Umbra and Schnee
Umbra and Schnee have come to pay a visit to My Sister Knits! And just who/what are they? They are two light as down, perfect for summer nights, wraps!
Schnee (meaning snow in German) is designed by Melanie Berg and is published in the Shibui Knits Modern Wrap Collection.
Umbra is an update of a 2012 design by Kristin Ford, Mix No.3, and is published in Shibui Knits on Ravelry.
The patterns show these two wraps in the same colorways but we’re intrigued with the idea of using contrasting colorways such as the two choices in the top left of the photo.
These wraps are splendid examples of different designs that use the same yarn! Or, in this case, yarns. Both of these use Shibui Lunar and Silk Cloud. Schnee uses regular Silk Cloud and Umbra uses Tweed Silk Cloud. Either one would work in both wraps but there’s a different visual effect with each type of Silk Cloud and Tweed Silk Cloud is a tiny bit heavier than regular Silk Cloud. Also, very important to know, a skein of Silk Cloud has 330 yards and a skein of Tweed Silk Cloud has 190 yards. This needs to be taken into account if you’re substituting one for the other!
There is a design element that is in both wraps. They both use a striped pattern of one stripe knit with both Lunar and Silk Cloud and the other stripe knit with only Silk Cloud. Both of these are lace weight yarns.
You’ll have to see for yourself how these two wraps that use the same yarns and a stripe pattern can look so different!
Schnee is long and rectangular. Each half is knit separately on the bias and then joined with a three needle bind off. Bigger than Umbra, it calls for two skeins of Lunar and four skeins of Silk Cloud. This pattern uses knit, purl, k2tog, and kfb. Melanie suggests size 3 needles and you only need to cast on three stitches!
Umbra is a triangular wrap. The pattern is free with the purchase of Shibui yarn for this project! The stripes are wider than Schnee’s and create bands of subtle contrast. Designer Kristin Ford came up with a genius idea for creating the lace-like edge at the same time as the body! The only techniques you need to know are knit, purl, and yarn overs. Kristin suggests size 8 needles. The cast on is only seven stitches!
We encourage you to make one, or even both, of these wraps as an end of summer project! They have such a gossamer texture that you won’t even notice them on your lap as we get through the hot days of August. The patterns are well written and easy to follow and the designs are classic and elegant.
Julie’s Finds
These wrist rulers from ILOVEHANDLES in Portland, Oregon are a fun fashion statement as well as a handy tool!