Kaffe Fassett

Saturday and Sunday posts are the hardest to write. We don't receive any shipments. There aren't new yarns or books to talk about. Suppliers don't update their websites with new so I can't get any pictures of what is coming.

I learned to knit at a young age but it was Kaffe Fassett designs that really drove me to take up knitting seriously. It's all about colour with Kaffe. There are no rules. When you lay out the colours to one of his designs you always see one in the mix that looks very wrong but in the finished product it always looks very right.

Here are some more pictures from Knitting with the Color Guys.

This big blanket designed by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably is simply made in a series of big patches sewn together after knitting. The Rowan Summer Tweed used helps to blend the bold stripes into a harmonious yet dynamic design.

The rich, yet soft colours of Summer Tweed turn this showstopping knitted pattern into a real work of art. Echoing the stripes in the border adds to the richness of it. This was designed by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably

The darkest shades in each square create the shadowbox effect. Kaffe loves this knitted multicoloured pattern but, you could create a more monochrome version using earthier colours. This pattern is knitted in Handknit Cotton & was designed by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably

Rowan Summer Tweed is just right for this knitted baby blanket, and the chalkiness of the color range plays well into any pastel designs. Designed by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably

You might not want or need a throw so here are a few garments from Kaffe

Stone Circles being modelled by Kaffe
Knit in Felted Tweed

To celebrate our 30th Anniversary, Rowan designers were asked to choose one of their favourite designs from the archives and re-work it in current yarns. Kaffe Fassett chose Stone Circles which was originally featured in Magazine 28.

Download the pattern from Rowan's website...

Alder Wrap

In true Kaffe style, this stunning wrap uses our Kidsilk Haze in a riot of Autumnal colours.  Available as a free download, to give a taster of our 50th Magazine.

Download the pattern from Rowan's website... 

As I was writing I remembered that I have one of my first Kaffe Fassett garments here in the store. It has been hiding in the class room.

The Carpet Pattern Coat from Glorious Knitting

There are over 150 yarns used in the coat
When I knit this Rowan had thin yarns that came in a huge colour range
-4ply tweed
-donegal tweed 4ply
-light weight dk
I used many of these holding three or four strands together to get the tweed look

There are also lots of chenille, chunky tweeds and double knitting weight yarns doubled

Kaffe didn't give a list of colours. He just gave you the needles and number of stitches to cast on. I spent months collecting colours that I thought worked together.

The collar doesn't sit funny like the picture-I didn't notice it wasn't lined up when I took the picture.

I would wear this instead of a winter coat. It is very warm. I'm not sure why it has been hiding but I'm taking it home and washing it so it is ready for next winter.