Red is my favorite color. I’m drawn to it always. A pair of shoes. A dress. A shock of hair.
Perhaps even a few skeins of yarn.
I love to knit red socks.
Red gloves:
I could knit with nothing but the red yarn in my stash and be busy for a very long time.
Right now I’m working on Hanne Falkenberg’s Butterfly. In red. You knit with three shades of reddish yarn to produce one deep color. I had started this sweater a long time ago, but had stopped because the yarns were not labeled as to color and I wasn’t sure I was using them in the right order. I decided it didn’t matter what the directions said, but it did matter what I liked. So I started it over about two weeks ago to see if I preferred a different way of using the yarn. These were my two “swatches”:
Although it’s a bit difficult to see in that photograph, one is brighter with a more poppy-like color dominating. The other is darker, and that is the one I decided to keep knitting.
I’ve now finished the back, one front, and part of the other front. Here it is in progress:
Don’t forget about Kate Spade Red!
Comment by Nora aka Surly's daughter — October 8, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
Both of you are so talented, and I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog for awhile now. So, please tell me where I can obtain a pattern for those beautiful red lacy ankle socks, hmm? I know a young lady who would be “da bomb” in those. ;O) Alice
Comment by Alice — October 8, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
Beautiful color choice and it’s working up so nicely.
Comment by Tiny Tyrant — October 8, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I totally understand (although I am drawn to blues). So glad you went with the darker shades – that was my favorite! 🙂
Comment by Amy — October 8, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
Gorgeous, just gorgeous. I love the darker tones, too!
Comment by Kim — October 8, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Had to delurk to agree with you on the red! It’s my favourite colour too – I love seeing all your red yarns together and your red projects. Fantastic! And I think you made the right choice with the Butterfly – it looks great and the buttons are a fabulous touch.
Comment by Rose Red — October 8, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
Its wonderful! I always knew you musta’ had a wild side ~ nothing keeps em guessing like a lady in red!
Comment by Michelle — October 8, 2008 @ 9:37 pm
I always lurk, rarely post, but I do like keeping up with the knitting adventures of the Rainey sisters. Red has always been my favorite color too. Good choice on the darker shade. It is just lovely. Great buttons.
Comment by Marsha — October 8, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
I love the sweater – and you are really an overachiever actually sewing buttons on before you have finished knitting. At least it looks like you did. My usual approach is to finish the knitting, the sewing up, and then take several months to get the buttons sewn on.
Those are great buttons, by the way.
Comment by twinsetellen — October 8, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
Ooooh I love that red! Beautiful!
Comment by Pam — October 8, 2008 @ 11:42 pm
What sock pattern is that? I love it!
The sweater is gorgeous. Look forward to seeing it progress.
Comment by Pat — October 9, 2008 @ 1:01 am
I’m exactly the same way, only with purples. 🙂
Comment by Lisa — October 9, 2008 @ 3:11 am
I’m a fellow red fan (although a nice purple can always turn my head…) – anyway the sweater looks amazing. She’s such a talented designer. Can’t wait to see how it progresses.
Comment by Soo — October 9, 2008 @ 3:36 am
Very exciting buttons!
Btw, Felicia Day has something red for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6xU9l8Vw9o
Comment by Max — October 9, 2008 @ 7:04 am
That’s an amazing stash of red. You’re not alone though, my husband was the one who noticed that all the 4 WIPs in my knitting bag are in one shade of red or another. I’m now consciously watching out for colourways when I shop for yarn as I want to prove to my husband and myself that I can knit other colours too!
Comment by Jocelyn — October 9, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Fun! Have you read the book ” A Perfect Red” by Amy Greenfield? It is a really fun read (albeit history not a novel) about the story of Red Dye. How Spain (Cortez) stole it from Central America. Why only the Kings and Cardinals wore red….and later the Red Coats. How the dyeing techniques were kept secret – you share – you burn at the stake. How different reds were achieved. All in pursuit of cochineal and a perfect red. Highly recommend it! And I now I may go look at that sweater pattern…love the collar.
Comment by Julie — October 9, 2008 @ 9:14 am
Here, here! Red is simply the best color ever. It’s passion, drama, coy, sweet and darn it all, it just makes me happy. Thanks for posting the pic of your red yarns, its’ a drool fest.
Comment by Julie — October 9, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
One of your best blogs ever — all due to the red!
Comment by Ursula — October 9, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
I love the red collection! I’m a later in life convert to the color, but now I’m entranced by it. I’ve got Butterfly in the stash waiting patiently for me to remember her. I’d be interested in knowing the sequence you’re knitting the colors in to get the deeper tones. I’d like to be a copycat!
Comment by anmiryam — October 11, 2008 @ 11:07 am
I’ve always liked red myself and those are some dazzling red reasons to love the color even more.
Comment by Carrie K — October 15, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
I want to make this pattern but am severely allergic to wool. I have tried to find her e-mail address and have been unable to find it. I want to obtain the pattern. Can you help me in any way?
Kathy
Comment by Kathy Abbott — January 10, 2009 @ 6:08 pm