booklets!

Pattern Highlights: January

We have been talking a lot about the Stitch Sprouts booklets on the blog this month, but don't think for a second that we've forgotten about the patterns released in January!

Kalliopi Aronis has released Diamonds Hood Cowl, knit in Squishy, shown below in Rootbeer. Besides the lusciously textured stitch pattern, it is also beaded for extra elegance. 

Amanda Hall at Knit Knight Designs was seeking a "balance between beauty and practicality" when designing her Balance fingerless mitts, and they certainly don't miss the mark on either count. 

Looking for a downright cozy accessory? Kirsten Kapur has a pair of mittens called Oresund. I could definitely see having multiple pairs of these in all different colors - each pair just takes 1 skein of For Better or Worsted! They are shown below in Avocado.

This cozy cowl is part of a new book by Pam Powers called Dress-to-Impress Knitted Scarves. The Petticoat Cowl is knit in Cricket, shown here in Au Natural, Seabreeze, and Herb.

And last, but certainly not least, a new sweater from Jennifer Wood! Called Rhonwen, it features fabulous cable and lace detailing. It is knit in Cricket, shown below in Clay.

Don't forget - you can find so many more patterns on Ravelry, or our Pinterest page!