Wednesday, September 14, 2011

knit quilting // keeper of bees // navajo sunset




in my current quilt obsession, it's only fitting that i came across this magical little hexagon knit quilt by tiny owl knits.  i love all of her patterns, but this one is just exceptional.  i think this quilt has changed my mind about variegated yarns. i know knitters love them, but i've just never been a fan.  every project seems so homemade, instead of handmade (i know i'm breaking some sort of knitter's code of conduct here).  but of course, after seeing this quilt and immediately falling in love with it, i realized when i saw other versions using only solid yarn, some of the magic was lost.  soooo, i finally broke down and made my first ever variegated yarn purchase.  i feel like i'm moving into new craft territory here.

i literally spent all weekend looking at colors, refining my palette, swatching up sample hexagons and then ripping them back out.  i finally decided to go with a very autumn colorset that reminds me of a sunset, and of a sort of pendleton-inspired navajo-ish look.  these are the colors i've picked so far...




notice, not one but TWO variegated yarns...and the koigu that i just bought yesterday at purl soho makes three.  oh my.  and here are my little hexagons i've knit so far with some extra bits of yarn i have lying around the house that i thought were plain enough to match up with my color palette.



 and i think the variation in the colors give this quilt a nice texture-look, so i'm going to be mixing the solid colors with the variegated yarns, making stripes, and also adding a few different fair isle patterns...like these adorable little argyle patterns by chalk legs. AND i found a whole slew of fair isle woodland creature patterns by chronographia on ravelry.



 i estimate if i can knit about 2 of these hexagons a day on my daily subway ride to work, plus a few extra on the weekend...it will only take me just short of a year to finish.  good thing i picked out some nice autumn colors...for 2012. 

12 comments:

meredith said...

Gorgeous!! I've been obsessed with this pattern since the moment I saw it! I would love to give it a try too....I can't wait to see your progress. :-)

fifi said...

oh my - i have exactly the SAME conundrum re: variegated yarns! i loathed them....until very recently they have been sneaking into my creative eye!

oh and i can't wait to see the development of your hexagon quilt. i love setting absolutely outrageous craft goals. and battling over it with your mind! i definitely see you as the kind of person who can finish it so GO YOU!

Gina P. said...

I love this pattern and had already purchased it to do after my Christmas knitting is done, but it's hard to ignore it. There are so many cute charts being made right now in Ravelry for all kinds of items, owls, sheep, cherry blossoms, you can check it out as a feed to the pattern. Also, this is a good find too when planning little charts.
http://www.hobbyloco.com/XSpatterns1.html#duckling
as there are a ton of charted items already done that can be used for these.
These blankets are adorable!

Amanda Thornton said...

What a cute quilt/knit! and all those little 'charts' are definitely neat for the project. I know I don't have the patience for a project like this so more power to you!

xo
Amanda

SharonEKim said...

This will be so beautiful when it's finished. I'm starting out with some knitting as well! Tonight's the perfect weather to stay in and knit. xo

Stephanie said...

Holy cow, this is amazing! I can't wait to see it all done (next year). : )

Nnenna said...

The colors you chose are so beautiful- perfect for fall! I'm working on a blanket too and I feel like it's taking me ages- hopefully I'll finish it before all the cold weather passes! haha :)

Anonymous said...

I don't normally care for variegated colors either, but I think you're right on this project... makes it more cuddly and less cartoonish with some variety. Cant' wait to see how it goes!

kenzie said...

the key to a beautiful variegated yarn is if it is monochromatic, and isn't all rainbow colored. I love this pattern but I'm too afraid to start, it seems like a marathon of a project.

Anonymous said...

A single foot forward commences every journey. No matter how daunting, the total joy of of seeing a project come together makes the effort invested worthwhile.

Anonymous said...

I saw this same bee quilt but did not venture so far as to make one. Brave soul you are! I can't wait to see the final result.

Make and Do Girl said...

TOTALLY with you about variegated yarn. This might be just the project to break me though! How have you been enjoying it so far? ps. Thanks for the awesome charts. I pinned all of them.