Happy Wednesday! Today I wanted to share with you my little obsession – the wall in the downtown. Yes, one wall. Every time I walk past this wall, I can’t help but think about my colorful cotton skeins I brought from Mexico Cityseveral months ago. I had no idea what to make with them, but as soon as I saw this wall I wanted a bright colorful sweater in these colors. It happens so rarely – usually I prefer neutral shades and very rarely inspired by colorful stripes. But here I am, and all of this is happening because of this wall:
Isn’t it precious?! Such a perfect shade of blue and the green is mixing in perfectly! So yesterday I decided it was time – I have to make something with this yarn! I haven’t worked on my knitting machine for two months already and thought it was the perfect opportunity to get back to it. I got the green skeins out of the stash and started to look for blue ones. Two hours and a huge mess later I still couldn’t find the package with the blue yarn, just one lonely skein. How is it possible?! I didn’t take the yarn out of the house and didn’t use it yet (I even checked all my previous posts and Instagram images, just in case), the yarn is gone, gone, gone. And my wall obsession is still here….
Now I either have to forget about this sweater altogether and never ever pass the wall on my way or I have to hunt for this perfect shade of blue that mysteriously disappeared. Weird things are happening, really Oh, and if I make this sweater, I know the perfect name for it. Can you guess?
Anyway, besides my wall obsession, I still have some other projects on my needles – The Choice Cardigan, sample #2 and some swatches with Heritage yarn that I am loving so much!! By the way, if you are interested in reading a little bit more about my behind-the-scenes design process of Journey sweater, you can find my mini-interview on Moeke Yarns’ blog here – Get to Know Alina.
Do you have some weird inspiration sources in your projects?
Happy Sunday! It’s been awhile since my last Knitting Inspiration post and today I decided to show you the best knitwear pieces that appeared during New York Fashion Week 2016 that took place last week, where numerous designers showed their Spring/Summer 2017 collections. As I said many times before, knitting/crochet possibilities are really endless and it’s always so much fun to see the professional fashion designers’ interpretation of the classic stitches in their work! I also included my own notes how to try and recreate similar pieces in your own knitting/crochet. If to think about it – it is not that hard!! Let’s have fun and experiment!!
Designer: Prabal Gurung.
Points of Interest: Ombre effect + light feathers.
How to recreate: First of all you need a pattern for a simple boat neck pullover. Knit it in an oversize version (I would say at least 10″ of positive ease is needed). Get an ombre yarn kit; there are so many options for it on Etsy right now, so I am sure it won’t be a problem. When you are done with the sweater, look for very light and thin feathers in your local craft stores or just try very light, thin and airy yarns to recreate feathers’ look. Sew the feathers on the sweater. You can play with feathers arrangements and see where this experiment takes you!
Designer: Prabal Gurung.
Beige sweater
Points of Interest: Off the shoulder look, mix of different gauges, wide sleeves and intarsia.
How to recreate: To recreate this drape-y, light and transparent fabric, you need to work with very thin, spiderweb yarns (mohair/cashmere for example); to achieve the look of different gauges – you should change from knitting with one strand of yarn to several ones (the number depends how thin is your yarn). Sleeves are knit super oversize and then abruptly decreased to a fitting sleeve cuff. I think in the case of this sweater, intarsia technique is way too complicated and it will be much easier to embroider flowers on the fabric after the sweater is done.
Blue Sweater
Points of Interest: Superlong sleeves and a mix of stitches.
How to recreate: Play around with different stitch patterns and their placement.
Cable Sweater
Designer: Tory Burch.
Points of Interest: Cropped shape, texture and cables.
How to recreate: You need a classic Aran pullover, if you can’t find the pattern for the cropped version, you can modify the length yourself. Judging by the photo, the sweater has a pretty structured look, which means that you will have to avoid cashmere, merino, alpaca, these fibers will create too much drape, but try to make it in cotton yarn – this will give you this structured look and amazing texture!
Pompom Sweater
Designer: Kate Spade.
Points of Interest: Fun pompoms on the neckline and fringe on the hem.
How to recreate: Super easy sweater to recreate! Find a classic raglan sweater pattern with wide turtleneck and after you are done knitting it, attach fun pompoms and fringe! There are lots of tutorials online for them!
Designer: Alejandra Alonso.
Cable Sweater
Points of Interest: Travelling cables, asymmetric hem.
How to recreate: There are many patterns with travelling cables, so it won’t be a problem! Asymmetric hem can be achieved with short rows.
Violet Sweater
Points of Interest: Wide sleeves and mix of textures.
How to recreate: Experiment with different stitch placement! It won’t be easy, but will definitely be worth it in the end! Knit the sleeves with at least 8″ of ease and decrease all the extra stitch in one row before starting the ribbing (that should be very fitting).
Crochet suit
Designer: Adam Selman.
Points of Interest: Granny squares and mix of colors.
How to recreate: Take out all you yarn leftovers and have fun! The designer used different stitch patterns and variety of colors to create this eclectic look. Take any crochet stitch dictionary and experiment!
Crochet Top
Designer: Hellessy.
Points of Interest: Asymmetric hem and shoulder.
How to recreate: Designer used crochet stitches (looks like classic shell stitches), but this top can easily be done in knitting as well! Asymmetric hem and shoulder can be achieved either with short rows or decreases/increases. I would definitely prefer the latter, because this way it would be easier to maintain the stitch pattern.
White Sweater
Designer: Yeezy.
Points of Interest: Oversize, off the shoulder sweater-dress.
How to recreate: Very easy to recreate! Choose chunky “fluffy” yarn and knit a very oversize long sweater with dropped shoulders and boatneck. Leave all the edges untrimmed for this “ragged” look.
Grey Sweater
Designer: DKNY.
Points of Interest: Cut-out shoulders and rib ridges.
How to recreate: A very avant-garde sweater, isn’t it? But if you are up to it, try combining simple stockinette stitch with textured ones in stripe sequence. This will create the ridges. As for the cut out shoulders: you will have to bind off half of the stitches after shaping the sleeve cap and cast on new stitches to continue the sleeve as usual.
Designer: Michael Kors.
Crochet Dress
Points of Interest: Crochet see through stitches.
How to recreate: The perfect summer beach dress that you can also wear with the slip dress underneath. There are many crochet dress patterns out there, so it won’t be a problem to recreate!
Grey Sweater
Points of Interest: Oversize light long sweater.
How to recreate: It looks like your boyfriend sweater, so if you want to knit the same one for yourself, just find man’s sweater pattern. Make sure to use light yarns (fingering/lace) to recreate the drape!
Designer: Novis.
Points of Interest: Crochet stitches and color blocking.
How to recreate: The designer used basic crochet stitches (single and double crochet, slip stitches and yarn overs) and simple shapes – squares and rectangles.
Happy Wednesday! Did you feel how the seasons clicked in your part of the world? I find myself snuggled in cozy sweaters much longer in the mornings… There is also something in the air that makes me stay in more often, knitting, reading and watching movies. Yesterday I was going through my little treasures from my trip and couldn’t help but smile…
I brought a small collection of post cards from St. Petersburg by one very talented artist, T. Yumadilov, with St. Petersburg famous spots in different seasons. I love them so much! I think they put you in perfect Petersburg’s mood – tender and slightly melancholic… It’s so nice to look at them and remember walking along these streets…
Another treasure from my home country is the poems collection by Pushkin and Lermontov. I remember these books as far as I remember myself – my Granny got them in 1974! And it was not easy to buy books at that time. It is like my family’s heirloom! It is so nice to get back to “Eugene Onegin” and see all my little notes made during my school years…
Lovely Egyptian cotton bought in a LYS during my trip is calling my name and tempting me to cast it on. Sigh, I don’t have time for it yet, but it will definitely be put into use soon – I just can’t get over its color!
I hope you are having a lovely week and simple little things bring you lots of joy! Stay cozy!
Happy Sunday! I hope you had a wonderful week and are enjoying your weekend and your craft projects! As for me, I am working hard on writing the pattern for The Choice cardigan. It’s definitely not the easiest pattern to put into words, but I am trying my best to make it clear and simple.
The testing for the cardigan will start very soon and you will be able to see some photos of the progress. This is really a fun and addictive knit and I am so happy with how it turned out! I am especially pleased with the fit, the yoke grading is taking so much time, but it is so worth it! The Choice is a cocktail of textures, which won’t let you get bored while knitting it, but also simple enough for a relaxing TV knitting.
As The Choice is the second pattern in Moeke collection, I wanted it to have some kind of connection to Journey – folded sleeves that I love so much in sweaters. In the cardigan they are finished with a simple i-cord that mirrors the hem.
I can’t wait to share this pattern with you soon! I also have so many ideas for future just-for-fun projects, new tutorials, machine knitting and crochet projects that I would love to share with you here!! I definitely need more than 24 hours a day!
Happy Sunday! I am very excited to announce that MY Make-Along 2016 by Moeke Yarns starts tomorrow!! It will be such a fun event with lots of beautiful projects and many many prizes from the sponsors! You can read about how to participate in it here – MY MAKE ALONG 2016 SHEET. The main conditions are to knit/crochet patterns created specially for Moeke Yarns and use any of Moeke Yarns to make them.
My J O U R N E Y sweater is a part of this Make Along, so if you got the pattern, you should definitely jump in! Make Along will last until December, 18th and the winners will be announced right before Christmas! As you can see you have lots of time!
I think this event is such a great opportunity to meet crafters from all over the world who are very passionate about the fiber and the story behind a handmade piece!
I am also working right now on the new cardigan (The Choice). I was supposed to finish it in August, but due to some post office problems I didn’t get the yarn in time and my trip to Russia was too busy for me to knit. But it’s finally coming to an end and the test knitting process will begin soon and, hopefully, you will see The Choice published in November! Meanwhile you can follow its creating process here – #The_Choice_Cardigan.
Today I would also love to introduce you one more yarn by Moeke – Heritage. I am going to use it for the final piece in my small Moeke collection of patterns.
Heritage is different from Elena, as it’s a mix of two yarns – Romanian merino and Tigaie wool. As a result the yarn created is very durable, with the touch of softness. I also love its color – natural brown/neutral beige is probably one of my favorite shades out there and I can’t wait to see how it will knit up! I really want to do justice to this amazing fiber and create something that knitters will enjoy making and wearing!
I really hope to see you at My Make Along and I am so looking forward to see the first J O U R N E Ys appearing on the pattern’s page! If you are not sure where to get Moeke Yarns, check the list of shops which carry it here – Where To Buy.
Oh, and if I make this sweater, I know the perfect name for it. Can you guess? 
