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Saturday, November 24, 2018

Ideas from the past

I find the aesthetic of a high cinched-in waist and a flared skirt (but not too flared, I don't particularly like the 1950s petticoat look) very visually pleasing and flattering on basically any body type.
For this reason, over the years, I have purchased several high waisted skirts both for summer and winter.
However, as I have been going through my wardrobe lately and letting go of items that are ruined or I find uncomfortable, I have come to realize that I don't enjoy wearing tops tucked into my skirts.
This is actually one of the positive effects of going through your clothes with a critical eye, you become more aware not only of what truly fits your style but also of what you actually enjoy wearing. Whenever I wear a top tucked in a skirt, I find myself constantly fidgeting and adjusting it throughout the day, which I find annoying resulting in me avoiding wearing the skirts altogether.
That is, until I was getting lost in the magical world of the internet going through images of vintage hand-knit items (an activity that I probably do more than is reasonable) and came across numerous images of beautiful cropped tops with cinched waistbands worn over skirts.


I had tried wearing longer sweaters over skirts in the past and cinching the waist in with a belt, and I while I did find the look pretty, it was also terribly uncomfortable, with the belt either tugging too tight at my waist (especially after lunch), or hanging loose in the front.
When I then tried wearing shorter sweaters over my skirts I realized it looked the way I wanted it to, and without all the fuss of a tucked-in top.
However, after seeing all these beautiful images I realized I could replicate the look in summer with short tops made out of cotton or silk-blend yarns. Also, I realized that making something with a tight, stretchy waistband and a drapier style on top will result in an even prettier silhouette.


I now have a milion ideas running around in my brain of hand-knit tops, sweaters and blouses I could make for myself or for the shop following this style. I love how this look is polished and classic and the right level of vintage-inspired that doesn't make it look like a costume.
I have to finish a few projects I currently have on my needles, but soon enough I will be casting on to make something like this, both for summer and for winter.

All images via.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

F.O.: Burgundy red A-line jacket

This A-line coat is another item I made with the yarn I bought a while back and mentioned here, and I have to say I love how it turned out. The yarn is a gorgeous bouclé wool made up of 70% organic wool and 30% alpaca and I wanted to make something that was classic but casual and slightly sixties without being too over the top.
If it looks slightly big on me in the pictures it is because it's a size L so the fit isn't perfect on me.
I love the burgundy/dark dusty pink color and I am so happy I found these perfectly matching plastic buttons, I think the contrast between the shiny buttons and the textured yarn works very well.
In general I think the coat turned out well, I can imagine it worn over a sweater and jeans with booties and a warm scarf for a walk in the city on a fall weekend.

As always, details on my Etsy page...






Sunday, March 18, 2018

Photoshoot

A few weeks ago, on a cold and wet Sunday afternoon, I met with the amazingly talented Maria Chiara Piglione and her gorgeous model Eleonora in a grand old industrial buiding (now used as an office) to work on a photoshoot with some of my handknit garments.
I had never seen what it's like to style and shoot an actual photoshoot, and it was so interesting to see someone who is a creative professional work with my items and create a vision, using the combination of model, garment and location to form an aesthetic that blends together her photography style, my design style and the model's beauty and presence.
I helped put together the looks but most of the time I just sat back and watched Maria Chiara and Eleonora at work, it was such a new and interesting experience for me and the results are absolutely stunning, here are some of my favorites...















Visit Maria Chiara's website to see more of her amazing work, or follow her on facebook or instagram...

Saturday, January 6, 2018

F.O.: Light gray sweater with lace panel

A few years ago I went with two friends up to northern Piedmont to enjoy the lake scenery and good food, and to buy amazing yarn at the company Manifattura Sesia which is based in the area.
This is the first sweater I made with the yarn I bought on that trip and it is one of those cases where I felt like keeping the sweater for myself.
But on the same day I bought a similar yarn in a creamy off-white color with which I am planning to make myself a similar version of this sweater but with a different neckline, I just have to find the time (and finish another sweater I am making for myself, because I need some discipline around here).

As always, details on my Etsy page...



Thursday, January 4, 2018

Happy 2018!

We rang in the new year at the seaside, watching the whole coast light up with fireworks all the way into the distance. It was raining and it was beautiful.
I am now back home working on a series of new projects and with a million ideas popping up in my brain.
I hope that 2018 will be the year where I get better at  managing my resources, be it time, money or mental energy.
What are your resolutions for 2018?

Manarola, Cinque Terre