Pattern Spotlight: Roxanne by Heddi Craft

Heddi Craft of Heddi Craft Designs joins us with the story of her new shawl pattern, Roxanne, which was released last week:

I first learned about Anzula yarns at the 2015 STITCHES West show. I was almost unable to choose from amongst all the lovely colors and fibers. However, Meridian drew me in with its beautiful sheen and drape. I used my precious skein to create the prototype for my Kerti Shawl and found that it was an ideal yarn to work with because of its subtle color variations and crisp blocking. The generous skein gave me plenty of yarn to experiment.

Early this year, my local yarn shop held a trunk show for Anzula and I purchased another skein of Meridian, this time in the sky blue Alice colorway. Two months later I learned that my midwife, Roxanne Cummings, who was with me for the birth of all three of my children, had passed away. I knew that skein needed to be knitted in her honor-- it represented the springtime sky and the hope and light that my midwife brought to so many families in my area.

In designing this shawl, I chose patterns that evoked growth and change. Working on the shawl became a part of my grieving process. Even when the design had setbacks and I had to rework the border, I found that I didn't mind-- it gave me more time to spend with the fond memories of my friend.

Roxanne Shawl in Meridian, colorway Alice

Meridian is quickly becoming my favorite lace-weight yarn and was the perfect yarn for this project. In addition to opening up and blocking beautifully, the tencel gives it a shine and brightness, the alpaca provides softness, and the little bit of nylon gives it strength. Light, softness, and strength were what Roxanne brought to my births as well, so it really was an ideal match. the tonal dyeing technique that Anzula uses really adds to depth to the shawl without distracting from the lace design.

If you would like to learn more about Heddi and her work, you can find her on Ravelry, Facebook, Instagram, and on her Fiber Craft Mama blog.

What is your favorite Anzula lace yarn and colorway? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Stitching!

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Pattern Spotlight: Dividing Lines by Adventure Du Jour Designs

We're friends who met on Ravelry and now our knitting and designing is as entwined as our friendship and families. We had been friends for years and designing separately for just as long. We were always consulting each other on design ideas and knitting techniques. It only made sense a year ago when we decided to join forces and design together as Adventure Du Jour Designs.

We have learned over our collective 75 years of knitting experience that knitting is a social sport and experience. Recent years have only enhanced this as the internet and fiber arts events have opened so many doors for formerly solo knitters. As many close friends find, we have similar tastes in not only yarn but also what we like to knit. We've collaborated up to offer other friends like us patterns that are simple enough to knit in social settings yet interesting enough, in either yarn or pattern, to hold your excitement during the knitting process. The result is a shared of experience and souvenir marking a special time together.

Anzula Luxury Yarns is a favorite brand of ours. Who can resist those beautiful yarn bases and colors?? When presented with the opportunity to design with the newest yarn Ava, we were delighted and jumped! We are equally excited that Anzula will be offering Ava paired with Dividing Lines at TNNA’s Sample It! on June 10th in Washington DC.

As lovers of color and accessories, we had no trouble in designing something that would be as fun to knit as it is to wear. Dividing Lines, a convertible accessory, from wrap to cowl, is perfect for cool spring and fall days worn as a wrap and equally versatile as a cowl in the winter when bundling up under a jacket. With the right buttons on the decorative ribbing, Dividing Lines makes a statement no matter how you wear it. It's the only accessory you’ll need for your weekend trip because it brings a new look to every outfit.

This DK weight yarn, Ava was wonderful to knit with as it glided through our hands. The subtle shifts of color made the visual experience as pleasurable as the tactile. Ava knits into a fabric that is both soft yet sturdy. The real test is the final fabric and Ava did not disappoint after its proper washing. Ava held its shape while allowing the cashmere to bloom fully. Combined with the beautiful Anzula colors, the stitches flew off the needles.

Look for Anzula’s Ava and Dividing Lines at TNNA! The kits will be available at Sample it on the evening of June 10th!

You can find more of our designs in our joint Ravelry Store, Adventure Du Jour Designs and our individual stores, Debbi’s The Stitches of My Life Designs and Marcy’s Steppingstone Fiber Creations.

As we are fond of saying, Plan Your Next Adventure and Knit On!

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