Fashion: Yarn Style

Handknits Hit the Streets: 71 Days into the Challenge!

 

Today, I am wearing Lintilla by Martina Behm. This is officially Day 71 of the 100-Day Challenge! As with any real-life challenge, there are always bumps in the road and the past four days I did not feel well so got behind posting these photos. However, I am up to sitting at the computer once again so here they are!

 

Day 70:

This is my second Wisdom cardigan by Kim Hargreaves, knitted in Rowan Felted Tweed in the Scree colorway. Back in 2011, I didn’t have a lot of handknits I could wear for my job as a realtor and I had liked my first Wisdom so much that I knit a second one. I am not certain I would do that again. My current job as an academic tutor is much less formal. And, although I love the pattern, it did get a bit monotonous, leaving me with two sweaters where probably one would do. But this was before I had discovered a slow fashion philosophy!  It is interesting the way, now that I have simplified my life and am able to return to the teaching career I love so much, I feel the need for fewer things, because overall I am happier.

 

Day 69

This is my first exploration of Amy Herzog’s Custom Fit pattern. I knitted this tank to imitate a store-bought one I really liked, using Lang Yarns Elle. Although the collar is a bit droopier than I would like, I do find this a very wearable top. I did alter some of Herzog’s custom fit measurements, as I do not agree with her that tops should be tight in the hips and loose in the waist—I think that creates a sausage shape which is not really flattering. So I used an hour-glass silhouette instead, keeping it looser at the hips and tighter in the waist area. 

 

 

Day 68

You have seen this Ted Baker dress which I purchased secondhand in a bunch of my photos, and I just love it! I can wear it running around town or tutoring my students, and it is immensely comfortable. Best of all, I can throw on a scarf or cowl and go! This is a cowl I crocheted in Rowan Cotton Glace using lace pattern # 13 from the Japanese “Let’s Knit” series Book 20.

  

Day 67

Here are Stephanie and I at Knit Night for Uncommon Threads Yarn’s bi-annual finish it raffle! Stephanie is wearing Southern Riviera in Rowan Cotton Glace yarn, and I am wearing Eerie by Sarah Hatton knitted in Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn. The Uncommon Threads Finish It Raffle is SUCH a fun event! For every project you have completed using yarn purchased at the store, you turn in a pattern slip and photo and receive a raffle ticket in return. This encourages everyone to finish up their projects with the hope of winning something fantastic. And I did! I won this gorgeous bag of Classic Elite Mika yarn! Yaaay! I am so excited!  The timing was so perfect for this unexpected gift. Every time I felt too tired and sore this week, I would take out this bag of gorgeous yarn and found myself smiling again!

 

Days 65 & 66 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

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Today, I am wearing Victoria by Sarah Hatton. As I now own several basic cardigans, I find it very useful to plan new projects around dresses or skirts in my wardrobe. Now that I own Victoria, I also find that I wear the dress I made it to go with more often. The dress is designed by Kate Spade, and I purchased it last year second-hand. 

 

Yesterday, I wore The Lace Blouse by Jennie Atkinson. This is one of the cardigans I wear the most often in warm weather, because it is so easy. I can throw it on over anything and go! As you can see, the warm weather has returned, which is rather frustrating as I want to wear all my fall knits! We call this Indian Summer here but it will probably only last another week.

 

My Lily is coming along nicely. I am now blocking the back piece and the two fronts, and will cast on my first sleeve today. Squeal!!

Days 63 & 64 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

 

Today, I wore #08 Peplum Jacket by Debbie Bliss. The jacket is supposed to be knitted in stockinette but I used a slip-stitch pattern I devised instead, inspired by the wrought iron doors I saw in Paris. 

You can read all the details about the jacket here.

 

Yesterday, I wore Temperate by Kim Hargreaves for a short time. But I had to take it off because that mohair haze yarn creates a REALLY warm fabric! Wow! I will definitely reach for that top in the middle of winter, but not before! 

 

 

This is my cat, Manju, curled into a little ball. Watching cats sleep is so restful, isn’t it?

 

Temperate by Kim Hargreaves

 

What do you think of this top by Kim Hargreaves? I am excited it is finished in time for fall! This close-fitting pullover is knitted in Rowan Mohair Haze. I do like the yarn and its lovely, soft halo, but find it extremely splitty. The yarn was created to replace Rowan Angora Haze, but that yarn fiber seemed much higher quality to me.

 

I think, if I could do it over again, I would have knitted this pullover the next size up. It fits perfectly but it is extremely fitted, and I am not sure that is really flattering. The high neck and fitted shape seem to put too much focus in the chest area. Or is that just my impression?

 

I did add a bit of extra waist shaping to the pattern. I do like the fit in back. And the ruffles are my favorite design feature:

 

I felt the pattern was extremely well written, except for the fact that the neckline is so high. Anyway, I do find it a very soft, comfortable top,  perfect for snuggling into during winter.

Days 61 & 62 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

 

On day 61, I wore Belarus by Kaffee Fassett. It is knitted in stripes of different colors of Rowan Kidsilk Haze. The sunset color scheme of this cardigan is rather gorgeous. I would wear it more if the shape of the garment were more manageable. The loose folds at the front were designed to contain a lot of extra fabric which completely disguise the waist. So I find that I have to pin it at the waist and make it into a wrap in order for it to work for me. 

 

These are probably the last strawberries of summer for my little garden. The weather has been getting a little colder, thank heavens!

 

Yesterday, I wore Tatsu by Marie Wallin.  I LOVE this top! It fits really well, and goes with a lot of different skirts. The top is also really comfortable because of its light, soft fabric. Rowan Softyak dk yarn is now on my radar, and I can’t wait to knit with it again. Besides, I can tell this summer basic is going to get a LOT of wear.

Days 59 & 60 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

 

Today I am wearing Madeline by Kim Hargreaves.  It is knitted in Debbie Bliss Rialto dk.

 

Yesterday, I wore Elizabeth by Kim Hargreaves.  It is my go-to knitted blazer whenever I need a professional look for work. I was meeting with a parent and all her son's teachers to craft a support plan for the year to set the student up for success, so I needed to wear a business-friendly knit. The jacket is knitted in Rowan felted tweed aran, which wears like iron. It has lasted six years so far and will probably last another sixty.

 

I have completed the back of Marie Wallin’s Lily pullover, which I am converting into a cardigan. I love this fair isle design so much! Isn’t the color combination in Rowan felted tweed yarn incredible?

Days 57 & 58 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

Today I am wearing Bay by Kim Hargreaves.  It is knitted in Malabrigo Yarn Arroyo. Yesterday, I wore another favorite:

 

 Striven by Jennie Atkinson. Now that fall weather is approaching, I can wear a great variety of knits, and I am really enjoying it! Striven was made using a duplicate stitch technique with felted tweed to create the “plaid” panels in the body of the jacket fronts. I love the look of the woven-seeming fabric. This is one of the jackets I wear the most often as soon as the air grows crisp!

 

I just finished the gauge swatch for Reflection, by Kim Hargreaves. Isn’t this a gorgeous design? I plan to use the same yarn and the same colorway. 

Day 56 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

Today I am wearing Interval by Shellie Anderson.  It is knitted in Rowan Calmer yarn. This was a challenging pattern due to the finishing instructions, but by dint of turning the garment inside out and re-seaming it,  I was able to create a successful garment. Note to self: never knit another purl stitch pullover without setting up 2 knit rows on each edge to assist with seaming.

 

Lately, I have been obsessed with the drawstring bag sewing tutorial Kay Jones posted for Bakery Bears patrons. I have made 5 of these already, four of which are gifts. The snoopy bag is mine alone.

 

 

Admittedly, Snoopy was an obsession of mine when I was in my early years, but I think you never get too old for hugs.

Days 53, 54 & 55 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

 

Sorry I didn’t post yesterday, due to a birthday celebration that went past midnight with some dear friends. Now I have to play catchup! Today I am wearing Eva by Martin Storey.  It is knitted in Rowan Angora Haze, which is discontinued. Martin Storey is a wonderful designer who often uses vintage inspirations for his patterns, and this whole pattern booklet was wonderful! I still want to knit more of those patterns. Isn't the evening light creepy in this photo? There is a transparency effect on the pant legs due to the light filtering through bamboo leaves.

 

Yesterday, I wore the shawl, Lintilla by Martina Behm. I held two strands of yarn together, Handmaiden Sea Lace and Anzula Breeze to knit this in garter stitch. 

 

 

On my birthday, I wore my Longbourn shawl again, to celebrate. My husband surprised me by sneaking a chocolate cake into the yarn store where my weekly Knit Night is held, and the owner, who is a dear friend, startled us all by producing the cake in the middle of the evening! What a shock! And how delicious the cake was too!

 

Days 51 & 52 of the 100-Day Summer Challenge

 

Today I wore Jen by Kim Hargreaves.  It is knitted in Phildar Soie, a long-discontinued yarn. I wish I had bought more of this yarn on sale when it was discontinued—this cardigan has lasted for seven years and is still in excellent shape! The fabric is still as lustrous and brilliant as ever, and yet it is durable as well.

 

Yesterday I wore Adelphe by Sarah Hatton, knitted in Handmaiden Sea Silk.yarn.  It is humbling photographing my outfits every day because then I found out everything that is wrong. For example, when I looked at myself in the mirror in my dark home, I didn’t notice my bra showing. I took one look at this photo and went home to put a camisole on between layers before I had to tutor my students!

 

 

The background of yesterday’s photo is Shady Lane, in Burlingame, California, my favorite clothing boutique in the whole world. I discovered it as a teenager and was totally blown away because it is mostly all unique pieces, mostly made by very small designers and seamstresses. It was the first moment of my life when I saw in real life that clothing could be art and that made a deep impression on me.

 

My husband took me here to pick out a piece of clothing for my birthday, which is tomorrow. It is funny how being a maker has changed my clothing choices—I rarely buy new any more, and when I do, I tend to support a boutique like this where I can find something produced in a small batch or handmade. And why bother to try on jackets or sweaters, when they could be knitted instead?