Monday, April 28, 2008


Good evening (it's 21.30 pm here and some minutes more)!

You have seen Victoria's Secret and Sonia Rykiel on my blog, but today I would like to prove that I can knit too. At least a little :))))

I finished another children's summer dress and those who have read my Estonian blog, know that it looks almost like the first with pink and green colors.
Well, the result is ok, but I'm not completely satisfied.
The top part could be a little bit shorter and green part longer, but maybe I'm just a stickler? Anyway, I will correct the mistakes. I already started third dress and I won't let it go before I can sleep calmly at night again.

I also plan to write down the pattern someday.
I used 3.5 mm bamboo and circular needles and Steinbach Wolle Capri yarn, about 150 grams.
Capri is great for knitting, but too rough for crocheting.
It took 3 days to finish the dress and I can guarantee that it isn't last one. I'm bull-headed and I won't stop before everything is perfect.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Queen of knits- Sonia Rykiel

Sonia Rykiel (77) is French designer.

Photo: Sonia and her daughter Nathalie.

When Sonia was young, she didn't want to become a designer and she have said that it happened accidentally.

In 1962 when Sonia was pregnant, she couldn't find any comfortable sweaters to wear. So she designer her own (Sonia's husband owned a fashion boutique too)- first maternity dress and then tiny sweater. Sweater became popular and Sonia started to sell it on her husbands shop. Soon it was featured on the cover of Elle fashion magazine.

Thanks to this first creation (Sonia called it the Poor boy Sweater) she was crowned as "Queen of knits" by US press in 1967.

Since then Sonia has done well. In 1968 she opened her boutique in Paris and proved that knitwear can follow the trends.

Today, her label encompasses lingerie, accessories, children's clothing and menswear, and beauty.

It is still a family-owned business, her daughter Nathalie is company's creative director. They have opened the boutiques in US and both mother and daughter have dedicated to bringing Paris to New York.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Weekly favorite






This week's favorite is Pish Posh Girls shop on Etsy. They sell sewed girls clothes, travel pillows, hair clips and more cute and beautiful things.

I think I don't need to explain why I chose them to be the first favorites- see the photos on their shop and you will understand.

Pish Posh Girls shop is perfect example about how one photo can say more than a thousand words and sell the product itself.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Stars of the East

Esther and Estella moved to Turkey 10 years ago. They live in green resort city called Marmaris and find most of their materials and inspiration from the fantastic nature.

If you ask Esther who they are by nationality, then she says that it’s easier to ask who they are not. Esther and Estella aren’t Turks, because they mover there in 1997 from the Netherlands and they have no family ties there.

And even if they both have Dutch passports, they don’t consider themselves 100% Dutch either. Esther grew up in Spain, but Estella doesn’t know much about this country and doesn’t speak any Spanish.
“Who we are… Two rolling stones with eclectic roots,” said Esther.

But they have never regretted the moving- country is beautiful and life is cheap, although the culture shock was enormous at first.

Mother and daughter make fantastic accessories and they find the inspiration in everything that Turkey offers- the Ottoman art, nature, the traditional needle crafts.

Turkey is often seen as a third world country in European eyes, and certainly in many aspects, it is, but the arts nowadays are at a level many times higher than, for instance, the Netherlands,” said Esther. „In many branches, many artists are making incredible things, with roots in a century old tradition, but with totally new input.”

They have sold their line for 3 years, last 6 months also on Etsy. Esther admitted that they have done really good only last couple of months. The turning point was a combination of two factors: better pictures and the introduction of the sea urchin collection.

In sea urchins they have found their niche. „But in every case, you have to realize that people can buy jewelry and other stuff, on a million places, on line or not. Nobody is waiting for a newbie,” knows Esther. Still, there is a place for anyone with a well made product. It takes commitment. And time. We wish every artist success and happiness!”

Star of the East Etsy shop- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5203404
Their blog: http://star-of-the-east.blogspot.com/


Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade

Victoria's Secret- crocheted





Victoria's Secret is one of my favorite brands. Only few, but they have some crocheted fashionable items too. Click on the picture :)