This week I find myself at the cutting edge of fashion. Yes I know that's hard to believe. I usually stick with what I like and wait for it to come around again, which it often does with surprising rapidity. I usually find myself "fashionable" about every 5 or 6 years and in-between times I adopt the look of a mild eccentric in her long flowing skirts.
So I was quite intrigued when I completed the Scottswood Stole recently to be told that stoles and wraps are key fashion accessory this year! And not only that, but the colour choice is also perfect too, with Pantone’s "Amethyst Orchid" being one of this season's highlights. How's that for being fashion forward?
I started working on this stole when we were visiting Japan recently and the first rows were cast on sitting on the wooden step where the poet Matsuo Basho wrote some of his most famous poems. Since he lived in the 17th Century and here we are in the 21st, that's quite a timespan this project has seen!
So I was quite intrigued when I completed the Scottswood Stole recently to be told that stoles and wraps are key fashion accessory this year! And not only that, but the colour choice is also perfect too, with Pantone’s "Amethyst Orchid" being one of this season's highlights. How's that for being fashion forward?
I started working on this stole when we were visiting Japan recently and the first rows were cast on sitting on the wooden step where the poet Matsuo Basho wrote some of his most famous poems. Since he lived in the 17th Century and here we are in the 21st, that's quite a timespan this project has seen!
The stole can be worked either in a baby alpaca or a merino/cashmere mix for the ultimate in luxury. It’s hard to beat either alpaca or cashmere for pure comfort and warmth. They both feel so gentle to the touch and add just the right degree of warmth just when you need it. As soon as you place an alpaca or cashmere wrap around your shoulders you feel sophisticated and elegant. You just can't help it.
I used Knit Picks Andean Treasure baby alpaca yarn for the purple wrap in the photo above. This is a sportweight yarn and has a beautifully soft halo.
I used Knit Picks Andean Treasure baby alpaca yarn for the purple wrap in the photo above. This is a sportweight yarn and has a beautifully soft halo.
However, the Scottswood Stole pattern can also be worked with a DK yarn for a slightly thicker wrap. The blue version above was worked in Willow & Lark Nest DK which has a lovely mix of 69% merino, 11% cashmere and 20% Tencel. The Tencel adds a lovely stitch definition and drape to the other qualities of this yarn.
The pattern features a lovely reversible stitch called Square Lattice from our book, Reversible Knitting Stitches. The stitch has two contrasting looks: one side has echoes of a traditional woven cloth while the other has a modern cubist feel, giving it great versatility.
So who do you know who deserves some extra luxury this season (yourself included)? The instructions include three different sizes so you can choose just the right one for the person you have in mind. For more information about the Scottswood Stole please click here. The pattern is available for immediate download from the site, so you can get make a start right away.
And if you’re counting, this is now the ninth in the 12-part “Knitting Ahead” series! If you would like to see the start of the series and review them all, then please click here to go to the first blogpost, then follow the links at the bottom of each page until you get back here.
The pattern features a lovely reversible stitch called Square Lattice from our book, Reversible Knitting Stitches. The stitch has two contrasting looks: one side has echoes of a traditional woven cloth while the other has a modern cubist feel, giving it great versatility.
So who do you know who deserves some extra luxury this season (yourself included)? The instructions include three different sizes so you can choose just the right one for the person you have in mind. For more information about the Scottswood Stole please click here. The pattern is available for immediate download from the site, so you can get make a start right away.
And if you’re counting, this is now the ninth in the 12-part “Knitting Ahead” series! If you would like to see the start of the series and review them all, then please click here to go to the first blogpost, then follow the links at the bottom of each page until you get back here.
Next time, we'll turn our attention back to the home to get ready for mid-winter, but in the meantime I'll let Matsuo Basho have the last words:
Winter solitude –
in a world of one colour,
the sound of the wind.
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)
Until nest time – Happy Knitting!
Moira
Winter solitude –
in a world of one colour,
the sound of the wind.
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)
Until nest time – Happy Knitting!
Moira
 | Last Blogpost: For him – The Grantchester Scarf Next Up: Cushions for the deep mid-winter Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com Many thanks to my husband Tim for his photograph of Matsuo Basho's house at Konpuku-ji in Kyoto. If you would like to see more of his work, please see his Flickr page here, and if you would like to see more photos of places I like to knit, then please click here. |
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