Design Process: Forest Park Dresser Scarf

Hot of the design table, here is Forest Park…a dresser scarf knit out of Suri Elegance (a laceweight alpaca). This design was submitted to Storey Publishing, for the call for submissions for the second One Skein Wonder book. The design came about from my desire to have a piece of lace for my dresser, that would be antique looking as well as modern.

I took for my inspiration the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, as seen in Oak Park, Illinois, and River Forest, Illinois. His first home and studio (as an adult, married man) was built in Oak Park, and this home as well as many of his other early works can be seen in this neighborhood.

His early works were not in the Prairie style, but were more in the prevailing style of the day. His work evolved into what we know as Prairie Style. There was a connection between the home and the land it was situated on in Wright’s style. His own home overlooked what was in the time it was built undeveloped prairie.

In choosing a yarn, I wanted something that was delicate and airy, so I knew I would want a true lace weight yarn. I also wanted a luxurious natural fiber. The natural fiber would be necessary as a design element in that it reflected the aesthetic of the Prairie Style that Wright pioneered. Since this was a decidedly elegant and fancy piece, in that it is finery for my dresser, I wanted it to have a bit of an opulent feel. The lace weight Alpaca thus satisfied the need for a natural fiber and the luxurious feel that was wanted. The yarn has a little bit of a fuzz as well, which gives it a different feel than if it had been a slick yarn such as silk. It is at once elegant and casual, and fits in perfectly in my 100+ year old home.

The fuzz gives it a warmth that fits in well here. If I had a sleek modern apartment, I would probably have gone with silk, depending on my furnishings. This will eventually come out in pattern, whether it appears in the new book or not. I have not heard back yet whether it will be included or not. A lot depends on what other items are going to be in the book, as a submission may be beautiful but just not fit with the other items that were chosen. I will let you know when it will be out, but until then you can enjoy the picture.

What I Am Working On

I have been somewhat slowed down since my accident last March. Things are on the upswing now, and I thought I would share some pictures with you of things that are in progress.

This blue swatch, Clover,  was knit out of Colorado, a yarn by Interlacements. I am writing the pattern directions now and hope to get it off to the test knitter soon so it can be ready for Stitches East. Interlacements carries another of my designs, Squirrel Monkey, and they are very nice people to work with.  Garment details include a scoop neck, short sleeves (I have not decided between raglan and set in sleeves yet), and a Channel Island cast on. Length is high hip length.

I may submit this to Knitter’s magazine, as it would fit in well with their call for submissions right now.

The pink swatch is Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea is a lace camisole, sized for little girls and adults. I have not worked out the sizing yet, so have I not started the pattern writing. I am thinking of doing three separate patterns, one for children, one for teens, and one for adults. I am going to at least do the pattern for children.Garment details include Channel Islandd Cast On, garter stitch bands, and scoop neck. Length would be standard sweater length. The yarn is Dale of Norway Stork, and I am going to swatch it in Catania before making a decision on which yarn to use. Catania is similar in weight to Paton’s Grace.

The last swatch I am showing is for the border of a shawl, Thistle Leaf Lace. This shawl is simply beautiful and is constructed much the same as the Evergreen Shawl that I did for Melanie Falick’s Handknit Holidays book. The swatch was knit with a lace weight wool (I don’t remember whose). I will be having it knit out of a lace weight alpaca, Suri Elegance. I also love Fino, but will be using the Suri Elegance for this one. The design is a very personal one for me, as it is a celebration of a loving friend whom I have mourned deeply. It is my prayer shawl for their passing. And more than the grieving process, it is a reflection of how the relationships with have in our lives make our lives richer and fuller, even when those relationships have ended. There are any number of lace yarns that this would be beautiful in. Treenway Silks have some wonderful Silk and Yak, Silk and Cashmere, Silk and Angora, Silk and Camel, Silk and Wook, or just plain Silk. Helen’s Lace from Lorna’s Laces is wonderful, as is Zephyr.