When Colour Marries Texture

I had an interesting conversation with a non-knitting friend of mine, Sarah, about something she'd seen on PBS about Latvian knitted fabrics. She was very impressed by the colour work (and quite right, too!). It got me thinking about how some people are colour people and some people are texture people.

Sarah is an artists whose preference is the medium of paint so it really kind of makes sense that she's a colour person. I tend to enjoy creating textured fabrics more than colour work which is probably why I use a lot of solid-coloured yarns or hand-painted or kettle-dyed if I want some variation (textures tend to be obscured if you're using varigated yarns or any kind of colour work). But, what I really love is when a great colour comes together with texture and creates something magical.

Case-in-point: my all-time favourite shawl pattern the Fylleryd shawl by Mia Rinde. It's a stunning Estonian lace style shawl with lots of nupps (miniature bobbles mimicking lilies of the valley). I have made this shawl about 9 times and every time the results are very pleasing. I've made several in white, one in bright yellow and one in a deep purple/burgundy. I am currently making a pink one with a much heavier yarn (about four times heavier than the lace weight that is called for). No matter how many times I work this pattern, I get a little thrill when it comes off the needles. And seeing the gorgeous lace pattern bloom when I block the finished item is just a feeling you can't describe. As good as these feelings are, though, when you use a great colour -- it's off the charts!

Anyway, I don't know if I had a point but there you go.

Just a little randomness: Nick Offerman says that everyone should learn how to knit. Of course, I'm paraphrasing.

I was at the doctor the other day and I was talking to a nurse who is a knitter. She was making a pattern for socks and was thinking about publication. I was terribly excited for her but she said that all her "work friends" thought she was nuts and needs to get a life. Hey guys: lay off your knitter friends! Even if you don't "get it" it's not weird or a waste. Be nice and you may even get stuff. ;0)

Peace and lovelyness be with you!