Indie Designer Day

Designer: Jenny Faifel
Blog: Cloud 7 Knits
Rav ID: SweaterFreak
Some Great Designs: SweaterFreak's Rav Designer Page

I love the way this week's designer uses shape.

In my inner viking sweater, shape appears in the flattering shaping of the sweater, but also the keenly geometric design decorating the yoke. On the pattern's projects page on ravelry, you'll see many different, great colour combinations (and even one that's modified for a very cute puppy!)

I've said it before and I shall repeat unto infinity: you can tell a good designer when an easily overpowering element (such as a ruffle) is integrated well into their work. Case in point: Foray.  This scarf is a ruffle, but a gentle one. Shape and shaping used to very good end. Possibly the chicest ruffle I ever did see.

V lace is a sweater that works shape into oversized, gently sloping bell sleeves and directional eyelets. Very decorative and simply striking.

Everyone, please click on this link: sleeveless in Vancouver. It's a very new design and is SO COOL! I let you to look at its awesomeness.

I could certainly go on, but I'll confine myself to just one more example: foxy loop. This is an infinity scarf that utilizes alternating stockinette and mesh sections to create an interesting shape and texture, while simultaneously acting as a simple, relaxing knit.

Oh! And she's got a mystery KAL happening right now. Check it. 

He's the Dude, Even Without His Sweater

I'm rounding the corner!
At least, I'm telling myself this partial truth in order to diminish my shame and guilt for still, on the eve of what I'm hoping may be spring, not having my boyfriend's Christmas gift complete.

I'm about halfway through the second sleeve, which means I only have to seam both of those in, knit the neckline, and sew the zipper.
Only.

But here I present photographic proof of the pile of knitting I've done. Really!
I joked about a month ago that I'd be seaming the last seam on the first really warm day of the year. This may prove to be part self-fulfilling prophecy, and part incredible perception.

I'm enjoying the knit - really! It's a very relaxing pattern to follow.
I also have these fantasies that, if I really do finish this just in time for my boyfriend to not be able to wear it this winter, he'll be handsomely sporting it on some wonderous night while we're camping.
Can you even imagine camping? Do you remember the summertime? I'm not sure it's real.
I'll keep you in the loop if I find solid evidence of this "summertime".

In the meantime, I knitterly knit knit away.

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Freshisle Fibers
Blog: Freshisle Fibers and shop
Rav ID: freshisle
Some Great Designs: freshisle's Rav Designer Page

Fun colourwork accessories are my faves from the offerings over at freshisle's ravelry shop.


Hailing from the great land that is Manitoulin Island, freshisle likes to create her hand-dyed yarns naturally, with local plants and flowers. I see she's also had some traditional Canadiana influence some of her work; here, the pictured  Curling Rock Mittens and the super funny (and inventive!) Curling Rock Hat. I really like the colours of the mittens!

Here are the All You Need is Love mittens. Such great, classic, colourwork. I particularly like how she's chosen to create the samples in the opposing colours.

I think many of your will enjoy the Winter is Coming mitts; especially the pattern photo with the dog!

Check out her other work; there's an array of pieces there, some of which are a nod to the great Harry Potter!

Sewing the 80s into My Heart

Perhaps a bit fancifully titled, but that's because I'm fancifully enamoured with this dress. I talked big talk about it here, and I've actually followed through. SO HAPPIES!

And for several reasons.

1) It looks so late 70s/early 80s. And that makes me smile.
2) It was another one of my used-store pattern finds.
3) I sewed this thing in less than 24 hours, and that's from cutting the fabric to finishing details!
4) I successfully included French seams, thus removing all need to hand stitch stupid raw edges.
5) Pocketsssss!
6) I'm well on my way to using up my fabric stash. And boy, do I love this birdie fabric!

Truly, I could go on, but I'll limit it to 6 and ask:
Have you been getting into the Springtime mood lately? That's another reason this dress exists and makes me happy. The idea that above 0 Celsius temperatures are coming along makes me a happy camper.

Beer Embroidery Complete! On to more Crafting!

I have an embroidery FO for ya!

Raise a Glass!

This was a very fun project.
I'm getting pretty keen on embroidery; it's colourful, soothing, compact, and a great way for me to use the scads of embroidery floss remaining from my childhood. 

What with the wonderfully large amount of foam-replicating French knots on this piece, I now feel I'm a near-expert-French-knotter.  I did have some issues at first, though, which were based entirely on my misreading instructions. I couldn't understand why my knots would keep unraveling. The source of the problem was when I wrapped the floss around the needle; I mistakenly had the needle pointing downwards. All those wee wraps just slipped off instead of knotting as they should.
Easy solution! Just make sure to point that needle up!

Looking forward to the next Red Letter Day Stitches pattern!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Julie Zaichuk-Ryan
Blog: Button, button...
Rav ID: gotthebutton
Some Great Designs: gotthebutton's Rav Designer Page

This knitter (and embroiderer!) is talented! Her design milieu stretches from cables and texture to colourwork and cowls!

Pictured is my favourite, Besotted. She says it best when she describes it as, "at once modern and traditional and perfect for whatever color combination you like best this year!" I love it in the colours pictured, but can you imagine it in a progression of ombre colours? (I'm not letting ombre go just yet. The more colours we can stick together the better, I say!)

For similar reasons, I'm also big on Hush and Classic Colorwork Cowl (it has hearts AND deer!).

Finally, I'm going to point out her beautifully bobbled Haworth, a textural delight of a water bottle cozy. I can't wait to see what gotthebutton designs next! I really love her ability to walk the line between classic and fun contemporary. Exciting!

Plum Rondo: An Exercise in HappyTimes

I've had pan-craftual startitis.
It's a very serious condition, where you run screaming from your deadline knitting into the waiting, warm, and wuvly¹ arms of every other thing you like that's crossed your path in the last two weeks.

Yesterday I showed you the skirt I just finished. And as soon as I get me a photographer, I'll show you the dress I just sewed, but today's peek into my plethora of procrasti-projects is the Plum Rondo a la Turk by Julia Farwell-Clay.
I first spied it in Knitty's Fall 2013 issue and fell in love immediately, but I didn't have the time or yarn to jump in.
Then I saw Threadpanda's very pretty version a few days ago and decided it's time for the Rondo to begin.
The pattern calls for worsted weight, but I'm stubborn and have had what turns out to be the perfect (coloured) yarn for the project for nigh on an embarrassing number of years.
It's madelinetosh Pashmina in Fig, Tomato, Citrus and Gilded. Oooo... fiery yarns...
This yarn is happiness running through your fingers as you knit. But one thing: it's absolutely not the right weight. Which means this will turn out to be less of a relax-a-knit, and a bit more of a doing-maths-a-knit. I chuckle with confidence and strut with unwon pride around the barnyard that is my Farm of Possible Doom (this is a very silly post. The mood happens to strike.)

Translated into English, I think I mean to say that it's all fine and good for me to be pleased with my progress and math/gauge messing now, but I suspect the sailing will stop being smooth about the time I have to navigate the beautiful yoke. In particular, I fear the demons row gauge un-checked may strike upon me.

But writing it out in a blog post means that it won't be a problem, right?

In absolutely unrelated news: the giveaway for the adorable Raise A Glass! embroidery pattern from Red Letter Day Stitches has been drawn and the winner is Meredith MC!
Congratulations! Just pm me on ravelry @canarysanctuary and let me know your preferred email address to receive the pattern pdf.

____________
¹ Uh.... the things I do for alliteration.

Addicted to SewLove

I have this habit, and it's a bad one.
When I have a long list of crafting To Do, I tend to procrastinate with other crafting.
I'm not sure where this habit came from; it was in my nature all throughout school to be done any sort of assignment as soon as humanly possible.

 
And while I may continue to rifle through my psyche for the root of this issue, I sort of can't complain about the output.

Case in point: the last week or so has seen me jump headlong into my sewing.
I've finished two garments in as many days, and want to share the first of them with you here:

Cynthia Rowley Skirt Pattern, Simplicity 2512

I'm quite happy with this skirt. I certainly have a ways to go yet in my sewing skills: I have no patience for closing up raw edges on the inside of the garment, and just wing it when it comes to installing zippers, but I'm getting to the point where I'm not really self-conscious about wearing my home-sewn garments in public.

This pattern was another used-clothing-store find, and in my size! Every time that happens I get so damn giddy.
But as for "my size", I've come to realize that I always have to cut a size smaller than expected to get a garment that will actually fit. According to the measurements on the envelope, I'm pretty much an exact size 12, but it's the size 10 that I'm wearing and fits me well.

Also: if you're thinking of sewing garments, I'd recommend joining Sewing Pattern Reviews. It's free, and gives you access to loads of great info about any given pattern. I'm off to write my first review - about this skirt!

Beer Beer Beer Beer

Beer: embroidery style!

You may recall my love affair with a certain stitched Tom Turkey last year.
Well, the Red Letter Day Stitches ladies are at it again with cool embroidery patterns that make me drop my knitting needles and pick up my sewing ones.

It's called Raise a Glass! and it's in honour of St. Patrick's Day. I'm not much of a fan of that holiday myself, but lord knows I'm a fan of beer. And this adorable pattern!

I'm not an experienced embroiderer by any means; if you're hesitant at all to try this needle art because you fear it may be too difficult, let me tell you, no worries! The RLDS patterns I've seen and worked with are a nice way to ease yourself into embroidery. You have a small enough project that it's not overwhelming, and techniques that are easy to grasp and resources to help you along the way should you need it.

If you're interested in joinging the SAL (stitch-along!), pop on to the Facebook group here. It starts today, and you can win yourself a 2014 All-Inclusive subscription to Red Letter Day Stitches! I'll be there; can't wait to practice those French knots!

And speaking of winning...
Would you like to win a copy of Raise a Glass! ?
Just leave a comment on this post letting me know your favourite beer. The winner will be drawn on March 5. Good luck everyone!

ps: my favourite is Boneshaker IPA. That sweet, sweet nectar shakes my bones but good!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Sue Lazenby
Rav ID: suseknits
Some Great Designs: suseknits' Rav Designer Page


Key words for this week's designer: cozy texture. Her work makes me want the chilly months to last and last!

Featured in the photo at right, Bark, is a shawl with two sizes, instructions on adjusting size, adding stripes, and a top-down construction. It was inspired by trees, which has me won over right away!

I'm also quite a fan of her Lichen and Moss Cowl
and hat. This set pair to create a great, unisex, cold-weather knit. Any birthdays coming up? Get knitting! I think there's no way these designs wouldn't go over a treat!

And her newest pattern is lovely as well: the Snowflakes & Icicles shawl. It's so new, in fact, that the KAL for it is still going on! It's pretty and delicate and incorporates beads into the knitting. I love beaded knitting!

Hatching Plans and Seeing Spring

I love winter. I really do. But let me tell you, this year's is really testing my patience. Even I am getting a bit stir crazy, day dreaming about seed-planting and shoe-wearing and maybe even possibly not walking like a penguin anymore.

Last night I made an excursion to my local giant thrift store. I have a 90s theme party coming up this weekend and had to stock up on ridiculous 90s things (like Goosebumps books and Boyz II Men cassette tapes and Dance Mix 97 cds, obvy).
And whenever I find myself at the thrift store, I have to swing past the sewing section. I sometimes can't believe the things I find there, in my size, still neatly folded in their vintage packages, untouched and entirely uncut from decades gone by.

This time, I found this gem.

I'm digging this fabric for it, though I'm not sure on my yardage and will have to unfurl and pin all the pieces down to find my answer first.

I can't can't wait to get going on this project.
Has the spring bug bitten you, too? Do you have any projects of any sort that are helping you through the last bits of this insalubrious winter?

Hinterland: Winter

The third and final Hinterland collection is out!
Introducing Hinterland: Winter.


In the winter, we find ourselves drawn outdoors despite of (or perhaps because of) the cold, icy surfaces, and gloriously wind-sculpted white landscape. 
Enjoying the forest, riverside, and frozen fields calls for a bit of extra knitted warmth; this is where us knitters can shine.

The three patterns in this collection are designed to help you enjoy the subzero temperatures on your excursions into the hinterland.

Drift's Ridge

Drift’s Ridge was inspired by the look and feel of deep winter. Heaps of snow sculpted by harsh winds are tamed into soft, regular scallops; the chill of the season is kept away with a finely-gauged sweater knit in a cozy fibre. This is a knit that you can layer, one that extends down past your wrists into long sleeves and over your hips in a near tunic-length.

Knit from the top down in one piece, Drift’s Ridge features a seamless construction, simple colourwork and long sleeves.
Sizes:
XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL)
29 (33, 35.5, 42, 46, 50, 54.5, 59)” / 73.5 (84, 90, 106.5, 117, 127, 138.5, 150) cm

Hibernation


The critters of the forest might be hibernating, but there’s no reason you have to! These legwarmers can keep you extra cozy whether you’re indoors or out exploring the snow banks this winter. A relaxing knit and purl textured stitch is easily memorized, making this a quick and soothing knit. The I cord and pom poms add a bit of bounce and fun to Hibernation, with the added benefit of a snug fit. Easily adjust the length by adding repeats of the delightfully simple Chevron Texture Stitch.

Sizes:
11.5” (14.5)” / 29 (37) cm circumference unstretched

Winter Coronet

Part cowl part hood, Winter Coronet keeps you warm while outside in the winter. Worn up, the
beautiful interwoven cables are snug around your ears, acting as graceful earwarmers while also keeping the wind from sneaking down your neck.  Worn down, the hood adds plenty of extra fabric around your neck and shoulders; much appreciated when the temperatures drop!
Knit from the top down, Winter Coronet is a seamless design featuring short rows, cables, and gentle increases at the crown for a voluminous hood to warm you this winter!
Sizes:
One size

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Jenny Williams
Blog: Daydreamer Knits
Rav ID: jennyw
Some Great Designs: jennyw's Rav Designer Page

It's Valentine's Day, and I'm in love with this designer's work!
(Oh my god SO corny! But true. See cool stuff below).

This week's designer is all about wonderful texture and dancing cables. All three of the featured patterns here share this trait.

The pictured Avonleigh Scarf/hood, featured in Cooperative Press' Fresh Designs, has little vines, leaves, and "berries" (bobbles) wandering back and forth across it's length. A very pretty piece, and yet another in my arsenal to pull out when people say "bobbles! Yuck!" No! Look how pretty! She's also helpfully included a link to a video by the Knit Witch that shows you how to work them back and forth, without turning your work.

The Lady Edith Hooded Scarf is a lovely piece. Inspired by the eponymous character from Downton, this pattern is practical and pretty. With the cold winds still whipping around outside, a handknit stretch of loveliness is the perfect thing to keep head and ears warm. The elegant hood shaping is perfect for this purpose.

And to finish with something just a bit different, here's the Laurel Park Shrug. I'm a big shrug fan, and this one looks like a great knit, with a variety of texture and nice shape when worn.

Find any knits to be your Valentine? :)

Indie Designer Day

Designer: The Needle Lady
Blog: med pinner
Rav ID: Pinneguri
Some Great Designs: Pinneguri's Rav Designer Page

ALERT! BEAUTIFUL STRANDED COLOURWORK AHEAD! Beware, your queue may be in for a great influx!

I had far to difficult a time deciding which of the so, so many lovely pieces by this week's designer to feature, I figured I'd change up the format and do less talking and more showing. This week, the images are going to speak for themselves.

© Ann Myhre

Barnejakka Villsauene på Runde
Check out the pattern page for this one. There's so many wonderful colour combinations! (I really, really need one of these for me).

©Pinneguri

Baby Blanket Snowflakes
Holy cow.

© Ann Myhre

The Bumblebee Socks

I need these. In these colours. Naow.

Dress to Impress in 1935

I've been in a very-early-spring-cleaning mode for a few weeks now.
I decided (as I procrastinated from what should have been my pattern-writing schedule) by doing what was clearly the most logical task of going through my filing cabinet and making it a functional rather than frightening space.

With the advent of Pinterest I have neglected my previous squirreling away of interesting or inspiring images and articles that pique my interest or raise my dander.

One of my discoveries, tucked far and away in the back of the bottom drawer, was a photocopy of a chapter in the book by Lillian Eichler from 1935 titled "The New Book of Etiquette".

Of course, I had to figure out what prompted me to save this pile of papers in the first place before proceeding to triumphantly recycle it and clear space in my increasingly functional filing system.

Here, friends, is a selection of what I found humourous, frustrating, and in some cases historically edifying from that 79 year old book:

"You know instinctively when a woman is well-dressed. The thought that immediately occurs to you is not, 'What a beautiful gown!' but, 'What a charming woman!' You are attracted, not by the gown she wears, but by the personality it expresses."

"[The well-dressed woman is] chic, and yet just a bit independent of prevailing fashion - enough to express her own individuality. She is at ease because her clothes are comfortable."


On Adapting Fashions to Your Figure
"... tall people should not wear striped materials even when they are fashionable, for stripes, particularly when they are vertical, add to the height. The short woman should avoid empire-effect gowns, even when they are in vogue, for long-waisted effects are very much more becoming to her."

"Short people will find short skirts more becoming than long, striped materials more becoming than those that are checked, subdued shades more becoming than those that are vivid... Tall people will do well to avoid severely tailored clothes, straight lines, solid colors.... Dark colors are best, particularly when relieved by one touch of vivid contrast at the waist."

Uh oh Scooby Doo. I think my shortness and my love of vivid colour are clashing!

While problematic (and really, what historical document doesn't have shades of contemporary mis-judgement and misplaced ethics and morals), I'd like to think I can take away a bit of inspiration from this book: to allow what I wear to be emblematic of who I am. Being conscious of that can connect your selfness to your exterior. Wear what makes you happy! Defy Ms. Eichler, fellow shorties, and wear those vivid colours! (Should they be the ones that put a smile on your face!) I'm convinced that all fashion advice is a crock of crap unless what you wear really does make you happy and jive with your self-definition.
So, define yourself, I say!