31 Outfit Challenge--#11

Here is the latest outfit in my knitted/crochet items challenge.

This project was my most time-comsuming and challenging yet, and I loved making it.  It is actually my entry as a "swatcher" into the knitting design contest called http://thefiberfactor.com/ being held by Skacel Yarn company. There are 12 actual designers who are contestants in the 6 month contest and they are given a different design challenge each month. Followers who are not actual contestants but want to complete the challenges are called "Swatchers" and there is even a section on their web page for us!(and some sort of prize)

They are now on Challenge 3 which is called "Blank Slate". They were sent 15 skeins of the beautiful yarn called KENZIE by HIKOO and could make anything they want. You can read more about what the entries will be judged on at their website.

I was able to get some of the same yarn, but in a different colorway (the actual contestants had to use a beige color). My colorway is called "Bayberry" and is a wonderful rich tweedy orange.

Since I wanted a complete outfit I immediately went shopping for this soft challis in fall colors to go with it.

I decided to do a "sampler" sort of sweater and started with a simple form made out of rectangles for the back, sides and arms. I divided those up into smaller rectangles and made those with over 25 different lace and texture patterns with diagonal lines. I have recently begun experimenting with joining crochet and knitting in the same piece and did so on this. The body is done with knit motifs and the arms and front band with crochet.

Here are some of the crochet and knit pattern books I used to research and find diagonal designs:

Here are some close up pictures of the diagonal lace blocks in my sweater:

I wanted to stay with the diagonal line motif so chose this pattern for my skirt (the version with all the points at the bottom)

Here is a "caught in the wind" shot where you can really see those diagonal points!

I am definitely ready to start my fall knitting and sewing.  More later!