The Inspiration

(Left, taken from Style.com, a photo from the Sixties. Right, Chanel, Winter 2005)

Happy New Year , everyone! Kicking off the year with free patterns! My patterns designed for Fable Handknit yarn is available on Spun magazine. The Twiggy Bobble Hat was inspired by the youth quake look. I noticed Chanel was doing it for this winter, and I just loved it. The second design is the Aspen Neck Cowl. This design reminds me of the beginning of an Audrey Hepburn movie, Chaade (1963, click for trailer). Hepburn's character is sitting in an outdoor cafe overlooking the French Alps. I picture it being worn over the head with pitch black sunglasses. I love this design because it goes with so many outfits and it keeps me incredibly warm while avoiding "hat hair" (alpaca does not cause static easily). Enjoy! I would love your feedback too.

I heart MJ and his knitting

(From my tear-sheet archives on Marc Jacobs. This collection remains as some of my all-time favorites of MJ. Left: from American Vogue, Right: from Harper's Baazar)

So if you couldn't tell by now, I'm a huge Marc Jacobs fan. I've been following his career since I was in high school. I've collected countless magazine articles about MJ. He started his career in knitwear. Marc learned to knit through his grandmother, who was his biggest influence in his life. During his studies at Parsons, he designed a small collection of hand-knit sweaters for Charivari in New York. Now I know Vogue Knitting does publish designer patterns, as they've already gotten Michael Kors and Anna Sui to do some, so wouldn't it be fitting if they were to enlist Marc to do one?

How real is "reality"?

(Left: Donald Trump and Martha Stewart, Right: Zac Posen and pal, Claire Danes)

In today's edition of the New York TImes, there's an article about fashion and technology titled, Fashion is Two Clicks Behind. Cathy Horyn makes a point about how the fashion world has not adapted to the advances of technology, ie. interactive websites, blogs, podcasts. I find this funny, because the knitting world has no doubt caught on since the beginning. But I think maybe the commercial world's lag allows the rest of us,who are trying to make it on our own, to develop an audience before all this podcast and blogging gets saturated with blatant advertising. I think there is a fine line between communicating with an audience vs blatant self promotion.

Horyn propses that Next Gneration designer, Zac Posen starring in his own non-competitive reality tv show would make compelling tv. Though I agree about the compelling tv part, maybe that would be overdoing it? Reality tv shows can really take a strain on the non-actor's off-camera life and we've all seen it have a reverse fame-effect on some celebrities. I've met Posen before. He is a compelling person. I had the hugest crush on him afterwards, I was more convinced of his talent and humbleness than ever. I would make alterations to Horyn's proposal. A blog or a vlog could appropriate for Posen. Have you seen his website? The overall look of it has remained the same since it was first launched. It looks outdated, he's far outgrown the look of it. He's much more sophisticated than that.

Now the fine line I was talking about. Remember when The Apprentice was more about making something out of nothing? When Trump would say, you have $500 to create a one-day dog-related business, run with it. Today the show's popularity has propelled an advertising frenzy. Corporations line up to have product placement embedded in the show, and it's getting more blatant every time. In Martha Stewart's Apprentice, notice that even Howie has been given a Liz Claibrne t-shirt to wear? I could understand if it were the day of the event, but at the loft? And then Dawna's running out to her new Buick?

I think any already well-known designer attempting to start blogging needs to be aware of this: do not make your medium all about selling a product. The content should be about what is really on your mind, and not about having commercial value. I think the success of blogging stems from the fact that the audience can get into the heads of real people. If you mess with that, people will tune out. An example of this fashion and technology crossover is 360 Fashion. It's a project comprised of people from the fashion world armed with Nokia camera phones blogging about their "everyday reality". An interesting idea, but when a model keeps mentioning her Nokia phone, it sounds like she's been coaxed or somewhat obligated to mention it. That makes me cynical of the whole project itself. Another example is SHOWStudio. This project has kept its integrity throughout it's duration and its participants are not in it for commercial value. This is what the exploration of technology should really be about.

I could go on about how interesting the blogging world is and how cynical I am about the idea of corporations using it as a "guerilla" marketing tool. What are you thoughts?

The best gift? Cashmere socks, says Scarlett

(Left, the lovely Scarlett Johanson. Right, Christian Dior)

According to New York TImes, Scarlett Johanson says that the best gifts are cashmere socks. Good call, Scarlett, but I say, even better if you knit your own, what with all the time you need to kill waiting on set. I'm looking forward to seeing Match Point.

Spring Designer Collections

(Left, Burberry, Right, Kenzo, both Spring/Summer 2006 from Style.com)

It feels so early to be talking about spring when the weather outside is so cold and Xmas hasn't even passed yet. But all the designer spring collections have been out for a while now. Normally I follow all the collections. Now I just try to spot all the knit pieces in the collections.

Knit pieces spotted: Burberry caps (so cute, so easy to make), and Kenzo crochet dresses and tops. Some of Kenzo's collection reminded me of Road to Avonlea, in an updated costume sort of way. See the mini golf hat with the pom pom, how cute is that.

Serendipity Yarn- St Catherines

We have a new retailer carrying Fable Handknit added on today. Serndipity Yarn (23 Duke St) in St Catherines is an absolute gem. The shop is situated in a historical Victorian residential neighborhood. The vibe is really cozy and they have space for classes and knitting group meetings. The owners, Dianne and Seth also have a bead shop a few houses down. This would be a nice weekend destination.

Yarnopolis-Hamilton

Yarnopolis (334 Ottawa St. North) is now carrying Fable Handknit. The shop is located in the textile district of Hamilton. They run classes and knitting help clinics on Fridays. Also meet their Siamese kitty, Seth.

Marc wins "Best in Show"

(MJ and designer pal, Anna Sui, Sofia Coppola in Indian costume, both borrowed from Style.com)

If there's anything to brighten up a day, it's seeing Marc Jacobs dressed as Wilbur the pig from Charlotte's Web.. What a cutie! MJ hosted a stellar Cowboy themed holiday party. Sofia wins for best Indian costume.

In other news, not much. It's been busy, I've been phoning up shop keepers to get appointments with them. I'm working on shops outside of the Toronto area. The frustrating part is that it's so time consuming, but I can't afford to hire a sales rep either. Just have to keep on truckn' (it's kinda literal because I have to drive from town to town). But if there's one lesson from university to take from, it's Products don't sell themselves, even if they're that good. My product is that good. But getting buyer attention is more than just a mailing or a mass email. Sigh. The patterns are going to have to wait. I need to get to break even point so I can increase the color range.

To Russia, with Love

(images from Style.com)

There's no reason to look frumpy just because it's winter. Take a cue from Russia this winter. All the designers have-- fur trimmed hats, belts with embroidery embellishments. Check out the current issues of Vogue China and L'Officiel. It has Russia written all over it. See Style.com to get more ideas.

I got the chance to go to St Petersburg last year. Looks like so did the fashion crowd. Marc Jacobs has posted travel pics on his website. Look under travel.

Fable, in my hometown!

Some great news early in the week: Fable is now available in my hometown! Ruth's Needlebed is a crafty shop tucked in the corner of charming Streetsville in Mississauga. This area of town is like the equivalent to Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls. Ruth not only sells gorgeous yarns but other crafty materials like fabrics for quilting, and knitting machines (ask her for Fable yarns in 1 kg cone).

"Bandwagon Knitters" need not apply?

(More knitters is a win-win situation, Left: cool knitters in New York, Right: Chirsitan Dior. Photos from Style.com)

Through my research, I've noticed that some knitters have a dismay for "newbie knitters". Most likely because they think they are just in it because it's trendy, or they saw a celeb on TV knitting that they want to emulate. Some people think these are wrong reasons to knit. Well, I don't! I think that the more younger knitters we can get, the greater the chance for this craft to thrive and bring it to new heights. I would think it's such a pity that shop owners need to close their doors because there simply are not enough knitters. There are lots of people who are contemplating about learning to knit, but are overwhelmed by it. Many of my friends my age are thinking about it right now! I just need to help them get started. They range from people who study architecture to my pals from fashion school.

I think it's great when a celebrity is caught on tape knitting away. It gives them a sense of humanity, that they are more like you and me than we think. And if it bring more young people to the craft, even better; once they discover how many amazing things they can do with the skill, they'll stick around, trendy or not.

From an industry stand point, getting more knitters is always a target goal. For me it's a goal to encourage people to learn knitting, as really, it's what the business thrives on. But for knitters who read this and think, well what's in it for me? Believe me, the more knitters there are the more options there will be available to you. It means, more yarns developed to suit different tastes, no longer just offering typical yarn colors, more patterns for all age ranges and styles, more publications, more yarn shop owners and frankly, more respect that the craft deserves. Now isn't that just what every knitter wants? (we can start off by adding the word, knitter to the Blogger spellcheck!)

Happy Holidays, my dear blogettes!

This weekend I made the toile de jou stocking pictured above. And then I did a mini photo shoot with the Fable balls of yarn. I kept contemplating whether or not to bother with this idea for the photo, but now I'm sure glad I just did it! Thinking too much can spoil things and hold you back sometimes. I'm putting this picture onto Christmas cards I'm sending out to retailers. And though I wish I could send all my kind readers a card, this virtual one's for you! Thanks for all your moral support so far along the way! I really feel that this flogging experience has offered incredible opportunities to meet an amazing group of people in the short time that I've been blogging. In short, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday!

In other news, I've been working on new colors. I can't say exactly when I'll be able to get it in,, it depends on how fast I can sell out the current stock. If you want to see more colors sooner, please buy the current line! If I'm not at your LYS, I'm working on it! Often times if you ask for it, shop leepers will gladly order it for you. Many of you will be pleased with the color short-list. It was a tough challenge to try to incorporate all your suggestions, but I finally come up with a palette that I think will please all parties. I made sure to include some "guy-friendly" colors, but make no mistake, they are gorgeous colors for ladies too! All this to be revealed in due time...

Fable arrives at knit-o-matic

Another happy announcement, Fable joins the family at Knit-o-matic! (1378 Bathurst St, Toronto) Haley is super nice and really into colors, so she will find the right color to flatter you best. Come see the baby-- baby alpaca that is!

Back to the Drawing Board

Some designs will probably never make it to execution, but I jot down everything I see or think of when it comes to knit.

It's pretty hectic around here (I've been saying that a lot as of late). I have to work on arranging sales meetings, writing a press release, which is finally done, mailings. I've gotten several mailings back with " return to sender". It's not easy, when I first started I looked at a long list of "retailers" in the Toronto area alone. Half of them are either no longer or simply not exactly what they say they are. I'm focusing on a couple more shops here in Toronto, and then going after the New York retailers. Meanwhile I still have work to do on the whole press thing. I'm learning as I go along, and searching for more press opportunities, anyone somehow involved in the press or know someone who knows someone? Worth a try, I'd be so grateful!