Hot Off The Sticks
January 30, 2019
And, just in time for the arrival of the Polar Vortex. Purl Soho’s Swath Wrap knit up in their Flax Down and Linen Quill yarns. That color? True Turquoise. This modern combination of Merino Wool, Baby Alpaca and Linen should take the bite out of this Winter deep freeze. Bundle up people.
photos:gp
Free pattern and bundled yarns can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/09/05/swath-wrap/
A Little Magic
January 23, 2017
The simple twist of a basic knit stitch and your resulting textile looks decidedly woven. The magic that is this Plaited Throw by Purl Soho might be just what’s needed to tide you through the last weeks of Winter. The pattern and step by step instructions are free, so all you have to do is select your fiber and grab your sticks.
Purl Soho’s Linen Quill in kettle Black…a fine wool, alpaca and Linen blend, would be my simplequietmodern choice.
all photos: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2017/01/13/plaited-throw/
There’s Still Time
December 15, 2016
While there’s still time to make that online purchase and receive it before Christmas, you might consider whipping something up yourself. This knit body mitt can be completed in a couple of hours and would be a great stocking stuffer, small gift when paired with a handmade soap or a little personal indulgence. Sitting down to a bit of knitting zen couldn’t hurt either as things ramp up to the big day.
Top to bottom:
Linen Body Washcloth by Fog Linen at Need Supply Co. Photos:http://needsupply.com/linen-body-wash-cloth.html
Purl Soho Cotton Pure in Black Sand Photo: https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/cotton-pure.html
This near black cotton from Purl Soho is a perfect choice if you’re knitting it up yourself. And, it’s available in over forty colors. Simple put, cast on to knit up a rectangle 12″ wide and knit until you reach ten inches. Cast off, fold in half, seam up the side and close one end. I’d suggest a simple pattern of k 1 p 1 across and k all the way back…you’ll end up with a rib on one side and a pebbled texture on the reverse. Done.
Small Gifts
December 15, 2015
Small gifts always seem to make the best gifts. You are thought of fondly by the recipient with every use. Better yet, small gifts don’t need to break the bank to make a lasting impression. Here are a few simplequietmodern suggestions should your shopping list have a few entries that need to be checked off. There’s still time…get crackin.
Conifer chart tea towels ensure one won’t run out of evergreens during the holidays. And, if you help cleaning up as well the cook will love them even more. Photo: http://www.shopterrain.com/best-bets/conifer-chart-tea-towel
This natural birch muddler will make short work of prepping the next Mojito, Cuba Libre or Mint Julep.photo: http://www.cb2.com/wood-muddler/s552025
A pinch of salt is always at hand in this small ramekin in linen from Heath Ceramics.photo: http://www.heathceramics.com/small-ramekin
A pair of fingerless mitts will be a welcome gift that you made yourself. There’s still plenty of time to crank out a few pair with the pattern found here. This photo: gp http://www.afriendtoknitwith.com/2008/09/toasttoasty.html
If you don’t know a baker who needs one, you might gift yourself this modern take on the classic bundt pan from Nordic Ware. The bundt might just be the new cupcake. photo:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/heritage-bundt-cake-pan/?cm_src=AutoRel
It’s not a sweater, but it’s a start. 100% cashmere that looks like it was spun right off the goat. photo:http://www.purlsoho.com/newoooh.html
Like It or Not
October 20, 2015
Well, I’m ” falling” into it without a fight. Fall that is. It’s been so much like Summer I had forgotten all about the change in seasons until today. Like someone flipping a switch the sky has grayed, the breeze has cooled and leaves have gone all red and golden. There is simplequietmodern Autumn inspiration around every turn.
Photos: gp
Sidetracked
July 24, 2014
I thought I was zeroing in on the beginning of something big when I was sidetracked taking a shortcut through the garden center at Home Depot. Could a simple ball of sisal twine slam on the creative breaks and start me turning in another direction. Apparently it can…I’m a sucker for any type of natural cord. You name it…jute, sisal, hemp…I like them all. It wasn’t long before a test swatch was produced and then another…first on its own, then knit together with my homespun newsprint yarn. Stay tuned.
Just in Case
May 21, 2014
It’s always good to have an alternate plan. So as I anticipate the upcoming holiday weekend I have put into place Plan B…just in case. A little inspiration from a modernist weaving by textile artist Anni Albers and a few skeins of pima cotton have me set and ready to go should the weather take an unpleasant turn.
top photo via http://blueberrymodern.tumblr.com/
Koishe one
January 26, 2014
Like raked gravel in a zen garden, this project was a study in calm. Koishe one is done. What could have been balls of black linen yarn sitting indefinitely until inspiration struck, this modern knit linen blanket almost rose on it’s own from the remnants of the aborted sweater project from last fall. It seems that once the yarn was doubled and a suitable stitch pattern revealed itself, it was all done except for the knitting. And, the pattern being what it was, that went quickly as well. The end result was even better than I had imagined; beautiful hand , weight and drape with a richly textured bobble on one side reversing to a deep ridge on the other. I’m starting to think that this is what that yarn wanted to be all along. I should have known. What could be more simplequietmodern than a black linen blanket?
Home Stretch
November 20, 2013
Eighteen hundred yards in and a few hundred more to go before binding off, it’s nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And, with the holidays drawing nearer, it’ll be nice to have this off the sticks. I gotta say, it’s a big thick lapful of linen blanket…and it’s shown folded in half.
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