Interweave Knits

Dear Reader, Before I started working on this issue of Knits, my knowledge of art nouveau was somewhat limited. In my head, the movement wasn’t really distinct from the blockier look of the arts-and-crafts style and the zigzags and sharp angles of art deco that bookend it. But buried between those two styles is something unique: Art nouveau is full of undulating, asymmetrical lines inspired by whimsical flora and fauna—a gorgeous escape into the beauty of the natural world. If you, too, are somewhat unfamiliar with this movement, the article on page 8 shares an interesting look at the wide range of art styles from the period—with a knitting twist. The designs in this issue are some of my favorites—the aesthetic and influence of art nouveau lend themselves surprisingly well to knitwear.…

1 Alphonse Mucha’s distinctive artistic style helped define the art nouveau movement. Add a little touch of his art to your project bag with Mucha’s Princess Hyacinth Pin. This petite pin offers a beautiful copy of one of Mucha’s pieces in miniature and is UV resistant and water resistant to boot! www.enchantedlivingmag.com 2 No project bag is truly complete without a pair of scissors. These Art Nouveau Embroidery Scissors are perfect for the multicrafter. The delicate handles and gold color are inspired by the warm botanical motifs of the art nouveau movement. Each pair comes with a scissor sheath and a gold tassel fob for added sophistication. www.sublimestitching.com 3 A Glass Cable Needle adds some gentle beauty to your cable knitting. This gorgeous and dainty cable needle is handcrafted from…

Natural dyes—produced mainly from plants but with some notable dyes from insects, snails, and minerals—have been used to dye fiber for thousands of years. To achieve the most-desired colors and most-reliable colorfastness, there are numerous recipes, from simple to complex, handed down over millennia. The process is part science, part art, and a little bit of magic. These four yarns use natural dyes to achieve their garden-inspired colors. 1 LANA PLANTAE WORSTED WEIGHT RAMBOUILLET DYED NATURALLY WITH MARIGOLD Content: 100% Rambouillet wool | Color: Marigold | Put-up: 240 yd (220 m)/4 oz (113 g) | Weight: Worsted Rambouillet sheep trace their origins back to a flock of Merino. Like Merino, the wool is fine and soft. This yarn is softly spun and plied, making it—as well as the fabric it produces—feel more like…

Knitters have long captured the attention of artists throughout history. Looking at works created in the years leading up to, during, and just after the art nouveau period, we can witness the dynamic range of art being produced while also gaining insights into society at the time. Join art historian Fronia E. Wissman as she shares insights into five enduring pieces with knitters center stage. 1882 In 1882, when Georges Seurat (1859–1891) made this drawing, he was just beginning to develop his singular painting style—the juxtaposition of hundreds of small dots of color to depict figures and landscapes. In art school he had practiced drawing antique sculptures and details of old master paintings to learn how to use line and shading to describe form and volume. He learned these lessons so well…

Cicada-wing motifs outline the deep square neck on the bodice of the elegant Naiades Tunic, while decorative panels of drooping wisteria lace adorn the tops of the sleeves and flow down the a-line skirt. The tunic is worked modularly for minimal finishing. YARN Plymouth Yarn Tussah Kissed Difficulty Yarn Weight Finished Size 33½ (37½, 42, 46, 50½, 54½, 58½, 62½)" circumference at underarm. Pullover shown measures 33½ "; modeled with 4" of negative ease. Yarn Plymouth Yarn Tussah Kissed (60% alpaca, 30% linen, 10% tussah silk; 357 yd [326 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): #104 Aqua Mint, 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins. Needles Size 3 (3.25 mm): 24" circular (cir). Size 5 (3.75 mm): 24–32" cir, depending on size you are making. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge. Notions Markers…

Named for Loie Fuller, a pioneering art nouveau dancer, the Loie Shawl is full of movement and grace. Beginning with a garter-tab cast-on, this classic top-down triangle shawl incorporates an allover lace pattern before transitioning into a scalloped border. The cotton-and-silk yarn adds lovely sheen and drape to this springtime beauty. YARN Fibra Natura Papyrus, distributed by Universal Yarn Difficulty Yarn Weight Finished Size 69" wide at top edge and 36" deep at center back. Yarn Fibra Natura Papyrus (78% cotton, 22% silk; 131 yd [120 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): #229-10 Elderberry, 8 balls. Yarn distributed by Universal Yarn. Needles Size 5 (3.75 mm): 32" circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge. Notions Markers (m); tapestry needle. Gauge 18 sts and 29 rows = 4" in Lace patt. NOTES • For techniques you don’t know,…