Secret recipe?
The control freak in me has mixed feelings about free-form patterns like this. I trust my creativity with words—after all, it’s how I earn my living—but in visual matters, I defer to those with more skill than I.
Designer Dallas Ann Prentice calls this “A shawl recipe.” It’s a fitting metaphor, as the instructions contain phrases like “…until you find it to be a pleasing place to stop,” and “…until you just can’t stomach it anymore.” In other words, the basic ingredients are laid out for you, but you’re given a lot of freedom in how you combine them.
You know how some people put flowers in a vase and it looks elegant, artistic, and beautiful? I put flowers in a vase and I get…just flowers in a vase. I don’t have that “decor” knack. As such, I’m a bit nervous that my version of “a pleasing place to stop” isn’t going to turn out all that pleasing.
It helps, however, to have gorgeous yarn. My Plymouth Revel (shade 07) undulates through tones of blue and green. (If I didn’t already have plans for this yarn, by the way, I could follow the QR code on the label to the free “Revel Bandana” pattern). My Dream in Color Jilly “sumptuously splendid hand dyed yarn” in “Tranquil” wanders through a tight palette of soft and dark blues. Naturally, I didn’t combine these on my own—I leaned on Erin’s expertise. I know my limitations.
Yes, it’s a top down, but I will try not to indulge in any rants as the super-long rows show up near the finish line. So far, the easy stockinette pattern goes swift and effortless. Well begun!
Subscribe
0 Comments
