Have you heard? As Kat Knits is hosting a Summer Knit A-Long and it’s about impossible to say no. Because, really, these are rules I can get behind:
Do you have some knitting you need or want to get done?
Is there a project you are itching to cast on?
Do you just want to meander down a lazy river, working on one single project all summer?
Do you want to challenge yourself to tackle a new skill or a project that expand your current skills?
Is your basket of WIP’s about to overtake your house?
Did you make a resolution last January to gain control of the WIP’s in your life and since then the number of them increased rather than decreased?
Do you just need a Knitting Staycation with your stash?
Do you want to have some encouragement, laughter, and crafting fun?
It’s really something for everyone and it got me thinking about what I want to knit this summer. I’ve decided that it’s time to make a shawl from one (or both although I doubt that will actually happen) of the two gradient kits I bought from Woolen Rabbit in the last year or so.
There’s this one:
It’s called Singing the Blues and it’s Woolen Rabbit Essence. I like the blues. I also like that it’s all ready caked and ready to go.
And then there’s this one:
Silky Kashmir in a beautiful array of pinks. I like the pinks. I also like that it’s 75% cashmere and 25% silk. Hullo softness.
Two kits to choose from, though, is the least of my problem. My big problem? Picking a pattern.
I originally bought those blues to knit myself Algiers, since I gave the other one I made to my sister-in-law. So I could do that.
But.
I know that I have seen other shawls using gradient kits like this. And I know that I have lurved them. I just can’t, at this moment, remember what any of them are.
Help a knitter out, won’t you? Tell me what you would knit with one (or both) of these kits.
Thanks, guys.
Carole, first I need to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this! I appreciate it more than you know! XOXO
As for knitting and gradients – I was going to suggest Algiers, since I want to knit another one after giving mine away as well!
However, a quick Ravelry search turned up the following possibilities:
1. Romi’s Purless would be stunning done in a gradient: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/purless
2. Hanalei Bay and those blues would be gorgeous: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hanalei-bay-shawl
3. Romi’s Headlands would also be so beautiful: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/headlands
4. Kirsten Kapur’s Bethune Street: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bethune-street
5. Wildheart – the one that I think would be the most gorgeous – wow and what a perfect summery into fall shawl: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wildheart
There you go, a list for your consideration.
And again, THANK YOU!!
I searched Rav patterns for “gradient shawl” and got a LOT of hits. Might your preference be one of these?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&query=gradient shawl
I’ve been vacillating on what to make with a gradient set, too–I moved it onto my desk so its right under my nose and I can change my mind 30 times a day. originally I was going to knit Kirsten Kapur’s Abingdon http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/abingdon, using a neutral stripe mixed with the gradient mini-skeins. But now…I can’t decide. So I am happy to see what suggestions pour forth here. (As if you can go wrong….)
I’m going to join in AsKatKnits KAL, too. I’m thinking about TTL’s Mystery as I usually love all her designs. You might like this gradient design by one of our local designers. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/into-the-woods-9
Kim’s colors are fabulous!
Thank you, Carole and thank you, Kat. I am ready to choose a pattern for my gradient yarn (fell off the yarn diet for these beauties)!
Such beautiful yarn! Ambah O’Brien has been designing shawls specifically for gradient yarn as part of her Chroma Collection. Black Trillium Fibers also does gradient sets and has some wonderful patterns that were designed specifically for gradients. I think you can see some of those patterns at their website http://www.blacktrilliumfibres.com. Good luck!
On the spice market and Sail shawl are both awesome in gradients like that
The Inara Wrap (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inara-wrap) and the Peacock’s Tale shawl (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-peacocks-tale) are two patterns from my queue that might work well with your yarn. In any case, the yarn choices look stunning! Enjoy!
Oh, this Dangling Conversation!
http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/wanny/295234304/2015-04-03_08.27.23_medium2.jpg
The way the gradient doesn’t just go from light to dark . . . but, oh !
Thanks for asking the gradient pattern question. I’m reading with great interest to see what my yarn will become!
I’m casting on for On the Spice Market (Melanie Berg) with my Miss Babs’ gradient kit that I got for my birthday a few weeks ago. 🙂
ooohhh so pretty! I love Kirsten Kapur’s Bethune Street, but agree with others that Melanie Berg’s Spice Market is the best option. good luck choosing!
Oh yeah, I read about three words of that KAL’s description before clicking JOIN, and knew I’d made the right decision when I got to the part about the cocktails.
I would go with Algiers in the Silky Kashmir — that would be gorgeous. I’m partial to that shawl, though… there are a lot of great suggestions here.