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

And the winner is...

We are pleased to announce the winner of our Twitterific Sock Contest and recipient of a 09/10 Sock Club Membership is 3894! Congratulations Helen, enjoy a lovely year of socks.

Next on the agenda: New products! We have just received some lovely handpainted yarns from Schaefer and roving from Abstract Fiber that we just can't wait to share with everyone. Pictured left is Schaefer Helene, a beautiful 50% Merino, 50% Cultivated Silk blend. The colorway pictured is Gertrude Erdele. On the right we have Abstract Fiber's Alpaca Silk blend roving in colorway Chocolate Rainbow. I can't get over how gorgeous both of these are, I especially like how well they work next to each other. These are both available in the store and will be available on the web shortly!


Now onto my favorite new toy, we have recently received some of these absolutely beautiful Traveluxe clutches by Offhand Designs. They come in such gorgeous fabrics and they are perfectly (in my opinion) laid out to accomodate straight needles, DPNs, and circulars, PLUS they have a zippered notions pocket. I snatched up the one on the left and am completely obsessed with it. This is definitely made worse, of course, by the fact that it so conveniently fits in my purse.

an interior view:

We also got a few of the Offhand Designs handbags but unfortunately all but one were snagged before I could get pictures. The size of this bag makes it so functional: large enough to be a great project or an overnight bag, but still not too large to be an everyday bag.


So that is what is new with us, stay tuned next week for an update on Marjorie's Skif and some more customer and staff projects. Until then blogfans!

-Lindsay

no longer down, and definitely not out

You may have noticed some interesting glitches in the website over the past week, but hopefully they have been rectified permanently. The site has been moved over to a new, more reliable, server that promises to be less flaky. So, if you sent us an email over the weekend (that bounced back) or tried to check the site for info on an upcoming class and saw this:

From the knitting community at knit purl

We very sorry if it caused you any inconvenience. But, the good news is that the site should be faster and more accessible than ever.

In other (more knitterly) news, we have just been positively overwhelmed (in a good way) by knitters at recent Sip'n'Stitch and "No Mean Feet!" nights. Last Thursday I took an extremely blurry shot of the group:

I think we ran out chairs, actually (which is always a wonderful phenomenon).

This is a very positive (and encouraging) trend all around, considering the state of the world/ economy.

But, moving on to everyone's favorite part of each post* - our customers' projects. First, we have Evon, who came in on Saturday with her first finished knitting project:

The Rasperry Liqour bag (#125) by Noni, knit with Cascade 220 in "Lavender". Did I mention that Evon is 8? She's also in the Beginning Knitting Class! The bag just looks perfect, she did an amazing job on it. It's awe-inspiring how many young knitters visit us with their FOs these days. Just fabulous.

Then, this afternoon, Haven dropped by to show up her in-progress Swallowtail Shawl:

Being knit with Catherine Lowe Merino 1 in "Smoke". I am told (since I didn't get to see it in person) that the shawl was bloody amazing in the Merino 1. And, ha!, I managed to find Haven's ravelry notebook and the shawl information. Just in case you're interested...

And that is everything pertinent at the moment. We have a super-gianormous Newsletter going out on Friday (look for it, there're going to be some interesting articles!), so that project is looming large in everyone's minds. Until next time, in which we will discuss Cool Socks, enjoy the sun while it's out!

*I think it is, anyway. It's the section we get the most feedback on...

Woolly turkey and new bags.

I bet you think we've got a new breed of fiber-producing animal lined up for your knitting pleasure. Alas, no. We do have, however, a fantastic new window display for the holidays. LeBrie Rich, felter extraordinaire, spent all of yesterday setting this lovely nonperishable holiday feast:

If you live in town, you really must come by and see this - even the salt and pepper and the candles in the chandelier are felted! It's just delightful. And if you're now thinking, "Ooh, I'd like to felt some mashed potatoes!", we are hosting several workshops with LeBrie this fall. Just check out the class list for more information.

On the subject of bags (long-time patrons know that we're a little bag-crazy here), we've got two new ones for you. Now, neither of these are on the website (yet!), but if you simply must have one now, drop by or phone and we'll hook you up.

First is the Namaste needle binder:

Not only can it store your needles and notions, it also has space enough to carry a project or two. It's the perfect traveling knitting bag. And it comes in three colors. Of course, since it's by Namaste, I doubt we'll keep it in stock for long. Remember when we had to start a waiting list for the Malibu?

Oy.

Moving past that trauma, we've got a revamped Lantern Moon project bag for your knitting pleasure:

The new and improved Maya. And, let me tell you, it is improved. Better, more durable (and attractive!) fabric and exterior pockets make this perfect for small projects like socks and baby garments. This will be another one that'll fly off the shelves, easily.

Of course, we just got the preview for the Winter line of new Lantern Moon products, and I cannot wait to start showing those off to all y'all. Mm mm mmm.

But that will have to wait until later.

FO pr0n & Skif KAL embarks

So much has been happening the past couple of days! Reorganizing after any knitting conference is always a huge undertaking, and we still have boxes of yarn sitting around waiting to be unpacked. Also, after getting another newsletter out, we are officially down to our last spot in the Sock Club. I have to admit, I began to wonder if we'd ever sell all 200 spots - but we almost have, and what a relief it is!

Well, mostly. We've been having some problems with USPS not delivering the September kits and the like. But, for the vast majority of our Club members, things have been moving along relatively smoothly.

Moving on. Patrick dropped by today to say "Hi" and to show off his super-hot, completely Rockstar, cardigan. The pattern is Oak from Rowan's The Organic Cotton Collection, and the yarn is Cotton Purelife in Quebracho & Cuba. Personally, I think the FO is goigeous:

He admitted that, technically, it wasn't truly a Finished Object as he had yet to find & sew on snaps. I still think it counts, since he could wear it. Am I right?

Next, we have a shop sample Patrick made for us, modelled by Enid: the Zenith Carpet Bag from Bag Style:

Knit with 3 skeins of ShibuiKnits Merino Alpaca. One minor alteration to the pattern: we decided to put the second set of smaller handles on the inside of the bag, for a more attractive look.

And, finally, a photo from the Skif CO Party on Tuesday night. I don't want to hear or see any comments about how we may look, since some people I won't name actually refused to be pictured at all. Cowards.

It was quite a lot of fun - wine, cheese and knitting, what else could one want? - and I think very successful. Quite pleasant all around.

Other than that? The new Fall Class List is up and the News & Events page updated. That's enough for now, I think.

True Plies: Needle-lessly Cool

Our Very Special Yarn column is on hiatus until the project I'm knitting with it is done. Sorry, I'm a slower knitter than expected...

True Plies: MY Top 5 (Coolest & Most) Essential Tools of the Trade

Aside from yarn and needles, there are a few items any knitter will need to keep on stitching away blissfully. Ignoring the standards, like tape measurers and needle gauges, let's look at some other less known but extremely useful bits and bobs created to save our collective sanity. Some may argue with the products I chose, but this is my column and we all know I'm right anyway.

1. The KA Mini Cro-Hook

I love this thing with a deep and abiding devotion. Only 2" long and perfectly useful for a million tasks (picking up stitches, crocheting edges, seaming, etc), this is THE SPIFFIEST new knitting tool I've found. It also comes with it's own plastic pouch, to protect it from nicks and suchlike. Since it's so teeny-tiny, it can fit in any project bag and won't take up room better used to store yarn.

2. Clover lock-ring stitch markers

O', little plastic locking stitch markers, how I love thee. Let me count the ways. For thou art:

1. fantastic stitch markers for any project.


2. perfect to identify other important project details - pattern repeats, rows, shaping, you name it.


3. invaluable in placing buttons.


4. also be useful in lieu of buttons (just guess how I figured that one out).


5. wonderfully contained in a sturdy pouch.

Truly, thou art the epitome of stitch-markerdom.

3. Boxy Project Bags

I used to be one of Those knitters. Unhappy with my traveling projects because I was constantly losing DPNs, pulling out tangled birds' nests from my backpack, and just having a Bad Time of it. Then I discovered project bags. Put your knitting and toys in a bag within your purse/ messenger bag/ backpack and voila! No more snares, missing needles or puncture marks in your Physics homework. After a couple of years worth of experimenting I have found:

• Boxy is better - more space and it's trendy to boot.


• Closed is essential, an open bag (without zipper or snaps) will end in the same trauma as having no bag at all.


• Snaps or buttons are less hassle than zippers, but all are better than none (see above).


• A wrist-strap is priceless. Aside from giving you the option of knitting while walking/ jogging/ chasing sheep, it also offers something to grab.


• Less is more. Honestly, are you really going to want a project bag big enough for a sweater? Remember, your project bag has to be able to fit inside your purse/ messenger bag/ backpack.

My own preferences are to the Lantern Moon Diamon-Drop bags and the Misocrafty wrist bags - both are large enough to carry a small to medium sized project (socks, hat, scarf) and fulfil all my realistic* project bag needs.

4. SnipIt Scissors

Many knitters (and knitting-product reviewers) prefer the Clover Yarn Cutter Pendant, but I'm an old-fashioned stickler to scissors. Aside from appreciating such a purely human feat of engineering, they're more adaptable to different jobs - good luck steeking with that pendant. And these scissors fold up to prevent snaring or poking holes in anything nearby.

5. The Clover Chibi

Chibi means "little one" in Japanese. Just like the KA mini cro-hook, this is a small, affordable and completely indispensable tool. Or toy, depending on how you look at it. I store all types of needles in mine - sewing needles for buttons, various embroidery needles, and the standard tapestry needles for knitting. Once you get one of these, you'll get attached to how functional and, well, cute it is!

So those are my Top 5 toys to keep any knitter sane. Try 'em out and prove me wrong, I have a hard time imagining anyone not loving one of these products!

*Yes, I do have a secret wish for Hermione Granger's magical ability to store anything and everything in a handbag.