Thursday, July 24, 2014

Ode to Skye Wrap

Every once in awhile, I open an email and someone has sent me a photo of a design that takes my breath away. And by every once in awhile, I mean once every year or so. Call me jaded, but it takes quite a bit to knock my knickers off.

Monday, one of those designs arrived. It's Ode to Skye by Chris Bylsma.  Gorgeous, don't you think?


I talked to her on the phone about it and she told me that the genesis of the design was a class she's teaching on an upcoming cruise to the Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland and Norway. The class is all about cables and the idea is that her students will be able to design their own Aran sweater by the end of the cruise. Genius! 

We laughed a little about this not being the kind of cruise where you pack a bikini and knitting and you're good to go. Given the itinerary, they'll be seeing sun and rain, warm and cold. She thought having a collar on this wrap would make it a little more versatile too. Just pull it up around your chin and snuggle in. 



The shawl is named in honor of the Isle of Skye in the Scottish highlands, there's a stop there on the cruise where they'll visit a yarn shop. Show of hands, who is jealous? 

It's knit from our Haymarket in 56ns Fjord. For those of you not going on the cruise, you can find the pattern here. And to make it more interesting, I'll send yarn for a lucky winner to make one. Tell me in the comments what color you'd make yours in by Monday at 12PM CDT and we'll do a random number pick.

153 comments:

Kathy Barth said...

I,d do it in a blue to go won't denim.

Cupcake said...

Kerfuffle, I think it would look amazing.

woolwoman said...

beautiful design, yes very jealous. I have used Haymarket for a vest - it is lovely. So many beautiful colorways - hard to pick but for a garment like this I think something semi solid and rich would be best. Skyway, Avondale, Patina and 10 more colors I have on my wish list. Thanks for the giveaway opp - we're glad you are enamored enough to offer this giveaway. Melody

Unknown said...

I love it in the color she used. The cruise sounds very interesting!

Unknown said...

Waistcoat would be lovely, somehow a color I associate with Scotland and Skye.

Unknown said...

Cedar. Definitely Cedar. Or Echo ... mmmm, Echo. Maybe Putty. No, it's gotta be Cedar. Why must you make it so hard to choose??!!

Quiltgirl said...

Hmmm - lovely. Perhaps in Pewter, like a cloudy northern sky?

Doula Mommy said...

The same color as that one-day it's gorgeous!

Maureen Moran said...

I'd go with something bold: Red Rover. I think aran cables are just smashing in red.

janet deline said...

Love Haymarket! Very difficult choice ... when in doubt Demin is always the best choice for me! Love this pattern, way to go, Chris! Can't wait to start it!

Danyelle Nelson said...

It's gorgeous! It's so hard to pick one color - I think old rose would be lovely, though!

njgirl56 said...

Grand Street Ink!

Judith said...

Waistcoat or Turquoise would look great.

Anonymous said...

I think I would chose the haymarket Galena. Used to live in Dekalb and Sycamore many years ago. Kind of makes me homesick. Beautiful pattern.

Unknown said...

Beautiful pattern! I think it would look fabulous in Fjord.

Jill K. said...

I'm between Poppy and Dobson. I think either would knit up beautifully but guess I lean towards Poppy as that is what my daughter called my father when he was alive.

Kelsie Butler said...

Oh beautiful pattern and yarn! I would love to win this. I think Kerfluffle would be perfect!

Tan said...

The Skyway, if not too variegated.

Suzanne said...

Definitely Cranberry! Absolutely gorgeous pattern! Wish I could make the cruise - sounds fabulous!

T.M. said...

I would knit it in the same lovely gray color. I love it. Thanks for the chance.

Melissa said...

Omg beautiful! I think it would look lovely in the Louisville color way!

Unknown said...

I would have to go with Growth - the leaf pattern cries out for the green but Growth also has that grey in it too which makes me think of the overcast skies. Lovely pattern, btw.

Toni said...

Oooh...This would be wonderful in Cookie's Deep Dark Secret!

Denise Bein Kroll said...

I would go with Putty. Very nice pattern

Martha said...

I think Fjord is perfect! Thank you.

Bryn Haynes said...

Buffalo Grove would be very traditional looking!

Sharon Abbott Cowan said...

I would make mine in the shade of blue shown, it blends just great with the concept of the pattern.

Elaine said...

I would love to make one in the color shown!

AmyF said...

Oooh!Cape Cod or Wharf for me!

MNetzer said...

This is beautiful! I would make it Watercolor or The Bean very different choices but both beautiful. I love all the colors so it's always hard to choose.

Unknown said...

Amazingly beautiful! Louisville or Galena. .. yum

Barbara Munic said...

I would love it in red rover...or navy pier!
Barbara Munic

Rachael said...

I think it wants to be knit in Cermak!

Ruth said...

It truly is breathtaking! I'd do it in "L" or Grand Street Ink.

dixiestitches said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dixiestitches said...

Great pattern and generous offer! The Bean or Ysolda Red? Neutral or bold? I can't decide! Both would be beautiful and I'd love either one!

Unknown said...

Cranberry! Only because I make gray wrap and I love it so much. Loving the style.

jtb34 said...

I would love to see this in The Skyway - I think the pattern would really show up beautifully.

Annette said...

Putty or pewter for me, what a beautiful pattern! I love cables and really enjoy projects with different patterns incorporated into them. Thanks for the draw!
Rav ID backtoknitting

Grace said...

Ysolda Red for sure!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful shawl! I would love to make one in Cedar.

Rav Id: nteal37

TheOtherKathy said...

This would be beautiful in Cermak! (Ravelry name:TheOtherKathy)

Linda Manley said...

I used Haymarket for a cowl project that I gave as a gift. I have been searching for a new design to use it again, and this is it! I would choose patina for the color.

KendraPT said...

I'd do it in Fjord, it's perfect

Stephanie Carter said...

I'd do it in Haymarket Natural. All that creamy goodness would make a cozy wrap!

The Bon said...

Waistcoat!

tishka said...

I would love the exact color of the wrap It is so beautiful !!

Amber said...

I think it would look beautiful in neutral colors! I would love to knit this in Cedar or Echo!

CraftyKaty said...

Omg, any color please! But most especially pewter, dusk, echo, cedar... Amazing yarn and amazing pattern!

MaryK said...

Lovely! Pewter or Putty would be my choice!

Lileesgram said...

A deep pink or a lovely green I think. It is a beauty

kat said...

I think it's pretty darn gorgeous in the color it's shown in, Fjord, so I'd do it in that color.

Lee said...

The serious side of me says putty. The playful side says red rover or rainbow or island blue. Of course I would accept any color sent.

Christine said...

So hard to choose...maybe Sage. Love the pattern.

LBrown8655 said...

I would knit it in Cranberry Bog. That would be beautiful!

Alexis said...

I would love to make this in midnight blue.

Anonymous said...

Laurel Faye Love this pattern ! I've always enjoyed cables. Beautiful in her color choice. I would use The Skyway for mine. Love that color.

Kirsty said...

Daley. Cozy . . . .

Chocolate or Charcoal would also be gorgeous.

Martina said...

I'd love it in Blackberry. I've been to the Isle of Skye and visited that yarn shop. It's a once in a lifetime experience!

Lisa said...

I think it would look great in Cranberry.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous pattern I think it should be either Black Watch or Baltic Sea....how fitting
Thank You for the opportunity
Mary

Unknown said...

What a spectacular pattern! I think it would be spectacular in The Bean.

Pennycharla said...

It would be stunning in Hot Pink!!!

venice1093 said...

My first choice would be in a natural, off-white. After that it would be a tie between a pale sage and a silvery blue.

Annika said...

It is stunning in Fjord, but I think I'd like to make one in Patina.

LGG said...

Ooooh. Lovely. Waistcoat or China blue, I think. Not your traditional Aran colors, but beautiful. Thank you for this contest!! and as a plus sized woman, it might take a little more yarn, but easily accommodated, it looks like! :)

Susan Aitel & said...

I think I'd use a natural/undyed color. If not an off white, than a light gray. Light color to show off the stitchwork best. That is a totally gorgeous design.

Unknown said...

Stunning design and would look fabulous in Red Rover.

nubsmom said...

I would make it in gray. Or if I were feeling adventurous, a bright yellowy green.

normashy said...

Sorry I could not locate colors mentioned by others but I would choose a heathery mix of lavenders to the purplish side to go along with the natural plant. this reminds me of the Galway Wrap that I made - only this is much more intricate and so inticing!

Dani said...

Cranberry, I think—a pop of color to go with the pop of those cables. Or perhaps Waistcoat. Decisions are always the hardest part!

Sarah said...

Putty would be the perfect color for this!

amy said...

I think the designer's choice of a medium gray is perfect! It looks like stormclouds on a day when you want to stay under the covers

Beth said...

This pattern would work in so many colors, but I think I would choose Navy Pier.

Laticia Miller said...

I love this pattern! And I love the color, Fjord, that is pictured. Hail to my Norwegian ancestors!

misc said...

Shorewood is my color of choice for this fabulous wrap!

NWLady66 said...

I think either Rippey or Skyway would be smashing.

Mary K said...

blackberry =) I love color =)

Jeanne Rose said...

Tahoe - just beautiful!

Unknown said...

I think I would choose the color of the sample. Such a rich gray. Love it!!

Kallie Young said...

I'd have a rough time picking between Dobson and Cedar. I agree that this is one of the most stunning wraps/patterns that I've seen in a long time. I'd knit this in a heartbeat!

KallieKY (on Ravelry)

LQuick said...

Isle of Sky Blue?

Laurel said...

I would use Pine or Waistcoat. Such a pretty pattern!

Jackie said...

I think i would do it in bean. I love the bean, and i wear a lot of black and grey. Or i could do it in a dark, dusty rose for my SIL. Or..

Virginia said...

With a name like Ode to Skye, it has to be blue or blue-green. Maybe Cermak?

Unknown said...

Challenging and fun to knit. Haymarket in The Sykeway color would be my chose

Cindy Kane said...

I love it in the black stone tweed

Judy said...

The colorway is perfect as is.

Sharon said...

Love the pattern, I'd go for pewter.

Cori said...

blackberry!

CreativeHands said...

Cookies Deep Dark Secret for me!!

CardiLover said...

I tend to be desperate for color come winter, so I'd want something rich and bright. I love the pop that either Cumberbund or Farwell would give to a drizzly, grey day!

The Sexy Knitter said...

Job well done, Chris! Knitting cables is one of my very favorite things and this project has some beauties. If I were to make one for myself, it would have to be in Cermak. :)

ericaleigh said...

This pattern is gorgeous! Oh so many colors that I think this would look stunning in. I can't decide...maybe a nice charcoal grey, but not too dark. Also wondering how I can get on this cruise, hoping they do another one so I can save up!

Kerri said...

Wow! So many beautiful colors to choose from! This beautiful wrap would look fabulous in just about any of them. I think I've narrowed it down to Cranberry, Douglas Fir, and Blackberry. I think... Cranberry... I think. Or maybe... Sorry - this really IS a tough choice. Although I would love to knit it in Hayworth, I have skin problems when I knit with wool, so perhaps in Pearl?

Crafting in Yoohooville said...

That is so gorgeous! It would be so hard to pick a color. Red Rover would be great, as would Fjord. Island blue would be lovely, and even putty or pewter (though kind of boring LOL).

You could even send me neon orange yarn and it would look smashing in that pattern, I think!

Unknown said...

I think that it would look stunning in Island Blue. It would really make the cables pop!

Sheila said...

Blackberry would be lovely. But then Cranberry tempts me, as does Waistcoat. I'm pretty sure Blackberry is my first choice, though.

Amber Manhattan said...

I'd like to make this in Pullman.

Ashley said...

This is beautiful! I would love to make one in Waistcoat.

*Insert heart eyes emoji right here ;)*

Unknown said...

Beautiful Shawl. I would knit it in Naperville.

Debby said...

I'm torn between Carol Green and Cookie's Deep Dark Secret, it's so hard to choose!

MNStitcher said...

Something rich - like chocolate or blackberry. So many other great choices though too!

Unknown said...

I think Waistcoat would be lovely for this shawl!

KristiD said...

I think I'd go with Skyway. And then make a second in Charcoal, because they're both lovely.

Dovelady said...

wow, I'd love to make this in Dusk.

Shirlee Lewis said...

What a rabbit hole. I just spent way too much time dreaming of colors and wanting multiple versions. Oh well, for the immediate question I would choose Buckingham Fountain. But in reality almost any color would work up beautifully in this pattern.

Sarah said...

That sounds like such a wonderful cruise, and that pattern is stunning. Mmmmm...BFL might be my desert island fiber. As for a color, I think I would knit it in Putty.

Charlotte Dockstader said...

I think it would make up nicely in Blacmkwatch - one of my favorite plaids.

Martha said...

Love it in the color it was knitted in, Fjord!

Marge said...

Oh..to be wrapped in chocolate!

Jean Eldred said...

Beautiful wrap, I am very jealous, that sounds like a wonderful cruise! I would knit it in fjord, but if I had to pick a different color I would go with Cookie's Deep Dark Secret.

AnnF said...

Hard to choose! But I'm thinking Waistcoat or Cookie's Deep Dark Secret. :)

Sally Henry said...

I've need done cables. This makes me want to try.

baldrick said...

I would knit the lovely Ode to Sky wrap in the colour Putty to accentuate the cable patterns. Thank you for the opportunity to also win some of your blue faced leicester yarn to knit this wrap in time for fall.

Joyce said...

Beautiful! I would knit it in Blackwatch. I love the colors on that one.

Unknown said...

I'd knit it in the Fjord colorway. It's gorgeous!

Gwyn said...

I think I'd try for a colorway in the jade family, to really bring out the viney texture. Or a lovely all kinds of grey, so it looked like the beach on Skye (where I spent a happy morning with my sister, a lifetime ago).

Martina said...

I would love to do this in Blackberry. I was on a knitting cruise and stopped on Isle of Skye and visited that yarn shop. A day of a lifetime...

Unknown said...

Sage green or grey. Beautiful pattern!

LGC said...

I'm a big fan of your bold multi-colorways. But for this wrap, I think a solid color like Dobson would be best. It would be a clean palette that would showcase the beautiful cable design.

Lisa said...

Such a beautiful pattern! Such a hard decision, but I would probably want to knit it in Waistcoat or Campbell!

Anonymous said...

I think I would do it in Charcoal. It's beautiful. (Hammaboo/Rav)

Anonymous said...

Monrovia is one option....there are many. Diane

Unknown said...

Monrovia is the color I would choose. This is a gorgeous pattern.

Sharripie said...

I love knitting cables! I think I'd like to do this in Periwinkle.

Ann said...

What a gorgeous pattern! Hard to pick a color but maybe kerfuffle or Cookie's deep dark secret.

Cheryl Lewis said...

So beautiful! Would like to knit in Rippey. Love purple...

JudyAnn said...

Blackberry for me!

Beth Goldman said...

I'd just use a beautiful cream colorway. Show up the stitch definition!

Freaky Knitter said...

Oh my that is a lovely piece!! I love, love, love Haymarket and I think I would knit mine in Monrovia...just enough color changes to keep things interesting. I might even strand it depending on the lots...ahhhh knitting!!

Louise E said...

Thank you for this generous offer. I would choose Dusk for this pattern. Lovely

Nancy T. said...

"Dobson" or "Dusk" I think...or maybe "Echo". They are all so lovely, it is difficult to choose! Thanks for showcasing such a beautiful pattern as well. It is already in my Ravelry queue!

Libby L said...

I love the Rippey, the deep purples are gorgeous <3

Jody said...

Perhaps Waistcoat. Definitely something more solid. What a lovely pattern!

Unknown said...

Lovely design. I would love it in pewter!

Carmen/Tapgurl on Ravelry said...

I would knit it in the same color as the sample. It's gorgeous and would go with anything, just like your favorite jacket.

jerseyknitter said...

Oh, thing of beauty! I'd knit one in pale gray.

Diane/bearknitter on Ravelry said...

The pattern is gorgeous in this color, but I'd make it in Blackberry.

Unknown said...

Beautiful. I'd knit it in Perwinkle or Pine.

Linda Diak said...

Beautiful piece! Cedar would be my choice. Or Grant St Ink. Or Putty. sigh.

Kathy said...

That is a beautiful pattern. How can you pick one color? I've narrowed it down to Cookie's Deep Dark Secret or Waistcoat. CDDS if I had to pick just one.

Rav conradk

Gena O. said...

Sage! It would be so pretty!

Rachael said...

I would probably go with Humboldt.

Carol Perecman said...

I think a red would be great with the cables...Cranberry or Chagrin, hard to tell on the computer...whichever, it would be lovely! (Ceejay on Rav)

Laura Drake said...

Navy Pier would be perfect...all the colors of water blended together and flowing with the cables. Lovely.

kruthig said...

I love the Fjord color. Beautiful pattern.

Linda Fallon said...

That is really gorgeous; I think that would be beautiful in your sage yarn.

Bonnie said...

There are so many choices of excellent colors! I'd pick Dobson, I think.

katiemetzroth said...

Dobson is lovely. :)

Valoria said...

Pick me, pick me! I love the Ode to Skye wrap and would knit it in Chocolate or Firefly.

Vasiliki said...

I would love it in Kerfuffle, what a great wrap! Putty would also look great.....too many great choices!

rav name: vstarborn

Lorna's Laces said...

And, Cheryl Lewis is our lucky winner. Cheryl, I've sent a Rav note. Please get in touch so we can get yarn and a pattern on their way to you!