Purl Soho’s shipping manager here, I am SO STOKED on that red, absolutely obsessed with it across some of our yarn lines. I just finished a vest using Daily Wool in Flame Red, it’s such a dream.
I too have been knitting for most of my life. I learned when I was five and let’s just say several several decades later I’m still obsessed ! I just wrote a journal entry about that here on S/S…why we choose the longer path! And I love ours soho btw!!
That Ira Glass quote is very relatable, thank you for sharing it Ani! I've also been wanting to cast on a bright red cardigan (a thinner, crew-neck, cardigan-worn-as-top style). The yarn combination you chose for your garment looks stunning. I'm keen to see how it goes, as someone who was also thinking of using the Sheba design as a jumping off point for another project - adding to my endless list. Also very nice to have a chance to get another look at your birthday vest, it's glorious.
ps: having just received Merchant & Mill's latest newsletter, where they share their stunning new Harris tweeds, this post was a good reminder - I am not at "sewing a stylish coat with this beautiful (and, completely understandably, very expensive) fabric" level yet in real life, only in my dreams! All in good time.
I'm in the early stages of planning. I was originally thinking of making something similar to Petite Knit's Maggie cardigan with long sleeves (and a more rustic yarn/mohair combination) as a jumping off point, but I love the James St. Co Peri cardi and had forgotten about it! I also had not seen the one from Francie knits, and am really into it too! I like the funnel-esque neckline and slightly boxy overall shape, and having seen this I'm kind of gravitating away from my initial idea... I want this cardigan to be worn fairly close to the body, and I wonder if that sort of fit plus classic crew neck style is going to turn out a bit too preppy for me and the rest of my wardrobe. Definitely need to do a little more research before I'm set on what I'm doing...
I think you would definitely do justice to Merchant and Mills fabric for the puffer vest project! It's one of those garments that is going to get so much love and wear, the investment in good materials makes total sense. Good luck Ani!
My mini meadow experiment in my backyard also failed, and I tilled once and bought $200 of meadow seed. I know that I only half way did the effort, I read you are supposed to till 3 times to erradicate all the weeds, but tilling once was so much work I decidied to just see what would happen. But stilt grass took over. Oh well, I still want a pollinator meadow in my back yard, I won't give up! Always love reading this newsletter.
don't give up! the pollinator meadow is a dreamy goal, and (it seems like), one that could take many years to realize (for me too!). thanks so much for reading, jen!
Ah, such wise words! I learned to sew when I was five or six, I’m turning 30 this year, and it’s only in the past three or four years that I’ve been able to sew things I really love. It’s such a process! Recently I’ve also been taking the time to learn new things, and it’s funny how much more chill I am now about being bad at things when I start out. That feels like a gift that my making process has taught me!
oh, I *love* hearing that you're feeling more chill about being bad at things when you start out! I'm trying to keep working on that - it's so easy to self-criticize, even when it's like, how the heck would I know how to do this thing? I've never done it before!
so cool that you're sewing things you really love now, that's so exciting!!
A reframe that has helped me is to get excited about making progress, or getting better at something, rather than trying to arrive anywhere specific. I have a very type-A achievement/goal-setting oriented personality, so consciously setting more incremental goals and then getting excited when I reach them has worked wonders!
Always look forward to your posts Ani! I remarks saw some merchant and mills oilskin on major sale at Fancy Tiger Crafts because, sadly, they are closing. Not sure what color it was. A bright orange-y red cardigan is on my list to knit too (or source secondhand from Babaa) so I might just have to join you in this project!
Purl Soho’s shipping manager here, I am SO STOKED on that red, absolutely obsessed with it across some of our yarn lines. I just finished a vest using Daily Wool in Flame Red, it’s such a dream.
oh, hello anna! thank you for your role in shipping the yarn to me! hehe
ooh i have to look up flame red - i'm really such a sucker for an orange-leaning red!
I too have been knitting for most of my life. I learned when I was five and let’s just say several several decades later I’m still obsessed ! I just wrote a journal entry about that here on S/S…why we choose the longer path! And I love ours soho btw!!
knitting is a lifelong love affair, isn't it! <3 love that, will check out your post!
That Ira Glass quote is very relatable, thank you for sharing it Ani! I've also been wanting to cast on a bright red cardigan (a thinner, crew-neck, cardigan-worn-as-top style). The yarn combination you chose for your garment looks stunning. I'm keen to see how it goes, as someone who was also thinking of using the Sheba design as a jumping off point for another project - adding to my endless list. Also very nice to have a chance to get another look at your birthday vest, it's glorious.
ps: having just received Merchant & Mill's latest newsletter, where they share their stunning new Harris tweeds, this post was a good reminder - I am not at "sewing a stylish coat with this beautiful (and, completely understandably, very expensive) fabric" level yet in real life, only in my dreams! All in good time.
<3 amani - hi! I would *love* to hear more about the thinner cardigan/top you're thinking about! I've seen so many little cute cardis that have been burned in my brain for so long (the james st co peri cardi, this one from francie knits: https://www.francie.co.nz/collections/shop-cardigans-1/products/dolls-reversible-jumper-cardigan-light-grey-cg7hg-ztet5) there's just so many I'm interested in and would love to eventually knit a lighter one!
and thank you so much for the kind words about the vest and the in-progress projects!
100% relate to that - Merchant and Mills fabric has been out of reach for me (to do it justice, I think!) for years, but maybe finally it's time!
Hi! I am always happy to talk knitting :)
I'm in the early stages of planning. I was originally thinking of making something similar to Petite Knit's Maggie cardigan with long sleeves (and a more rustic yarn/mohair combination) as a jumping off point, but I love the James St. Co Peri cardi and had forgotten about it! I also had not seen the one from Francie knits, and am really into it too! I like the funnel-esque neckline and slightly boxy overall shape, and having seen this I'm kind of gravitating away from my initial idea... I want this cardigan to be worn fairly close to the body, and I wonder if that sort of fit plus classic crew neck style is going to turn out a bit too preppy for me and the rest of my wardrobe. Definitely need to do a little more research before I'm set on what I'm doing...
I think you would definitely do justice to Merchant and Mills fabric for the puffer vest project! It's one of those garments that is going to get so much love and wear, the investment in good materials makes total sense. Good luck Ani!
That vest is so beautiful! This has inspired me to get back to knitting and ride out the bad stuff with patience.
aww thank you so much! it can be a slog, but it's so nice looking back and seeing little glimmers of skill-building happening <3
My mini meadow experiment in my backyard also failed, and I tilled once and bought $200 of meadow seed. I know that I only half way did the effort, I read you are supposed to till 3 times to erradicate all the weeds, but tilling once was so much work I decidied to just see what would happen. But stilt grass took over. Oh well, I still want a pollinator meadow in my back yard, I won't give up! Always love reading this newsletter.
don't give up! the pollinator meadow is a dreamy goal, and (it seems like), one that could take many years to realize (for me too!). thanks so much for reading, jen!
Ah, such wise words! I learned to sew when I was five or six, I’m turning 30 this year, and it’s only in the past three or four years that I’ve been able to sew things I really love. It’s such a process! Recently I’ve also been taking the time to learn new things, and it’s funny how much more chill I am now about being bad at things when I start out. That feels like a gift that my making process has taught me!
oh, I *love* hearing that you're feeling more chill about being bad at things when you start out! I'm trying to keep working on that - it's so easy to self-criticize, even when it's like, how the heck would I know how to do this thing? I've never done it before!
so cool that you're sewing things you really love now, that's so exciting!!
A reframe that has helped me is to get excited about making progress, or getting better at something, rather than trying to arrive anywhere specific. I have a very type-A achievement/goal-setting oriented personality, so consciously setting more incremental goals and then getting excited when I reach them has worked wonders!
"It’s not only that skills take time to build, but working the muscle of creative devotion does, too." This one REALLY resonated. Thank you so much!
Always look forward to your posts Ani! I remarks saw some merchant and mills oilskin on major sale at Fancy Tiger Crafts because, sadly, they are closing. Not sure what color it was. A bright orange-y red cardigan is on my list to knit too (or source secondhand from Babaa) so I might just have to join you in this project!