Designer Tanis Gray has just released her latest book, Knitting Architecture: 20 Patterns Exploring Form, Function and Detail, a collection of patterns from 20 innovative designers such as Ann Weaver, Olga Buraya-Kefelian, and Veera Välimäki.
(Join us on September 12 for the launch party at the shop and get a copy signed by Tanis!)
Each pattern is inspired by a different element of architecture – everything from Art Nouveau ironwork to classic Greek sculpture. Here are a few of our favorites with yarn suggestions so you can start on an architectural project of your own!
Amy Christoffer’s Arts and Crafts Cardigan is a perfect project for fall – a great transitional piece to carry you through to cold weather. It will knit up quickly in an aran weight like Cascade Eco Wool – you’ll need 3-4 skeins.
The Byzantine Pullover from Tanis Lavallee features lavish fingering weight Fair Isle colorwork, calling to mind the rich jewel-like tones of The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering. Choose 6-10 skeins of a main color and 2 skeins of 4 contrast colors – or mix things up and go for your favorite hand-dyed yarn!
Åsa Tricosa’s Art Nouveau-inspired Hotel Tassel Wrap calls for 800 yards of a heavy laceweight yarn like Miss Babs Yet – make it your own with your choice of yarn!
The Bauhaus Cardigan from Ann Weaver echoes the clean design and strong shapes of modernistic style contrasted with the texture of DK weight The Fibre Company Acadia (you’ll need 11-15 skeins) and a laceweight mohair.
Tanis’s own Bird’s Nest Shrug is elegant with beads and lace! You’ll need just one skein of local hand-dyed Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Worsted to create your own special accent piece for a lovely fall outfit.
Got your eye on one of the other patterns in the book? Here’s what you’ll need!
Beaux Arts Cardigan – 850-1360 yards of aran weight
Burj Al Arab Skirt – 624-936 yards worsted weight
Erechtheion Pullover – 1298-2006 yards DK weight
Fallingwater Hat – 200-275 yards DK weight
Fisher Building Mittens – 435 yards light fingering weight (2 colors)
King’s College Pullover – 1146-2101 yards DK weight (try 6-11 balls of Rowan Felted Tweed DK)
Mucha Cardigan – 1505-1935 yards worsted weight
Opera House Shell – 657-1314 yards worsted weight (with a contrast color)
Persian Shawl – 1100 yards DK weight (with a contrast color)
Pompidou Wrap – 1200-1300 yards laceweight (with 3 contrast colors)
Porticus Socks – 510 yards fingering weight
Rococo Mittens – 435 yards light fingering weight (2 colors)
Sagrada Familia Cardigan – 880-1320 yards aran weight (try 2-3 skeins Cascade Eco Wool)
Tower of Pisa Shift – 1000-1530 yards of laceweight held together with Habu A-20/21 Silk Stainless Steel
Wrought Iron Tote – 560 yards worsted with contrast color (Try 4 skeins Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER)