Black mohair top and circle skirt

Once upon long Russian winter I came to a shop, which was selling knitting and sewing supplies and saw this black mohair with thin lurex thread. It reminded me Christmas Tree (which actually is New Year tree for children born in Soviet time) and all that fairy-tale atmosphere which usually accompanies it. I acquired two skeins of yarn with plan to make a pair of leg warmers. I made them, but mohair is very thin thread, so I still had one skein.

What can it be used for? Winters near the sea can be cold enough, so I wear wool jacket, leg warmers and mittens while typing something on my balcony. And sunny enough to wear tops without sleeves. Black mohair top with tiny sleeves is just for such a winter. I knit it as one part from top to bottom. Endings are my favorite Italian cust-on and bind-offs.


I made skirt myself too. This time this is Soviet vintage pattern. Pattern looks very easy: take a square of fabric, cut circle, then use rest of fabric as a yoke.



Skirt made from rayon fabric 90 cm width. I didn't make zipper or buttoned closure, but instead explored the fact that bias-cut fabric is more flexible, so I simply used ribbon to fix the belt. Skirt is very comfortable and I like it, but it is very demanding for companions. Intuitive summer companion like tank top or t-shirt makes this skirt look cheap and I always have a challenge to find a clothing to wear this skirt with.
 

Lace blocked top with beaded straps

I can be very sentimental. And ready-to-wear cotton top, made in color blocking style which I acquired years ago was still my favorite cloth even after its straps stretched and fabric became so thin, that it had few holes in several places. But even sentimental persons say "good bye" to their lovely things. So did I, but before I copied a pattern and decided to re-implement it in.

I could sew same top, but it would be to easy to just copy without thinking! And I decided to knit. Knitting allows to choose not only color, but also a pattern of the fragment. I choose two lace patterns, stockinet stitch for the top of the front, still only color and called this technique "lace blocking".

Front shows two patterns: lace and stockinette stitch, third one is on the side:

On the back I used same lace pattern as on the bottom of the top. Back part of the straps made from bead.

And, finally, three views: front, back, beaded straps, - of the top itself, without me inside =)

Blue sky jacket

About one year ago I purchased yarn and even created a sample for this jacket. I finished it for this winter season. I wish I could create blog posts in time =)

Inspiration for the jacket was a tree which has beautiful magenta flowers in summer and very picturesque without leaves in winter:

Another effect, unfortunately, cannot be seen on the photograph, but the tree looks wonderful when sky has bright cold blue color. Having this picture in my mind I created a pattern and knitted it on the back of the jacket.

Such a noticeable pattern requires simple silhouette and I choose one of my favorites: jacket, inspired by medieval East Asian clothing. Centers of its back and front are knitted with reverse stockinette stitch while side sides are knitted together with sleeves using stockinette stitch. All edges are finished using i-cord. Buttons and holes are made from i-cord too.

Jacket also has zipper beneath decorative closure. I was considering about making its front simple without decorations at all like on this picture of the wrong side, but I decided not to create such a noticeable contrast with the back.

Jacket also has chain on the back low edge.

Embroidered tree, hiding wrong side of the pattern.

Pattern for the embroidered tree was made from the same picture as knitted one.

Technique is pretty simply: only back stitches, slightly offset-ted from each other.

Kniting fuzz together

Don't know if fuzz is right English word, but in Russian we have separate one for fibers like cashmere or angora.

I am reading interesting discussion about Orenburg shawls at one of Russian forums. A lot to study, but now I want to save a remark from this post: cotton, knitted together with fuzz, destroys it after. Better to use silk.

Not sure if I would try to knit Orenburg shawl, but this advice can be good for any similar fiber.

Blue Sky jacket started

Right before New Year I got a package with Louisa Harding Ianthe yarn (50g Ball, 50% Extra fine Merino 50% Cotton, Meterage: 100m) First impression: very nice soft yarn.

I am going to create a pattern from a photo. Technique would be a mix of Jackard and Aran knitting. Something like in this example, although motive is different, this is just a technique try:

I knitted in 2 plies using needles #6.5 Stockinette stitch 15 sts X 18 rows, picture - 20 sts X 18 rows.

Next step is to create a pattern and implement it.

Happy New Year!

First post, yay!