Tag

geometric

30
Sep
2015

dabbling in embroidery

Each Wednesday, I take stock of the projects I’m working on.

geometric embroidery

I added a couple more rounds to my bead crochet snake, but the main project that got my focus this week was an ancient embroidery project that I’ve finally decided what to do with. The stitching is simple, geometric & meditative – so really, it’s all about picking colors.

I can also see a glimmer of the end of  the month of crazy busy. Fingers crossed.

But tomorrow, I’m super excited to share an interview with Teresa Gregorio (aka CanaryKnits), all about the new book she’s working on (and kickstarting) with Leah Coccari-Swift (aka RubySubmarine). The book is a Twin Peaks inspired collection called Great Northern, that promises some amazing sweater patterns inspired by log ladies and jelly doughnuts. It’s always wonderful talking with Teresa, and I can’t wait to share what she has to say.

13
Mar
2015

I guess writing down goals really does work… The Self-Made Wardrobe Week 32

The Self-Made Wardrobe is a project where I only wear garments I’ve made.
It’s a year long experiment in getting dressed without clothing labels –
it’s a year about noticing patterns, trying things, and observing what happens.


Day-218

Day 218 – Friday, March 6th
purple sweater // black tank // black maxi skirt // bead crochet bracelets
black scarf // black tights // brown boots // various rings

Day-219

Day 219 – Saturday, March 7th
archer button up shirt // black tank top // cascading flowers skirt
bead crochet bracelets // various rings

Day-220

Day 220 – Sunday, March 8th
purple sweater // black tank top // graphic silk circle skirt
bead crochet bracelets // various rings // black tights // brown boots

Day-221

Day 221 – Monday, March 9th
archer button up shirt // black tank // black maxi // bead crochet bracelets
black scarf // black tights // brown boots // various rings

Day-222

Day 222 – Tuesday, March 10th
boring black sweater // black tank top // graphic silk circle skirt
black tights // black shoes
bead crochet bracelets // various rings // robot clock necklace

Day-223

Day 223 – Wednesday, March 11th
handknit sweater dress // black tank top // black tights

Day-224

Day 224 – Thursday, March 12th
archer button up shirt // black tank top // graphic silk circle skirt
black scarf // black tights // brown boots
bead crochet bracelets // various ring

When I started the self-made wardrobe I had a few loose goals in the back of my mind, but I intentionally didn’t set any super specific goals.*
*because my wardrobe & I are grand adventuresses!

I knew at some point I’d need jeans, a winter coat, and some sweaters. But other than that I wanted to keep things loose.

And 7 months in, with no specific plan, I’ve accomplished 2 of those things. Yay!

Having said that, I’m setting a couple loose flexible goals for the last 5 months of the self-made wardrobe. I talked a briefly about most of these goals in the January wrap up over on the selfmadewardrobe.com blog, but I wanted to expand on them and add a couple more here.

Goal 1: another chunky sweater. Kind of like my deconstructed sweater, I want something chunky, warm and cozy – that will work over other sweaters for the rest of the winter, but that will also act as a spring jacket once it gets warm enough to put my alpaca coat away (soon, I hope.)
In the interest of time, I want to sew this instead of knitting it and in the interest of versatility I want it to be a cardigan. (This could also be a straight up spring jacket – but in the long run, I think I’ll get more wear out of the sweater.)

Goal 2: another light, thin, long sleeved pullover. The purple sweater I’m finishing now will fit this bill quite nicely.

Goal 3: another 3 − 4 quick, easy, simple, wonderful skirts. I haven’t felt the desire to sew anything for awhile, this winter has made me want to curl up and knit more than anything else. But with the promise of spring I’ve started sitting down at my sewing machine again.

Goal 4: jeans. I know – damn bloody record over here. But I have the pattern. I have the fabric. I just need to sit down at the machine…

Goal 5: looking forward to summer. Skirts. Dresses. Tank tops. Yes please! (This isn’t really a goal, it’s more like a “yay summer!” thought.)

It’s funny. I originally wrote out these goals a couple weeks ago, and since then have made substantial progress on both my purple sweater (it’s ready have the ends woven in!) and my jeans (they’re constructed! so now they just need a waistband & finishing!)

I guess writing down goals (when they’re thoughtful, aligned, centered goals) really does work…

 

4
Mar
2015

two sleeves, some yarn, new jewelry, and a shawl

Each Wednesday, I post little snippets about the projects I’m working on.


I spent most of the weekend working on projects that were very much not my secret project – yay! – and that ended up being quite productive.

handknit sweater in progress

Sleeves!!! My purple sweater has two of them. Now I just need to figure out the neckline situation, and I’ll have another sweater.

handspun yarn

I finished a spinning & plying a skein of handspun yarn that has been sitting on my desk for months now – so finishing this feels amazing.

bead crochet braceletes

Back at VK Live in January, I learned how to bead crochet bracelets, but hadn’t learn how to close them. This weekend I learned, and how I have a pile of new jewelry! What’s not to love about that?

lace shawl

And finally, I took photos for a new shawl pattern. (Was the last shawl I finished, really Rosmerta?)

The design is a circular shawl, with a pretty complex, geometric, lace pattern – though I think my favorite part is probably the sun at the center.

lace shawl

I’m at the final stages of pattern editing, I think it came out beautifully, and I couldn’t wait to share some of the photos – so these are some of the outtakes that probably won’t find their way into the final pattern.

The yarn is Toil & Trouble’s merino/silk lace weight, two strands of yarn held together throughout the shawl, and knit on US #5 (3.75mm) needles. The colors are “Smoke Signals” (the light grey) and “Apollo” (the beautiful yellow/orange.)
PS! if you’re in the Boston area, Ana (the proprietress of Toil & Trouble yarns) just opened a new yarn shop in Salem – called Circle of Stitches. The grand opening is this weekend – March 7th, so stop by, say “hi,” and squish some yarn. Here’s the link to their website with the shop hours & address.

lace shawl

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