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
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!