…the Winding Path Behind the Tidal Breeze Design
My first treatment center was located just north of Charleston, SC. The blessings of beach trips were welcomed reprieves. Even though I wasn’t a knitter at the time, the images of the wet sand and the receding waves stuck in my memory as did my goofy Great Dane, Cheeky, whom my dad brought down to visit me.
Years later, I discovered Americo Original yarn & more specifically, their DK weight Linen Tanguis yarn. The novel texture of the blended cellulous fibers made it leap into my purchase basket. The natural color and weight instantly recalled those memories of wet sand and I knew I’d be cabling this yarn into sand… somehow.
Time passed and the yarn sat in my stash awaiting another unknown element. While visiting my grandma, I came across a new LYS, Warm ‘n Fuzzy. While browsing their offerings I happened upon Quince and Co.’s Sparrow. Once again I remembered those beach trips & the glossy thin receding waters. The idea of combining the two different weight yarns into a single design danced around my little grey cells as Divine reminders of something reminiscent of those beach trips.
The final piece to the puzzle came quite out of the blue, while browsing Ravelry. Twist Collective (webzine) posted a mood board for their spring 2014 designer’s submission call. On it was the most striking image of sand ripples I’d ever seen, in which the coppery hued sand rippled in uneven scribbles over a hardened sand dune kissed with the red of a setting sun. Unfortunately, I no longer have access to that image; but for other striking and influential images of water imprinting on sand, check out this design’s Pinterest board, Tidal Breeze Skirt.
check out this design’s Pinterest board, Tidal Breeze Skirt.
The individual inspired parts meandered and mingled together into a cohesive design.
The following months, in an on again off again sort of way, were spent refining the design, fine tuning the instructions, and developing a non-elastic waist. This final aspect was a must for me as dealing with elastic provokes a myriad of unwelcomed side effects. Check out the video for the innovative interior belt construction.
Tidal Breeze pattern is now available on your favorite knitting site, click here for more details & happy knitting!
Comments 2
Linsday,
Your Tidal Breeze design is beautiful. It is truly reminiscent of waves on the sand and a lovely interpretation. I think that it might be charming as a shawl. Alas, a knitted skirt would not compliment my figure.
Carol b
Thank you kindly! It’s funny you should say that, I had it sketched out as a shawl before I decided on the skirt application. I may just have to write up the pattern for a matching shawl wrap :-).