Fair Isle and Faux Finds

Good Morning,

Happy Monday, I hope that all had a restful and relaxing weekend and are ready to get back to work and be constructive and productive.

This weekend at Little Shop of Artists, we demonstrated Fair Ilse Knitting, an Intermediate Knitting Technique,  and set some new items on the shelves.  Talented and crafty, our resident staff person, Alixandra, worked up a length of a lovely Wintery style Fair Isle Knitting sample in Snowflakes and Bordered Inset Diamonds.  

Knit with Caron Simply Soft 100% Acrylic in Deep Plum Heather and Plum Heather, 4 (Worsted weight) Gauge = 18 sts. and 24 rows = 4 inches square on Size 8 (US) 5.0mm.  
Project - Size 9 (US) 5.5mm Needles
Gauge - 6 sts. = 1"

Detail of Snowflake pattern.

 
Fair Isle knitting is a method of "stranding" color as you knit.  Unlike stripes that are knit back and forth row by row, one color at a time, stranding uses two (or more colors in some cases) in the same row, creating a picture / pattern when complete.  As each stitch is knit in its specific color, the color not in use is carried across the knitting by "floating" the unused yarn along the back of the work until it is needed to form the designated stitch.  Many Fair Isle patterns are written in charts as you see below.

Here the white squares represent the background or main color used through out the project.  The blue squares indicate when the new color will be used to begin the contrasting color pattern.  Fair Isle is not only beautiful when finished it is also fun to do!

When complete the sample above will serve as a Winter Scarf.

New Items on the shelves.  These simple little wood boxes are painted by hand using a variety of materials and tools to create unique and interesting faux finishes.  The box below looks like it may have been carved from a hunk of Jasper or perhaps an agate of sorts.

The shop is still looking for participating Artists.  Come on in, bring a sample or two, let's see what you have, and if we can make room for you on a shelf.  

Shoe Ins: Ceramics, Paintings, Glass-works, Woodwork, Fine Art, Textiles (Knitting, Crochet, Tie-Dye) etc... If you made it we'll make every effort to find a display area for it.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.