Anais - Bretone Sweater

No time to take a break! Heading right into the next project. Here are my inspiration pieces:

Not sure which route to go yet. Many times I don't figure that out until I start working on it.

DeChanel Cardigan - Finished!

The photos are less stellar and I might try for some better shots but for now this is IT!
The photo on the right shows sleeves and blind pockets without the trim, which I wasn't sure if I should add it or not. The left photo shows the trim added.

I'm happy with the result, it fits perfectly, feels very comfortable and the trim (crocheted) even adds a wee bit of weight.

The pattern is my own and I made it up as I went along. There is very slight shaping for the waist and there are short row darts for the bust. I took the neckline lower than my inspiration piece and did 3/4 sleeves instead of full length.

The cardigan was worked in fine fingering sock yard (wool blend) in black and light beige using 2.75 bamboo needles.

The Couture Cardigan Jacket - Plan A

Plan A:

It looks like there is a 2-part sleeve without a vent. There are also no buttons or pockets. In other words, it's as simple as it can get - perfect!

Regardless of what the pattern instructions are, I want the lining to be quilted to the fabric and sewn into the shell as in the book. I want to use facings around the neckline and half of each front section. I'm also going to attach a chain, which I'm sure the pattern isn't going to call for.

I found several fabrics to consider:

I want to keep cost low for this jacket because this is my first time and I might mess it up. Badly!

The Couture Cardigan Jacket

The book incl. CD arrived, finally and I'm floored. I can't say I would wear any of the pieces shown in the book but I adore the exquisite craftsmanship and extraordinary detail that went into creating them. My style is a lot more casual and the jacket I envision is being worn with mostly jeans and not for a formal occasion. 

I am glad there is very little machine sewing involved. The process of thread marking, basting and hand sewing seems tedious but I feel it gives a lot more control because it's slower.

Claire B. Shaeffer is using her own pattern to construct the jacket in the book. I decided to go with a different pattern and I think the main reason was that the photo shows the jacket worn with jeans whereas the Shaeffer pattern looks rather formal.

Now I'm shopping for fabric, lining and trim.

DeChanel Cardigan

As I'm clearly unable to afford the gently used Chanel cardigan for a meager $1,075 plus $35 shipping I decided that I would make my own. Not a duplicate, not a copy but my own. I love the timeless style but the brand is really secondary.

I went to Michael's and bought 4 skeins of Loops & Thread Woolike in black. $2.99 per skein. I still had a skein of it at home from back when I was knitting socks for my husband. Yes, my cardigan is going to be made from sock yarn!

I have no pattern but I have a Chanel-like cardigan I found at the Goodwill store a while ago. The fit is perfect and I like the way it looks on me. The measurements of that cardigan combined with the gauge (40 sts x 48 rows) will end up being my pattern, written as I go along.

A word about the yarn: even thought it's cheap and 85% acrylic and 15% nylon and Made in China - it still feels incredibly soft and has a nice drape. It takes forever to produce an inch but I love how "un-bulky" it is.

I have several ideas for the trim but I also have to figure out a way for the edging. I'm not going with white. I don't like the stark contrast. I decided to go with a light beige instead. It looks softer. I used my swatch to try out several techniques. I would like to stay true to look of the inspiration piece but I think my first priority has to be something that will prevent rolling.

To see the finished piece, click here.

Handknit Dishcloths

Handknit Washcloths are not just a great beginner's project but a great way to try out new stitch patterns for advanced knitters as well. On top of that, they are super versatile and can be used by everyone on a daily basis from scrubbing floors to giving yourself a facial. How awesome is that?

Get started with on today! It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.

Here's my pattern for a dishcloth as simple as it can get:

CO 40 sts, knit back and forth until desired length. Cast off. Done

More beginner patterns:

Easy Diagonal
http://growingupgabel.com/easy-knit-dishcloth/

Knit & Purl Washclothes
http://weefolkart.com/newbie-knitting-knit-purl-wash-clothes/

Wash Your Face Washcloth
http://michellecalihandwoven.blogspot.com/2011/02/wash-your-face-washcloth.html