knit

hooded scarf knitting project: part 2

First three stitches of the scarf - KnitKnit Hooded Scarf project

Knitting the scarf for the KnitKnit Hooded Scarf

Next up for my Hooded Scarf Project was the scarf section. Having completed the hood in a surprisingly short timeframe, I now felt like a pro...

winter wear: artish

Green Sprout Hat and Bouquet Arm Warmers by Artish

Green Sprout Hat (left, USD $35) and Bouquet Arm Warmers (right, USD $65) by Artish

I hope you have enjoyed our little "winter wear" series of posts :) Lucky last is a collection of colourful creations made by Leticia Maguire for her label, Artish. Leticia wants to make fashion personal, and both her online store and Etsy store are bursting with one-of-a-kind handmade scarves, hats, arm & leg warmers, and more... By the way, Leticia has just announced a massive sale with 50% off everything for the month of September! (So, take 50% off the prices listed on our image captions.)

Rose Cowl and Lion Tamer Scarf by Artish

Rose Cowl (left, USD $50) and Lion Tamer Scarf (right, USD $45) by Artish

I LOVE the colours Leticia weaves together, especially in the Lion Tamer Scarf pictured above. Vibrant colours can really seem to make your skin glow... I usually wear fairly dark clothes, so for me, accessories like scarves & gloves are ideal for adding just a small dose of "bright" into an outfit.

Red Basketweave Cowl & Wrist Warmers and Tightrope Scarflette by Artish

Red Basketweave Cowl & Wrist Warmers (left, USD $70) and Tightrope Scarflette (right, USD $35) by Artish

Over time, Leticia has developed an appreciation for fiber, and how it can be used in so many ways. You can clearly see this in her creations - the small details & unique combinations weave her personality into the mix. She is especially delighted when the blend of textures and colours in the end result surprise her.

"It's a real pleasure to create something, and watch it go out into the world, knowing that it will transform and evolve along with the style of the person who is wearing it."

Solo Cowl/Head Thread & Chai Tea Scarflette by Artish

Solo Cowl/Head Thread (left, USD $30) and Chai Tea Scarflette (right, USD $40) by Artish

I will leave you with Leticia's cute description of herself (on her Etsy profile):
"I love things that go fast, just about anything that is red, old fashioned bicycles, a cup of tea. I'm not sure that I could live without a computer and the internet, and I certainly couldn't survive without something to create something else with. I can't help tapping my toes to a catchy tune, and can't resist hot chips. I'm perpetually searching for the perfect handbag."

You can read more about Leticia's handmade knitted accessories on her web site (and online store) at www.artish.com.au or on her blog at www.artishhandmade.blogspot.com. You can also find Artish in the following retail stores:
NSW: Newcastle Regional Art Gallery (Newcastle)
VIC: in.cube8r (Fitzroy)
ONLINE: whipit australia

winter wear: melpdesigns

Arm and nose warmers by melpdesigns

Extra Long Ribbed Slouch Fingerless Mittens - Dusty Pink (left, USD $35) and Nozy Nose Warmer (right, USD $5) by melpdesigns crochet

These handmade accessories by melpdesigns crochet are almost too cute. For only USD $5 you can keep your nose toasty warm AND confuse your cat to no end! (Those kitties are easily confused!) Designer Mel Paton is a full-time school teacher and crochet designer from Perth. She loves the hobby which brings her so much "enjoyment and respite from the stresses of everyday life and my day job".

Knitted hats by melpdesigns

Feather Soft Chunky Beanie Hats - Pistacio with Gray Flower (left, USD $18) and Charcoal Gray with Flower (right, USD $18) by melpdesigns crochet

Sweet colour combos and details such as vintage buttons bring a warmth to Mel's designs as well as the people who wear them. These chunky beanie hats each have their own personalities. Mel is passionate about making, buying & selling handmade goods & believes that "buying ethically can really make a difference in the world". I'm sure we all agree with that!

Knitted owl beanie and gloves by melpdesigns

Owl Beanie - Babies, Kids & Adult Sizes (left, USD $24) and Fingerless Mittens - Grey with Wrist Strap and Recycled Buttons (right, USD $23) by melpdesigns crochet

This wide-eyed Owl Beanie comes in both kids' and adults' sizes so all you need is to be young at heart... melpdesigns crochet is available from Mel's Etsy store, www.melpdesigns.etsy.com, and you can find her blog at www.melpdesigns.blogspot.com. By the way, Happy Birthday Mel!

winter wear: sheeps clothing

Knitted hat by Sheeps Clothing

Pure Wool Beanie with Detachable Flower (was USD $27, now USD $19 for a limited time) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

Since I've spent the last couple of days shivering & freezing, I decided to put together a wish list of winter woolies and cosy clothing that I would like to wear right now, all at once! (As well as a bundle of knits for the whole family - like the sweetest little girl with the cream woollen beanie above.) I went 'virtual shopping' at Etsy and spied treasures from six different Australian sellers: Sheeps Clothing from Melbourne, Heidi and Seek from Melbourne, Me and Tex from Sydney, Lyptis from Melbourne, melpdesigns from Perth and Gaye Abandon from Melbourne (I love her motto, "Remember: belly warm = body warm").

Throughout the next week, I'll be posting my favourite winteries from these lovely labels, so make sure to stay tuned!

Knitted scarflettes by Sheeps Clothing

Vintage Button Scarflette in Pure Wool (left, USD $36) and Pure Wool Scarflette (right, USD $30) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

Sheeps Clothing offers a gorgeous range of hand knitted accessories in colours and sizes to suit everybody. Each one is slightly different and made to order, specially for you. I really love the vintage button detail on the scarfette above left - and the design looks particularly warm too!

Every item in the Sheeps Clothing range of hats, scarves and hair accessories is lovingly created using 100% Australian pure wool. If you don't see the size or colour you are looking for, just contact them with a custom order...

Knitted hairclips and hat by Sheeps Clothing

Set of Two - Sweet Knitted Flower Hair Clips with Fabric Backing (left, USD $7) and Pure Hand Dyed Wool Beanie (right, USD $27) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

When Stacey's boys were babies, she began searching for high quality, great looking knitwear for them, with little luck. Since she comes from a long line of knitters, she began knitting beanies and scarves herself, and experimented with different types & styles. The comments & compliments convinced Stacey to take the next step and launch her own label - and so, in 2007, Sheeps Clothing was born.

Since then the range has been expanded to include adult sizing and a beautiful new range of vintage button accessories. We're excited to hear that the label will be expanding and even exporting to the USA this year!

Knitted hats by Sheeps Clothing

Pure Wool Open Knit Hat with Flower (left, adult size, was USD $29, now USD $20 for a limited time) and Pure Wool Beanie with Detachable Flower Feature (right, child/teen sizes, USD $27) from Sheeps Clothing's Etsy store

Stacey is passionate about teaching young people to knit and has a series of workshops planned for 2009 to hopefully introduce a lifelong love of the craft.

Find out more about Sheeps Clothing at:
the web site www.sheepsclothing.com.au
the blog www.sheepsclothingknits.blogspot.com
and of course, the store www.sheepsclothing.etsy.com

Sheeps Clothing is stocked in the following retail stores in Australia:
VIC: Kids in Berlin (North Melbourne), Little by Little (Black Rock & Hampton), Meet Me at Mikes (Fitzroy), My Poppet (Caulfield South), Noah's Aeroplane (South Yarra), The Owl and The Pussycat (Sandringham) and Scadoodle (Southgate & Melbourne)
SA: Bimbo (Adelaide)
WA: Red Feathers & A Hula Skirt (Melville)
ONLINE: Leeloo.

felt & wool

Labmswool Hood and Felt Satchel by Elk Accessories

These beautiful, simple designs from Elk Accessories will match those grey winter days perfectly. Elk designers Adam and Marnie use fine quality raw materials sourced from all over the world to produce their comfortable + stylish accessory ranges each season. I spied the elk-themed Lambswool Hoodie (AUD $99) and Lambswool Hottie Cover & Hot Water Bottle (AUD $85) in Pentimento, Newtown a couple of weeks ago & fell in love with the whole Winter Textiles range when I visited their web site at www.elkaccessories.com.au.

Each of the products pictured is available in both grey or charcoal, with the Felt Satchel (AUD $55) also available in chocolate. I just love the sense of balance created by the stitching detail across the front of the Satchel. The Lambswool Blanket (AUD $270) is truly something special - soft & warm with a gentle square patterned texture.

Felt Hottie and Lanbswool Blankets by Elk Accessories

Elk is based in Melbourne, and (lucky for us all) is stocked by independent retailers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Australian stockists include some of the following:

NSW - Pentimento (Newtown), Split Watermelon Design (Surry Hills), Plane Tree Farm (Double Bay), Lilifields (Paddington) & Stem (Balmain).
VIC - Luft (North Fitzroy), Belki (North Carlton), Hub (City), Husk (City, Albert Park & Hawkesburn Village). WA - Empire (Osborne Park).
QLD - Olive Home (City, Paddington), Kova (Fortitude Valley).
ACT - Don't Tell Phyllis (Kingston).
SA - Uccello (Murray Bridge).
TAS - La Cigale (Launceston).

P.S. I especially love greys due to the wonderful variations of almost-colour in my grey tabby's coat. Fellow cat-people can glimpse his beauty at www.meanderings.com.au!

wallets & winteries

Postcard Wallet by Gaye Abandon

These funky handmade Postcard Wallets are the signature range of Melbourne label Gaye Abandon. Growing up in New Zealand, designer Gaye Naismith was always surrounded by sewing, crafts and fabrics, and over the years has collected a wonderful array of vintage fabrics from which she creates her wallets, purses and clothing range. Each wallet is a one-off with fancy stitching, sturdy construction and a layer of protective clear plastic to ensure longevity. Wallets are available from AUD $60, and purses from AUD $25.

Stitching detail on blue arm warmers by Gaye Abandon

Just looking at these Tubeway Armies makes me feel warm & snug. I just love the stitching detail on the pair pictured above! These armies are from the original range of Body Parts brought about by the collaboration of Gaye Abandon and Textile Allsorts. The range transforms recycled, felted wool jumpers into original winter accessories. New this season is the 'warm stripes' range featuring armies, midriff warmers and leg warmers with cuffs, headbands and scarflets coming soon! RRP for the armies is AUD $33. Gaye Abandon products are available from stockists throughout Victoria, NSW, ACT and online at www.georgielove.com. For more info visit the Gaye Abandon web site at www.gayeabandon.com.

Arm warmers by Gaye Abandon

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