inspiration ...

to do list

Today I realized that all the knitting magazine winter issues are coming out and I haven't even tackled half of my project list for Fall. For the past weeks I've been working relentlessly on both my Cloud and Heather Hoodie Vest, but got distracted when I decided it was time to start on some Christmas gifts. Nevertheless, I'm just this close to finishing them (ironically I'm missing half a hood on both) so next comes the difficult decision on what to start next.

Now, my knitting queue is probably 100 projects long (and I won't even bring up my sewing queue), so here's what's most likely to happen:



:: Vivian, because I happen to love hoodies and cables, and this combination is just perfect ! Plus, it looks so intricate and I love a good challenge. I already have the yarn for this one, so it's probably the next one on my needles.

:: Coraline (also by Ysolda Teague, I just love her designs), which is actually a work in progress since last year but has been hibernating for several months. I would really like to finish it, but I'm lacking the patience for what seems to be an infinity of stockinette stitch in tiny, tiny needles. Maybe during the holidays, I'm hoping...

:: Selbu Modern hat. I think I'll probably start this one at the same time as other projects, since I actually want to make it in a couple of different colors. The same goes for the Veyla mittens. These are my must have accessories for this winter !

:: Low Tide Ripples. I don't have a yarn choice for this one yet, and it's been difficult to find a suitable substitute online. Nothing I have on stash seems right, so I'm waiting to see what I can find on one of my next trips early next year.

:: Herringbone Pullover. I love herringbone designs, so this sweater really appealed to me when I first saw it. I want to knit the exact same colorway, it's just so pretty. I'm already picturing this with a pair of brown tweed pants for winter (which I still have to make, but that's another story)

:: Carnaby Street Pullover. Not exactly sure what it is I like about this one, but I just do. I'll probably make it full sleeved though. I'm thinking maybe dark blue or deep red with brown buttons ?



Finally, can I say how much I love this cardigan from the new Interweave ? And I just happen to have a bunch of icelandic yarn on stash, so I think this might jump to the front of the queue after all.

Enough to keep me busy ? I definitely think so ...

wardrobe considerations ....

Remember this blue dress ? At the time I confess I wasn't that in love with it as I am now. I don't know, maybe actually wearing it with Fall accessories makes it look so much nicer. I think I'll end up cutting the Lecien fabric for this pattern after all, but that's a project for next Spring, at the earliest.

In the meantime, I've been thinking about new dresses for this Fall/Winter season. A while ago I ordered a bunch of vintage patterns from this site, and lately I've been playing with possible fabric matches on my mind. Also, I have enough tweed and wool fabrics on stash to make quite a few pieces. A couple of trousers are my main goal, and I think I'll also start with a few simpler Japanese sewing patterns (dresses, of course !) before tackling these which seem more difficult (but so pretty, really)...

wip / inspiration

... a new japanese sewing pattern book, full of gorgeous dress patterns. Very vintage inspired, which I love.

Retrospective is stylish
(sorry, can't seem to find the ISBN right now)




... also, my knitting booklets by Norah Gaughan have arrived. I've been meaning to make Anais since last year, and seeing Mari's gorgeous version makes me want to start one right now.





... and to prove I haven't forgotten about the next shop update, here's the current status of my studio desk. The sewing has been slow but bookcovers will be coming soon.



... and knitwise this has been keeping me busy lately, but I'm almost done with it. To turn this



into this was a real challenge, to say the least.



And one more item to add to my spring/summer knit list: the gorgeous Aprés Surf Hoodie that just came out in the latest IK. Didn't I say I had a thing for hoods ?

thinking of spring (part II)

Some more inspiration for spring/summer clothes, from my new japanese sewing pattern books



Otona no couture (Stylish dress book)
ISBN 4579111850








Cotton and linen
ISBN 4277722520









And tomorrow I'm trying rafting for the first time, so wish me luck ! Have a great weekend :)

thinking of spring

Finally the days are getting warmer and it's starting to feel like spring. Also, I love the fact that it's still daylight when I leave the office now. Although I still have a few winter projects to finish (two cardigans and one vest, to be more exact) I can't help thinking about spring/summer knitting whenever I leaf through this stack of magazines.



And I'm already building a yarn stash for this purpose... This is some Garn Studio Muskat I've been hoarding lately. I love cotton that has some shine to it, and mercerized cotton best of all. I've never used this yarn before though, so I hope I won't be disappointed.

The project list is kind of ambitious, especially considering I don't knit so much during summer. Anyway, what I'm planning is this:
- Corset pullover from IK Knits Spring 03
- Leafy pullover from Phildar (or Pull #460-T6-275)
- Ribs and lace tank from IK Knits Spring 07
- Nerissa, from Rowan #41
- Frock Camisole from IK Knits Spring 08
- Lacy Rose sweater, from Rebecca #31
- and maybe, maybe the Sylph Cardigan (with some changes)



What about you ? What are you planning to knit this spring/summer ?

inspiration .. mci spring 08

Just picked up the new spring issue of Marie Claire Idées. It's still grey and rainy outside, so this is just the thing to make me think of sunnier days to come.

A few details that I loved, like this obi style belt, and the Orla Kiely rain boots.



This crocheted clock and an article on watering cans



These are lovely too, especially the patchwork abat-jour



there's an article on cabbage related crafts ... kind of peculiar, if you ask me, but this one was cute



But my favorite article must be the kitchen one, I love everything about it



Most especially this refrigerator



... and the recycling corner



And last, some quilting inspiration (which I really need, if I'm ever going to start working on one for myself)

inspiration

some balls of yarn that are looking so pretty on my desk ... I plan on using them all during the next weeks, I love working with thicker yarns. And yes, red is one of my favorite colors.



but what I wanted to show you were my new japanese sewing pattern books.

[ISBN 4418074112]
This first one is called Robe Rouge, and it's already a favorite. Maybe because the designs are so simple and mostly in linen







[ISBN: 430928115X]
And the second one is similar to "Favorite black clothes", although not as good, in my opinion. Still, there are a couple of things in there that I might want to try ...





And because I have this thing about dresses, here's a couple more things out there that I'm loving at the moment:

floral dresses by Gudrun Sjoden



and the ruffle cotton dress by Boden