New Mendip 4-Ply, with pattern ideas!

It's been a long time coming, but at last I've got together a lovely collection of Mendip 4-Ply in the shop! As well as the existing range of colours, I couldn't resist coming up with two new colours, which, dyed on the two bases, makes four shades.

Four skeins of Mendip 4-Ply in Clay (Cloudy), Clay (Sunny), Yew (Cloudy) and Yew (Sunny)

Clay and Yew are the new shades, inspired by faded terracotta and one of our few native conifers. They're shown here as pairs, dyed on the Cloudy (grey) base on the left and the Sunny (white) base on the right. With a pale, gentle apricot and deep green, there are now lots more options for colour combinations with really good contrast, as well as being lovely standalone shades.

As well as having stock of the whole 4-Ply range, I've added a 'dyed to order' listing for both Mendip 4-Ply and Mendip DK. This means that if the colour you want has insufficient stock for your needs, you can order it regardless and I'll dye it up and send it out within two weeks.
So even though there will be a Mendip DK shop update in a few weeks (date TBC), you can get your hands on any of these colours before then!

Pattern ideas

Over the years there have been some beautiful designs published using Mendip 4-Ply, and I'd like to share some as project inspiration. Quite a few of these use colours on the Stormy base, which is now discontinued, but you can easily substitute the new Cloudy base – the undyed yarn is grey, rather than beige, but the dyed colours are very similar.

Stranded colourwork

Let's start with some colourwork projects, as they're my favourite and the yarn is really well suited to stranded work.

Fanlight

I designed Fanlight originally for Issue 7 of Making Stories Magazine* and have now released it as an individual pattern. It's fairly simple stranded colourwork in an bold graphic design – I was inspired by the art deco stained glass work of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The design is worked in three colours and gives really great opportunities to combine colours in interesting ways. To help with picking colours: for the design to show up effectively, ensure there is good contrast between contrast colour 1 and the two other colours. Less contrast is needed between the main colour and contrast colour 2 as these both basically function as background colours for the design in contrast colour 1. If you'd like to see some alternative colour combinations, Making Stories have photos of some swatches, and there are some lovely versions on Ravelry.

I Smell Snow cowl and Coffee With My Oxygen hat

The I Smell Snow hat and Coffee With My Oxygen cowl were designed by Jacki Badger as a friendly and fun introduction to stranded colourwork. They use four colours of Mendip 4-Ply for simple, geometric motifs that are a great knit for beginners and more experienced knitters alike.

Halo mittens

Rebekka Mauser's Halo Mittens are a colourwork delight, with an interesting motif that looks like lights in fog on the back of the hand, and wavy lines on the palm. They use two colours for the main part of the hand, and a third for the cosy double cuffs and thumb, but you could simplify it and use just two colours overall.

Elmegade hat and mitts

The Elmegade Hat and Mittens are a lovely set by Anthea Willis of Forest Flower Knits. The small banded motifs make them a really approachable knit, and I love the details like the beautiful crown design on the hat and the fact that you can choose to make full mittens or a fingerless version. And Anthea made sets in very different colour combinations to really show how much the choice of colours can affect the look of the finished knit!

Opula

Opula is another of my patterns with a colourwork yoke – I made this version with elbow-length sleeves and negative ease for a tight fit, but it can be worn with more ease, and the pattern includes instructions for full-length sleeves as well for a more standard jumper look. For an idea of how colour choice can affect the look of the design, have a gander at Alex's beautiful project – she used Fox and Beech on the Stormy base (again, you can use the Cloudy colours to very similar effect).

Textured stitches

Ferry Cottage Shawl

Ferry Cottage is a traditional triangle-shaped shawl designed by Jill Thompson Beach, with twists and cables providing subtle textural detail. I love the lightweight feel of the design; those eyelets and the faux cable along the spine are so delicate and pretty. And the woollen-spun yarn traps in loads of air, making it a warm knit without being heavy.

Bough

Bough was designed by Claire Walls with such a pretty pattern of twisted stitches and little bobbles. It's perfect as a one-skein project, and Claire has included video tutorials she's made for some of the techniques that may be unfamiliar to less experienced knitters.

Along a Forest Path

Along a Forest Path by Anthea Willis is a satisfyingly simple pair of handwarmers. They have a delicate pattern of eyelets that would be a perfect introduction to lace knitting, and are another project that only requires one skein of yarn.

Contorta

Contorta is a lovely hat by Carolyn Kern that was originally designed for Issue 2 of Making Stories*. It features tiny cables inspired by pine trees, and is a really nice knit. I made one myself a while ago and really enjoyed the structural look of it and the perfect crown decreases. And once again, it only uses one skein of yarn!

I really hope you've enjoyed this pattern round-up and found some inspiration for your next project. I'd love to hear what you think of the full range of Mendip 4-Ply colours, and what you're planning to make!

* I am part of the Making Stories affiliate programme, which means that if you purchase from their site via an affiliate link from me, I will receive a commission from the sale. I'd be sharing their magazine with you anyway, as I love the work they do and am proud to work with them!

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