Fait à la Main Finale: Snowflakes & Smocking Cowl

Hi ho everyone - we are finally at the last introduction from this most awesome collection! I must say that, purely coincidentally, this was also the last piece to be photographed and we had a ton of fun with it. I am so pleased to introduce you to the warm and oh-so-lightweight Snowflakes & Smocking Cowl. 

I broke several rules with this design - the biggest being my willingness to not only show the "wrong" side of tunisian crochet fabric, but make it the star. Get a look at that wonderful color play and smocking-like stitching, all compliments of a simple two-row tunisian crochet stitch pattern than looked so good from the back I decided it should be out front. While, technically, this cowl isn't reversible (the 2 x 2 tunisian ribbing isn't all that reversible), most of this cowl's fabric looks good no matter the angle. Check out the plaid-like "inner" fabric peaking out wonderfully. So, so neat.

This was, quite literally, the last shot
of the day. My model is laughing
with her husband, who's off-camera.

Additionally, I combined two ombre colorways of Lion Brand's Scarfie and it only deepened the lovely textural characteristics of this cowl. Yet, because Scarfie is a brushed yarn and lightweight, my model absolutely loved this cowl's warmth and softness. In fact, I'm in the process of making one for her in these exact colors (denim and cream/taupe) - just one skein of each colorway will make this generously sized cowl, with yarn left over.

This design will be listed in my Ravelry design store momentarily, as well as the entire collection's e-book. Additionally, if you haven't yet seen it, the collection has its very own lookbook:

I want to thank Lion Brand Yarns, Neighborhood Fiber Co., and Kathryn over at Alpacamundo.com  for the wonderful fibers. I hope you'll take a few minutes to pay homage to all your hands have made during this last gift-giving season, as well as to all they will make in 2016.

Happy making, my fiber friends!

Fait à la Main Day 5: Puffy Links Scarf

Everyone, remember this little collection? The one I was introducing before the beginning-of-the-new-year flurry kicked in? Well, we're at the penultimate day, people, and here's the accessory piece to go along with it - the Puffy Links Scarf. 

This is another accessory after my own heart: squoishy yarn (Lion Brand Yarns' Lion's Pride Woolspun), an easy-peasy stitch pattern worked length-wise (so not many rows at all to complete), and a large hook equates to one warm, fashionable and quick-to-make accessory. I've had this design in my sketch book for almost a year, so it is (I can only imagine!) super thrilled to finally see the light of day. 

The big lush factor on this scarf is its length: wear it long for a great romantic, bohemian look or up wrapped a few times around the neck for a more classic winter look. Either way, you cannot go wrong, so pick your favorite color and get hooking ... like ... right this minute, ok?

It'll be in my Ravelry design store momentarily.

Fait à la Main Day 4: Ode Wristers

So, after a small hiatus, here I am back with the rest of the introductions from Fait à la Main. If you haven’t yet seen the look book, feel free to access it here.

As wonderfully brief snow flurries fall here in the Pacific Northwest lowlands, I’m thrilled to introduce you to the centerpiece of the collection, my Ode Wristers.

I cannot state emphatically enough how much I love, love, love this design! Perfect yarn (LB Collection Angora Merino – sooooo soft), a technique I love (broomstick lace) and just the right amount of style come together to create wristers that are lacy, linear, and super cozy and warm. Oh, and did I mention they work up quickly with a mere 2 skeins of yarn (and only one skein if you want them in just one color)? I mean, nirvana must be within reach, right?

I also had a lot of fun photographing this design. Even in early November (when these photos were taken), there was a ton of color all around, and incorporating it to accentuate the design was an easy inspiration once we were on location.

This design will be individually available for purchase in my Ravelry store, or as one of the entire collection once all the design introductions have been made.

See you back here for day 5.

Fait à la Main: Day 3

Hi Ho crafty crochet lovers - here we are at day three of the design introductions from my latest collection.

Today it is all warm color: I present the Caramel & Chocolate Cowl. I must admit, this cowl's colors really remind me of dark chocolate and caramel ice cream topping, and thus the cowl's name. Don't be surprised that it's also super warm, thanks to the bulky weight Lion Brand Lion's Pride Woolspun I used to work it up. It's very soft, surprisingly springy, and will definitely keep you cozy, worn either doubled around the neck or down with a shawl pin. 

The shawl pin I used here was actually a surprise gift I received from a designer in New Zealand. It was such a thoughtful gift, and little did she know when she sent it that it was the perfect color for this collection, which was well into production once I received it. I am so thrilled to be able to show it off, so thanks so much Gabriella!

We shot this the day after Thanksgiving (believe it or not!), and the sun was just doing wonderful things to the trees and leaf colors - it was almost like I perfectly planned it. Thanks so much, Mother Nature - and thanks also to my very photogenic model, who had a good time with this piece. 

This piece is available to view and purchase in my Ravelry design store, either individually now or as part of the entire collection a little later this week once all of the pieces have been introduced. If you haven't yet seen it, you can check out the collection's look book, which previews all of the designs.

I'll see everyone tomorrow!

Fait à la Main: Day 2

Hello - I hope everyone is recovering nicely from giftmas; here at chez Voie de Vie it's day two of design introductions from my latest collection.

As you can see, it's all about the jewelry today - specifically, the Brabant Cuff. Named for both the historical lace technique (related to Bruges lace) as well as the Belgian Duchess (who is currently 14 years old and the next successor to the Belgian throne), this is worked in the awesome NFC Chromium. The slightly rustic quality of the silk and stainless steel makes for textural interest as well as a surprisingly strong jewelry piece. Silver-lined seed beads and a sterling silver tube clasp complete this oh-so-quick piece.

Kudos to the husband and wife who modeled the cuff. I actually tried to get a wide shot of both of them, but I couldn't get a smile from hubby - nerves I expect. 

If you haven't yet seen it, you can click on the collection's look book below to see all of the designs that are ending my 2015. And of course, you can tune in tomorrow for the next design introduction.

And Now On Boxing Day ...

... it's time to unwrap the new Voie de Vie collection! This project is one of the things I've been juggling over the last few months, and I must say I'm rather thrilled with it. Here's the new look book:

As with all of my previous collections, I'll be introducing each of the new designs each day between now and the end of the year, as well as upload each to the Ravelry database and my Ravelry store. You'll be able to purchase each design separately or as an entire collection in an e-book.

I am so thrilled to introduce everyone to the lead-off design in the book - the Hardware Cowl. This is a satisfyingly quick project to whip up, thanks to the super bulky Lion Brand Natural Wool and a mondo sized crochet hook. The swivel clasps and d-rings that create the loose pleats were a notions aisle inspiration. I love how this cowl captures the best of vintage with an updated, 21st century look and feel.

You'll find this in the Ravelry database shortly. 

Come back tomorrow for the second introduction. Woot!