The Creative Process---Embellishing Knits

Have you ever noticed that when the same exact recipe is prepared by two different people, it can taste so differently? I have.

Each of us has a unique way of going about things----our own ideas, our own techniques, our own tools and know-how. Moreover, I'm fascinated by other people's creative process---how did they come up with that design or that sewing pattern? Or even that recipe? Often, it's a amalgamation of experimentation, alterations, unique concepts, or even just serendipity.

I like to take things a bit further, to expose the parts that create the whole. In that attempt, from time to time I'm delving a bit deeper in the creative process. To explain more than just show and this is my first post.

I knitted up a simple hat pattern out of one of my handspun yarns. The colors are so spring-like (variations of green and brown). I decided to take that spring effect and go with it. Flowers are opening up all over the place----how about a flower on this spring wool hat?!

Here's how to embellish your knits with a simple little flower---bring a bit of spring into your life, too.

First, choose a color family for your embroidery---one in which you have two similar yarns in different hues (that is, choose a main color--- as in red, blue, yellow, etc----and alter the hue a bit). For this flower, I chose a reddish color which led me to a reddish orange and a peach---both from the same "family" but differing enough to draw attention to both. Some other color combos could be differing hues of green (moss and pea) or yellow (sunflower and wheat).

Use the more subtle color of the two for the base stitching. Stitch large stitches in a donut shape to lay out the initial design---focus on large stitches. Don't pull these stitches too tight for you want them to stretch along with the knitted fabric.

Once you have laid out your initial shape, switch to the more dramatic color (darker) and begin stitching petals to your flower. The petals are stitched using a large chain stitch over the subtle base stitching. Don't overdo the chainstitches---you don't want to completely obscure your foundation stitching, just enhance it. In addition, you want these petals to extend out past the base stitches so they pop a bit. Again, don't pull these stitches too tight. I might briefly wash my hat just to felt it enough to adhere the embellished stitching to the knitted fabric underneath...

Voila!  A spring wool hat for that in-between time of year---a time full of promises of warm summer days but still whispering remembrances of yesterday's cold embrace.

Now off to line the hat with soft cotton jersey knit...

Comments

[Anna]

Love the colors and I really like how you have 2 layers give the flower a lot more depth.

[Carolyn]

Totally sweet hat. The embroidered flower really makes it stand out. Great job! xxoo

[margaret oomen]

I really love your hat amber . Your handspun yarn is scrumptious ( I couldn't help the cooking reference) and the detail of the layered flower just makes it so unique. I love to add simple embelishments to things I make and also to redo thrift or store bought items. It snowed here a little this morning after very warm summer like weather for more than one week. Always surprises !

[tiennie]

That is really cute! What a great idea!

[Ellen]

That looks wonderful! I love hats but I'm not a wearer of hats very often - you know it's just a vanity thing - 'hat hair' combined with the large head phenomenon. :) Thanks for sharing your process.

[Alyssa]

super cute!

[bean]

Love it!! Instead of washing it, you could just needle felt the wrong side of that flower embroidery, too! -- I recently made a felted bag with little daisy chain flowers embroidered on it in wool, but I didn't want to lose the detail of the embroidery on the front of the bag, so I just needle felted the back and it worked out great! Work the needle a little bit sideways, so it doesn't felt the front :)

[Leslie]

Nice job! You're right--the knitter's creativity, the yarn, the colors, all play a part in making handknits unique.

[Randi]

Gosh, I wish I would knit! The hat is so cute!

[erin]

it's super cute, amber!

[Renna]

First off, I LOVE what you've done, turning an ordinary hat (though knit in beautiful handspun!) into something extra-ordinary.

I struggle with interpreting written instructions. Something between reading and comprehending gets lost on me. I understand the second step, as I can 'see' those stitches, but I'm a bit confused by the first stitches. Were they done in the same manner as the second set? Is my question even making sense? I ask because I really want to do this! :-)

[Sarah Jackson]

Really cute hat Amber! I'd totally wear it if it weren't 95 degrees here. Sigh.