My Fashionable Life

Even if the colors in the photo are not the most faithful, I'm very intrigued. I too am leery of using wildly variegated yarns in garments but your incorporation of the garter ridges and the white ribbing is most interesting! I for one shall be eagerly awaiting further developments. :)

Oh, this is exciting. You're putting together some of the things I love -- variegated yarn and garter ridges. This looks like the garment I would design, if only I had a twentieth of your talent, Anna. I love variegated yarn, but know exactly what you mean about the way it looks in garments. Neverthless I've been seduced by my love of Noro Silk Garden into making a very simple ribbed cardigan with zip front. It's in fairly subdued (for Noro) browns, greys and blacks -- some steely blue and dullish gold. Even then I'm manipulating the colour changes, so the tops of the arms are mainly black and dark grey. We'll see how that turns out.

I'm delighted by your good news. I was a bit worried when you didn't post for a while, but now it turns out it was for a happy reason. Congratulations to you and Mr Raitte.

Interesting - I think so far I like it :0)

I have mixed feelings too about variegation. I've knitted a few garments in Noro but with carefully chosen colourways and I have to admit to winding off and not using the sections of colour that I don't think work. And yet I'm happily using it for a mitred square blanket with some glorious clashes.

This morning I've been working on my re-coloured version of Venezia (IK Winter 2006) - a 10 colour fairisle and I love it. I think it must be about the overall balance and the eye seeking a certain order and symmetry .. or at least that's what my eye looks for !

I love load variegated socks, and had considered that the only use for variegated yarns. Now I'm beside myself with curiosity.

Actually, Anna, I am on tenterhooks: I think that looks very interesting. Please include pattern sizes for fat girls, although I might do the natural border in moss stitch rather than ribbing. For ideas about the effective use of Koigu, see http://jeanmiles.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-failed.html
Jean has done some lovely things in it.

The white really sets off the variegated yarn nicely, containing it in a sense -- I like it.

(and I believe all of your readers are always on tenterhooks waiting for a new pattern or post!)

Oh but we are! I've only so far used variegated yarn for socks. Having said that there is some Rowan Tapestry in the stash. I thought of using some for a garment but with the reservations of stocking stitch and ribbing only. I can't stand variegated yarn with cables and/or lace, to me the overall effect is too busy and the garment seems to "fight" with itself.

I await your project with interest.

I look forward to seeing how your Marc Jacobs t-shirt turns out - it is looking really great so far!

=)

i love this post!

I can't wait to see what you've come up with, it looks very promising! I was on a business trip to London in March & spent at least an hour wandering around Liberty, the yarn & fabric floor, the gift area, the chocolates...I highly recommend it.

i agree with you!, but that looks lovely!!!

I'm not a big fan of using wildly variegated colours for anything aside from accessories. It's just all too wild for my tastes. Interestingly though, I rather like tie-dye and batik prints...but one has to be choosy as some are much nicer than others. Totally agree with wandering in Liberty, definitely a place to feed the colour senses.

I agree with you on the variegated yarn. I've made a couple of things with it, but I really much prefer to just look at it as a skein. But that's the problem - it's hard to resist the skeins when they're so beautiful, even though I know they won't look that way when knitted up. But your new project looks quite promising - I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Tenterhooks indeed! I have a particular liking for variegated yarn with garter stitch - and the envelope neck also sounds very interesting. Looking forward to seeing the finished garment, definitely!

I think it looks pretty good so far! Can't wait to see it and your book!

Yes, definitely tenterhooks! Particularly because I really like envelope necklines xo

I agree with you, Anna, regarding the variegated yarn! I am really drawn to the multi-colour bundles at the yarn shop, but when thinking of how to shape them into a garment I am hesitant. Variegated yarn really only works in certain patterns and shapes. It still doesn't stop me from buying it though! I'm looking forward to seeing your new design.

I love the anchor of calm the white provides against the variegated. I've been on a bender making KPPPM berets. That and socks is how I used variegated.

Hmmm, watching with interest. I am in total agreement over the variegated thing but this is looking interesting, I think it is the contrast of the solid ribbing that is making it work, making it more elegant somehow? Looking forward to seeing this completed, you may convert me yet..

So far so good! I'm with you on the variegated garment- not a choice I would go for. But I quite like what you're up to there. Can't wait to see it done. I forgot to say congratulations on your wonderful news! Here's to health and happiness for the new little addition.

Oooh, that looks very interesting indeed - I agree about varigated yarn in general (I don't even much like varigated yarn socks) but that jumper looks like it might convert the staunchest monochrome fan.

What a beautiful color combo - you may say Marc but the koigu says missoni to me.

Yummy!

What I really want to know is, why, knowing that I rarely like things I make with variegated yarn, do I continue to buy it?! Granted, I'm down to only buying variegated sock yarn, but still.

I went straight over to the MJ website to search for your inspiration. It's Marc by Marc Jacobs, Spring 2007. It's lovely! I can't wait to read more about your preoject and I couldn't agree with you more about variegated yarns.

Anna, you must know by now that we are always on tenterhooks when you hint that you may have another piece in the offing! I'm in agreement with you as to the proper place of variegated yarns, and even have trouble putting them in scarves, occasionally, as I don't like the irregularity of the pooling antics that may ensue, so any piece that incorporates variegated yarn needs to be very carefully designed. I tend to find that it's charming around one's ankles, but pushed beyond that, it tends a bit too much to the ludicrous side of boho for my own personal tastes. That sweater does look exciting though, and actually wearable. I can't wait to see what you've come up with!

Niiiice.

I'm waiting on your pattern. Envelope neckline, eh?

I'm with you all the way on adult garments in variegated yarn and now totally intrigued by your mind-changing design. See how potent those pregnancy hormones can be?

I'm right with you on the verigated opinion- it always reminds me of the red heart rainbow colored nonsense I learned to knit with. Never again! I'm really digging what you're working on though, and can't wait to see how it works out!

I *am* on tenterhooks! I adore Marc Jacobs and the sliver you've shown us is very tantalizing...

Goodness, you are expecting, and writing a book, and designing something new! I am inspired :)

Is it ready yet? How about now? Can't wait!

I'm eager to see your Marc Jacobs-slash-Koigu creation- you can't go wrong with that combo.

I love the garter ridge idea and like that you can only see flashes of bright amongst the darker base colours. I can't wait to see the finished article.

Hope you're taking time out to rest lots, too as well as designing and blogging! Congratulations on the fantastic baby news. I'm just assuming that he or she is going to be a fantastic baby!

Can't wait to see your take on that MJ shirt - so far it looks great. I agree with you about variegated yarn for adult garments; it's not always a recipe for success. Which didn't stop me from buying a sweater's worth of koigu to attempt a missoni-inspired sweater (hasn't happened yet). I'll be interested to see the envelope neckline - I kept toying with the idea when I was knitting baby sweaters a few years back - it would make them easier to pop on and off their big noggins.

I think it looks lovely and I admire your adventurous spirit! Do let us know how it turns out. On a related note - I love koigu as much as the next guy but I agree with you in general about variegation, especially in lace yarn. What's the deal with mutlicolored laceweight, anyway? I love it when I find a gorgeous skein of laceweight in variegated hues of the SAME color, which provides some pretty texture without taking away from the lace. But as I've been working on my own stole and shawl designs lately, I just can't make the mutlicolor laceweight work anywhere. It's just too busy, or it forces the lace to be too simple for my liking. In any case, there's my two cents! Happy knitting ~gabriella :)

I love variegated yarns mixed with a cream solid. It's a combo that I've palyed around with, too, though I have never gotten it quite right. This looks quite promising! I hope that the fatigue is wearing off, but if not, just go with it. You're napping for two, after all!

Oh! I was waiting to see this after you described your "vision" to me! I really like what I can see. It's so interesting to see a garment in variegated yarn. Looking forward to seeing the FO.

I have been wondering if the true reason for so many hand dyed/painted variegated yarns on the market, is that it is more difficult to dye solid colours, in any large amount.

Love the white bordering. I would never be able to pull off a garment in variegated yarn and garter stitch ridges myself, but someone more classical-looking could look extremely chic. Looking forward to the final product!

love it, can't wait to see more.

Congrats on your news Anna, I'm a little behind on my blog reading. Funny because we are also adding to our brood, due on 1 January (not very well planned on our part). Welcome to the delightful and totally over powering world of baby knits.

Hi Anna...some (poor) pictures of Claude here.

Hi Anna...some (poor) pictures of Claude here.

I agree completely. Variegated yarn is often much prettier in the skein than it ends up in the garment. Sometimes, though, the colors really meld together. Your sweater is like that. I can't wait to see the finished product.

I'm definitely on tenterhooks :) I agree with your assessment of variegated yarns - lovely in the skein and not so much knitted up. When I first started knitting, I bought tons of variegated yarns because I was so drawn to their beauty - but I've sold most of them because I just don't like them knitted up. But if there's anyone who can make it work - it's you :) Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Hmmm. I also think the only use for variegated yarn is socks, although I do just love HAVING the skeins of Koigu KPPPM..they are just beautiful in themselves. I will be interested in seeing what you do with it!