spring/summer 2006
color
What the designers chose this spring,
Nicole Miller
SIGNATURE COLOR
Baltic Blue
PROMINENT COLORS
Turquoise and Tobacco, Mixed metallics, Light Olive
and Khaki, White, Pale Yellow
Caroline Herrera
SIGNATURE COLOR
Skyway
PROMINENT COLORS
Sky Blue, Coffee Bean, Flamingo Pink, Thyme
After several seasons of bright colors, colors this season are toned down, blues, neutrals, lots of white highlighted by unexpected color and fabric combinations.
Sand Dollar, Lily Green, Viola
Blue Tint, Clove, Skyway, Viola
Sand Dollar, Melon
Deep Ultramarine
Cameo Pink
style
This spring season focuses on elegance. Gone is over-the-top opulence and “boho chic”. This season designs are more structured and charming with a touch of glamour.
- Lots of dresses
- Blouses and skirts
- Ballet influence: body skimming jersey, drapey fabrics; wrap dresses, sweaters, leotards, flats
- Layering
- Hemlines from mini to maxi; maxi looks best with fitted tops and flats; minis with flats or wedges, long-sleeve voluminous tops
- Flouncy printed summer dresses with cinched waists
- Lace, beautiful hand-crafted details
Key Shapes/Pieces: Empire tops & dresses, white shirts with lace or ruffles, A-line skirts, crocheted coats, cropped jackets and trousers, wrapped tops and cardigans.
Fabrics: Lace, cottons, ginghams, denim, silk, linen, chiffon, crochet, sequins, brocade and beaded sections.
Accessories: open-toe flats, criss-cross shoes, white, wedges, daytime clutches, big totes; big sunglasses; wide belts
knitting trends
Salvatore Ferragamo – Spring 2006 RTWknitting shapes and details
Continued from last season, romantic and feminine, but less ethereal and more structured. Boxy and cropped jackets, long tunic vests, belted jackets and coats, transparent tanks for layering, empire camisoles, ballet-wrapped cardigans, large "sailor" collars on cardigans, short puffy sleeves, capelets. Nautical, one-shoulder, bandeau tops, deep V-necks, stripes, ribs and cables, belts, big knit totes embellished with pompoms or flowers.
Lots of embellishments: crochet, picot edging, lace, flowers, ruffles, ribbon bows, belts, drawstrings, wooden beads, big buttons, ribbons, buckles, zippers.
Knitting stitches and patterns:
- transparent fabric for layering - use metallic yarns, thin yarns on big needles
- lace and openwork patterns
- crochet, lots of it!
- deep fine ribbing and cables
- woven stitch, seed stitch
- stripes (refer to Spring 06 knitsimple magazine about the Golden Ratio)
- fair isle modernized
- plaid, bold graphics
New books & magazines:
Rowan Magazine #39. Very exciting and innovative. Over 30 designs. A beautifully executed story. It will inspire you. Visit www.knitrowan.com and join the members club.
Knitting out of Africa by Marianne Isager
A beautiful book of 16 handknitted sweater designs inspired by African carpets, baskets and other fiber and textile arts. Beautiful shapes and bold graphics. Right in style!
Pictured here, this Congo Sweater with v-shaped yoke worked in modular units.
Interweave Press
$24.95
Vogue Knitting has a new addition called knitsimple. Spring issue on sale now and available by email to info@knittingbag.com. $5.99.
Honorable mention to these articles, well worth reading and learning,
- Spring Cleaning: Stumped for new ways to use up all that stash yarn? Kristen Hampshire points the way. Great ideas for using up leftovers! Recommends Chris Bylsma's "Crayon Box" jacket. Pattern available by email to info@knittingbag.com.
- Color By Numbers: If you can do simple arithmetic, you can map our pleasing bands of color. By Janine Hornicek.
- Easy crocheted flowers for pretty knits
More to come from Knittingbag ... what are we going to knit for spring? What yarns will we use?
