Posts with tag knit

In some parts of the country, it's turning pleasantly cool, while in other areas, it's just flat out freezing. And while the cold weather might not bode well for those killer peep toe stilettos (unless you're very, very brave and have an uncanny knack for balancing on icy sidewalks), there is a warm, fuzzy lining -- you get to wear sweaters!

Another sign that our economy is in real trouble? Cashmere is no longer in demand. Cashmere producers and designers are scaling back on the luxury knit as manufacturing prices rise and consumers shy away from spending on luxury products.

Finding a vintage knit in wearable condition is hard. Moths get to yarn, colors fade, and odors...well, they linger. Not to mention the tiny sizes they wore back then. Still, the draped silhouettes of the 30s, 40s and 50s are irresistible, so we kept pawing through odd racks at the back of vintage shops, hoping for that one lucky find.

We did finally get lucky, but what we found was a book, not a sweater. Vintage Knitwear for Modern Knitters by Lise-Lotte Lystrup is filed with exactly the kind of knit jackets and shrugs that Joan Holloway or Betty Draper would wear on Mad Men.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

We'd like to introduce you to designers Rachel Six and Joleen Rumsey of Flutter LLC. They create feminine knit tops and jackets that are perfect for both work and weekend.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Amy Twigger Holroyd, the UK-based knitwear designer who runs Keep & Share, an alternative luxury label of timeless knit pieces for both men and women.

I have two dogs and I love them like they're my kids (other than the whole sticking them in a crate thing -- I hear you're not supposed to do that with human children). However, when I saw the following headline, I thought that maybe, just maybe, this couple had taken things a little too far:

Hair of the dog: The animal lovers who turned their dead pets' coats into woolly jumpers.

Thanks for that, Daily Mail.

But, actually, it's not as creepy as it sounds. Beth and Brian Willis learned from their breeder that their white Samoyed's fur makes great clothing, so while the dog was still alive, they had a sweater knitted from the fur she had shed. It's apparently extremely warm and durable and softer than alpaca. They went on to have clothing knitted from their other dog's fur, too -- I'm sure she was feeling left out.

According to the article, making clothing from the fur of long-haired dogs is fairly common (Did you know that? I didn't!). I guess it makes sense -- instead of clogging up your vacuum with dog hair, create some furry fashion. I'm just not sure I'm ready to wear my pooches in any form, no matter how cozy it might be. How about you?

Oh, whom are we kidding? It doesn't ever rain in Los Angeles. And that 11 hours of mist in the middle of February that halts the entire city because "OMG! It's raining!" isn't really rain.

Still, we'd love to have the Burberry Knit-cuff Rain Boot for those days when the sprinkler systems on the front lawn get a little out of control. The black rubber boot has a lug sole and flat heel, and features Burberry's signature beige, black and red print on the knit cuff that folds over the top. It's Burberry alright, but a little less subtle than the rain boots that are made entirely of rubber in the same beige check print (which we also love).

Available from Neiman Marcus for $210.

Normally, it would be pretty hard to think about winter hats when it's as hot as the dickens in Los Angeles right now. However, as I cruise through ShopBop.com, I am instantly starting to feel the chill.

The warm chunky knits of Mischa Lampert's hats and scarves are starting to make me want a snow storm. Alright, so perhaps that is a little extreme but as soon as one nip hits the air I am going to have one of these hats grace my beautiful skull.

All of Mischa's hats are hand-knit and made from 100% wool yarn -- for ultimate warmth and coziness. These hats capture the artsy-cool look at its finest and will definitely turn heads. Oh, and trust me, no one will ask if you made if yourself because this hat looks too good. At first glance I thought about dusting off my knitting needles and giving it a go, but who am I kidding?

The collection, sold on ShopBop.com, includes a variety of hats (the one pictured is my personal favorite) and scarves. Prices range from $143- $209.

I am tempted to slip into a sunny little sundress today. February. Just past Valentine's Day, and it felt like...summer?Y esterday, I kid you not, it was probably 90 degrees in LA, and it is looking like it will be the same today.

But I will resist, holding off Spring things as long as I can, and put on a simple, comfortable knit minidress with a drop waist from Target. Mossimo Red's Ribbed Neck Grommet Knit Dress is has short-sleeves, so while it's still cool enough to wear about town doing Sunday things, it's not quite pushing the summer envelope. The dress has a v-neck and features grommets at the dropped waist with drawstrings to let loose or pull tight and short. Even if the "Sea Fare" color is not quite your style, how can you go wrong with it only costing $17.99?