Machine knitting, seamless sweater

Fall is here and we are all getting ready for the holiday seasons. If you love to knit and have a knitting machine, this knitted sweater might be exactly what you need to make for someone you love. Lyudmila from woolsolution made one for her shop and shared how to make it with us.

This article is NOT a pattern description and is intended to help knitters with some experience to save time and speed up knitting process.  This technique is suitable for some adult knitwear and works great for children’s sweaters, cardigans and vests. As a result the garment is seamless and provides comfortable fit.

If you have a knitting machine with a ribber attachment check the manual for tubular knitting.

Before starting the project knit a swatch and do all necessary calculations. Set up the carriage to knit fabric clockwise and use a waste yarn to cast on EON (Every Other Needle).

You will knit front when carriage  moves from right to left and back of the garment when carriage moves from left to right. Keep in mind that a row counter at the end should show required number of rows times fore for mock ribbing and times two for the rest part.  When you reach  required depth of mock rib  (Number of Rows times 4) bring all needles into work and continue knit clockwise to reach required rows for front/back.

Sleeves
With all mentioned above considerations  work each sleeve at a time increasing one stitch in every 8-10th row on one side.

Machine part is over. Now combine stitches on a circular needles skipping 8 or 10 (4-5 sts on both sides of the imaginary seams)  stitches in under arm area on sleeves and the body of the future sweater. Continue knitting forming raglan or round yoke and bind off at neck line.

This color schema includes stitches decrease instructions. Before start yoke make sure your number of stitches is dividable by 8 in order to get whole number of the given motif.

Hot color trends for the spring and summer 2012

It is important to choose your wardrobe in trendy colors as wrong color selections can spoil your mood even in the finest weather.



Here are some hot color trends to stay fashionable for the spring-summer 2012. Yellow, orange, red, white, black, fuchsia and soft caramel colors are a must for all ladies who follow fashion trends.

Yellow and all its shades seem to rule the fashion scene this season. Yellow blouses and skirts are seen in all the fashion houses and designer stores.


You can never go wrong with orange this spring season.


A red dress is great for any occasion. Bright red has the potential to make even a grim situation appear bright


White is one color that gives you a complete feminine look. If you wear a white laced blouse or shirt with a bright colored skirt it will enhance the white color.



Black is a color that never goes out of style. A little black dress is perfect for the night out with friends.


Fuchsia is an ideal pick as it is neither too vibrant like orange or yellow, nor as soft like caramel colors.


Other good choices for your wardrobe would be soft caramel, cream, light pink and light coral colors.


By Marina Lee (LeeMarina)

Winter fashion, scarves

Nothing is better than a warm scarf in a winter! Something to cuddle with. Something to look gorgeous in.

Here are our scarves from the Russian Artists Team - to you!

  Enjoy our collection of scarves!

Scarves from (left to right):
1. manonknits 2. cozyseason 3. baymut 4. janebofelt
5. vitaltemptation 6. maliposha 7. citycrochet 8. lanadearg
9. lasunka 10. crafts2love 11. allmadewithlove 12. galafilc
13. mailo 14. Muza 15. frenchfelt 16. proninA

Leather pendant how-to

You can make a beautiful and stylish pendant with your own hands. It's easy if you'll follow this tutorial from Katrinshine

You will need:
a.. A piece of genuine leather 1/32" to 1/16" thick
b..A thick needle or an awl
c. Scissors
d. A drafting compass
e. Flat nose pliers
f. A charm
g. A ring 1/4" to 1/2" in diameter
h. A chain with lobster clasp closure (or a cord)

1. Draw 2 identical circles on the back side of the leather, cut them out. It has to look like this:

2. Join the edges as shown. Sew circles together keeping the distance of 1/8" from the edge. If the edge of one of the circles overhangs, trim it with scissors.

3. Pierce circles once with a thick needle a little more than 1/8" from the edge, a little further in than the seam. Pass the ring through the opening.

4. Take a charm and put it on the ring. Close the ring with flat nose pliers.

5. Pass the chain (or cord) through the ring.

Some thoughts on knitting

When I was a teenager I had a friend Katya. Her mother was a talented designer. That is why Katya always had the amazing dresses, jackets, hats and scarfs. For her mom it was a hobby to make garments for herself and for her daughter. One day Katya came to me to invite me for a walk. She was wearing an unusual hat and gloves. I was thrilled.

“Where did you get them?” I did ask my friend. “My mom made it for me” Katya said proudly.
“Wow, Katya, you are so lucky! Your mother is so talented! I wish my Mom could knit and teach me to do that” I said with jealousy.
“You know, my mom could teach you how to knit! She was trying to teach me but I really don’t have the patience for this. Let’s go for a walk and after we can talk to her.”

Katya’s mother showed me how to knit and crochet. 

That was thirty years ago, and I have enjoyed this hobby ever since. And I found a lot of benefits of knitting. You can make something memorable for your family. You can make gifts for Christmas and Birthdays for your friends or co-workers. You can create a very unusual jacket or hat.

 You can be a real artist working with different colors of yarns and fibers.

When you are a woman on a budget you can save a lot of money making garment for your children. But from the other side you can make money if you will knit items for sale.

What could be better than to do something for your family? What could be sweeter, softer and warmer than a blanket which a future mother makes for her baby? Or what if you would crochet a tablecloth or lacy center peace for your family holidays? Imagine your children and grandchildren coming to visit you on Thanksgiving Day and having your family’s traditional tablecloth on the table. It is great, don’t you think?

When Christmas is coming we all are looking for presents and gifts. Of course, you can buy presents but if you will make a scarf or hat for your boyfriend or husband it will be a very unique present.

Pick out his favorite colors and your soul mate will appreciate this gift even if it was three sizes too big! Just because you spent your time making this hat or scarf only for him, just because during the time while you were making those items you were thinking of him.

Everyone likes to be complimented. Are you on tight budget? You can save a lot of money by knitting yourself an unusual outfit.

 It is very pleasant to make something that people will like. Yes, it takes time. But believe me, to make a hat or scarf is very easy. Choose a pattern, choose your favorite colors, make a cup of tea or coffee, turn on your favorite DVD and enjoy your knitting during your free evenings.

Alaska’s winter is a perfect time for knitting. And Alaska is a perfect place for a knitting business. If you will learn how to knit hats and gloves or mittens you can knit them even for sale. A lot of stores take stuff for consignment. People like handmade items. You will benefit if you will use natural materials, like wool or cotton.

I like to knit. When I see a handmade outfit I always compliment the person who wears it. This garment keeps you warm not only because of wool but and because of positive energy, because of love which hands put in each stitch.

Try to knit. I’m sure you will like it.

Story by Alena HappyFrogFromAlaska

Interview with a Star - Katrin at Katrinshine

Hello! My name is Ekaterina and I run Katrinshine, an internet store on Etsy.

 I loved to make things since I was little, and my grandmother has taught me a lot: to embroider, knit and crochet. My mother taught me to sew and draw, and she says that she would give me paper and pencils and I would keep busy for a couple of hours just quietly drawing at my desk. Maybe this is why I love to make handmade items so much. To this day I love to draw.

I have graduated from an art school and it gave me a good knowledge base in composition, colors, an various drawing techniques. This is the design that I drew on our kitchen wall:

 And this is the arched doorway between the entrance hall and the living room:

About a year ago I got renewed interest in crocheting, learned to make crocheted balls, flowers and scarves. Maybe soon I will work up my courage for a large project, such as a crocheted dress for next summer.

Currently I work at a store, and often when it is not busy I crochet something small. When customers see it they give me positive comments on my creations. I created the whole series of earrings made of crocheted beads in many colors:

Given that the store I work for sells everything and anything made of or related to lavender, and its décor is all in lavender and white, I often find inspiration for lavender-colored jewelry. For example, this necklace, which consists not only from crocheted beads, but also beads made from fabric. I also added some small glass seed beads as an accent.

Take this ring, for example. It is composed of a crocheted rose with a bead in the center and a flower made of purple leather. These textures, even though so different, go very well with each other and make this ring unique.

I love long necklaces and have a huge collection of them at home. This is why I decided to make this long necklace, I also figured that I am not the only person who loves long necklaces. Black and white color scheme makes this necklace suitable for work, a company event, or just to wear every day with a gray sweater.

Please come and check out my Katrinshine store where you will find not only handmade jewelry, but also gifts for men and unique patchwork bags.

Fall and whinter fashion color trends for 2011-2012 years

Fall is already shining with the variety of colors and the fashion designers are ready for the season with their fantastic collections. Let’s get some inspiration reviewing color trends they supply us for the coming season fall 2011 – winter 2012.

It is essential to remember that in autumn and winter colors shouldn’t be as bright as they are in spring and summer. To be in fashion choose lavender, cantaloupe, or honeydew. Garments in soft colors are always stylish and elegant.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Elegant and chic black is the best neutral trendy color and easily can be combined with other colors. Designers willingly mix it with white, magenta. Brown color is used as a basic also (taupe, terracotta, curry). Using monochrome colors you can play with textures: mix smooth and mat, transparent and close. If you think soft colors are a bit dull combine them with another trend – bright details. Add accessories to you look, like hats, mittens, scarves or bags or of orange, lemon, magenta. They are still hot.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Burgundy and grape add glamour and chic to the appearance. There are all red hues including crimson magenta wild berry in trend now.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

In this season prints play a significant role. The combination of printed items with monotone ones looks perfect! Leopard, python, plaid prints have been trendy for many seasons. Just update them with trendy colors.
Midnight blue is a fresh idea for every occasion. It can be casual or festive just make experiments with that trendy color. Keep in mind aquamarine, navy blue, royal blue, cyan, sky blue. Deep green and turquoise are actual today.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

For special event you might want something shining (silver, golden). But wearing sparkling clothing try to keep balance of your look.


Enjoy the colors scheme of Fall 2011- Winter 2012 and get inspired!

Fashion story Lily (HeartyGift)

Stay Warm and Look Cool!

I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that Fall is the best season of the year - from the golden foliage to pumpkin-flavored everything and cool weather, Fall gives us many special things and one of them is new look. Fall Fashion shows were presented in Spring and we had a good six months to prepare for autumn dressing.

In our collections you can find all what you will need in this season: chunky knits, sweater dresses, felted and knit scarves and many other accessories to stay warm and look cool. Bright, eye-popping colors make a statement this season - favor the bright and don't be shy to pair different shades of the same color.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

All these would complete your winter look and more would also keep you warm in the windy and freezy days.

Accessories all year round can transform a boring outfit into a stylish look. In another words, accessories can revive an old dress and turn it into a fashion masterpiece in a matter of a moment. The bottom line: selecting and using accessories tastefully is an art that pays back.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Here's a summary of all big trends of the Fall/Winter 2012 with from Vogue Magazine for F/W 2012:

Mood/Style:
layering is the starting point for a collection that consists of many pieces that are also mix-and-match and purposefully crafted to combat the winter temperatures. The source of inspiration, then, is the book The Stonemasters and its images of the California climbers of the Seventies. Sporty details mix with very masculine pieces and feminine dresses. It passes from the checked shirt to pieces in oversized knits, from touches of fur to ponchos with decorations that bring to mind the typical graphic prints of Native Americans. But also trapeze tops worn over undershirts, skirts that look like shirts or cardigans, flower-printed dresses and ankle-length skirts

Lengths:
midi and maxi

Colours:
black, bordeaux, army green, red, cement, khaki, anthracite, sandpaper, white, ivory, dove, camel, pearl

Fabrics:
fur, woolen knit, cotton, nylon, woolen cloth, satin, lightweight wool, silk, cashmere, sweatshirt, lurex, chiffon

Shapes:
flared, sarouel, oversized, A-line, loose, layered

Accessories:
knit berets, cloth belts, robust patent leather lace-up high-top shoes, pearl necklaces, wool gloves, fur stoles, lightweight knit collants, wool stockings, maxi woolen scarves, fur busbies, knit muffs, charm necklaces

Vogue.it

To find all new listings for upcoming season use "rusteam fall fashion" key words in Etsy search.

Story by Lyudmila (WoolSolution)

Summer 2011 Fashion Trends

The air is getting warmer, people are taking off layers that kept them warm through the winter, the sun is getting hot, and the beach is tempting with cooling waves. It’s about time to update your wardrobe for the summer.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The classic summer fabrics such as cotton and silk take on bright colors and “loud” prints in 2011. The rainbow colors of this sexy full skirt, the butterflies on this elegant free flowing blouse, the cute vintage skirt with the floral pattern – these are great examples of what’s going to be hot this summer. Another big trend this summer is the return of lace texture. You can even have it on your bikini!

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Summer 2011 is all about color. With right accessories you can create striking combinations. Even a single bold accessory can make you look stylish. Check out the fashionable handmade products offered this summer by Russian Artists on Etsy.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

All of these (and more!) are made by our team members to make you look and feel fabulous this summer!

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Have a wonderful summer!

Story by Yana (WineCountryLife)