Inspiration
Hand-dyed Dreams: Jill Draper Does It Again
Dear Kay,
A recent regret?
We didn’t make it across the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge during Rhinebeck for Jill Draper’s famous open studio—I’m pretty sure the traffic gridlock was due to the hordes of knitters in search of her hospitality and her yarn.
The only solace for me is that we just received a new shipment of Jill Draper’s yarn for the Shop. So here I am, back in Nashville, trying to pretend that it’s a cool Saturday night where everybody’s wearing a great sweater.
It’s a pretty decent solace, to be honest.
In this new shipment are 11 colors of Windham, the smooshy 4-ply worsted merino wool that we have loved for several projects in our Field Guides. It is lofty, boingy, and nonsuperwash, spun in the U.S. with American wool. Jill is committed to creating special bases such as this.
What to Make with Windham?
Field Guide No. 8: Merry Making features two Thea Colman ideas for Windham.
. External Link. Opens in new window.
We’ve had a swell time with Thea’s Appleseed Mitts. External Link. Opens in new window. in Graphite and Cinnamon.
More fingerless fun in Mocha, Chamois, Graphite, Cherry, and Cinnamon.
. External Link. Opens in new window.
And, with Thea being something of a legendary mixologist, it’s no surprise that we ended up with Appleseed Coasters. External Link. Opens in new window., which use the stitch pattern for the Appleseed Mitts. For those times when a thumbhole is just . . . too . . . much.
. External Link. Opens in new window.
Note that a small vase or cocktail fits perfectly on these coasters.
. External Link. Opens in new window.
Meanwhile . . .
In Field Guide No. 9: Revolution, Norah Gaughan brings her tangly cable brilliance to the Ironworks Beret. External Link. Opens in new window.. Windham may be the perfect yarn for such a project: it lets the cables shine, and it gives a shifty beauty to the color.
. External Link. Opens in new window.
A beret is just the thing. The shape of this one can go flat or poofy depending on the head underneath it.
. External Link. Opens in new window.
If you’re thinking of gift knitting now, you can find company with the MDK Giftalong—details are here. And lots of Giftalong conversation afoot over in the MDK Lounge. External Link. Opens in new window., where the small knits are starting to accumulate—plenty of time to join in.
Needless to say, a plump skein of Windham will add to the fun of it all.
Love,
Ann
Ooh, like those Appleseed mitts in the Cinammon color.
Fingerless mitts in cherry are awesome. Love them.
Things have changed SO much since I started knitting 30 years ago when choices were so limited. I hope that I live to be a very old lady still knitting with these beautiful yarns
Windham is one of my favorite yarns. I have quite a bit in my stash and the colors are exquisite. You can’t go wrong.
I like the Petula sweater and fingerless mitts. I also, like soft yarn.
What is that thing that the beautiful hats are resting on?