Fashionknitsta Thursday: 3/4/10

Happy Thursday everyone! If you're in PDX I hope you're enjoying this beautiful day, it's really looking like Spring!

If you've been keeping up with the recent current events, i.e. the Olympics and Fall 2010 Fashion Week you may have noticed the same trend we have, a resurgence of Fair Isle and cozy knitwear! Sara has blogged a bit about it when she featured the Peruvian Alpine Skiing Team uniform and we've all been very excited to see it! With all this wonderful sunshine lately I've been trying to get into a Spring feeling and so far it's really not working out. Really, how could it with amazing patterns like this one by Helena Bristow based on the official US Olympic Hat designed by Ralph Lauren available (for free!) on Ravelry:


Love the moose motif! This little beauty is done with a worsted weight yarn so it would go super fast, I think because color is such an important part of this I'd stick with Cascade 220 Superwash (sadly not on our website, but available in the store) to get really clear reds and blues. Keeping in the Fair Isle spirit, one of my (and everyone else's it seems!) favorite pieces from this years Olympics was this great sweater for the Canadian Olympic team by the Hudson Bay Company:

I haven't stumbled upon a pattern based on this one yet (big surprise, right?) but I hope its on the way. Until then I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with this pattern for coordinating mittens.

Designed by Heather Desserud, this free Ravelry pattern is done with fingering weight yarn. Again, making color the first priority I'd use Jameison's Shetland Spindrift.

EDIT: Shortly after finishing this blog, on a whim I decided to take another look. This isn't exactly what I was looking for, but its pretty great. I'm not sure how I ended up at Canadian Living Magazine, but they had a beautiful pattern available for free by Paton's Design Studio for His and Her's Reindeer Sweaters!

Done originally in a chunky Shetland, I would love to see these in Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds Chunky or Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca.

Whoever was coming up with concepts for these Olympic looks was obviously on the right track as this knitwear and Fair Isle trend was present all over this years Autumn/Winter runways. In my opinion the D&G show at Milan Fashion Week was by far the stand out for this trend. Here are a few of my favorite looks:

I just love how they put the twist on the classic look of this traditional design. It was such an interesting move to incorporate the printed Fair Isle motifs on chiffon, but pair it with such a substantial knit leg warmer. In the third look I really love the juxtaposition of the leather with the little knit rib trim.

After a quick Ravelry search I found a couple of things that will I am hoping will get me started on the accessories I'll need for fall. The Oslo Legwarmers by Martha Mertzig is a step in the right direction, as well as the Cotton Reel Mittens pattern by Ysolda Teague that we just got in.

It was nice to see that there were options in this trend for men as well. Also at Milan Fashion Week Gucci showed a nice chunky Fair Isle Sweater:

I found a similar pattern on Ravelry (for free!) appropriately named The Dude by designer Andrea Rangel.

The pattern calls for bulky yarn so Rowan's Purelife British Sheep Breeds Chunky would be a gorgeous choice.

If you're looking for something a little more tailored, British designer Lou Dalton showed a more traditional approach at London's Fashion Week:

Just beautiful, I love the classic look of a Fair Isle Vest.

As far as knitwear goes, Fair Isle wasn't the only trend to be see on the runways. Everyone from Michael Kors to Lacoste to Pringle of Scotland were showing knits:

Michael Kors

Lacoste

Pringle of Scotland

These are all lovely, I'm especially interested in the big chunky scarf at Lacoste, but by far the stand out of this season in the knitwear world was Prada.

Absolutely beautiful, the entire collection is wonderful (so Mad Men!) so I suggest taking a peak at the rest of it if you're interested. These pieces were really standouts, the cabled dress in the second image is beyond words and I love the stockings and the chic headbands. I'm going to have to get started on a pair of Cookie A's Rhiannon Socks immediately (definitely in Isager Alpaca 2 to get the wooly look!):

And one of these babys. This pattern, Julia's Cabled Headband is a free Ravelry download by Paulina Chin. My search found that there are quite a few cabled headband patterns on Ravelry so if you like the look, there is a lot to choose from!


Before this post gets too out of hand (I really could go on for days!) I probably should get back to shipping. I hope everyone gets to enjoy the sun today (hope it stays through the weekend!), as always check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 2/4/10

Hello, everyone! Hope your week is going well, it's been pretty great here at the store and I have a bunch of wonderful treasures to share with you all today.

If you saw Sara's last post (love the Geodesic Cardigan!), you'll know that around here we are really starting to think about Spring time knitting. I'm blaming a lot of it Kirsten Johnston's pattern Thursday. We just got the shop sample of this knit up last week, and I can't help but daydream about it everytime I walk by.


The original is done in Habu Ramie A-166 and Habu Super Fine Merino A-177. I've always wanted to work with the Habu Ramie, so I think if I did this I'd have to make two because I also can't help thinking about it in Malabrigo Lace Baby (maybe held with Isager Alpaca 1?). This isn't up on our website yet, but it will be soon. Thanks in advance, Sara!

Switching seasons, the next thing I have to share today is a great winter piece from Coco Knits:

This wonderful accessory is the Fleeced Earflap Hat by Julie Weisenberger. It's done with a chunky yarn, they suggest Lamb's Pride Bulky, but I would love to see it in Malabrigo Chunky or Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds Bulky. It's never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts for next year and this would be a great one for anyone. It has sizing for men and women and comes with all the instructions to knit in the fleece.

For all the CocoKnits fans our there Julie will be visiting us next month for a Meet and Greet on March 5th and will be giving a Finishing and Design Workshop on March 6th.

The last pattern I have today is from a designer I have blogged about before and absolutely love, Jane Richmond.


Sedum is a free pattern on Ravelry, and for some reason (maybe the grey sky?) it's really jumping at me today. I would absolutely love to make this cardigan in the natural Blue-faced Leicester of Rowan British Sheep Breeds Chunky. It would be so cozy next winter!

While wandering the internet this week, I discovered artist Michelle Vitale Loughlin's work and really fell in love with it - and her. In her earlier work she experimented with mixing fibrous materials and painting, influenced by her seamstress grandmother who emigrated to the US and sewed American Flags to make a living.

In 2004 she received the Puffin Foundation Grant to purchase a knitting machine and has since been creating mostly large-scale, site specific architectural forms; such as this piece, Water Falls, which is currently on view at the Huterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey.



Knit on an industrial knitting machine with silver synthetic fibers, Water Falls is in response to the 200 foot waterfall adjacent to the Hunterdon Art Museum. With this piece Loughlin wanted to portray how man-made objects and nature are no longer separate by including debris in with the pristine image of the falls.

It was kind of tricky to find out more info about Michelle, as her website doesn't seem to be up right now. I did find a few of her other works online that I'd love to learn more about, including this piece from 2007, Arc:



I wish I had something to link to for her.  If you're interested, I would attempt a Google search; and, hopefully, her site will be back up soon. I actually happened upon Michelle's work via fiber artist Abigail Doan's blog, and was intrigued by her own interesting work as well.


The first of these images is her piece Crocheted Snow 01 from 2005 and the second is Primavera 02 from 2006. Doan describes herself as an "art-farmer living part of the year in an urban nest [New York City] and part of the year on a farm in Tuscany".

Most of her work is very focused on her interconnection and experience with nature and plant materials. The very ephemeral feeling and interventions with nature remind me very much of the work of Andy Goldsworthy. Really gorgeous pieces, she has a fantastic blog featuring her work and the work of others that I definitely recommend checking out.

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend and, as always, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

- Lindsay

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 11/19/09

Happy Thursday, everyone! Hope everyone has been having a wonderful week and is ready to enjoy the upcoming weekend. With how chilly it's been I'm really looking forward to some knitting in front of the fire. Originally I had a different post in mind today, but I was so excited when I got in this morning to see that we had received TWO brand new CoCo Knits Patterns, Gretel and Tessa, that I just can't help myself.

First, let's look at Gretel. Gretel is a beautiful light-weight tank with a cowl neck, perfect for spring and summer layering.

The sample is done in Habu Cotton Gima, it takes just 2 skeins for the small and medium (that's only $14.50), and only 4 (that's still only $29!) for the largest size making this a seriously affordable and fun project. The cowl neck detail really makes this pattern, I would definitely wear this with a camisole and jeans, or make it a bit more work appropriate with a nicer blouse.

Now let's move onto Tessa. Tessa is a really chic vest/top that is also wonderful for layering, but probably a little more appropriate for the temperatures we are experiencing currently. The neck detail makes this just a little more special, but it could definitely be worn by a range of ages and body types.

This beautiful piece can be worn open or closed (though I think I prefer closed) and I think, like Gretel, that it would be really easy to dress up or down. It could also be really versatile based on your yarn choice. The sample is done in Mirasole Tupa, a 50/50 Merino Silk Blend which makes me think of this as kind of more of a fall and winter pattern. They suggest Habu Shoshenshi Paper (100% linen) as an alternate yarn which brings a whole new tone to Tessa for me. While both of the suggest yarns are lovely, I think if and when I knit this pattern I would like to see it done in Rowan Wool Cotton. It has definite potential to be a big part of my winter and holiday wardrobe.

Sadly as both of these patterns are brand new they are not up on our site yet. I have been assured it will be soon, but until then they are available in the store.

My next pattern to share comes courtesy of past employee I'm sure many of you remember from in the store and her many blog appearances, Liz, who sadly left us for the tundra of Alaska. While innocently stalking her on Ravelry, I happened upon this pattern that she had recently favorited for the Carnaby Street Pullover by Melissa Wehrle from the Fall 09 issue of Knitscene (the Berkshire Doleman Sweater in that issue from the same designer is also really cute).

Lately I have seen a big comeback of military inspired cuts and details on clothing in stores, but I hadn't seen very many new patterns with that feel. The button detail on this pullover really hits that trend and gives it enough of that edge without taking it too far. The pattern calls for Brown Sheep Lanaloft Sport, and conveniently this is just about the same gauge as the Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca, which would be my choice for this lovely sweater.

During the same round of Ravelry-ing I found a pleathora of projects inspired by this scarf from Anthropologie:

None of those that I saw quite captured it exactly, but there is a free pattern available from Isager that I think is really close. The Cherry Scarf (available free with purchase of the yarn from Knit Purl) is done in Isager Alpaca 2 and Tvinni, and its a pattern I have been considering making for a while.

The Alpaca 2 is the majority of the scarf and the Tvinni is used for the accent colors. With 20+ colors of the Alpaca 2 available 30+ colors of Tvinni, the possibilities for this scarf are almost endless. A few customers have come in with theirs, and we recently got a shop sample of this and everyone I have seen has been different. I think its really fun to make a project truly your own like that and because this isn't just your average scarf it's a great project to make for yourself, or as a gift. I don't think too many people would complain about having their neck swathed in alpaca all day.

With that I will leave you for today. In light of the Thanksgiving holiday next week there will be no Fashionknitsta, but check back the week after for a new post.

Until then, stay chic, blogfans!
-Lindsay

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 11/5/09

It's Thursday again, and this week I have some great pieces that I'm really excited to share with everyone.

The first is a relatively new pattern (that's coming soon to Knit Purl), from designer Hannah Fettig, the Lightweight Pullover:
If Hannah's name sounds familliar it's probably because she is also the designer of the super popular Featherweight Cardigan, and the Whisper Cardigan from the Spring 2009 Interweave Knits. I really love the classic look of this sweater, updated just a bit with the slight cowl neck. It really is a perfect layering piece and would look great on a range of ages and body types.

This sweater is knit with a sport weight yarn, she suggests Classic Elite Yarns Fresco, but I would do it in Isager Alpaca 2 (big surprise, right?). While I'm tempted to do this in a charcoal, I've been waiting to find the perfect project to use their most beautiful purple color (# 13), and I think I've found it here. I cannot wait until we get this pattern in! I just want to lounge by the fire in it.

I guess I'm having a sweater day, because the next 'pretty' I have to show you is this lovely number, a Sweater Jacket from Talbots that Sara so kindly shared with me:

I then discovered this pattern for the 103-1 Jacket by DROPS design for FREE on Ravelry:

I really love the style of this and how versitile it could be to dress up or down for a holiday party, or work, or just with jeans for the weekend. I also really like the slightly higher neck, I really enjoy that in sweaters. This pattern calls for a super bulky yarn, they recommend Garnstudio DROPS Eskimo, but I would love to see it in ShibuiKnits Highland Wool Alpaca or Debbie Bliss Como.

My final bit of inspiration today is somthing I have been thinking about for a while, its kind of an update to a pretty classic pattern. One of my favorite winter accessories is a cowl, I'm not so much a scarf person unless they are the size of a small blanket. But the cowl is the perfect little addition when its too cold to go out without at least a little something around your neck, and I love that you can keep them on indoors. It's also a great way to add just a little pop of color and interest to an outfit. The Urban Cowl, a Knit Purl pattern by Jane Field, is basically my ideal - its simple and nicely proportioned.


The original pattern was done in ShibuiKnits Silk Cloud, which I think is a great choice, but I would love to make one in Isager Alpaca 1. I think I'm actually going to need to put my current projects on hold and whip this up really quickly so I can stop day-dreaming about it.

I'm sorry if this weeks post seems a bit thin, it's been quite crazy around here and haven't been surfing the interwebs as much as I should have! Stay tuned for next week's edition. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 10/8/09

Welcome to another Thursday and another edition of Fashionknitsta.

I have to thank a couple friends today for sharing some great pieces with me. In fact, my first inspiration piece comes from within my own home, a wonderful bag my roommate agreed to share with us. She got this a few seasons ago at Urban Outfitters and I have always thought it would be a really fun project.

I found this, the Posh Purse by Robin Chachula, on Ravelry and, though it isn’t exactly what I’m looking for, I think I’m on the right track. I’m not great at manipulating crochet patterns; but, I think done in chunkier yarn like Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca, perhaps, this would be a really close match. If any of you have seen a pattern that matches more closely, please let me know!


The next piece I’m looking at today also comes from a friend. I was sent a link to this cute cashmere/wool blend vest at Nordstrom:


It immediately brought to mind a project I actually bought yarn for just last week. This vest is a design from Helga Isager’s Amimono Spring/Summer 09 collection:



This vest is done with Isager Wool 1 and Alpaca 2 held together, and while this pattern is in the Spring/Summer 09 book, I think its a perfect layering piece for fall. I've seen several of them made up (the second image is actually one from Leslie, one of our wonderful customers) and they are just beautiful in person.

Color choice was a seriously hard decision, because I love the neutral look of these samples, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and go for blues with color 23 of the Alpaca 2 and color 101 of the Wool 1. I'm really excited to start this project, I just wish I had thought about it in July! This book is full of fantastic patterns, so if you're interested get it while you can as the ever popular Amimono Fall/Winter 08 is now sadly out of print.

(Just a note: that vest from Nordstrom costs $198, while the Amimono version only costs $108 including the book with the pattern.)

My final inspiration to share with you all today is actually a sneak peak of a pattern coming for Knit Purl this holiday season. Last year while blog-cruising I saw this lovely accessory:

I immediately fell in love with it, but could not believe that it cost something like $120. I could hardly wait to share it with my coworkers, and Sandy Kay and Sara began whipping up their own versions. You may remember seeing this previously on the blog, but here is Darcy modeling Sandy Kay's sample:

Sandy knit this little treat out of Handmaiden's Swiss Mountain Cashmere in colorway Moss. With a fiber content of 65% cashmere 35% silk, this is definitely something I'd love to use to keep my ears warm with this winter. Check in next month for the release of this pattern, I know I'm excited!

As always I wish you all a lovely weekend, see you next Thursday for the next edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay