Pretty New Hats!

Today I was feeling creative!  I had some extra yarn and it has been raining non-stop here in Sevilla and I was inspired to make something gold and cream.  I chose a yarn I had been waiting to use that is cream with gold metallic weaved in.  For the flower, a rose, I used a taupe brown (the same as from my new fringe blankets).  I'm really into nuetral colors right now if you couldn't tell! 

I wanted this hat to be girly and vintage looking, something you might see in an Anthropologie or a cute antique shop.  I used a special kind of shell stitch to achieve this and chose a rose to add that vintage flair.  I also gave the rose two little leaves which I thought went well. 

I think this hat looks very christmas/new years!  It would be so cute worn during all of those parties this season!

To the left is a picture of the work in progress hat and the yarn I used for the main color!  Side note: Does anyone know how to get the timestamps off of a camera?  It has been a real pain to me, especially since it is most definitely not 2007. 

Here are some pictures of the finished product!  I'm looking for a photographer to take a picture of this one!  The sample is a newborn size and if you're interested, you can convo me on Etsy.  I'd be willing to offer a refund in exchange for some usable pictures. 

If you are interested in this hat you can find it here in my Etsy shop!  Vintage Holiday Glamour Hat

Fringe Blankets!

Yesterday I pulled out a gorgeous taupe color that I had purchased because of the way it matched this cream/gold eylelash yarn that I also liked.  Until now, I hadn't come up with anything to do with it.  While staring at the gorgeous ball of yarn, an idea came to me!  A fringed baby blanket to sell in my shop.

I have seen some other fringe blankets on Etsy and they are really adorable, but I haven't seen any in the colors I was hoping to use.  I decided mine would be in my typical mini blanket size, 21x21 inches with a dramatic 8 inch fringe.  One thing I really love about knitting a crochet for newborns is that everything, next to them, is so much more dramatic.  Chunky yarns seem so much chunkier, tiny blankets seem large and drapey, everything has that cute oversized quality that looks so adorable on infants.  

So I chose crochet for this blanket and I did a plain 21x21inch square in a triple crochet. I did a single crochet with large bobbles border all around.  Then I spent a few hours cutting the yarn for the fringe into the right lengths and attatched it all around.  To the left is a picture of me attatching the fringe in the "salon" at my Senora's house here in Spain.  Notice all the 70's furniture and the trinkets galore! :)

These fringe blankets are now for sale in my Etsy shop!    Click here to see the listing!  If you are a photographer, you've got to pick one up!  They drape so nicely and look so adorable in a bowl or as a backdrop!

Here's some more pictures of fringey things to keep you thinking!

This beautiful scarf is by VintageGardenKnits on Etsy

This gorgeous necklace by Lilianasterfield on Etsy

I just LOVE this Vintage Slip Makeover!  By PinkPurse on Etsy.

The Scrap Sweater

Ever since browsing a Desigual in the Barcelona airport a few weeks ago, I have been obsessed with the thought of patchwork.  Now I know what you're thinking, patchwork can be lameness x 1000.  But somehow, walking through aisles and aisles of tastefully done and yes even fashionable patchwork, I was hooked. 

Since that day I have worked tirelessly on a patchwork sweater that I hope will be bright enough to be fun and toned down enough to be practical.  So far, I'm in love with the way it looks and am quite hopeful that it will have been an excellent use of those final scraps which I can't seem to part with, and worth all the time and trouble of stitching together about 100 patches of different shapes. 

Here is the original design sketch I made.  I chose yarn in a variety of bright colors: mostly red, lavender, and blues, with a large running whip stitch of gold throughout.  For the cuffs, hem, collar, and belt, I chose a topey brown color. 

Today I finished rough stitching with the gold thread and put all the pieces together. I also added the cuffs and collar.  I'll be putting up pictures as soon as I finish the final sewing of all the patches!

In the meantime, here are some pictures of cool patchwork to get you thinking! 

This BEAUTIFUL coat made by BrendaAbdullah on Etsy.  Check her out!

ADORABLE Patchwork Baby Bag by SnuggyBaby on Etsy

This adorable pillow is so fantastic!  By ThePinkPalace on Etsy

Be sure to check out my Etsy shop for anything you might possibly need for cute babies!
Amber Michelle Wilson Hand Knit