I am really excited to share the release of amisiru's Issue 12 which contains my second design published by them. Before the release of my first pattern with amirisu, Phōs in Issue 11, I was already working away on this new design for their winter, Issue 12. Once Phōs was released and I had a physical copy of the magazine in my hands, I was in awe of their simple and stunning treatment of each piece and the overall look of the publication. I have been patiently awaiting the arrival of this new winter collection ever since. I knew I could look forward to seeing another gorgeous collection put together by the amirisu team. I'm honoured to be included alongside other designers whom I admire and a few new names I am happy to discover. I thought I would share again some of the design process which went into creating my lastest pattern, Fort Grey.
I started gathering ideas for this project by examining amirisu's winter moodboard. I was particularly drawn to the three photos displayed below. There were a handful of examples of traditional knitted sweaters from Guernsey on the mood board. I absolutely loved the simplicity of this style and wanted to incorporate this texture into my design. At the same time, I loved the intricacy of the all-over cable pattern on the sweater to the right. I thought socks would be a perfect way to explore multiple stitch patterns and textures since they are a small accessory. I was also drawn towards the photo of the two sweaters because of their neural colours, grey and beige. I had the pleasure of visiting Guernsey with friends last spring and thought these warm neutrals reminded me of the sandy coastlines and the driftwood that collects along them.
Photo from Pinterest.
Photo from Pinterest.
Photo from Pinterest.
Below are my original sketches and samples which I sent to amirisu in my proposal. We settled on using Socks Yeah! by Coop Knits for the yarn. I used this yarn in the sample on the right. I thought it provided great stitch definition for the tiny over-all cable pattern. I also love the subtle heather quality that each colour has in the Sock Yeah! collection. Each colour is very interesting upon close inspection yet wouldn't distract from all the patterning which is happening in these socks. I had a hard time picking just one of Socks Yeah's soft neutrals so amirisu decided on the colour Axinite.
So finally, here is Fort Grey, a pair of socks which are knit from the toes up. A traditional Guernsey inspired texture runs along the top of the foot and then interlocking tiny cables emerge from the heel and decorate the back of the leg. I decided to name the pair directly after one of the forts I visited during my trip to Guernesy. Fort Grey was originally built along Rocquaine Bay by the British as defence during the Napoleonic Wars. It is now known as the Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum, where artifacts from both historical and recent shipwrecks around Guernsey are housed.
Photography by amirisu.
Photography by amirisu.
Photography by amirisu.
Just before I left for Finland to spend Christmas, I ordered more of Coop Knit's Socks Yeah! to knit my own pair of Fort Grey. This time I chose a slightly different colour for this pair, Obsidian. I was only able to cast them on while I was in Helsinki and worked on them a bit during my various flights home to Canada. They are now finished and ready to wear! One of my resolutions this year is to start wearing my own hand knit socks. I've enjoyed knitting a handful of pairs this past year but for me, they tend to sit out of sight and not get worn. I must change this! Fort Grey is now available as a single PDF download through amirisu's Ravelry shop or you'll see it when you purchase a copy of Issue 12!
