DESIGNER STYLE CHALLENGE+AWARDS

The results are in for the People's Choice Awards from the Designer Style Challenge at the Creativ Festival.  The winner in the Knitting & Crochet category is....

The Challenge
Create an original mixed media work of art -- we're searching for the best in Canada! There's an incredible array of talent out there, some known and some yet undiscovered. We're excited to invite you to showcase your expression of creativity.

The Theme is "Celebration" with a touch of silver
The theme is celebration and because it's Creativ Festival's 25th SILVER anniversary a touch of silver (from minimal to maximum) is required as the continuous thread throughout all entries. Otherwise open ended to encourage creativity.

The Awards & 8 Categories
As part of Creativ Festival's on-going evolution and one of its many new 25th SILVER anniversary initiatives, Designer Style Awards will give recognition to those who excel in the arts of quilting, beadwork & jewellery design, needle art, knitting/crochet, fashion sewing & design, fibre art/surface design, paper art and the hot trend of upcycling.

The Judging Criteria
- inspiration and creativity
- craftsmanship and quality
- intricacy and complexity of the design
- innovative use and diversity of materials
- finishing

The Submission
A double-pendant lamp shade accented with silver seed beads throughout the fabric and hanging Swarovski crystal beads set against a knit lace stitch pattern. The mixed media included lace knitting with seed beads, plain stocking stitch knitting, Swarovski crystals to add 'jewelry' to the lamp shade and a hanging double-pendant lamp-shade. The touch of silver was the use of 525 silver seed beads knit into lace stitch pattern throughout the fabric.

Thank you to everyone who voted for 'Starry Nights' as their favorite design!

PANTONE FASHION COLOR REPORT FALL 2013

Pantone® today released their fashion colors for fall 2013 during the first day of New York Fashion Week.  The colors are described as a ‘Palette of Many Moods’. These moods range from sophisticated and structured to lively and wild.  “Just as the leaves change in autumn, the consumer will enjoy the ability to change their ‘look’ and try a new approach to their wardrobe for brisk days ahead,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.  “The fall 2013 palette allow for that versatility and experimentation.”

The color palette is diverse and reflects the use of unconventional color combinations that designers have embraced - it provides an exciting opportunity to mix bold, vibrant colors with a neutral staple.

The following are the top 10 colors for Fall 2013:

1. Deep Lichen Green      lush, mossy shade of green 
2. Acai                              deep purple inspired by the acai berry
3. Emerald                        lively, radiant lush green - color of the year 2013
4. Mykonos blue               bold blue named for the seas off a Greek island
5. Turbulance                   dark mercurial gray - a neutral staple
6. Samba                          fiery and spirited red
7. Linden Green               yellow-toned green
8. Carafe                          warm, rich coffee brown
9. Koi                                a variation on Tangerine - the 2012 color of the year
10. Vivacious                      deep fuchsia

Pantone is the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industry.  The Fashion Color Report is used as a reference tool by designers in the fashion and home furnishings industry.  The colors will be seen this fall in fashion and home, jewelry and cosmetics.

HORSESHOE LACE

STITCH OF THE MONTH - February 2013

Horseshoe Lace is a popular, classic lace stitch pattern.  The lace stitch creates lovely scalloping at the cast-on edge which makes it a good alternative to use at edgings rather than typical ribbing patterns.  The bind-off edge will have a straight edge instead of the scalloping effect.  This is not a bulky stitch pattern and will offer excellent drape to a garment.

It is an ideal choice for those learning to knit lace patterns as it is simple, but that elegant simplicity also appeals to experienced knitters and designers which is why it continues to be a popular stitch pattern.

Horseshoe Lace Stitch Pattern
(Multiples of 10 stitches + 1 stitch)

Row 1 (RS):        K1, *yo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo, k1; rep from * to end
Row 2 and all WS rows:  Purl
Row 3:                K1, *k1, yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, k2; rep from * to end
Row 5:                K1, * k2, yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, k3; rep from * to end
Row 7:                K1, * k3, yo, sk2p, yo, k4; rep from * to end
Row 8:                Purl
These 8 rows form the Horseshoe Lace stitch pattern.

Abbreviations
sk2p       slip 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stitch over
yo           yarn over