Holiday Trend Forcast: The Ugly Sweater (Party)

There is so much fugly great Christmas sweater inspiration out there it was hard to decide on just one to focus on for color and trend inspiration. Much like my research on the Cosby Sweater, the more I dug into the history of the Ugly Christmas Sweater the more I became lost in a sea of images, blogs and books paying tribute to this fashion atrocity. The growing trend during this holiday time is to have an Ugly Christmas Sweater party (Google it, I promise you won’t be disappointed). There’s even a trio of dudes calling themselves “Ugly Christmas Sweater” (Team Ugly for short) who literally wrote the book on it. It looks like so much fun that Mary and I have decided next year we are hosting one of these parties!

image via Google search (can’t find source)

The first collection is by far the most popular choice when choosing to “don your gay apparel”. Bright color, crazy images and the more appliques and Bedazzled goodness the better. You wear one of these fine specimens you are sure to be the ugliest belle at the ball!

1) BROOKLYN : 100% superwash merino worsted / Cake Walk Yarns via Etsy  (go to Tangled Happy for a discount code and giveaway!)

2) GOLD : acyrlic & metallic polyester mix / Vanna’s Glamour via Lion Brand Yarns

3) FLECKY SWEATER YARN : recycled yarn from actual Christmas Sweater! / SmartMonkey via Etsy

4) CHRISTMAS TREE : silk, wool & glitz rayon mix – art yarn / Scales and Fins Yarn via Etsy

5) CHRISTMAS GREEN : 100% Peruvian highland wool / via Purl Soho

image via Google (again not sure of the source)

The second collection is inspired by those that choose to attend an Ugly Sweater Party with no intention on actually participating BUT the price of admission is one Christmas sweater SO these party goers cheat the system by wearing a traditional and now chic holiday sweater. (aka killjoys)

1) NATURAL : 100% pure virgin wool / Fisherman’s Wool via Lion Brand Yarns

2) CANDY CANE : silk, wool & glitz rayon mix – art yarn / Scales and Fins Yarn via Etsy

3) STERLING : acrylic & polyester blend with sequins / Sequin via Bernat Yarns

4) DEEP SEA : 100% acrylic / Vanna’s Colors via Lion Brand Yarns

5) MIDNIGHT HEATHER : 100% pure new wool / via Purl Soho

image via Craft Stylish • click the photo for upcycled dog sweater pattern

The third collection is what you do after the party… after your hangover is cured and you realize you are now the proud owner of an Ugly Christmas Sweater. Some hipsters may continue to wear it into the new year (making others scratch their heads) but you know better and it’s either figure out something to do with it or it’s off to the Good Will.

1) HOLIDAY YARN : 100% merino wool with beads – art yarn / Wool Wench via Etsy

2) ECRU : 80% wool & 20% silk / Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool XL via Webs

3) TOPAZ : acyrlic & metallic polyester mix / Vanna’s Glamour via Lion Brand Yarns

4) ESTES : superwash merino, cashmere & nylon / Cake Walk Yarns via Etsy  (go to Tangled Happy for a discount code and giveaway!)

5) GREEN : 100% cashmere recycled yarn from actual Christmas Sweater! / Sentimental Valu via Etsy

Matt Damon via The Today Show (check out more fun celebs & their sweaters here)

Happy Holidays from Rewind Knits & Crochet. Mary and I will be “away” for the rest of the year, busy cranking out our Christmas presents! After the first of the year we’ll be posting all about our handmade holiday gifts along with a giveaway of a Eugenie prize pack.

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3 New Patterns… and… It’s Here! Crocheted Version of the Center Row Lace Headband / Neck Warmer! AKA PATTERN-PALOOZA!!

After many requests, we have finally perfected and patterned up a crochet version of our most popular pattern, the Center Row Lace Headband / Neck Warmer.  The dimensions of the finished product are very close to the knit version, and the look is almost identical.  I hope that you crocheters out there are happy with the results.  This pattern comes out just in time to stylishly fight off that winter weather!

We’ve also been hard at work creating the patterns featured in our last post!

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Post Halloween, Pre-Turkey Day Update

While Halloween at Brandy’s house wasn’t as busy with kiddos as in years past, we definitely had more time to focus on a few new projects.  The weather has turned here in the PNW, and the last few weeks I have been focused on gloves and mittens.  One, their quick, two, sizing really isn’t too much of an issue, three, I’m thinking holiday gifts.  I came up with two easy options that are NOT knit on DPNs.

The first ones are some cute cable wristlets, with the thumb added after you sew them up.  I wore them for about a week before I decided to add the thumbs,  so you can go either way.  Pattern will be posted next week.  This is some super soft bamboo hand spun yarn I got off of Etsy over a year ago, and I was happy with the results.

The second ones I think I will call my Dishcloth Candy Cane Wristlets.  These are the easiest things ever.  I came up with these for a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) who is convinced the only thing she can knit is dishcloths.  Again, knit on regular needles and then sewn up after the fact.  You could even do these in school colors (my sis is getting some Purple and Gold ones for Christmas in honor of our U of W Huskies!).  I used Vanna’s Choice yarn.  I am going to get the pattern written up for you next week on these as well.

And here is what Halloween looked like at Brandy’s house.  We went with a funeral parlor/graveyard theme.  I was D. Eadly and she was D. Ceased.  Please note that we hijacked our store mannequin and planted her body parts in the lawn.  I was worried her leg was going to get stolen, but she is all back in one piece now.  We watched Anchorman, knit and crocheted between ‘customers’ and I tried to not eat all the Smarties out of the candy bucket. All in all a successful evening!

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Trend Forecast : The 1970’s

This trend is close to Mary and I’s heart – WE LOVE THE 70’s. From the colors to patterns (knit, crochet & sewing) to the fabric to the decor… it’s all fantastic. We were excited to see it emerge on the fashion runways last fall and it’s gaining momentum. From the high end designers like Tom Ford to mass retailers like Urban Outfitters Mary and I are able to get our far-out fix. What I find particularly exciting about this trend — close your ears knitters! — the focus is towards crochet and …gasp… macrame! And while the world continues to remain eco focused this trend is making taboo materials such as fur, feathers and leather acceptable in small doses. Also thanks to technology faux furs have come a long way baby and are much more realistic. Now pardon me while I macrame myself a beanbag chair to sit and crochet in.

1) Natural : Organic Wool by LB Collection / Lion Brand
2) Mesa : Hand spun merino wool by CReationsMT via Etsy
3) Lemon Curd : City Tweed by Knit Picks
4) Les Fleurs : Artyarns Impressionist Cashmere Sock Yarn

We also suggest ombre or self striping yarns to take the stress out of color work. Lion Brand’s “Amazing” and Lily’s Sugar and Cream ombres or stripes are our favs.

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Winter Trend Forecast : Military

This trend has shown no signs of letting up. Not a shocker since military goes hand and hand with the upcoming season; who doesn’t love snuggly wool coats or bulky knits (or crochet) protecting them from the winter chill?  Truly inspired we went on a mission of our own, finding this great assortment of yarns for your next military inspired project. Each of these yarns works perfectly for Fresh.

1) Toad : City Tweed by Knit Picks

2) Khaki : Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton Yarn by Lion Brand

3) Pea Soup : Ultra Alpaca by Berroco

4) Gold/Green : Mohair Splash by Art Yarns  (has that perfect mix of muted metallic sequins and beads!)

For pops of color try:

• Navy : Redheart Soft Yarn

• Ruby :  Sunnyside Ellen via Etsy.com

Let’s face it… no matter the trend camo is always in style! … not.

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Pantone Spring 2011 Color Inspired Yarn

Recently Pantone published their color picks for Spring 2011. Pantone is the leader in color trend; influencing everything from fashion to home decor. If it’s color, they’ve had a hand in making it popular. Last years color of the year, Turquoise was seen everywhere. No doubt each of us dabbled in this lovely color this last year with some project or another. This Spring Pantone’s IT color is “Honeysuckle”, a muted pink. Mary and I have our own opinions, but pink is not showing any signs of stopping. I wouldn’t say pink is the new black but it’s pretty damn close. We love that this color group can be mixed and match to create any of our signature color stories. All these colors are right up our alley, so much so that we felt the need to share with the masses… SO what better way than help you get your hands on the colors of the upcoming season by featuring Etsy seller’s yarns. (It’s true we’ll find any reason to dig around on Etsy) Support handmade and look haute!!

yarns go from left to right, top to bottom row

HONEYSUCKLE  aka  Adore Me made by Funkyyarns

REGATTA  aka  Blue made by SpinSpanSpun

CORAL ROSE  aka  Embers made by HarrisonWheelworks

BEESWAX  aka  Honeycomb Mine made by SpringtreeRoad

PEAPOD  aka  Irish Fog made by HeartstringsbyDee

BLUE CURACAO  aka  Aqua Blue made by SentimentalValu

RUSSET  aka  Dark Brown made by Jenadoles

SILVER PEONY  aka  Cream made by AlpacaAvenue

LAVENDER  aka  Latvain Lavender made by Lambsear

SILVER CLOUD  aka  Nutmeg Brown made by HardySupplyCo.

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Crafty Geekery

Crafters get inspired by just about anything these days, which we sympathize… our heads are full with ideas too, if only there was more time!  That is why when I came across this Etsy store I just had to share it. Each of the featured yarns are inspired by color stories of popular culture.  And while they are all cool, the best by far is Lando. We embrace our geekiness, this is so going in my stash.

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Et tu, Bruté?

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