Sweaters, sweaters

So, as I said in my video, I'm restashing my black alpaca until the right pattern comes along. Instead, I pulled out a different skein and wound it for my next sweater project:

I'm going to swatch tonight for Versio, which I stumbled upon quite happily last night. There's a modified FO that I just love, and I'll be using her modifications to create a similar sweater/tunic.

One of the things I really like about this is the striping, which I will have to forego due to a lack of a secondary yarn color. I think it'll still turn out great as a solid! I'm not normally a swatcher, but the FOs are so different in terms of needle sizes, and I don't want to get way into the knit, only to realize that it's way too big or small.

Also, I noticed there is a serious lack of laceweight sweater patterns on Rav! Crazy!
- YX

Monday video!

Hello friends! I made this video on Friday and have finally uploaded it! I talk about some WIPs. Longest video ever... I promise to stick to ONE project or yarn in these videos! Auuugh!

Have a good week!
- YX

New look!

Notice anything different?

I decided to change up the look a little bit! My old template was having some issues, so I was excited to come up with a new design. At least for now, until I find something else I like!

I'm working on editing a video for you guys, and it should be done for Monday's post. I teach at a local university, and getting ready for classes to start has been my primary focus (and primary time consumption!)

I hope you guys like the new look!
- YX

Queued: BIGsessories

I love big, bulky accessories-- they're a great way to dress for the season without sweating when you finally get inside. I love my textured tunic, but the truth is that it's rarely cold enough to warrant pulling it out of the old knit bin.

So I have not just one, but TWO! awesome bigsessories for you.

I love a project that plays off of feminine facial features, and Eveli Kaur's Starflower does that so well. It's rustic and roomy and just the right kind of textural for the yarn.

I love the pairing of this with a leather jacket; there's a vintage feel to it. The pattern calls for Gedifra Highland Alpaca, which is a super bulky weight yarn that comes in a large array of colors... and is on sale at Jimmy Beans right now, coincidentally. I love the neutrals, but I might be tempted to use a teal yarn, too.

The pattern is $3.50, too, which makes me happy. All of Eveli's patterns are super cute and reasonably priced, which preys on my impulse-buy weaknesses. I want this hat, yo. Plain and simple.

The OTHER thing I queued was this big, sexy Marshmallow Fluff cowl, by Sarah Kraly. I want to put my face on it:

Yeah, just like that! FACE COWL!

How gorgeous is this thing? It looks like a five-second knit, in Classic Elite Twinkle Soft Chunky... But how does this photo make the yarn seem like it's a silk blend?! It's 100% wool, so I assume it'll pretty much save me from freezing high in the mountains of Houston*. Looking through the FO page, I'm drawn mostly to the solid projects, as opposed to the multis or semis. What a perfect gift opportunity, too! I love it! Big cowls are so hot this season, and I might be inclined to triple the length on this one and make it a mobius scarf, which I would wrap around my face about eighty times before passing out blissfully on a fainting couch, awash in my own fabulousness. Stop looking at me like that!

Simple knits in big yarns are so incredibly sexy, and have a wonderful way of contrasting with smaller knits to give textural variety without turning into the yarn monster. I definitely wouldn't wear these two items together, but they'd be amazing individually.

Yarn choices? Leave 'em in the comments!
- YX


*Houston is not freezing nor does it have mountains, but you catch my drift.

Trend: Off the Shoulder

Happy New Year! I hope everyone's enjoying 2012 as much as I am!

What did you wear to usher in the New Year? I love sweaters that show a little skin, like these off-the-shoulder pullovers:

#22 Paton's Off-the-Shoulder by Pierrot for VK. This is pretty in the Paton's Grace that is suggested, but would be awesome in a cashmere blend, like Rowan's Cashsoft line. I'd style it with leggings or jeans and a ribbed tank underneath:

A more textural option comes in the form of the Interlocking Cables pattern by Shirley Paden. This thing looks majorly comfy, and the neck can be worn like a cowl or down over the shoulders for a more coquettish approach:

Finally, something a little more modern... The Off-the-shoulder Pullover by Vladimir Teriokhin. Check out his designer page for tons of cute and recent designs. I love the dolman sleeves and oversized fit paired with a glimmery, feminine yarn choice:

I'm not a big believer in New Year's resolutions, but I do have some knit-related goals for the year:

- Knit 2 sweaters: one for me and one for Andrew
- Continue to blog frequently
- Knit from stash, but also try new yarn sources
- Fave more projects on Ravelry

Do you have any resolutions?
- YX