Autumn Update

Autumn is in full splendor here in Central Pennsylvania, and KnittenKaboodle is as well.  Many new items are added to the website, and more coming through the next few weeks.

Additionally, we have a new retail customer in Hanover, Pennsylvania: Furs by Susan, which is owned and operated by the creative and interesting Debra Markle.  Her boutique focuses on a wonderful selection of luxury outer ware and accessories in many different fabrics and fibers.  If you are in the area, please stop in and visit her at 1 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA 17331 web address . Two of the items she selected: Alpaca and kid-silk mohair caplet with removable pin closure and silk-mohair triangle scarf with fancy border.

It's time for harvest and fall vegetables and plantings at Tait's Harvest Shop and I've added a few new aprons and spiced trivets there:

Spiced trivets that waft lovely spices when meeting a warm cup, dish or kettle

Very clever owls with a gentle bottom ruffle, and appliqued owls

Low volume is very big this year; halter neck styling and deep pockets with accent trim

Dreaming of the tropics, even as summer passes; extra long ties in belt carriers and pockets

On the knitting front, I've been busy working on new items for the holiday season, for the website and for the shops.  I continue to focus on the lovely and popular silk-mohair creations, and am also working on a few cowls inspired by the highly popular Outlander series.  More on that later ....

I did a few new things for friends and family:  A pretty scarf in technique that looks woven and a yummy bulky neck warmer (matching hat yet to come).  

 On the quilting front, I completed the table runner I discussed in earlier postings, which was waiting of the quilting and binding steps.  This was a birthday gift for my Mother.

Thanks for checking in!  More to come in the days to follow.  Enjoy Autumn.

Creating an Apron

From time to time I like to talk about the creative process, and provide a look into how I create.  In this posting, I'd like to share an example of making an apron, in this case my 'Summer Lemons' apron.

The initial concept arises from inspiration, fabrics and designs.  I get inspiration from many sources and keep digital libraries of designs, shapes, backgrounds, colors and anything else that strikes me worth noting.  I have a design sketchbook where I keep ideas and a binder full of patterns I've developed with photos and notes.  Sometimes I start with the design idea and select fabrics, and sometimes I have fabrics I want to use and then select a design.  Frequently I will organize a series of fabrics into a thematic set such as "holiday", "mother's day florals", "stripes" and so on.  I even did a series of aprons inspired by dresses I had in the late 60's and early 70's - mod color blocking!

In this case, I chose to make a ruffled style with the lemon print and added a cheerful yellow dot for contrast elements.   First step is to cut out all the pieces needed: body, facing, neck and waist ties, pockets and ruffle.  Decisions need to be firm at this point.

This is not intended to be a complete tutorial, but to show the many steps and finishing touches that go into making a hand-made apron creation.

Sub assemblies are completed first: attach front facing, create pockets, stitch ties for turning

Back facing in dot print and pinned kangaroo pocket

Ties cut from main and contrasting patterns

Ties are stitched and turned, pressed and top stitched; two neck ties and two back ties.  Length of ties depends upon the design of the apron.

Ties are stitched and then turned (wrong side fabric showing)

Ties sewn and turned, pressing flat is next step

Press

Topstitch all ties for a finished, tidy look

Attach ruffle to body of apron

Measure and attach pocket

Attach ties

Attach ties into facing

`

Press and topstitch facing and any unfinished edges

Apply label! 

Press and Viola! 

Spring Progressing

Hello again.  Like the buds on the trees and slight greening of the grass, I am coming awake again after the prolonged drag of winter!  I have some updates:

Updates:
Knitting - The cardi sweater (I named 'Cole') is completed -- last seen ready for sew up:

Knit from Madeline Tosh Merino Light, color way 'Grapefruit'

Quilting Challenge: 

The table runner is pieced and marked for quilting (once my quilting extension table comes in at the local sewing machine shop).

Other Activity:  I created a new line of spring-summer weight accessory scarves, which are available at Tait's.  I made two of most styles, and will put the second scarf on the KnittenKaboodle website. 

I love scarves and accessories and I've been collecting suitable and wonderful fabrics for the past several years.  Most fabrics are lightweight cottons or pretty and versatile knits. When selecting fabrics, I think about 'wearability' - choices that work with busy lifestyles.   I also think quite a bit about selecting the edging thread colors, which is important to achieve the desired look -- blend, contrast, accent, define -- polish overall.  These are created as easy to wear with cotton sweaters, denim or suede jackets, or a lightweight dress.  Also great gifts! 

Early Spring Lightweight Scarves

Only at Tait's - Cotton Voile

Only at Tait's: Cotton Knit Infinity Scarf

A Last Word for Today:
I created a new 'Farm Fresh' apron group, with these two delivered to Tait's:
Additional styles are on the cutting table at the time of writing this entry - very cute also!

Ruffle trim with kangaroo central pocket

Butcher style with contrast pockets and ties

Back in the Groove!

I know it's been a while, but I have not been idle! Over the course of the past months, I've been working hard, and taking workshops to further my creativity. Also, I added quilting to the my growing list of creative endeavors.  And now, it is that time of year when I plant myself in the workshop and craft the holiday items for my local favorite shop (Tait's Harvest Shop) and for my website.

Additionally, this year I added some new items to the line up: fabric scarves, table runners, fleece scarves and neck warmers, and Christmas stockings.  



Chiffon Scarves





Fleece Scarves - perfect for transition temperatures

 Exciting things for the holidays are brewing.  Here are a few pictures.



A sampler of knitted scarves and neck warmers - great fibers!




New! Hand crafted 'made fabric' stockings




Some of the wonderful fabrics for aprons and spice trivets


In case you're interested in this summer's progress, here are a few things I've been working on:



"Improvisational" Pillow - pieced in 'wonky' blocks




Custom designed, special order for Tait's Harvest Shop to be used in the store




These fun slippers, featuring a clever knot design are a class I am teaching in October at Stitch Your Art Out, Pine Grove Mills, PA




A few of my friends (I love you guys!) and I knitted various versions of this shawl




Cynthia Spencer (pictured) will soon be publishing this pattern of mine in her Really Clear Patterns

This is also a class coming up in December. 

Late Winter, Fresh Aprons Delivered

Just in time for the February special events at Tait's Harvest Shop (their website)!!  I've put together some new aprons, a combination of traditional styles with updated touches and a funky newsprint print in fun and functional apron styles.  Perfect for any season and any reason! 



A favorite 'shortie' style: short body style with a deep working pocket on the front, fully reversible




Pretty and graceful body style; lace trim and generous neck and waist ties




Fun style with ruffle trim and a kangaroo pouch style centered pocket




Classic butcher style apron in an updated stretch cotton fabric with lurex accents and a smart accent trim




A market-style half apron with two pockets and wrap around ties



Six new zipper pouches added as well! 

Gearing Up for the Holiday Season!

The Creative Process Brought to Market!

Is it too early???  For those of us shopping for groceries and running errands in stores, it may feel too early to hear the music and see the glittery displays, but for artisans and craftspeople, we have been working on the holidays for many months now.  

This year, I am so lucky to have lots of my items carried in two special shops that feature artisan foods and works, with an emphasis on local/country suppliers and artists. 

Concept:
I thought I would spend a few minutes talking about what goes into the works I create; the materials and process.  I create high quality, artisan hand knitted and hand sewn accessory items, that are beautiful and fit into a modern lifestyle. I think nothing is more frustrating that buying that hand crafted item and later realizing it was just not all that wearable. My items are unique and luxurious, but are made to be worn happily for many years. 

Fabrics and yarns are selected keeping in mind trends in fashion and home decorating, as well as input from the merchants to coordinate with their shop and holiday themes. And sometimes I make something just because I like it!


Materials:
All through the year, every where I go I search for interesting fabrics and yarns. I also benefit from wonderful friends who keep a lookout on their travels as well.  I've made several purchases via the help of talented (and tasteful!) friends and the modern miracle of picture messages on the cell phone. 

Knit goods use fine yarns of desirable fibers such as merino, silk, alpaca, and mohair to name a few. I create pieces of all sizes and shapes, but primarily send neck warmers and scarves to Tait's Harvest Shop for the winter holidays and season. Texture, fiber and embellishments are key design decisions, but the focus always remains on wear-ability and functionality.

Process:
I'm not a mass production shop; knits and aprons are unique. Each piece starts with a decision about style and then fabric/yarn choices and combinations.  New body styles are frequently added, and popular body styles are used and/or adapted as customer response continues to grow.  I try to use a variety of widths (body coverage) so there is something for everyone. Some ties wrap around once or twice, and most all neck ties are adjustable for maximum sizing flexibility. When you buy a piece, it is unique. Sometimes a concept is selected again, but it never comes out the same way twice.


Result:
Anyone local in Central Pennsylvania can drop in at Tait Farm Harvest Shop,  Rt 322 just east of State College and Boalsburg;  and those of you in the Washington, DC area drop in at  Smucker Farms of Lancaster County  at 14th and U, NW. 

KnittenKaboodle Website:
The website also carries items not found in the shops as well as some wonderful pieces from a few other select artisans, which you are encouraged to try out as well.  
The website is a gallery-style offering of one-of-a-kind hand knit and hand sewn items from me and a few other artisans. At the time of this writing it is undergoing some updates, including revised postage rates (improved!). 



The spoils from a recent trip to Canada and NY Finger Lakes region.




Aprons ready for selection by Betty and Eli Smucker for their 14th and U Street shop in Washington, DC (they took the all!!)



Yummy Madeline Tosh yarns, waiting for a worthy project.  Each are hand dyed in small batches of 3. Colors are amazing in both hue and variation.