Not long before Knitter's Frolic in Toronto I was contacted by Julie Crawford of Knitted Bliss who is a friend and collaborator with Tanis of Tanis Fiber Arts to ask if I would be interested in testing a new lace cowl pattern. Knitted in TFA Purple Label, a MCN fingering weight blend, with all sorts of nupps and lace, it seemed right up my alley.
While at Frolic I was able to see all the TFA colors in person for the very first time, and with some help from Tanis herself, I picked Seabreeze as the color I would test the knit in.
While I had done some test knitting a few years ago with the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry, this was my first time in the big leagues. It was great to work with Julie and I hope I was helpful in finding some of the quirks, that exist in all patterns, and get them clarified before others, who didn't have a one-on-one contact with Julie to get their questions answered right away, go to knit it.
A couple of weeks ago, this pattern finally came out as part of the Stella Collection, which included four shawls knit in four different TFA fingering weight yarns (Blue, Purple, Silver and Red). It is nice to get to share this beautiful cowl with you finally, and to see the other patterns. I'm hankering to get my hands on one of Tanis' OOAK colorways in Red Label to knit up the Suncrest Shawl, such a neat shawl and such a wonderful yarn.
- Details -
Project Name: Sealaria Cowl
Pattern: Solaria by Julie Crawford of Knitted Bliss and TFA
Recipient: Me
Yarn: TFA Purple Label in Seabreeze
Modifications:
- None, this was a test so I followed the pattern exactly-ish. Changes happened during the testing process but they are in the final pattern.
New Skills:
- Nupps: With god as my witness, I will never fear Nupps again! Seriously there are so many of them in their pattern that I am totally cool with nupps now.
- Testing: It's been a while since I tested a pattern, its lots of fun, and I would happily do it again.
Feedback:
- Yarn: Amazing! My first time working with Purple Label (although I have some of it in my stash) and I'm totally impressed with it.
- Pattern: As I helped test it, I think its a pretty good pattern, but having a full set of charts is a real bonus, that is my preferred pattern type, so I was glad Julie chose to put full charts in.
Re-Knit?: Probably not, it is a bit too fussy for a gift and I have one so, probably not, but I will be making other patterns from the Stella Collection.