A Year of Incredible Collaborations
When you collaborate with talented dyers and purpose-driven yarn brands, the magic of joining forces transforms into an exciting journey of creativity and connection✨
This year has been a remarkable adventure for me, marked by collaborations that have enriched my creativity and strengthened my bonds within our community. In each hand-dyed strand and carefully chosen color, you can feel the passion and dedication these artists put into their work, celebrating their craftsmanship and their deep connection to their art. Collaboration is so much more than supporting independent talent - it is an opportunity to make a positive impact, encourage the exchange of ideas, and promote mutual growth.
.: MKAL 2024 :.
Ritmika was born from an idea deeply connected to the rhythm within us - the vital force that guides and defines us. Every heartbeat and every step we take is part of a unique cadence, our melody. Some live with a vibrant, energetic rhythm, while others find harmony in a quieter, more serene tempo. This design captures that diversity and celebrates the constant movement of life. To reflect this, I have used three vibrant colors that intertwine like a dance, moving to the rhythm of your inner music. Each stitch slowly reveals a mysterious choreography of shapes and colors that I've created for you in the form of a scarf. Carolina from @tejeritas has prepared stunning palettes of bright, uplifting colors that will surround you with good vibes and invite you to knit. This has been a meaningful experience and we are both thrilled and proud of the result.
.: Amirisu Sock Club 2024 :.
As you already know, I love to design. Spending hours swatching, testing colors, experimenting with new stitches, and exploring different constructions keeps my creativity alive and my heart happy. This year, I had an incredible opportunity: earlier this year, Amirisu, a renowned brand from Japan that hand-dyes artisan and rustic yarns, opened a call for submissions. Their semi-solid color palettes, in soft and monochromatic tones, are simply stunning, and I couldn't resist applying them.
I proposed a simple design, Ethereal Lines, with a special twist - I wanted to mimic the embroidered details on the thigh to create something delicate and unique. Imagine my excitement when I found out that my design had been selected for their June feature! It was also a pleasure to receive their materials directly from Japan and bring this project to life with their exquisite yarns.
The pattern is currently available exclusively as part of their Sock Club KIT, in both English and Japanese. I'm incredibly proud of this achievement, as it's a powerful reminder that perseverance and passion always bear fruit. ❤️
.: Dos Tierras - Duality Collection :.
When I start designing, I always let the theme guide me and focus on what the call for entries is looking for. In this case, having a good understanding of Malabrigo Dos Tierras was an advantage, as I had worked with this yarn before and knew it was perfect for imagining unique and versatile accessories. However, my goal was not to simply repeat formulas; I wanted to create something new, and fresh, that would challenge both my creativity and the expectations of those who knit it. I hope I achieved that!
I was fascinated to work with the concept of duality, an idea that constantly inspires me and is deeply intertwined with human nature. The coexistence of opposites was the starting point for this design: a cowl that explores texture through delicate colors and slipped stitches used to evoke sensations, allowing the duality to manifest itself subtly and open to the personal interpretation of each knitter. This design is called Melody Cowl and I have worked it in two colors - you can use analogous colors or ones with strong contrasts.
This design will be available in January 2025 and I can't wait to share it with you. When it's posted on Ravelry, I'll also share more details and photos of my project. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I loved making it. Stay tuned! 🌟
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I'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, or doubts, or just want to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment here. You can also write to me directly at my email address: info@susanalobosdesigns.com. I look forward to connecting with you and getting to know you better.
I also invite you to follow me on Instagram @susanalobosdesigns 😊
