(almost) spring things.

It's just insane how beautiful the weather in the southwest has been here lately! I am not trying to rub it in for those of you living in colder climates, instead I am sharing with you the promising thoughts of budding trees, warm days and SUNSHINE that lay in store. Spring will come... I have proof! In the meantime, here are some wintry things that I wanted to post before the cold-weather months are over.


This hat was knit from the pattern Hannah and you will notice that it (purposely!) has a hole in it. It was knit as a request from someone that came into Unravel and wanted a hat she could pull her ponytail through when she is working outdoors in cold weather. I helped her pick out a dark green Cascade 220 Superwash yarn (perfect working outdoors!) and got an idea of size and style for the hat. It was a pretty easy knit. I doubled the yarn and used size 10 needles and knit the entire thing flat, then just sewed it up halfway. I think the buttons are a cute (as well as functional) touch.


I also knit another version of the le slouch beret, this time with the double moss stitch. Oh, I looove working in this stitch! I love the texture and how quick and fluidly it knits up. I used a little less than 2 balls of Berroco's Pure Merino from my stash, a gift from my friend Aly. I think this hat has just enough slouch for me! Even though I won't be wearing it this winter, I will hold onto it for now. The color and stitch are just too pretty to part with!



I thought I'd share with you a new yarn purchase I made when I was traveling in Arizona last month. I had the opportunity to visit the gorgeous shop Knit 1, Bead 2 in the funky town of Jerome, AZ. My eyes and fingers fell in love with the oddly beautiful Shire Silk from Plymouth yarns.


It's 100% raw silk, very light weight with a nubby texture and hints of gold, cream and deep green running through each minty strand. can you tell I am in love? Now I am not usually one to buy yarn without a project in mind, I've already got enough lonely skeins lying around waiting for an assignment than I know what to knit with, but this stuff was too pretty and different I couldn't pass it up. I bought 3 skeins hoping to make a spring scarf, no particular pattern in mind, just knowing something this lovely was bound to be good!


Here's what I've started so far. It's a very fickle yarn, doesn't work well with many patterns. I had something lacy in mind, something open and airy, but not too intricate since the bumpy texture will not let it show. I decided on this wavy pattern and worked in 3 different size needles before deciding that smaller was better and settling on a size 8. (the "swatch" above is size 10 and a little loose for my liking) I still think the yarn is beautiful and it isn't too tough to work with, just knits up differently than the alpaca and merinos I've grown used too. It requires a lot of patience and trial and error.

I'm not making this for any particular reason except that I enjoy to knit, so I could start over and over again all I want, but eventually I'm gonna want to finish something! Anyone have a suggestion for the silk? I looked at some projects made from the same material on Ravelry but nothing there really made my heart skip a beat. For now I'm just as happy to admire my yarn on the shelf, and wait for the right project to come along... eventually.

just a few things...

I feel like I don't have much to show for myself lately. January was a month of dreaming and scheming and not a lot of getting-knitting-done.

I did make this VERY important "garment":


This handy 12" x 6" rectangle is one of the simplest things I've knit in awhile and helps keep my coffee warm when I'm not yet ready for that second cup. It's actually stretched a bit from use, so I think if I made another one I'd put cables or a thicker rib to keep it snug. Still, it gets the job done and worked up quickly from leftover yarn in my stash.

So, it was not a busy month for knitting, but I did take trips to San Francisco and Scottsdale, Arizona. I got a new job and taught my first ever knitting class. PLUS I cast on for this top:


It's from The Best of Interweave Knits and I'm using that Blue Sky Alpaca Silk I just can't stop raving about! Although it's a small garment, it's probably one of the biggest projects I've tackled, 200+ stitches circling my needles! I'm about 12 rows in and think I have a mistake, so I might have to start over tonight... sigh. See why I'm not very productive?

Audrey!

Please add this to the list of things to make someday when I either:

-have a ton of extra time + money
or
-my own flock of sheep to sheer and provide me an unlimited supply of yarn...


a gorgeous knit coat pattern from Blue Sky Alpaca named, presumably, after one of my favorite style icons! The photo here isn't very large, but if you click on over to the pattern you can see it close up and maybe even start making yourself one. Yellow would be pretty too. or eggplant. or teal.


ok, enough with the posting + dreaming and on with knitting! Thanks for your motivational feedback on the top and dress (yeah, right!) below.

elegance all day long.

How crazy would it be to knit a dress? Especially something like this dress below, which Rosemary sent me the link to. Amazing! The pattern is only $3.00 but I am sure the yarn to make it would cost a small fortune.


I have been quite smitten with the vintage look lately. A few months ago, Rosemary also gave me a set of old knitting books that she found at an estate sale in Vermont. Just one glance at the Jackie O hair-do's and mod mini dresses you can probably guess them to be circa 1965. These books are so fun to look at. The photography and styling alone is just great!

Here are a few of my fave looks.

I love them all, but can't seem to get the the Lacy Evening Sweater (below) out of my head. It is by far one of the best knit things I have ever seen...


...so I am planning to make this sweater in 2009! I am thinking of Blue Sky Alpaca's Silk in either Peacock, Peridot or Ginger and hope to have it done by summertime, or more likely the fall. I think it will be just as fun to knit as it will be to (eventually) wear! The pattern describes it to be "perfect for cocktails-into-dinner" but I think it will look cute when drinking before any meal. [haha!]

Knitting Round Up!

Is it the end of the year already? wow. A lot happened this year, I had 3 different addresses and held 3 different jobs. whew! how ever did I have time for any knitting? well, I did, a little bit at least, mostly in the last few months when things slowed down. I really regret not working a little harder and opening my etsy shop this Holiday. I had such a great time with it last year. I do hope to do it again but for now it sits abandoned, a 'gone fishin' sign hung on the door, hoping someone returns soon...

what have i been so busy working on these last few weeks? well, lets take a look and see....


Scarves for friends!

I decided to make both of Nick's brothers a scarf for Christmas, and whipped these up in 2 weeks time! I used Berroco's Cuzco yarn to knit to knit up thick and quick.

Man-sized mittens for Nick!


I used knitty's "build your own mitten template" to get all the calculations correct, but changed the decrease to the instructions on this pattern. Mittens are pretty tough for me, I have to admit. I'm not good at making things in 2's and had some trouble with the thumb. But, all issues resolved Nick's pretty happy with his mitts and they keep his fists warm on the handlebars.


A new beret!

I based this hat on the Le Slouch but added a few details of my own.


Interweave Knit's Zig Zag Hat!


As blogged about already, I love this hat and made one for myself... and one for a friend.


oh, and a few fun swatches!


Purchasing the book Super Stitches Knitting gave me lots of fun stitches to try and more ideas for things to create.

This year, I've become a much more patient knitter. Working with some finer materials and with more difficult patterns, I've become more fond of knitting swatches and trying different needle sizes and stitches before I decided just how to proceed with my projects. No more diving right in! This leaves me feeling much more confident with my stitches as I work and although it might be en extra step, I feel more productive and am happy with the end result.

so... I am looking forward to what 2009 knitting brings me. Perhaps I will finally start and finish a sweater... or learn to knit socks... or brighten things up with a few more colorful felted bags! who knows? but watch this space... and share with me what you're making, too. I'm on ravelry as vanessa.e and flickr, too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

hot socks.

I've been feeling some pressure to start knitting socks, and I am starting to like the idea. I've never been a big sock fan (I try to go sockless for as much of the year as I possibly can) but these two pair of lovely knee socks spotted in the new Knit.1 magazine look like something I would definitely wear. I love them layered over tights and with a pair of pretty boots. Something new to learn in 2009!
{photos from the knit.1 website, where you can find lots of other pretty things.}

I ♥ Hats.

I love knitting hats. They're fun and quick, instantly gratifying and always useful. I think this pattern, from the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Knits is my new favorite. Working on the lacy ribs is like reading a good book you just can't put down. "One more page and then I'll go to sleep, one more page..." until you stay up all night reading to the end, only to miss the characters and long for more when you wake up in the morning. But in this case I could quickly knit up another!

The hat has a really great decrease. Instead of decreasing down to just a few sts, you end with close to 30 on your needles, resulting in a loose fitting crown and a quick finish!



I used Blue Sky Alpaca's Melange paired with Madil's Kid Seta, a silk/mohair blend, for the fuzzy look. The dark colors make it hard to really show off the lace-like stitch, but I like them best on my head. And despite being a hat with holes in it, the kid mohair and baby alpaca blend make it suuuuper warm and soft.



Now that I have more than enough hats to keep my head warm, I am starting to think of others' heads who may be catching a chill this winter. Blogger Jean aka The Scottish Lamb is collecting Hats for the Homeless. I am getting started on a few and hope that you will take the time and that extra skein of yarn you have lying around and knit some too! She has info somewhere on her blog for where to send them, or you could donate them to a shelter or winter coat drive in your community. Its cold everywhere this time of year... even here in the southwest.

102 reasons...

The blog Poppytalk put together a thoughtful list of 101 Reasons to Buy Handmade gifts this holiday season. I, for one, don't need much convincing. A moment or two glancing at the beautiful items on etsy and my cart is full! I could fill this blog with links and images of all the goodies I like, but then you might get them before I do, so I'll let you go peruse for yourself. While you are there, be sure to check out this new shop from one of my favorite people, the multi-talented Suzy Smalls! Right now the shop is full of lovely, well selected vintage items (like the fabulous dress above!) and anyday now will also be feature hand made, original clothing! The dress below is just a preview of the goodness to come. It's inspired by the look of vintage patterns that she loves to sew, but with some custom details that make it modern and unique!

shop :: suzysmalls.etsy.com

Back to blog a bit more…

So I took a break from blogging (as I said I would) but knew I couldn’t stay away for too long! I’ve been working on several new projects and have been happily posting pics on flickr, but have a few things to share that require a bit more space. Stay tuned…

Vintage-style Apron Take Two.

Last year my grandmother asked me to make her an apron similar to one her aunt had growing up. She showed me the apron – it tied in the back and did not go over the head – but I couldn’t find a similar pattern anywhere! I ended up constructing one by tracing the original apron and making my own pattern pieces. It came out ok but two things kind of threw me: 1) not being experienced enough of a sewer to know how to put it together without instructions. I did a bunch of things in the wrong order. 2) Bias tape… having NEVER sewn with it before I ventured out with little direction and attempted to make my own tape. This was a LOT of work and the results were just so-so. I kept searching around and eventually found a vintage pattern from this etsy seller that was PERFECT! This year I returned to my apron with a bit more experience and decided to line the apron rather than deal with the tape. Also, I like how the lining gives it a bit more substance, since the fabric I used was kind of thin.

Oh and I must add that yes, my grandmother LOVES country western, so the fabric of choice is completely appropriate! I’m so excited with how this came out I am not even waiting til Christmas, I am sending it to her today.

Just had to mention....

I was so excited when I heard about the Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm and their yarn CSA. It's a great idea for knitters and yarn lovers to support a growing small business and get to know where their fiber is coming from. For me personally, it's a nice way to stay connected to the Island that I love so much.


(She really has my dream job!)


You can buy shares or individual skeins here.
Visit their site here.
And subscribe to their blog.

Going for the gold!

I wasn't going to post this yet, because the dress isn't quite finished (all I have left to do is shorten the hem) but I needed an excuse to blog!


This may be my last post for awhile. Friday I am leaving to drive across country and live with my boyfriend in New Mexico -- a big change from New England where I have lived all my life. I don't know when I'll have internet access or be settled in yet, so this type of thing may be put on hold for a bit, but you can guarantee I will still be knitting and sewing and creating something...

Now seems like the perfect chance to look back and say what a wonderful thing having this blog has been! Three years ago I started photographing and sharing my knitting adventures publicly and I have come to meet a number of wonderful bloggers, crafters, sewers, knitters and friends. I'll still be checking in on all your blogs daily and invite you to keep up with me on flickr. Please, please stay in touch!!


Oh, and about this crazy gold dress! I made it from a vintage pattern I bought from an awesome etsy seller, Selma Lee. I bought some other great patterns too and can't wait to start making those soon! The fabric is Michael Miller and, again, I don't know what I was thinking going with a wild pattern that I will probably never wear. I guess a metallic gold polka dot dress is something every girl should have in her closet no matter what state she lives in!

Thanks again for reading, sharing, commenting and to those who made purchases from my store. I hope you all carry on in your creative ways and find passion in the process of making so many wonderful things.

Most importantly, have fun!

slow stitches.

I am always impressed when knitters whip up an amazing project in just a few days or less. Haven't quite figured out if I am too distracted, lack focus or just enjoy taking my time, but I am officially not a speedy knitter! I've worked on this scarf for several months now -- 5! -- sometimes stitching for lengths of time while tuned into NPR or my ipod, other times just picking up a row here and there while I waited to my coffee to perk or during commercials on Project Runway.


One of the tricky things I learned about knitting lace is you can't multitask. No knitting while I'm on the phone or watching tv as I usually do, this precise pattern forced me to count every stitch and keep track of what row I was on, never straying far from the instructions which were printed out nearby on a sheet of scrap paper. Many times this summer I felt too consumed by work, company and warm weather activities to really care what row I was on or if this project would ever be completed, but now that it's done I love it and can't wait to add it to my fall wardrobe!


I'm really happy with how it came out. Blocking the scarf made a huge difference in revealing the details of the intricate lace. I simply soaked it in room temperature water for a few minutes, gently rang it out and then let it dry flat on a towel outside. You don't have to dry it outside, I just thought the warm, late summer air would make it a bit more special.


So now it's on to the wintery knits -- ribbed and cable knit hats, maybe a neckwarmer or cowl, and that sweater I really want to finish. But this is not it for me and lace! I really loved making this scarf and look forward to tackling some more complicated knits. Please, if you have any patterns you love, do share them with me! I'm always up for the challenge of something new.

film fantasy.

It's been awhile since I blogged about something someone else is doing. Like these brilliant polaroid composites from photographer Patrick Winfield.



I really like the ones of trees and landscapes, but also love the more random "freestyle" ones that remind me of quilts!



You can see more here at his site, and also some of his other work. All done with polaroid.

counting raindrops.

It's been kind of cool and rainy here lately, not what you would typically expect for August. We've had almost a week of drizzly days and lightning storms late at night. Nothing like rumbles of thunder to awaken you at 4 am! I guess this is the perfect time to work on finishing up my April Showers scarf which I started back in, uhm, April.


The scarf is another purl bee project that I couldn't pass up. It's my first time knitting lace and though it's repetitive (what knitting isn't?) I found the lightweight fiber and airy knit to be a perfect summer project. Now I've only got a few rows to go before I block it. Anybody have a good technique for blocking lace? This is all so new to me... I'm excited to learn!



The fiber I used was Blue Sky Alpaca's Silk, a 50/50 silk and wool blend. lovely, lovely stuff!

Quiet Time.

Hello... I'm still here.

It has quite possibly been awhile since I last posted (a month!) mainly because I haven't had much to post about. Between working, going out, swimming in the ocean, working some more and spending quality time with my houseguests, I haven't had a single moment to sit down and stitch. No knitting, sewing or crafting for awhile! That's not to say I haven't enjoyed the last month of summer time fun. I've been doing everything good that you should be doing when you live on a gorgeous New England island in the summer -- including a little relaxation!


I've also been keeping up with so many of my favorite blogs, glancing at them each day on my lunch break. I'm get so many ideas for knitting, crafting and photo projects as well as fall fashion inspiration.

I'll be back with plenty of new and completed projects soon! Hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer!

Sewing Up a Summer Storm

First off, I'd love to say.... Thank You!

I had a lot of fun making that dress and I really appreciate the feedback I got from you lovely readers! Some of you I have never even met, but I look forward to your blog posts whenever I see them in my google reader and smile when you comment on my little creations. I love that this blog has become a place where I not only get to show off the things that interest me, but where I can correspond with others who love to knit, sew, shop and all around appreciate the handmade! so.... thanks, just for being out there on the other end of the line!


And now... bring you my next endeavor. Another garment!


I bought this fabric with making pillow cases in mind. I loved the print but thought it was too bold to wear as a dress. It sat neatly folded on my sewing table for a few weeks and the more I looked at it, the more I wanted to add it to my wardrobe. so.... I decided to make a casual top. I ordered the pattern from Vogue and I plan to modify it so it can be a dress. Consider this colorful creation to be a practice run!



I've officially been bitten by the sewing bug lately. Having my own set up and plenty of space to work in has definitely been a motivator. I do miss my knitting and although I haven't felt like picking up the needles all that much, I know I will again soon! Right now I'm happy to be sewing again and I'll enjoy it while it lasts.