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Date Night
Combine
high-sheen fabrics, delicate ruffles, and a light feminine cardigan for
a sizzling night out. Clockwise from top left: Silk + Pearls Clutch (Stitch, Fall 2010), Ribbon Wrap Dress (Stitch, Spring 2009), Audrey's Cardigan (Knits, Spring 2010).
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Mix + Match
Once
you start making things for yourself, it's really hard to keep your
interests to just one craft area. I'm a textile dabbler myself, and
though I'm not an expert in any area, I've tried my hand at knitting,
crochet, spinning, weaving, surface design, and lots of other things in
addition to sewing.
Around the Interweave office, many people are multi-crafters. It's easy to get excited about different crafts when you're surrounded by creative people with varied interests.
But I was surprised to realize that my multi-crafting might not be
solely caused (though it sure is encouraged!) by my work environment.
In our recent Stitch reader survey, we learned that among other things (like crocheting, jewelry making, and drawing), the majority of Stitch readers also knit! It's good to know that I'm not alone when I just can't turn down a new craft pursuit.
I
think developing varied crafting techniques is a natural progression.
Once you realize the creative possibilities that open up to you when you
begin sewing, suddenly you can't help but look at other things the same
way. I'd love a light spring cardigan, but I can't quite find what I
want at the store-if I can sew a skirt for myself, why can't I knit my
own accessories, too!?
When
I'm shopping in a store, I tend to choose pieces that go together,
whether I'm buying something to complement an outfit in my closet or
choosing a set of home decor accents that I know will live in the same
room.
Unlike
with shopping, however, I don't really plan crafting projects that go
together. I see a skirt I like, I make it. Cool scarf? I'm casting on
with no thought about what I'll wear with it! This gets me into a bit of
trouble when I want to wear things I've made but I'm not quite sure how
to combine all my disparate projects.
I took a look through copies of Stitch, as well as issues of our sister publication Interweave Knits for some great project combinations. Hopefully these sew/knit combo ideas will inspire you to look at coordinating your various crafting hobbies in a new light!
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Go Global
Rich colors and ethnic-inspired patterns make for an exotic retreat. Clockwise from top left: Moroccan Pouf (Stitch, Fall 2009), India Cotton Duvet Cover + Pillow Shams (Stitch, Fall 2009), Fair Isle Pillows (Knits, Spring 2004).
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Are
you a knitting stitcher? How do you combine sewn and knitted projects?
Share your tips in the comments! And if you need a cover-up project to
go with the new spring sundress you just made, check out Interweave Knits and explore the stitch/knit possibilities!
Happy stitching!
