Friendship Across the Oceans A mini collection by Clare Devine and Sally-Jane Cameron
Introduction Knitting, yarn and friendship are the ties that bind so many of us together. Many in the knitting community would count amongst their closest friends people who they might have only met once or twice, or sometimes they have never actually met at all. Yet the love of a craft has drawn us together even though geographical oceans separate us. Clare and Sally-Jane’s friendship is one like this. They have been lucky enough to snatch a few moments of time together in person, when their paths have crossed over the years they have know each other, but most of the time they have been many miles apart. The journey of life has meant their paths have led them to places that they might never have imagined when they first met. They both currently live next to an ocean, a place where they each find peace in amongst the daily chaos. Their connection continues to grow through knitting, their stories and life experiences. Thanks to technology and social media, they can skip messages of friendship across the world like stones across the ocean. These friendly waves across the ocean can help carry them through tough times and celebrate the good times together with smiles and laughter. This mini collection is a celebration of their friendship and knitting journeys. Each designer picked two skeins of beautiful yarn, passed one to their dearest friend and kept the other to design with. The result, four gorgeous accessories, each with its own distinctive style and wonderful story working together to tell the story of love, adventure and most importantly enduring friendship.
Crossing Paths
Inspired by the intricate ways that our lives entwine themselves. The stitches carefully crossing each other’s paths working together to create an exquisitely textured lace and cable pattern. This is a celebration of the beautiful moments where friends cross paths on their journeys, relishing in the joy of shared memories and the excitement of making plans for the future. Crossing Paths is worked flat with carefully thought out details that add a wonderful finish to the cowl. I-cord edges are worked with the body of the cowl complimenting the striking lace pattern. The cowl can be closed with buttons and i-cord buttonholes are joined in the round by either grafting or a three-needle bind off. While the lace and cable pattern looks intricate it is surprisingly easy to knit. Detailed video tutorials have been created to walk you through the techniques used, step by step. Using a single skein of gorgeous DK this cowl is the perfect project for showcasing that special skein. The length of the cowl is easy to adapt to suit the yardage of the yarn you have chosen.
Click to buy
Skipping Stones
I love going to the beach, and while I am not very good at skipping stones along the waves, I watch my husband and daughter as they trying to see who can skip theirs the furthest. From choosing the perfect stone to getting the aim just right. Happy times and family moments are to be treasured. Sometimes it is nice to imagine that these little stones could be messages skipping across the ocean to friends far away. I know how much a message of encouragement or a funny moment shared can make the day seem a much brighter place. The cables on this hat remind me of the little circles the stones leave as they skip across the water. It is worked from the cast on brim to the crown decreases with an optional pompom on top. Although the cable uses 2 cable needles it is very easy to remember and this hat is simple enough to knit while chatting to friends. 3 different sizes are available
Click to buy
Waves Across the Ocean
The world can feel like an enormous place, and yet tiny, all at the same time. The physical distances between us is quite vast, and we can not just drop in for a cup of tea. But thanks to technology, we are never really very far from a friendly chat or a word of encouragement. As I watch the waves splash onto my shores here in South Africa I imagine how these same particles of water might at one time or another been lapping around Clare’s feet in Australia. The cowl is knit in the round with a simple wave lace pattern on the bottom and top edges. Columns of rib extent from the waves on the bottom edge to the wave pattern on the top edge, connecting the 2 side of the world.
Click to buy
Winding Road
The winding roads of life can sometimes take us on unexpected journeys with twists and turns when we least expect them, this hat was inspired by that winding road and the enduring friendships that accompany us every step of the way. Worked from the brim to the crown this hat features a winding cable pattern with carefully integrated crown decreases meaning your crown is as gorgeous as the hat itself.The cables may look complicated but they are fairly easy to knit and can all be worked with, or without a cable needle. Charts and written instructions are provided allowing you to work with what you are most comfortable with. Video tutorials are available to show how to cable without a cable needle. The beautiful structure of the yarn really allows the cables to pop. The hat would also work with a slightly bouncier yarn or one with a subtle halo. You might have to make more than one of this fantastic hat.
Click to buy
Clare Devine Clare discovered her passion for knitting as she wandered along the trails of the Bibbulmun track in Western Australia back in 2011. Since then, wherever she’s wandered she’s taken her yarn and a pair of pointy sticks with her. Originally from South Africa, Clare was born with a wandering spirit and has spent most of her adult life on the move. Most recently she called the UK home, living first in Edinburgh and then just outside London, where she spent her days honing her knitting skills and often wearing all her knitting at once to keep the chills at bay. She has recently settled in Melbourne and is looking forward to making it her next home. You can find her at www.knitsharelove.com or on Instagram as @knitsharelove
When she is not knitting Clare can be found, fulfilling her two other creative passions, writing about knitting or taking photographs of knitting.
Sally-Jane Cameron Sally-Jane is a South African based knitwear designer. While she grew up in Pretoria she is now privileged enough to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Cape Town. She is married to The Geek and has 3 beautiful children, affectionately known as The Pinklets. She learnt to knit from her mother as a child and has been knitting most of her life. Now as a home schooling mom surrounded by kids, dogs, chickens, dishes, laundry, ironing (okay maybe not ironing) and housework all day, it is easy to lose who you are and why you are unique. Knitting gives her a tangible achievement, something for herself and in the midst of the chaos, she can make something beautiful. She and her daughter have a video podcast, links to which are on her blog, it gives you a glimpse into their world here in Cape Town, South Africa.
You can find her at www.pinkhairgirl.co.za or on Instagram as @pinkhairgirlknits
Friendship Across the Ocean
Melkbosstrand, Western Cape, South Africa
Parkdale, Victoria, Australia
The Yarns Eden Cottage Yarns are hand dyed by Victoria in Yorkshire, England.
Hartlam Yarns are hand dyed by Michelle in the Western Cape, South Africa.
She is known for her beautifully layered, complex colours and uses a wonderful range of gorgeous yarn bases.
She is known for her wide range of luxurious bases and stunning array of bold and subtle colour combinations.
Buy her yarn online at www.edencottageyarns.co.uk
Buy her yarn online at www.hartlam.co.za
Eden Cottage can also be found in great yarn stores in the UK, USA and South Africa
Click here to buy the collection from Ravelry