Beauty In Ashes

Spring is here and summer is fast approaching so I thought I'd work on something a little lighter than the thickest, warmest stuff I could possibly find (which is everything I've worked on this past 6 months or so. Let's face it, the East coast is FREEZING!)

I had one ball of Patons Lace yarn in my stash so I decided to try and come up with something to make out of it. The color is called "patina" and fades from charcoal to white and back to charcoal. With such variation in color I wanted the stitches to be very simple so the color and stitch work wouldn't be fighting to get your attention.













After searching about on ravelry.com and finding nothing particularly suited to my purposes I came up with this, the simplest lace pattern ever! Lace is just knitting where you purposely make holes so I decided to make a series of offset holes with a basic border and some garter stitch in between. This would be a great pattern for someone who is just beginning with lace knitting!





Here's the pattern I wrote if you'd like to give it a try!

Beauty In Ashes Shawl

Needle: size 11
Yarn: Patons Lace (patina), 1 skein
Gauge: not imperative to pattern

Abbreviations:
CO- cast on
k- knit
k2tog - knit two stitches together
p- purl
BO- bind off


CO 56 sts
Knit all stitches for 4 rows

Section 1:
Row 1- k 4, *yo, k2tog, k 2* repeat between *s until four sts remain, k 4
Row 2- k 4, p to last four sts, k 4
Row 3- k 4, *k2tog, k 2, yo* repeat between *s until four sts remain, k 4
Row 4 - repeat row 2

Repeat rows 1-4 three times (12 rows total)

Section 2:
knit 12 rows in garter stitch (knitting every row)

alternate sections 1 and 2 until you reach desired length (mine is 59in.), ending with section 1

knit 4 rows in garter stitch then BO all sts.

weave in ends.

To block:
I know blocking acrylic isn't necessary but I think it makes the piece look finished. DO NOT IRON! It will melt! I've found that if you wet the finished project and lightly press out the extra water with your hands then lay it out flat to dry in front of a fan you can achieve the desired result.














Have a fantastic Easter weekend everyone!

Altered Couture attempt 1

I really should check labels more carefully before buying clothing. I have this nasty habit of finding things that fit perfectly when I buy them and after one wash appear to have been made for a small child.

Here is an example of one such item of clothing I purchased this past fall and have been carrying with me since. Perhaps the pattern was just so alluring that I couldn't force myself to part with it and perhaps I kept it with the hopes that it would eventually just grow back to it's original size; either way I still had it and it was entirely useless to me in it's shrunken form.


I decided to try turning it into something entirely different. And if it didn't work, oh well, I couldn't use it in it's current state anyway. So on came the inspiration and out came the scissors!

I decided that I liked the pin tucks so I would try and keep that part.


I also liked the lace edges (no huge surprise, since my name is Lacie) so those would need to stay too.



I began by removing the sleeves and collar...


Then I cut the whole thing in half and turned the bottom half around (so the back was now in front). Then I reattached it, so now it buttons up in the back.

Next I turned under the edges of the collar to make a wide V neckline and attached straps made from the fabric of the sleeves.

For the back, I used one of the sleeve cuffs to make a finished edge at the top and to add a couple more buttons for a better fit.

To finish it off I added a small a piece to connect the back to the side under the arm and connected the straps to the back out the garment.

Here it is! It's a bit wrinkled from wearing it all day but you get the idea...




And the back...(it's not crooked, my shoulders were)




Because I primarily used pieces with finished edges and with buttons already attached I didn't really have much finishing work at all!

I was inspired to attempt this alteration by a blog called www.newdressaday.com.....you should definitely check it out!

Oh the irony...

A couple posts ago I mentioned I was in Chicago for a hair show. A couple days after getting back on the road I received a picture text message from one of the friends I had stayed with...it was a beautiful blue and white, really warm looking sock. In fact it was my sock that I had left in Chicago. Sad day.

To most people losing a sock is no big deal. But I had exactly 7 pairs of socks, one for each day. This message meant that I would in fact need to get another pair of socks. Ok, so what's the big deal!?

As a part of my year long challenge I am not buying any clothing, including socks. That left me with a couple options, sew some (hmmm not likely)or knit some. Because I had less than a week before I would run out of socks and because I definitely didn't want to have to do extra laundry I became very determined to make some socks. Nothing like necessity to push you forward!

As long as I was going to be making socks I decided to design a little
something of my own. I wanted something a bit girly at the top but utilitarian at the base (inside the shoe where no one sees). I had on hand some dark grey merino/bamboo in the proper weight that I fancied would be super soft on the feet.

Because we had a ton of shows that week and not very much driving I found myself with a wonderful new pair of socks a mere 3 days later!

Here's what they look like,




I have decided to call the pattern "Shiloh"








I know you can't see the socks that well in this picture but I needed a reason to take a picture of this awesome wall!




And this was the super picturesque rope bridge we found for our little sock shoot! It is located at Camp Nathaniel where I met a very sweet girl named Shiloh, after whom I named this pattern




Ironically enough, this weekend we find ourselves in none other than Chicago! Which also means I got the original blue and white socks back. Haha c'est la vie!

Bon week-end mes Ami!

A peek inside my visual journal

For the last few years whenever I see a postcard, advertisement, graphic design of any sort including pieces of paper flying around on the street that I think look interesting I pick it up and put it in my collection. As an artist I am an incredibly visual person and looking at the bright colors and inspiring designs makes my soul happy. Until last May I would use the pieces I collected for various projects and as background pieces in my scrapbook. But one day as I was perusing the craft section at Barnes and Noble I picked up a book on art journals.

I fell in love! Finally something to do with my found pieces! Now I will admit that my visual journal is not nearly as gorgeous as the ones in that book but I figured I'd give you a peek at the contents anyway. Enjoy!

Here's what the outside looks like




And here's a few pages of the inside!


























If you want to try something like this I would highly recommend it! Essentially you just throw in things that you think look cool. You can add as many layers as you like of whatever you want. And it can either include writing or be entirely wordless. I would love to see what you come up with!

Chicago bound!

Shortly after deciding to rip out my sweater failure (see previous post) I found myself on a train to Chicago. I had been called last minute by Vidal Sassoon to model for them at ABS and since I was just across the lake from Chi-town I decided to do it!

Generally as a model at one of these events one has a TON of time to spend just sitting around waiting. Some choose to read or socialize but I saw it as a perfect time to work on my new sweater design! I also decided to make a little something for my friends who let me borrow their couch for 5 days :)

Similar the the last sweater attempt I wanted something simple and loose fitting, comfy and warm with sleeves and torso that were long enough to fit me perfectly. I also decided to include a simple cable detail which begins at the top of the raglan sleeve and is worked all of the way from the neckline to the cuff.

I thought it interesting how many conversations happened simply because I was knitting in public. People who would otherwise not say anything to you stop and ask what you're making or end up telling you all about their grandmother who knit them something once upon a time. Many expressed a desire to learn someday. I have to admit I enjoyed the attention and was only too happy to teach another model to knit one morning after she came up to me and said sheepishly " I saw you knitting and so I went and bought these (knitting needles and yarn)last night. Will you teach me?"

After a bit of deliberation about what make for the girls I decided a French press cozy would be the perfect thank you present! I am not a huge fan of tea cozies, they just aren't that practical in my opinion but a french press cozy is useful for keeping the extra coffee in the press warm as you drink the first cup. I found a simple pattern for one called the Lazy Weekend French Press Cozy. It knit up rather quickly and turned out super cute! I kinda want to go buy a French press just so I can make the same cozy for myself. The picture isn't fantastic but you can get the idea of what it looked like, it is made in lime green.

Now as for that sweater... I was super determined to finish in time to wear it on the last day of the show but I hadn't finished the second sleeve. It crossed my mind the just wear it with one sleeve...the people at Sassoon are eccentric enough to think it cool. Alas, I decided to just be patient and wait one more day until I could finish it. And here it is! I have decided to call the pattern "Emmalena".

I had originally planned to add a detail along the neckline but I actually really like it as is. Perhaps eventually I will add a finished edge there. If you are interested I will have the pattern available on ravelry.com within the next week. Happy weekend everyone!

Sweater death inspires new designs!

After last week's post I was super pumped up to start creating a new handmade wardrobe so I found a pattern and cast on for a new sweater. It is a long sleeved, loose fitting, Henley style sweater made from Fisherman's wool to be extra warm! The lanolin in the wool works as insulation and keeps the garment warm even in cold, damp conditions.

Not too far into the pattern I noticed some annoying mistakes the writer had made near the shaping for the sleeve and spot for the buttons. Not to be a jerk but it was seriously the most asinine way to put things together (grr). I trudged through and finished the front and back pieces. As I was blocking them I noticed that the space left for the button placket was way of center! Noooo! Instead of ripping out the whole thing and remaking it in the center I decided to sew it up and put a faux button placket where the real one should've been. Boom bam! Problem solved! Well so I thought...

I continued on and created the first sleeve and blocked it into shape. Part of the way through making the second sleeve I got impatient and decided to work on the seams for a while. I sewed the shoulder and side seams (during this process I discovered a deep love for seaming and finish work). I worked on the sleeve some more and a few inches later set it aside to sew in the first sleeve. This is when I realized that the sleeve and the hole that it was supposed to fit in didn't happen to be the same size. FAIL!!! After much lamenting on my part I decided that one annoying pattern mistake would be forgivable but adding one or two more makes for an ill fitting, awkward looking garment. I decided to pull it all out and make something new.

And then I spent the rest of the evening sulking.

I woke up the next morning determined. I would find a new pattern, a better one! I looked in all the usual places and found nothing appealing so I decided to design my own! A few calculations later and with renewed vigor I cast on for a completely new something...hopefully It'll be up next week!

"I quit"....a year long challenge

Buying clothing that is, at least for now.

Here's why;
Like most people in the western world I have too much clothes that I care too little about. How? All of the clothing I own fits into a duffle bag(very snugly but I can still zip it with a little muscle). Which I think is a great accomplishment for myself but still, I care very little about the clothing I have. I find myself searching all the time for something newer and more interesting.

I was reading an old book not too long ago called The Secret Of Distinctive Dress, it was written in 1915 but still hold some valuable truths. I highly recommend reading it! Anyway, it discusses the idea that even though fashions are constantly changing, you don't need to go buy an entirely new wardrobe every other month. If you choose a few simple pieces that are easily and simply updated you can always be dressed in style without spending a small fortune.

The challenge is this:
1. I will not buy new clothing for a year, I will occasionally buy used clothing to remake
2. I will work on remaking clothing I already own and create new pieces that are classic and timeless while also wearable and functional.
3. Research styles that are flattering to my body type.
4. Improve garment making technique by studying and participating in The Knitting Guild Association's hand knitting masters program, textile design courses and textile technique classes online and elsewhere.


What I hope to achieve:
1. An increased connection with and appreciation for my clothing.
2. Improved technique and design skills
3. A creative outlet and challenge artistically and creatively.
4. A wardrobe that is well made and fits correctly.


I will be posting about my progress here! If you'd like to join me for part of or all of this challenge let me know!