You might think that one becomes a bit blasé by working here at Knit with attitude, I mean there is literally beauty everywhere you look, and one could assume that this simply has to dampen the enthusiasm a bit… But no, nah, not at all and absolutely by no means – this does not happen! I do believe that for anyone who knit, crochet, weave or enjoy yarn in any way, there is something about the visually and tactilely pleasing that just grows and expands, it triggers all the senses – almost like you could smell or even taste the intensity of beauty.   

Fyberspates is a brand that has been with me from the very beginning, not only because of the beautiful fibre blends they develop, actually probably most for the colours. Jeni used to be an independent dyer, she knows exactly how to achieve the shade of your dreams. Personally I’m often drawn to greens, and back in the day (I still remember this so many years after) Jeni had a colour in her Scrumptious range named Jen’s Green – all though long gone and discontinued, to this day it is my most favourite green!

All though grown into this powerhouse of a yarn brand that Fyberspates is, not many of you, but some might know this – Jeni has been keeping her dyeing adventures on a hobby basis, and as a gardening and foraging enthusiast as well, her dyeing journeys led her onto the path of natural dyeing. So when she heard that her Peruvian dye studio was about to start working with natural dyes, she basically jumped onto a plane, ready to join them and embark on this very exciting adventure.

Know what I wrote above, on almost being able to delightfully taste the colour – that is exactly how I felt when I saw the Vivacious Botanical range for the first time. I went through the hardest time trying to decide on my favourite shade, and then landed on Elephant … because ELEPHANT! But when researching for my upcoming project, I’ve glanced over to George and him exploring colour combos (more on that in his previous blog post) and now I’m like: which shade, 4ply or DK, it really doesn’t matter I want to knit EVERYTHING!    

Maybe not absolutely everything, I’m actually on this quest – searching for the perfect project – and those below are my favourites and strongest contenders. You’ll see that simple is kind of a red thread throughout these knitting dreams of mine, and this is because all though the Vivacious is such an allrounder, a high twist Merino and a beautiful yarn for most techniques and structures, what I really want to show off in this project is … yes you guessed it … the over-wordly beautiful colours – the main problem now is where do I begin – which one first…

Cosy Classic Raglan by Jessie Mae

First up – the Cosy Classic Raglan (link to Ravelry). What I love the most about Jessie Mae’s designs is the fit. She is a designer who not only pride herself in grading for size-inclusivity, she also completely understands proportions, making each garment look flatteringly tailored. The Cosy Classic Raglan is exactly what it says on the tin – a classic, still with some beautiful simplistic detailing. This jumper can be made varying your desired texture, use the Vivacious Botanical 4ply held with a fluffy lace or the Vivacious Botanical DK on its’ own. For my calculations I chose another firm Fyberspates favourite – the Cumulus as my fluffy alternative.

Finished chest circumference is:
86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127){137, 147.5, 157.5, 167.5}cm / 34 (38, 42, 46, 50){54, 58, 62, 66}” 

For a DK version yarn quantities are:
4 (4, 5, 5, 6)(7, 7, 8, 9) hanks in Vivacious Botanical DK

For a 4ply and fluff version yarn quantities are:
2 (3, 3, 4, 4)(4, 5, 5, 6) hanks in Vivacious Botanical 4ply
5 (6, 7, 8, 8)(10, 11, 12, 12) balls in Cumulus

No Frills Sweater by Petiteknits

No Frill Sweater (link to designer’s website) is another classic for you, featuring Nordic simplicity, and this one made my list simply because it has been tried, tested and is so much loved. No Frills Sweater is a simple raglan sweater with neckline shaping at the front. The fit is slightly oversized, but the wide rib edges and the shorter length give the sweater a feminine silhouette. My friend Hyatt made this in Vivacious 4ply paired with Cumulus, have worn it constantly since finished, and loves it so much she just got the yarns to make another one! 

Finished bust circumference is:
100 (104, 108, 114, 120, 130, 137)cm / 39¼ ( 41, 42½, 45, 47¼, 51¼, 54)”

Yarn quantities are:
3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) hanks in Vivacious Botanical 4ply
5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) balls in Cumulus

Vneck Boxy by Joji Locatelli

You know how some garments never go out of style, and how they can be paired with whatever is currently in fashion whether it is boot cut jeans or pencil skirts, and that are so comfortable to wear you will simply wear it out until there’s nothing left of it. Vneck Boxy (link to Ravelry) is exactly one of those, a revamped version of her iconic Boxy, this time with a very flattering, and if you ask me, quite sexy neckline! 

Finished body circumference is:
155 (166, 166, 166, 185, 185, 185, 195)cm / 62 (66 ½, 66 ½, 66 ½, 74, 74 ,74, 78)”

Yarn quantities are:
4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6) hanks in Vivacious Botanical 4ply

Calm Down Cardigan by Lily Kate France

Calm Down (link to designer’s website) is the ‘elegant everyday’ cardigan every wardrobe needs. Think luxury designer knitwear vibes (with the added satisfaction of  that you in fact made it yourself)  with the neatest finishing details you ever did see. A gloriously seamless constructed cardigan, showcasing raised saddle shoulders, the design is near perfection and still so simple it really will elevate the stunning shades of the Vivacious Botanical DK.

Finished bust circumference is:
100 (111, 120, 131, 140) (151, 161, 172, 181)cm / 39.5 (43.5, 47.5, 51.5, 55.5) (59.5, 63.5, 67.5, 71.5)”

Yarn quantities are:
7 (7, 7, 8, 8)(9, 9, 10, 11) hanks in Vivacious Botanical DK

Adelia Tee by Florence Spurling

I know I know – I did say simplistic style to make the yarn shine, and as a general rule I absolutely stand by this. BUT rules are meant to be broken, right, and when seeing this gorgeous little tee, combining different yarn weights, textures and colours in the cleverest way, I knew it was a perfect match to the Vivacious Botanical! Inspired by antique lace fabrics, the Adelia Tee (link to Ravelry) combines open delicate stitches with dimensional bobbles and woven yarn inlay that emulates hand embroidery – and I’m here for ALL OF IT!

Finished body circumference is:
82 (91, 98, 107.5) (118, 127.5, 132.5) (143.5, 152.5, 160, 174.5)cm / 
32.25 (35.75, 38.75, 42.25) (46.5, 50, 52.25) (56.5, 60.25, 63, 68.75)”

Yarn quantities are:
Main Colour: 2 (2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 5, 5) hanks in Vivacious Botanical 4ply
Contrast Colour 1: 1 hank for all sizes in Vivacious Botanical 4ply
Contrast Colour 2: 1 (1, 1, 1)(1, 1, 1)(1, 1, 2, 2) hanks in Vivacious Botanical DK