Egret

So the temperatures have finally dropped here in the deep south and though it will be quite a long time before we need to pull out the big guns, the fluffy cowls and toasty hats of deepest winter, I find myself looking forward. It is also that time of year, the time when we plan and begin our holiday gift knitting. I want to share with you my most recent publication, the Egret Hat and Mitts, which you’ll find within the pages of Interweave Knits Gifts edition, available online and on newsstands now. I’m happy to say that I have two projects included in this edition!

The Egret Hat and Mitts set came about from a desire to knit in the Sanquhar tradition while creating something that would be special for the holidays. I came across the brim motif years ago – I think I spotted it woven into a rug or something – and its little photo languished on my desktop for a long time. When the call came for submissions to the Gift edition, it just jumped out at me!

Classic stranded color work meets traditional Sanquhar 2-color patterning in this light-hearted set. The hat: a classic, ski-slope shape from the 1950’s. The mitts: time honored color work in a modern fingerless format. Both feature lined edges in holiday red while the hat sports a whimsical tassel to match.

The holiday magic lies in the racy stripes and bright red accents against 3 mellower shades. The brim of the hat and the cuffs of the mitts are lined in this bright accent as well. They cry out for a slick toboggan hill or frozen pond and make me dream of hot cocoa with peppermint marshmallows. And there’s never a dull moment when knitting this set. Bite size chunks of color layered with rhythmic “Shepherd’s Plaid” patterning engages the knitter with deceptively simple techniques.

Working in Quince & Co Chickadee is always such a pleasure. It is a true favorite of mine and I believe it to be the jewel in the crown of the Quince lineup. The overwhelming impression of Chickadee, to me, is purity. It is only wool, but the cleanest, softest wool spun into the loveliest round springy shape. There isn’t a color on their shade card that I don’t love, they are so mellow and gentle.

So…if you’re ready to start your holiday and cold weather knitting, Egret is a great place to start! And just a heads up…I’ll have a lovely mitten pattern for your knitting pleasure this Friday, October 27. Don’t miss it!

In the meantime, happy knitting!