Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Northern Lights
It seems fitting somehow that the final pattern in the Far North Collection should be released today, on the Mid-Winter Solstice. Aptly named Northern Lights, it is a play of colours against a night sky.
Some of you may recognize this piece as the one that I was working on last winter, during the Vancouver Winter Olympics, for Ravelympics.
Here I was with this highly contrasting colourway (lots of bright colours against a black background) trying to figure out how to make the most of this dramatic colourway. The Feather and Fan Stitch pattern was ideal for creating the movement of colours across the expanse of the fabric.
This jacket is worked in Fleece Artist Big Blue (a chunky weight 100% Blue-Faced Leicester wool). Together with the lacy stitch pattern, it works up quite quickly.
The piece is worked sideways in two halves, beginning at each sleeve cuff. They are then grafted together at the Centre Back. At the Back I worked a series of short rows to straighten out the two halves and to create an interesting back panel that flares at the bottom.
The Front Bands, Lower Border and Collar are picked up and knit after the main body is complete.
There are many possibilities with this pattern. Work it in strong, dramatic colours as I have. Or choose a more muted palette. A handpainted yarn works well with this design which highlights the movement of the colour variations. A solid colour yarn will show the precision and delicacy of the stitch pattern.
The choice, as always, is yours.
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