Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

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Isn’t this adorable! It’s an advent Calendar made from mini hats and mittens. Now, before you say, “Duh, Terrye, isn’t that a bit obvious”, let me say this.
No. To me it wasn’t. I had to read the description. Ok, due to all of the recent snowfall, my mind may be a bit frozen.

But before you dismiss this as the “I don’t do an Advent Calendar” person I am, er, I mean you may be, think garlands, tree trimming, wrap arounds for stuff (thinking the vertical beams in my log cabin), gift packages… I loved it!

This time of year there are so many cool things to blog about, new patterns, tried and true recipes, don’t even get me started on the mulled wine issue!

So much knitting to do, so little time. As the Harlot says “You tempt the Christmas knitting fates and you get smacked!” She’s a stitch!

And, finally, because I have 2 new grand-dogs (pomeranians) this year and more time than brains), how about this? A Free Cat Hoodie Pattern! (These poms are way smaller than a lot of cats, work with me here). http://www.craftleftovers.com/blog/archives/774

That’s all I have to ramble on and on about today. Hope I’ve given you lots of knitting ideas!

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Knit a Jacket Inspired by an Iconic Coco Chanel Look

The Coco Chanel tweed blazer is a classic look straight out of the 1950s but that still looks modern today. The original design is boxy, with slim sleeves and four pockets with buttons. Braided trim was often found on the cuffs, edges of the pockets and in place of button bands. 

Zanete Knits has taken this classic look and turned it into a great knitting pattern, called The Blazer. 

The Blazer is worked in one piece from the top down in garter stitch to mimic the tweedy look of the original. Beginning at the back neckline, you work shoulder shaping and down to the armholes, then pick up stitches to create the fronts. Below the underarms the pieces are joined and worked together in one piece.

This version uses buttons, and the buttonholes are incorporated into the design as you knit rather than being a separate band. There’s an option to add waist shaping and the bottom uses a folded hem. The sleeves are shaped with short rows and also have a folded hem at the end. 

The fringe and two faux pockets are optional additions that make the pattern’s inspiration a little more obvious. I actually like it both ways but if I were knitting it for myself I’d probably leave off the fringe thanks to my yarn-loving cats. 

The pattern comes in nine sizes with a finished bust circumference ranging from 35 to 67 inches, or 87 to 167 cm. It’s intended to be work with 4-6 inches/10-15 cm or positive ease around the chest. It calls for sport weight yarn and is rated for intermediate knitters thanks to some of the techniques involved. 

There are so many great projects on the Ravelry page (where you can buy it, or visit the Zanete Knits website) that you’ll want to go check it out to decide whether you want to knit it in a striping yarn, a solid, and with or without the extras. The pattern is available in English, Danish, Dutch, French, German and Spanish. 

[Photo: Zanete Knits]