Must Have Knitting and Crochet Craft Books for Girls

You may remember when I featured It Girl Knits by Phoenix Bess. Bess's how to guide contains pretty designs for girls between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, but can be worked up and modified for any age. There are a few more books that I would like to bring to your attention today, to add to your craft library: Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies, 20 Yummy Treats to Wear and Cowlgirls: The Neck's Big Thing to Knit by Cathy Carron.

Chan's adorable book features 20 projects for the kawaii lover in your life. Carron's book offers the neck warmer and cowl lover an "ultimate feast" for the eyes and with over 40 projects to last all year long. Get your hands on a copy of these fabulous books. You will wow your friends with your knitting and crochet skills, and fashion sense.

Cool Things to Make Today

Projects that can be knit up in a day or two are always a favorite. These are different, eye catching, as well as so soft to the touch.

Outre hat that can be worn many ways. You have to buy the Berroco Booklet #300 and two hanks of Berroco Borealis yarn. Check out this great review of the Borealis yarn by Barbara Rottman.

Savannah Shingle by Rowan is a crocheted top (vest) with nostalgic flair. Buy the project at YarnMarket.

A Few of Berroco's Latest Products

I found this yarn to be fascinating because the ply looks like it is braided. That in itself will add visual interest to anything you knit. They call this style, "chainette".

This specific yarn is called Flicker, which at first made me think of the photo hosting website but then I looked at the spelling and realized it is called flicker because of the pretty tinsel like element that is added to the fiber. It consists of baby alpaca, acrylic, and other fibers (???). I would really like to know what those are!

Isn't this a beautiful lace stitch pattern? This pullover is knit with Flicker yarn. It is called Maila.

The "chainette" yarns are very attractive to me right now. Here are some that are coming soon to the Berroco website.

Souffle in the color Garmisch - acrylic, wool, baby alpaca

Voyage in Pool - alpaca and polyester

Link in Lioness - wool and acrylic

Don't forget, there are many free patterns to print out on the Berroco website! This link will direct you to the latest yarns, and there is a link that says "free patterns" for each of those that they offer. Happy Knitting :)

Strange Florals

Strange Floral by accessfashion featuring a floral tank

Jonathan Saunders long sleeve dress, 245 GBP
TopShop floral tank, $50
Jonathan Saunders graphic tank top, $205
Slouchy boot, 125 GBP
Sweety Bird, 90 GBP

Unique floral patterns such as these make any outfit stand out among the crowd of regular drones.

Honey and Lightening, 2011

Honey and Lightening, 2011, a set by mandymama on Flickr.

This installation is a must see. One of my favorite images featured in this set is Harvest Queen (Demeter). The works are beautiful, and display some of the most awe provoking imagery I have seen in a long time. The mirrored panel effects make them even more interesting, and even get you to create your own illusions, which is extraordinary.

Beach Shorts

These little crocheted shorts are so cute but I can't believe the price! From the reviews on the website where they are sold, it seems that the sizing runs large.

Fresh Femme Knitwear

Isn't this colorway yummy?
Lila Hudson cable knit cape scarf - $101

I like the sweet pink yarn that makes up this sweater.
Spring and Clifton Suspender pink knit with garter clips in front and back - $106

This is a versatile piece, and will impress the grandmas in your life,
due to its handmade construction.
Finders Keep openwork crochet cardigan - $115

Ausungate

What: Screening of the film Ausangate

When: May 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Museum of International Folk Art

Admission: Free to NM residents, $9 out-of state

Join film director Andrea Heckman for a special screnning of Ausangate.Based on more than 20 years of anthropological research, Ausungate reveals how the Quecha weavers make textiles encoded with symbolic images that reinforce ancestral beiefs during rituals and in everday life.  Four Quecha people's stores are told against the backdrop of high Andean lakes and mountains showing a harsh existence possible only through a strong symbiotic relationship to their alpacas and llamas.  Visually cinematic, the film carries a deep message of survival and cultural continuity in an environment with elevations over 14,000 feet. By Museum admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. free on Sundays, Museum of New Mexico Foundation members and youth 16 and under always free!

For more information, contact Aurelia Gomez at 505-476-1211 or aurelia.gomez@state.nm.us

For your enjoyment, traditional Quecha woven patterns can look like this, in today's fashion:

Learn more about these designs at the Awamaki Lab and shop the Awamaki Store

Slimming and Trimming Swimwear

The Bombshell Swimsuit - PinupGirlClothing - $88

All black is of course, always beautiful and minimizing. 

This suit covers the top of the hips, slims the waist, and accentuates the bust.

Mixed Animal Underwire One Piece Faux-kini - Torrid - $78

If prints are your thing, this suit is an option, 

with slimming black panels on the sides of the waist.

Miraclesuit Solid Utopia Tankini Top - Cyberswim - $84

*note: find the bottoms on the website 

This halter holds it all in, while slimming the waist with cute shirring at the sides.

Shopping for swimsuits can be daunting, not fun, and depressing, especially with the bad lighting in fitting rooms at department stores. If you know your body type, and what bothers you most, it makes it all that much easier. I have opted for higher leg openings, or string type bikini bottoms due to fuller hips, and padded tops to give me an extra lift. When you do find that one hot number, put it on with pride, get out there and just have fun. Add stunning jewelry that gleams in the sun, to draw the eyes upward toward your beautiful face. Don't worry about others' thoughts about you because you will probably never see them again. I wish you the best of luck finding the perfect swimwear this coming up season.

Unlikely Prints

I've been attracted to Rodarte for a long time, and always seem to be engulfed while watching videos or looking at the images of their work.

Wood grain, Spring 2011, for a fabric print shocked, but intrigued me to want to see more.

The cornfields print is such an eerie, dream like idea, and the way it is used in this collection amazes me. I would love to own the grey gown in the Fall 2011 collection. It is so beautiful.

Of course, we cannot forget the knitwear ;) Rodarte really brings women back to the main elements of design in fashion, simply by the expression of the art, and strangely brings us back to our roots.

Book Review: Vogue Knitting Knitopedia

Vogue Knitting Knitopedia, The Ultimate A to Z for Knitters, released this month,  retails for $34.95. This is the book for those that want a quick reference to every knitting term, technique, tool, designer, and fiber or tradition.  The pictures are big and beautiful, and include maps, photographs, technical drawings, schematics, and tables for every curious need. This book is best left at home, however, due to its size and hard cover.

On a more entertaining note, there are essays written by top names in the knitting world, peeking out at you throughout the book, ready for your eyes to devour. If you want to try your hand at design, there is some basic information on how to do that, and how to substitute yarns. The flow of finding what you need is so easy with extensive cross referencing on practically every page. In my opinion, Vogue Knitting Kniopedia would make a great gift for the beginning knitter, and for those that want to learn a lot about knitting in a short amount of time.

American Eagle Spring Break - Create a Look and Win!

Create a look to win $250 to use at American Eagle Outfitters!!


Get your own Mini Editor from Polyvore

One winning set will be selected from all of the Mini Editor submissions and that reader will win a $250 American Eagle gift card. The contest runs from now until March 5, 2011. Read the official rules, here.

Crochet Conscious

 Crocheted Monokini by Anna Kosturova - $184

Gemstone Crochet Side Tie Bikini - $41.99

Lime is a surprisingly unexpected color for Summer, to wear by the beach or at the pool. Pair it with white or black for a striking combination. Silver or gold jewelry would go with it nicely as well.