knit the look: color blocking

unless you live under a rock (i assume you don't if you're reading my blog) then you've likely seen this infamous Mondrain dress by YSL...

Sylvie Fleury, Untitled (Mondrian Dress), 1993

and if you pay any attention to fashion,  you might have noticed that this trend has been sweeping the runways for some time now...from color-banded cocktail dresses to accessories (and amazing shoes) and even the odd poncho.

Stefan Gosatti/Getty ImagesThe color blocking trend has also been popping up on Ravelry. Here are a few of my favorite color blocking designs...

 the stripe study shawl by Veera Välimäki Rain Knitwear Designs. This is just lovely and simple.

by maanel

the inspira cowl by celery stalks. i happen to have one of these on the needles right now!

© sansi-bar

the bergen street cardigan by alexis winslow of knit darling. love the shaping worked into a band of color on the shoulders.

by mollie1the modish cowl by stephen west. super simple project with great results - see my modish cowl here.

by westknitscolor blocking is one of stephen's specialties and his innate ability to combine and play with color shines through on many of his designs, including birdwing, flamboyan, and honegart.

i'll leave you with one of my own designs incorporating color blocking - the scalloped shawl. ravelers are knitting this in such brilliant color combinations!

(C) MalabrigoHappy Color Blocking!

Malabrigo March Modish Cowl

My Malabrigo March Madness knitting is off to a great start. By March 2nd, I'd already finished my first project - a Modish Cowl, which is a lovely color block stitch cowl design from Stephen West.

My version is knit in Malabrigo Twist - colors Pearl Ten and Manzanilla Olive. I just love the contrast from the pops of acid green.

I made a few slight modifications:

• shortened the final MC section by about half
• completed 8 ridges in CC edging
• switched MC & CC for opposite edging and completed 8 ridges
• seamed with a quick single crochet edge to match the rest of the seams

Ravel It

I'm Participating - Knitting & Crochet Blog Week

It's almost time for the 2nd annual Knitting & Crochet Blog Week - March 28th - April 3rd, 2011. This will be my first time participating and I'm very excited to be a part of this event!

Are you joining in on the fun?

French Braid Cowl Knit-Along (KAL)

I thought it would be great to start a KAL for the French Braid Cowl because it seems to be the most popular pattern from the new City Cables Collection.

If you're participating in Malabrigo March Madness: As long as the project is cast on during March, it can be cross-posted in the General Accessories thread in the Mal Junkies group. If you’re participating, be sure to tag your projects with MM11GA and malabrigomarch2011

Also, anyone can join this KAL whether they plan to knit in Malabrigo or otherwise!

If you are participating in this KAL, you can tag your projects on Ravelry using frenchbraidKAL

Join the French Braid Cowl KAL!

Here are some examples of the French Braid Cowl from the pattern testers....

yarnsnob's French Braid Cowlknittygrrlku's French Braid Cowlquestionable's French Braid Cowlthao713's French Braid CowlJoin the French Braid Cowl KAL!



Malabrigo March Madness 2011

Are you aware of Malabrigo March???? If not, you should visit the Malabrigo Junkies group on Ravelry. Each March, there are KALs & CALs, contests, prizes, giveaways, sales, and more - it's just an exciting month all around!

My knitting of late has been super secret and I haven't been able to share it with anyone - which is exciting, but in a super secret way!

I have a lot of selfish knitting planned for March, and here are a few of the things I plan on casting on this week:

A Modish Cowl by Westknits. I'm planning on knitting this using a few colors of Malabrigo Twist, which is a new-ish yarn that I just adore.

Image by Westknits

A Summer Flies Shawl by Donna Griffin of Holly and Ella Knits. Isn't this just lovely? I have some smoke gray Malabrigo Silky Merino in my stash that would make this a little more modern and less feminine, which is more my style.

Image by Ella-BA Nautilina shawl by Melinda VerMeer. How cool is the spiral increase shaping? Very cool. Simple and pretty.

Image by gldelxA Hawthorne shawl by Susanna IC. I'm on a shawl kick, huh? I just can't get enough. Each time I see someone's Hawthorne project my heart skips a beat, so I have to knit one for myself!

Image (C) Jane HellerA Foggy Hat by Olga Buraya-Kefelian. Adorable! Need I say more?

Image by olgajazzyA Habitat Hat by Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed. I've already knit one of these using Jared's Shelter yarn but I think it would look lovely in Malabrigo Merino Worsted. Josh gets another hat!

Image (C) Jared Flood/Brooklyn TweedAnd I have a few new prototypes that I'll be working on - a textured scarf and cowl combo.

What are your plans for Malabrigo March Madness?!!