Sometimes an artist or designer gets hooked on a theme and explores all the possible variations. Picasso had his Blue Period and Jennifer Raymond, at least for the moment, is fascinated by crochet worked through the back loops.
Jennifer’s Riflebird Wrap is just one of her new designs featuring this technique. She added some short rows and intarsia colorwork for extra texture and fashion appeal. The result is a simple, yet stunning accessory that will complement a range of outfits. Crocheted in Berroco Weekend DK, this wrap is lightweight and machine washable, which makes it even more desirable for summer. You can get the pattern in the current issue of Crochet World.
How did you come up with this design?
This is one of the few designs that I knew right from the beginning what I wanted to do. I like wraps that are shaped – I don’t like too much material around my neck, but I want my wrap to drape nicely around my shoulders. A number of years ago, I played with a knit design, trying to find a way to accommodate both desires, but ended up scrapping it because I couldn’t get the design to do what I wanted it to. This one does and it makes me really happy.
Any funny knitting stories?
While I was working on this project, I went to the beach with my husband’s parents. I had to join a new ball of yarn for the pebble and, since I’d packed it, it had gotten rather tangled. My husband, Michael, seeing me yanking at the strands, grabbed the yarn from me and started untangling it. His father, loving challenges and puzzles, joined in. By the end, the entire family had to help with the untangling. It was a really great memory.
How did you decide on the yarn?
I knew I wanted a DK weight yarn that had a good drape and would be appropriate for a transitional piece. After going back and forth with the editors, we decided on Berroco Weekend DK. I really like a lot of the Berroco yarns and have used them for personal projects in the past.
If you could knit/crochet something for anyone in the world, it would be…?
My husband always used to joke that I should design a cardigan for Michelle Obama and send it to her. But the secret is, I really would like to design something for Michelle Obama. Partly it’s because I love her classy, traditional, everyday style, and partly because, well, I could say I made a cardigan for Michelle Obama.
What’s your favorite thing about knitting/crochet?
I love those moments when you are knitting or crocheting, and you get into a moment of perfect harmony with your needles. My girlfriend, Becca, calls it flow. When you are working really hard on something and all of a sudden you lose time and you pull out of that moment a little disoriented. I love how knitting and crochet can give me those moments of peace, but can also be challenging – both for my mathematical side and my creative side.
Do you have a cool design you want to share? Or did you recently finish a project with Berroco yarn? You can email Ashley: apalumbo@berroco.com or post it to the Berroco Lovers forum in Ravelry.
Reblogged this on Gemini and commented:
I love her ‘funny moment’. Eventually, knitting does become a family affair.
Reblogged this on Knitting for therapy and commented:
I love her ‘funny moment’. Eventually, knitting does become a family affair.