From Stage to Stitches: The Jetty Cardigan Designer, Cheryl Toy
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Eyelet Motifs and Lace Edges, an Elegant Textured Shawl Knitted in our Fingering Weight Yarn Amble
The elegant, and textured Astris Shawl by Makenzie Alvarez features plenty of engaging patterns to help you knit the perfect Spring Summer shawl!
Based in Portland, Oregon, Makenzie Alvarez of ‘Hanks and Needles‘ slowly turned her knitting hobby into a full-time passion! Makenzie describes herself as a ‘yarn loving, cable obsessed knitter‘ in which yarn is always close by.
In this interview with the designer, we discuss the elegant Astris Shawl design that features within The Almanac Series II and is designed in The Fibre Co. fingering weight yarn, Amble.
Join us as we learn about the inspiration and design process of this sophisticated shawl pattern!
Could you tell us a bit about yourself: how did you get into knitting and designing knitwear?
“There was always something about knitting that fascinated me. I had wanted to learn without a clue where to start — this was before YouTube. I was at work one day and found out a friend/co-worker knew how to knit. Needless to say, I begged her to teach me! We did weekly knit nights until I had the basics down. I enjoyed it but didn’t really love it until I taught myself how to knit cables…there was no stopping me then! My love of cables lead me down the path to designing; they were an eyeopener for discovering how to create and change the fabric that is created.“
Tell us about the inspiration for the Astris Shawl. What makes your design special?
“I wanted to create a design that was approachable for all skill levels, yet kept you wanting to knit ‘just one more row’. It has a lovely, meditative, classic beginning that slowly adds more design elements.
Astronomy reminded me to take time to look up and enjoy the magical sky. How it changes as you look deeply into the never-ending darkness that is sprinkled with stars. The drape of the fabric Amble creates was ideal for fashioning the delicate shawl that resembles the majestic sky above.“
Astris Shawl is a sophisticated triangular shawl full of elegance and texture that is easy-to-wear and easy-to-care-for. The first section is worked in simple garter stitch, the second and third sections feature a series of eyelet motifs, and the final section is an elegant lace edge. ‘Astris’ means ‘stars’ in Latin and are beautifully depicted in the cascading eyelets in this pattern. Knit in Amble – an eco-friendly blend of washable wool and alpaca for comfort, as well as recycled nylon for strength – this stylish shawl is a project with a conscience.
What inspires and influences your designs?
“I draw inspiration in all forms of fine art, architecture, and nature. I love to study them from all angles looking for a unique perspective that ignites my creativity.“
Could you share your design process with us?
“My process changes a little depending on the project. After looking for and finding inspiration, I will sketch out different ideas. Once I’ve decided which design I want to proceed with, then begins the search for that perfect yarn that will bring the stitches to life. After that, then the fun really begins, watching the yarn develop into a beautiful piece of fabric that I had envisioned.“
What is your favourite type of knitting project?
“I love knitting. Period! It is hard for me to say what my favorite type of knitting project is. I enjoy creating and designing everything from classic and timeless, to pieces that are delicate or complex. As long as the knit keeps me engaged I won’t want to put it down.“
What is your favourite knitting technique and why?
“There are many techniques that I truly enjoy but my all-time-favorite is cables. I enjoy every aspect of them, from drawing them on paper to knitting them. Watching the fabric slowly evolve into lines that bend and twist is something I never tire of.“
What is your desert island knitting project?
“There are two types of projects I love to make — shawls and socks. I don’t know if I could pick between the two of these but if I had to I would say shawls. There is an endless variety of shawl shapes and techniques so I would never get bored!“
About The Almanac Series
The Almanac Series is based on the original farmer’s Almanac guide to the seasons, this collection acts as a seasonal guide to knitting with The Fibre Co. and celebrates each month of the year with an ascribed Yarn of the Month, paired with a new design launch in that yarn. For this year’s series, we looked to the heavens for inspiration, letting the beauty and grandeur of the night sky guide us. In the first half of this year’s series, we cover the Autumn Winter season, where each month’s yarn has been specifically chosen for its qualities to complement colder conditions in the northern hemisphere. Erika Knight’s Zodiac Sweater was the first design in The Almanac Series II collection, in which you can read our interview with Erika here.
Knitting the Astris Shawl?
If you are knitting the Astris Shawl, please do share it with us!
We would love to see it. If you are sharing on social media, please use the hashtags #MadeWithTheFibreCo and tag us @thefibrecompany so we don’t miss it. You can also follow us on social media by clicking the icons below.
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