Created by Hayley Tsang Sather of EnVision, Quintessence is a truly stunning beaded piece.
We have put together kits, having borrowed the yarns and colorways used by one of her test knitters (Kathy, aka nervie1900 on Ravelry), with her permission.
Make sure to get your copy of the pattern directly from the designer on her Ravelry page here. What we have is simply and uniquely the yarn and beads for knitting this.
The Design
Here is what Hayley writes about this:
Quintessence Shawl is a crescent-shape shawl using three complementary yarns – one slightly variegated and two semi solid. Two of the three yarns (usually the variegated with one of the semi-solid colors) need to work well together for the brioche section. Hopefully the design of Quintessence lives up to the definition of its name: the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
Quintessence is (an) original design of Hayley’s that utilizes her love for juxtaposition by combining solid fabric with lace and other interesting stitches – brioche stitch, Indian cross stitch, Japanese stitch, Vikkel braid, cables, and nupps...
Quintessence may be knitted with or without beads...
Note: If you are new to brioche stitch and are not comfortable with the more complicated brioche design, there is a plain-brioche alternative provided in the pattern!
Yarn and Colorways
Kathy used yarns from Madeline Tosh, the Tosh Merino Light which is 100% superwash merino and with 420 yards/ 100g skein.
This is what our kits are composed of:
Color A: Viriginia Bluebell, a light almost-solid blue (one skein per kit)
Color B: Spectrum: a variegated blend of cool hues, mainly purples, blues, and a few highlights of green. (Again, one skein per kit.)
Color C: For this one all that is needed is roughly 68 yards (Kathy only used 42 yards, per her notes). We went with MadTosh's Unicorn Tails, with 55 yards/ 12g (also 100% superwash merino). This colorway is called Gilded and is a rich vibrant gold/amber tone. Two tails will be in each kit so you will be sure to have enough.
Beads
Beads may be optional but we will be including them in each kit.
Hayley suggests:
Size 6 rounds or size 5 triangles for fingering weight. Bead all or just some of these sections.
Section B 46 beads with 36 on Vikkel Braid
Section C 76 beads (+ optional 41 beads)
Section D 17 beads
Section E 4 beads
Section F 85 beads
__________________________
Total 224 beads
Interestingly, Kathy chose to use 4x4 cubes for hers.
Our kits will give you well more than you need of either 5/0 triangles, 6/0 beads, or 4x4 cubes. If you have a preference, let me know. Also tell me if you have a preference for color.
Otherwise I will choose for you.
