Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

DIY bohemian modern

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Image from Alabama Chanin

Image from Alabama Chanin

During a business trip to Chicago a couple of years ago a friend and I discovered the Anthropologie store. As we were leaving we each started to describe the one item we didn’t think we could live without. As we kept talking we realized it was the same thing – a beautiful shawl made of silk yo yos. Since it was over $400 dollars and fell into the category of ‘impulse buy’, we thought about purchasing it together and sharing custody. But, who would get it for the Holidays?

We went home without the shawl and with the sorry knowledge the closest Anthropologie store was too far away to drop by and shop in any time soon. So, tonight when I ran across the Alabama Stitch Book by Natalie Chanin I was thrilled her style reminded me so much of Anthropologie. I call it bohemian modern.

With her book in hand, I may try to make my own yo yo quilt shawl. Go check out Natalie’s store Alabama Chanin and pick out your own inspiration.

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Stitch Your Favorite Fruit on a Sweater

The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.” 

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them. 

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits. 

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves. 

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit. 

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy. 

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]