Fashionknitsta Thursday: 1/14/10

Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope your week is going wonderfully. I'm very excited to share with all of you some wonderful things I found this week.

The first find I have is the work of a really wonderful Dutch designer, Christien Meindertsma. I have seen her work from time to time, but until recently had never really looked deeper into her design philosophy. The thing I found most interesting was the ongoing Flocks project. Taking a "slow design" approach, the focus of her work is the connection between the farmer and the final consumer. In projects like the One Sheep Cardigans and she worked with one farmer to create pieces from a single sheep. The finished garments include biographies of the animal, their eartags, and any prizes the animal has won.

She has also made these beautiful mittens from the fur of one rabbit.

My favorite of the projects is the Aran Rug, knit from the wool of 18 merino sheep, it is an interesting exploration of scale. A traditional Aran motif is magnified and repurposed into a cozy rug.




Absolutely beautiful work. More information about the designer is available at her website and more info about the Flocks project specifically is available here.

The thing that first brought Christien back into mind was my friend Amanda sent me a link to her Urchin Pouf's. These beautiful home accessories are available for $1,600 for the larger size at Design within Reach, but I knew I had seen a free pattern for them somewhere.

A quick Google search brought me to Pickle's blog, run byAnna and Heidi Pickles, for this wonderful version (also available on Ravelry):


I would love to have a couple of these for my living room. You hold a super bulky weight yarn triple stranded and then stuff them with an old duvet. I cannot stop day dreaming about doing these in Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca in Seaweed, ooohhh, and Mulberry.

I couldn't help but keep browsing the Pickles blog for a bit, and I came across this really cute vest:


The pattern for the XS-M size Wild Vest is available for purchase from their website, or the large size is available for free. It looks like its done with about a DK weight yarn held double. I'd love to see it in Rowan Wool Cotton or Felted Tweed. Ooohh, or the texture might be absolutely lovely in Shibui Merino Kid.

Anna and Heidi's blog is definitely worth checking out, its full of fun (and lots of free!) patterns and great ideas. Their Ravelry is also a good place to hunt. I'm finding I could do an entire months worth of blogs just with their stuff. I mean, just look at this beautiful crocheted lampshade (also a free pattern!):


And this gorgeous and simple wedding bolero!

I really suggest taking a peak at their stuff, it's really, really lovely.

Finally, just for funsies, I have found a really cute Etsy store with adorable patterns for the critter or science lover in your life. The Crafty Hedgehog is a really fun little shop with a range of things from patterns for these little guys...:

...to ready made hand knit lab rat disections:

(they also come in a frog version)

Shipping calls, so I must leave you with that for today. Have a great weekend, here's to hoping it won't be too dreary. As always, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. 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

we're not endorsing anyone, but...

Meriwether came in today with her finished Obama sweater:

Maybe a month ago, I helped her pick colors of Cascade 220 Superwash and ShibuiKnits Worsted Merino that matched one of his political posters. How awesome is that? Senator Obama's face is done entirely with intarsia in FIVE colors!

Okay, so it's awesome in a slightly crazy way. But we can get behind the slightly crazy here. If you'd like more information on how she knit it, you can check her ravelry notebook (she's promised to update it) or see her YouTube video: Obama knitter girl.

(And, seriously, if any of our readers are working on a McCain sweater (or hat, whatever), we'd be glad to feature it - Knit Purl is nonpartisan.)

Moving on to less inflammatory topics, we were visited by baby Kandyce last Thursday for our weekly Sip 'n' Stitch:

At 2 months and almost 10 lbs, she got passed around by Mommy's coworkers a lot. She also was very patient with 3M, who had never held a baby before. I wish I could have gotten a picture of her eyebrows - they are so expressive! Just adorable.

I would plotz more over her cuteness, but I just looked at the clock and time is running short. We just receive an update from Farrah, who is knitting us a sample Icarus Shawl in Isager's laceweight wool:

And a close-up:

Aside from us lacking some serious lace samples, we're also putting together a Miriam Felton display, for those of you who might be interested in her upcoming workshops but are still wary of the lace. It's gonna be awesome. I'm hoping we (Farrah and I) get our respective shawls done in time for Miriam's visit.

And, finally, we just received our first shipment of Happiest Girl sock yarn:

Dyed by Happiest Girl Dyeworks, in Portland, these are fantastic colors that you won't forget in a hurry. And, very especially, we have 4 (oops, now 3!) skeins of Halloween sock yarn, named Icabod. Grab it while you can.

That's it for now. I have some loooovely silk lace yarn for you on Thursday. And a swatch, too. It'll be nummy. Until then, happy knitting or crocheting!

an unnamed Kauni sweater, yet more YarNews, and introductions

I am sorry to say that the blog has been backsliding because of my recent illness. I'm fine now, but had to take a week off of work (blech!) and alas couldn't update the blog from home because I had no pictures. Clearly, we need to work on our communication methods at the store.

In the past week, we were visited by Duffy (aka FiberQat) and her unnamed Kauni pullover:

Specs? (on ravelry)

• Yarn: Kauni W-EQ, approximately 750g
• Pattern: original

Clearly Duffy decided to really challenge herself for the Ravelympics this go-round. Something to admire, definitely. Possible from a distance, because one has to wonder if that kind of crazy is contagious or not. I've already got immunity issues...

Next on the list of things I've missed - a new worsted wool yarn. And a good 'un at that. It's so luscious I have to keep myself from cuddling it at my desk (I have a skein here for, ah, 'inspiration'). Admittedly, the name of this new yarn could use some work, as Shepherd's Wool is a little vague and understated. Milled in Michigan, with locally-grown wool, this brand answers our need for quality yarns that are American-made. Maybe the best way to view this new line is as a stealth luxury yarn.

With a fiber content of 100% fine Merino wool, the skein I'm fondling petting easily qualifies for "luxury" status. At $9.75 a 4oz skein (250y) and in a variety of colors, this new line is going to be fantastic for a variety of projects this fall. Especially if you don't mind hand-washing baby garments, it would be perfect for all sorts of little knits.

Which leads perfectly into our latest and greatest news... the baby pictures have landed!

Long-time readers (and local patrons) will already know that Jenni has been visibly pregnant for some time and went in for a c-section on August 18th. As we announced to knitters the world-over, Kandyce is very healthy and weighed in at 6lbs 9oz. And, after some nagging and finagling, we have the super-cute baby photos we were promised to share.

Sandy Kay took the footsie photo to the left (who can resist baby feet?), but the other photos were taken by Jenni & Co (likely by her husband, Marcus).

(From left to right: Malik, Ayanna, DeAndre and little Kandyce).

(Ayanna with Mommy and baby).

Those of you who join us for Sip'N'Stitch every week (6-9pm on Thursdays) got to see Kandyce yesterday (lucky ducks!), but I'm told Jenni & Co. might be dropping by again next week. If we're lucky, maybe we'll get some cute in-store photos. I don't think we've passed the needles to Kandyce yet either. It's an old Irish tradition (I think), and will ensure that Kandyce is a great knitter when she grows up.

Definitely something to look forward to.

A Public Apology to Dory K.

I am so happy, happy, ridiculously happy!
Ecstatic.
One could even say I'm chirpy.
It doesn't matter that there is a crap load (industry technical term) of yarn in my in box to photograph and add to the website:













And more waiting in the wings:











Doesn't matter that the store windows need changing, the store displays aren't tidy, and my desk looks like this:












And the new project* I started? It looks like this:

Or that my day was replete with curtailing drama, answering pattern questions, and researching whether mercerized cotton is considered organic (turns out it's not and our new yarn is a truly organic yarn).

My delight is an overfilling fountain of three fold happy-making-ness:

A number 1: I'm off of my self imposed Ravelry ban.

I made the adult decision in late October to have no access with the site because my habit... eh, addiction... uhm, time spent on the site was taking over other things in my life. Important things. Not things like earning a living, laundry, or grocery shopping, but things like eating and bathing.
Here's a tip lads and lassies: If you choose Ravelry over bathing you need to set down the virtual crack pipe, so to speak and get yourself to a support group. Happily, I think they have one of those on Ravelry.

B number 2: The newsletter is out...
...and it's purdy. I wanted to add this photo but there wasn't any more room and the photo of Momoe (pronounced moh-moh-ā) holding a bowl won out.

My own personal level of hell, which I've always imagined was sandwiched somewhere around the chamber of pounding and the chamber of scales, was called (insert ominous music) the chamber of newsletters. When I took over this position from my predecessor, K-Dawg, I thought her drinking was a tad excessive. Now I know, it wasn't enough.
Not only did the newsletter arrive to close to six-thousand recipients in just two minutes (versus 3 or more days), our new newsletter service sent out the correct and current newsletter.
Gone is the email filled with angry "Unsubscribes", "Why'dya send me my newsletter so lates", and whatnot. I felt so bad for each unhappy customer every month because I could never anticipate where the roulette wheel of chaos would land.
Gone was that shrieking harpy (me) cursing a blue streak so scandalous dock workers and carny-folk would blush.
Gone are the tears: mine and my coworker's.
Gone was the heavy drinking, and today my liver isn't distended and hard like twice cooked chuck. Lemme tell you it's not good the store is close to Betty Ford's and Jake's which coincidently is affectionately called "Conference Room B".

Today I feel confident that I can truthfully apologize in this public forum to Dory (they know who they are) for receiving a newsletter each month that was unwanted. Our old tool just loved Dory. I'd remove the address yet the tool would send it off anyway. One would be so lucky to have a spouse as committed and in love as that tool was to Dory. But it was a love that was taboo.

C number 3: I've forgotten what it was.

Maybe my bliss was only two-fold and B number 2 was so awesome and almighty, it seemed like it was two things.
Yeah, I think that was it.

would blush. My co-workers are especially grateful because too often my wrath was misdirected to one of them.*P.S. Don't mention this little diversion to my Secret Gay Husband. He won't understand that at this time I just can't take another minute with his more than thrice-knitted socks, even if I've completed the heel turn. Again.