Wardrobe Wednesday!

Two front pieces, one completed sleeve,
and another in process on my
Definitely In Africa Cardi.

While the current Hot Fun In the Summertime along is nearing an end (Sunday the 31^st is the last day to post finished projects, everyone!), a look at the current state of my Definitely In Africa cardigan, as well as doing some electronic housecleaning the other day, made me think about how I came to my current place of wanting to make more of my own wardrobe, which dovetails with my year-long celebration of designing for the last five years.

In April of 2011 (!), I blogged about my aspirations as part of the second Knitting and Crochet Blog week. I actually put my hands to my face when I re-read the post - I cannot believe how spot-on I was in terms of my strengths. At the time, I shared a portion of a list of designs I wanted to make, as well as a book I created of 20 Vogue Knitting designs. I still have the book as well as the list, and although designing has taken center stage, I remain determined to work through many of those designs. It's intriguing, though, that several of the knit lace pieces in the self-created book no longer hold much appeal. I am a crochet lace lover first and foremost, along with most other things within the modern crochet technique arsenal. On the knit side, cables definitely, and good 'ole squishy garter stitch are my continued preoccupations.

I can't believe I still have this list!

I am also struck with the language I used in that post ("systematic, wardrobe-like approach") to describe which fiber techniques I wanted to explore further. I have stated and written previously on many occasions that sewing my wardrobe holds no appeal (along with my deep aversion to socks!). However, creating things both knit and crochet for myself has held a whole lot of appeal for a very long time. It was, however, not until 2011, with the exploration of favorite design elements, that led me to put it all in writing.   

For me, what's been most amazing is how much I enjoy the garment and accessory aspect of my design life. For those who have been following this blog and my fiber career know, I am an interior design junkie, always rearranging my own living space. I thoroughly enjoy designing accessories for my home (as well as creating other artwork for my space); arranging and re-arranging to see things in a fresh light is very satisfying to me. There is nothing more welcoming and comforting than a space with one's own DIY touches throughout, mine included. So to acknowledge that garment design holds an equal appeal is a wee shock. I'm going with it, though!

There is one other thing that I wanted to mention that also sent a shiver through me - the quote I had inserted in my Vogue Knitbook, which I subtitled "Denise's Artful Knitting Project":

                      "Now, let us all take a deep breath and forge on into the future;

                        knitting [and crochet] at the ready."

                                                                                                            The Opinionated Knitter

Five years later, and that breath shows no signs of dissipating.

I'll Be Using Hooks and Sticks

So we're just into the summer K/CAL celebrating my 5 


year design anniversary, and I thought I'd share with you my project plans.

Initially, since WIPs (works in progress) count, I am hoping to get a few done and clear some shelf space for other projects.

These are the sleeves of my personal version of the Definitely in Africa Cardigan from Leather, Lace, Grit & Grace. I actually started this last spring, but then so many other designs took precedence on my hooks. However, I really want to finish this for fall, so I'm fairly motivated.

This will eventually become a custom version of the Flying Blanket in greens and blues (which design is also from Leather, Lace, Grit & Grace).I'm thrilled to be working with my needles and using up some serious stash.I also started this last Spring, but never even made a Ravelry project page. I wish I could say this was the only WIP without a project page, but that would be incorrect. 

In keeping with the home theme of the blanket (which is a minor focus of this K/CAL, although everyone can make any of my paid designs), I intend to work up a few more of these Mais Oui Padded Hanger Covers. I love them, use them all the time, and they are a relatively quick one-skein project - the perfect summertime crafty make, no?

Finally, I plan on working up a Summer Dance Shawl. Again, I plan to hit stash, and below is what I want to use for it.

I love both of these fibers (bottom, silk; top, linen, and this is the end of it in my stash), and I am totally excited with the addition of these beads, which I picked up during my recent annual local yarn shop tour. 

I have the next almost two months to complete these projects, and if I do, I will be rather pleased with my crafty self. I hope you'll join me (and the others who have already joined) and have some yarny fun!

Well, It's a Fiber Arts Friday Post ...

... on Saturday. That's just the way yesterday went for me. 

Nevertheless, this is an update on Voie de Vie's Spring Flingy Thingy, in progress through the end of May (and OhMyBob, it's already May!!!!). I've definitely been elbow deep in fiber, and have many WIPs to show for it, although no additional finished projects just yet.

Progress on my Frosted Espresso Cardigan

In my two public tests, here's where I'm at with both projects:

(1) On my Frosted Espresso Cardigan, I'm almost half way through the shrug, but I now need to wait for additional LB Collection Silk Mohair to make its way to me, since I can only purchase it online through the Lion Brand website (since I'm not in Gotham City). I'm loving both the yarn choice and working up this lace cardi - the main lace pattern is easily memorized so it makes for great night time crocheting - at least until I get to the front portion, but that's a little way off.

(2) I am super thrilled with my progress on my test version of the Autumn Leaf Shawl. Not only am I enjoying seeing the post stitch "veins" of the leaf work up, but people in the test are using such wonderful yarn - so far, Fyberspates Gleem Lace and Madelinetosh Lace - both in yummy colorways. I'm also thrilled with the fact that I get to use up lovely yarn from stash. Oh yeah.

The summer leaf version of my Autumn Leaf shawl design - aren't
those leaf "veins" great?

Now on to the main event of the spring flingy thingy - the Leather, Lace, Grit & Grace a-long. Since I started on two cardigans (yikes!) from the book's collection it's going, but slow and steady. Initially, I am now on the back of my own Definitely in Africa Cardigan. This also is an easily memorized lace pattern, and since it's worked in pieces, this will now become my travel project. In fact, I took it with me to my eye exam last week. Do you know how difficult it is to work on a crochet project when one is waiting for the eye pupil dialating drops to kick in? Ask me how I know. :) Nevertheless, I am farther along on the back piece than is showing in this photograph. I also switched up my edging yarn to something that is far more subtle than the cream I originally had chosen. This is turning into a cardi with a distinctly fall feel.

My current version of the Definitely in Africa cardigan. I don't know if
you can read the notations, but the first front piece is on the bottom of
the pile (notated at top left), the first sleeve is front and center (notation
mid-left) and the beginning of the back piece is at top right.

See the two different cream yarns
playing together nicely

My Nichols Cardigan is working up creamy good. I've got more motifs done than in this photo, and the shrug is also about half done. Initially I thought this project would take longer than the Definitely In Africa cardigan, but nope. I am whipping right through these pieces. I'll be thrilled once I make the strips for the lower portion of it and start the final construction. I'm definitely aiming to wear this sooner rather than later.

Speaking of these cardigans and Leather, Lace Grit & Grace, don't forget that its bloggy tour is set to start this coming Monday, May 4th. (Go here to see all the stops.) Several bloggers on the tour have been spending time and energy on their respective reviews, and I really appreciate the effort. This book is a little (ok, well maybe a lot!) like my child - I have put so much effort and heart and soul into it. The fact that these bloggers are taking such a considered approach to its review is a gesture I appreciate far more than I can convey in mere words. I hope everyone will take the time to visit each blog stop and give these amazingly talented bloggers some time as well. I will also tell you that the first stop - Dream in Color's blog - got a little help from me, since they are in the midst of a major move. I hope you all enjoy the design anecdote I share, which you'll only read there. On Monday. 

And don't forget, everyone who leaves comments on along the bloggy tour route will be entered into my give-away at the end of the Spring Flingy Thingy for a chance to win yarn, books, and even a Scenic Tour Flight of the Puget Sound in a seaplane! How amazing is that? (And of course, disclaimer: you'll need to get your awesome self to the Puget Sound on your own if you're not local in order to take advantage of this prize so, like, what are you waiting for?)

Ok, is that enough update for one blog post?