Let's talk Kauni
When I posted about the exciting arrival of Multicolor-EQ (Rainbow) I knew that I wasn't going to knit Ruth's wonderful Kaffe Fasset-esque pattern. It's a beautiful pattern, but has too much horizontal focus for my frame!
I even thought about using the Kilim pattern in Sweaters from Camp with the square motif from Ruth's pattern.
*(no one online seems to have knit this pattern. Hrm. It doesn't have stellar instructions... but still!)
Why? It's knit vertically. Sleeve to front/back to sleeve. This is still a pretty great option for an easy knit- even if it isn't knit in the round.
I still wasn't happy. Way back in August a hunt for fair isle patterns started. Off to the Textile Center's library I went, where I picked up these:
I decided that I wanted a pattern that used approximately the same amount of yarn for the positive and negative space. I also wanted something that would have at least a partial verticle access-- or would not at least focus on horizontal striping. The best fit was "Turkish Maple" (open book above) from Meg Swanson's Knitting.
Before I swatched, I started stalking Kauni sweaters on Ravelry. Look at what turned up:
Kauni Experiment:Heidi's knitbits http://heidisknitbits.blogspot.com/
Love the simple geometry with neutral tones. Nice sweater.
Turkish motif: Liza at String Theory http://whitebirchfiberarts.blogspot.com/
Along the lines of what I was thinking about with the Turkish Maple sweater. Clearly, a Turkish motif, Verticle Emphasis, and Positive/Negative space use up the same amount of yarn real-estate. Great idea!
Now, here's the show stopper.
Maria from Passing Down Crazy (a mom-daughter knitting blog) is a fellow Minnesotan is in the midst of this amazing knitted work: 
Look at the wonderful 50/50 negative and positive space use! The perfect placement of color across the wheel with varing intensity (lightness/darkness). I'm not a huge fan of Fleur de Lis, but I love the leaf and Iris motif. Irises happen to be my favorite flowers!
The more I see the sweater, the more I love it.
Here's the downfall. She used a Dale of Norway stitch motif called "Damask".
A friend tried to order said pattern. The results?
Request: On Sep 25, 2007, at 1:02 PM, Deepa wrote Item #B22006 (Book) -- $5.50Dale 6023 DamaskWoman's cardigan to knit in two lengths. Adult sizes Sto XL.(6023)I would like to order this pattern. Please let me knowthe total cost and I will pay with Paypal.Thank you.Deepa
Reply: From: Velona Needlecraft [mailto:info@velona.com]Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 3:44 PMTo: Deepa Subject: Re: just sold out: pattern orderI am sorry but this was sold out a few days ago. Thankyou.
Bummer. I'm not going to lie. I've started charting the pattern in Excel.
7 comments:
Those are crazy beautiful - with the emphasis on crazy - cuz that is what I would be after trying to knit them!
They're all so gorgeous! I'm looking forward to seeing yours.
I saw that pattern too, and thought it was amazing. Hey, chart away! A motif is not exactly something one can patent; the whole sweater pattern, yes, but a shape, no, not if you're not talking 'bout the Golden Arches or something!
Wow. Those are AMAZING!
Thanks for the compliment on my cardi! (Mine is the Turkish motif - it's an adaptation of an Anna Zilboorg stitch pattern I pilfered from "Fancy Feet.")
The maple sweater is going to be lovely. Maria's takes the prize, though. It's unbearably beautiful.
I tried to order the Dale pattern as well after seeing that gorgeous work. I want that chart!! I might have to follow your lead and try to recreate it myself. Good luck!
I charted it myself and knit a vest. Just finished it last week. It is gorgeous. I got very lucky with my colors-- it went dark around my "waist" and shimmery gold around my booby area! The steeks worked out. I did the whole thing without a pattern. My pictures are on Ravelry under Trilby.
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