Crochet, Fashion & Embroidery at PMA

Yesterday, we spent the day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and I came back home inspired and energized.   The daydreams exhibition by Marcel Wanders and the Bermise Kantha exhibit were high on the list of must sees, as well as the Inspiring Fashion exhibit of some well known designers.

I was unable to take a picture of the crochet chair and topiery in the daydreams exhibit, but there is a link for you to view Marcel Wanders: Daydreams that will give you an idea of the astounding chair.  If you are in the area, it's a must see.

Get your fashion fix for the day by visiting Inspiring Fashion: Gifts from Designers Honoring Tom Marotta.  Teeny tiny modelkins with teeny tiny waists, but still we drool over the gowns because, for most of us, this is as close as we will ever get to Haute couture.  Fashionistas, Tim Gunn would be proud of you for trekking to the museum in your Jimmy Choos, but you may want to opt for more comfortable shoes.

Kantha: The Embroidered Quilts of Bengal from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz and the Stella Kramrisch Collections  and Embroidered Quilt image.

They also have very manly man exhibts like Horse and Man Armors which I found to be an amazing and extensive collection.  There's fabric and mesh included with the armor and is a reminder of the origins of textile and the influence and importance of needlework and  fabric in history. This is an ongoing exhibit.

There's a lot to see at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and I hope you will put it on your list of museums to visit.  Take a visit to your local museum and reconnect with the past.  You may be surprised at what you discover.  There could be something knitty that you overlooked.   A blast from the past could inspire you.

Marg (taking one step back to the past, and two steps toward the future)

The Art of Kantha Embroidery


Handbook of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Trendy Trip into the Knit Zone!

It's only July, but Fall is coming soon, and knitters and crocheters are already thinking ahead to the next fashion trends, textures and colorways.

Some sites to get your mouth watering and your fingers tingling are listed below. You will find some downloads, knitworthy information on textures, colors as well as inspiration for what's ahead. Many of the trends translate well for knitwear so enjoy your trendy trip into the knitzone.

Access Fashion Knitting and Crochet

Glamour Fashion

2009/2010 Men's Sweaters

Million Looks Hats and fashion trends from around the world

Suite 101

Fashion Trendsetter

Enjoy your fashion fix for today and look forward to your knit/crochet future.

Marg

NOT YOUR MOTHER'S BAD PLAID

Thinking about fall, for me, means taking a good look at the trends in fashion and how they relate to knitted or crocheted garments.
So far it looks like the key words are:

tonal

metallic

feminine

texture in fabric (aka nubby knitting or textured yarn)

Accessorize with snazzy newsboy caps, long paten leather gloves (shiney or metallic) and wide fashion belts with fashionista buckles. The waistline is back! Knit 1 for the Road offers Belts are Back! pattern on page 23 - on sale now, with free shipping on margknittinaround.

Car coats in plaid in gray, black and red as well as solid colors are all the rage. Belted sweaters are also an option.

Look at the overall shapes of the garments and choices of colors and how they can be knitted. This is when a little bit of sewing/pattern experience really comes in handy. Find knitting and crochet patterns in Fall issues of all your favorite knit/crochet magazines if you aren't into experimenting with your own patterns yet.

Dive into fall fashion and keep an eye on trends to keep your knitting and crochet projects fresh and new every year, expand your skills and push your own fashion boundaries!

Knit-Share-Go!
Marg

Knit 1 for the Road Knitting Kits now on margknittinaround on Etsy!

KNIT IN STYLE WITH MARY CORRIGAN DESIGNS

Put your needles together for

Mary Corrigan Designs on Etsy!

This is the go to shop for bags, etc with fashion and creative flair.
Mary, an experienced interior designer and seamstress, brings her creativty and excellent skills to each of her designs. Who better than Mary to tell her story... so here it is in a nutshell and in her own words...

I found myself swimming in yards and yards of fabric; fabric memos, sample cuts, remnants. So…what to do with this stash? Why, sew handbags for my friends and family and create the most unique luggage tags imaginable! I have since left the design world and have taken over my college professor husband's office and transformed it into a great sewing studio.

Now isn't that a great way to handle a stash-a-roo?
You will fall in love with her scrappy key tags, tags, totes, and accessory cases....which are all fabulous items for knitting and crocheting.

I especially loved the Daisy Butter Tote which I loaded up with knitty goodness and hit the road with last weekend. I included one of her adorable accessory cases which was roomy and had a zipper to keep all of my stitch markers, needles, etc secure.

Each piece is well sewn and sturdy and made with great attention to detail...and my order came super quick! ;) There is something for everyone and a price that fits every budget. I especially like the monogrammed tags and accessory bags for gifts.

VISIT Mary Corrigan Designs for fun, fashion, and gifts for everyone on your list!

Knit-Share-Go!
Marg

PANORAMA OF CLORAMA FOR SPRING & FALL 2008

If you're like me - you are probably looking toward fall for the latest on color for your projects...but you're also knitting in the NOW and want to use colors that are currently on the scene. Soooooooo , here we go - two links that will help you with color dilemmas for spring/summer, and fall 2008. Enjoy the panorama of colorama! Marg
SPRING 2008

AND

FALL 2008

BACK TO THE KNITTING AT HAND...

Today I'd like to return to the land of knitting and cool knitting stuff.
If you love the beautiful scenery in films made in New Zealand, than you will be mad for Stephanie Quattrini's designs and kits. I was cruising through one of my favorite yarn sites, Yarn Market after seeing their add for one of Stephanies's Kits - gorgeous bag kit actually rated as skill level EASY in the August 08 issue of Knit 'N Style.

The colors, patterns and textures are very artistic and attainable by mere mortals like ourselves. I especially like the concept of her Freeform Bag Kit, which allows you to become the artist by the placement of embellishments and the use of both knitting and crochet. So many kits leave the creative side of your brain empty and your task oriented side overflowing...resulting in knitter burn out and lack of motivation to finish your project. Not so with Stephanie's kits. I hope you will take a moment away from your knitting/crocheting to visit her online for a breath of fresh New Zealand air - Breathe Deep Everyone as my friend Lyn is famous for saying!

Knit-Share-Go!
Marg

UPCOMING INFO!!!

Knit 1 for the Road (coming to Amazon)

MixTapeZine check out issue 4 which is out now!
I just got an article accepted in this hip & hapnin' craft zine and will post which issue as soon as I hear ;)

CRL season 2 is coming to a your ipods soon.

Check out the Hive! The place for fashion and style.

Do you Twitter? Follow knit1fortheroad on Twitter.