Gaze Upon My Glorious Plumage: A Selection of Peacock-Themed Designs

This past weekend west end Toronto was enlivened and ornamented by sightings of an escaped peacock that had somehow managed to free itself from its pen at the High Park zoo and roam about Roncesvalles Avenue, where it was spotted leaping from rooftop and rooftop and peeking in windows. Attempts on the part of the authorities to capture the bird with nets and blankets availed them naught, and as of this writing the peacock is still at large. There was definitely something irresistibly appealing about this fugitive peacock, whose attitude was very much, "I care not for your irrelevant restrictions, petty humans! Gaze upon my glorious plumage, and don't you dare run me over with your noxious automobiles." Social media was quick to jump aboard the peacock train, and the High Park Peacock soon had its own Twitter account. I live quite near Roncy and was in hopes that the peacock would visit Swan's End. As I tweeted, I even had the perfect shoes for the occasion. Alas, there was no such luck for me. At least, not yet. At any rate, being in a peacock kind of mood, I have decided to do a special post of selected peacock-themed knitting patterns.

The first pattern, shown above, is the Peacock Tam, designed by Celeste Young, which was published in Knits of a Feather: 20 Stylish Knits Inspired by Birds in Nature. This pattern is near the top of my to do list. I've bought some peacock-coloured yarn for it and also intend to whip up a matching scarf.

There are two approaches to a peacock-inspired design: rendering the peacock in colour, or evoking a peacock's plumage through stitchwork. This gorgeous piece of lacework uses the latter approach. This is the Pretty as a Peacock Shawl, designed by Jae Koscierzynski. The pattern is available for $10(USD).

Love these pretty little beaded peacock socks. The Franconian Beadwork socks pattern, designed by Stephanie van der Linden, was published in Around the World in Knitted Socks: 26 Inspired Designs.
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This is the Almanac pattern, designed by Martin Storey and published in the Rowan Pattern Book Pioneer. The feather pattern on the back is beautifully rendered, but I think I would want to do this pattern in more peacockian colours.

This is the Peacock Jumper, designed by Twisted Angle. The pattern is available for ₤3(UK). Again, I would do this in more peacockian colours, but if you'd rather imagine that the High Park Peacock got into a club this weekend and danced up a storm under the black light, and you want to commemorate his wild night out, then you have to knit what you have to knit.

I love this Peacock Feathers Pullover, designed by Diane Zangl, which has a Cowichan-like quality item to it, as though a native North American design aesthetic met Fair Isle. This pattern was published in Debbie Macomber: Blossom Street Collection, Book 1 (Leisure Arts #5268).

The Peacock Plumes Top, designed by Ravelry user Lankakomero. Very much like the pretty stitchwork on this one. It's a free pattern.

Fabulous texture on these Peacock Tail Socks, designed by Kathy Stearns. It's a free pattern.

The Peacock E-Reader Cosy, designed by Vikki Bird. Again, pretty as this gray and blue are together, this one calls for more peacock-like colours. The pattern is available for ₤2(UK).

A too-literal rendering of a peacock can look too busy, but this Peacock Cowl, designed by Stephannie Tallent, is just stylized enough that the design is vivid and eye-catching. This pattern is available individually for $6(USD) and was also published in California Revival Knits.

Some Sheepish Patterns

Being that we're now living the year of the sheep according to the Chinese calendar, it seemed like an opportune time to do a post of selected sheep patterns. Now that the idea has occurred to me, I don't know why I haven't done it before. We knitters certainly ought to pay tribute to the sheep, given that we owe the species a great deal. The Sheep mittens pattern, depicted above, was designed by Jorid Linvik and is available for $6.50(USD).

This Sheep Balls ornament pattern, designed by Dona Carruth, makes an annual appearance on not only this blog's Facebook page but on nearly all the knitting-related Facebook pages every December, and it's easy to see why. It's good design, it's cute, and it's a free pattern.

These are the Sheep in the Countryside Cushion and the Flock of Sheep cushion patterns, designed by Denny Gould. The patterns are available for £3.60(GBP) each.

This is the Sheep and Pickle Farm Vermont SheepScape Sweater, by Sheep and Pickle Designs. It's available for $4.50(USD), and there's also a matching hat pattern. I'm imagining this design in a more enlivening colourway, though it is effective in gray.

This is the Sheeps sock pattern, designed by Mariann An. It's a free pattern.

Isn't it great when we can use the children in our lives to indulge a sheep fetish? This is the Shaun the Sheep mobile, designed by Alan Dart.

My favourite thing about these Sheep socks, designed by Sandra Jäger, is that they look like a houndstooth pattern at first glance.

This Sheep in the Field Afghan, by Eileen Pearl, wouldn't be the same without that one black sheep in the herd. This pattern is available for $9.99(USD).

This Sheep toy pattern, designed by Jane Ellison, would make the perfect companion for the sheep blanket above. This pattern is available for £3.95(GBP).

How cute is this Sheep Dress pattern, designed by Debbie Bliss? This pattern was published in The Baby Knits Book.

Love the gradient effect in the Children's Cardigan Where the Wild Sheep Roam, by Pinneguri. This pattern is available for $5.00(USD).

The Sheep Hat pattern, designed by Renee Lorion, comes complete with a back view tail and legs. This pattern was published in 60 Quick Baby Knits: Blankets, Booties, Sweaters & More.

And we end with a little something for the adults. The Sheep Heid pattern, designed by Kate Davies, is done in natural wool shades. This pattern is available for £3.29(GBP).

Knitwear For Those Not So Quiet Evenings In

Last Valentine's Day, I did a post on selected naughty knits. This year I decided to do a post on lingerie knitting. I have mostly chosen items specifically designed to be worn before a very small audience rather than out in public, so before you have a coronary at the idea of wearing some of these, remember that the only people who will ever see you in them are those who love you just the way you are (and if they don't, the problem probably lies with them, not the knitwear or you).

The Assets of Evo shorts, shown above, are designed by Marnie MacLean, have a cute, contemporary appeal and will pair well with a simple camisole. It's a free pattern.

If you like doing some Jazz Baby role playing during your evenings at home, the Zelda chemise might be just the thing to hold up your stockings while you're brewing up some gin in the bathtub. This pattern is available for $3.99(USD), and was also published in Naughty Needles: Sexy, Saucy Knits for the Bedroom and Beyond.

I think I've been eyeing the Hush-hush nightgown, designed by Libby Baker, since Knitty published it in 2004. It's so pretty and what I will euphemistically call "fetching" without being at all vulgar. It's a free pattern.

This is Lucy's Chemise Nightgown, designed by Joan McGowan-Michael, which is available for $8(USD). I've been meaning to write a post on McGowan-Michael's incredible work for about two years now and really must get around to it soon. She is past mistress of romantic knitwear design. Er, I use "mistress" in the sense of Ms. McGowan-Michael's having mastery over romantic design, not in any other sense.

This is the "Pretty Little Knickers" Lace Lingerie Set (bralette, boyshort, and a camisole which is not shown here), designed by Lauren Riker. I can't speak to how supportive that or any knitted bra is going to be, but it would surely be possible to add some supportive construction to the inside. This pattern is available for $7.00(USD).

This Basic Bra and Basic Panty, designed by Joan McGowan-Michael, features an underwire and looks a little more supportive than the previous design. The bra pattern is available for $9.50(USD) and both patterns were published in Knitting Lingerie Style: More Than 30 Basic and Lingerie-Inspired Designs.

This Lace-edged cami and knickers, designed by Sarah Barbour, are quite cute and wearable. The pattern is available for $8(AU).

I had to include this "Bow-dacious Bikini" Triangle Ruffle Bralette and Keyhole Back Panty with Bow Lingerie Set, designed by Lauren Riker, for the sake of its saucy little details. This pattern is available for $6.00(USD).

These Sexpot Bottom undies, designed by Ashley Paige, look like they'd feel amazing when worn. There's a matching top as you can see, but I can't see enough of it to be able to form an opinion on it. Both patterns have been published in Sexy Little Knits: Chic Designs to Knit and Crochet.

I might just have to consider making this Ruched Camisole, designed by Joan McGowan-Michael, in a mohair to match the Sexpot Bottoms just above, as they'd work well together. The Ruched Camisole pattern also appears in Knitting Lingerie Style: More Than 30 Basic and Lingerie-Inspired Designs.

How can I do a lingerie post without including a few corsets? This Basic Corset, designed by Joan McGowan-Michael, which is another of the patterns in Knitting Lingerie Style: More Than 30 Basic and Lingerie-Inspired Designs.

The Alicia Corset, by Trudy Van Stralen. This corset could be worn either during evenings in or as a summer top. It's a free pattern.

I can hardly show a corset design without showing a girdle. Generally speaking I'm glad to be alive in an era when women aren't expected to wear corsets or girdles, but it might be fun to slip them on occasionally. The Betty pattern, designed by Joan McGowan-Michael. This pattern is available for $4.00(USD).

How fetching is the Lacy Boy Short, by Joan McGowan-Michael? This pattern is available for $5.50(USD).

Di's Lacy Pants, by Diana Kiernander, besides being trimmed with ribbon and elastic lace, are lined with silk to keep them from being too itchy or chafey on one's delicate parts. This pattern appears in I Love Knitting: 25 Loopy Projects That Will Show You How to Knit Easily and Quickly.

All of the above patterns are those that are meant to appeal to women, but let's not neglect male lovers of knitwear entirely. Here's the Men's Thong-th-thong, by Joan McGowan-Michael. It's a free pattern.