Can you see the forest for the trees? Initially, I was going to make a replica of a tree in some fantastic technique. After paying close attention to the trees on my daily walks, I saw some beautiful patterns on the tree trunks. More walking and daydreaming, and the concept of using the bark pattern […]
The inspiration for this sweater came from a commercially- knit sweater made with cotton yarn. The saddle shoulders and Henley neckline give the garment a distinguished look. The tweedy yarns give it a nostalgic feel: worked in solids, it has a more modern vibe. Download pattern. Read more in our Issue 55. Designed by Cynthia […]
This interesting knit-purl stitch pattern makes an attractive scarf for a person of any gender. It reminds me of the Blue Spruce my father planted when our house was built, which now dominates our backyard, providing welcome shade during hot summer days and pinecones that are best to avoid when walking barefoot! This is a […]
I live in apple country, so I take a drive in the countryside every spring to see the trees in blossom. Find the right spot and you have blossoms in the foreground, with the escarpment sloping down to the blue of Georgian Bay in the background—beautiful! This generously sized shawl features eyelet motifs that resemble […]
Although I knit these socks from the top down, they are best described as a tree from the ground up. Toe The black yarn is the rich soil for the roots. Foot Two shades of brown look like the bark of the trunk with the words on the sole scratched in. Heel and Turn The […]
When I think back to my first memories of Boho crochet, I see the hemp bags, and cotton bralettes that the flower children would wear in the ‘70s. Music festivals in farmers’ fields, and a new awareness of the environment fed that style. I was too young to attend those cultural events then. 40 years […]
I have always been fascinated by Fractals… things like those childhood kaleidoscopes, or Spirograph, would keep me entertained for hours! So, when I was considering ideas for an elemental series, the natural fractals found in nature were irresistible. Though I’ve taken a few liberties (the first Elemental Fractal in the series – AIR – and […]
What better story to highlight for the trees theme than the folktale of Baba Yaga? It’s a Belarusan folktale, set deep in the massive forest, that has been used to spook children over dozens of centuries in an attempt to get them to behave! Among the snaggy trees lives the ferocious witch Baba Yaga in […]
Every time I sit in my studio, I look out the window and see something new to paint, only now I don’t paint with oil or acrylics, I paint with wool. The forest surrounds our little home, it shelters us from the cold north winds. It gives us shade on the hottest days. It makes […]
There is nothing more beautiful than the stark contrast of the Red Cardinal against a bright winter sky. The inspiration behind this piece are the pair of cardinals that nest in Clodagh’s trees every year. Instructions complete with templates. Download pattern. Read more in our Issue 55. Designed by Clodagh Coker The Quilt Store 17817 […]