The Lissy Cole Auaha Haukura Collection...

The day that I have been eagerly anticipating has finally arrived - that's right - the Lissy Cole Designs  collection is here.

OH WOW I AM EXCITED!!!

In collaboration with Lissy Cole Designs, Outlaw Yarn are thrilled to introduce their new collection of super chunky yarn in a fabulous range of bright colours; Auahu Haukura.

Today in Never Been Knit, I'm going to be telling you why, as a newbie knitter, I'm so fizzing for Auaha Haukura, why you should not fear the neon, and what I'm planning to create with my stash of these beautiful chubby yarn babies!

Lissy Cole Design's Auaha Haukuru is a collection of eight shades of super chunky, 100% NZ wool. This yarn is super lush, squishy, and the projects will fly off your needles and hooks in no time at all! 

​Product Specs:
100% NZ Wool 
48m per 100gm
8sts to 10cm on 12mm needles 
Hand wash, dry flat
NZ $17 each
Purchase online HERE or in-store at Outlaw Yarn HQ

The first reason I'm excited for this collaboration is the weight of the yarn. As a new knitter I am impatient, and need to see results and progress in my work to remain motivated. The crew at Outlaw assure me that any project I pick up in this yarn will progress very rapidly, and for this alone, I am incredibly pumped! 

In terms of my own personal style - I am plus-size, flamboyant and bold in my fashion choices. What that means is that I don't really do dainty or delicate in my garments, as well as being inspired by over the top fashions and designs of the 1960's and 70's. Like my energy and personality, I like my garments to carry my vibe and proudly stand out. I have the confidence and ability to wear heavier fabrics and exaggerated silhouettes without getting lost in them and that will always be my preference. So I think you can see why this weight of yarn is precisely what I'd always choose for myself over finer options. 

​Secondly, the colour range in this collection make my pulse race and my mind spin full of possibility and excitement!

I love, love, LOVE colour in my wardrobe and whilst I know that some may feel a little shy about such a bright range, full of neons, I whole-heartedly believe that these are such versatile and fun options that anyone can incorporate into their projects, no matter how they currently feel about brights. 

There are eight shades available, all beautifully named in Te Reo Māori:

Colours: 
Ao Mārama  - Cream
E Te Tau - Orange
Harikoa - Neon Pink
Paki - Electric Blue
Taumata - Red
Tūmanako - Black
Tūranga - Neon Green
Waimarie - Neon Yellow

I've pulled together the following colour swatches from the yarns to give you a good idea of the palette, and to get your mind exploring the numerous ways these could work together (they are limitless, every time I look at this I spot a new one!):

Top Row - L to R: Taumata, Paki, Waimarie, Harikoa // Bottom Row - L to R: Tūranga, E Te Tau, Ao Mārama, Tūmanako

I love to use bright colours in a wardrobe to express moods, feelings and personality. Whilst I know that not everyone shares my passion for all over, head-to-toe, brights, there are many ways that we can all introduce colour into our wardrobes. A little colour can go a long way in a project and adding an accent, pattern details or trims in a brighter colour, against a black, cream, beige or grey - like a dash of highlighter marker - can be a simple, elegant and eye catching way to bring one of these brighter shades into your next project. 

For the not-so-faint of heart, why not try clashing some of these brights together? Often in fashion, the louder something is, the more of a versatile neutral it can become. Have you ever heard the saying 'Leopard is a neutral?' - the exact same can be said for neons and brights. When something is so bold, so eye catching, like an animal print, or neon colours, any rules about what 'goes together' or 'coordinates' goes out the window. Then it becomes a complete free-for-all! That bold item can be paired with literally anything else in your closet, because if you've already gone THAT BIG there's really no going back to subtle, so why try?!  

I spend a lot of time working with my personal styling clients at New Boots and Panties about leaning into mixing colours and patterns, ditching the idea that everything has to be paired with black, and saying goodbye to obligatory, dated and constricting fashion 'rules'. When you learn to let go of these preconceptions of what style and self-expression can be, I promise that you will start to have SO MUCH FUN and feel infinite FREEDOM when getting dressed! 

In recent years, knitwear has featured heavily on the runways internationally, and from design students at prestigious fashion and design colleges like Central Saint Martins in London. The fashion created is breath-takingly avant-garde, intricate and I can't even begin to fathom how long the looks took to make. 

Whilst the below examples of neon knitwear on the runway are at the very most extreme end of the 'all things wild and outrageous' spectrum, they are magnificent creations, works of art, and can really demonstrate how clashing brights can create the most breath-taking results:

Clashing neon knitwear dominating the runways in recent years.

Which leads me to the question: What am I going to cast on as my next project?

This will be only my second ever knitting project, and I am acutely aware still very much a beginner knitter, who has to look everything up! However what I lack in technique and experience, I make up for in courage and ambition! As soon as I saw this amazing Auaha Haukuru collection of yarns I knew that I had to make myself a statement garment that would really use these magnificent colours to maximum effect. 

After discussing this with Ethan, we have agreed that I will make my first jumper - the Kingston Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrision. I touched on this pattern in my previous Knitted Wardrobe post about tops, and it's the ideal project for a rookie like me.

Below is an inspiration board that I've put together to show you what I'm envisioning for my Kingston Sweater project. It shows how my inspirations in terms of shape, pattern and palette. I had my heart set on putting the pink and red together, and wanted a contrasting shade - however could not decide between the orange or blue. Eventually Ethan and I agreed 'WHY NOT BOTH?' (I love Ethan and his enabling ways!) and so I will be making a striped version of the Kingston with red and pink as the larger stripes, and the orange and blue as smaller contrasting ones, to break things up. 

This sweater is going to be A LOT when it's done. But then I am A LOT in my fashion, personality and style, and I'm proud to embrace and flaunt that! Go big or go home, I reckon! I'm so excited to cast on! 

Pulling together a quick collage like this is a really great way to help you plan and envision any kind of creative project. It's one I use all of the time for fashion and sewing, and in my role as a personal style consultant - think of it like a mood board for your next knit! 

The Kingston sweater is the perfect project for the Lissy Cole yarns and what's even better is that Tara-Lynn Morrison has released an entire collection called 'Good Night, Day' full of minimalist knitting patterns that use this weight of yarn. The Good Night, Day collection is made up of 17 different patterns, including sweaters, cardigans, scarves, hats and shawls, all with options to customise and alter. What's wonderful about it is that there's something in here for every skill level, the patterns are minimal in style meaning that it allows the bright colours of the Auaha Haukura collection do the heavy lifting, and the patterns are plus-size inclusive - there truly is something here for every knitter, and here at Never Been Knit I'm very passionate about body inclusivity in any projects that I feature. 

Good Night, Day pattern collection by Tara-Lynn Morrison

Now that you have learnt all that you need to know about the fabulous Lissy Cole Auaha Haukura for Outlaw Yarn collection, we've looked at how to combine colours and be fearless in your pairing options, and I've shared a collection of patterns suitable for everyone - I hope that you are inspired to step out of your comfort zone, go big, go bold, and get yourself some of this fabulous new yarn. 

You can purchase the Auahu Haukura yarns online from Outlaw Yarn, or in person at Outlaw Yarn HQ in Sydenham. 

As ever, if you have any questions about the products, equipment, choosing a pattern or your project the wonderful team at Outlaw are always so happy to help, so pop on in and don't be a stranger! 

Until next time - happy knitting!

Lou 
xox