DIY Q&A: Hair Bands and Pleats

Dear Andrea,

I'm so excited I found your blog this morning! I've been perusing your older posts but will have to postpone more for later. i love your mix of fashion coverage and knitting advice/know how...However, I was wondering if

1. you have a pattern for making a knitted or crocheted headband (and by that I don't just mean a strait across band but rather something tapered which can be tied underneath the bottom of the head.

2. if you've done any "pleated" knits or if this is even possible i.e. a knitted, pleated skirt. I think that would be adorable but have no idea how such a thing would be executed...any ideas?

Thank you and good luck on the forthcoming book, I'll check it out when it comes out!

Lydia


Dear Lydia,

Thanks for reading the blog, I'm glad you like it. To answer your questions...

1. I think I have what you're after. I don't have a pattern, but Interweave Knits does. From their Summer 2006, they have a free pdf file. See page 4.

2. Yes, it's possible to pleat in knitting, but it's not quite the same thing is seen in pleated woven materials. Read about knitted pleating here. Blue Sky Alpacas has a pattern for a pleated skirt. Fellow blogger, Olgajazzy has made this skirt.

Happy Knitting!

Love, Andrea

Hats, Mittens & Scarves

The book is out! Check it out here.

An Intimate Look at Marc Jacobs

(from November 2007, issue of W. Marc Jacobs via)

The November issue of W features an article and photo tour of Marc Jacob's Paris home. I think the photos themselves are art-like and serene. They remind me of Sam Taylor-Wood's photographs.

Cause and Effect

(Baggue holds more than just groceries, via)

No weather experts are speaking out about the recent weather's abnormality is directly caused by the greenhouse effect, but today's overly warm weather for a Canadian Thanksgiving is rather alarming. I decided that I need to advocate environmentally friendly solutions. The most obvious and possibly the most publicized solution is to refuse plastic bags from the grocers. The Anya Hindmarch "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" bag caused a stir. But did it really change the consumer's habits? Such a cute bag that you would probably only buy one of, and is a collector's item, would you use it to carry you veggies?

Finally I came across Baggu. A simple idea, but ever so effective. It is my belief that when something is designed properly, its purpose will be fulfilled and human habit can change. I bought 3 of them as soon as I found them on the Teen Vogue site, and have been avoiding plastic bags since.

Baggu is designed exactly like your typical grocery bag, but done in durable rip-stock nylon. Folds up easily and comes with its own pouch and takes up minimal space in your purse. Each Baggu holds what 3 plastic bags would. But I think its best merit is its good design, well-styled, practical, and easy to commit to-- it serves its function well. So I hope this catches on. I've seen grocery chains issue their version of a canvas tote, but it hardly holds much and not to mention lacking in style.

Let's not make Live Earth a cause done in vain.

A little update

( A fun project I did over the summer, a cocktail hat with a knitted base, then felted with cream mohair yarn that has Swarovski crystals spun in, and then encrusted with more Swarovski crystals and pearls. Copyright 2007 Andrea Tung.)

It's been quite some time since I last posted, a lot has been since. I almost feel hesitant to post as I haven't been doing much scouting for new knitting items of interest, nor have I found any when I was. This past summer I was busy working on my second book to be published by Chronicle Books for next Fall. And I still had to add my contribution for Yahaira's second book out next year. It's really funny how long it takes for a book to be released, by then, I am already totally jaded and have moved my focus onto the next thing. So I can hardly match the excitement that other people are feeling for me when I show them my advance copy of it. A reminder that Hats, Mittens & Scarves will be available later this month! Makes a really lovely Christmas present, or to knit presents from!

Some even bigger endeavors coming in the new year, so I've been busy making plans for those. Meanwhile, pop over to Melissa's blog to see her latest pattern made with Fable Handknit Pure Baby Alpaca.