Preparing For Fall
I
love making my own clothes and accessories, and even though my primary
medium is sewing, I also knit. Not surprisingly, most of my friends that
sew also knit. When summer begins to wind down, my mind always turns to
starting new knitting projects so I can finish them in time for the
fall and winter months. Admittedly I am a slow knitter, so I need all
the lead time I can get!
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Gemini Cardigan by Katya Frankel.
Honeycomb Jacket by Laura Grutzeck.
Dahlia Cardigan by Heather Zoppetti.
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As I was leafing through the Fall issue of our sister publication, Interweave Knits,
I started thinking about how much cross-pollination there is between my
sewing and knitting. I am attracted to similar design elements in both
crafts-I love simplicity mixed with a clever twist and special design
details. So I borrow design ideas from knitting and apply them to my
sewing and vice versa.
Personally,
I'm way too impatient to knit an entire garment with an elaborate
stitch pattern. The comparative speed of sewing has spoiled me forever!
But I love knitting a sweater with simple stitching in the main body but
accented with textured stitches on the collar or hem border for a
special design touch. The Gemini Cardigan is a great
example of this-simple knitting with well-placed detailing. It's the
same way that I like to sew-taking classic shapes and personalizing them
with fun design details and finishing.
Sometimes
an unexpected twist on a timeless silhouette intrigues me enough to
want to make it. It doesn't always have to be complicated to be
interesting. Take the Honeycomb Jacket-a great twist on
the classic cardigan. The asymmetrical closure and double-knitted hems
and bands offer subtle design interest. And you can easily see how this
idea could be applied to a sewn jacket as well.
Drawing
attention to a focal area is another way to approach designs in both
mediums. I routinely buy specialty fabrics in small amounts to use as a
focal panel on the back of a jacket or the front of a shift dress. I
like knitting projects that use this same idea, plus I get to stretch my
knitting skills in a focal area while still keeping the project
manageable. I love the knitted lace panel in the back of the Dahlia Cardigan.
It's a great layering piece with awesome drape, and the panel makes it
supercool to make and wear. It's definitely going on my fall knitting
list!
If
I could take my sewing machine with me everywhere I go, I would. But
since I can't, my knitting projects keep me going when I'm sitting in
airports, doctor's offices, and hanging out with my family during the
holidays. And even though it's still warm outside, I have no problem
knitting by the pool! So let us know in the comments what other crafts
you do and how they inspire your sewing and have fun planning your fall
projects!
Happy sewing,
