Scheepjes YARN bookazine: Macro Botanica

The newest issue of YARN bookazine has just launched today! It’s the 11th issue, called Macro Botanica. What patterns can you find when looking at nature up close? Symmetrical leaves, meandering rivers, bubbling seafoam, cracked earth, and of course the famous spiraling of the Fibonacci sequence.

Once again Scheepjes have assembled a wonderful collection of patterns, and I am so proud that I have also contributed a design. When reading up on Macro Botanica, I was fascinated with the Fibonacci Sequence. Very briefly explained, it’s a mathematical equation that we can find in so many places in nature. The Fibonacci Sequence starts with the numbers 0 and 1, and each next number is the sum of the two previous numbers. The start of the sequence is: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55.. This sequence is also referred to when looking at the Golden Ratio, which is often mentioned in art studies.

When you pay attention, you can see it almost everywhere. The spiraling seeds in sunflower heads, succulent leaves, romanesco broccoli flowers, seashells.. It’s not only seen in plants, but also in the way a wave curls before crashing down on the sea, in a swirling cloud or in the water draining from your bathtub, and even in the human body when our hand is curled into a fist. It is really quite special.

So when I was thinking about a design, I knew I wanted to make a reference to the Fibonacci sequence. At first I was very ambitious and wanted to create a spiraling design as well, but then I realized I like to keep things simple, but beautiful. I took one of my newfound passions in the knitting world: lace patterns, and have used numbers from the Fibonacci sequence in the amounts of lace repeats for each section.

This resulted in the Fibonacci Shawlette, and I am so pleased how it turned out. Have a look:

I am especially happy with the photography by the Scheepjes team, they make it look stunning every time and makes me even prouder of my design! The photographed sample was made by one of my testers Roelien. I also made a version in different colours, which I will show you next time.

The pop of blue is so beautiful in this sample! Do you see that the dark green lace resembles fern leaves?

This shawlette was designed for Scheepjes Our Tribe, and in the picture above you can see some of my swatches. Scheepjes Our Tribe is a delight to knit with, it has gorgeous stitch definition because of its single ply texture, and the high wool content means that it is a joy to block and see that beautiful lace open up.

For the original sample from the Bookazine photos, you will need one ball each of Scheepjes Our Tribe Pistachio Branch (878), Olive Wreath (879), and Blue Flower Haze (882). Or you can choose your own combination: you need 1 ball each of 3 colours.

Get your Scheepjes Our Tribe yarns via your local Scheepjes retailer, or via these affiliate links (purchasing via these links helps support my work!)

Wool Warehouse yarn link + Bookazine link (English)

Caro’s Atelier yarn link + Bookazine link (English + Nederlands)

In addition to the yarn and bookazine, you will also need a 80cm long circular 3mm knitting needle, 2 stitch markers, and a row counter.

I can’t get over how gorgeous these photos are! I love how the light shines through the knitted lace, it makes me want to cast on another one right away. If you’ve enjoyed knitting along with my Cosy Moments Shawl MAL last year, you’ll love this pattern too. The Fibonacci Shawlette is made with a slightly thicker and woollier yarn, which will make it knit up even quicker and it will be a nice warm hug. The Scheepjes Our Tribe yarn is not scratchy at all, I know some of you might worry when seeing wool in the contents but you really have to give it a try.

The Fibonacci Shawlette uses two different lace patterns, and each section is alternated with stockinette and garter stripes. So after the entertaining lace, you get to relax with some easy rows before starting the next section of lace. I would say in terms of difficulty, it is easier than the Cosy Moments Shawl, but it also has a new challenge because the lace is also worked on the wrong side of your project. Exciting!

I highly encourage you to also check out the other patterns in YARN 11 Macro Botanica, you can preview them here on Ravelry, and here on the Scheepjes website.

Which design is your favourite?