Classy knit bags

Who said that knitted bags need to be boho-style? These bags are classy and knit, I like!
Especially the first one, a Dolce & Gabana:

Knits I luuuuve

The pictures says it all, I dream of having these in my closet... Hey just realized that they're all yellow!

Just beautiful knits

Ian Mosh

unknown

Yumiko ISa

Knitted art

Knitted art from San Fransisco based artist Sarah Applebaum. Well, there is always something to knit...

Pictures from her website.

A big warm hug

is what I think of when I see this piece of art. From the collection "More or Less" by Nanna van Blaaderen.

Sleepy monkeys

It's already April and I realize that I didn't have any "Interview of the month" in March. Sorry about that but it has just been too busy! .But there is certainly no shortage of inspiring designers, knitters or fibre artists out there. Here is one that I would like to share with you right away: Mary Ann Stephens has been knitting since she was five and sort of specialize in Norweigan and Fair Isle designs and seems to always knit in multiple colours. She runs kidsknit.com and have had designs published in Twist Collective and Vogue Knitting.

Just look at that beautiful Rosalia Kimono! You can buy her patterns on her website and on Ravelry and she also shares her inspiration sources for her designs on her blog Two Strands.

Another of her designs that I really love is the Sleepy Monkey Blanket. It's a reversible stranded baby blanket that you can make in several colourways. On her blog she even have listed several charts with alternate colourways for you to choose from, most of them unisex. Every baby should have a blanket like this! And it seems so fun to knit... Alas, if I only had the time.

Vogue Knitting Fashion Preview Spring/Summer

Ok, I know that this issue is already on sale in the US but here in Sweden we always have to wait for treats like knitting magazines. After seeing the preview for this issue, I'm not sure it will be worth the wait though... maybe I'll skip the magazine and wait for the occasional pattern sale on the website to get a couple of single patterns online. Here are some of the models...

 Project Runway is one of my favorite shows and I even watch the reruns when I get a chance. I remember the season when Irina Shabayeva won. She had some awesome knitwear in her winning collection, garments that managed to look classy even if they were in bulky wool. So to see the three patterns that Irina contributed with in this issue is a bit of a disappointment. I can't imagine anyone wanting to either to knit or wear them actually. Will be interesting to see if there will be any projects listed on Ravelry out of them. I might be wrong!

 This top is cute. I like that it cooperates different stitch patterns. By Wenlan Chia, always an interesting designer in my opinion.

 Exquisite lace wrap! 

 Pretty top. I can imagine it being even sheerer than this for a romantic layered look.

Interesting take on this cardi, especially in the back. Not sure what I think of it though....

Is there any pattern in this issue that you fancy or are planning to make?

Vogue knitting fashion preview

I LOVE when I receive a mail from Vogue Knitting in my inbox that says something about "Fashion Preview". It's just so exciting to see what patterns that will be published in the next issue. I usually find something that I just have to knit right this instant. But the truth is, the last few issues have been a bit dissapointing. In this latest issue for example, the winter 11/12 issue, I found NOTHING that I love. OK, I like some of them but not enough to actually buy the magazine. These are the ones I like. And one that I really don't.

This cardigan has a nice vintage style cut to it. Like.

 

Nice cables on this one. This cardi would go with everything.

Simple yet fun cut. Can imagine it in a super super soft cosy yarn.

This one is awful! What's up with the sleeves?? It looks like her arm has come off.

Looking ahead

2012 is just around the corner. I think more and more about my hopes and goals for the next year. I also think about what patterns I want to make. I always feel immensely inspired by "Tim-Burtonesque"-clothing and the wardrobe by the talented and award-winning costume designer Collen Atwood. For instance, the wardrobe of the movie Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I ask myself, what kind of knitwear would these kids wear?

Not your grandma's knitting

I came across Sandra Backlund years ago by chance when I was browsing the net and my heart literally stopped. Talk about designing outside the box! Years later I still never get tired of looking at her creations. They are amazing, amazing AMAZING! She is truly my knit designer goddess and a never ending source of inspiration. Maybe "knit designer" is too small a word for her. She's a true artist. Yes, there are many very skillful designers out there but, hand on your heart, how often is it that you see a design that really blow your socks off? Love.