PSSST!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Lindsay is busy, busy, busy right now trying to ship out all of the many copies of The Haapsalu Shawl that arrived two weeks early, so there won't be a Fashionknitsta Thursday this week. We're all bummed. But at least it's New Year's Eve, so there's a reason to party!

I haven't been posting lately because I've been pathetically ill. Hardcore customers know that I was out of the store for two whole weeks. Imagine the yarn withdrawal I suffered on top of my flu symptoms. It really wasn't pretty.

But, in super-secret news that I will only be revealing to blogfans... be sure to check next week's Willamette Weekly for a coupon for a FREE Happy Hour class.

Seriously. Don't miss it.

Other news? We've been firming up the dates for a visit from our favorite tweedy blogger and putting together another awesome year of Sock Clubbyness that has a really cool Portland-centric theme. We think it's gonna be fantabulous.

Anyway. New Year's Eve is swiftly approaching and we'll be closing early... soon. Check back next week for a real blog post and another edition of Fashionknitsta Thursday. Until then, enjoy 2010!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 12/17/09

Welcome to another edition of Fashionknitsta! On this rainy Thursday, I hope everyone is staying warm and dry. I have a lovely selection of things (mostly thanks to my wonderful friend Amanda for showing them to me first) that I'm very excited to share with you today. Beginning with a piece called Auntie Peggy Has Departed, by London-based artist Shane Waltener.


This piece was installed in Aldwych Tube Station, the Strand, London in 2003. In the statement about this piece Waltener writes:

Doilies are like dreamcatchers, each knot holding a thought, a memory. The sum of these make up the history of a place.

This is such a beautiful thought, and so true about knitting as a craft. Every stitch is a symbol of a moment and so much thought and care and reflection is put in, whether your project be for yourself or someone else; which I think is a feeling that comes to many knitters as they get more involved in their craft.

Much of Waltener's work revolves around this idea, in his bio for the UK Hand Knitters Association he says, "beyond the aesthetics of knitting, I am interested in the social dimension of the craft, people exchanging stories, recollections and memories when knitting together". His work also deals with the balance of knitting in the larger discussion of art vs. craft and the idea of high art vs. low art. More of Waltener's fiber and mixed media installations can be found here, and I really recommend checking them out.

The next thing I have to share is also lace-centric and really interesting. Lace in Translation is a project between 3 art and design studios working to share their own interpretation of The Design Center at Philadelphia's collection of traditional lace designs by the Quaker Lace Company. The three European and Canadian teams, Demakersvan a studio based out of Rotterdam, Cal Lane a Canadian sculptor, and Tord Bootnje a Dutch industrial designer, are showing their takes on this historic art at The Design Center until April 3, 2010.


This is Demakersvan's interpretation, a 16 panel, 152 foot lace fence made of galvanized PVC coated wire.


Sculptor Cal Lane cut, welded, and painted her inspiration into a 1000 gallon oil tank and burnt a traditional lace design into the lawn at the Center.



This is Tord Boontje's contribution to the project, the first is an installation of Sofa Aramide and Dynema Fibers with powder coated steel, the second is a Raffia lace curtain.

More information on this project is available on all of the designers and teams websites as well as at the Lace in Translation home page.

A strange coincidence that all of these lace based projects would find me this week, if you receive our emails you may know that we are on a bit of a lace frenzy as of late. We recently received word that the famous Estonian lace book Haapsalu Sall (Haapsalu Shawl) by Siiri Reimann & Aime Edasi would be translated and printed in English available early next year. We are taking pre-orders for the second shipment of this beautiful book right now, the first were reserved almost immediately.

The next thing I have to share with all of you today is courtesy of Jenny, our graphic design wonder, De*Nada is a line of chic knit accessories founded by Virginia Blanca Arrisueño, who cites the culture and traditions of her Peruvian heritage as her inspiration.

The Challah Braids

The Eternal Roped and Skinny Fringe

The Eternal Web and Ladies Gloves

I really like this line, none of the patterns look as though they would be too difficult to figure out and make your own, and it's a really good example of well photographed knitwear.

The final thing I have today is this really interesting headband, also found by my friend Amanda, by the French accessories designer benoit missolin :

Pom-poms! I really love how fun this is, and how easy it would be to make! Can you believe they charge $194?! A pom-pom maker costs about $8. Outrageous! I'm really glad she showed me, I have a few girlfriends who should be expecting pom-pom headbands for Christmas (only maybe I'll make mine a little smaller).

With that, I leave you all until next time. In light of the holidays, there will be no Fashionknista next week, but check back the week after for a new post. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 12/10/09

Brrrrr! As I write weather.com reports its a chilly 27 degrees outside. Wonderful knitting weather I'd say, and I hope everyone is doing a lot of that this week! This Thursday I have a bunch of super-fun knitted art and accessories to share with everyone.

Last week Darcy shared this awesome link with me to Discover Magazine's feature on Knitted Science. Now a lot of these are really wonderful ideas and really interesting ways of combining the knitting and science worlds, but I have a few favorites. I really enjoyed the Crochet Coral Reef by Christine and Margaret Wertheim, the Sensory Neurons by Kelly Willits (which you can actually buy from her Etsy store), and my very, very favorite, Anita Bruce's Knit Plankton. After hunting through her website, I really love how Anita's Zoology and Art degrees have come together in a most interesting and beautiful way resulting in creations like these beautiful lace starfish:

these lovely coral specimens:

and, my favorite, the knit plankton:

This is an image from her show Degree show in 2008:


The second two images are from Ms. Bruce's Degree show in 2008. I love how she has these really delicate and intricate pieces, yet keeps the feeling so scientific. Really beautiful work, more of which can be seen on her website, and I managed to track down her Flickr, which is also worth taking a peek at if you're interested. I know I have posted a lot of her images, but I have to share just one more, a lacework set of Octopi. One done in wire and one in fine string:

Love them!

Ok, onto the next great find. Has anyone heard of LFLECT? Jenny, our wonderful graphic designer, shared this website with me earlier this week and I'm totally obsessed. LFLECT is a brand designed by Elena Corchero in Scotland. They make hats, scarves, ties, bags, and more knit out of Scottish Highland Wool that is reflective in the dark. During daylight it's a typical (though well designed) wool hat:

BUT at night they reflect to call attention to pedestrian and bicyclist:

I've seen similar ideas, but never one this well executed. The best part about these also is that they are completely customizable. You can choose design, color, with or without pom pom. There is even an acrylic option for those allergic to wool, or Vegans. I think they really have covered all the bases. Currently these are only available at Lost Values and Bobbin Bicycles in London, and online. Really wonderful idea, now how do we make yarn that does this!?

I think by now everyone has probably seen the new line of patterns we have been carrying, Churchmouse Classics, by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas of Bainbridge Island. This line is full of wonderful accessories for both genders. Right off the bat the Welted Fingerless Gloves were the most popular, with Annabella's Cowl and the Cashmere Beret coming in at close seconds and thirds. Now, I really like all of the patterns, but the one that excited me most was the Pressed Rib Cap and Muffler Set.

It is one of my goals for this blog to not only feature fashion forward designs for women, but to also find great things for men and children alike and this is, so far, one of my favorite man things. It's always so hard (especially during the season of giving) to find a nice pattern for a picky brother, or father, or boyfriend that still has enough detail to be special, but doesn't have so much going on that it borders on feminine. This is the pattern that really fits that bill. The two color is done in a more interesting way than average stripes, and the pressing to finish really leaves it with a professional look when it's done. Can you imagine it in Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca? Mmmmm...I'm definitely adding this one to my file for future gifts.

Last on the agenda today are these cute little "knit" candles from Anthropologie that Sara shared with me:


These are actually made of porcelain, but don't the stitches look real!? It makes me really want to attempt actual knit candle holders, maybe felted ones? Wool is self extinguishing right? Probably a really bad idea*, since I tend to have bad luck with fire, but perhaps taking up ceramics is an option.

*a subsequent search on Ravelry returned no results for knit candle holders not made of wire, so I think no, not a good idea.

With that I have to leave you all for another week, I hope everyone has a cozy weekend planned. Stay tuned for next week's edition of Fashionknitsta and, until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

How we overcome the chill

At this exact moment, iGoogle claims that the temperature outside is 32F (or 0C for you metric knitters), making Portland quite frosty right now. Working in a building that dates to the Shanghai Tunnels (seriously, we're connected via our basement) means that our heating system is older than most grandparents and not the most efficient machinery on the planet. But that's not a problem for knitters!

In the past week we've seen some creative (and often elaborate) ways Portlanders have developed to keep warm when the wind chill causes the temperature to drop into the negatives. One of which was an awesome Chain Link Scarf (pattern by Teva Durham); but, alas, I have no knitter to credit. Blame Kristin, she forgot to get the now Anonymous knitter's info.

Our knitter (I am told) was also wearing handknit mittens and multiple layers. Notice the sweater over a shirt over another shirt. The scarf, if you're into that sort of thing (chances are that, as a knitter, you might be), was made with the new Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Chunky. Soft, thick and quick. Ideal for sudden forecast changes.

My 0wn coping method involves layering multiple handknits. Right now I'm madly in love with my recently finished Sapphire Sabine:

At 65% baby alpaca, this light little cardigan is surprisingly warm (okay, maybe not that surprising if you know that alpaca is 3 - 7x warmer than wool!). But, darns, people, it is nice and toasty in a frigidly cold basement. All I need are wrist warmers and I'm set. I thought my coworkers were going to strangle me when I said that.

And, before the questions pour in, the pattern is Sabine, by CoCo Knits. The yarn was Road To China Light, in the color "Sapphire". The pattern said I'd need 7 skeins, but I think it could have been done with 6. If you're making the XL size, you probably can get away with a little less yarn than suggested. But don't quote me on that. The Knitting Fates will strike me down.

Next on the list of toasty ideas is our Handknits For Hard Knock Kids clothing drive. Knitters across the PDX area are getting the warm fuzzies after donating their handknit and store bought clothing:

Knit a hat, or buy some mittens, or clear out your closet and you'll stay toasty all winter long!

Our donations box is almost full after a week, which means we'll have to get another box because we're not stopping anytime soon. We have a week and a half left for donors to qualify for one (or more!) of our fantabulous prizes, but will continue to collect donations through the New Year. So, if you want to earn an inner glow and possibly win a skein of handpainted yarn, bring in some clothing to donate!

In less toasty news, we do have some fun events coming up in the next few days:

1. The Holiday Happy Hour #5: Danger Crafts Toy! is scheduled for tomorrow night. I'll be helping Sandy Kay teach students how to create jogless stripes as well as join two in-the-round projects (such as legs) into one. It's gonna be great, and I'm going to endeavor to bring my IP Sammie the Sock Monster with me.
2. a very cool eCard (with preview!) that features one of CoCo Knits' new patterns! Perfect for layering, Tessa is one of those garments that can be worn year-round.
   

Of course, right now I'm thinking I want one made out of Madelinetosh Merino. Just think how warm and soft it'd beee... And it'd only take, like, 4 - 7 skeins. Now there's an idea. A dangerous one, I'll admit, but it does have the potential for greatness.

Now, before I go back to data entry, I have a couple of updates:

1. Have you seen our facebook page? We'd love it if you became a fan or friended us!
2. Our limited edition Super Sock in "Opal Creek Winter" is going to be back in stock shortly. If you read the most recent Newsletter and just missed out on a skein of your own, now is the time to place a preorder before these next 25 skeins are gone for good.
   

With that, we've covered everything. So, until next week, stay warm and keep knitting (or crocheting)!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 12/3/09

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Here at Knit Purl the holiday season is in full swing making me (and I hope all of you!) feel extra inspired. Thanks to a long weekend of pursuing the internet from bed, I have tons of things to share with all of you on this lovely Thursday.

The first thing I have to share is some wonderful photos of the "Fashion Collective" event that took place at the Armory on October 12th. Artist and costume designer for Portland Center Stage, Fuschia Lin, showed a retrospective of her work from 1999 to present. We first got word of this event when Fuschia commissioned one of our lovely customers, Laura, to knit a custom pair of toe socks for one of her designs. Knit with Koigu KPM Solid color 1150 and Shibui Silk Cloud in Blossom held together, these really turned out to be a wonderful addition to the collection.


Here is a link to a review of the show from the Portland Mercury by Marjorie Skinner. In addition to her work for Portland Center Stage, Fuschia has designed costumes for Bjork and Karen O., has sold her designs in Paris Boutiques, and has been featured in a number of magazines making her a real treasure for Portland. Thank you so much for sharing these with us, Fuschia!

Last week while visiting my parents I found the cutest Fair Isle Cowl that I am still kicking myself for not taking a photo of. It's from H&M which unfortunately does not have an online store, so I'm still working on tracking down a picture of one. Anyway, I have blogged about several cowls in the past, but it had really never occured to me to mix that trend with the comeback Fair Isle patterns are making right now. I took my search to Etsy and, of course, found some wonderful things. My favorite are the designs from Elf518's shop including the pattern for this absolutely adorable owl cowl:

She doesn't have a pattern for this one, but I really love it and couldn't not share it:

Ok, so I know those really aren't very traditional, so if you are looking for a more classic I also found a great pattern on Ravelry for only $3. Alicia's Fair Isle Cowl by Sheila Joynes:

This one is much more along the lines of the one I saw, I think it would be really nice (and quick!) out of the Malabrigo Worsted Merino in Tuareg with Sunset as the accent, oohhh or the Madelinetosh Tosh Merino...there really are a lot of options with this one. I shall have to ponder.

Next on the agenda today is a really fantastic Etsy store, Spinthread, that our fabulous felting teacher, LeBrie Rich, showed me. The piece she was calling to my attention were these super funky Pom Pom Neck Huggers:

Really fun (and really easy to make!) these accessories would be a great conversation piece as well as keep you nice and toasty. Now, these are really neat, but the embroidered jewelry she has really caught my eye:


Hand embroidered and backed with lace, these geometric necklaces are such a beautiful and unique take on the floral and gem bib necklaces we have been seeing so much of lately. In addition to the necklaces she also has brooches and earrings in the same style, definitely a shop worth checking out.

There is so much more I want to share with you all today (for example, knit plankton!), but shipping calls and I shall have to save them til next week. Hope everyone has a lovely (and warm!) weekend ahead of them, stay tuned for next Thursday's edition of Fashionknitsta and until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Get that warm, fuzzy feeling.

We promised to blog weekly and we meant it. Last week was more than a little crazy and, well, Fashionknitsta Thursday fell on Thanksgiving, so that didn't happen. We are determined to get back on schedule, though, and stick to it... even if it takes me 'til closing to write all this up. Which it might, since a lot has been happening here!

Firstly, we have a blog subject that's long overdue and that you should expect to see a lot of over the next two weeks -

Handknits For Hard Knock Kids

It's the happiest time of the year... for some. For others, like children in foster care, it's the time where they can be the most lonely. But we can help make children in foster care more comfortable, in strange places with strange people, when they can't be with family.

From now through December 17th, we'll be accepting donations of handknit (and store-bought!) clothes and toys in good condition for Oregon children in foster care.

Drop off "New or used, hand-knit or store-bought [clothing]," at the store (or mail it to us, if you live out of state!) and you'll been entered into a prize drawing that includes several one-of-a-kind skeins of sock yarn from happiest girl! dyeworks, sock yarn from Abstract Fiber, many Knit Purl gift cards, and any other prizes we can rummage up.

We'll be collecting clothing from now through Thursday, December 17th, the night of our prize drawing. If there's continued interest, we'll continue to accept clothing after the holidays.

The Knit Purl clothing drive for children in the Oregon foster care system. Many foster care families can barely afford to feed and clothe their foster children, making the winter months particularly hard when the cold weather sets in. After reading an article in the Oregonian and Mim's blog post, we decided to do something.

Curious about what you can/ should donate?

"The only requirements the woman I spoke to noted were that items need to be clean and in good condition. They can use every size since they care for kids of all ages, from newborns to teenagers." (-Mims Copeland)

If you have any handknits, or hand-me-downs, sitting around the house, please consider donating them. Just think of the warm and fuzzy feeling you'll get and, quite possibly, the lovely prizes we've collected for generous knitters.

And now we can return to our regularly scheduled programming and sharing customer projects. Y'all know how much I love to share what our knitters have been doing. It brings me a little dose of vicarious joy every time.

Sarawan brought in her completed Seed Stitch Scarf a few days ago, and we all had to compliment her yarn choice:

ShibuiKnits Highland Wool Alpaca? Niiice (it's so sqooshy!). I think several staffers want to make their own version of this scarf now, because Sarawan was stylin' it. There aren't any notes on her project sheet, so we're just going to have to assume from her smile that she likes it, too.

Next, Tanuja wore in her Noro Silk Garden cardigan, from Noro Mini Knits (Design 26):

I just have to say that I looove her color choices. There are actually three different Silk Garden colorways in there, though I couldn't tell you where or when they start. But it definitely is lovely, and totally works for layering this winter and wearing into spring. Unfortunately, I couldn't find Tanuja (or her cardigan) on ravelry, so we can only admire from afar.

Yesterday, Martha brought in her finished Clara baby dress to show off:

We are so proud of her for sticking to this project - the pattern was translated (confusingly) into English from its original Scandahoovian language and can be really frustrating at times (trust me, I've helped a lot of perplexed customers with this 'un). Final verdict? It's totally worth the annoyance and confusion. Honestly. I've had several knitters tell me so, and just look at it. Isn't it adorable beyond words?

Martha's (getting back to the original topic) was made for a friend's daughter, and is on ravelry here. Go and fav it, you know you want to!

And that's all the customer projects I have for this week (and last week, too). If you have a project you'd like to share, please let us know or visit the store, because we'd love to feature it!

Lastly, we have some store updates to share. You may already know that Takako of Habu Textiles...
will be in Portland this Friday and Saturday, for the express purposes of teaching Knit Purl customers how to read Japanese patterns and to show off the Habu Textiles trunkshow. But, did you know that we're down to three spots left in the second session of Takako's Reading Japanese Patterns class?

It's true! But, don't worry, if it fills up and more knitters want to take this fun (and very useful) class, Takako has agreed to teach another session on Saturday. So, if you've been pining for a Japanese pattern book, you might want to clear your schedule this Friday!

And, ooh!, we have some new items in the store. My favorite are the two Danger Crafts patterns that just came in. Esther the Eccentric Elephant...

and Sammie the Sock Monster...

Who, incidentally, I have bought the pattern for and plan on casting on this weekend (squee!). He's so cute! He could even guard the sock yarn stash... Hmm, imagine.

And, lastly, we also have a new line from Punta Yarns. MeriTwist:


A delicious handpainted 100% Merino BULKY yarn that just begs to be knit up as a chunky scarf or hat. Yum. Knit at 3 sts/ inch, it's simply ideal for those last-minute holiday gifts you forgot to cast on a month ago (don't worry, we won't tell).

And last, but certainly not least, we finally received our shawl pin order from Lantern Moon and, thusly, have both the Textured Metal Shawl Pins and Classic Shawl Pins back in stock!





Yes, we are excited, too. One of those Classic Shawl Pins will be mine. If you've been coveting them (like myself), grab one (or two) soon, because even Lantern Moon admitted that they didn't know when we could get more.

That must be everything. If it isn't, we'll try again next time. Have a good week!