KW Inspiration: Eternal Child

by Gül Gürdamar is an amazing knitwear designer. Istanbul-based Gürdamar has a fresh, modern take on classic silhouettes. Her looks are simply beautiful with a touch of quirk  and a bold femininity. For more information and to see her newest collection please visit here. 

   

Resolutions

Set of 8, 2012 Calendar found on etsy by bluetricycle.

I love the word resolution, to come to a definite or earnest decision about something, to be determined in your actions, to be intentional.


I've been thinking about what I intend to do to better this new year. I've limited myself to three resolutions to increase my success. I think sometimes more isn't better, it's just more.


1. Get straight A's for the next 3 terms.


2. Knit for other people ( I have so many sweaters, hats, and scarves. How many does one person really need?)


3. Read more books. I use to read voraciously. I hungered for new plots, words and characters. I feel like I should get back into it because it brought me so much pleasure! This year I want to get in as much fun, passion and growth I can.


Life's too short, right?

Merry Christmas!!!

Natural linen Christmas Ornaments from Etsy made by liradesigne

  May all your holiday dreams come true!  Thanks to all my readers (though they are few and far between)  for being a part of It's A Hard Knit Life!! I appreciate you!!

KW Inspiration: Sandra Backlund

The Swedish designer, Sandra Backlund, craft, genius, vision and ability to manipulate the knit and crochet stitch brings me to tears. My favorite piece is the techno jacket. It looks very much like garter stitch but appears to be created by sewing rows of straight stitch on a lightly downed synthetic fabric to create a sort of ribbed effect. It is so sculptural and structurally beautiful.

After graduating from Beckman College of Design in Stockholm in 2004, her eponymous line was created that same year. For a closer look and more information of this amazing Knitwear designer please visit here.

Mobius Cowl

Thanks to Ashley for taking these pics at Rosie's. I still need to purchase a new camera.

I haven't had much time to knit because I've been doing a lot of sewing, drawing and creating strange body-sized creatures (Don't ask!) for school but I did manage to finish this Mobius cowl using two skeins of  Noro, Iro no. 98 and seed stitch. I love those shocks of blue, orange and yellow thrown in there with the browns. Fabulous!!

It was so satisfying to knit this (on US #13) because it was done so quickly! Maneuvering the twist on the cable needle was a bit cumbersome but I got over it after I bound off. Heh heh! I felt like such a rebel putting a twist in my circular knitting. If I wrote this pattern I would say "Join being careful to TWIST!" As it were, it's really easy to create this. Just cast on an even amount of stitches, put a the twist in there and work seed stitch all the way around until you get to your desired length and then loosely bind off that baby. 

I also managed to knit some worsted weight socks out of Rittenhouse 5-ply but one of them got felted (sad face) but it's okay; they'll just be ten times more warm. Also before I unknowingly put one of them in the washing machine they had a tendency to slide down and off my feet. I still have to felt the other one. I think it was meant to be. 

KW Inspiration: Twinkle by Wenlan

Twinkle is a knitwear/apparel  fashion designer who started gaining popularity from the moment she sported her creations on the streets of NYC. A native of Taipei and daughter of a master seamstress, Wenlan Chia's silhouettes are modern and sweetly edgy. I've been coveting her new sewing book Twinkle Sews even since I started Construction Skills this term. I think I'm starting to work up the confidence to try one (or all) of her couture designs. 

New Free Patt: Osier Mittens

It's getting chilly outside! Such a wonderful thing! Time for layers, boots, cardigans and hats! Time for sitting by the fire side, watching flaming leaves afloat on the blustery wind, and my favorite, pumpkin or apple and spice flavored anything from soap to candles to food! 

I've had quite a streak of bad luck lately. I forgot my bag on the bus and lost a lot of my important worldly possessions including my camera so unfortunately I don't have any pics to show you of the projects I've completed which includes an Iro Mobius cowl. I've also started a really beautiful sweater I can't wait to finish it and another Shower Stitch Beret in an effort to reformat and clarify the pattern but until I get another camera feast your eyes on my newest pattern the Osier (oh-zher) Mittens. 

These mittens were knit out of a Rosie's Yarn Cellar favorite, Swans Island Worsted 100% organic merino wool. It's so smooshy and look at the variegation of the dye, simply beautiful. When it's blocked it's so incredibly soft! Oh gosh, oh-so-soft! 

I had such a wonderful time knitting these mittens. A few little details that make these hand toasters wonderful are dunt-dah-daaaa! a turned hem cuff, reverse stockinette palms,  slipped stitch side "seams" and an original knit/purl stitch pattern. You can download the pattern here. I hope that I can find some time to knit some for myself and buy a new camera in November! A big thank you to Andrea for taking such lovely pictures.