Seaweed inspiration for a Beachcomber Shawl by Emma Vining

Creative designer Emma Vining and I have been working together on and off since 2017 when her Machair Wildflower Shawl pattern was chosen as the winner of our ‘Design for Birlinn Yarn’ competition. It is, to this day, still one of my firm favourites and, in fact, I have it on my needles at the moment though this time in Sea Pink rather than her original choice of Moor.

As her prize, Emma came with her husband for a weeks holiday in our Hebridean thatched cottage here on the Isle of Berneray. Ever since, we have stayed in touch and Emma has subsequently produced various beautiful designs in Birlinn Yarn.

So I was just delighted when Christine Boggis, the Editor of Knitting Magazine, contacted me to enquire as to whether I could provide yarn support for Emma’s latest Beachcomber Shawl design to be included in their September issue focusing on “Slow Fashion and Ethical Knits”.

Beach Comber by Emma Vining in Birlinn Yarn Cornmarigold 4 Ply Yarn.

(Beach Comber by Emma Vining in Birlinn Yarn Cornmarigold 4 Ply Yarn.) In Christine Boggis’s own words:

“… the fashion industry contributes some 10% of all greenhouse gases, according to the United Nations.

As well as carbon emissions from the production and transport processes, fast and disposable fashion contributes to excessive water usage and mountains of textile waste as consumers buy cheap clothes, wear them once and then throw them out. …

As knitters, we are already fans of slow fashion. We love to take our time over the choosing, planning and making of a garment or accessory, and then give it as a thoughtful gift or cherish it ourselves for many years.

In this issue we’ve looked at ways we can be even more sustainable, with a selection of ethical and eco-friendly yarns …”

Knitting Magazine’s ethical issue launched on the 9th September and my copy has just landed on my island doorstep today. I am honoured to be featured in this very important issue in Emma’s truly beautiful Beachcomber Shawl design and in the company of other yarn businesses also prioritising high stands of ethical and environmental practice.

You can purchase Knitting Magazine’s Ethical issue 222 (and other back issues) in print or digital format: HERE

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 BeachcomberKelp.jpg
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(Above – Emma’s Beachcomber Shawl and the seaweed that was her source of inspiration).

The launching of this pattern put Emma and I back in touch and, as a result, I decided it was time to introduce the designer behind quite a few of the knitting patterns in Birlinn Yarn’s portfolio and so we had a chat …

Meg – Your beautiful Beachcomber Shawl is now published in Knitting Magazine Ethical Issue 222 would you like to tell us about what inspired you to design this shawl and the techniques that are involved?

Emma – “My Beachcomber shawl is inspired by “found objects” discovered on the beach during a slow, meditative walk along the shoreline. In particular, this pattern is based on a tiny frond of seaweed washed up by the tide on one of Berneray’s stunningly beautiful beaches. I took this photo during our visit to Berneray in 2017 and it reminds me of the many amazing walks we enjoyed.

The shawl is constructed top down, with a wide “three-repeat” rectangular centre section and two outer triangular wings. The centre section adds width to the wingspan and creates the curved lower edge of the shawl. The kelp motif is worked in the centre and in both shawl wings. Each motif is knitted with twisted stitches and eyelets surrounded by garter stitch. Individual seaweed fronds appear to link with adjacent motifs, giving the impression of a larger seaweed structure. Stitches are increased at the outer edges and on either side of the centre panel. The top border is knitted in garter stitch. The undulating picot cast-off edge is made with different sizes of points, reminiscent of the seaweed fronds.

Birlinn Yarn 4ply is perfect for this project. The yarn has amazing structure and wonderful stitch definition. I love all the beautiful shades, also inspired by the stunning Hebridean landscape in which my seaweed inspiration was found. My Beachcomber Shawl is knitted in shade Corn Marigold. However, any of the gorgeous shades would make excellent alternative colourways for this shawl. To knit the shawl you need approximately 5 x 50g balls.”

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 Birlinn Yarn Machair Flower shawl image (1).jpg
 Birlinn Yarn Storm Cast Cowl.jpg

(Emma’s designs for Birlinn Yarn left to right: Pottery Tree Wrist Warmers and Cowl; Machair Wildflower Shawl; and Storm Cast Cowl.)

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