Hemp Market Bags at olivebrown

olivebrown has created a beautiful hand knit hemp market bag so you can take it along with you while you shop. This bag was featured in Bon Appetit Magazine.

Betty's Loft Sale

Betty's Loft has a sale on this featured item! Is it a scarf? Is it a shawl? Who cares- this is a fun accessory for dressing up or going casual! Hand-crocheted from hand spun, hand-dyed cotton, Betty’s shawlettes are one-of-a kind, authentically crafted with a personal touch.

Izzy Lane Ethical Fashion Handmade Shoe Sale

Izzy Lane is having a shoe sale! From heels to flats, buy a pair from Izzy Lane, and feel good about purchasing a product that is completely animal friendly with no animal derived products used in their manufacture. Each pair is hand made by a traditional cobbler in the East End of London and the entire collection is approved by the Vegetarian Society.

Featured products are on sale for £75.00

Offer available from 20th June 2009 to 27th June 2009

Unique Patterns at ASOS

Sass & Bide Laddered stocking print tee

ASOS Lace pattern print leggings

Shape Up your Wardrobe with ModeInHolland

This is actually a custom made knitted dress that can be created to your body.

There is an interesting shopping website called ModeInHolland, in which you enter in your measurements when ordering your custom made garment. Each item is created especially for you, and you even have assistance such as telephone support or web cam, if you need help with figuring out your correct and precise size. Yes, this company ships internationally, for a reasonable cost.

More interesting services:

Fashion Parties (The Netherlands): "At the Fashion Parties we will bring the collections and show them to your audience. There will be time to get some insight in the world of designing and the inspiration of the particular designers. Of course there will be a lot of time to try all clothes on and see what fits you best."

Denim: Distressed or Repaired?

Hot, ripped rock star jeans are super trendy and, in my opinion, always fashionable. Elle UK has featured a nice collection of distressed denim choices at various prices.
This cute pair by 7 for all mankind, sold at Net-a-porter, is lightly distressed, and fairly affordable.

I must admit I am strangely enamored with these white ripped jeans sold at Topshop.

~

However, some love the sleek look of smooth, richly saturated colored jeans, and how they lengthen and slenderize your hips and thighs.

K Karl Lagerfeld, classic straight leg jeans

You may have an old pair that cost you a small fortune, but you will never wear them again because they have an unsightly rip that you just can not stand. Denim repair by Denim Therapy is your solution!

"Denim Therapy’s denim assessment and reconstruction is done individually, one denim patient at a time. Every jean is different in its construction and wear. And of course, every ripped area is different. That’s why when repairing jeans, Denim Therapy does so one repair at a time. The repair is a genuine reconstruction of the original denim material. It is not a patch. It is new cotton thread and stitch applied to the broken denim area. Denim Therapy uses the MatchPerfect™ cotton thread selection process to create the best looking repair possible."

The results are phenomenal, and the cost of doing so is well worth the price, which is extremely reasonable. Check out the website for more information and images!

P.S. Click over to the Denim Therapy blog. It features all kinds of great sales on amazingly fashionable denim! I'm so glad I found it!

Vogue Knitting's New KnitBook!

We all know how stylish and classic Vogue Knitting patterns can be. Now there is a way to get only the patterns that you really want from the company, in one printed book, specialized for you. Vogue Knitting is now offering KnitBook!

"A KnitBook is just like any professionally printed pattern book…with one difference—it’s created by you. You choose the cover design, the title and most importantly, the patterns. Now you can have all of your favorite patterns in one book, printed and shipped right to your door! Books start at $24.95."

This is very interesting and economical because you only get what you really want to make and wear!

Tracey Ambrose UPDATE

Here is the link to the Simply Smashing fashion show featuring Tracey Ambrose's designs. Check out her HOT crocheted bikinis!

Knitted Sweater Sale at Forever 21

Maddie Cable Sweater Tunic

This is the best time to stock up on cute sweaters and other knitwear since it is so hot outside that nobody is buying them. Take advantage of this as they sell out fast.

Liana Sweater Cardigan

Placement of the Hook when Crocheting

Yes, where you put the hook matters and makes a difference. It can change the thickness and the way the piece you are crocheting looks and feels. Here is an excerpt from a recent email I received from Interweave Press:

"Where you put the hook when you crochet makes a difference in both the look and movement of the fabric. Inserting the hook under both loops of the stitch produces a sturdy fabric suitable for a variety of projects. But inserting the hook in the back loop only (blo), front loop only (flo) or alternating blo and flo can produce very different kinds of fabrics. Over the next few weeks, we'll look at the effect of these stitches and when you might want to use them. And we'll show you a pattern that uses each technique. We'll start with back loop only (blo). Blo stitching produces a stretchy fabric much akin to ribbing in knitted garments. As such, it is suitable for cuffs and collars. It's also a good way to add fluidity to an afghan, to keep it from being too heavy. But what happens when you work an entire garment in blo? Good things happen. A case in point: The Big Bow Cardigan (Interweave Crochet Winter 2008). The stretchy rib of blo worked vertically creates a sweater that hugs your shape. If this sweater were worked through both loops, it would produce a garment more like a coat. Working through the back loop only makes a cardigan that can flare at the shoulders and narrows at the waist, creating a slimming vertical line. In addition, it keeps the warmth in. To work blo, insert the hook in the back loop only of the two loops at the top of the stitch. Work blo every row for a completely ridged look. (Working the right side only in blo will produce a fabric that has a wider stripe of flat crochet between the ridges; it will not be quite as stretchy.)Other uses for blo: working a row of blo on the edge of a bag will produce a turning ridge for the bottom. Work a row of blo at the top of a hat to produce a flat top. For pictures of swatches worked in double crochet and double crochet blo, see the blog."

Crochet Me is definitely a blog worth visiting, even if it is just to take a quick glance at the nice photographs.

Fabric Trend - Denim

I absolutely love it when fashion websites, in this case Elle, focuses on a certian type of fabric. This web link features the all time favorite and totally wearable, denim. Here are a few from the lists:

Click here to see these and more denim designs featured on the Elle website!

Woman Within Knitwear Sale

Nice knitted designs are hard to find in plus sizes. Here are some from Woman Within. They are all on sale for only $12.88 (not including tax and shipping costs).

This trapeze top is perfect for larger shoulders, and smaller hips.


Anyone can wear this long henley sweater. It's flattering for most body types.


This swing cardigan is perfect for flattering the arm.

This light weight sweater is not on sale, but still a great price at $40.

I love the color of this wrap cardigan ("pearl grey"), which is perfect for layering.



NOTE: Woman Within has a maternity section with prices starting at $14.99!

Spring Fashion Show at Darla's Closet

Here's the Scoop: It's that time again, "Fashionnnnn Shooowwwwwww" themed, "Simply Smashing." Those two words "simply" and "smashing" seem to capture the essence of the talented indie designers and gifted curators with an eye for everything stylish, along with the models we are so honored to work with. So it seemed appropriate to name the show in their honor. Our Spring Runway Show is going to be something special to behold. Live DJ, wine, chocolate, wearable art and our models who literally, rip the runway (as per the usual)!

Date: Saturday, May 9th

Time: 8:00 p.m. til' the DJ Stops Spinnin'

Place:

Darla's Closet Boutique

Historic Downtown Lancaster

647 West Lancaster Boulevard

Lancaster, California 93534

Tel 661-949-1049

Cost: FREE

Featured Designers: Handbags by Olas, Jungles, Fly Tie, ZMJ Denim, Ruby's Vintage, Tracey Ambrose W.R.A.P., Heaven Simone, Sculpted Silhouette and the Bee Cute Shoe Collection.

R.S.V.P. Today! Please send an email to shop@darlascloset.com click here or call 661.949.1049 to reserve your space.

Here is a sneak peek of one of the beautiful designs by Tracey Ambrose!

Crochet Trimmed Stylish Designs on Sale at Victoria's Secret

Studded sweater tank with feminine openwork stitching.

Pretty crochet trim tank on sale now at Victoria's Secret.

Fashion Glossary on Romans.com

This scarf is on sale for $13.99 right now.

While doing some online searching and shopping I discovered that Romans has a very nice and fairly diverse fashion glossary. It is a good resource with some terms I had never heard of. Click over to the website, then scroll down, to the bottom of the screen. Look for the link "Fashion Glossary" and then click on it. Another window will pop up with a list of words with definitions.

About Romans:
"A plus-size fashion leader for over 70 years, Roaman's® was created for the woman who appreciates style and true value. Our experienced buyers travel the world in search of exciting new looks that you can wear for every occasion. In short, Roaman's® was tailor-made for the plus-size woman who isn't afraid to cause a sensation wherever she goes - glamorous dresses and outerwear, stylish suits, great denim looks, casual easy options and fabulous shoes to complete your look head to toe. We also provide romantic intimate apparel from our exclusive Intimate Promise collection. Women's, Petite and Tall Sizes 12W - 44W, Bras to size 56J and shoes to 14WW."

Lara Kazan Trunk Show and Sale

30% –80% off all merchandise!

Items as low as $5
When:Thursday 4/23, from 12:30-6:30

Friday 4/24, from 12:30-4:00

Tuesday 4/29, from 12:30-6:30

Wednesday 4/30, from 12:30-6:30

Where: 555 8th Avenue , Suite 1701NY, NY 10018

(On 8th Ave between 37 and 38th)

Credit cards accepted

TRUNK SHOW IN BROOKLYN hosted by Birth Day Presence featuring the unique designs of LARA KAZAN

WHEN: Saturday,

April 25th, 3:00-6:00pm

WHERE: 291 8th St. btwn 5th and 6th AvePark Slope, Brooklyn

Birth Day Presence provides birth and postpartum doulas, childbirth education, and professional birth photography

Thread Earrings at Sweetie Pie Jewelry

Sweetie Pie Jewelry has something for everyone. For those that love more casual styles, to glamor lovers at heart, you will find everything you desire with Sweetie Pie. These affordable, stunning pieces are created with both new and vintage materials. They are handmade and very wearable. The "Lucille" earrings (featured above) are made with vintage silk thread and are woven beautifully. These button earrings remind me of a cute ball of yarn, sitting in the knitting basket ready to be used for the most glamorous knitted garment, or as the dreaded kitty cat toy ;) They are so delicate and compliment any face shape. "Lucille" is available in five beautiful Spring colors and comes in two woven designs. Also, Sweetie Pie Jewelry is currently offering FREE SHIPPING, so take advantage of this while you can! See the website for more details.

My New Favorite Knitwear in High Fashion Blog - knitkicks

I stumbled upon knitkicks today while surfing the web, and I must admit, I am already learning so much from this blog that started only a year ago. Even though I know about the designers featured on knitkicks, it is always a treat to read someone else's opinion on topics I admire. knitkicks gives much deserved attention to knitwear and knitted accessories on the catwalk. Another reason to read this blog is the fact that the images are big and great quality. Take my word for it, you WILL enjoy this blog.

Verena Magazine Spring 2009

Here is a sample of a few of the gorgeous knitting patterns featured in Verena Knitting Spring 2009.

Also, here is a sample of the bonus patterns you can download if you subscribe to Verena Knitting :)

Verena Magazine also has an extensive selection of luxurious yarns to buy. Click here to see more.

New Feed - Knitter's Review

Hello knitting and fashion enthusiasts,

I have added a new feed on the right side bar titled Knitter's Review. The Knitter's Review is a website with reviews on yarns, and almost anything you can think of that has to do with knitting and fibers. "It is also the only weekly publication that focuses on fiber, yarns, and the online yarn-shopping experience." Here is an excerpt from their about page:

"Our mission is to provide quality product information to help knitters make informed purchasing decisions and, ultimately, have a more fulfilling lifelong knitting experience."

You can even have your product reviewed on their website.

To learn more about the Knitter's Review, please refer to the website.