It turns out there is one disadvantage to knitting heirloom-type garments. When one determines to make an over-the-top, ambitious project, it is a huge time investment. I haven’t felt like blogging lately because I’ve been spending all my time slogging away at a Chanel-inspired tweed jacket I have been dreaming about making for months. The fronts of the jacket are inspired by this gorgeous dress that Jenner wore in the latest Chanel couture fashion show. And the progress is slow. In the meantime, I find myself fantasizing about all of the fun, easy short projects I could be making instead, but won’t because if I lose my focus I will NEVER EVER GET IT DONE. But at least I can indulge myself in blog-land by dreaming about what I would be knitting if I succumbed to temptation:
#1: Bow by Jem Weston:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bow-7
These slippers are even cuter with black faux fur lining and bottoms to go with the red felted tweed tops, but I can’t find the photo now. Rowan yarns seems to have removed it from their facebook page. I have been dying to experiment with Rowan’s new faux fur yarn, and how delicious to make soft, fur-lined slippers to keep one’s feet warm in winter! If I had a spare moment to indulge myself, this is definitely the project I would knit first!
#2: Zest Shawl by Linda Marveng:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zest-shawl-2
How glamorous is this fabulous scarf that buttons to become an arm warmer? Together with its matching cowl, this is a stunning fashion statement. It is knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton, another yarn I have been dying to experience, as my knitting friends have been raving about it for the past year.
#3: Moggies by Barbara Gregory:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moggies
Are these the cutest mittens ever? Or are the ones below cuter still?
#4: Angry Mitts by Elaine Fitzpatrick:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/angry-mitts
Then there are the hat and glove patterns…..
#5: Beau Cloche by Natalie Larson
#6: Openwork Gloves by Jennie Atkinson
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/openwork-gloves
As winter continues, it will grow more difficult to stay the course… perhaps the temptation will be too great and I’ll knit those fuzzy little slippers or a pair of mitts. In the meantime, I’m keeping myself entertained with tiny sewing projects such as these Paris-themed napkins:
I pulled these napkins still warm from my sewing machine and used them in a tea party half an hour later. Since my time went into sewing instead of cooking, I purchased chocolate salt cookies, earl grey biscuits, and exotic marshmallows (passionfruit, lemon and strawberry) from Satura Cakes in Los Altos:
I love the deep red of these napkins, which makes them a great match for the Four Seasons-themed Gien dishes I brought home from Paris a few years ago. The design on these dishes is based on an 18th Century tapestry in the Louvre museum, so Gien collaborated with the museum curators to create this beautiful series of plates:
Porcelain addict that I am, I always scour thrift shops for affordable antique pieces, and I found some wonderful napkin holders recently which complement the delicate floral pattern of the napkins:
Happy knitting, everyone! And Happy Thanksgiving, too!