Rose Obsession: a new pink cardigan

I had bittersweet feelings when I finished knitting this sweater last weekend. On the one hand it was nice, as usual, to complete a project and have something lovely and new. On the other hand, I know that this will probably be the last sweater I knit for many weeks.
You see, once the weather starts to get warmer, the idea of curling up with balls of soft, warm wool starts to lose its appeal. I don't want to curl up--I want to lay out in the sun. And I don't want wool--I want bathing suits and linen and thin cotton.
Of course, it's not quite time for those aforementioned lighter fabrics. After all, we had a foot of snow just last week! So this pink cardigan is a very good way for me to start wearing my summer dresses...with a little fashionable warmth to tide me through these last cooler days.
The yarn, which is a blend of bamboo and silk, is nice and soft. AND rose-colored. Like the pink petals of flowering trees. I Can't Wait for the flowering trees!
But until they bloom, you'll find me wearing this and dreaming of roses and warmer weather...

...and also feeling just a little bit sad that winter's knitting is coming to an end.

How do you like my latest (and last of the season) sweater? Leave your comments below!

For you knitter's out there--this is a free pattern from Berroco that I found off of Ravelry.com. Send me photos if you decide to knit one up for yourself!

the Splurge

There are a lot of things in life that make "going back" difficult. For instance, when we moved into this house, my husband and I bought a king-size bed. And now we could never possibly go back to sleeping comfortably in a queen. I mean, where would the dogs sleep? How would I stretch out properly? What would I do with all of my cute linens?

Or, as another example, when I purchased my first small bottle of mineral makeup and wore it around town, I knew that I wouldn't be going back to liquid or cream or any other variety of potion. I had found my cosmetic soul mate, and wouldn't be looking back.

So when I decided sometime last year to try out a few "authentic" yarns (aka not acrylic) to see what all the fuss was about, I understood that I was taking a risk.

A risk because I knew that if I discovered that I loved (LOVED) nice yarns, I might have a difficult time going back to the run-of-the-mill (aka cheap) variety.

Needless to say, I was right. Here I am, a year or so later, wearing what is certainly THE SOFTEST SWEATER I have ever owned or worn in my entire life.

Softer than my dog's ears.
Softer than a baby's skin.
Softer than cashmere. (okay--maybe it's as soft as cashmere...)

This yarn--a pale gray color that I think is perfect for spring--definitely debunks the notion that knitting is an affordable alternative to buying mass-produced sweaters from...say...J.Crew. Because not only is it THE SOFTEST SWEATER I have ever owned, it is also the most expensive. It was, in a word, a splurge.

This expense, however, is tempered by the satisfaction I got from knitting this sweater from scratch. And from learning new techniques (like making an I-cord, for instance). And from knowing it will stay with me for a lifetime. All things that I could not have gotten from buying a similar sweater from the store.

In other words, sometimes not going back is worth every penny.

What is your favorite splurge? Share by posting your comment here!

note: for the curious, this is the Faux Wrap Sweater from the fabulous book, Reversible Knitting.

Fashion Help Please...

There comes a time in every lady's life when she needs a little fashion advice from friends. This is one of those times for me, so please bear with me as I implore you for your help...
You see, I've been knitting this delightful sweater dress--so chic and graceful--for a few weeks (pattern courtesy of Lynne Barr's Reversible Knitting), and I've almost completed it.
But I'm having a bit of a hard time making some final decisions. For instance, the original pattern calls for a mini skirt , but I lengthened it while knitting because I thought a longer one would be more classic and thus stay with me for years to come.

However, now that it is complete, it certainly is adorable short...
Furthermore, the original pattern is sleeveless, but I thought I would add a small cap sleeve just to see what it looks like. I'm leaning toward the sleeves, but wouldn't mind a second opinion.

And so I'm throwing these two questions out to you, dear readers, to see what you think:
Is this dress more alluring with or without sleeves?
And is it more lovely shorter or longer?

Please share your opinion with me by posting your comment below! Hopefully with your advice, and a little more time, I'll be happily wearing this flirty little number this weekend!

Feminine Touch

I was browsing through Etsy this morning with my hot tea in hand searching for some feminine inspiration to start my day, and I came upon this lovely store based in Warsaw called Couvert. The fashions and accessories from this little shop are a vision of ladyness, and thus I had to share them with you--
I was first struck by the soft and light knits, probably because so many times knits have a reputation for being bulky and unflattering (the reason you don't see celebrities wearing sweater dresses on the red carpet...). The soft draped necklace shown above, and this puffy sleeve wrap, however, both demonstrate that a quality knitted accessory can be very alluring, even when paired with simple tops.
And speaking of alluring, I couldn't resist showing you this powder pink mohair shawl. It is, in my opinion, divine. It reminds me of pink frosting and valentines, and would look smashing with denim, cotton or silk.

I dare say it would turn a few heads, which is naturally one of the perks of being a lady.
I also loved this kimono shrug, mainly because it is unique and unexpected. It is indeed a design that is timeless, and yet different enough that no one else would be wearing it to the office party or at the market on the weekend. And it would definitely take a regular Saturday outfit up a notch with almost no effort whatsoever.

This last point was one of the goals of Couvert's designer, who mentioned in her profile that she wanted her clothing to be both sophisticated and casual. What two things could be better together?
Finally, I adore this fake fur cape. This last garment is indeed a little more luxury than most of us are used to (especially those of us who hail from the perpetually casual Colorado), and therefore might draw more attention than we're comfortable with. But sometimes being a lady means stepping out of your comfort zone.

And what better way, I ask, to step out than to be dressed from head to waist in smoky slate fur? I can hardly think of one...

Hope you have a feminine and fashionable Tuesday!

Glossary of Couvert's styles, from top to bottom:
1. Avant Garde Scarf, modern romantic, in light blue
2. Silver Frost Shrug with Puffed Sleeves
3. Delicate Pastel Powder Pink Mohair Shawl
4. Casual Couture Kimono in Deep Vanilla
5. Avant Garde Cape Coat Fake Fur in Slate

Lady-like Projects Coming Soon!

Ahh...it is Monday morning and I have just returned from a week long trip visiting family in Kentucky and helping my sister and my two nephews move across the country.

And let me tell you--carting through three airports with an infant, a toddler, two car seats, two suitcases, one stroller, and three carry-on's is NOT the easiest feat in the world. My sister and I should win some kind of medal for bravery or something.
Needless to say, I'm beat. I have a post-travel hangover, and plan on taking it lightly today. However, I did want to share with you some of the lady-like projects I'll be embarking on now that I'm finally settled into the new year.

First is this adorable sweater dress I'm knitting. What you see in the photos above and below is the skirt portion.
Doesn't it look like a waterfall of chocolate ruffles (minus the dog hair, courtesy of Caesar, my yellow lab...)? The pattern is from Lynne Barr's newly released book, Reversible Knitting--a Christmas present I bought for myself. What lady wouldn't want to be wearing something like that during the cold winter months, I ask? As you can see, I'm a little over halfway done, and can't wait to share the final product when it's complete!

Also on the docket are these lovely patterns from Vogue:
A pencil skirt.
A wrap dress.
A vintage-style dress.
And a wrap shirt.

I received most of these as Christmas gifts and have been itching to jump in...perhaps right after I recuperate from the previously mentioned airport adventure.

So stay tuned to read and view more of my progress on these projects, as well as a few other ladyish subjects, like the fabulous little trinket I picked up at the store last week (more details to come)...

Talk to you soon!

Original Extension

Normally come Friday morning I am in the mood to be a little silly. Because it is the end of the week, and couldn’t we all use a break? Today, however, is not my usual Friday. Today is the end of a series, and I can’t in good taste go out with silliness.

Which, I suppose, works out conveniently because there is one more subject related to originality that I want to chat about before the series closes, and that is the practice of extending ourselves to others.

I use the words “practice” and “extension” intentionally here, because that is exactly how I feel about stretching myself to serve. It is figuratively a stretch for me--and like my sad, sad hamstrings, I’m often a bit tight and cramped up. And so I need practice. Lots of it.

This time of year we are often encouraged (or “bombarded” depending on how you look at) with opportunities to give of ourselves. And I wouldn’t be a good citizen or good human without urging all of us to take advantage of these open doors and give.

However, this year I want to dig a little deeper--make it a little more personal. And, frankly, a little more fun. And that is the “original” part of my quest. What I want is to start with what I have, meaning my skills and talents and resources, and explore the creative ways I can use those skills and/or stuff to extend myself to others.

So, for instance, when my good friend petitioned me last week to help her knit baby items as a fundraising effort for her international adoption, I was thrilled to say yes. Not only do I have a special place in my heart for women who are pursuing unconventional families (because I am one of them), but also I love to knit. Love it. And donating my time is a perfect way to extend myself for a good cause. It’s just the kind of practice I need.

During this season, then, I want to challenge myself (and you) to consider ways to give beyond the usual food donations and Good Samaritan coin collections (but of course give to them too!) by considering ways that we can creatively and with originality extend ourselves using the gifts we have been given. Maybe your talent is for cooking or sewing or organizing or just listening. Find it and give.

Because originality may start with us as an individuals, but I’d hate for it to end there.

And with that final note, I’m signing off! Stay tuned next week for photos and anecdotes from my Thanksgiving week, and then come back for the launch of my new series on handmade holiday fun! Until then--have a great Friday!

Photo Glossary:
photos 1-2: handknit baby sweater-dress, my latest knit design (I love how it turned out, don't you!?)
photo 3: handknit bunny from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
photo 4: bunny on baby girl quilt designed by me and sewn from recycled fabrics
photos 5-6: handknit raglan from Last Minute Knitted Gifts on baby boy quilt designed by me and sewn from recycled fabrics

Three Things to Cheer my Monday

Monday mornings are better--WAY better--than they used to be for me, mainly because I get to wake up and do the work I love. But every now and then I still have a Monday morning when I drag my feet to get out of bed and lament the weekend gone by.

This was one of those Mondays.

And so to pull me out of my malaise, I'm placing my focus on three things that have already brightened my day.


1. pumpkin pie for breakfast.
Not only did I make this pie last night specifically so that I could eat it for breakfast this morning, but it is the second pie I've made for exactly that purpose this month.

What can I say? I love pumpkin pie early in the morning. And after spending years and years of only eating it for Thanksgiving, I decided that I needed to make up for some lost pie-eating opportunities.



Besides, Martha Stewart Living has a great recipe for pie with shortbread crust. (I'd give you the link, but I can't find it on MS.com. I found it in November's issue, on shelves now.) It is the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

If salty and sweet won't get me out of bed on a Monday, I don't know what will!


2. this stuffed elephant I knit over the weekend.
Isn't he cute? Or maybe I should say "she" since my husband informed me that boy elephants do not wear pink scarves. I still think it's a boy...just don't tell him. (fyi: pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson.)



And what is the purpose of this elephant? Well...other than the fact that it coordinates perfectly with my new favorite children's book, There is a Bird on Your Head, it has no purpose. I just really needed a project that was fun and had nothing--absolutely nothing--to do with work.



Of course now my yellow lab, Caesar, has officially adopted the elephant as his own. I may never get it back....



3. my new (used) rose-toned metallic ballet flats.
When I saw a similarly-hued pair of flats from J. Crew earlier this season, I fell in love. It was that special shoe love that only women understand. And ever since my encounter with Cupid's footwear arrow, I have been smitten with rose-metallic flats.

Unfortunately for me, J.Crew's price for said flats were a little steep for my budget. So I decided to trek out on Saturday to my local used clothing store and see if I could get lucky.


And by "lucky," I mean see if I could find a pair of used shoes in my size that are this particular shade of metallic for a price that I could afford. It was a fool's errand, for sure.

But apparently I'm a fool (and evidently God wanted me to have rose-colored metallic flats) because I found Exactly what I was looking for at the bargain price of $6.00.

You can guess what I'll be wearing around town this week.

Here's to hoping you have three cheery things to brighten your Monday!
--steph

A Little Knitting

It's been awhile since I've posted about my most favorite obsession: knitting.

I didn't want you all to think that I'm slacking....


Yes, I have been busy with my new DIY patterns, and with writing, but the needles have been busy too.



What else am I going to do during hours of football on Sunday?



This oversize cowl is made from THE SOFTEST YARN EVER!!! and I can't wait to wear it every day.

Every. Single. Day.


And I don't care what my husband says--these wristwarmers are too practical and would keep me alive in the wilderness.

Okay...maybe not. But they sure are cute!


At least if I die in the cold wilderness, I'll know that I went out fashionably.



Too bad it is supposed to be 70 degrees today, or else I'd sport around town in my newest accessories. No doubt everyone would say, "hey--who is that girl in those chic and fashionable knits? I must meet here. I must follow her blog everyday."

No doubt they would say that. No Doubt.

Come back tomorrow for more Be An Original!