I’d like to introduce you all to the third pattern in the Big Ass Skein Society, the Summertide Wrap.
True confession time: designing is not always easy. It’s not even always fun. It’s mostly fun, and super gratifying, but sometimes, you hit a wall of creative blockage. For some reason, this pattern really kicked my booty. Not because it’s difficult, because, as you can see, it’s really quite simple. It was really difficult for me because this yarn is so special to me.
Years and years ago, I got a skein of Laci in Mossay. It was the massive skein, the put-up that Tina used to sell – 1800 yards of lace-weight squishy goodness. I wound the yarn into a ginormous cake and it just kind of existed in my stash, calling to me every now and again. It may have been the first Blue Moon yarn I ever owned in Mossay (but definitely not the last).
Fast-forward a few more years, and Kat and I were collaborating on the Twisted Cowl Club. I knew I wanted to use this yarn, and I knew I wanted something meshy and simple, so I designed the Mesh Leaf Cowl. The final pattern ended up using different yarns, but the original Mesh Leaf Cowl is still my absolute favorite cowl, ever. The Laci has fulled into the most delicious fabric, and it seems to go with pretty much everything I’ve ever owned.
So, anyway, Laci was the yarn Tina and I decided on for June, and we both agreed that the Laci Mesh Leaf Cowl is the best thing ever, so we wanted to capture that amazingness. BUT. I had blocks, baby. Big blocks. I mean, I had this stunning skein of Tina’s Silver Lining. Absolutely gorgeous. And I knew I wanted something meshy and light and airy and easy to throw on. But I tried and I tried and I tried, and nothing seemed to be working.
I was heading back from TNNA, sitting next to my work-wife JJ on the plane, and I was telling her all about my block. We talked through different ideas, and it reinvigorated me for this project. The first 5 or so things I tried after getting home just plain weren’t right, but, finally, this
happened. And I am so happy with the outcome.
The Summertide Wrap is perfect for throwing over your shoulders on a cool Summer evening, or while walking the beach. Dress it up with a saucy dress, or down with some comfy jeans. And then, when Winter hits again (because it will, you know), wear it as a scarf, and the soft lofty goodness of Laci will keep you happy and dreaming of warmer days.
Comments
Beautiful! I saw you knitting on it at LJ’s studio, too. It’s perfect, worth all the angst.
And isn’t JJ *everyone’s* work-wife? Such good wisdom, that one!
Thanks, dear! I’m in love with how it turned out AND with my work-wife 🙂
Simply stunning!
Thanks, Marilyn! So great to run into you at CTC!