This winter I’ve had the time to do some knitting, something I haven’t done in years. I’m not an experienced knitter by any means – I know the basics, I can knit simple shapes (such as squares and rectangles)… the idea of making a piece with curved edges, patterns or with multiple yarns is an adventure I’m not quite ready for.

To my delight, talented knitwear and textile designer Nikki Gabriel has come up with something fabulous for beginners and advanced knitters alike: a unique series of knitting patterns that are designed to be made in stages by simple knitting shapes. Called Construction kits, Nikki has cleverly designed 3 in total so far, and each kit comes complete with instructions for making a number of super stylish garments -  from simple scarves to vests, sweaters, and cardigans…

“Each shape is simple to knit and like a building block system, you can begin with a one-ball of wool construction; your first block. Knit one ball creating a garment; then add another knitted shape with two balls of wool building on the first garment. So begins your construction.”

I’ve been working on Construction No. 3 which is based on just one knitting shape – a square. In this kit, you have 7 garments to build on – a shrug (which consists of 3 squares), a sweater, a sweater with sleeves, bolero, cardigan, jumper and jumper with cape. Each garment is a stage built on the previous one. I decided to make the cardigan, which builds on the shrug and bolero, knitting 9 squares in total…

Nikki has also designed her own yarn called “Wooli” – a delicious mix of recycled factory fibre remnants like wool, alpaca, silk, and cashmere. The result is a wonderful mix of thick, lush yarn that feels soft and warm, and comes in colours ‘greige’, ‘burgundy’, grey and black. I used the black yarn to knit my cardigan as you can see below…

I’m so happy with the result. Creating the garment has been a lot of fun, and I love the way the garment feels to wear – it’s so warm and cozy.  This is a project that can easily be done over a weekend, or a series of weeknights  – for me each square only took about an hour, but if you’re an experienced knitter I’m sure it would take you no time. My cardigan is going to get a lot of wear for the rest of winter and into spring when there is still a chill in the air. Now, I can’t wait to make myself another garment… next up I’m thinking the bolero from kit no. 2 will be perfect for the months to come.

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+ To purchase a Nikki Gabriel Construction kit, click here.

+ To purchase Wooli and Nikki’s ebonised knitting needles made from recycled Rimu in New Zealand, click here. And for more info on Nikki and her creations, click here or to read her blog, click here.

Thank you dear Nikki for allowing me share your beautiful work here in the (blog)house.

xx

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A couple of months ago, Parisian bag designer Alexia Hollinger (who you may recall I wrote about in  Paris: Made by Hand) emailed me to say she had created a new collection of bags in my name. I couldn’t quite believe it.  I received one of my very own just the other day, in gold linen or lin doré as they say in French. Here it is above, hanging from my studio doorknob. I adore it – it’s light, it’s big, it’s incredibly practical but stylish and sophisticated. It has a pocket especially for one’s phone, and a zipped pocket for other things, it even has a key holder.

I love it in every way, and I feel incredibly honoured that Alexia named this bag after me. It’s now available for purchase in Alexia’s shop in Paris, but also online right here. It comes in four styles including Toile de Jouy and Lin argenté (silver linen). Merci beaucoup Alexia, je suis très touchée. xx

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…it’s adorable. I found this pretty embroidered silk number in a little vintage boutique earlier this year, in a sweet seaside town outside of Sydney where my dear friend Jenni lives. We saw it together, both fell in love with it and spent the following moments passing it from one to another “no you have it”, “no you saw it first, you should have it” “no no, you have it”. Jenni insisted I take it, so I did. And now it lives with me here in Amsterdam. It’s a lovely summer bag, and even though I don’t get to use it much here in the north, I have it hanging on a hook in my bedroom where I can see it everyday and think of my dear friend.

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Do you remember this bag? And do you remember I said I’d show you the other side? Well what you see above is the other side. Isn’t it stunning? I love how the two sides are so different. Leslie now has a page on her website for new items she has made, so you can check out all her freshly made bags right here.

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…that I cherish, from le voyage créatif. Find marte marie’s shop here, and her beautiful blog here.

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…from br.wn clothes, wrapped in a discontinued pattern. Isn’t it lovely? So lovely that I can’t make myself open it yet. But I will, and then I’ll show you what’s inside.

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I’m pleased to let you know that the clothes made it to the children in Namibia and House of Orange wrote all about it on their blog last month. They wrote a post about each of the 6 days they spent there, including the day they held a little fashion show for the kids. There are heaps of photos, and the posts are inspiring and very moving. Click here to read them all, and be sure to scroll down to the end of the page to start with so you can read the days events chronologically.

It’s wonderful to see and read the results of this special project  – to know that the clothes that were sent in have made it to their destination. 3 cheers for House of Orange and Orange Babies, and thank you again to all who sent in clothes.

xx

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Back in July, when I found the beautiful photography portfolio belonging to Australian photographer Olga Bennett, I was intrigued and inspired by her images (seen here above and below) of fashion stylist Kim Kneipp a.k.a the sustainable stylist. Doing a little research online, I soon discovered that Kim and I share the same passion and ethos – we are both striving for sustainable style in our everyday lives with the hope to inspire others to consume less. But while my work and focus leans toward interiors and homewares,  Kim’s focus is fashion. She not only works as a personal stylist  – which includes teaching you to “shop your own closet” (love this idea!), accompanied shopping trips, colour & style consultations, and tailored alterations -  but Kim also facilitates sustainable design workshops, teaching people how to refashion their tired garments into fabulous new ensembles. The idea is that you bring a suitcase to the workshop packed full of old favourites that you are no longer wearing, and for 3 hours or so, you  “unpick, drape, reconfigure and rework your old friperies.”

I love the idea of these workshops, it is something I’ve been looking for for years in fact. The sustainable stylist workshops are currently held on Saturdays in Daylesford and Trentham in Central Victoria, Australia where Kim has recently set up home having moved from Melbourne. Click here to find out dates and times. I’ll definitely be going along next time I’m in Oz…

more gorgeous photos of Kim and her home, photography by Olga Bennett

Kim has also started a blog and although it is only a few months old, it is already filled with lots of great tips and ideas. I’m so excited to have found her, and I can’t wait to see more from her in the months to come.

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For more information and contact details for the sustainable stylist, click here.

All images in this post are by Olga Bennett, click here to view her full portfolio.

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Tomorrow evening,  ilovevintage here in Amsterdam is hosting a “miniature” exhibition in their beautiful new boutique on the Prinsengracht – for those who have Amsterdam: Made by Hand, you will find ilovevintage gracing pages 42-45.

There will be miniature handmade illustrations between 1 and 20 cm on display by two artists, based on the theme “woman”, along with music, performances, and fashion shows. Sounds like a fun night – doors open at 7pm, programme starts at 8pm. I’m going to try to go as I haven’t been to one of their exhibitions yet, and I remember when I interviewed the owner Faranak for my book, she was describing all the new ideas they had for the new store -  these special event nights being one of them.  Perhaps I’ll see you there!

When? Friday, august 27th
Where? ILV Atelier boutique. Prinsengracht 201, Amsterdam

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…made by leslie from swarm.  She just finished a new batch and they are all insanely beautiful. I’ve been taking this one with me everywhere, it’s perfect as a ‘stylist on the run’ bag, you can fit so much in it! And I love that it will age the more I use it, so so special.

Anyway, I had to show you guys. This is just one side, the other side is also gorgeous, perhaps I’ll show you that side another day – it’s like having two bags in one. oh yeah.

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