New Knitting Pattern - Amethiste

Today I am happy to introduce you to Amethiste, a simply pretty shawl with an unfussy character (or at least I think so!).

Amethiste is a fun project to knit as well as being a versatile shawl to wear, with the wide triangle shape easily draping over the shoulders or around the neck in a variety of stylish ways. This versatility is exactly why I love a wide triangle shawl shape. 

Knit from the top down in a choice of two sizes, this design is excellent for  knitters with a little lace experience but who are looking to move on to something more than a scarf. The shape, size and open edgings use very little yardage, showcasing just one or two skeins of special fingering weight yarn - perfect for that cashmere you've been hoarding.

I knit several prototypes in different yarns, but the main pattern projects were knit in Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering (small shawlette in purple), and Fiber Optic Footnotes (larger shawl in gray), both wonderful options.

The little bit of cashmere added to the Primo lends an incredible softness and extra drape that I love. This little shawlette used just under 385 yards, or almost the entire skein.

The Footnotes is wonderful to knit with and has such a beautifully subtle variety of color with hints of purple peeking out here and there from what looks at first glance like pewter gray. This larger shawl size used less than two skeins.

I've also knit several other versions (a couple of which are still being blocked and photographed), with the shawlette shown below knit in Madelinetosh Tosh Sock.

If you've read my most recent post, you know that this design was inspired by my appreciation for the beauty of natural gems and crystals, including the purple amethyst like this geode specimen.

Beyond the wide triangle shape already mentioned, the basic parameters for the pattern were a solid stitch base bordered by one or more lace edgings (I settled on two). Also, it had to be relatively easy and fast to knit but not boring.

The various shapes, planes and facets of the gems prompted my selection of many, many possibilities of stitch combinations, requiring weeks of swatching, and eventually leading me to these choices.

The pattern begins with a simple stockinette section followed by easy lace patterns that flow smoothly from one into the other. 

Both written & charted instructions and plentiful photos are included to make the knitting a breeze.

And... I can finally share my newest secret fun project! This was somewhat of a juggling act between art and technique as I wanted to have a little fun and bring in some artistic sensibility without losing too much in the way of information. You may be surprised by this little movie as it is quite a departure from any knitting video I've seen.

I enlisted the technical aid of my husband and I believe we managed to strike a balance in the middle of information and atmosphere. We certainly learned a lot and had fun creating this together which is an important thing too.

So without further ado, I wish to introduce the 'world premiere' (said completely tongue-in-cheek of course, lol) of...

 

A Robin Ulrich Studio 
Demonstration Film 

 featuring 

  

the
 Garter Tab Foundation Cast On Method 
for 

AMETHISTE

 

And by the way, Youtube doesn't allow you to choose just any cover shot for the video and the 3 options they selected were pretty boring. If anyone has any suggestions or experience with overriding to choose a good cover shot for a video, I'd love to have your input! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today everyone, I hope you enjoy our little film and wish you much peace, blessing and happy knitting!