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Whew—I’ve been busy! I’ve been so inspired by this spring’s colors, fabrics, and intricate lace patterns that I’ve come up with a couple of more pieces for my 2012 spring / summer collection!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98614035/convertible-leaf-lace-cardi-in-mossy

I love this leafy lace convertible cardi! How many ways can you wear it?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98615073/knit-lace-yoke-blouse-in-yellow-cotton

Check out this sunny super-soft cotton lace sweater. It’s true summer at it’s best!

I hope these pieces inspire you to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather…or at least look great while you’re outside!!

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It’s here…..the birds chirping, the warm breezes, thawing ground, and gorgeous new fashions.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the cold months because they allow us to wear layers, and really show off those thick cable knits.  BUT–I get just as inspired by those first days of warmth because it means light and airy lace, knitted accessories, and a chance to be more creative with ways to show off those specialty yarns…….fashion over function!!!

The Knit Knot has stared rolling out some new things for spring.  I am obsessed with cropped blouses, lace, and I wish I could live in the land where Boho meets Victorian.  You can see all of this in my newest pieces, and I’m even making them more accessible by making the patterns available for sale–now you don’t have to wait for me to make what you want…..you can make it yourself!!  So–take a look, and let me know what you think!

   http://www.etsy.com/listing/97486349/lace-yoke-cap-sleeve-cardi-pattern-pdf

I love this lightweight summer cardi–lacy, lightweight, cropped, vivid color, and organic cotton.  It’s everything I love!!

     http://www.etsy.com/listing/91275234/drawstring-victorian-lace-collar

The perfect accessory when you want to wear some knits, but you don’t want it to take over the concept of an outfit.  And this is truly Victorian meets Boho–organic cotton, natural suede cording, wood beads, and intricate lace.  I love it!!

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/94271081/cropped-leaf-lace-cardi-in-oatmeal

This Leaf Lace cropped cardi shows how the juxtaposition of hard meets soft can be an elegant combination.  Intricate leaf lace meets architectural ribbing.  It’s a true statement piece that can take you all the way into summer!

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/94269783/ruffle-trim-cap-sleeve-cardi-in-oatmeal

And this is it–this is everything I want in a springtime knit!  Flattering, earthy, lacy, a bit retro, and a button.  This is my favorite thing I’ve ever designed, and I’m so proud of it!

Thanks for checking out The Knit Knot spring / summer preview.  There’s more to come, but there’s no need to wait to start shopping.  Keep it knitty!

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Hey Knit Knot fans!!!

I’m so excited!!  I woke up today to find that someone had included my ‘Popcorn Lace Shrug’ pattern in a gorgeous treasury list on Etsy!

Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODM2MjQzMXwxOTUyOTg0Mzk0/rustic-vintage-beauty

 

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You might have noticed that I haven’t blogged in awhile…..the truth is, my fingers have been engaged elsewhere!  I have literally been knitting every available moment for the last few months.

To some—-this sounds like madness…..

To me—-it has been heaven!!

Why have I indulged myself over the past few months????—–my online handmade knitwear (http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKnitKnot) made it into its first craft show!!  To be more specific–the biggest craft show of the season in St. Louis, MO:  the Rock ‘n’ Roll Craft show!!!

     www.rocknrollcraftshow.com/

I will literally be watching things that I have created with my own imagination and hands be looked at by the public.  It’s going to be quite an experience!

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Get ready for fall with a sale of my homemade goodies!!! Just go to my shop, and type in “FALL2011” in the coupon code section when checking out through September 30th to receive free shipping on anything! Happy fall!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKnitKnot

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I love all things that cover your head….from hats, to scarves, to ribbons, to helmets!  It should come as no surprise, then, that I’m embarking upon a new knitting adventure involving such head coverings.

I recently saw a young girl while I was out shopping that got my creative juices flowing.  She had a barrette in her hair that looked like a miniature top hat; it stood about 4 inches tall, and was bright purple with a pink satin bow……I was entranced by her creativeness and gumption to wear such a statement piece.  (at her age—I was way too concerned about fitting in to accept my own ideas!)  So now—I’m about all things hats!!!

Here’s some fun ones to get your creativity flowing too!!

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konamicrew.com

This is a somewhat exaggerated version of what my inspiration was….but you get the idea!!

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http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR5lllZ44eblYmFo01LnVkboGJ-4yAKocnU8AY00E2cXx1oa0E

Wow—it’s so organic, yet I can picture it blowing away in the wind.

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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGSym1tZ405_x-h7A-HI3axkGuHD2ZQA75naABUmvayZ4yRZWP

SJP—-I love you!

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http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTIDZYWP0znjoU–1U5LTSYfj6SMkq-WmRJZgapgDiKbol_H3Qo

Fab!!!!  Sometimes new uses for old things can spark a revolution!

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http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSHcdU3KwlkJuHXnE8JrqVegymAoKK5GcsX2pAebzziFfyJjpGi3A

I suppose this is functional fashion….but it just makes me want to run for cover!

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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTOA4Rl8gsWCgeyIKRyu9i4c9j7qPbESI-rBXNj5GMKfwvYNudnuA

The element of curiosity makes us take a second glance!

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http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRKML1jjoaeI7B4rvgVBVHZ62tEjvF3gIz6RKUhsK5vhptBVt9cA

See–even men can get into the game!  (especially when their kids hand-craft something to be proud of!!)

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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfpSwahmMLmjf-aWqF_RMem2EE6ZcWN8LpG1FXobJndZMMLcQbJA

Now I have to admit—-this is more my bag.  I’ll have to figure out how to translate the feeling of something like this into my knitting.  Until then—-let’s all go hat crazy!!!!!

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When people ask me where I get ideas for new projects, I never really know what to say.  I suppose I’m just a product of everything going on around me.  Sometimes I’ll see an amazing piece someone’s wearing, and the spark will be ignited.  (I keep a flip notepad with me at all times, or trust me—-I would forget an idea as quickly as it came into my head!)  I get really motivated by shows like project runway—it gives me confidence to not question myself.  But I think the most interesting place I get ideas from is quite unlikely—-Turner Classic Movies.  Something about that era gone by, permanently etched in time in  that crackling black and white way…..I’m almost always inspired by the gorgeous costumes of yester-year, whether I’m watching Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn, or Myrna Loy.  And my most recent obsession is no exception.

This past week, I caught about 5 minutes of a Shirley Temple movie (I know–you’re thinking…please don’t make a dress with a lace pinafore!) and I was inspired.  The scene I happened upon was some sort of King Arthur party….interesting?  Nothing new—except the damsel was wearing the most gorgeous knit hair covering.  That was it….I’m planning on embarking on transforming the costume-y hair net into something new and exciting!  Since I doubt you’d necessarily want to watch a 2 hour movie for the mere 5 minutes I’m talking about….here’s some images that I also found inspiring:

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http://www.totallyfashiontrendy.com/

A rainbow of hairnets!!!!

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http://www.stylefeeder.com/i/fvspxd68/Thick-Hair-Nets-Crochet-Beanie-Skull-Cap-Hat

sometimes the simplest things are the best!

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http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/the-case-for-lace/

wow–rubber meets hair net….love it!

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http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/heavyweight-hair-nets–dover-saddlery

Metal– Just right for stability, but lends that natural, elemental appeal!

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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTldZjZ9cPieCPT6xN2SDWva3k_slR1SDMnFcCyiqj1A4_R-4CW

wow….there are no words for this ethereal piece!

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Now this is what I’m talkin’ about!  Function meets beauty!

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I’m hoping to make something both beautiful and funcitonal—-but let’s get real….what we really want is something beautiful!  I love that old ideas can become new again—we just have to be there to re-introduce them!

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The Knit Knot has gone corporate!!  Well–not really, but I did pick up my business cards yesterday, and I feel like I’m a business tycoon that can take over the world one knit sweater at a time!  In honor of this new-found strategic enthusiasm, my thoughts go back to what I know best……knitting.  So, what better way to fully embrace this path than to knit it out.  Here’s a few things I found that make me feel all business-y in a knitty way!

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http://www.retakevintage.com/index.php?mainpage=index&cPath=6_14

Now this is what I call a power suit!  Beige is the new navy!

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http://www.chictopia.com/photo/show/366386-Thanksgiving+Day+2010-vintage-hand-knit-suit-vintage-60s-perry-ellis-shoes-vintage-40s-hat

Another suit to impress.  Even the cat seems to be in awe of the look.  This suit matches my business cards…..sometimes matchy-matchy is a good thing!

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/pshorten/2796310145/

The perfect tie makes the perfect impression.

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http://fabulouslyhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-was-eighties-girl.html

This is ingenious—-if you can’t knit a heel, at least you can knit a heel covering!

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myshape.lhj.com

The blazer is definitely an essential part of any business wardrobe.  Lucky for me–pink is always in—in the knitting world!

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http://inhabitat.com/fin-eco-fashion-fall-collection-2008/

That perfect little black dress gone knitty makes it perfection!

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http://www.ioffer.com/si/knitting+crochet?page=7

And to end it all–the perfect vessel to carry all those business cards is the knit briefcase….you surely won’t find this in any leather store.

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Knitting goes corporate—–it’s about time!

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It seems like lace is everywhere right now….from the runway to the local Wal-Mart.  I’m so excited about this trend that I could just about burst!  You see–I’ve loved lace since I re-discovered it in my late teens……after getting over the damage my mother did in putting me in nothing but lace pinafores for the first five years of my life.  I’ll wear it even when it’s deemed “not-so-cool” anymore!!!  So–I’m using this opportunity to build up my wardrobe with all things lace.  And the knitter inside me is in heaven!!  There are countless lace patterns out there, but I found a great resource for those of you who are looking for where to start.

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches.htm

This website is a fabulous resource to look for interesting stitches to add into a pattern.  The extensive list of stitches seems to go on and on and on.  They have some really interesting lace stitches that I’ve never seen before.  Here are some of my favs…..

 

 

“Lace Ribbing”–now you can add that extra special touch to those boring, ribbed wrist bands!!

 

 

“Pillar Openwork”—wow!  a cable and lace all in one!!

 

 

“Shell Lace”–whew…..I feel like I could get lost in those waves!

 

 

“Lacey Squares Edging”–Perfect for that antique look!

 

 

“Little Butterfly”–not technically lace, but adds that flare without any holes!

 

 

“Waterfall”–the name alone sends me to another place!

 

 

“Garter and Loops”–I think this is my favorite.  It reminds me of a really cool cardigan sweater I got in a thrift shop….very 1970’s!

 

 

All of these lace patterns are great to add in small doses amidst the back of a sweater or along a collar……or go crazy and make a lace shawl to wrap yourself in elegance!  I hope you join me in appreciating the beauty that lace can give any piece.  Make it or buy it—-get on the lace train!!!

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I’m soooooo obsessed with shrugs right now.  Maybe it’s the looming winter winds, or maybe the perfect canvas that a shrug is for lace….I don’t know, but I think I’ve found my next project.  Check out these cool links for patterns for free shrugs if you’re into knitting.  OR—–just give me a couple of weeks to blow your mind…..and I’ll make the perfect one for you!!

http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/freeKnittingPatternLandscapePrettyShrug.asp

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTshetlandshorty.html

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=62184.0

http://www.freevintageknitting.com/shawl-pattern/hilde76no378-shoulderette

I’m going to get going on my own shrug……let your creative juices flow too!!!