Last month, the Kiwi group on Ravelry organized a fiber swap! This is what I got! I love the cute crochet amigurumi, and the smart little gauge ruler. And the fiber! Looks super yummy! It’s blue faced leiscester, 3.5oz. I can’t wait to spin it into socks. 
Last week, Interweave Knitscene put out the Spring preview on their website. All the patterns are available for instant download right now and the magazine is scheduled to hit the newsstand on Januaury 22.
My new pattern in this issue is Lost Garden tee.
Lost Garden Tee by Jean Chung — Interweave Knitscene Spring 2013
Lost Garden tee by Jean Chung –
Interweave Knitscene
When I submitted the pattern proposal to Knitscene, I titled it Secret Garden. I wanted to capture and convey the shy freshness of spring garden, kind of like something that I imagined in my head when I first read the novel The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
The shaping of this tee is done entirely by fiddling with the gauge so the project is super easy, until you get to the Lace stitch pattern. In my proposal, I also called this the Garden stitch pattern.
The Lace pattern is not particularly difficult, but with the cotton yarn with very little elasticity, your hands might hurt a bit. Just remember to use nice pointy needles, and loosen up the grip on your hand that holds the yarn. Change into even bigger needle if that helps.
I’ll be posting about tips on knitting this pattern as I think of more to say.. Again, the pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry as well as Knitscene website and the magazine will be available on January 22, 2013!
So they’re not ALL dresses but.. the point is that I need something to wear.
Either to the 10-year high school reunion that I’m attending in a couple of weeks, or the holiday parties. So something like a cocktail dress or something to go OVER the cocktail dress.
I pulled some patterns out of my pattern stash box….
1) Anise by Colette Patterns
I bought this from Sew L.A. when Colette Patterns had their party there back September. I saw two samples made with this pattern and they both looked very “me”. It has that school girl look flair but depending on what fabric you use it could look really upscale. And I just bought some awesome beige-white wool boucle suiting fabric on Black Friday…
2) Butterick 5824 Long Coat by Gertie
I joined the sew-along at Gertie’s blog, but with my crazy travel schedule in October, then the intensive knitwear construction class this semester, I have yet to even pick out the fabric for this project. I think it’ll look great over whatever dress I’d wear for the parties. I get cold really easily, and yes I know I live in Southern California but I don’t care! I get cold! I still own and wear a down jacket on a regular basis!
3) Simplicity 1873 shantung dress by Cynthia Rowley
I love Cynthia Rowley’s line at Simplicity Patterns. But while this is a gorgeous dress, I don’t know if I wanna wear it for winter holiday parties…. I get cold just looking at the photos.
4) Vogue 1302 Kay Unger Dress
This is a strong contender dress. I have challis fabric that almost looks like this one, in different colors. I might actually make it. We’ll see. I’ve always admired Kay Unger dresses. It’s about time I own one, even if it’s not made by her factory.
5) New Look Workroom “Project Runway” 6070
I already made this dress in black faux leather fabric and love it. I’ve already worn it a couple of times and I get compliments on it all the time even from people who have no idea that it’s handmade. I might make it again in a fancier fabric, or just get lazy and wear the one I already have and then try to match a jacket with it.
I have a lot to think about! And then make a decision! Then fabric shopping!
Posted in Knitting
Tagged butterick, cocktail, colette, colettepatterns, dresses, handmade, holiday, newlook, parties, projectrunway, reunion, sanfrancisco, sewing, sewingmachine, simplicity, vogue
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
Jean Chung Designs at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique
I was basically stuck in my studio all day today, putting finishing touches on my show tomorrow at Laguna Beach Holiday Boutique!
As promised, I will also be taking orders for those of you who want to give custom made knitwear to your loved ones, or for yourself!
I’ll be taking cash, credit card (visa, mastercard, american express, discover), and paypal.
See you there!
Jean
