Yarntopia

Most knitters (and crocheters) that I know want to make garments.  There is something magical about turning yarn into something that can be worn.  For some strange reason I recently had an epiphany.  Walking through an airport, I looked down at the sweater I was carrying and felt a sense of pride well up inside of me as I realized "I made this and I love it!"

I am in a constant struggle to identify my style, and to know what looks good on my body and dressing to reflect my true self.  Amy has helped a great deal because she notices how I carry myself when I dress a certain way. I knew she was right, but I always wanted to look or dress to fit a particular mold rather than relfecting myself.

This week I took an online fashion survey (lanebryant.com) which told me my style is "Fearlessly Confident, mostly Dramatic and Trendy with touches of Feminine and Casual."  Wow!  Who knew?  I have made it a point to dress accordingly this week and I have felt fabulous about myself.

So, now I am looking at their fashion suggestions and then turning to the knitting patterns to see how I can take this new information and knit according to my style.

I love to layer, specifically short over long, full over slim, long and slim over long and flowy.  I have to remember that I am only 4'11" so porportions are crucial to success or failure, especially with the long over long looks.  

My all time favorite garment is a cropped cardigan that I can throw on over nearly everything from camisoles to tunics.  Most ladies are concerned with the cropped cardis because they can accentuate the roundness of our middles.  I have been guilty of this, but have found that if I wear something loose and floaty under the cardigan and keep colors in the same family the look can work.

From the time I was a little girl I have loved clothes that twirl.  Long flowing skirts and cardigans fit into this category.  A loose, draped front cardigans layered over a slim sillouette of pants and a cami or t-shirt can be casual and comfy or dressy depending on colors, fibers, shoes and accessories. This combination gives a long, lean look that is universally flattering.

Tunics are another fashion staple for me.  I go against many of the "What Not To Wear" mantras here, but even at my age I love wearing tunics and leggings.  They work for my style and personality.  

Right now what I really want to make is a tunic.  The two I am considering are Maude and Leisl both from Cocoknits.

I am leaning towards Maude because it has a more fall look to it and the back is very cool.  Cocoknits patterns are fabulously stylish yet simple. They can be dressed up or worn casually.  The A line tunic from Knitting Pure and Simple also falls into this category (A lines are my friends!).  Even though the class didn't come together I still might make this great sweater.

These Knitting Pure and Simple patterns are all things that I can make work with my style:

Oat Couture is another line of simple designs that can be made to work with a variety of yarns and for many different styles.

Both of these simple sweaters from Oat Couture have always been favorites of mine.  They would be adorable over leggings or a full, swirly skirt.

Have I tempted you?  Encouraged you?  I hope so.  Come talk to Amy or me anytime and we would love to help you make your perfect sweater.