Knock Off Late...

I was up until 2am this morning, determined to finish the Holly Fulton knock-off dress which has taken over my life the past week or so! I can't believe how poorly I've been looking after my flat and myself - the hoover filter was half full of dust and muck when I used it this morning, and my eyebrows were spreading way beyond their usual boundaries!!

At about midnight, following a late double-bill of NCIS, I completed the back:

I had no idea the picture was blurry when I took it - everything was blurry by then! But I pushed on, and managed to edge the neck, armholes and hemline before eventually giving in to sleep. Then, somehow, I woke up at 6am and managed to get up and finish binding the edges:



I just have to complete the 'necklace'. I'm relieved the dress is done, but surprised at how short it is - it felt a lot longer as I was knitting! The length is appropriate to the original, but still... It felt looooooong...

That's an £85 dress made with 200g yellow and 50g charcoal acrylic wool, which cost me less than £3.50. Imperfections abound, but at least it's an 'original' knock-off... ;)

Time to take a tidy break...

Wool used: Forsell Shamal DK Autumn Gold and Forsell Shamal DK Charcoal

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Knitting In Tuscany

I think I can understand why some people wrote negative reviews on Amazon for Knitting In Tuscany by Nicky Epstein. There's a lot of writing in this book which is more to do with travels in a foreign country than actual knitting, so if you're after a patterns book, this is bound to disappoint even if it does turn out the travel stuff is quite interesting. The pattern collection is also somewhat... eclectic. I think the most interesting item for me is the bride's dress - and that's unfortunately crochet! An interesting book... may be:

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Boutique Knits

I was fairly convinced, from the front cover that Boutique Knits (20 must have accessories) by Laura Irwin would just be hats, scarves, gloves and bags. But although 'accessories' make up the majority of this book, there are also a couple of lovely tops and, unlike most accessories books, these really are gorgeous, boutique pieces. I love the look of the softly pleated sleeves (all it takes is a little, pretty piece of lace trim!), and the Whisky felted hat looks a lot of fun. I think the only down side is I'm really not sure about my felting skills - I'm not sure I trust my washing machine... Great for inspiration though (click pics for larger view):

Knock-offs and Colour Palettes

I have finished the front of the knock-off Holly Fulton dress.

I think it looks alright - significantly different from the original, and it will hopefully look better when attached to the back and the edges have been tidied. Back is currently in progress. (On a technical note: I can't believe how many stitches I dropped and had to go back and pick up during plain stocking stitch!! I could understand it happening during complicated patterns, but ordinary, common-old stocking stitch?!?)

I also had one of the two new wool deliveries I've been waiting for today, extending my colour palette yet further:

I do have plans for all these wools, honest... So I suppose I really should get on with them, instead of buying too much stuff for my poor little flat's capacity...

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Vampire Knits

I wanted to love Vampire Knits by Genevieve Miller, I really did. I am, after all, a big fan of the novelty knit, and I used to watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer every week, until it got too confusing. But in the end, I only liked the book. The corset is beautiful, and definitely on my to-do list; the paw print gloves are quite sweet. But I'm not in a rush to make any of these items. A nice collection, definitely, but I'd like more of the gothic and less of the corny, personally (click pics for larger images):

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Romantic Hand Knits

I knew, the moment I saw the front cover of Romantic Hand Knits by Annie Modesitt, that I'd like it. And I wasn't disappointed as there are a lot of (well, 26) very pretty things in here. I'd especially love a go at the hats - they even have a section on millinery techniques! But above all else, those silk stockings are gorgeous:

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Pretty Knits

Pretty Knits by Susan Cropper is exactly what it says on the cover, so if you're not into girly flowers and lace and beads and ruffles, this is not for you. It does, however, have some lovely patterns, both clothes, accessories and furnishings. The only personal disappointment is there are not enough clothes patterns. Definitely some items worth looking at. It seems this book now has a different front cover from the one here (showing one of the very pretty shawls), which, as usual, makes it look a little uninteresting, but it really isn't:








Who wouldn't want a cupcake tea cosy??! ;)

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Modern Top Down Knitting

Another fairly plain front cover, but the insides of Modern Top Down knitting by Kristina McGowan are well worth a look. There are some really lovely dresses for starters, and the knitted jewellery is simple and pretty. I'm particularly keen to have a go at the Feather Dress, the Suspension Dress and the Annie Hat:

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Knitting It Old School - 43 Vintage-Inspired Patterns

Now, from the outside, Knitting It old School: 43 Vintage-Inspired Patterns by Stitchy McYarnPants (apparently) and Caro Sheridan looked like exactly what it says it is: vintage-inspired knitting patterns. Two things, however, disappointed me about this book: first, some of the patterns are actually crochet, not knitting (and there's even a sewing pattern in there too!); and secondly, their definition of 'vintage' is not always the same as mine. For me, vintage knitting is 1920s-50s. I can see that 60s and 70s might now be considered 'vintage' in the clothes stakes, but as I still dress in 60s-70s stuff, it isn't to me! Having said all that, there are 43 patterns in this book, which is a good load, and there are some really great pieces in the collections (I'm especially keen on the Star Trek style jumper, which also has a female knit version in the book), so this is still a book worth getting, if you're into (sort of) vintage with modern twists (click pics for larger images):

Knitting Book Reviews (in pictures): Japanese Inspired Knits

As per my last post, about picture based knitting reviews, this one is on Japanese Inspire Knits by Marianne Isager. I wanted to see this one because of how much I loved Tanya Alpert's Haiku Knits. This is a slightly different concept, however, and although there are some interesting concepts and a couple of nice patterns, I haven't found as much to love in this book as with Haiku Knits. Nevertheless, it's worth a look as there are some really interesting ideas - the more I look at them, the more I see a possible knitting project in the offing! There are only 12 patterns, to go with the 12 months of the year (click pic for bigger image):