Techno!

Techno is an awesome new yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas ! I was lucky to get to design a project with skeins hot of the presses, ah, I mean spinners! You can read more about the yarn here in Blue Sky's first bluesletter(aka blog). I really loved knitting with it. It's unique construction, baby alpaca shot through a silk mesh... yeah, techno... makes it super soft, bulky (read: quick) and light! Bulky and light rarely go together, right? Finally, a way to knit a sweater fast... that's wearable, warm, hip and not heavy. I just want to keep knitting with it! 

To celebrate Technos launch, Blue Sky will be giving away a pattern and yarn to 10 people! Go to this blog post and make a comment to enter the contest! 

My design for the collection is below.

Happy knitting and good luck!

Recognize this gal???

 

For Lion Brands January Yarnplay issue I created a cute embroidered hood. (I also did a little modeling) It's a very easy and quick project, that I think is better than a hat. One, it keeps your neck warm and two, it doesn't squish your hairdo. The FREE pattern also has helpful how-to photos to help you with the tricky parts.

 

 As alway, much thanks to my good friend and awesome photographer Emily. Have you seen her website?? GO now! It's so fun to work on these together. We love our lives!

 

Pile of hats...

I'm still obsessed with sewing, but just a little less since the i-cord border has entered my life. I can't believe I've never done it before! It makes such a nice, clean edge to these hats and a super cute way to add a splash of color. The black and white hat on top is made with bulky yarn and is quite helmety, but I'm into it. I added string ties to one of them and was thinking I'd eventually do it to the rest, but I'm not sure. I like how they look without ties, but it's certainly more practical to have them... for keeping the ear flaps in place and all. Hmmm...

Regardless, I have to decide which one I want, then I'll put the rest in my Etsy shop. I'm hoping to write patterns for them too.

Tiptoe Cardigan for Spud and Chloë

My latest addition to the Spud and Chloë pattern lineup called the Tiptoe Cardigan! I think this is my favorite design yet! I loved working each section a little differently. Even the sleeves! For a hot second I thought it might be too busy, mostly because of teasing from a friend who shall not-be-named, but I'm glad I trusted my own instincts. Adding the fabric flowers really tied it all together and I had so much fun making little fabric yo-yos for this that I really haven't stopped since.

Tiptoe Cardigan for Spud and Chloë by Kim Hamlin

Etsy Update

I just added two new lace cuffs to my Etsy shop. Hopefully I'll have more time to update the shop while here in Maine. I'm really into the color of these photos. I think I took them this summer when I had a crazy tan from being outside all day, almost every day. I also can't believe I took them myself, holding the camera with my other hand! Not bad right?

Dear Lucky, are you kidding me?

Since Domino magazine folded several months ago... thank you economy and other stupid heads... they've been sending me LUCKY as a replacement. While I appreciate the gesture, let it be known that LUCKY is NO replacement for DOMINO. It just isn't.

Domino was the "Lucky" for the home. It was the perfect blend of inspiration & products both fancy and affordable. I could find great lamp ideas, sheets, wallpapers... I mean it was my dream magazine, next to Blueprint which also folded. I just LOVE looking at other peoples homes, don't you? So many home magazines are either too designy, modern or country for my taste. Domino just seemed like my people, you know? We had a great relationship and I miss it.

I thought I could ride out this whole LUCKY business, after all, I'm strong and I like clothes...maybe I might find something or learn something... right??

But then I turned the page one day and saw this... please excuse my high school-esque notes!

 

 I mean, what more do I have to say?? Animal prints, black nylons, tight rolled pants (which I think could be cute on tighter, darker pants maybe) moccasins, fringe?????

The top two outfits, while not horrible, are certainly not what I'd call fashion forward or inspirational.  if I want to see normal outfits I'd like, got outside or something!

And I don't care if it's "IN".... If my "Interior Designer" (top right) showed up wearing two plaids, I don't think I could trust her!

 

L.L. Bean is in my blood

When you're from Maine, it's pretty much a given that you'll own at least one piece of clothing or tote bag from L.L. Bean in your lifetime. Most people have more than that, myself included. The clothes don't really fit my preferred 'look' but I'm proud to sport their boots, bags and long underwear.  With each year that passes in my life here in Brooklyn, I strangely feel more and more like a Mainer! I keep finding that I need more outdoor gear (especially when dealing with the elements at the Flea market) like rain coats & boots, toe warmers, snow boots and long underwear, so I've been checking in with good ol L.L. more than I ever used to.  

Sure, I could probably find some rainboots here in NY and a rain coat, but you know what? I don't trust them as much. (*disclaimer* I'm am aware that there are other reputable outdoor retailers besides L.L. Bean) Once I bought a cute pair of rainboots from Marc Jacobs, which were super, super cute, but only lasted a few weeks before getting holes! If that happened at Beans, you could march right back and get a brand new pair, or something else, no questions asked. They have great customer service, which I'd like to reward with my patronage and I really like being able to visit the store with my Mom  at all hours of the night! So, from now on I plan look there first and if I can work it into my 'look', I'm going for it!

I was quite surprised at how many things I found today! I just wanted some new rain boots!

 

Yes folks, there is a skort up there, I can't believe it!! And even though I'm not much of a camper, yet, I found all kinds of cute gear, mainly that rad orange stove! I didn't add this picnic tote bag because it looks so much like their well known canvas totes, but instead it's an insulated cooler! So great, since coolers are usually so uggers!

I love MAINE!

Knit Virus

A while ago I knit this "virus" for my friend, artist Caitlin Berrigan. She instructed me on the structure/geometry/math of a Hepatitus C virus (individual pentagons combine with triangle shaped 'flare ups' which make a geodesic dome...) and I took it from there. She wanted a wearable garment with a hood and I think the result is strangely futuristic and fashionable...

Thehepatitis C virus is externalized in this wearable garment knit into a pattern of the virus’s protein structure. (Hand knit silk & wool.

Visit Caitlin's website: www.membrana.us

Yarns used in this project: Alchemy Silk Purse 100 % silk & Alchemy Sancuary 30 % silk, 70% wool

The garter affair

Gianfranco Ferre, Men's RTW 2009I spotted these HUGE knits by Gianfranco Ferre on the NY Times website the other day and fell in love. They're "just" giant garter knit scarves, but I can't help it!

Whenever I see garter stitch used in fashion I have to admit I get a little jealous saying "Why didn't I think of that?" The stitch is so simple it takes little to no effort to create it. In other words, if you just learned to knit this morning, you already posess the skills necessary to make this scarf. Sure, it would take a lot of yarn (read: $$$!) and a good four months of knitting, but you could do it.

This type of accessory is always great for knitting stores, since it sends people running to buy yarn or take a class. Usally the culprit has Marc Jacobs name all over it, but we'll see about this one.

Garter stitch close up

Garter Stitch is often overlooked, but when used wisely the results can be quite striking. Compared to otherstitches, it is more dense, giving it this incredible sculptural quality, the benifits of which you can clearly see in Ferre's collection. In any other stitch this scarf might cling like a wet piece of seaweed, drag, tangle, choke or worst of all-- fade into the back ground.

Gianfranco Ferre, Men's RTW 2009

For some reason I always second guess the choice to use garter stitch. It seems too easy. With all this practice and confidence I have as a knitter, why choose the easiest stitch? Isn't that a cop out? Shouldn't I be designing elaborate fairisle sweaters with Obama's face on them or something?

Sticking to a seemingly tired "old standby" might actually result in something refreshing and modern. Check out my pal Kj who makes People Profile Scarves working just in garter stitch:

 

 

Elizabeth Zimmerman is the QUEEN of garter stitch! This is a version of her Garter Suprise jacket.

 I think I'm going to embrace Garter Stitch with more confidence from now on!