Friday, October 4, 2013

Things I Love: Non-Shawl Patterns for Laceweight

So anyone who knows me in a yarny context also knows that I have a teeny obsession with laceweight yarn.  I love working with skinny yarn, and I love the lightweight fabric that it produces.  Also, as a person with a large chest and smaller waist, lightweight fabrics are usually the most flattering for me to wear.  So why haven't I knit more garments with laceweight?

Short answer: I'm lazy.  Long answer: I have lots of ideas, but haven't actually put them into action yet.  (See: I'm lazy.)

So here's a few of my favorite non-shawl laceweight patterns paired with potential yarns.

Blouses

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Pattern: Celandine by Jennie Pakula, from Twist Collective.

Yarn:  Madelinetosh Pure Silk Lace, colorway Mulled Wine.

Notes:  I love the delicate, '30s vintage feel of this blouse.  It would be a little fiddly to make, and I might grade out to a larger size through the lower body so I can have negative ease in the bust but still keep that lovely hip-skimming silhouette, but I think this would be a great layering piece and a gorgeous addition to my wardrobe.

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Pattern: Plotted & Pieced Blouse by Caroline Fryar, from Juniper Moon Farm (also available in print in the Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled Booklet from 2012).

Yarn: Knitted Wit Shimmer, colorway Peacock.

Notes:  I've been obsessed with this pattern ever since it came out a few years ago - I love nupps, and I love laceweight, and I think this blouse would be gorgeous executed in a color or in soft white!  I can see it going really well with full skirts, which I wear a lot all year.

Cardigans

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Pattern: Swoon by Juju Vail and Susan Cropper, from Juju's Loops.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Prairie, colorway Night Bloom.

Notes:  Not-quite-a-shawl, not-quite-a-cardigan, and the perfect use of a soft, slightly glossy single-ply laceweight like Prairie.  This pattern is only offered in one size, but I think with the drape of the fabric and intended ease of the garment, it would flatter a variety of sizes and body types.  I think this would be a great way to dress up a t-shirt and jeans, or to throw over a sundress on a chilly evening.


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Pattern: Laar by Gudrun Johnston, from The Shetland Trader (also available in print in the Shetland Trader - Book 1).

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Lace, colorway Thunderstorm.

Notes:  I think this one would work best as a light layer over a camisole or short-sleeved shirt - it almost functions as a blouse on its own.  I like the simplicity of the body and sleeves, with just a little bit of interest in the picots and lace yoke detail.


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Pattern: Hethe by Judy Furlong, from Fyberspates Scrumptious Collection, Volume 1.

Yarn: Tactile Fiber Arts Studio Arcata Lace, colorway Concord Grape.

Notes:  This pattern has been in my queue for a while now.  I love the romantic look of this cardigan - it feels very Edwardian to me.  Plus, it has nupps!  And it's shown in pink!!  So of course I love it.  As with the other cardigans in this section, this one would be less for warmth as an outer layer, but I do think that it would do well layered with a dress and light jacket.

Socks

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Pattern:  Darrow Socks by Corrina Ferguson, from Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled Booklet 2013.

Yarn: Yarn Chef Crème Brûlée Lace, colorway Raspberry Ice

Notes:  I'm intrigued by the idea of making super fussy, gorgeous socks out of laceweight yarn.  I don't know how well they would hold up, but I do know that they would be the most beautiful socks ever for as long as they lived.  (And then I'd have to make more.)  Paired with a cream blouse, navy Pendleton pleated skirt, and mary janes, I can see these socks kicking pretty ass.

(As a side note, if you're interested in more laceweight garments, Juniper Moon Farm has quite a few more pretties in their Findley line of booklets!)

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And there you have it!  I might have to go swatch for my next 5 billion laceweight projects now.  Geez.

Happy Friday!

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