Tuesday Shoes Day – Elliana

 Random Thoughts  Comments Off on Tuesday Shoes Day – Elliana
Jul 312012
 

Elliana front

backYou’ve gotta love Target; they have makeup, electronics, paper products – and cute shoes. These are Elliana by Merona, the house brand. A  chic cork wedge, comfy padded platform, and metallic cruelty-free straps – what’s not to love? They go with all those light, summery dresses AND look great with skinny or straight jeans too. Plus I could walk a mile in them since they feel so great, which is of high level importance; you never know when you might have to walk a mile, so better safe than sorry.

Kelpen

 New Release, Patterns, Sweaters  Comments Off on Kelpen
Jul 242012
 

A casual tunic tee featuring a deep V-shaped back neckline with twisted cord ties, Kelpen is a simple topdown seamless knit from provisionally cast on shoulders. Stockinette stitch with no body shaping and a textured, drapey yarn focus attention on the details; the wide front and deep back neckline are finished with a casual rolled edge, and ribbing forms the short cap sleeves. Casual for daytime or just enough to keep off a summer evening chill, Kelpen is easily adjusted for length, and can also be worn with the V-neck to the front – just omit the ties or tuck them inside.

Construction: Kelpen is cast on provisionally at each back shoulder and worked back and forth with deep V-neckline shaping, then joined and worked to the armhole depth where the back is put on hold. Each front is then worked from the provisionally cast on shoulder stitches with a wide boat neckline, then joined and worked to the armhole depth. Front and back are united, with stitches cast on for the underarm, then worked in the round to a tunic length, finished with a wide K1P1 rib bottom hem. Stitches are picked up around the armhole and  worked in matching K1P1 rib; the neckline is finished by picking up stitches all around, and working a narrow rib finished with a rolled edge. Twisted cord ties are created and attached at the back neck to hold the neckline in place.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing, picking up stitches, twisted cord.

Size: 32 (34, 36, 38, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)” bust. For a relaxed but neat fit, choose a size with 0-1” positive ease; sample shown in second size worn with no ease.

Yarn: The Fibre Company Acadia (60% merino, 20% silk, 20% alpaca; 145 yards/133m/50g), shown in Kelp; 7 (7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15) skeins, or approximately 950 (1000, 1100, 1175, 1325, 1425, 1575, 1750, 1900, 2050) yards of wool/silk/alpaca blend DK weight yarn.

Other Materials: US 5 (4mm) 32” circular needle; US 4 (3.5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, for neckline and armhole edging; Stitch markers (2); Stitch holders; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 st and 30 rows/4” in stockinette stitch with larger needle, after blocking.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.   

Tuesday Shoes Day – Zodiac

 Fashion  Comments Off on Tuesday Shoes Day – Zodiac
Jul 032012
 

Scholls Zodiac sandals

There’s nothing like a big buckle shoe for instant impact. These are my daughter’s favorites, although it looks like perhaps they aren’t fitting her quite as well as one would hope. No matter, a toe thong isn’t my first choice so I haven’t worn them much myself.

Despite the thong issue, they’re very comfortable – as one might expect from Dr. Scholl’s – “feel crazy good” it says. One might NOT expect a cute little 2″ stacked heel and that nice metallic pebbled leather, but there it is! shoes and purse

I do love silver metallic leather, which was probably my whole reason for buying these in the first place. Look – they go with my purse. Not that I’m all about matchy-matchy, but still . . . more like a snapshot of the kind of accessories I like best.

I could see these for a casual summer patio meal, as long as the wearer isn’t the one running around serving.