Making Aprons!

It is time to make some new aprons.  There are so many wonderful new fabrics out there and I have some new apron ideas to try out.  Mixing and matching prints is fun for to create and yields cheery and interesting aprons.  I am also experimenting with treated fabrics for a water-resistant apron, good for the garden as well as the kitchen.  Stay tuned for progress on these projects. Of course I'd love to hear ideas and thoughts on apron styles. 

Stand Apart Accent Accessories

Now that we are into the spring season and warm weather is ahead, our interest in knitted items shifts light weight wraps and pretty accent scarves, just to name a few ideas.  Knitters love creating for this time of year because we can use very special yarn, such as silk and other special concoctions.  Most of these yarns are hand dyed in small lots and far too costly to turn into large projects such as sweaters and dresses.  But, that makes them perfect for the accent scarf that turns a tee and khakis into a polished look all your own.  We are featuring two very special pieces, knit in great summer hues of silks and beaded silks from the wonderful Tilli Tomas http://www.tillitomas.com/.  These scarves are clean, polished and deceptively simple.  Find them and more  information on our main website http://www.knittenkaboodle.com/ .

Subtle Stripes

I've been having wonderful fun working with yarns designed to stripe as they are knit, but with a twist -- combining different yarns in texture and colorway. As the piece develops, the colors unfold in marvelous patterns, yielding rich and warm variations -- but evolving gently. These particular scarves use a rich sock yarn of silk and merino wool and a contrasting yarn of silk, cotton, merino and a little sparkle of poly here and there. The yarns are soft and washable, and continue to soften over wearing. No two are the same!! I feel as if I'm painting with yarn as I create these wonderful pieces. Many thanks to the wonderful Yan Qian for the inspiration and design concept. For detailed choices and examples, see more under 'Hand Knits' at KnittenKaboodle.com.

It is finally Spring here in the Mid-Atlantic! There have been some changes going 0n here at KnittenKaboodle, including a relocation to Central Pennsylvania. So pardon our hiatus from blogging, but we are back and gearing up for the warm weather ahead! Happy Spring from all of us at KnittenKaboodle!

Finished the Mohair Wrap!

I wrote earlier about my current obsession with the silk mohair, and since then I've completed my Wooly Bear Wrap and several scarves as gifts. The result is a one of life's little luxuries. Bad day? Crummy weather? Long winter nights? Just a little whimsy and fluff can add something nice in a small way.

Thanks to Em for showing off the wrap. For pattern information, write to info@knittenkaboodle.com

A trip to the 'Frog Pond'

In the knitters' world, there inevitably comes a time when she or he must go to the Frog Pond. Let me explain to you non-knitters out there. When a knit or crochet piece has to be reworked, then the stitches are (usually) rather easily pulled out, or 'ripped back' -- rippit. Silly, I know, but it helps take the sting out of the loss of hours of work and the prospect of more hours re-doing something.

But rework is an essential element of the creative process, and an indication of the knitters' dedication to get the piece just right, whether in size, shape, color or texture. Sometime once the piece starts growing, it may become clear that project concept and execution aren't coming together as desired. Sometimes the shape or fit isn't working, or sometimes mistakes are made. There are many reasons, but the result is a better piece and more satisfaction in the finished product.

One reason that hand knits are so special is the the thought and care (and many, many) hours that goes into their creation, including rework. In the hand-created world, corrections and adjustments along the creative path add to the richness of the final result.

Happy New Year!!

Best wishes for a Peaceful and Prosperous 2010.

Joan and all the folks at KnittenKaboodle.com