Yarn Pairings for Amirisu Issue 22

A dreamy new issue of Amirisu is out and this one has the theme Strata. Beautifully photographed knitwear awaits you in a series of muted ethereal scenes, set amongst the lush greenness of the Osaka Prefecture Flower Garden. Twelve designs for Spring and Summer layers, as well as warmer garments to prepare you for colder weather are brought together from ten different designers: Fiona Alice, Trine Bertelsen, Sari Nordlund, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Ririko, Eri Shimizu, Nataliya Sinelshchikova, Orlane Sucche, Dianna Walla and Amirisu.

The theme of Strata looks at layers, so designs with repeating lace motifs, subtle stripes and light fabrics dominate. The magazine also contains a craft guide to Okinawa with features on textile traditions and recommendations for museums, textile workshops, and pottery galleries. So without further ado, let's take a closer look and match up some yarns.

Agave by Orlane Sucche - Knitted from the top down, this simple and light jumper features a wide neck and raglan increases. Stripes are worked with a contrast colour and rows of eyelets, giving a simple elegant rhythm to the design. I would choose the smooth softness of Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply for a top that would feel great next to the skin as well as layered over a shirt.

Blomsterkrans by Dianna Walla - This lively cowl and hat set are both knit in the round with a repeating flower motif. Using stranded colourwork to create a two colour design. The third colour seen in the flowers is added with duplicate stitch at the end to avoid long floats and tangling three strands of yarn. I would choose the softness and great grip of Garthenor Preseli.

Calathea by Amirisu - I love this cute little neckerchief that looks like the leaf of a tropical plant tied around your neck. Worked from point to point with a slipped stitch pattern that can be viewed from both sides. Knit in a combination of lace weight and 4ply yarn and linen blends. I would try the Fibre Co Meadow paired with something simple like Coopknits Socks Yeah!

Fay by Fiona Alice - Starting with the hem that is worked in two pieces they are then overlapped and the body is joined to work in the round. Working up from the hem and incorporating lace details at the side seams the body is worked on the bias creating pleasing symmetrical diagonal rows. Continuing to the underarm the front and back are then divided and worked flat. The sleeves are worked in a similar way from the cuff upwards and seamed into the armholes. I would try the Fibre Co Amble, a lovely soft alpaca blend that would give great stitch definition.

Humboldt by Amirisu - This linen top would be so light and fun to wear as a summer layer. Simply shaped but with enough cover to keep the sun off on hotter days. Worked from the bottom up and in the round the sleeves and body are worked separately and then joined to work the lace yoke. The simple neckline is all this top needs and finished it off nicely. Try Växbo Lin Lingarn which blocks out an holds lace definition wonderfully.

Lelia by Nataliya Sinelshchikova - A drop shoulder jumper that is worked flat in pieces. The decorative band is created by picking up stitches on the fronts and over the back as you would pick up for the band of a cardigan, These are then joined at the front with a three needle cast off. I guess this construction would also give you the opportunity to cardiganise this design if you wished. The gentle tones of this jumper is reminding me so much of the undyed shades of Garthenor Number 3.

Liila by Sari Nordlund - This interesting sleeveless top is for knitters who like a little curious drama in their outfits. Simply shaped and worked in the round from the bottom up. It would make a great layering piece or just worn on its own. Though this top doesn't want to be simple and is given an unusual twist by a dramatic ruffle that is worked separately and sewn on afterwards. Go bold and choose some contrasting colours or a more muted monochrome version. Knit in a lace weight I would choose Hélène Magnússon Gilitrutt Tvíband for no other reason than its new to us and gorgeous. For the ruffle, a bit of fuzz from Fyberspates Cumulus would be ideal.

Nigella by Kate Gagnon Osborn - This amazingly textured shawl has a slightly asymmetric shape created by pacing the increases differently on each side. Combining different textural motifs throughout, giving this design a sense of scale. The Fibre Co Cumbria Fingering should work here, it has the right fibre blend, but is a little thinner. Alternatively something more textural like Stolen Stitches Nua.

Plumeria by Eri Shimizu - Starting from the top and working down. This simple top has some elegant details. German short rows are use to create the neckline and I particularly like the way the stripes along on the shoulder sit next to each other. Worked in the round and then flat and then back to the the round again, giving you a space for the sleeves which are worked in the round after being picked up from the body. Subtle stripes are achieved by combining two different weights of yarn, a lace and a 4ply. I would pair the gently undulating colours of Fyberspates Gleem Lace with the solid colours of Triskelion Yarn Mona 4ply.

Ranunculus by Trine Bertelsen - A lovely cardigan which has a simple but quite effective all over lace repeat. Worked from the top down and with raglan increases. Length is easily adaptable with short or long sleeves depending on the season. Designed with an open front this would make a light or warm layer depending what you knit it in. This design is knit in a 4ply cotton. I would they Nurturing Fibres Eco Fusion a 50/50 bamboo and cotton blend that would catch the light in a nice way.

Sand Waves by Ririko - This jumper is worked top down and in the round starting with this evocative lace yoke. It really captures that feeling of an expanse of beach after a wave has been over it. This moves onto a simple body and a deep split hem that is slightly lower at the back. I think the gentle colours of Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply would work here and add nice definition to the lace sections. Or Countess Ablaze Rebel Batch for something more luxurious.

Thistle by Sari Nordlund - These socks are alive with texture. Featuring a wavy lace repeat that flows down from the simple cuff and along the top of the foot. Knit in a nylon free sock yarn, I would go for Triskelion Yarn Mama Qucha Sock.