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.

Cute Knitted and Crocheted Toys

The absolute cutest bat you will ever create, can be found at CRAFT, here.
Bee "Buzz" knitted doll at http://www.blablakids.com/


McCain and Obama doll patterns from http://www.lionbrand.com/ Fun gifts for the patriot in your family :)

Sandra Backlund - "Last Breath Bruises" Collection

Indulge and be inspired by Sandra Backlund's latest collection. Intended, or not, the color palette is right on trend and gorgeously rich for Autumn. Backlund is one of my all time favorite artists. This is the future of fashion.

Photography : Annika Aschberg

Tatted Jewelry - TotusMel Tats

Talk about GORGEOUS! The amazing accessories at TotusMel Tats are so lovely and attractive. I fell in love the moment the page loaded on my computer screen.

"Tatting dates to the early 19th century. The term for tatting in most European languages is derived from French frivolité, which refers to the purely decorative nature of the textiles produced by this technique." source

"Tatting conveys a very Victorian feel by nature, but I strive to bring a modern sensibility to the pieces that make them more wearable. I try to balance the complex patterns with simple pendant designs to create a diverse and interesting collection of pieces." - Pamela Quevedo

Knitted or Crocheted Dolls - Amigurumi

CrochetMe

My Little Mochi

Japanese craftbook help

Amigurumi Kingdom

Pitti Filati 2008

Image source: Foamy-GFX

Thanks to Berroco KnitBits newsletter, I was able to view fantastic images of this year's Pitti Filati in Florence, Italy. How I wish I could have visited this exhibition to view these amazing designs. The theme was nature inspired: here is a short video of some amazing knitted sea creatures. Have you ever been inspired by sea life? Did you ever wonder what a knitted jelly fish actually looks like? Now you can, and you can create it too, for free! Thank you Norah Gaughan! This is spectacular and strange in the best ways.

Fiber Technology in Fashion on Trendinista

Check out Trendinista's article about fashion technology. Fabrics, fibers, and fashion all go hand in hand. Be inspired!

Designer Valentina Tomirotti - Pepitosa

Pepitosa is a new Italian brand created by artist and journalist Valentina Tomirotti. Art of knots, and a varity of refined components: glass, crystal, and resins from the thousand facets and opalescences, chains, charms. She uses heterogeneous materials combined in a fanciful mix, united with sought after yarns such as cotton, hemp, tapes and wools. This is a unique production that is becoming the must have look of every woman. The idea is: surprising shine! The crystals and the glass from the thousand facets play with the light to melt together and give off twinkling effects of different colors. Her creations are original, in which the yarns are the most sophisticated scenography for an unusual show.

Yarborough Fiber Jewelry

Innovations are popping up all over the knitting/fashion world, and this is one of them. These beautiful bracelets and bangles will leave you lusting for more and more luxurious yarns to add to your stash. They would also be great conversation starters. I can even see crafty fashionistas coming up with their own takes on this idea. Imagine the endless posibilites! At first I didn't think the pairing of the textured bangle over the texture of a knitted sweater would work, but it seems to look perfect in the first image I have provided (via shopbop.com of course) here. Feel fabulous and glamorous this holiday season, in whatever fiber you choose to surround yourself in :)

Here is a short designer bio taken from shopbop.com:

"Former book editor Elizabeth Yarborough studied literature and writing at Vassar College and the University of St. Andrews. In the spring of 2006, she left the corporate book world, embarking on an arts and crafts spree in her East Village apartment, an adventure which evolved into her jewelry line. With humor and an eye toward deconstruction, her designs subvert traditional wardrobe staples, reintroducing them in innovative, surprising ways. Her jewelry has been featured in Vogue and Vanity Fair."

Embroidery, Art and Time

Embroidery on a design by Dior.

Here is an excerpt from an article on Villiage Voice:

"Time, in fact, is a central motif of "Pricked," where one's eye is slowed by the infinity of stitches, the highly detailed, seemingly labor-intensive nature of much that's on display. The sheer density of works squeezed into close quarters adds to this overwhelming feeling. And their quality varies widely. Embroiderers engaged in a sophisticated repartee with art history—like Elaine Reicheck, contemporary doyenne of the medium—are jarringly juxtaposed with more kitschy sensibilities."

Read the entire article here.

Book Review: Non-functional Knitting

we make money not art posted a great review of KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave, a fun a quirky book about knitting, art and extreme creativity.