My Fashionable Life

He's a pretty pretty boy.
I came to the conclusion just yesterday that if I want the clothes in my head, I'm going to have to make them. Right now in the States there is a love affair with tacky, garish colors, enhanced with sequins and beads. It is Too Much for me. I want neutrals in cool, flowy fabrics with flattering cuts. I don't need a teal print shirt with lime sequins and magenta metallic beads. (Really, does anyone?)
...sigh... The problem is, I hate to sew clothes.

i love that fabric! i spent quite a bit of time drooling over it in liberty before i met up with you guys. next time i come over i am definitely fabric shopping. (um, yes, for all that sewing i never do.)

go zebra socks! i love them!

Chocolate brown dogs aren't easy to photograph, either! But it Junior seems a perfectly nice cat, not at all thuggish. (Of course, he's not moving since it IS a still photo and that can make a difference.)

I sometimes wish I lived a couple thousand miles closer to Liberty . . . but then, I still would probably be avoiding my sewing machine, so really, what difference would it make??

Cute fabric. I'm finding sewing to be fairly addicting. But, then again, I'm weak. Very cute baby you have - I have a black girl kitty that would love to meet him.

Love the zebra print socks. And Junior, of course, is as magnificant as he thinks he is!

Oooh, I love that dress pattern. Now I have pattern lust. I'm blaming it all on you!

Oh, handsome Junior.

I agree with you absolutely re: animal prints. A little goes a long way, but a tiny amount here and there is essential. I'm coveting cheetah-print driving moccasins lately.

Hee! I have the same relationship with my sewing machine!

You do make me want to take another stab at the Jaywalkers, tho.

Opal Zebra...Who would have thunk it?

Jaywalker couldn't be a more perfect pattern for that yarn! It's safari chic!

Oooh, i lurve that Zebra yarn.

I love the zebra stripe too! Just what I've looking for a pair of Jays.

How odd, I started a pair of jaywalkers in that exact same yarn yesterday. Psychic powers? Maybe we can both knit the same project on Saturday, that would really make people stare!

What a handsome fellow... :-) I honestly don't even try to sew anymore. I generally end up frustrated and with a large mess to clean up. I'm always impressed when someone can be neat and orderly with sewing projects.

Lovely socks - nice to see just a couple of colours in the yarn. Go on, break out the sewing machine, the results will be worth it!

Well hello, Junior! Black cats are indupitably The Best Kind.

Good luck with the sewing - I had a terrible falling-out with my sewing machine over a pair of curtains which I am only now getting over.

What a charming cat! Such lovely yellow eyes! I find it difficult to take portraits of my Siamese cat, whose face I can't photograph with any fidelity.

I should say also that I love your work! I expect to purchase some of your beautiful patterns soon, once I line up my projects.

Delurking as I'm so stunned by your cat's similarity to one of mine. Long lost twins - but as I can never get a photo of her I can't show you ....

i couldnt find an email for you : i bought your jemima pattern, i love it :)

i got an email asking for submissions for the new stitchnbitch book, thought you might be interested. i love your patterns btw.

here is the email:
>Dearest stitchers 'n bitchers:
>
>I'm gearing up to get cracking on my next Stitch 'n Bitch book. It's going to be an advanced knitting manual, and I'm looking for patterns that incorporate a bit of fancy-pants knitting such as cables, lace, color work (either intarsia or fair isle or, hell, both!), beading, etc. The book will
>be covering these techniques in great detail, as well as much more. Patterns can range from clothing to accessories to household items to baby things and pet items. Even first-time designers are invited to contribute. I'm looking for lively, fun projects, and I'm especially interested in socks and sweaters.
>
>So put on your thinking caps, cause submissions are due June 19, 2006!
>
>To submit, please send the following:
>1) If you have a completed project, please send a few good-quality photos of the item, along with a detailed description of it.
>
>OR
>
>2) If you can't get a large project done in time to meet the deadline,dont worry. Just send me a very clear, detailed sketch of your project idea (include basic measurements, fit information, etc), along with a photo of a
>rather large swatch (at least 10" x 10") made in the yarns and stitch patterns you plan to use.
>
> > Photos of projects and swatches can be emailed to me at
> > stitchnbitch@bust.com, or mailed to me here: Debbie Stoller, BUST
> > Magazine,
> > 78 Fifth Ave, 5th floor, New York, NY 10011.
> >
> > IMPORTANT: Please be sure to include your full name, email addresses,
> > daytime and evening phone numbers, and mailing address, along with
> > your
> > submissions. Include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) if you'd
> > like me to mail your submission back to you after I've made my
> > selections.
> >
> > It will take me at least 2-3 weeks to make my selections. If your
> > project is
> > accepted, you will be provided with the yarn you need to produce a
> > sample,
> > which will be photographed for the book and kept by me (to take on
> > tour,
> > 'natch!). You will also be paid for your submission, your pattern will
> > be
> > credited to you in the book and will run alongside a brief bio, and of
> > course, you will receive a free copy of the book once it is completed.
> >
> > If you have any questions about the process, feel free to email me.
> > Thanks
> > in advance, everyone!
> >
> > (I apologize to any of you receiving this call for submissions more
> > than
> > once; I'm just trying to get the word out to as many of you as
> > possible.)
> >
> > xxxooo deb

I love that yarn! The stripes look great.

I absolutely love the zebra stripes. I'm not big on animal stripes, but I think the zebra stripes really work :) The dress is very lovely. It reminds me of the dresses my mother used to wear in Portugal. It's a very classic cut.

I've been reading your blog for a while now, and have never written any comments, though I've been meaning to say how much I enjoy it, I check to see if there is a posting about 3 or 4 times a week. Your patterns are beautiful and I have bought some, though not yet knitted one. I'm looking forward to knitting "Sargeant Pepper", in my own choice of colours.
I went to the knitting and stitching show at Olympia this year and introduced myself to you, it was strange to meet you in person, rather than through your blog! I'm afraid I got shy and tongue-tied and didn't know what to say, ridiculous, I know.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I appreciate the time and effort you make to do your blog. Oh and your husband's photos are beautiful.

Sweet Junior. I can see a bit of mischief in those dazzling eyes.

I love the jaywalkers. Who knew black and white sock yarn could be just as impressive as a sock yarn full of colors?

I love that you knit a picot edge on your previous Jaywalkers. So cute.

hi anna,

sorry to leave this in your comments, but i lost your email address. i just wanted to see if you will be at knitting hill next monday? i'm in salisbury now and will be in london tomorrow through tuesday morning, and it looks like i'll have time to join the group on monday night. if you won't be there but have time to meet up some other time, let me know; it would be so nice to see you!

-parikha

Wow that zebra yarn is almost enough to make me want to knit black and white (I have a violent opposition to wearing black and white - it's a football thing).
Junior looks very much like he rules the roost.
I've finished a pair of elfines. I may have done them a little differently though, not sure. Anyway there is a pic or two on my blog.

I bought that watering-can fabric last month! - in green, for a blouse. But my sewing avoidance behaviour can take on such extreme proportions I am going to ask someone else to make it for me.

I was curious to see what dress you were planning and followed the link. Very reminiscent of dresses in the early 70s I recall making, particularly the use of two prints. However, I was passing New Look today and there in the window was a version in plain white with white broderie anglaise fabric used for the waist section and sleeve trims. Very demure it looked too. Love your patterns, by the way.

I have a kitty, Simon, who could be Junior's twin. Both are very regal and handsome. :-)

I have a kitty, Simon, who could be Junior's twin. Both are very regal and handsome. :-)

i think the zebra print works a little better than the tiger print..

You inspired me with these! My 1 1/2 yr old daughter loves zebras, and loves the socks I make for her - I have been making mommy/baby socks. I have been meaning to do the jaywalkers for a while, but hadn't picked it up until seeing your gorgeous zebras.