Kara-Kum as Anzula and Stitch Sprouts collaboration
I was waiting for my new site to launch, so I am a little late with this post. At the same time, I really want to write about it since I love Anzula yarns, Stitch Sprouts, and I loved to make this design for the booklet that was the result of this collaboration.
Partner # 1: I have been designing with many yarns from Anzula. Sabrina, Charlie, and Logan are the most generous, fun, and creative people. Their young, contemporary, and fresh approach to texture, colors, and design aesthetics is very much appreciated and contagious. 
Just to give you an example. I was working on my Slip-Stitch Knitting DVD with Interweave and was looking for yarn to make a cowl as a main project of that workshop. During TNNA I came to Anzula's booth and told Sabrina and Charlie about this project. The next thing you know many skeins of different colors of For Better or Worsted (love this name) yarn were on the floor and we were playing with combinations until the choice was narrowed down to a few. After swatching with all these colors, I ended up with this combination. Not only colors, but the yarns themselves is the honor to work with.Partner # 2: When I've met Heather Zoppetti , a wonderful designer, author, and the owner of Stitch Sprouts, I knew that we will become friends and I should include my designs in her quite impressive catalog. Go to the website and see for yourself why I am saying this. Now, I am a proud Stitch Spout designer.A few months ago Heather asked her designers if they want to contribute to the booklets that she will publish for Anzula yarns. I was very busy with book work and many other deadlines, but how I could say no to this?I told Heather that I could do a small accessory project.Partner # 3: Me :)
The yarn I got from Anzula was Cricket. It is a beautiful blend of merino wool with cashmere and just a touch ofnylon. The stitch definition of this yarn is so great that almost any stitch pattern will show its best. I was happy with the choice and I knew this yarn since I already had designs from it. I loved the color. These are the elements needed for an inspiration. In addition, I am obsessed (if you did not noticed yet ;) ) with slip-stitch patterns. I was in the middle of writing the book on that topic. Some of my most favorite stitch patterns are the ones that produce a very textured woven-looking fabric.And so watching began. I tried a few different stitch pattern, but this really was the one.
It is called Multidirectional Weave and in my description of this hat I said: "The simple multidirectional woven slip stitch is forming a look of sand dunes in the dessert like Kara-Kum that is located in Central Asia."The name of the design is Kara-Kum, if you doubted. All the specifications of this hat and where to buy it can be found on its Ravelry page.The nature of slip-stitch patterns is that for the most part they have a very deceiving appearance. Take a look at this one. If you never tried knitting this stitch, you would be very drawn to it and probably say that it is not an easy one to knit. I am revealing a big secret here for people who are not familiar with slip-stitch techniques: It is unbelievably easy. If you are a knitter and know how to work a Stockinette stitch, your knowledge level is just right for this one.I kept the Multidirectional Weave all the way to the crown and made a modification in a way that the stitch continued all the way to the top of my "dune" like the wind do it to the sand. It was so much fun! Here are more pictures of the hat and my lovely model Katy.
