Wren's Designs

"76 Stitches on a Number 9 Hat"
from the Fall issue of Interweave Knits!!

Look for the pattern in the Fall issue of Interweave Knits!!!

Wren's Quotable Sweater Patterns©
All designs by Wren Ross
Edited by Kimberly O'Keefe

"Eternity Shawl"
“Forever is composed of nows.”
~Emily Dickinson

A design for the Himalaya Yarn Company
Patterns may be obtained at www.himalayayarn.com
Photos by Daena Giardella

This shawl was designed for Himalaya Yarn Company with their wool/ silk yarn. It is inspired by the Buddhist Eternal Knot called "srivatsa" in Sanskrit. It represents the infinite interconnection of all things and is one of the eight auspicious symbols in Buddhism. Srivatsa symbolizes the wisdom of Buddha and eternal life without beginning or end. Upon untying the infinite knot under the Bodhi tree, Buddha found enlightenment.

"Einstein's Easy Striped Jacket"
“Once you can accept the universe as being something expanding into an infinite nothing which is something, wearing stripes with plaid is easy.” ~Albert Einstein

A design for the Himalaya Yarn Company
Patterns may be obtained at www.himalayayarn.com
Photos by Daena Giardella

"Cape of Constant Change"
“Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal.”
~Schopenhauer

Part of the "Knitting Patterns for Life" section of Changing Patterns: Discovering the Fabric of Your Creativity published by Hay House.
Photo by Daena Giardella

This cape is a celebration of change. The yarn has undergone a magical transformation having begun its story as threads emerging from the silk worm that transforms into a moth. Butterflies and moths are universal symbols of the magic of metamorphosis.

The silk was then woven to become a sari, which is a shape-shifting garment. Saris are made of rectangular cloth draped to flatter the form of the body. When the wearer takes it off, the sari morphs back to its original rectangular shape. The remnants of these saris are cast off in the cutting room. The seemingly worthless shreds that fall to the ground are then spun into a new and splendid yarn that rises in value. Now we take that recycled yarn and convert it into a cape.

Capes can be cocoons. We are wrapped in swaddling when we greet the world as infants. This makes us feel secure. So, too, capes can wrap us and remind us that we are safe. Safety is an essential element for us to change and grow. Remember that the silkworm itself needs the security of the cocoon to develop.

A cape is a garment of quick change. The word ‘escape’ comes from the word cape. You “throw off your cape” to make a quick getaway when needed. It is a versatile cape that may be worn on a chilly spring day or night. It can also convert to a short skirt!

Making and wearing this cape is an embrace of life with all its change. It hugs our shoulders with the reminder that we are strong and beautiful beings of nature. Our transformation and growth mirror the way of the world.

Yarn: Himalaya Yarn’s “Tibet”
Classic Elite’s ‘LaGran” Infa-red and Azure
Needles: #15

"Stripes and Polka Dots Jacket"
"Polka dots get their 15 minutes. Stripes are 24/7"
~Colin Cowie - Celebrity event planner (from Time magazine, Summer 2005 supplement on design)

A design for the Himalaya Yarn Company
Patterns may be obtained at www.himalayayarn.com
Photos by Daena Giardella

"Turquoise Trail Vest"
I was in Taos New Mexico and Moab Utah when I created the “Turquoise Trail Vest.”
I am deeply moved by the light, colors and shapes of the Southwest. The brilliant orange hue of the craggy rocks set against a blazing yellow sun and bold turquoise sky fills me with awe. I chose two repeating designs separated by stripes for the pattern. One design is representative of mountains and stars and the other is a repeating oblong circle that depicts “the Window” arch in Arches Nat’l Park.

"Bird Step Cardigan"
'This sweater "Bird Step Cardigan" was featured in Ultimate Knitting magazine- Winter 03
It was selected to be in the fashion show at the Los Angeles and NYC Knit-Outs last year."

"Payette Ensemble"
Recently seen in Knit 'n Style Magazine.
Ask your local stockist for Skacel Pattern #P-A223-A.

"Marquessa"
Skacel Collection

Sangria Jean Dress
Skacel Collection

Tulipano Jean Dress
Skacel Collection

Solista T
A design for the Spring 2005 Skacel Collection

"Sweater/Shawl Duet"
Featured in JCA's Artful Yarn, Fall Collection 2004.

Blended Hood/Cowl
A design for Himalaya Yarns.
Photo by Daena Giardella

Color Chords - Designs with Harmony

Har-mo-ny (n)

To me, harmony is the blending of musical tones. I love to find harmonies in my knitting as well- blending tones of colors and textures. It is so satisfying and soothing to my eye, In fact, the late musician Kay Gardner in her book SOUNDING THE INNER LANDSCAPE; MUSIC AS MEDICINE talks about the healing properties of harmony. She held that the function of harmony is to access emotions. Each musical interval has a particular relationship of vibration and sound that creates different moods or feelings. That is why the interval of the fourth in Gregorian chant has such a sacred sound. Or the sound of the common third is so reassuring and pleasant. Gardner goes on to say that the vibrations of sound and color are linked. Each note in the scale is related to a different color. If that is the case, when we use two colors together it is indeed like making a "color chord"!

I have designed a few projects with the theme of harmonic blending in mind:

Blended Hood/Cowl:

Here is a blending of different yarns, different colors, different textures and different cultures.

Using Himalya Yarn "Tibet" and Classic Elite "La Gran Mohair", I have made a hood/cowl that was worn in medieval Europe. Today it is headgear that is both warm and stylish.

Other designs to come soon!!! So check back!