I've been planning this project for a week or more now, but I was waiting to cast on until I'd sourced some gunmetal beads. Delayed in the post they eventually arrived on Saturday, by which time my choice of pattern -
Storm Warning*, by Liz Corke - was beginning to seem both apt and possibly a tad insensitive.
A few inches in I decided to photograph my efforts, but accurately capturing the deep blue-grey of the yarn -
Bremont Valentina in Slate - proved difficult. A neutral backdrop was required and flicking through a couple of magazines for something suitable to pop underneath my eye landed on the word 'knits'. Only after the mini 'shoot' did I notice the article's title, 'Head for the Hills'!
I don't mean to be irreverent but I did giggle. I have family, friends, and blog friends on the east coast of the US and I hope they giggle too. I also hope, with all my heart, that when the storm makes landfall they come safely through without too much disruption to their lives, whether they take to higher ground or not.
Aren't my viola's scrummy? Some of the very last flowers in the garden, they're like scraps of sumptuous velvets. I couldn't resist including them here. I shall be harvesting the blooms before the frosts come, to use in ice-flower dyeing. Frozen in an air tight container for a day or three, and then immersed in warm water, just two cups of violas will produce enough dye for five metres of fine silk fabric. Watch this space! Just don't hold your breath as I have a whole bunch of things I need and/or want to do that are backing up. All time management tips gratefully received!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Now, you lovely lot, your too kind comments, cyber hugs and messages of support on my last post were positively cockle warming, thank you. And thank you to everyone who took a look at the Craftivist Collective's
Jigsaw Project.
Welcome - you need to imagine me waving there - to my new followers, Kirsty at
You had me at Bonjour, Kim at
Tales from a Handmade Home, Daisy at
Lazy Daisy Jones, Viv at
Hen's Teeth, Anne at
Take Shape Fitness, and Macha Glazacheva (who I don't seem to have a link for I'm afraid). I do hope I haven't forgotten anyone!
* I've tweeked the pattern a little bit ... the modifications will be on my Ravelry project page soon.
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Oh that does look absolutely gorgeous Annie! :)
ReplyDeleteThe colour, the texture and the beads ~ all lovely!
I have family in New York and New Jersey, just hoping that it isn't as bad as predicted for everyone out there!
Vivienne x
I have been glued to the news - feel so much for the poor folks on the east coast. I hope everyone stays safe.
ReplyDeleteYour knitting is as usual absolutely beautiful, you are so talented x
Goodness, storm warning (the shawl) looks like it will be a beauty .. And what a wondrous colour too, just my thing! Love the addition of those pretty little beads as well.
ReplyDeleteMy mother is staying with us at the moment and has just taken up knitting again or the first time in years. My heart is singing!
Xox
'Twas me, Annie. I'm not sure why my profile didn't lead you back - must check up on that.
ReplyDeleteThat dyeing technique sounds fascinating, I've never heard of it before. Is the dye colour the same as the flowers?
I have my fingers crossed too for all those facing Sandy's wrath, I hope it's not as bad as the forecasts suggest...
I've edited the post and added a link Kirsty :)
DeleteSorry Kirsty, I just realised I didn't answer your question. Yes purple violas and pansies give a paler purple, blue give blue, etc..
DeleteThanks Annie!
Deletethat was quite a scary coincidence there with the shawl and its name....been pretty glued to the tv (which is NOT my normal thing to do AT ALL!) the shawl is going to be lovely (I had to queue that one, too)
ReplyDeletei'm very intrigued with the silk fabric dyeing with violas...can't wait to see that. you always are doing such fun stuff.
I have my twin in New York, but we did some Skype yesterday and she was calm! Hope everything is going on smoothly and fast at the same time!
ReplyDeletelove the yarn you are using Annie!!!
xxxx Ale
I do hope she came through unscathed Ale though I guess it will be a while before NY is back to normal.
DeleteThat stormy yarn is so very sumptuous! I can imagine how soft it must be.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the viola dying. I've never heard of freezing them first. I had whole folders of plant dying experiments in my folders but they were stored downstairs and the bugs got into them. Have you ever nurtured an indigo vat?
The world is all topsy turvy. We are desperate for some moistening down of all the crispy foliage around here!
I have, long ago. Funnily enough I was thinking only the other day how much I'd like to have another bash at indigo dyeing. Watch this space on that one too!
DeleteI love the contrast of the gunmetal beads with your stormy yarn..the velvety violas are add to the visual feast!
ReplyDeleteStorm Warning is really beautiful Annie! Those beads are the perfect accent. Can't wait to see the finished project!
ReplyDeleteThat looks wonderful despite the auspicious name. I tried hammering pansies and violas to make flower patterns - they worked quite well but I haven't heard about what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteviv in nz
The colour of the yarn is gorgeous and I love those beads. Happy knitting.
ReplyDeleteAnne xx
This is lovely. The beads look like rain drops. Have a nice day! Regula
ReplyDeleteLooking lovely! we'll have to see it finished you do realize? :D
ReplyDeletexo
It will be, hopefully in time for Christmas!
DeleteWhat a beautiful pattern your knitting is in. I love the addition of the beads. Such pretty little violas!
ReplyDeleteI just rescued every single flower that was still blooming on my balcony as we got night frosts and snow over the weekend. That was quite a shock and it was strange to go from light cotton jackets to thick coats, scarves and gloves within the space of just a few days.
I'm thinking of all the folk on the east coast of the US. The CNN news gives rather terrifying images. I know people on that coastline as well. Have a lovely week.
Looks lovely - so subtle. Indeed we must hope that the storm doesn't cause too many major problems in US and especially for our blogging friends there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I love the violas, I have some too, I can't fully remember the name but it was antique something! Anyhow, beautiful and delicate!
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued about the viola dyeing and love the way you have knitted in those beads. Not sure how but it looks great!
ReplyDeleteI'm about to try and knit a grey cable patterned headband for my daughter, who is going to, of all places, New York! Not for a few weeks, hopefully things will have settled by then.
Penny x
Penny you can add beads with the addition of a very fine crochet hook. Knit the stitch to be beaded and then hook the stitch through the bead and place back on the needle. The bead will be secured on the return row by the stitch above it.
DeleteBeautiful pattern Annie.........now that's one storm I wouldn't mind going out in..........thanks for the wave says she, waving back.
ReplyDeleteI love the dark grey of your knitting project Annie, coupled with the shine of the beads and the deep velvet of your violas it feels visually very dramatic and decadent.
ReplyDeleteIt is very worrying time for those affected by these storms. And I hope that they pass them by without too much distruption.
P x
Your knitting looks really pretty
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxxx
That first picture made go all...funny and an 'ooooooooh' involutarily escaped my lips. Nothing more. Going back to look again, I rather liked the sensation. Axxx
ReplyDeletemade ME go all funny - effects still obvious. :-)
DeleteThat is *so* pretty. I love the addition of the beads and your modification.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful shawl. The beads are perfect.
ReplyDeleteThat yarn looks so sdt, and those beads match perfectly! Yes the East Coast is taking a real battering, just awful, must be so frightening for them Ada :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so lovely and I love the gun metal beads! While I've been desperately trying to finish the Granny Stripe so that I can let my mother have it you seem to have made several things! I already have lined up the cowl and yarn for my next project but I still don't know how all you bloggers manage to do as much as you do. It seems to take me forever so any tips please! Joan
ReplyDeleteGorgeous knitting and gunmetal beads, Annie! I love the textures and subtle shades in this post, all your pictures are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHelen x
Love the beads ... so perfect with the beautiful yarn ... the colour is very beautiful ... amazing about the viola petals ... I had no idea ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteCrikey moses you can knit, how beautiful it looks in that fabulous colour, the addition of the beads, well! it is a work of art.
ReplyDeleteHello Annie:
ReplyDeleteThe slate grey yarn, flashing with gunmetal beads make such a perfect partnership. As you say, current events on the East Coast certainly seem to be in tune with the mood of your post and we too hold close in our hearts those who are in the eye of the storm.
Yes, your Violas are delightful and the colours really do resemble Velvet in all their richness and luxuriousness. How clever of you to use the dye from them to colour fabric. It must give the most stunning tones and tints.
i love to knit, but I don't have your skills, I could never do this. I wish I had the patience to do something more elaborate than scarves...
ReplyDeleteThanks for you sweet message about my Max last month. Sorry it took me long to thank you but I had a very rough month.
That looks like it's going to turn out to be a wobnderful project. I love the grey colour - I think grey's my favourite at the moment (I change my mind so often) :-)
ReplyDeleteCarly
x
Your photographs bring out the stormy colors, just so right! The violas have their edges highlighted perfectly. Never heard of ice dyeing, so will go to the search engines immediately. Have been using Jacquard silk dyes and might try a combination of some organics, also.
ReplyDeleteOh my that cable is delicious! and the beads are perfect!
ReplyDeleteI adore grey knits I am working on a grey Mara at the moment, it is intended as a gift but the closer I get to finishing it the more I want to keep it :)
I don't have much luck with violas and pansies here, I'm not really sure why. Yours are beautiful!
Enjoy the rest of your week!
xo Jen
Ooh that looks gorgeous Annie! I'm loving violas too, such a pretty colour!
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
I was intrigued by the start of your shawl, so checked out the Ravelry page. I now have one more item in my queue!
ReplyDeleteScrumptious! Can't wait for the mods, looks like you've changed the edging....and grey, my favourite colour. Even better when some alpaca is added to the mix. Knitted some muffatees last week from your lovely pattern (thank you) and stupidly posted them off to the recipient without taking photos....
ReplyDeleteAnnie I love the colour of your wool - I am VERY into grey at the moment (clothes wise, hair wise, but DEFINITELY NOT book wise!!) I sat up to stupid-o'clock this morning with my laptop keeping an eye on the hurricane footage. I hope your friends/family, and evryone else managed to keep thmeselves safe throughout the ordeal, and that chaos will be minimised. I can't begin to imagine the scale of the clean-up. My tiny violas are very very scrawny, but I guess I shouldn't complain, the year is well on. Lx
ReplyDeleteIt looks absolutely beautiful, as do your photos! I love the dark stormy colour. Although, the name is a little close for comfort at the moment isn't it?
ReplyDeleteS x
we weathered at least the first phase of the storm quite well here in Ontario but we are expecting heavy rains to add to our already very wet ground, basements and waterways. I would much prefer snow at this point in the season.
ReplyDeleteLove your knitting, colour and beads so much.
Bloody gorgeous;-). Love the colour and the beads are perfectly chosen....clever you!
ReplyDeleteThis morning, I am again sitting watching the news - now it's about the storm aftermath and it is mindblowing to see the devastation. I do hope your family is alright Annie. Such a terrible thing!
ReplyDeleteAnd your knitting is scrumptious - looks positively 'designer'. How lovely to be able to make yourself such beautiful, individual things.
Exquisite Annie. I have no idea how you get those beads on there but they are gorgeous. Can't wait to see it finished. I love Greys too, my favourite :-)
ReplyDeleteI echo the commenter above - exquisite is the word Annie. The shade of grey with the metal beads is perfectly dark and just a little glittery. I have been pretty horrified by the wreckage caused by Hurricane Sandy...my heart does go out to those affected.
ReplyDeleteI received the muffatees last weekend, by the way. They are everything I hoped they'd be and more and I am wearing them daily. Thank you so much. I did email you to say thanks - was not sure if you got it. Gillian xx
I can't argue. The colour is wonderful and those beads make it perfect. Crikey, I am really getting 'the bug' again. Thanks, Annie.
ReplyDeleteThis yarn and pattern combo is seriously making me drool!
ReplyDeleteWaving right back at you!
ReplyDeletehttp://takeshapefitness.blogspot.com.au/
I love that wool, such a nice color and texture! I like the beads you added as well, a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteLisa
simply gorgeous - both the violas and the knitting and I do love the beading.
ReplyDelete