Signature Socktober Accessory – The Japanese Knot Bag

17/10/202317/10/2023 villamakerLeave a comment

We’re halfway through Soctober and I’ve been toting my current sock wip in the first Japanese knot bag that I made at the start of the Pandemic.

Making these little project bags were a perfect stashbuster, using up cotton fabrics from sewing cloth facemasks.

Last year, I went to a party and needed an evening bag .

So, I whipped up one, out of a vintage art deco style damask fabric and lined it with gold silk satin.

I had no pockets and this Japanese knot bag was the perfect little carry all for my essentials – phone, money, lipstick, hotel keycard and my salbutamol inhaler.

Since the summer, I’ve been popping the Japanese knot bags via The Murphy Leaf MarketPlace.

The Damask Collection

I really enjoyed curating the The Damask Collection from our silk and cotton textiles.

Dress up your sock wip with these Japanese knot bags made with vintage damask drapery and interior fabrics.

Sugar Skulls in a Knot

Last week, I paid a “re-homing fee” for Sugar Skull fabric and made three funky reversible bags with jacquard textiles.

The Art Collection

My latest collection of Japanese Knot Bags will only be available by made to order soon.

This Kandinsky inspired knot bag is a work of art . The abstract artist and colour theorist was well known with his bold and brilliantly coloured paintings.

Kandinsky saw the dot, or point, as a small circle. He argued that this was the most basic, fundamental element of painting, observing “everything starts from a dot.” From this basic dot, one could go on to create any variation of line or shape.

Circles were a recurring feature in his abstract art, and he painted them in a huge range of variations, from planet-like orbs to repetitive concentric designs.

Made from a Kandinsky inspired tapestry textile and lined with re-homed drapery fabric.

And knot forgetting one of the famous Impressionists, Van Gogh

This knot bag is inspired by Van Gogh’s colour palette. The post-impressionist artist became well known for his techniques in passionate brush strokes in symbolic and intense color, in surface tension, and in the movement and vibration of form and line.

Journal · Notes on

Notes on Slow Fashion Knitting Vol. 3

28/10/202229/10/2022 villamakerLeave a comment

Disclaimer I personally purchased a subscription to this magazine. I am not afifliated with the author, publisher or shop. This is not a sponsored post.

Hello Everyone,

Spirit & Luxury’s Slow Fashion magazine arrived this past Monday. My real life delayed my relaxation session to sit and read through the knitting themed issue this month. As Dublin’s social knitworker, I wanted to share my personal notes on the Knitting issue of Slow Fashion.

Aoife Long is a writer, editor of Slow Fashion and creative director at Spirt and Luxury. I came across her Instagram back in August. I take inspiration by her written word on the creative ethos of slow fashion and the Irish wool industry.

The print magazine cover is glossy and smooth, and as I flick through the 28 pages of heavy paper, the colourful images standout so amazingly. Six designers are interviewed in this issue.

The typeface and font makes it an easy read, with the exception of the Mise Tusa article which is printed on a dark green background.

I personally had visual difficulties reading it in a room with poor lighting.

Interesting read about, Bridget Geohegan and the creative collaboration with her mother , Meritta. Collectively know as Mise Tusa. However, this particular article had only one reference to knitting, the Magnifica Wrap. Not one photo in sight, and curiosity got the better of me, so I went over to the Mise Tusa website and searched for this hand knit strips of pink Italian linen. I would have liked to read the story behind this innovative article of clothing.

I’m no stranger to Liadain Aiken and her Instagram grid. I was quite interested on her thoughts of the cottage industry and at this moment it still works for her business.

The thought of getting a knitting machine in the VillaMaker Studio entered my mind as I read about the process of creating her her simple knitwear and adding that pop of colour in Donegal Yarns which gives it that whimsical edge.

I am quite acquainted with Ailbíona McLochainn and her knitting patterns. I enjoyed the insight to her artistic flare and design process. I was quite surprised to read her thoughts on social media by not playing the social game or reading reviews. Designing is her calling, she does not spend her day fiddling with tutorial videos to please content monsters.

Thank you to Ailbíona for contributing the Bachlóg Mitten pattern, specifically written for Spirit & Luxury Irish Wool, which is available on the Spirit and Luxury website. I was a little surprised to see the shipping fees within Ireland for one 100g skein of yarn needed for this project.

The pattern itself can be knit in DK yarn. There are striking elements in the construction of these mittens. So, I look forward to knitting a pair for myself and maybe a couple for Christmas presents.

My knowledge of any UK based slow fashion brands is zilch. I truly enjoyed Aoife’s written imagery of Beatrix Potter and the Lake District as an introduction to Kate Stalker and her brand, Oubas Knitwear.

Kate has a commitment to sourcing British wool and integrating it in her slow fashion designs.

As a hand knitter, I never had an interest in machine knitting, however, it was interesting to note that Siún Carden sees the two crafts as being integrally linked through the culture of making, creativity and technical know how. The Shetland Islands is a dream destination for any fibre lover.

The final interview is with Aran knitter and instructor, Ryan Koenig. He has found a creative way to spin a good yarn about the Aran knitting in Ireland to new knitters and tourists right here in Dublin. He’s also put together knitting kits to complement the Aran knitting experience through his AirBnB.

Thank you for reading my notes on on Slow Fashion Knitting.

Happy Knitting,

Diane

Journal · KNiT · Notes on

Notes on Ready Set Socks

20/10/202229/10/2022 villamakerLeave a comment

**Disclaimer** I personally purchased this book. I am not affliated with the author, publisher or yarnshop. This is not a sponsored post.

I love knitting and wearing handknit socks.

Sanita Clogs with Rose City Roller Socks

There is nothing like a handkinit pair of socks, made with a special skein of 4 ply/sock yarn.

When I heard that my LYS were taking pre-orders for Ready Set Socks by Rachel Coopey, I jumped outta my shoes and submitted my order.

I received the book over the weekend and here are my general impressions.

I really like the general layout of the book, which is geared for knitters who want to be Sock Knitters.

Starting off by choosing the knitting needles and yarn, then straight into the nitty gritty of top down sock basics.

I like the way the book is written and the typeface/font is easy to read.

There are 10 top down sock pattern which range from simple to interestingly challenging for Sock Knitters at any level.

There are tutorials on the variations in the cuffs and heels which appealed to my sense of adventure.

At this time, not one particular pattern is calling out to me. However, I do like that there is a hashtag for each sock. So,when I do get the inspirational urge, I can look thru these hashtags on Instagram.

Overall, Pompom published a good all in one book for Sock Knitters and any knitter who is curious about the cuff down sock knitting experience.

My own personal notes:

this was an impulse buy on pre-order, if I actually got to peruse thru the book first would I buy it? No
on a positive note, I purchased it from my LYS to support the local economy and received more loyalty tokens