• great way to use up partial balls and leftovers
• fun excuse to use an unusual pop of color
• great reason to buy that pop of color (oh c’mon – I know you all love an excuse to shop for yarn.  blame me.)

Here are a few chevron designs that have popped on my radar lately.

• Chevron Delight Infinity Scarf – grays aren’t my thing but the design works so well
• Chevron Keyhole Scarf – I love being able to put a scarf on and not need to futz with it
• Chevron Scarf – larger swaths of color make for a more modern look
• Chevron Scarf – this one has eyelets
• Chevron Scarf – overlapping decreases give a pretty aesthetic
• Chevron Scarf – the columns of decreases are so tidy in contrast to the zigs and zags

• Chevrons All Round – the textures are great
• Favorite Scarf Ever – another take on the ubiquitous scarf, this one with a tidy edging
• Garter Stitch Chevron Scarf – no purls!
• Hypernova – Shawl and Shawlette – love the radiating design
• Rumple Scrap – the volume really makes a statement
• Monster Mitts – how fun would it be to look at those all day?

I can see myself wearing any of these patterns.  I like the thought of using “my” colors plus something else fun or different.  I browsed Design Seeds for a bit of color inspiration and came away with these 3 palettes that are me with a little something extra.

What do you think?  What colors would you try to branch out?  Yes there’s lots of purple, lavender and pink but also some orange and aqua thrown in too.  Definitely pushing me to try new colors and stay true to myself.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

I often finish a shawl and have no idea what I’m going to do with it – what outfit?  at the pub?  at the office?  cold weather?  or warm?  As I browsed patterns and projects a few core ideas became patterns for me – a shawl outfit formula of sorts.

• Pair it over a neutral outfit.  Most of the pics are over a gray, black or brown outfit.  They let the shawl shine.
• If you have lace in your shawl, make sure it’s on top of something with good contrast so it allows the lace to show.
• If you’re pairing it with a color – coordinate it with one of the colors in the shawl.   And notice that coordinate doesn’t always mean *use* one of the colors.  Look at the green and white Toryn Gable shawl.  It tops a light yellow dress and looks stunning.

• Go casual – the Edison shawl looks so inviting paired with a white T shirt and denim.

• Dress it Up – the Mystic Midsummer Wreath shawl takes center stage with a pair of fitted pants and a simple top.

These outfits made me look at my stash a bit differently – not just what color and fiber do I want to knit, but also what will I wear with it when it’s done?  And I think having the end game in mind could also help turn WIPs into FOs too.  Knitting things that I’ll actually wear.  Nice.

Do you have any tips for how to style knitted shawls?

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

I’m gearing up for the next My Sister’s Knitter KAL – this one is for Sock Yarn.  Perfect!

Since the KAL doesn’t start until Sunday I wanted to see what kinds of projects I might be able to make.

Of course there are socks…

• Twists & Braids – total love for the braid up the back – and I think this stitch pattern would work well on a fingerless mitt too
• Skimmer  – teeny liners to pad our feet
• Sock Around the Clock – intricate cables and twisted stitches make this one a stunner (and get this – it’s free too)
• Lilac – a mostly stockinette sock that looks like a lot more.  I’ve knit that stitch before and it was easy to get in a rhythm.
• Bordurensocken – take a look at the other pics too – this sock has great details on the top and back
• Anna’s – a lovely lace stitch gives this sock some detail without overwhelming the design.  It would work great with many handdyeds and solids.

and shawls…

• Centurion – great for leftovers or even a gradient yarn
• Collinear – another creative use of garter and two colors.  I think I’ll cast on this one on Sunday.  It’s possible I have some yarn on its way to me.
• Scrollwork – love those cables and the stockinette wedges make for some nice rest areas
• Tonnau – another great gradient option and this one works especially nice in warm weather fibers
• Aichmo – yep, another take on the two-color garter stitch shawl
• Aubergine – so yeah, a third two-color garter stitch shawl.  Obviously I have a thing for them right now.

and mitts…

• Hidden gusset – creative gusset placement reminds me of Cat Bordhi’s pathway socks
• The Galway – love the intricate cabling
• Zostera marina – fun lace pattern in the new Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet volume III
• Padina pavonia – simple mitts that would be great for slightly variegated harnddyeds (also from Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet volume III)
• Autumnal – a lovely cable adds some interest along the mitt
• Transition – you guys know I hate colorwork but these are calling to me.  I’m all about the gradients right now

Lots of sock yarn patterns for lots of sock yarn.  Maybe you’ll find a new favorite in this bunch.  If you have a fave please share it in the comments.  I’ll catch you on the purl side.

I’ve selected mostly shawls because I have 8? sweaters-worth of yarn.  That didn’t stop me from adding one design to the list that I’m *dying* to start RIGHT. NOW.

Coalesce by Alicia Plummer – Two colors of bulky weight yarn, combining them without any stranded knitting (it’s slip stitches).  You guys know how I feel about stranded knitting.

Cabaletta by Melissa Schaschwary – The subtle texture and sweet ruffle is romantic without being too twee.

Sunlit by Melissa Thomson – Two weights of the same color – one silk and cashmere.  I LOVE the look and will be looking for a special combo for this one.

Riverbank also by Melissa Thomson – Great combo of texture that can be worn as either a cowl or a capelet.  Lately I’m all about the capelets.

Interlochen by Carol Sunday – Total love for this design!  At 1,720 yards it uses more than many garments though.  Would I ever finish it?

Yellow Brick Road by Mona Schmidt – Kristy is a huge fan of the stitch pattern and look at all the ways you can wear this simple cowl.  In worsted weight it’ll knit up quickly too.

Brandywine Falls by Robin Ulrich – Great stitch pattern, aran weight and it can double as a shawl or a capelet.  Plus it’s a great excuse to buy a new shawl pin.

Clintonville Collar by NorthbrooKnits – The versatility of the button plus the drawstring ruching makes for a custom fit without the fiddliness of knitting it just so.

And last but certainly not least…

3 in 1 by atelier alfa – An excuse for buying 5 colors of yarn!  I love being able to add pops of color at the bottom of the pulli.  I’ll be looking for a sockweight merino/nylon or merino/cashmere/nylon.

This’ll be our second year at VKL and I love the timing – smack dab in between Rhinebeck and Maryland just when the doldrums of winter are at its peak.  Are you going to VKL?  If you see me be sure to say hi!

I can’t wait to share what I got with you all on Sunday!

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

Corrina Ferguson – I love her Seven Sheep collection.

Boo Knits – her intricate lace shawls are drop-dead gorgeous.  I’ve already knit her Sweet Dreams shawl.

Rose Beck – her shawls and scarves have such a range – lace, texture and cables are all featured in her work.

Susanna IC – the queen of the crescent shawl

verybusymonkey – i was originally attracted to her sock designs, but she has some beautiful shawls too

• sock yarns with long color repeats (hello Noro!)
• hand dyeds that pool or flash
• self-striping yarns
• gradient yarns (think Twisted Fiber Arts Evolutions) or gradient kits (think Unique Sheep Gradiance collection)

• Chi-Roob – I was surprised to see this was released back in March.  I don’t know how I missed it.  I love the organic shape.  Wouldn’t that deep V look awesome draped on your back?
• Sweet Summer Rays – You don’t see it in the thumbnail, but the shawl has 2 textures to define the shape of the rays.  This would work beautifully in a hand dyed to show off each section a bit differently.
• Octo Shawl – The newest shawl in the group, released just a few days ago.  The designer used 3 different (but similar) shades of Malabrigo Lace but you could easily get the same effect with any of the yarns I listed.

• Northern Lights – This one has been in my faves *forever*.  The chevrons really get me.  They’re just so much fun to knit.
• Pogona – I’m sure you all recognize this one from Stephen West.  You may recall that I started a Pogona last year.  And guess what?  It uses M1s.  I think I may rip it and try again with my newfound discovery.   Lovely shape but I hated knitting it.
• Furrows Shawl – Part of Miriam Felton’s Chevron Collection – 6 designs all incorporating chevrons.  The crescent shape is an easy sell for me.  If you like the look of Furrows but don’t want to commit to a full shawl, Miriam also has the Furrows Cowl.

As I was putting together this post I was reminded of how many yarns I want to buy.  This Friday Faves may be bad for my checkbook…

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

Here’s this week’s faves…

We’ll start out with a few shawls.

• Fulmar by Veera Valimaki – another garter stitch striped shawl, with classic Veera creativity.  Just when you think there are no new ways to make simple garter stitch sing, Veera comes out with a new one.
• Sierra Lupine by Romi Hill – You can’t see it in this pic, but the shawl has 2 distinct lace patterns in it – a version of the classic Lily of the Valley (no nupps!) combined with one of my faves – a modified leaf design.  And just enough beads.
• Ever the Wind by Luise O’Neill – This is such a different take on a shawl!  A slight crescent shape combined with cables and twisted stitches.  Although it takes 880 yards of fingering weight yarn, it’s knit from the cabled edge up so you could use up all your yarn.  The designer is new to me but she has a ton of designs.  Check them out on Ravelry.

And now a few accessories…

• Romantic Lace Mini Gloves by Anniki Leppik – A pretty lace fingerless mitt with a few beads.
• Smaug Socks by Claire Ellen – Gorgeously textured socks with a winding cable around the instep.  Fun to knit and wear.
• Hermione’s Cable and Bobble Mittens by Lauren Kent – Not a new pattern, but the zig zag cables and even the bobbles got me.  Plus they’d only take 1 skein of Cascade 220 for the pair.

So what do you think of Friday Faves?  Inspirational?  Helpful?  What can I change to make it more useful for you?

If you’re in the US, I hope you’re enjoying an extra-long weekend.

I’ll catch you on the purl side.