A handknitted vintage cardigan

A while ago I knit this sweater from a vintage pattern I found in my mother’s fabulous stash of patterns. It’s made from Rowan’s (now discontinued,) “Lurex Shimmer.” The yarn has a soft, lovely hand feel, and the copper color is particularly pretty. Lately I am wearing it with old, worn jeans and am searching for the pattern as I want to knit it again, this time in a super fine, pale pink, merino wool.
My mom, by the way, is an incredible knitter. I have many sweaters, ski sweaters, vests, hats, and various pullovers, that she has made for me over the years. Each stitch is beautifully, evenly formed with great skill. One of my favorite things to do is to browse through her pile of knitting patterns and books, of which she has gathered a personal and richly diverse collection. I know each one by heart, and they all have associations and memories. It’s similar to searching through a button box, and not unlike the intimate pleasure, of being with one’s own memories when one looks through a family photo album. Now, back to searching for that misplaced cardigan pattern!

Bandanna and rhinestones

Pretty rhinestone jewelry passed from my Great Aunt Rose to my Mom and now to me, are so gorgeous - and wishing to wear them with a casual style that suits today, that's not retro - inspired me to edge another scarf, as I continue to update my scarf drawer with decorative crocheted edgings... ...this time, it's a cotton bandanna edged with a sparkly crocheted frill, worn with a black leather biker jacket and all the rhinestone glitter.

Pretty Scarf with a Crocheted Edging

I am crazy about scarves and shawls and rarely leave the house without (at least) one in tow. I collect them, make them and re-design them. They are a way to enjoy patterns and textures with individual style ... and on this cold winter day, I’m huddled inside and inspired to add some newness into my wardrobe so I’m making scarves with lavish edgings. I've lined up a row of scarf projects along the carpet to plow through and fortunately I have finished the first one and have an event tonight, so I will wear it out -- instant gratification!
"Pretty Scarf with a Crocheted Edging" was actually in my fabric pile and started as an unfinished piece of printed vintage organza from either the 50s or the 60s. The flowers and colors are romantic, so I choose a yarn for the crocheted edging in that spirit - a multi colored sock yarn in a softly blending shade. Here are the How-To-Steps:
Materials:
Printed silk organza yardage (about a 30” (76 cm) square)
Silk thread in a shade that blends with silk organza
A ball of stocking weight yarn that looks wonderful with your material (I used “Regia”, color 5264, 50g, 125 m from Schachenmayr, 75/25 wool/poly)
A small crochet hook of suitable size for the yarn you choose
Basic sewing supplies

How to:
Machine zig-zag all around the outer edge of the silk organza fabric with silk thread (or even better, hand roll the edges).

Establish a working edge by hand sewing a row of blanket stitches all around the edge with the silk thread.

Press.

Make a row of single crochet stitch, working one stitch into each blanket stitch.

(Here is a photo of the work in progress, plopped onto another one of my friends' whimsical Memphis platters.)

Then ...just add a lush crocheted edge until you have used up your ball of yarn. Choose an edging that suits your experience and timeline. I would have loved to have created something very elaborate but time and ability led me to what I did, which is to create little arches by chaining a length of 5 (the next row 6 stitches, followed by 7 stitches) of length, that I caught in place by inserting into the next loop.

Finish loose threads with a few extra stitches, clip and steam edging as needed.

Knit hats with leftover yarns

I knitted up a bunch of hats to gift friends and family, in combinations of my leftover yarns -- angora, mohair, cotton, worsted wool, silk, nubs, everything soft, cuddly and appealing, pastels, brights, heathers, etc., … a textured smorgasbord of fun. The pattern is variations of the "Honey Bear Hat" by Laurie Kimmelstiel in "Exquisite Little Knits". Laurie has continually inspired me with her joy over gorgeous yarns, patterns and hand crafted needles --- and hats, just to watch as she knits a hat is gorgeous!