Coleus

Several months ago Kate from Dragonfly Fibers sent two skeins of her Djinni Sock yarn in the most extraordinary color - "Heroine". From the moment I opened the package I knew they had to become something special. Unfortunately, I was unable to accurately depict the color in these photos. In reality it is much more plum than wine.

(I know, I know, this photo is a little blurry - blame it on my bad eyes - but I like it anyway.)

As soon as time allowed I set to work trying to design something worthy of Kate's lovely yarn. Semi-circular shawls have been a favorite of mine lately. For evidence of this see the  Moody Kerchief & the Snow Drops & Snap Peas Shawl. I find them easy to wear and a versatile shape for design. As I sat listening to the dean of my son's university speak at parent's day, suddenly the idea for this shawl popped into my mind. Out came my notebook where I drew sketches and wrote down my thoughts.  I wonder if the dean thought I was diligently taking notes on everything she said.

 

As often happens when I am inspired by a new design, I knit this up in a matter of two or three days. It is so hard to put down the needles when you are excited about a project - and the deep rich color of this yarn certainly didn't help matters. I was obsessed.

The Coleus shawl is worked from the top edge in garter stitch, it increases outward to the lace border. The leaf lace pattern creates a gently scalloped bottom edge.

Karen and Stacey kindly stepped in to test knit - thank you both so much! Have you seen the amazing things Stacey makes with handspun? Inspired by her I thought this shawl might work up nicely in handspun yarn so I sent her a skein of mine to work with. She'll post photos after the holidays.

Coleus Shawl

Sizes: One Size

Finished Measurements: 64” across top edge, 24” from top edge to base of curve

Yarn: Approximately 600 yards fingering weight yarn.
The sample shown used Dragonfly Fibers Djinni Sock, 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, 450 yds per 4 oz skein. Color: Heroine, 2 skeins.  (I used about 1/3 of the second skein)

Gauge: 19 sts & 36 rows = 4”/10cm in garter stitch, blocked.

Needles: 1 set of US 7/ 4.5 mm or size to obtain gauge.

Other Materials: tapestry needle, 12 place markers (PM)

The pattern has both charted and written instructions for the lace border.

Price: $6.00 US

Comments

[Kar]

Very pretty Kirsten. I love how you just sketch things and out pops these wonderful creations.

[Kirsten]

Thanks Kar. Sometimes that happens more easily than others!

[Heather]

Oh my GAWD you are taking it to a whole new level with Coleus. LOVE IT!!!

[Brianna]

That is extremely pretty. The color is divine. Great piece!

[gale (she shoots sheep shots)]

Love love love love. Why can't I be part of the leisure class and throw aside today's commitments to cast on for this?
(oh, wait, you said Plum not Whine).

[Oiyi]

Beautiful! I love how the design came about.
Always creating no matter where you are. A true artist. :-)

[Anne]

I immediately thought handspun too - It's in the queue. Yet another one to add!

I need to quit my day job.

[britt]

love this. love the color. love the flowing edge.

[Timmie]

I love Coleus and also love Kate's yarn so I suspect I'll be buying pattern down the road. I got my Shakespeare in Lace package Saturday and was elated that Viola is your design and the yarn is my favorite color. This one will move close to top of queue.

[Cookie]

It's lovely and I think it would be wonderful for handspun yarn.

[Kathy]

yeah, I'm a total dork... it wouldn't let me post a comment, so I had to reload the page, but I copied my comment. but then I copied a line from a document... hence my bizarre and unrelated first comment.

What I INTENDED to say was - I discovered Djinni yarn while on a trip to The Fiber Space and fell in love with the feel of the yarn and vibrant colors. Mine is a multi, unfortunately, so it won't work for this.

[Rockymoreno]

I'll have to buy that exact colorway from Dragonfly fibers and use it to make this, it really is pretty.

[Debbie]

So pretty! Your daughter is beautiful, always!