I am so excited that I can barely sit still to type this post! IT IS HERE!!! REVEAL DAY for the Flutter & Fly Shawl-Along collaboration with Asylum Fibers & Kristy Glass Knits. This is our third annual shawl-along and I have to tell you it is so special. Living in pandemic times can show you what is important. Working with these two ladies, Stephanie of Asylum Fibers & Kristy Glass is so important to me. We truly uplift each other and bring out the very best of each other. I hope it is the best we bring to you! Read on for the design details, how to get your hands on one of the limited edition kits (pre-order sold out! so this is the true last of the kits), and more about our inspiration.

ABOUT THE DESIGNS

Both the crochet & knit designs are beginner friendly. We did add a few more advanced beginner techniques this year but do not even worry because we have you covered: This year we will be offering video tutorials for some of the special stitches. Videos will be available on this blog starting August 10th.

Videos for:
Fhdc for the crochet version
Garter tab cast on for knit version
“Fancy picot” finishing for crochet version
“Fancy picot” finishing for knit version
Lace section for crochet version
Lace section for knit version

(these will be live links to the videos on August 10th)

THE DESIGN INSPIRATION

The Monarch really led the way on this design. Once we settled on the theme and mascot and inspiration I started looking at the wings of the Monarch. They have this beautiful gradual design to them. Like a progressive triangle of stripes. I wanted to take that and incorporate it into the design, which is where the flat panel and lace panels come from.

I wanted to create a large crescent shaped shawl to wrap yourself up in. Let’s face it, this is no ordinary Shawl-Along. Virtual life is indeed different. But I still wanted to create a shawl that will both wrap you in loving stitches now and give you that fly free feeling when we can all come out and stitch again. I really love how these both came out.

SO WHAT IS IN THE KIT?

We work very hard to collaborate with various artisans and other small fiber businesses to create something super special for each year. We want it to be something that brings you joy. We are really proud of how things all came together this year - even facing challenges in shipping and supplies amidst a global pandemic.

Each exclusive kit includes:

• FOUR… yes 4 skeins of incredible Asylum Fibers DK in your selected color.

• The Knit AND Crochet Pattern (you can buy them individually as well)

• Our very special Flutter & Fly Kit Project Bag are handmade from Handspun Hope. The bag designs will vary and each is made using the same wax fabric and by the same women’s collective who makes the popular Mapenzi Skirts. We love that we can also feed into this community through this partnership.

• Handmade Stitch Marker from A Needle Runs Through It

• Simple Snap Shawl Cuff by Jul - these are handmade by Laura of Jul designs!
  Learn more about the Incredible team of Jul here

• Butterfly Sticker (coordinated with kit yarn color for pre-orders)

• Enamel Pin designed by Shameka Clarke

• Lots of other goodies!

MORE ABOUT THE INSPIRATION AND DESIGNS

There are lots of ways to “customize” your shawl along the way if you want to be adventurous. Any time I publish a pattern I know it is a roadmap to take you where I went with the yarn. But there are lots of times I have seen a patterns and thought… what if I do this? or that? So here are a few ways you can have fun and do this… or that. Some ideas and examples of ways to make your shawl unlike any other are:

Extend the lace section on the crochet:
To do this you will continue the repeat sequence of both the increases at the sides and the main lace body.
You will not have enough for the full second “flat panel” so if you want to extend the lace section I would consider dropping that last flat panel section.

Contrast Your Picot:
You could do your picot finishing trim row in the contrast color for some “POP”

Due to the nature of the medium, there is always extra yarn in the knit version. This year I decided to use that yarn in the design by adding an additional lace segment to the shawl. This is not in the crochet version and that is why they look a little different this year. Yet still similar. You could make a slightly smaller shawl if you want by skipping the second lace section on the knit.

Or whatever you come up with.

We hope you love making your shawls as much as we have enjoyed collaborating, creating and designing these kits for you. Get ready to FLUTTER & FLY!

The KITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE HERE
THE PATTERNS WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE ON AUGUST 10th