I am so excited to be bringing this collaboration with KnitCrate to life. Working with KnitCrate is an honor because it is such an incredible support and fosters such great community. In fact, Rob learned to knit at one of my Stitch Up Events last year in Chicago. They have been an ongoing sponsor of Stitch Up Events and working with their team is always a joy.

My 2019 collaboration with KnitCrate was a tribute to my current city, Chicago. It was a collection of 8 fabulous patterns that were perfect for Summer into Fall in Chicago. A place of layers and seasons. I wanted to make my 2020 KnitCrate collaboration a sort of love letter tribute to New York City, my home. We worked hard to make sure that every element of the crate, from color to design to yarn, all conveys an expression of my love of New York City life.

Being that I would be designing for the summer KnitCrate I immediately thought of cotton. Something light for the season and can easily transition into cooler evenings as Fall sets in. I knew I needed a fiber that would give great stitch definition and hold the structure - even with some aggressive blocking as I am known to do for shawls. I also wanted a cotton that would be great for garments as well as accessories. Yes – I ask a lot out of my yarns but this yarn delivers!

We went with URU.YARN Cotton Basic, a 100% Unmercerized Organic Pima Cotton. This yarn is a DK weight and is 275 yards per 100g skein. It is a TRUE Dk weight - and since most cottons are sport or lighter this was a huge factor in selecting this yarn. This cotton is spun and plied in a 3 ply construction creating a sturdy and breathable fabric as you stitch away. 

This is by far one of my most favorite cotton fibers ever because like I said -  it is a DK weight but still has that light feel we want from summer cottons. JUST SO GOOD!

The main theme for the month, being summer and fun, was a Color Splash. So when working with KnitCrate to develop this collaboration, I wanted the colors to be a pop in your wardrobe and still be part of my city life inspiration. They even let me help come up with the color names too!

Hustle Pink has a faded tonal effect and perfectly represents all of my favorite shades of pink! It makes me think of the summer hustle in the city and running around downtown to live music events.

Stardust is a deep and tonal indigo – taking navy into purple – and inspired by the dark night city sky with that sunset purple beaming in. Something so special about twilight and summer city nights. I wanted to convey that in a color and could not be happier with how it came out.

Pavement is the foundation… a multi-tone gray and a nod to the busy streets and sidewalks that are so full of life during summer in the ciuty. It reminds me of how just as you pass the shadow of a building and the sun pops through the gray pavement changes shade and color. Or as the rain comes down the sidewalks glisten. Gah – I just love it!

These Sanctuary Shawls (both Knit or Crochet) were designed to be a meditative stitch pattern. I had another plan when we first started laying out this KnitCrate at the end of last year. But as we all know, 2020 has thrown us quite a few curve balls so I felt like we all needed a bit of sanctuary. I wanted each pattern to be based on a meditative stitch pattern that would create a beautiful fabric to wrap you in the sanctuary of your stitches.

Also - in line with the theme for this KnitCrate, the city IS my Sanctuary. It is where I can find my peace and solace, even amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. I wanted to convey that feeling in a simple yet elegant pattern that repeats creating a lovely meditative rhythm as you stitch along. 

I also wanted a finished piece that would highlight this incredible fiber and that you can wrap yourself up in creating a bit of sanctuary in these pandemic times. Of course, each of these shawls is a great compliment the garments I designed for the  September 2019 Extravaganza of 8 patterns! That was not an accident my friends ;-)

I hope you find your sanctuary in the stitches of these shawls and can’t wait to see all you create.