Today’s hap is Lang Ayre by Gudrun Johnston, who is interviewed over on Jen’s blog today.
As you probably know, Gudrun was born in, and has close family ties to Shetland. She’s very well-known for her beautiful hap designs, and she was top of my list of must-ask contributors for this book! One of the many things I love about Gudrun’s work is her uncanny ability to weave her cultural heritage and influences into designs that are fresh, modern and completely unfussy.
Lang Ayre is a case in point. The design’s simple, modular construction, begins with the centre square which is a familiar feature of most Shetland haps. With the nifty knitted-on addition of two smaller triangular pieces, a large, eminently wearable, triangular wrap is created.
Lang Ayre uses several shades of Jamieson & Smith jumper weight to great effect. It would be a fantastic project for using up odds and ends of any colour, but Gudrun’s original was inspired by the distinctive palette of the Shetland landscape around Ronas Hill, which you can see gleaming pinkly in the distance across the horizon of this next photograph.
We shot these photographs with Gudrun in Shetland, in a truly wonderful location.
Shetland abounds with magic spots, of course, but this place takes the biscuit. There just seems to be a peace about it that I can imagine being apparent on the wildest of wild Shetland days.
I am the model (again) and (ahem) styled myself, with the able assistance of Gudrun, who was on hap-adjustment duty.
Tom once more did a great job with the photography.
Thankyou for this beautiful design, Gudrun!
Tomorrow I’ll be revealing a hap from another important Shetland designer! Pop back in the morning to hear more!
The Book of Haps is now available to pre-order, and all the designs that have previously been revealed can be seen on the book’s Ravelry page.
so so so beautiful,
can’t wait to get my book :-)
bravo again and again
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Absolutely stunning photos! AGAIN!! Kudos to your photographer. I can’t wait for my copy of the book to arrive. I really love the colors in this hap and am also particularly enamoured with your coat!
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A wonderful combination of colours working wonderfully with this design. I really love Gudrun’s hap, it’s another one I have added to my list.
I keep thinking of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Return of the Native’ when I look at Gudrun’s hap!
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Love this one and can see myself knitting it!
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Gudrun’s hap is beautiful. The colours she chose are muted, so the hap doesn’t scream. Rather like the difference between an opera singer and an unpleasant rapper.
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You and your choice of designers ! have done it again! Great pictures, styling and pattern. Wonder what it would look like in other shades…………
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Every morning I email my knitter friends who also follow your site and write–THIS is my favorite! Well, THIS IS MY FAVORITE! I appreciate that the construction notes are available on Ravelry so I can order the yarn ahead of the arrival of my copy of the Book of Haps. The designs for all these sneak peeks are extraordinary, but the color choices made by all designers are truly arresting. A feast for the eyes. And wearable, too!. Can’t wait for my book to arrived.
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“HAPPINESS” is opening my email everday and each day just gets better and better. Book ordered now and so looking forward to seeing it. A very big THANK YOU to all involved in the making of the book.
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Wonderful colours and yet another great design. Great photos, too.
It looks lovely with your coat, Kate.
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Wow, wow, wow! One thing so appreciated about Gudrun’s designs is that no two have the “same look” — they are all separate and distinct and appear to start at square one, and this one is no different. The color play and choice of colors is stunning. I want!!!
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The haps are gorgeous, the photography stunning and I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. However, I would enjoy a few shots of Bruce as well. I miss him!
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I can’t figure out how to order your book! Please help……
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You have the best coats! Or maybe I should say, those haps really bring out the best in your coats. It makes me want to knit a hap for each of my coats, too. Maybe I will do just that…today’s and yesterday’s have been my favorites so far, although I also really like Tom’s.
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All the haps are so beautiful, can’t wait till my book arrives and as usual all the photographs are stunning!
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I have finally succumbed to the beauty of the designs and photography and pre-ordered my copy of the book. I can’t wait for it to arrive! It has been a real joy to read your blog and to watch this project come to fruition, being unveiled day by day. I look forward to my emails to see the pattern du jour and admire the research and passion you put into the publication. Many thanks for the inspiration, Kate!
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This is gorgeous!
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My favourite of the haps so far. Love the palette and the shape. Also love your coat. Everything perfect!
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A lovely and simple design. You are looking good, I must say!
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Stripes! And shetland wool! And haps!
What’s not to love?
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wow – this one is wonderful – they all are! And a model who styles herself so perfectly – you rock! :-) I have to say I love your clothes, they are really beautiful and unlike things we see around here.
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Oh My! I love this one. Simple as you say but just gorgeous!
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