I’m in love with the intricate colourwork detail Florence Spurling brings to her projects. I have admired her Scout Shawl design for many years. Those repeating motifs that seem to tread the line between the traditionally familiar and the contemporary graphic. So when we noticed the Anouka Tank and the Adelia Tee we had to jump right in and put together some kits.

The Anouka Tank takes its inspiration from piecing together fabrics and indeed it looks like a patchwork of different patterned fabric remnants. This is achieved by a combination of stranded colourwork and intarsia. Starting from the bottom up this top is knit flat in pieces before being seemed, and to complete the armhole and neck ribbing in the round. A bold floral panel is the standout focus of this design and it reminds me of repeating floor tiles. Another floral like motif sits next to this in bands and that is surrounded by a much simpler two colour pattern with a mosaic of single contrast colour stitches. The back just features the two colour pattern along with the bands at the hem. This is a project for colourwork lovers or those looking for a challenge. The results are absolutely stunning and once knitted you can stand back proudly and admire your handiwork.

The Adelia Tee started life as a shawl and takes its inspiration from vintage lace. Combining different thickness of yarn in different techniques. Knit from the top down it uses a variety of stitches. Lace motifs, bobbles and a woven yarn inlay that imitates embroidery. Worked seamless, this is not a boring knit as the different textures change so to does the interest to spur you on to the next section. It is a delicate and summery design making it a versatile layer.

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The Anouka Tank calls for a light fingering weight so we have made out kits using G-uld No.4 and because you don’t need much of some colours it’s the perfect project for the mini’s. These 25g skeins have a 162m each. No. 4 is a light 4ply 75% Falkland Merino and 25% Gotland wool. The Merino is soft and white and the Gotland is a darker grey creating a yarn with a lovely heathered quality. All naturally dyed by the expert hands at G-uld, who have mastered the craft of natural dyeing to create a range of vivid and consistent colours. Using cochineal, indigo, madder, walnut and heather, to name a few. By layering these dyes a whole palette of colours can be created.

To navigate the colours of the project I have marked how each colour fits in: C1 is used the most and appears on the ribbing. The other colours are used throughout in almost equal measure. Be mindful of your colours when picking depending if you want a subtle or strong contrast. I have put some colour ideas together at the bottom of this post.

The Adelia Tee calls for different thicknesses of yarn so we have made kits out of the beautiful naturally dyed Vivacious Botanical range which features both a 4ply and a DK, perfect for this design. This yarn really needs no introduction but here is one anyway. Springy and strong at 365m/399yds. The hand dyed variegated shades have a depth to them that is one of Fyberspates special traits, creating a yarn that would make even the most simple projects look stunning. It’s great for everything from head to toe but also soft next to the skin. That’s why we were beyond excited when Fyberspates introduced the botanical range which applies the Fyberspates colour style to a naturally dyed yarn.

To navigate the colours I have marked them above. The MC features the most and that one is the base for the whole project. CC1 appears in eyelet bands around the body and CC2 is the heavier one which is held double in the inlay section. For some colour combinations read on.

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For the Anouka Tank:

C1 – Walnut Vn21032g, C4 – Cochineal Co20091g, C2 – Cochineal / Walnut CoVn21073g, C3 – Cochineal / Indigo CoIn20092g, C5 – Cochineal Co20093g.

C1 – Indigo In20094g, C4 – Walnut / Indigo VnIn20092g, C2 – Cochineal / Indigo CoIn20094, C3 – Cochineal / Walnut CoVn21013g, C5 – Madder Kr20092g.

C1 – Heather / Indigo LyIn20092g, C4 – Walnut Vn20094g, C2 – Walnut Vn21091g, C3 – CMadder Kr20091g, C5 – Cochineal Co21094g.

For the Adelia Tee:

MC – Creamsicle 678, CC1 – Rhubarb Ginger 677, CC2 – Evernia 879.

MC – Champagne Forest 670, CC1 – Burnt Toffee 675, CC2 – Rhubarb Ginger 877.

MC – Evernia 679, CC1 – Peach Melba 671, CC2 – Creamsicle 878.