Adhara Colour Combo's

In my pattern for the Adhara Shawl I specified that I thought the stitch pattern looked best when worked in two similar shades, with only subtle differences between them. I often get e-mails and Ravelry messages about this, I think that I may have inadvertently made people nervous about picking their own colours. Have no fear! I'm here to help. Here are a few of my favourite potential Adhara Shawl colour combo's:

Left column, top to bottom: Deep Sea and Peacock; Frost and Seabreeze; Lilac and Dove.

Center column, top to bottom: Sand and Gold; Shadow and Atlantic (the original pairing); Pink Grapefruit and Sunset; Stormy and Shadow.

Right column, top to bottom; Spearmint and Lemongrass; Garnet and Velvet; Brick and Chestnut.

There are of course a million other potential colour pairings that would all make gorgeous Adhara Shawls, but hopefully this is enough to get you pointed in the right direction. A single colour Adhara would also be stunning, I'm considering knitting one in my lace weight yarn myself. 

The Stella Collection Summer Tour

The Stella Collection is about to embark on a Blog Tour! This means that each week, the collection will be reviewed on the blogs scheduled below, and there will be an opportunity to win the collection each week:

• July 2nd : Celtic Cast On  
• July 9th: Luv in the Mommyhood
• July 16th: French Press Knits
• July 23rd: The Yarniad
• July 30th: Through the Loops
• August 6th: Knitspot 
• August 13th: Knitting to Stay Sane
• August 20th: Susan B. Anderson
• August 27th: Yarn On The House

The reviews/giveaways might not take place on the exact date listed above, but definitely in those weeks that begin with the date. A big thank you to our blogging friends for taking the time to review the patterns and host giveaways on their awesome blogs. If you see a blog on this list that you aren't familair with, you should really check it out- all these ladies have great blogs that are worth following.

Nashira Stole

Sigh, is our week of Stella Collection blog posts already over? I'm sad to see them go, this has been such a fun project to work on with Julie. Maybe the first of many collaborations?

We close out the e-book with the Nashira Stole by Julie Crawford. This elegant pattern is kicked up a notch done in the luxurious Silver Label Mulberry Silk yarn. Julie has kept the motif simple by using a graphic geometric design for the body of the stole and adding flair and impact with the gorgeous petal shapes that cap off the ends. I love the balance of simple modern lines combined with feminine lacy details. This is definitely one of those perfect accessories to take you from day to night, casually-chic to evening-elegant!

Details: 

Size: 11” wide and 55” long after blocking.

Yarn: 1 skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Silver Label Mulberry Silk, 100% mulberry silk 115g (4oz) = 500m (550yds) sample shown in Dove.

Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) straight or circular.

Gauge: 23 stitches and 22 rows of main body (rows 1 and 2) on 3.25mm needles = 4” squareafter blocking.

Additional Tools and Materials: Tapestry needle.

Ravelry Pattern Page here.

The Stella Collection Details Page here. 

Suncrest

The Suncrest Shawl is my second contribution to the Stella Collection. Though it is completely different from my first design (Adhara) in lots of ways, the link for me is in the texture. I was clearly going through a texture phase! This shawl came together rather quickly for me as I had a very clear vision of what I wanted when I set out on to design Suncrest. I wanted to explore multi-directional knitting, texture and the idea of reversibility. I love how cushy and soft garter stitch is in the luscious Red Label yarn, so a garter stitch body was a no brainer. I paired it with a beautiful, scalloped, Fan Shell border that, though not identical on both sides, is equally beautiful from every angle. I'm currently in love with the arc shape of this shawl, it's just so wearable! I predict I'll be knitting many more of these in the future (I may have already cast on for a second!)

Details: 

Size: 54” across top edge, 13” from center back to bottom point.

Yarn: 1 skein Tanis Fiber Arts Red Label Cashmere/Silk Single, 75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk 115g (4oz) = 385m (420yds) sample shown in Sunset.

Needles: 4mm (US 6) 32" circular needle. 

Gauge: 24 sts and 24 rows = 4” in garter stitch after blocking.

Additional Tools and Materials: Tapestry needle.

Ravelry Pattern Page here.

The Stella Collection Details Page here. 

Solaria Cowl

The Solaria Cowl, designed by Julie Crawford, is the second pattern in our Stella Collection e-book. Julie designed this cowl to feature lots of texture and a really cool round lace motif. It's strikingly original and my favourite thing about it is the unique caplet shape which makes it a very versatile wardrobe piece.  It can be worn pulled down over the shoulders like in the photo above, or draped casually around your neck like in the photo below. Either way, the incredibly soft Purple Label Cashmere Sock yarn and awesome lacy texture of this cowl are just the thing to dress up any outfit.

Details: 

Yarn: 1 skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere Sock, 70% merino, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon 115g (4oz) = 365m (400yds) sample shown in Gold.

Needles:  3.5 mm (US 5) 24” circular needle. 

Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4” in star cluster pattern after blocking.

Additional Tools and Materials: One stitch marker, tapestry needle.

Ravelry Pattern Page here.

The Stella Collection Details Page here.

The Stella Collection - Adhara

I am so excited to finally introduce you to a project that Julie and I have been collaborating on for the past couple of months. A collection of four shawl designs inspired by the stars called, appropriately, The Stella Collection! Stella is the latin word for 'star' and coincidentally, also the name of TFA's hardest working mascot! Each pattern in the collection is available as an individual download on Ravelry, or as part of the collection as a whole in e-book format.

Clockwise from top left: Nashira, Adhara, Solaria and Suncrest. 

Each design features a different TFA Fingering Weight yarn base. The designs also represent 4 different shapes, sizes, textures, colours; each one is truly unique! This week I'll be highlighting each design in a series of blog posts starting with:

The Adhara Shawl:

You may recognize this shawl from the banner on my websites home page. I've been teasing you with a sneak peak for months! This shawl is my interpretation of a 2 colour design with an emphasis on texture. Just like the colours subtly shift from one to the next, I wanted the shawl to graduate from a textured center, to a leafy border, to the lightest, airiest crocheted cast off. 

Details: 

Size: 60” across top edge, 28” from center back to bottom point.

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label fingering weight yarn, 80% merino, 20% nylon 115g (4oz) = 385m (420yds).

Colour A: Shadow, 1 skein (colour A is used for the cast on, the body of the shawl and the leafy border).

Colour B: Atlantic, 1 skein (colour B is used for the body of the shawl and the crocheted cast off, ½ skein would be enough).

Needles: 4mm (US 6) 32" circular needle. 

Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4” in star cluster pattern after blocking.

Additional Tools and Materials: Tapestry needle, crochet hook, waste yarn, stitch marker.

Ravelry Pattern Page here.

The Stella Collection Details Page here.