CH 181: Yarn and design: how yarn inspired Amulet and Quill

Welcome to Camp Curious! This week in the series we are talking about how influential yarn is and always has been to my design process. I walk you through the yarn inspiration behind two of my shawls, and chat about the different aspects and qualities of a yarn that can impact the look and feel of the finished project, so that you can make inspired decisions in your own yarn choices and substitutions.

Show Sponsors:

Alongside an eclectic yarn range, which includes Hazel Knits, Icelandic Lopi & CoopKnits, we stock a carefully chosen selection of needles and notions. We’ve also recently launched ‘hand dyed by meadowyarn’, our very own in-house, hand-dyed yarn range. Working in our tiny dye studio, nestled in the Suffolk countryside, we are able to indulge our love of colour, producing complex tonal, kettle-dyed shades across a range of weights and bases. With regular updates our collections evolve and grow, inspired by the landscape and people around us.

AYS is a wool boutique specializing in hand dyed yarns and luxury fibres from around the world. You’ll always find a well curated collection of yarns and colors on the shelves and a friendly knowledgeable staff on hand. Some of our favorite brands include Hedgehog Fibres, SweetGeorgia Yarn, Julie Asselin, Shibui Knits and The Fibre Co. You can find A Yarn Story on Walcot Street in Bath or online at www.ayarnstory.co.uk

What’s in the WIP:

Confetti by Veera Välimäki

Sprite’s Fen Mini KAL winners:

I’ve drawn the winners from the FO thread. They are:

Winner of the Julie Asselin Merletto prize:

MALK3 with Post #3

Winner of the Seven Sisters Arts prize:

Suennschien with Post #120

I’ve announced the yarn for shawl #4!

I chose Circus Tonic Handmade’s Fiesta Fingering

We’re having a fun little event in Sydney Australia, since I’ll be there soon.

Skein Sisters yarn shop, Saturday August 5th

There will be a trunk show with Circus Tonic Handmade and a cast-on for Shawl #4

Camp Curious:

If you haven’t made your post in The Big Participation Thread on Ravelry yet introducing yourself, now’s the time! You can update your post throughout the Camp Curious series with your scavenger hunt photos and be in for a chance to win prizes at the end of Camp. This week’s prompt is to share a photo of your favourite yarn with a few “design notes” about why you love it and how you’ve used it.

The Field Guide to Fleece by Carol Ekarius and Deborah Robson

The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes

Pure Wool: A Knitter’s Guide to Using Single Breed Yarns by Sue Blacker

Blacker Yarns

Here is a quick conversion chart for yarn weight terms in different countries.

This handy chart from Laughing Hens goes into even more detail, including gauge and wraps per inch.

My interview with Sue from Blacker Yarns

My interview with Sonja from Blacker Yarns

My more recent interview with Sonja from Blacker

My interview with Daphne from the Fibre Co

My interview with Clara Parkes

My interview with Benjamin from Hole & Sons

Radiance Shawl

Pigeonroof Studios Yarn

Amulet Shawl

Tosh Merino Light

Seven Sister’s Arts Matrika Fingering

The Book of Haps by Kate Davies

That’s everything for this week, Campers! Have a lovely weekend full of knitting and I’ll talk to you next week.

More To Explore

KNIT A BEAUTIFUL SHAWL

Learn all the essential skills you need to start knitting stunning handmade shawls with the FREE Spindrift Shawl Pattern and Online Workshop

Magazine Covers with Helen Stewart on it and a knitted shawl wrapped around her neck and shoulders