Shibui Texture Sneak Peek

Post By // Sara M

• L-R //
• Bandon Front
• Bandon Back

II have a secret I've been just bursting to share. Kristin F. and I have been working on a new pattern booklet for the past six months - Shibui Textures - and it's almost done! As part of the lead-up to TNNA, we'll be posting a pattern sneak peek a week, so you'll just have to drop by the booth and visit us as soon as the doors open at TNNA.

First, we have a design that I am inordinately proud of, Bandon:

The concept of the booklet, texture, is mostly taken from traditional fisherman’s sweaters like Ganseys/ Guernseys and Arans. Bandon, my baby, was inspired by Gansey patterns from Northern England.

And, while the stitch patterns may be entirely traditional, the silhouette and construction is thoroughly modern.

The design starts with the bottom hem and is worked first vertical, then on the bias, and finally ends horizontal. The body is picked up from the peplum and is constructed as a seamless raglan. A square sailor’s collar & rope cable finish off the details, making it one seriously eye-catching piece. In fact, I believe there was a little, ah, "debate" over which model got to wear it at the photoshoot.

The drape and shaping of the peplum draw the eyes to the hips and waist, emphasizing curves delightfully. And by using traditional Gansey textured stitch patterns, the peplum has visual interest without being bulky. All in all, it’s flattering as hell to wear and I won’t deny it. I am just pleased as punch with how this came out and am seriously considering knitting one for myself. Very seriously.

But that’s only the first of four patterns I designed for the booklet, three of which I even designed new stitch patterns for! I can’t wait to show them to you, but I have to be good and stick to the preview schedule. So, with that, I’ll leave you with the link to Bandon on ravelry (please remember to Fave it!) and to the new Shibui Textures photo album on Facebook. Next week, Kristin F. will introduce the first of her own very special designs from Shibui Textures.