I love experimenting. I love experimenting with new techniques and materials. Even if that requires a lot of time and energy. At the end of the process, I may feel exhausted, but I feel like I have discovered something, no matter how small or insignificant. This is how I basically learned to knit. I presented myself a problem, eg. how to increase stitches, and then tried to figure out ways to solve the problem. Granted, this is not the most efficient way of learning something*, but this way I got to the result of really knowing how to increase stitches in multiple ways and understanding their structure and qualities. And what better reward, to discover that you have reached the same result as your books? Awesome!
*Obviously, I don’t use just this method anymore.
This is the process that I followed when I discovered frilly yarn and decided to work with it. Frilly yarn is a weird yarn: it comes in many different configurations and one can be easily fooled by a skein if it’s ‘body’ doesn’t get stretched to reveal it’s netting. It can be used an ‘as is’ bulky yarn for thick needles and hooks (and spend $$$ for way too many skeins) or as it is usually intended: an already worked net that easily creates wavy curly patterns. The netting is really important, from it’s width to it’s density. I have found that not all frilly yarns are suitable for all frilly yarn projects.
Not entirely visible here, but in the red example, the multicolor strips are specifically positioned in order to create a diagonal gradient effect. (instead of a chaotic pattern)
I have worked on several frilly yarn projects in the past. The most recent project was last year, when a new idea popped into my mind: use the yarn as long strips of fabric. I thought, instead of working directly on the yarn and ruffling it up, to open it up, connected at the sides and make a big piece of fabric that can be used in several ways. I cut the yarn in same length strips, decided to use single crochet stitches to connect the sides together and the final result to be a beach kaftan. What I didn’t expect, was the incredible amount of time it took to connect each strip. I used sewing thread to crochet each netting opening quite close and I almost destroyed my eyes in the process. That’s why, when the red piece was done, I gave the second one to a friend of mine that worked it on a sewing machine. She told me that because of the structure of the yarn’s edges, it was still quite difficult to work with.
But we made it! And made two very beautiful lacy pieces.
aaaand we won’t be repeating them. Both pieces are quite pretty and I think make good use of the frilly yarn, but not worth the effort, unless of course, we find a type of yarn that it’s easier to work with when sewing. 🙂
In the meantime, both of these pieces are available for sale, so if you are interested in getting your hands on something unique but also affordable, don’t miss the chance! 😉
I still have several different frilly yarns stashed that I will revisit again at some point. Who knows what kind of ideas might come next! xD
