Fashion: Yarn Style

Inara by Ambah O’Brian

 

Two color gradients on the opposite side of the spectrum! What a genius idea to combine them in one shawl! Because of the way the two gradients overlap each other, this became the most fascinating shawl pattern I have knitted to date. The designer, who I believe was an artist before delving into knitwear, was clearly inspired when she created Inara!

 

 

I used two gradient sets of Miss Bab’s 2ply Toes yarn in grey and red focused colorways:

 

I must say that the instructions to this shawl are a bit bare-bones and I was stumped by how to overlap the gradients at first because there is no verbal explanation of the color sequence, only a very brief diagram consisting of paired letters. It took me some time examining finished objects on ravelry and unraveling my first section before I understood how to sequence the two spectrums  as the designer intended. That is the one flaw I found in the pattern, otherwise it was straightforward. The lace pattern was both fun and easy to knit and I think it adds delicacy to the shawl which really enhances its beauty.

 

 

The springy merino by Miss Babs creates a wonderful, cushy fabric to snuggle into and I’m sure I will wear this shawl often. I’ve been looking forward to knitting this pattern for a long time and I’m not sure of what shawl to cast on next. Does anyone have any favorites to recommend?

 

The Emma Tee by Sarah Hatton

 

My obsession with the discontinued Rowan yarn, Calmer, has not diminished. When I decided to knit a simple tee for summer, it was the first yarn I reached for. I used Sarah Hatton’s pattern, Emma Tee because I feel Sarah Hatton is really at the top of her game right now in designing wearable garments with fun designs. The skirt it's paired with is my funsie from Paris, a skirt and top set with lace/metal grommet trim I bought at Maje.

 

Although there is no waist shaping written into the pattern for this tee, I did add in a bit. But since the pattern is ribbed, the fabric does draw in and create a flattering drape on the body with or without waist shaping even when it is knitted in a cotton blend.

 

 

This will be my go-to knitted tee for summer, because the fabric of Calmer has such a lovely drape and feel against the skin. The only yarn I have found in recent years that remotely comes close to its perfection is Rowan Softyak dk.

 

 

Softyak is a mostly cotton yarn but somehow the addition of a bit of yak gives it a lovely drape and hand feel. I knitted a fun lace top out of the softyak last summer, called Tatsu.

 

Tatsu was designed by Marie Wallin and is really wearable and light even in the heat. I suggest trying out softyak yarn if you are interested in knitting a tee for summer. Since I still have a considerable stash of Calmer, however, some of my summer tops may be knitted out of it for years to come.