Warm Fleece

Are you making any holiday gifts this year? Have you ever used fleece? I like this material because its very warm, and you usually only need to wear that layer with maybe one shirt underneath.

Fleece is made up of napped synthetic fibers. Your regular fleece that you can buy at almost any store, is actually known as polar fleece.

Even though some fleece is very cheap feeling (think the snuggie..you know that thing with the armholes, that acts like a blanket?), you can find some very nice, non synthetic fleece at shops like BlueFly.com, and Nordstrom.

Marios Schwab Fall 2007 Collection - fleece sweater

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Hancock Fabrics is having a big fleece sale right now: http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Fleece_stcVVcatId537261VVviewcat.htm?extid=HAN_EML_20090921_CT_biggestfleeceevent

Also, Hancock Fabrics is celebrating their 52nd anniversary, so enter for your chance to win a $52 gift card from Hancock Fabrics, here:
http://signup.hancockfabrics.com/OpenHouse/B/


MORE LINKS:


Fleece Queen - solid colors are #3.75 a yard.

New Knitwear Shopping Information

"Pretty Stitches" via Free People

The following are found in Lucky Magazine, October 2009 issue:

Wool - blend knit tunic $209, Ella Moss, Select Saks Fifth Avenue - (800) 347-9177

Chunky knit alpaca blend scarf, Heritage by Banana Republic, (available early Nov.)

Wool blend sweater, Mimi & Coco, Lyn Evans, Wellesley, MA, (781) 235-0096

Wool blend vest, Rare Woman. Rouge, Los Gatos, CA, (408) 395-8995

Knit hat, DKNY, (800) 231-0884

Wool blend sweater, Nicolefarhi.com

Hooded wool knit jacket, Gudrun & Gudrun, Beyond 7, NYC, (646) 619-6857

Wool "Raita" scarf, Diane Von Furstenberg, (646) 486-4800

Cable knit wool tote, United Colors of Benetton, (800) 535-4491


Merino Wool "Poncho" dress, Jillian Lewis, Beyond 7, NYC. (646) 619-6857

Mohair blend sweater, Sisley, (800) 535-4491

Deborah Lindquist alpaca sweater dress, Order at http://www.deborahlindquist.com/, and enter "lucky8" at checkout to save 35% off.

Autumn Fashion collection at H&M

Angora tank, Jill Sturat Collection, (212) 343-2300

Viscose "Xinia" Knit wrap, http://www.elizabethgillett.com

Handcrafted Chairs by Melanie Porter

Have you ever wanted to work directly with a high fashion designer to create your very own one of a kind piece of furniture?

After 10 years working as a knitwear designer for a number of international fashion brands, including Burberry and Pure Collection, Melanie Porter has turned her expertise to furniture, creating one-off contemporary designs from chairs sourced from auctions and markets across the UK. Melanie undertakes the entire process herself and everything, from the restoration and upholstering to the felted woollen panels and individual, crocheted buttons, is done by hand. The result of this incredibly labour-intensive process is a stunning and unique, but hard wearing, work of art, destined to be a future family heirloom.

“Although I loved my job in fashion, I really missed the hands-on creativity of actually making something,” explains Melanie. “I also wanted to learn upholstery – it’s something that has intrigued me since I was a child and would watch my grandfather repairing chairs. I am actually still using the tools that I inherited from him.”

Each project starts with the chair itself – anything from an antique Victorian nursing chair, to a 1970s Egg chair – which is painstakingly stripped back to the frame, before being restored and reupholstered using traditional techniques. This blank canvas is then covered with a series of hand-knitted, felted panels, especially created for each chair.

“To a certain extent, I let the chair lead the design and knit structure,” says Melanie. “I’ll sketch a rough idea but it’s quite an organic process and so I allow myself the freedom to change things as I go along.”Melanie also takes on bespoke commissions and, in this instance, the process is a bit different. “Sometimes a customer has a chair they want me to reupholster, sometimes they’ll ask me to source a frame. Then I’ll talk to them about what they’re looking for in terms of colours and designs, and show them sketches and swatches before I start work.”

For more information visit the website, or call +44 7770 941 305.

Get Started on your own High Fashion Knitwear for Fall 2009

Tyra Top knit in Rittratto yarn, by Tahki Stacy Charles, Inc.

The Modern Living Collection
"This collection of 17 distinctive styles features jackets, shrugs, coats and the ultimate in sweater dressing."

Samina Peplum Jacket

"Gedifra brings you 30 stylish projects direct from the runways of Europe. This collection is actually two collections in one. The first is called "Glam Factor" and features cozy structured pieces for fall. The second is titled "Abstract", and here you will find colorful and trendy pieces with tons of eye interest and the latest in shapes. There is certainly something here for everyone, from trendy to sophisticated; from unstructured to sleek and stylish; from bright and colorful to chic and refined."

When you think of new pieces to add to your wardrobe for Autumn, knitted garments are usually a must have, even if you can only buy one or two. This makes it even better because you can create your own, if you are into that sort of thing. The two I featured here are designed with beautiful new shaping and fiber blends to satisfy your fashion needs. Style yourself right, and learn a new technique with these sumptuous patterns.

Vintage Finds

Oscar de la Renta Knit - crocheted blouse

Marissa crochet shawl at Nasty Gal

Beautiful vintage designs at Beulahveda

Beulahveda has a beautiful selection of vintage sweaters to choose from. Some are hand made and some are designer labels.

In addition, there are some very nice jackets and trench coats available, at unbeatable prices.

Beulahveda is an online vintage clothing boutique offering vintage clothing, accessories and jewelry for women. Vintage collections include unique, hand-picked items from the 1940's, 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's.

Knitted Neck Warmers, a.k.a. Snoods

Burberry Prorsum Milan Autumn/Winter 2009 collection

- that neck piece is actually fur, not knitting.

This is a very easy look to duplicate at a more inexpensive cost.

Check out a new trend featured on Elle UK. These are easy to make as well, with a circular knitting needle and your favorite chunky yarn.

Missoni Fall 2009 RTW

Read an article about snoods, here, by Emma Sells, Junior Shopping Editor.

Beautiful New Free Patterns at Berroco

"Drift" cardigan pattern, knit with Vintage yarn. Vintage yarn is an acrylic, wool, nylon blend. You can either view the pattern online, or download it as a .pdf file. I like the colors "Fennel" and "Sloe Berry".

"Tarte" tank knitted in Mica yarn, which is a cotton, silk, nylon, linen blend. This yarn is sturdy and has a nice sheen to it for added dimension. I like the colors Vivianite and Abalone, in this particular yarn.

Please note that these patterns are not intended for beginner knitters. They are both at the intermediate level.

Cute Sale Swimwear

Crocheted Bikini seperates at Old Navy for $9.99 each.

Beaded babydoll cover up (detail image) at TopShop for £12.00 (about $20).

Crochet trim halter cover up, for $11.99 at Chadwicks.

Note: If you sign up for Chadwicks emails, you automatically

get a 15% off coupon in your inbox. In addition,

check out the Chadwicks blog for some great fashion tips.

Beautiful Knitted Details on High Heels

Restricted Dynamic Woven Slingback Platform available in sizes 5 - 8, and in two colors. They remind me of the high fashion label Missoni, and can be considered a knockoff, by some. I am not a fan of stacked wood grain heels, but I adore the wood grain heel and platform design on this particular shoe. These shoes are really one of a kind, and are extremely hard to find. The knitted design is almost never available on most websites. Believe me, I have looked. I actually found these first, and then found the high fashion version.

Here is the Missoni designer version, which is also stunning. However, I personally prefer the previous because it looks a little more feminine and delicate.

Here is the same design in a pump, which I would love to own. I do like the sculptural heel. This is a very modern shoe. Find the designer shoes at Zappos Couture.

Cute Knitted and Crocheted Pieces at AsiaJam

Have you been searching for cute, Asian knitwear? Find all of these adorable styles, and more at AsiaJam. Just type in knit, knitted, crochet, crocheted in the search box, and you'll find them.

Contests from Vogue Knitting

Enter to win a copy of Knitted Flowers by Nickey Epstien, here:
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/608

Enter to win a copy of Iris Schreier's Reversible Knits, here:
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/607

Angela Hahn's leafy lace puts a new twist on the traditional beret, in rosy "Baby Cashmerino" by Debbie Bliss/KFI. Deadline for entry for this contest is October 1, 2009.
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/605

Pretty Penny Designs - Unique Chokers

Red Vintage Silk Covered Beads Choker
Pink Silk Ruffles Necklace

Pretty Penny Designs is "a jewelry store that brings you brand new vintage jewelry hand crafted by the designer. She uses non-traditional materials such as vintage fabrics, re-purposed buttons, antique lace, tie silk and reclaimed leather. Each piece of this beautiful handmade jewelry will come ready for gift giving in a colorful box with a ribbon."

Also, check out the designers inspiring and fun blog, for great information and tips:

The Pretty Penny

Knitting How To Videos from Berroco and Lion Brand

Berroco and Lion Brand now feature detailed how to videos about various techniques to help you with your knitting and crochet projects. You do not have to be a registered user to view the video clips!

Knitwear on sale at Buckle

Daytrip Cable Knit Babydoll Sweater

Daytrip Cabled Pointelle Sweater Vest

There is a great selection of beautiful quality knitted sweaters, vests, and cardigans at Buckle, right now. Some of the heavier sweaters are on sale for half of the original price. This is a sale to be taken advantage of.

Special perk:

Military Orders: All military orders going to APO/FPO, AA, AE or AP addresses are shipped via United States Postal Service (US Mail) and qualify for free shipping. Military orders shipped to standard US physical addresses will ship via UPS or FedEx and applicable shipping charges will apply. See shipping chart for additional details.

Lilly*blossom "Book Bags"

Lilly*blossom designs showcase quality hand made products, created with the best designer fabrics to date. In addition, each book cover has a cute book mark sewn into it, with added bead embellishments. The beads are perfect for added weight to keep the book mark in place, and give it extra pizazz. What better gift than this?!? Any reader in your life will love and appreciate these book covers as a gift. They are so useful, and easy to carry. I love my "Turquoise and Taupe" cover, and use it daily.

"The Paperback covers are so easy to use and they are unique on the web! Simply slip the front and back cover of your favourite paperback into the cover and use the beaded bookmark to keep your place, close the book and you have a bag! I use them for commuting everyday and they are so eye catching, people often ask where I get them from and if they can buy them! We also sell lots for holidays & travelling - no more struggling to the pool or beach, just slip on your arm and have your hands free for those essential items such as sunglasses and cocktail! Keeps your book splash free." -Helen Newton of Lilly*Blossom Designs

You can purchase directly from the website, and on the Lilly*blossom Etsy page.

Lace Sweater Dress by Berroco

This is a really cute dress to knit. It is from a new Berroco pattern book, #288. The dress featured here is knitted with a yarn called Blackstone Tweed. Blackstone Tweed comes in 12 beautiful colors (one of my favorites is "Patriot Blue"). It is a yarn made up of wool, mohair, and angora.

Crocheted Neck Accessories

Crochet Triple Wrap - this one can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet.
Toros Fringe Choker

Add these types of necklaces and chokers to your ensemble for added interest and to draw attention up, to your beautiful face.

Dark and Sexy Knits at Mark Fast

Mark Fast's Fall 2009 collection showcased some almost unfinished dresses that are very interesting. I really like how they used nude heels with black dresses. It makes the idea of knitted dresses much more modern. Another unique technique used in this collection is knitting garments with velvet. NOTE: See the Mark Fast website link on the right side bar.

Crocheted Headbands

Fisherman's Headband

Crochet Lace Stretch Headband

Images from FreePeople.com

These cute crocheted headbands are a perfect solution to keeping hair out of your eyes and off of your face for these hot summer months.