Knitting Vicariously
Who knew it was a spectator sport? Plus: laid-back lace and a gallery of your makes!
Are we really into May? Already? Where on earth is this year going?!
Until recently, I’d been using my number of completed knits as loose anchor points in time. There’s nothing quite like being able to see and touch (and wear!) the answer to where so many of the hours went. This year, however, for a myriad of reasons, I’ve not been able to knit as much as I’d like.
Feeling a bit unmoored without the usual ballast of working through my own projects, I’ve been enjoying the next best thing - seeing other people working on theirs. Is there such a thing as knitting vicariously?
After the past few days of sludgy weather, I’ve been holidaying vicariously, too. This week’s pattern picks were absolutely and unashamedly chosen on the strength of how effortless they look, worn by their respective designers as they waft around on a picturesque break. I’ll take every last bit of relaxation I can find, even if it comes second hand!
Magnolia Tee by Knitting For Breakfast
This breezy yoke top comes in 11 sizes, with finished bust circumferences ranging from 30.7”/78cm to 70.4”/179cm. It’s knit in the round, top-down, with textured lace at the hem and cuffs as well as the main floral-inspired motif across the yoke.
I think this one has a lovely looking fit, with just the slightest hint of flare at the hem to give it some extra summery movement. The designer’s sample is knitted in silk, and I reckon the smooth drape and gloss of Yeavering Bell would be most in line with that. Cheviot Marsh would be a lovely alternative for a more structured feel, and would give the textured portions some great dimension.
To knit the Magnolia Tee in Whistlebare Yeavering Bell DK or Cheviot Marsh DK, you’ll need: 3, 3, 3 (4, 4, 5) (5, 6, 6) 7, 8 100g skeins.
Yua Top by Natasja Hornby
Ooh, the lace panel and all-over eyelets on this one! Reminds me of an artsy seaside grotto, with the walls all studded with shells and dots of sea glass. It’s a bottom-up pattern, though only the shoulders need seaming, and it includes options for versions with or without sleeves. The top is available in 8 sizes, with finished bust circumferences from 33”/84cm to 59”/150cm.
Again, I’d recommend Yeavering Bell for a more airy look and feel, and Cheviot Marsh for a more substantial knit with high stitch definition. I can see the sleeveless version making the ideal vest for layering over anything and everything in the cooler months, as well as a lovely standalone top. As they’re picked up around a closed edge that’s in no danger of unraveling, you could always go back and add sleeves at a later date!
To knit the Yua Top in Whistlebare Yeavering Bell DK or Cheviot Marsh DK, you’ll need:
Sleeveless: 3 (3, 3, 3) {4, 4, 4, 4} 100g skeins
With Sleeves: 3 (4, 4, 4) {5, 5, 5, 6} 100g skeins
Speaking of crafting vicariously - there’s nothing we love more over here than seeing what you’ve all been making with our stuff!
We’re starting a gallery in the shop that we’d love to fill with photos of your wonderful projects in use. No matter the craft or design, if it’s in our yarn or sewn from our fabric, we’d be thrilled to see it!
There’s no need to show your face in any pictures if you’d prefer to remain an international crafter of mystery, or you could equally send in a photo of you grinning at the top of a mountain. Please include your first name, details of the yarn/fabric and the pattern so we can add a short blurb to your photo when we print it.
As a little thank you, once a month, we will be choosing one of the pictures at random and sending the lucky creator a 10% discount off anything bought from our website or from Whistlebare Fold!
If you’d like to be a part of things, please drop us an email at studio@whistlebare.com with your photo and accompanying info. Looking forward to being thoroughly inspired!
We’d love to see you at our Wednesday Open Stitch Book Club and Knit and Natter Nights, 7pm-9pm, £7.50 including hot drink and cake!
We’ve got some fantastic Sewing Workshops coming up, as well as two utterly heavenly Yoga & Knitting Day Retreats in July and September.
A warm welcome awaits at Whistlebare Fold from 8.45am - 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am - 5pm on Sundays. Online orders remain open as ever.
If you’d like to visit, you can find us at: 17A Bridge St, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1ES
As always, thank you for your company this week. And, of course - if you’ve been inspired, we’d love to see your wonderful creations!
Wishing you all the happiest of knitting,
Claire
