Autumn 2012 Accessories: Day 1

Today is the annual "I Love Yarn Day," and I can find no better way to celebrate than with the introduction of my first design collection: Accessories, Autumne, 2012.

To say I'm excited would be an understatement. While it might be a small collection by most standards - only 6 pieces - it represents a major accomplishment for me, and one that's been in the planning for a while now.  

To fully share and enjoy the fruits of my labor, I'm going to introduce each piece in the collection ready for its close-up (there's one that isn't quite ready just yet) on each of the next five days. Once the piece is announced, I'll add it to the Ravelry database, and then the final e-book will be logged onto my Ravelry patterns page. Each pattern will be available for purchase on its own or as part of the e-book. Next Wednesday I'm going to be awarding three e-books from all of the comments received during the entirety of the collection's introduction; two will be chosen by the ubiquitious random number generator, one will be chosen by me based on whatever moves me next Wednesday. Hey, it is my collection, after all.

You can click on the image below to view the entire pattern preview or download the pdf version if that is more convenient for you. (Note: there is some minor conversion issues uploading the pdf to Google docs, so don't be surprised if some of the fonts look different in the downloadable pdf version).

Without further ado, I'm pleased to introduce the first pattern in the collection:

The Piaf Scarf

 

 

I decided to start with the only knit pattern in the collection because it's incredibly versatile (the start of a theme) and works up lickity split in heavier weight yarn.

 

You know George Bailey had to get
in the middle of everything.

Named for the great French singer, this easily memorizable lace pattern came to me while I was working on a different  project last year. For this particular sample, I used Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool held together with Schulana Kid-Seta Lux for a surprisingly soft and warm fabric that's got just a little bit o' bling. A complementary color is also used for the fringe - I used Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter in the birdbook colorway - and it (the fringe) adds just the right lush touch:

 

 

The Fishermen's wool bloomed nicely when I soaked it for blocking; it was also incredibly warm while it was being modeled.

 

I'm finishing up a second sample in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and Loft. It's working up well - very springy. (Note: Jared isn't kidding when he writes that Loft is "gently spun." I broke the first ball I tried to wind not once, but twice!)

 

I'm so thrilled to share this with all of you - now definitely head on over to the Wonder Why Gal's blog to see what Andrea and the gang are getting themselves into this week.