Yarn ideas for some Bristol Ivy patterns

We've started taking pre-orders for Bristol Ivy's new book, Knitting Outside the Box, Drape and Fold.

This is a follow on to her first book, Knitting Outside the Box and I thought it was a good excuse to have a look at that first book and come up with some suggested yarn/project combinations. Then I realised we had 2 other books and some magazines with patterns/articles by Bristol too, so you have multiple options to knit one of the beautiful designs she has produced over the last few years. Basically, I was seeing ideas everywhere. If only it was so easy to find the time to knit these ideas! But, if this post inspires a few of you to try my suggestions out, that's nearly the same and definitely also enjoyable.

Arbus is a sweater (35½" - 65¾" to be worn with 3"-5" inches positive ease) which is cleverly constructed with short rows. As soon as I started looking at the pattern I wondered what it would be like in Gilliatt - Poivre and Poivre Blanc would look great together and really show off the clever construction details.

Next, Canady. It is easy to see why this shawl is on the front cover of the book. It's so beautiful and the construction is intriguing - the ideal combination of fun to knit and great to wear when you are done.

I think the unusual colours of Nurtured would be great in Canady - this time I picked out Juliette but really any of them would give the depth this wrap deserves.

I'll be honest, Carr is the shawl in this book I most want to make - it is light and airy and is constructed so the sides increase at different rates. I could see myself wearing it tucked into a coat in the autumn and around my shoulders over a dress in the summer, because it's always wool season here in Scotland.

For this, I would love to give The Uncommon Thread's Posh Fingering a trial - I chose Nutcracker and Cobble for the picture but looking at the product page this morning, I also think Lust would be a striking choice.

Woodman is an open cardigan that lets hand dyed yarns take centre stage. I am intrigued by the pockets in the deep ribbing. For this, I thought of Neighborhood Fiber Company's Capital Luxury Sport in Ramblewood. Sport weight is a great compromise for yarn - more refined than DK but not quite as many stitches needed as fingering.

Wislawa is a cowl worked in the round with short row inserts that spiral around the cowl. It is the ideal project for one of those single skeins of luxury yarn where you want to use as much of it as possible. I think Floating would work very well in this.

For another cowl option, there's a beautiful deep one in Lilith's Coming Home book that I think would be stunning in one of Ulysse's rich colours.

Finally, if you fancy a combination of technique geekery, the most 80s technique and a pretty 80s yarn (I remember making a lace top in mint green brushed mohair in 1988 or so) - Bristol's intarsia Brambling shawl in A Year of Techniqueswould be the perfect choice. After reading Knitting Outside the Box, you might recognise the lines in this as being based on her madlib exercise and the end result is delightful colour blocks. Loft would be a fun option - the colours are deep and will combine beautifully.

Did you know we are always happy to help with yarn suggestions from our stock? Email us with what you are considering making and we will share our ideas.