New design: Grandes études {Part II}

Today I would like to show you 2nd half of my third design from my planned e-book “Variations on a Theme”.
Caprice No. 24 in A minor is the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini’s 24 Caprices, and a famous work for solo violin. The caprice has provided a rich seam of material for works by many composers. One of them is Franz Liszt.
The Grandes études de Paganini are a series of six etudes for the piano by Franz Liszt. The pieces are all based on the compositions of Niccolò Paganini for violin.

For this cowl I have used ColourMart Merino/Mohair 2/16NM 4ply wt. Yarn was held double.
This project is called Grandes études {Part II} and can be found on Ravelry here.
Love how this cowl turned out :-)) I was not sure about this yarn at first. It did not feel soft while knitting with it (not scratchy, but just not very soft and somewhat rope like feeling). I got some great, nerve calming advice on the yarn from Colourmart group that I will not be disappointed and the yarn will be soft after washing :-)) After 3 rinses in very hot water and 2 washes in soapy water the yarn is now very soft indeed and drapes nicely :-)) The yarn shrank a little lengthwise, but I did block the cowl, so if just left to dry the yarn will probably shrink more.
Love this shade of gray and how the stitch pattern looks in this color and yarn.

 “Grandes études” pattern will be available with the rest of “Variations on a Theme” e-book patterns around mid March :-)

Happy knitting,

Diana

New design: Grandes études {Part I}

Today I would like to show you third design from my planned e-book “Variations on a Theme”.
Caprice No. 24 in A minor is the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini’s 24 Caprices, and a famous work for solo violin.
The caprice has provided a rich seam of material for works by many composers. One of them is Franz Liszt.
The Grandes études de Paganini are a series of six etudes for the piano by Franz Liszt. The pieces are all based on the compositions of Niccolò Paganini for violin.

 For this cowl I have used 3 skeins of Classic Elite Yarns Frescо (60% Wool, 30% Alpaca, 10% Angora, sport weight 5 ply) yarn. The yarn is so soft and pleasant to knit with. It is bouncy and shows stitches very well. The alpaca fuzz did not bother me at all. It is very slight and only visible on black.
Love how this cowl turned out :-) It folds so nicely around the neck and I love how the stitch pattern looks in a cowl. Some of you might recognize this stitch pattern from one of my previous designs "Iva". This stitch might look different from the rest of designs in “Variations on a Theme” collection, but it is not that different ;-) It is the same slipped stitich as in "Caprice No. 24" and "Rapsodiya" changed just a tiny bit. However, the resulting pattern looks dramatically different from the one used in the shawls.

My project called  Grandes études {Part I} and can be found on Ravelry here.
I am currently working on Grandes études {Part II}.
This pattern is going to be available with the rest of “Variations on a Theme” collection by mid March ;-)

Happy knitting,

Diana

Double take: Rapsodiya. New shawl design.

 Today I would like to show you second shawl from my planned e-book “Variations on a Theme”.
Caprice No. 24 in A minor is the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini’s 24 Caprices, and a famous work for solo violin.
The caprice has provided a rich seam of material for works by many composers. One of them is “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
“Rapsodiya” is “Rhapsody” in Russian.
Rachmaninoff plays Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

This shawl is a little sister shawl to the “Caprice No. 24” shawl. It features the same stitch patterns, but completely different construction. After I made “Caprice No. 24” I just felt that I wanted to explore these patterns more. They are highly addictive :-)

First, I knitted my new design in Lana Gatto Wool Gatto DK weight yarn. I loved how the shawl turned out. It is perfect shape to just cover the shoulders and when wrapped around the neck it drapes beautifully without any extra bulk material. I love it casual everyday look.
The project can be found on Ravelry here.

However, I was not done ;-)) I decided to test knit my pattern myself and made another Rapsodiya shawl in completely different yarn than the original.  This time I choose Lace // Baby Alpaca/Silk
by DyeForWool. This yarn is 2ply and yarn held double for this shawl to make it 4ply. This yarn is so unbelievably gorgeous :-) When I saw this colorway at DyeForWool etsy shop, I just could not resist. Love at first site :-)

My second  Rhapsody can be found on Ravelry here.
Absolutely in love with this shawl. The pattern looks so beautiful in this wonderful yarn. I love how the shawl drapes in this yarn and how the stitch pattern shows in it. The shawl come out very dressy and I cannot wait to wear it somewhere special :-)

The pattern for Rapsodiya will be available on Ravelry after test knitting is completed

Happy knitting,

Diana