Pattern Scout
Kaffe Fassett for the Ages
Earlier in October, we were lucky to host Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably for a weekend of the juiciest color inspiration. It was food for my starved creative soul.
When I first started at MDK in 2019, I had no idea who Kaffe Fassett was, but learned very quickly because our MDK Field Guide No. 13: Master Class was about to launch. I’ll never forget seeing all those saturated colors of Rowan Felted Tweed and the intricate-yet-digestible patterns in the Field Guide.
Ever since then, I have been intrigued by the master himself. So when I finally had a chance to hear from him in person, I was elated. He was every bit the story-teller/artistic-inspirator I was told he’d be. Of course, this encouraged me to dive into some Kaffe Fassett patterns.
Let’s scout!
BLACK & WHITE BOXES
The way that Kaffe’s mind sees geometric patterns in our world is nothing short of beautiful. Complexity can be very attractive, but I love how powerful a pared-down shape can be with the right use of color. This pillow is so eye-catching and bold, but you could easily use neutrals to create a softer effect.
That said, if you’re going to make a Kaffe Fassett, how could you not go with some color? I can envision a pair of these perfectly with my canary yellow vintage family quilt.
DANGLING FLOWER SHAWL
When I came across the Dangling Flower Shawl pattern, I gasped a little gasp of awe. The way the flowers bend to form the repeat is breathtaking. The use of color to fade out on the ends of the petals is so delicate and spirited.
Details like this always make me melt a little. It’s the way art should infiltrate our minds and hearts—like a warm blanket of peace and calm and beauty settling in over the noise of the world. I could only imagine wearing this piece would remind me to stop and let that feeling wash over me throughout the day.
And don’t even get me started about the stripes on the reverse side. Playing with color from the flower side to the stripe side would be so much fun. You knit the two sides separately, then join them with crochet.
Earth Stripe Wrap
I have a small obsession with the Earth Stripe Wrap. This piece is special because it not only has tiny little marled stripes to create unending color combinations both bold and soft, but the floaty texture of Kidsilk Haze adds a dreaminess to the whole thing.
It makes me want to wrap myself in fuzzy stripes, head to toe—though that would require me to actually knit a large project without getting distracted, and we all know how that usually goes.
We offered a bundle for the Earth Stripe Wrap a couple of years ago for the holidays, and it was gone before I could even get a paw on it! I ended up making up my own color combinations with bits and pieces of Kidsilk Haze here in the warehouse. It is one of my favorite things I have ever knitted, but alas, I have never finished it. Maybe now is the time …
What are your favorite Kaffe Fassett patterns?
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Just beautiful! I have followed him for a while now and am amazed to see his world of color.
Thank you for the inspiration.
I was reminded of my love of the Earth Stripe shawl and how I wanted to make it when the pattern first came out but could not swing the cash for the KidSilk at that time. When it was in the Holiday shop, I jumped on the chance to finally make it. I too have not quite finished it but all done except the edging and fringe. You have motivated me to get to it so I can wear it.
It took me 5 years to finish mine but so glad I did!
Bravo!
I did two pillows from the Master Class field guide, one with just stripes and one with stripes and dots. They adorn our couch at the lake. I knew I had something good when my artist neighbor there admired them multiple times. Kaffe is the best!
So pretty!
Could you please share the pattern name /pattern for the geometric pillow?
Many thanks.
Suzanne
It’s Black and White boxes, Ashley links to the patterns in the headings in red: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/black-and-white-boxes
He has a brilliant mind for colors. His patterns are fantastic!
That “Black and White Boxes” pillow would make a great blanket. I’m thinking anywhere from baby size to full size.
I’m working on the Coral Peonies needlepoint. Its an explosion of pinks on an orange background. It will take me years to complete but it fills me with joy and happiness as I stitch it.
Please don’t make me choose! Almost e-v-e-r-y-th-i-n-g KF is my favourite.
I discovered him eons ago in a bookstore (of course), next I got these paper treasure sources for my own library!
In my mind Rowan’s Felted Tweed is the yarn HE designed…(?)
Well, maybe not… But to me, his designs for MDK are all super attractive.
Of course I prefer my all time fave colours of blue-green-purple palette be it pastel-ish or jewel-ish! And I would most definitely go for all patterns from the “Painterly” #16 edition… with Watercolour Cowl 3D styling elbowing the rest…
I agree, Kaffe’s designs are wonderful and I so enjoyed the recording of his presentation at MDK, what great energy he has! But that canary yellow vintage family quilt!! Fabulous.
I can still remember to what extent my mind was absolutely blown by Kaffe Fassett’s designs. And I still struggle to explain just how awesome I find him, to non-knitters. ‘You know, in a single sweater, if you use letters of the alphabet to represent different shades, well, he goes through the whole alphabet A-Zed **and then doubles back and goes AA-AB-AC etc…’ (the non-knitter’s eyes have long glazed over…) His colour choices can be so close to nature (pebbles, sand, driftwood) and then so zingy and contrast-y and visually interesting. Pattern and colour together: a master. Never tire of it.
Kelly Ann this is exactly how I feel about those early patterns where he had to double strand so much to get the number of colors he needed. The alphabet had to expand for Kaffe!
Perfect color gazing for a rainy morning! I had breakfast with a friend today who sadly showed me the cowl I had made her from FG#13 in polka dots. It had been thrown in the washer by mistake. I promised to send her recommendations for revival. If that fails, I’ll be making another in Felted Tweed just in case.
In the 80’s, I had a Rambouillet Sheep Farm in upstate New York. I knit his star sweater with 42 colors of my hand dyed yarn. It took almost three years. A proud achievement.