Pattern Review: Scrumptious Collection from Fyberspates

So I was reading a few of my favorite blogs and saw that the girls over at joli house are involved with a new collection from fyberspates.

These are a few of my favorites.  The first above is Burdrop, a gorgeous ruffled cape.  I almost can't believe this is knitted.  It looks so cozy, and I've really been loving drapey clothing and knits lately.  I can't resist a well-done ruffle.

The second is called Hethe, a laceweight cardigan with lace details.  I love the fact that it has nupps - that fact alone would have me sold! - but I also love the romantic shape and delicate edgings.  Swoon.

I like the shape of this vest, Tirrold, as well.  Vests can be hard because they add a layer of bulk over the midsection, but I love the idea of a vest in laceweight - it would add interest and warmth without too much bulk.  Plus, I like that this is cropped.  I think it would look awesome with a high-waisted skirt.

This little lacy cardigan is called Stonor.  It's knit in a fingering weight, so it's a little heavier than the other pieces I really like, but I think it works really well.  The texture reminds me of vintage woolen sweaters, but the shape is modern.  I like that the laciness gives it polish, but it still looks warm and comfortable.

I also love Murcott.  It's simple, but has some really pretty details, like the turned hem and the small pleats at the shoulders and sleeve cap.  I'm not sure how well the wrap style would work on my large-busted shape, but I might be able to modify it to have more fabric in the chest.  That's one of the joys of knitting - if you can do a little math and planning, you can customize for your shape.

Overall, I'm pretty excited for this collection.  I would definitely knit at least half of the patterns, the photography is gorgeous, and most of them are knit from laceweight or fingering weight, which are my favorite yarns to knit with.  It looks like it's available for purchase on fyberspates' website here.  

Lastly, this one called Wray is not actually in the collection, but it's the work of the model, Lily.  She designed this cardigan when she was only 12, but she already has a great eye for texture and detail.  Her designs have a certain delicacy and lightness.  I'm definitely going to keep my eyes out for more of her work.

All images copyright Amanda France

Stash Appreciation: Pigeonroof Studios

So remember how I said I was going to pick up a skein of Pigeonroof Studios?  Well, I'm super speedy!  I got this skein of cashmere/merino/nylon fingering weight yesterday.

I was thinking about getting one of the semisolid colors, which have a beautiful depth.  But what I really love about Pigeonroof Studios is her ability to combine colors - all of her colorways are a touch gothic, blended like watercolors, and often consist of shades that you wouldn't ordinarily combine but end up looking gorgeous.

I don't know if these will become socks.  I think this yarn would look awesome in garter stitch, so I might have to find something with simple lace and garter.  The yardage is a little skimpy - 380 yards - because of the cashmere content, but I'm sure I can find something. 

The last few days have been really great - Lumberjack and I have been hanging out with one of my good friends and her boyfriend, hanging out at a really cool coffee shop in New Haven, and taking naps in the middle of the day - basically the perfect vacation.  Saturday we went to New York to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met, which was breathtaking.  It was really great to see the sheer breadth of his creativity.  All of the clothes were intricate, hand-beaded, intellectualized and yet still beautiful.  The world has lost a genius, but he left an incredible legacy behind him.

Stash Appreciation: Schaefer Audrey

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of yarn - my mom and I went to a fiber fest with Lumberjack and Ondrea, and I went a little crazy with the yarn purchases.  But all of those are packed up and on their way home to Washington, and I'm in New Haven visiting a friend, so I bought a skein of Schaefer Audrey at Knit New Haven.  I stopped in last year and bought some Pigeonroof Studios roving, and I wondered if this year they'd have some of their yarn.  They did, and I'm planning to make another stop to pick up a skein later in the week.

I saw this yarn a few times at the now-defunct Village Yarn and Tea, but didn't buy it, and kicked myself  when they went out of business shortly thereafter.  It's a 50/50 merino/silk single that has the best drape ever.  This color is on the neutral side for me, but I love it anyway.  Pale colors can be difficult for me to pull off because my skin tone is rather olive and looks washed out when paired with lighter colors.  This green, however, is a lovely, cool shade of minty green that I think will look good with my dark hair.

I'm thinking I'll make Jaali, or perhaps another one of Kitman Figueroa's patterns.  I've been seeing them all over Ravelry, and I think they're stunning.  Just another one to add to the list of spectacular lace I need to make.

Image of Jaali copyright Kitman Figueroa

Happy Monday!  I'm hoping to get back to regular posting this week, but we'll see how that goes.  Thanks for bearing with me during this crazy transitional time!

FO Post: Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies

Hi there!  Since the last time I wrote, I've become the proud new owner of a BA from Oberlin College.  The ceremony was long and hot, but surprisingly good and surprisingly emotional.  I wore combat boots because it had been storming the day before and the grass where the ceremony was being held was inch-deep in mud.  I think it was an appropriately strange outfit to wear to graduation from a school that embraces eccentricity as one of its foundational qualities.

The plan for the next few months is to find a job and an apartment and start my new life as a college graduate.  I think this picture most accurately depicts how I feel about that.