All Things are New

Hello all

I have finally compiled an assortment of finished projects that I have accumulated and photographed.
1.

I made this little bolero jacket out of some very old Suss Cousins yarn I got in a poncho kit. I really wouldn't ever wear a poncho but this I will wear. I designed this pattern to go with the coloring of the yarn...I thought that it looked similar to Missoni. Like the convertible coat I will get to in a little while, this can be worn 2 ways. One with a bunched neck and one with it rolled.

2.



This little lace and bobble jacket is out of Debbie Bliss's book "Wish You Were Here" and made out of Debbie Bliss Cotton DK. I really love the way it turned out and for 100% cotton it drapes pretty well. I bought 12 ball of the yarn as it called for but ran out in the end so I left off the bobble bind off. Now that it is done I wouldn't have it any other way.

3.


This is the Manhattan Convertible Coat by Lily Chin. While I didn't actually use her pattern I did base it off of her model. For this jacket I made it custom to my measurement and shortened the sleeves to make them 3/4 length. This coat is really interesting because you can wear it two ways. Whenever I show this to anyone they are super amazed by the different effect the two give. The pictures above are of the jacket worn as a long kimono style coat. Below are the pictures worn as a short(ish) shrug with a long collar.



I finished this project in January while it was still nippy here, so I have already worn the tails off of it. The yarn that I made it out of Elizabeth Lavold's Silk Flamme I would not recommend because there is a significant amount of pilling (my arch enemy) that has already occurred.

4. Last but certainly not least is a new pair of socks that I have cast on this week. I am trying out the Shi Bui sock yarn and am really liking it. I am attempting to knit 2 socks at a time from the toe up on one circular needle. Wish me luck as this is only my second attempt to ever knit socks. So far so good...I'll keep ya posted.
For a sneak peek:


This website is extremely helpful in guiding you down the correct path for this technique. Once you get the hang of it its not so bad...be brave.

Thats all on the knitting update.

Knits and Giggles,

Bailey

Palm Sunday

I can't believe how early the Easter season is this year. On Sunday my mothers side of the family all got together for the annual cascarones festival.



After stuffing our faces full of delicious food, cracking the pinata and hunting the eggs, we went for a nature walk down to "the waterfall".



By the way, Amon Design Lab is now on Ravelry! I'm very excited and have already added some of the projects that I'm working on and have already completed.

Rattan

Greetings from a gloomy and brisk day in Austin. I've stayed in lately and have been knitting a lot. I finished up a Debbie Bliss pattern I've had on my needles now for about a year. All I have to do is sew in the ends and I will post some pictures. I started a mohair scarf that I'm pretty excited about.


It is going to be an airy shawl/scarf that will be good for our warm weather.
To me the pattern that it is making reminds me of a rattan chair that my parents have and I love.



This scarf is nice because the contrast of the structural lace pattern and the airiness of the mohair is really beautiful.
The yarn that I am using I got in Dallas at The Shabby Sheep with another project in mind.



I'll keep you updated on the progress.

In other news... I will begin working at Hill Country Weavers tomorrow. I am really excited to be able to learn more about knitting, weaving and other types of fiber art.

Spring Fever

Now that I'm back, it truly feels like spring in Austin. In honor of the beautiful weather we have had this weekend, my folks and I visited the Austin Farmers Market yesterday morning. Although I didn't find any of the fresh produce that I needed, I did find some delicious pesto jack cheese made near Waco, some peach butter from Stonewall and some Austin tabbouleh. But best of all, Jim Jim's Water Ice was there! My absolute favorite thing in the whole world (especially in the black raspberry flavor - which they had).



I got about 3 inches done on my striped sweater last night while I watched Micheal Clayton. Once you get to the last part on this your knitting about 36 inches each row (I know I'm a wimp but I like shorter rows).

This morning, I made crepes with a similar recipe to this.



I filled them with the Natural peach butter that I got yesterday at the Farmers Market and topped them with powdered sugar. They were delicious and actually pretty good for you.

Back to life, Back to reality

Having just returned from a wonderful trip from Ithaca, NY I have much information to share.

First...this photo of a vintage Pome bracelet I found a few weeks back at a terrytown estate sale.



This bracelet is especially wonderful because it has the manufacturers stamp on the inside of each separate link (which is rare to find in costume jewelry).

Also today, I went to an estate sale on Cat Mountain in Northwest Hills. I found more than I expected to but am excited about my new (old) things. I have yet to photograph the great vintage glasses that I got but here are some of the accessories that I found:

To start, I can't tell you how lucky it is to find an estate or garage sale that sells shoes that fit your foot. Today I lucked out.

Justin's in a very pale grey color with white piping.


* I also got an unworn pair of black Justin's that is at the shoe hospital waiting to be stretched. I really hope that they fit when I get them on Monday!

These are both Salvatore Ferragamo vintage shoes. The sizing runs so weird on them, so I have to wear an 8 1/2 when I noramlly wear a 7! Lately I have fallen in love with these vintage styles for the fact that you just can't get anything like them new. Plus, they really are super comfortable.



And lastly, I found this pair of black leather gloves. This woman had a huge collection but most of them were too tiny! (I actually don't have very big hands either). This pair is lined with some type of fur. They would have come in really handy when I was in NY these past two weeks but they won't be very helpful in Austin's warm spring weather!



Estate sales really make my day and now that I have the time I have taken every opportunity to visit as many as possible. I will probably go back on Sunday for the markdowns!

In my knitting world, I am working right now on a sweater that I am designing. I can't wait for it to be done even though I think it will be too warm to wear it. It is made from Black, Tan and Creme Chunky Misti Alpaca and is super soft. The pattern is based off of a sweater that I saw in The Shabby Sheep yarn store in Dallas.



This is a picture of the sleeves before I seamed them and began working on the body. I absolutely love the stripe pattern!

I hope everyone has a happy Friday night!

Once upon a time...

There was a young(ish) girl interested in all forms of creating. She loved knitting, sewing, cooking and all forms of domesticity that can be found (with the exception of cleaning I suppose). She especially enjoyed things of a vintage nature because in most cases things aren't made like they have been in the past. She absolutely adored the idea of heirloom quality pieces that could be passed down through the generations that survived the test of time.

In reality...

I'm a recent graduate of the University of Texas in Austin with a fashion degree. I have always loved every type of textile and art medium and my craft is constantly evolving. I have a passion for historical costume, vintage linens, kitchenware old (i.e. Pyrex, Fire King) and new, furniture of all designs...really any type of visual medium. I love style and have a very specific and eclectic taste.

Right now I am living in Austin (a truly inspiring place) and dreaming of what is to come.