The Siren Call of the Whimsical Knit

Time for another fairy tale from my yarn stash

Deep within my yarn stash lives a mysterious woodland sprite known as the FibreFrau. She is the embodiment of fibre and yarn itself, weaving dreams of fantastic knits into the minds of unsuspecting crafters.

We've all felt her influence - browsing pattern pages late at night, mesmerized by the clever cables or delightfully detailed colorwork. Suddenly, an anthropomorphic creature peers back at you from the screen. A cunning fox sporting a jaunty intarsia sweater, perhaps. Or an owl enrobed in luxurious mohair cables.

"Knit me," the Fiberfrau seems to whisper.My Mrs Sensible side protests, “I would never actually wear that!" Yet the siren song of the whimsical, fairy tale knit calls to my inmost knitter's soul. Hasn't a bit of woodland whimsy appealed to me since childhood? Don't I still dream of wandering about town looking like I’ve stepped out of the pages of a Grimm's fairy tale?

Yes, my cynical pal replies, but these days I’d look more like Baba Yaga than Vasilissa the Beautiful ! 🧙‍♀️

The truth is, as fun as these knits are to fantasize about, I know I’ll never wear them. I’d  spend hours upon hours knitting up that delightful red mushroom hat...only for it to languish in my hat box, lonely and neglected, never seeing the light of day.

Would I ever wear them though?

We knitters are magpies at heart, can't resist the lure of an eye-catching pattern or an intricate stitch. If we're not careful though, our makes can end up more like the mad hatter's closet than a purposeful, wearable wardrobe. The key I hope  is learning to indulge the Fiberfrau's seductions...while keeping them in check.

Being Honest About My Personal Style (or lack there of 🤷‍♀️)

It’s not like I’ve never worn novelty knits before. I was a knitter in the 1980s!  🤷‍♀️ That part of me is still in here somewhere and growing older doesn't mean I  can't dream. Still I don't expect to suddenly become the quirky, arty lady who casually wears a  giant luminous  pink squid sweater, my tentacles trailing everywhere.

It just isn't authentically me.

Realistically assessing my day-to-day look seems a reasonable starting point. I’m a sweatshirt and jeans, Fair Isle sweaters, baggy cabled cardigans, cosy hats, big shawls sort of a person these days. So why do I still lust after (and even  start knitting!) Gothy lace cardigans in unsuitable colour combinations? Or fall for madly romantic, fluffy jumpers with bell sleeves, peplums and deep scooped necks? Well, those were once my thing at different times of my life. But then is not now and I need to stop listening to the FibreFrau so much.

Perhaps I’ll Try For More Subtle Whimsy

Maybe I  don't have to dive into the deep end of full-on romantic pieces to satisfy s craving for a touch of fairy tale whimsy. Maybe I can find ways to get my fix in smaller, more wearable doses. Instead of a bobbled and intarsia covered Tyrollean cardigan, what about some mittens or a cozy headband? Socks with a subtle dragon scale pattern? A shawl pin with a delicate woodland creature accent?

Best Save The Showstoppers For Special Occasions

When I do fall hard for an all-out whimsical piece, maybe I’ll plan for it to become more of an occasional wear knit. Maybe I can make that frilled and flouncy mohair cardigan but keep it for lounging round the house. Or make the mushroom hat for a very special knit night? 😂

I did actually make myself  a lacy Merino/silk vest in jewel bright designer yarns to wear as a base layer in a very cold winter. I’ve not worn it yet, as we rarely have very cold winters but I feel comfortable that it sits there waiting to keep me cosy and boost the moral if we eventually do.

I won’t wear these things often, but I can adore them all the more for their quirk and the fun of making them.

Use Whimsical Accents To Liven Up Simple Shapes

Another great option could be to take a simple, wearable base shape, then embellish it. I’ve been thinking about embroidery as a way to add playful touch. Adding a delicate leaf trim to an old cardigan.Gussy up  a plain hat with berries, flowers, and flourishes. Maybe I’ll let my imagination (and the Fiberfrau's whispers) run wild with creative embroidery or appliques to visibly mend some of my basic knits.

Keeping ‘Wee Me’ Happy

Ultimately, the Fiberfrau's alluring songs are simply the call of my own inner child at play. We all have an unbridled creative spirit that delights in the clever, the fanciful, the charmingly absurd. Listening to that playful voice within is what keeps our making feeling vibrant and magical. I don’t want to deprive myself of those fairy tale knits that enchant my inner child. I need to learn to strategically balance whimsy with wearability, so my handmade wardrobe brings me (and my Inner Child)  joy for years to come.

So What is on My Needles?

I’m glad you asked:

1. The Kate Davies Summer of Mystery MKAL shawl - lots of lovely garter stripes in some Airedale British 4ply and I’ve no clue where it’s going!

2. Fitton’s Dynamo also from the Summer of Mystery. A vintage inspired top in a Merino silk mix.

3. An afterthought everything sock snake in some yummy Zandra Rhodes WYS Signature 4ply

   

Also I suspect I just need to accept that sometimes I  need to knit Tiny Nonsense and if you do too I suggest you have a look at Hunter Hammersten’s Insta feed!

The aforementioned patterns: (Ravelry links)

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/augustins-no-35

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/so-mush-room

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bed-jacket-2