As the weather heats up and the flowers bloom, I find myself reaching less for my thicker wool projects and craving a light, crisp, cool fabric. But I still want to knit something that grabs me and holds my interest, something I'll treasure knitting and enjoy once it's done. So I grabbed some skeins of Meadow Sport (the perfect warm-weather yarn), looked out at the lovely flowers popping up all around, and set to designing.
Flowers Nouveau Wrap is the result. It's an engaging knit from end to end, with sections that include lace, cables, beads, and colorwork (yes, you can do lace, cables, and colorwork with a plant-based yarn)! It is worked from one end to the start of the other, then the other end is worked bottom-up and the two pieces are grafted together. Beads are optional (the pattern tells you where to place them, but also tells you what to do instead if you omit them), but they add a little dazzle to an already dramatic piece. The center panel incorporates both colorwork and cables simultaneously and is the most challenging part, but the colors can still be worked one at a time (there is a tip in the pattern about this) for an easier experience.
The pattern is presented both full charted and fully written out, so you can follow in whatever way best suits you.
**Materials**
Meadow Sport by Wull Studios; 65% silk, 35% linen; 325 yds ( m)/ 3.5 oz (100 g):
2 skeins in Gold (Color A)
2 skeins in Rain (Color B)
Size 6/0 glass beads: approx. 300 in Color A (shown in amber color), approx. 160 in Color B (shown in topaz blue color)
US # 6 (4 mm) circular needles, or size to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
Small crochet hook or beading hook (for adding beads)
5 stitch markers (optional)
**Gauge**
2 horizontal repeats of Exploding Diamonds = 5.5 inches (14 cm) by 10 inches (25 cm)
Gauge is not crucial to pattern, but will affect yardage requirements and finished size.
**Finished Size**
87 inches (221 cm) long by 15 inches (38 cm) wide, relaxed after blocking. The ends flare out to 30 inches (76 cm).
