SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES!!
Double Double Toil & Trouble, Fabulous Fiber Friends!!
The air is cool and sticky. The smell of fireplaces burning is all around us. It’s a time of trying new soup recipes, wrapping ourselves in cozy shawls, burying our noses deep in a good book and casting on a new project. We start to embrace the magical feeling Autumn brings as fiber festival season is upon us.
This week we celebrate all things creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky! Snap! Snap! Let the fire burn and cauldron bubble… Must be the Season of the Witch!
It’s the VanRey (Kn)IT LIST, Something Wicked Edition!
But First, Let’s Set the Mood
Mystical Fiber Inspiration
Enchanting Cloak & Cape Patterns…
In the mystical realm of fashion spells, knit and crochet capes and cloaks are the ultimate enchantment! Transforming mere mortals into wool witches that cast stitches instead of spells, wrapping themselves in threads of magic that blend warmth with an irresistible touch of otherworldly charm.
Clockwise from top left:
Into the Woods (@harveyvilleproject);
Wayfarer Ruana (@moralefiber);
VRK Design Palette
Alexander McQueen's Spring 2024 Runway Collection exudes a hauntingly exquisite aesthetic, immediately reminding me of Eiko Ishioka's iconic costumes from Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker's Dracula.
The runway pieces’ sculptural silhouettes, so very reminiscent of Ishioka's theatrical grandeur, seamlessly blend Gothic romance with McQueen's signature avant-garde style. Just stunning!
(Top): Bram Stoker’s Dracula Costumes designed by Eiko Ishioka.
(Bottom): Looks from Alexander McQueens's Spring 2024 Collection.
Some of my faves for your consideration…
Click on the pics for links to the items
WATCH
The Magicians - follow Quentin Coldwater, brilliant but socially awkward, as he uncovers that the magical world he read about as a child is real. Swept into a magical university, Quentin and his friends brave a dangerous odyssey of dark secrets and self-discovery, facing many a formidable foe in their quest to save both their magical realm and Earth.
LISTEN
I Put A Spell On You by Nina Simone is a masterpiece of an album, showcasing her unparalleled vocal prowess with an emotional depth. Comprised of a diverse selection of songs, ranging from blues to folk, Simone weaves a spellbinding musical tapestry with this album, that captures her legendary brilliance.
TOOLS
Crystal Crochet Hooks - Elevate your next crochet project with these enchanting handcrafted wooden and resin crochet hooks. They effortlessly complement the ancient art of crochet with a touch of magical elegance, casting stitches that weave endless warmth. With a crystal-tipped hook, they're not just tools, they're your wands of creativity! Conjure cozy spells with every stitch.
EXPLORE
Amityville Apothecary - Located in the quaint and notorious Village of Amityville on Long Island, NY, this shop provides patrons, both local & online, with a mystical curation of products to complement their lightwork. Whether it be meditation, crystals, tarot/oracle reading, astrology, classes, or events, this apothecary is there to assist anyone in need of enlightening their spirit.
NEST
David Harbour & Lily Allen - Let Stranger Things star David Harbour and his musician wife, Lily Allen show you through their breathtaking home in this episode of Open Door AD, from Architectural Digest on YouTube.
DISCOVER
Lambstrings Yarn - With a gothic feel and witchy colorways, Shanna Felice of Lambstrings Yarn embraces all things macabre and dyes yarn so hauntingly exquisite you'll want to be buried with your stash!! .
READ
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstein is the mesmerizing tale of a magical competition between two young illusionists, set within the backdrop of a mysterious, ever-shifting, circus that appears only at night. The author’s prose and vivid imagination create a spellbinding tale that transports you to a world where love, enchantment, and wonder intertwine, leaving you craving a ticket to their circus.
GIFT
Faerie Knitting, 14 Tales of Love and Magic by Alice & Lisa Hoffman combines the art of storytelling with the tradition of knitting in a magical journey through these stories. Each tale, with a garment woven into the storyline, is accompanied by a knitting pattern to make that object with your own two needles and ball of yarn. Need a gift for a special stitcher in your life that loves to marry fantasy with their knitting? This is perfect.
BTS (behind the scenes) here at VRK!
Update on the Seven Wonders Shrug:
I’m currently chugging away at getting the pattern perfected for you… then formatted and out to the tech editor. Here’s a little glimpse into my entire design process.
When I create a pattern, I explore my initial idea by putting pen to paper and illustrating it. I then pick up my needles / hooks and start to work it out through stitching, creating my first sample. Once I’m happy with the garment or accessory sample, I make the object once more by closely following the directions I wrote out, noting any amendments as I stitch.
When my written directions are seemingly perfect, the pattern goes into a Google Doc that together may be edited by myself and a Tech Editor. The pattern instructions are then brought to life through graphic design and a fully polished pattern is ready for testing!
Test-knitters are encouraged to make notes and share their full stitching experience with me, so I may see how my pattern is received by other points of view. Finally, I tweak any remaining loose ends and then the finished pattern is ready for all of you beauties! Twirl!
So, as you can see, it is quite the labor of love, but a labor that I am so grateful to finally be doing for my own brand! As always, thank you for being here with me on this creative journey, and for your endless love and support!
