new cat behavior

Home » Posts filed under knit

Showing posts with label knit. Show all posts

The return of the tie

I've been wearing this 2 (out of 3) piece ensemble a lot lately, it is one of the most successful knit projects in between mother and I, to my mind. Husband's now teasing me with a German sounding nick name he thinks appropriate for a bad ass governess.

The outfit certainly seems to create some bewilderment amongst children and teens. While the time of governesses has long gone and I am too old to play the pupil, I am hoping there is still room in the collegiate frame of mind for alternative options.

Such as that of wearing an outfit one likes, without trying to be anything. Even if it happens to include a tie.

Sports vest

As much as I may lack talent for any sports - and sadly I do - this slight inadvertence doesn't stop me from coveting the amazing sportswear of the 20's and 30's. Can't even legitimate my love for this gear through attending sports events as a spectator, I'm that disinterested.

Luckily, the modern ways of wearing sports clothing as casual wear are for once in favour of my inclinations. It is still tough to push through an equestrian outfit when missing the horse, but I reckon this cricket looking little number won't have to face the same challenges.

As you can see it was inspired by the beautiful fair isle example above. Unfortunately mother doesn't do fair isle, but what I wanted was to replicate the shape, which went pretty well.

It's also done in a coarser Shetland type wool, which means the overall effect is somewhat bulkier and rougher. I love very textured yarns that cry out loud their provenance.

I've been wearing this the other day when it started raining, and the wool immediately gave that typical sheep whiff. I was instantly transported back into my childhood to those moments when I was helping my grandmother wash the sheared wool at the river. Actually, the natural, undyed wool in this vest still comes from that village. Good.

Pink

Here is what I wore today - not only a knitted dress, but also a shawl to protect against the elements of a mid June day - the situation really is that sad.

Having said that, not so good weather meant I got to wear and show you my "sports" knit dress meant for spring and loosely based on the pattern below.

I had initially planned to have it short sleeved, but the boucle yarn proved difficult to handle on its own, and in the end it was knitted with the aid of an extra bit of fine Shetland blended in. The pockets and belt are made solely in that yarn. But the knit had become heavier by now so I thought I'd have to settle for long sleeve instead, until I discovered that I could have my cake and eat it! A combination of long sleeve with a short cape sleeve detail is not unusual to 30's patterns, and I declare myself perfectly content to be greedy yet look authentic at the same time...

I think it's rather cute if I may say it myself, for a project that seemed doomed when the knit was first cast. But mother did it again! If anything adding the extra yarn improved the colour, it would have been a lot paler otherwise. There's also plenty of yarn left for a jacket, and I can never resist to a 2 or a 3 piece when the occasion presents itself. Haven't yet decided it what design to go for - perhaps you have some suggestions?

For the blue accents I used Czech glass buttons to the sides of the boat neckline and on the pockets.

I have another blue glass buckle, slightly larger and more interestingly shaped, but this one seemed in the end better suited. I thought I could perhaps use the other buckle on the jacket - should I go for a belted style...Yet looking at the pics the whole look is rather simple, and more straight up and down than I felt looking in the mirror - perhaps I should keep the jacket in line with that... What do you think?

Pink lolly

At the weekend I visited a vintage fair in London and bought this pink loveliness from the nicest seller ever, and a very beautiful lady too! Check out the 40's room, there is only a shoe selection available on line at the moment, but I'm hoping there will be more, as she did have some beautiful pieces at her stand.

My dress is knitted from a boucle yarn, and is great for all seasons with the exception of the very hottest days in the summer, which are far and few between here in UK (for my liking anyway :)). It has a lovely tie detail at the neck and its own belt.

I was so delighted to find it, as I'd had something like this on my wish list for quite a while. Labeled vaguely 30's/40's, I would definitely place this in the 30's, but my knowledge is limited so correct me if you know better.

I've styled it in 2 different ways for the photos, but they didn't come out great.
The dress is so much better in person, but my camera hates pink, and my hair and weird facial expressions tend to let me down. It's as if somebody made me wear this stuff as a punishment, judging by the faces I pull sometimes, and my body gets all stiff and awkward.

I've just realized I could have tried to pair it with brown rather than black, wear that little corde hat and a pair of brown suede pumps, I have a feeling it will work better. If only I could do a 30's sympathetic hair style...But that's enough whinging for one day.

Faking it

It may be the last outpost of winter, but it ain't the last bit of knit you've seen from me.

This is the outfit from my previous post, I'm wearing a dress my mother knitted for me a couple of years back, paired with with a bright scarf and beret ('cause black doesn't love me back).

No vintage items here (apart from a hat pin you can't see), I'm doing what I do - if not best- most often: improvise the look. And let me tell you, I hate improvising, but somehow I think this works.

Thanks mum! She has just finished another green knit jacket & skirt for me, not the first piece executed long distance mode (we live countries apart, and now that I think of it this black dress too was long distance!).
However this is the first time ever when I took measurements, sent a color sample and an actual vintage catalog picture to reproduce. Not the pattern as such - since she hasn't learnt knitting from books or a course, she doesn't do technical terms.
Also, my color choice efforts went a bit bust because she rushed out to buy the wool before the sample actually reached her. As a result she's now worried that the green might not be quite the match...What can I say? It will have to do. Let us hope now that at least my measurements were correct.
I should have the suit in a few weeks time so I'll probably end up doing yet another winter post sometimes in ... June.

A feeling of blue

March is the time of the year when I invariably summon the light and the blue.

When I lose myself, time and time again, in the same old pleasure: watching the light hit a wall and bounce back. Waiting for an elastic ray to snap my face, a silent exercise of pure joy.

Once it hits I am there forever, happy paralyzed submissive fly, stunned to the wall trying to swallow the light, engulfed by it. An offering to the sun, abandoned to its grin. Insignificant little parasite who found a home in the skin of the season.

Crisp cool shot of light, sling me into the spring. Make me part of its fine mechanism that propels life a blue further.

And I'm gone... Dipping into the blue, nothing but a brush.