Style-a- knit Gable

My last style a knit project lies neglected in its project bag shoved somewhere in the back of my closet. 

I ran out of yarn you see…and that, as you can imagine, was very frustrating! For something that should have taken no more then a few days of serious knitting due to the large needle size and lofty gauge, the timeline of this project is a complete embarrassment. It will be finished eventually (I have tracked down someone through revelry that had some leftover which will hopefully be sufficient), but the current frigid temperatures do nothing to spur me along in finishing a summer, linen top.

So I've decided to look forward. I am moving on to another instalment of “Style-a-knit”. A new pullover to match my new, more casual style I’ll be adopting once we move to the UK.

I have come to realize that so far I have knit mostly cardigans, and I would like to create a more rounded collection of knits, by adding some pullovers. Also, there is no denying the practicality of a pullover, as it eliminates the need to worry about the layer underneath (at least a visible one).

I was inspired by the outfit below (on Pinterest to be found here) and wanted to find the right pattern to match this yarn. I’ve swatched already and I believe I have found a good pairing. 

I’ll be knitting Hannah Fettig’s “Gable” pattern, and I am fairly sure it’ll become a staple in my wardrobe, a pullover I will reach for over and over. A classic crew neck sweater that goes with everything, dressed up or dressed down. I have high hopes for this one!

Style-a-knit ~ Summer instalment

Last year I made a promise to myself to focus my knitting on building a modern, fashionable, versatile and fun wardrobe.  I had anticipated my "Style-a-knit" project to take a while, and boy was I right! My first choice took nearly a year to finish. However, I am glad to say that I am back today to introduce to you my second choice.

In looking at the ideas had I jotted down, I realized I have quite a few fall/winter choices lined up for the next few style-a-knit instalments  but not a lot of summer tops, so I will be doing some research to balance things out. More on that at another time.

On the top of my list of summery knits was the Togue Pond tank by Pam Allen. It is an incredibly versatile top, and the perfect choice to kick-off my summer knitting. 

As you can see it looks great under a blazer for the office, but equally as lovely worn casually with jeans, at the beach perhaps? 

I will be knitting it in the exact same yarn and colour as shown in the sample. I rarely go this route, but this really is the perfect choice for me. I am also looking forward to trying Kestrel yarn. Ravelry seems to be floodded with a myriad of projects knit in it, and they all look fantastic. I have a new-found appreciation for linen yarn ever since I finished my Bayside Pullover, and am looking forward to trying it in a few more garments.

I am planning on wearing this top proudly on vacation, so I have a 6 week window to knit it. And then I can introduce you to my next choice. Wish me luck!

Wewearknitbot

I have been in a pretty dark mood lately. mostly because of the unpleasant weather we've been having. So I needed a distraction. What better way to change one's mood then to embark on a project with a tight deadline?

A few weeks ago Hannah Fettig started the #wewearknitbot  challenge. The idea was to knit up and style any of her patterns by April 10th. I had the perfect project in mind. 

The Bayside pullover is a pattern I started, and I am ashamed to admit this, in July 2014. I had to eventually set it aside because it turned out way too large, at least a couple of sizes too big, and at that time I was too upset to deal with having to re-knit it. 

Hannah's challenge brought the knit back from obscurity and to the forefront of my knitting queue. It felt like the right time to tackle this project.

I thought that Hannah's request to "style" a hand-knit was a great idea. There has been such a fantastic movement toward an awareness of handmade items, towards an appreciation of hand-crafted clothes, and it is great to see everyone's style shine through.

I myself have become more and more conscious of my fashion choices, and think about where my clothes come from, who's made them and how. 

"Wewearknitbot" was about taking a handmade item and celebrating it by creating an outfit around it. A great idea, right? I have been trying to do something very similar with my "Style- a- knit" series of knits. Granted I am only on knit # 1, but my point is that great minds think alike, you know?

I absolutely loved seeing the fashion show that ensued. If you are curious, you can see all the posts on Hannah's blog here.

I am really happy with my finished pullover. Now all I need is for spring to cooperate so that I can wear it. 

Image via Instagram 

Image via Instagram

Style-a-knit Svalbard

I bet by now you thought this project, my tiny step towards a more handmade wardrobe, had been scrapped. Well, I am here to tell you that it is finished. Just in time for sweater weather, which, yes, has been here for a while, but I am only now getting around to admitting it to myself. The only good thing about low temperatures is the need to wear knits. Preferably all layered, and topped off with a cardigan like Svalbard.

I am so proud of this project. It has been a huge learning experience, one that I am happy to say I have mastered without too much pain. I love a project that stretches your limits, that teaches and challenges. It has shown me that I can knit more complicated patterns then I thought. The yarn turned out to be a great choice for the project. It has wonderful drape and makes for this lovely cushiony fabric. It is difficult to describe, but I believe it turned out the way it was supposed to. I am looking forward to reaching for this cardigan over and over again in the winter.

Other things I am looking forward to this winter? Cuddles under blankets, sipping hot cocoa, reading books, and planning our summer vacation.

And on a completely unrelated note, I have some exciting blog news to share next time around! Stay tuned!

Style a Knit

My return to work, from maternity leave, has prompted a wardrobe overhaul. I have gone through several "styles" in my life in an attempt to find the real "me". It's been an interesting journey, but I believe, or rather hope, that I have finally matured. 

For some reason, this time, I was determined to approach it from a practical point of view. I've been reading a lot about capsule wardrobes, and I can see its advantages, especially for a person whose morning routine is a mad dash. Simplicity, a formula, interchangeable pieces, all a must at this point in my life. So, I am working on creating one for myself, and I have decided that as a knitter it would be essential to incorporate some knits into it. 

I am “limited” to a pretty typical casual business attire, but that does not mean that I cannot be a little creative. And to be honest, I am having fun planning outfits around handmade knits. I am thinking this may even turn into a regular column on the blog, what do you think of  “Fashionable Knits”, “Fashion Purl-ice” or better yet “Style-a-Knit”.

After a few delightful hours spend on Ravelry and Pinterest, I have a list of knits that I will have to "whip up" to add to my wardrobe. It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be cheap, it's certainly not going to be fast, but it's going to be SO much fun! And you'll hear about every detail. 

My first choice? A Bristol Ivy pattern called Svalbard. 

Pattern name: Svalbard                            Outfit inspiration Pinterest

I'll be back soon to tell you more about it.