Wearing a Rock Wall Around Your Neck

As mentioned in the last few posts, I have been looking at inspiration from the past as a way to rekindle my enthusiasm for pattern design in the present.

Most recently, a trip to Shetland has come to mind. A trip that became the subject of a magazine article for the first issue of Knit Edge Magazine in which I took inspiration from trip photos to create swatches for later garments.

Below are more of the photos and the swatches they inspired. Shetland, incidentally, is the collective name of a hundred islands in the North Sea between the mainland of Scotland and Norway.

First is a bit of whimsy. Puffins are odd looking birds. They are prevalent along the coasts of Shetland and have become a common theme in the tourist shops on the main island...mostly because they are so darned adorable!

Puffin at Hermaness on Unst

Puffin

Sheep, as you might imagine, are in abundance. We were lucky enough to witness one of the annual gatherings for sheering. A sight that has been seen on the islands for hundreds of years.

Sheep sheering gathering on Unst

This swatch was the start of Wilkins, a classic pullover created with 9 natural shades of Jamieson & Smith 2 ply yarn. (The completed sweater included a tough of red...just because I like red.)

Wilkins

The swatch from the last inspiration photo was the design the folks at Knit End selected to be made up into a pattern and included with the article. Thus the Mousa Lichen Cowl was born.

Wall with lichen on Mousa

Mousa Lichen

Mousa Lichen Cowl from Knit Edge

So there you have it ...from inspiration to pattern. A rock wall covered with lichen on the small island of Mousa to a swatch with nine shades of yarn to the Mousa Lichen Cowl pattern.                    

What you do think? Can you see any of the other swatches from this post or the last becoming garments? Let me know. I'm looking for inspiration.

Varian
brandonknittingdesigns.com
Ravelry: varianbrandon