A touch of elegance

I am not one to fall madly in love with a pattern at first look. However, it has happened. I stumbled onto this one during the week and I am now in the middle of swatching.

Pleated Scarf by Sasha Kagan.

I have been trying to work out my attraction to this pattern. I think it's a combination of the color, the model and the fall of the scarf around her torso. It reminds me of the scarves and shawls I saw in my various travels around india. Women in their salwar suits, kameez or saris with shawls draped over their shoulders in the early morning air while they went about their daily routines. A simple touch of elegance that became part of my indian experience.

I've broken out a skein of painted silk that I have been saving for a very special occasion. And this is saying a lot, I avoid silk. I can't stand the smell. However sacrifices must be made when a pattern and yarn need to be together. I intend to turn the scarf into a shawl - wider and maybe shorter. It will all depend on how the swatching goes. Stay tuned.

4 down, 1 to go

I've made good progress on my "play it forward" art projects over the past couple of months. I've completed 4, with one to go. The latest completed "art project" was a complete custom build. :)

These are fire poi covers for a Burning Man friend of mine. 

Fire poi - A regular favourite of fire twirlers/dancers. Poi is a Maori word and the art of spinning poi originally comes from New Zealand, though can be found throughout the world today. Fire Poi are made of a ball of kevlar wick on the end of a chain that is swung around the body. Usually twirled in pairs, they create a beautiful circular fire trail about the fire dancer.

You use covers on your fire poi to stop the kevlar wick part of the poi from putting soot everywhere while you’re practicing.

Props to Jessy Henderson for the flame pattern comes from her “Flame On” hat - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flame-on

I put projects 2, 3 and 4 in the mail yesterday. Really looking forward to hearing back from the recipients. I just hope the fire poi and the two hats fit! :)