Happy #FairIsleFriday
As I have worked over the last few months to get Ron Schweitzer’s patterns into the Ravelry database, my fingers have been itching to cast something on. Like many knitters, I have several WIPs so casting on something else did not seem like the best idea.
However, I realized that I could justify this as swatching. Because I have knit a number of these patterns already and know what needle size I need to get gauge, my interest is in experimenting with colors. But with pattern to cast on?
In putting the patterns up on Ravelry, it was fun to see which patterns were favorited. I looked and Whalsay, (non-Ravelry link) a crew-neck vest had been favorited over 40 times. The original pattern Whalsay uses both natural shades and naturally dyed colors. Using my stash and Choosing Colors, I selected my colors, using both a mix of Jamieson & Smith Jumper Weight and Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift. Here is what I came up with.
Original Colors:
2001-Shetland White
2002 -Mooskit
2006-Gaulmogot
2009-Yuglet
Balsam
Fern
Medium Indigo
Old Gold
Substitutions
Spindrift 104-Natural White
Spindrift 106-Mooskit
Spindrift 127-Pebble
Spindrift 102-Shaela
J&S 82
J&S FC12 Mix
J&S FC 39 Mix
J&S 1285 Mix
Many of Ron’s patterns feature the use of garter stitch instead of ribbing for the bottom, cuffs, and neckline. I decided use the chart for those parts for the cuff and top of the mitts.
Having finished the mitts, I am happy with them. And I've added Walsay to my queue for a vest. If you would like to join me, the code WHALSAYVEST will work from today until April 14 over on Payhip for 20% off.
