Here are three great new gift ideas. Make them up yourself for a non-knitter, or present them as project packs. They are small projects, quickly made, but they contain a wealth of intriguing details which make them very interesting to knit. Both Jade and I agree that a lady can never have too many bags, and we each have them in several colours. However, they are not to be carried if you want to travel incognito, as they are total showstoppers. AS
Ripple
Ripple Wrap from Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting. You will require a copy of the book in order to make this design.
I created the patterns and colours in order to evoke the movement of sea on sand. The original design in the book is for a sweater worked in fine cotton yarn. The cotton yarn was a testing challenge to work with using the steek technique. However, the patterns are very easy to knit and are worked in just five colours. I have re-worked the pattern and colours as a wrap in Hebridean 2 Ply and this makes it an ideal easy Fair Isle for anyone contemplating a first time project. It is also a wonderful design for those already practised in the technique, who will enjoy the play and switch of colour within the pattern. An amendment is provided to be used along with the instructions in the book.
AS
Hattrick
This trio of hats are quick to knit and are an ideal introduction to the stranded technique of knitting in the round. Dahlia, Snowdrop and Hebe are inspired by plants growing in my garden. A pattern card with instructions for all three hats and ten beautiful shades of Hebridean 2 Ply are included in the pack.
AS
Heart Bag
I designed this heart pattern for an elaborate gansey in my book, Fisherman's Sweaters. Here I have used it as the focal point on the front pocket of a bag. This is a quick and easy design that can be colour matched to any item in your wardrobe. It is also an ideal way to introduce a beginner to cables and textures.
It is knitted in Hebridean 3 Ply used doubled.
AS
Thistle Bag
This bag is also made in Hebridean 3 Ply, used doubled. I originally designed the thistle motif as a knitted tribute to Margaret Tudor: the sister of Henry VIII who was married off at a tender age to King James IV of Scotland. Here I have combined it with seed stitch and branching cables to make a strong, sculptural statement. My version of our national symbol can be carried to classic or modern effect, according to your style and mood.
It is knitted in Hebridean 3 Ply used doubled.
AS
THREE SCARVES FROM THE SEASHORE
I designed this trilogy of openwork scarves with two aims in mind. Firstly, to celebrate the Lewis shoreline in the superb and very rare spell of winter weather that we have recently been having. Secondly, I wanted a quick, easy but elegant way of having something to wear in every one of our 36 Hebridean shades. I am not quite there yet ... but soon. AS
Driftnet
The simple and elegant pattern on this scarf is dedicated to my mother's father, Alexander Macleod. I have clear childhood memories of him sitting mending nets at the end of his byre, perfectly relaxed but with fingers working quickly. The nets would be hung either inside on the beams of the byre, or outside on the gable end. I had to make the first one in Tormentil, as that was the plant once used to dye the nets a russet colour. However, it will suit any of our other shades. I have one on the needles in Golden Plover, and I have a completed one in Witchflower draped over the arm of the couch in the quiet upstairs sitting room where I like to read. It wasn't meant to stay there, but it looks so good that I haven't had the heart to move it yet.
The original Tormentil version is photographed from a cave that I know, looking out in symbolic fashion over the Minch fishing grounds. AS
Birdsfoot
Birdprints on sand ... impressionistic patterns that could be waves or could be seashells. This is a scarf from the sandy beach in the village of Gress, knitted aptly in Spindrift. The pattern is easy to memorise and therefore very easy to knit. AS
Seaweed
Just round from Gress beach the coastline is exposed and has been eroded into a classic example of a wave-cut platform. At the edges and in the deep channels, various types of seaweeds snake back and forth in sinuous fashion, in time to the ebb and flow. I designed the pattern to capture the effect and knitted it up in Sea Ivory, although once more, many of our shades would suit. AS
Leo Scarf
See the Leo Tunic in our Natural Wonders section for a description of how this pattern came about. Then be warned! This is the scarf of scarves. Wear it and you will be noticed, for it is more spectacular than a lion's mane. When I am not wearing mine I hang it over the bannisters instead of inside my wardrobe, for it makes a sumptuous textile display. JS