shawl » Wattsolak

Browns Crossing is the old name of the Colorado town of Nederland. The tiny 1.5 square mile town is rich in characteristic Rocky Mountain charm but still retains much of the grit of the original 1800s settlement, a combination that I adore.

Like its namesake, Browns Crossing is beautiful without being cutesy, utilitarian without being pedestrian. A scarf-like length and width allows for it to be worn quite a few different ways for added versatility.

The yarn for this, Cephalopod Traveller, is incredible. It’s super soft and the colors are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. When I was at Stitches West this February I was getting to the point of overload with all the yarns to look at and fondle, but when I came across their booth I was rejuvenated and excited, like I was seeing something entirely new. I want one of every colorway they do!!

The Details:

Yarn: Cephalopod Traveller, 2 skeins in Gallifrey (how could I pass up yarn with that name??)

Yardage: Approximately 560yds

Gauge: 18sts and 24 rows = 4 inches / 10cm in Stockinette st

Suggested needle size: US size 10

Price: $5

Find this pattern on Ravelry!

I do believe my yellow Aidez sweater has started a snowball effect of color in my knitting world. I recently completed the above shawl (Cladonia) which is a color combination that I could never see myself in. I had originally chosen the rainbow yarn for my daughter and the yellow for a friend but both sank to the bottom of my stash. I never would have dared knit either for myself. But now I love it.

In the weeks since finishing the cardigan and the shawl, I find myself gravitating to brighter and brighter colors. Yesterday some of my knitting friends and I ventured down to the brand spanking new Fancy Tiger location (AMAZING, by the way!) and my eyes went to all the vibrant colors that I would have passed over a year ago. It’s like having a new set of eyes!

I walked away with a few skeins yesterday, one of which was this great fuchsia Peace Fleece with which I want to knit myself a Molly.

When I got home I laughed at the realization that this is not unlike the color pink that my hair use to commonly be years ago.

Perhaps my sticking to blond and red hair has contributed to my need for bright color in my otherwise neutral wardrobe. Oh, my beloved pink, you will adorn my head once again!

I hope to keep this up for the rest of 2012. Perhaps I’ll venture more into orange and blues, those colors which never dare enter my dresser. I’m excited to see what this year brings!

Oh, linen stitch, how I love you. I remember first coming across this woven-looking stitch in a knitting-pattern-a-day calender years ago. I was infatuated with this stitch like nothing before. Aside from a few dishcloths, though, I don’t think I ever made anything with it.

Until now. Summer is obviously barreling down on us here. Last week’s rains brought leaves to every tree and new growth everywhere imaginable. I even have sprouts in the vegetable garden! Instead of bracing for those 90 degree days of June and July, I’m daydreaming about cool breezy evenings. To me, nothing beats mid-summer walks at dusk, enjoying the break in the heat and the sun.

With these cool periods in mind I made this shawlette. The stitch is actually half linen stitch, meaning every other row is plain stockinette. This combined with the larger needles in relation to the yarn weight creates a nice open fabric perfect for allowing maximum breathability while being just warm enough to shake off a light chill.

Instructions are given for the smallest size (shown in the photo). Feel free to keep on adding length if you like something a little larger or more drapey.

The Details:

Yarn: fingering weight wool or blend of your choice

Yardage: at least 260yds, plus at least 60yds contrasting color for the edging

Gauge: 22sts/4 inches in half linen stitch

Suggested needle size: US size 8 for the shawl, US size 6 for the edging

Finished measurements: approximately 46″ across the top edge

Price: $4

Find this pattern on Ravelry

Wattsolak

Browns Crossing

2012: The Year of Color

Reptile’s Dream