Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Eco Elements”
Designing is quick; publication is a long slog – at least that’s what life as a knitwear designer has been for me. Remember back in April when we talked about The 3 R’s and I promised Cassandra’s Christmas Sweater was headed out to be recycled? Well, Remix Hour is the result!
One of my favorite commands to give Puddles is “up and over”. From the wee pup to the nearly 7 year old Dane, each time he hears that happy command ring out, he gathers his speed, all his might, and leaps into action!
Eco Inspiration – A Family Tale (or is it Tail)
Way back in April of 2016 mom got the knitting “bug”… finally, I’d say! She picked my upcoming 50th release, Cowgirl Chic, as her pattern and this gorgeous Malabrigo and began the picot cast on!
In contrast to last week’s 25/75 linen/cotton blend, today’s fiber is a 30/70 linen/cotton blend. The two couldn’t be more different! In today’s LinCot review, coarse strands of strong linen engulf puffy thick/ thin roving of cotton. The resulting texture is incredible with bristles and softness at the same time. If you’ve ever thrummed with virgin wool and roving, I suspect the feel is similar. Apple Oak Fibre Works brings Irish naturalism to hand dyed yarn! Wife and hubby team, Jennifer and Tristan, apply botanical dyes to a variety of fibers (animal-based and plant-based) in both roving and yarn (and a few other specialty items).
What an interesting study in contrast! I swatched out two cotton / linen blends back to back for the next yarn reviews and they couldn’t be more different. It was amazing to see how twist, pile, and how the two fibers were combined changed the effects and feel of the yarn. Up first, Cestari Sheep’s Monticello!
Batten the hatches, check the generator, trim the trees back from the house, and stock the pantry with food for both humans and GDCSJ. Yes, this week has been a “check list” in prep for Hurricane Florence. Anyone else in hurricane mode with us? I’m delighted to see it’s down to a category 2, but know that it is still a threat so I’m ready with projects to snuggle it out with this guy! He doesn’t look to scared at all ?. Before we head full force into cold weather knits, let’s “paws” and recap the year thus far. Landfall Shawl – designed in honor of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, looks like this is the shawl of the moment with …
Popping back into the 3 R’s eco element and staying with the learning eco element, I’m thrilled to re-introduce you to Lake Breeze Tank. Not just refreshed, the pattern was striped back to a blank page and started from scratch – new grading, new writing style, new sizes, new text, and expanded info for substituting yarn. The elements that remained – the overall design aesthetic, the charted and written detailed decreases and increases, and the original yarn.
From continuing education to exploration and innovation, finding the most efficient and effective uses of natural resources is a great way to stay eco!! Not to mention, learning keeps you young… and apparently it also helps stave off Alzheimers ?. As we enter into this stage of learning, I’ve got lots of yarn reviews lined up with fun pattern releases and a forayer into the grading class I took. First up, though, let’s look at back at the eco elements involved in last week’s Boscage release.
The drape of this cotton grows more airy with each needle size. Ideal for summer knitting, especially items that are intended to hang loosely from the body. Knitting a variety of knit and purl combinations in the swatches, when it came time to designing I jumped in with lace, cables, and a fun self-edging… the yarn held up to it all!
Last year a magazine call perked my interest – designs featuring all things eco. While scrolling Pinterest for some hot eco topics, I was captivated by the photos of melting glaciers / glacier rivers. While some glacier rivers are the consequence of regular freeze and thaw, others are emblematic of global warming.