i got so excited as i started reading

about the new ‘encounters’ capsule collection

that i asked of marie of olive knits and

brittney-jean of b.woolens if i could review

this newly released collaboration of theirs.

although so many good points pull me into these pieces,

it’s their chosen theme of friendship

that holds my attention.

the designs themselves are based on what each of these two talented designers

feels, or thinks, or remembers about their friendship and its beginnings.

like marie’s ‘eavesdrop‘

and the reasoning behind the stitch patterns of brittney’s

‘conversate‘ and ‘palaver‘…

but, they tell the stories best in their own words

on their respective blogs here and here.

besides the common threads of friendship, all four pieces are made

in shibui knits yarns.

the rich muted colors speak volumes.

linen, alpaca, merino, flax, and silk are all in the mix here.

what great transitional fibers for gliding into this fall, no?

i’ve saved the pattern i like the very best

for last here.

‘simpatico‘ is done by choosing a color and a friend to knit it with.

then, near the end, you use some of your friend’s color

and they use some of yours.

isn’t that clever?

the way good friends

become a part of who you are yourself.

ooh, the symbolism (which you know gets me every time)!

i do so like this little capsule collection.

off to find a friend who’ll swap

their leftover with me

for ‘simpatico‘…

‘speak’ taken from 13:3 of proverbs.