I feel really strongly about creating our hand-dyed colours intentionally to serve both the yarn and the potential purpose. Colour design and development doesn’t come on its own, regardless of the yarn. As in the case of our August Secret Stash Club colourway Amethyst Magic, it’s the combination of fibre, yarn construction, and possible use scenarios that help to inform the colours we created and dyed.
We had initially designed a colourway for August… Hoi helped dye multiple rounds of tests for this colourway and we confirmed it all. But then, because of timing and yarn availability (I think our yarn is currently on a boat in the Atlantic ocean), we had to switch the yarn base. I saw the original colourway dyed on this yarn and realized it wasn’t going to work at all. I had envisioned the yarn creating a delicate and light shawl but it didn’t match with this vision. So, enter in our inspiration for how Amethyst Magic came to be.
THE STORY BEHIND AMETHYST MAGIC
Last month, my family and I traveled around London and we visited the Natural History Museum as our first stop. In the gift shop, my 8-year old daughter, Nina, wanted to spend all her pocket money on an amethyst geode. It turns out that amethyst geodes are pretty common — there was a whole pile of them in the shop. It’s not a rare find. And yet, she loved twisting and turning that amethyst geode in her hand, seeing the light reflect off it, changing the apparent colours. She was mesmerized by the natural beauty of it, despite it being classified as a “common” rock.
Sometimes, I let myself get so desensitized to things around me, I forget to notice the beauty in things. In the past, we very rarely dyed single-ply yarns. I have always adamantly believed in strong, plied yarns that will endure wear and tear… but maybe as I get older, I’ve hopefully become wiser and gentler. Maybe not every yarn has to endure being transformed into socks to wear inside boots. Maybe some yarns can live as more delicate accessories or combined with other yarns for strength. Just maybe. It’s about knowing your yarn and how the construction affects how it can be used.
With the August Club colourway dyed on our special “CashSilk Solo” single-ply yarn blend, I thought about the kinds of projects that we could make with this yarn. It would work beautifully in shawls and scarves — delicate pieces. From here, I thought about the kinds of hand-dyed colours I would like to see in these types of projects — tonal, softly nuanced hues rather than painted, splattered, or shattered-looking hand-dyes. We chose to dye this beautifully tonal pink, purple mix of colours that would work up wonderfully into accessories. The amethyst-inspired colours here are a simple reminder to stop and enjoy the beauty of the natural world around us.
PROJECT IDEAS
In addition to our August Club being a perfect fit for knitting shawls and scarves, a great option for working with delicate and precious yarns is to use them as a supplemental weft in an overshot or crackle weaving project. It’s a perfect way to use this yarn. Embellish a stronger, more stable cotton or silk ground cloth along with a pattern weft with our CashSilk Solo yarn. Check out the School of SweetGeorgia to learn more about weaving overshot and crackle.
For knitting projects, this yarn works up beautifully into lace shawls and scarves. As shown in the Lilac Leaves shawl project, designed by Felicia Lo and kindly knit by Linda Au, the resulting shawl is an absolute dream. A stunning piece that has a soft and delicate lightness.
Interested in working up Amethyst Magic into a new crochet project? Take a look at Charlotte Lee’s After Midnight shawl. There is also a School of SweetGeorgia course to help you confidently work through the crochet stitches each step of the way.
JOIN THE CONVO
Whether you knit, crochet, weave, or something else, join us over at our crafty community at the SweetGeorgia Discord server. We would love to hear your thoughts on this yarn of the month, and to see what you make with it. We’ve created a special section just for our Secret Stash Club and we’ll create a new thread for each new delivery.
You can find all samples of our Club colourway projects at the Project Index »
As well, you can see a closer look of this colourway reveal at our August SweetGeorgia livestream »
Explore our online courses and community of fibre arts makers at the School of SweetGeorgia! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!
Lilac Leaves Shawl in August Club “Amethyst Magic”
Equipment
- 1 Circular Knitting Needles size US 4 / 3.5mm
Materials
- 1 skein SweetGeorgia CashSilk Solo in Amethyst Magic *see notes on yardage
Instructions
- Download a copy of the Lilac Leaves pattern, available at the SweetGeorgia online shop.
- Follow the Garter Tab Cast On instructions in the pattern, starting with casting on 2 stitches.
- Work rows 1-9 of beginning section pattern details listed, following with the instructions for knitting the Stockinette Section. Note the pattern details if you would like to knit a larger shawl size.
- Knit the lace Lilac Leaves section two or three times, dependent on your yardage and preference.
- Knit the Border Section instructions.
- Bind off loosely using the technique described in the pattern, or use your own preferred stretchy bind off technique.
- Wet block as listed. Rinse and wrap in towel, squeezing to remove excess water. Block the shawl aggressively to open up the lace pattern (use blocking wires if you have them). Leave in place to dry.
- When completely dry, remove pins and trim yarn ends. Enjoy!
Notes
Link to Pattern
Link to pattern
Hi, I am a crochet fan. I haven’t attempted knitting yet. Looking for new ideas.