Unleashing my Stranded Color Genius

So, proceeding belatedly in topics that should have been written the end of 2012...sigh...

I have really loved exploring Stranded Color techniques. I call this article Genius...but that is of course nonsense (but catches attention?).  I am new at this!

But my beginning with the Icelandic Hoodie, was an instant success at working out charted color patterns on my own.

My Second Stranded Color project was off a pattern that has been in my queue for over a year, Cloisonne Jacket in Travel Colors.  In fact, I bought the yarn for it over a year ago also. But Stranded Color was still a little too scary for me.


It is now done.  I easily changed the color scheme within the pattern's chart.  And added a few extra accents in stranded color dots, plus a lace button placket.

And my Third Stranded Color project is entirely my own design.  Worked on the fly and an inkling of an idea, I found inspiration in charts from other patterns, tweaking them together into my Ivory Sand Flowers Swirls Jacket .  Knit in one of my favorite yarns, Mirasol Nuna (wool/silk), it is lightweight and yummy soft.

It works with an ivory shell I knit during the summer.

Do you like the "tattoo flower" on the back, just a reminder of being handknit?

Someday, again, I will write this up as a pattern for others.  I have had the wonderful joy of creating those color charts already!

And my Fourth Stranded Color sweater, I'm now working out my Genius (haha).  Another sweater completely my own design, worked out on the fly.  Stranded Color Chestnut Top, knit with Manos Del Uruguay silk blend yarn, BECAUSE I am making my souvenir IN ADVANCE for a South America trip in January 2013!  This yarn is made in villages and homes in Uruguay, hand dyed, and sold to create a living for the women in the cooperative.  As I am writing this blog post-trip, I can tell you that the yarn is hard to find when you are actually in Uruguay, so no souvenir from there.

Anyhow, I love this top, worn it several times already. The yarn is lightweight but warm.

I worked in the round, bottom up, starting with this lovely softly pleated hemline (from a book given me by my SIL last year).  The chestnut color yarn is softly light-dark in the hand dyed process.

Cute row of flowers in my stranded chart, used along hemline and sleeves.

I did some color going up the side seams, which was a bit too fussy and not that terrific, I'm not sure I would do that again.  But it's there now!

The yoke shaping is particularly unusual, to achieve what I wanted.  I wanted the stranded colorwork in round yoke, but with a scooped neckline, and not low into the sleeves.  So I used combination of raglan and setin shaping of underarms, some short rows to raise shoulders and back above the front. Works for me!

Final Fifth Stranded Color project was a gift. Square Stranded Pillow to work for a dark brown leather sofa.

Another joy of working on the fly.  And I was using leftover yarns that had a somewhat similar gauge, plenty of colors to pick from, solids and variegated.

Made up a few charted patterns, found inspiration from other patterns.

The back is buttoned, different ones from my stash.

I really like this pillow, and the recipient has asked for another!

My Iceland "Souvenir" Sweater

This is a VERY belated posting, but I'm thinking of new things to write about and have a bit of guilt over previous topics.

Since my last posting was about the LettLopi yarn purchased on a trip to Iceland, I have used the yarn AND the reindeer antler buttons to make a hooded sweater!

It was my first venture into Stranded Knitting technique.   This means, I am working one row of knitting with 2 different color yarns, floating one strand in the background when it is not being used, alternating the knit stitches in each color to form a pattern over several rows.

This technique has scared me.  It's such a pleasure to knit with just one strand of yarn, no fuss, easy to pick up and set down.  So working in two colors, well I was worried about tangling and all the hassle.

In fact, it is pretty fun, and the little bit of fuss is countered by the unfolding of a color pattern.  And for me, being adventurous after all, some of this can be worked out on the fly.

Stranded Knitting is worked off of charts.  Each square is a different color, easy to follow.

So now I have the JOY of creating my own charts!

This hoodie ended up being my own design, you can see my Ravelry project page for details.  Maybe someday I'll write it as a pattern.  It is a bit scratchy to wear, but as an outer garment that's okay. It's roomy, the hood fits perfectly, and it will shed a light rain and keep me warm!  Plus it is very cool looking in the rich color combos.

I'm happy with my Iceland Souvenir!

Woolgathering in Iceland



Sheep on the pseudo-craters
of Lake Myvatn

 We had a fabulous 11 days in Iceland earlier this month, it was more than I expected!  Despite days including some wind or rain, or both all day.  Pristine landscapes, stark volcanic mountains, desolate lava fields, empty black rock beaches, green pastures with sheep and cows, glaciers near the coast, waterfalls everywhere.  Not touristy, every landmark we walked to or on, was fairly devoid of other people, and absolutely no hawkers. Just quiet...or maybe the roaring of water or wind.

Got No Wrong Side Cowl
worn at Godafoss

I blogged about the trip at http://marceasworld.blogspot.com/2012/08/iceland-first-day.html . And I made GREAT use of my Got No Wrong Side Cowl!  DH also called the scarf I knit him a "life saver". Yippee!!




Got No Wrong Side Cowl
in a self-portrait at
lava field beach




















Magic wall in a market


Because this was an organized small group trip, I failed to ever find a LYS, no time to myself!  But what I did find was yarn in a general market, and at a department store.

I did spot the wheels of yarn in a sweater shop in Reykjavik. But it was clear that I would not knit with it effectively.  Just loved taking its picture.

Wheels of Lopi yarn



Components for my sweater

 I bought my LETTLOPI yarn, with the hopes that I will learn stranded colorwork around a yoke, to resemble a traditional Icelandic style. It's a rough wool, but with the water-resistant and lightweight warm properties from Icelandic sheep, it might be useful a couple times a year! I will knit it with button-front, to use my REINDEER ANTLER buttons...or the ICELANDIC PINE buttons also found along the way.