Miss Brooks

This summer, I was fortunate enough to run into Sabrina Famellos of Anzula Yarns while she was pitching my LYS on her way to TNNA. I was working on Guinevere in the shop that day, and we got to talking about design. A few hours and some delicious Kansas City barbeque later, we agreed that I would design a dress with Sebastian and Mermaid for the next TNNA, coming up this January. Four months and five skeins of gorgeous yarn later, I give you: Miss Brooks!

Worked entirely in stockinette and reverse stockinette, this dress is a timeless classic with plenty of sex appeal.

I have a thing for style of days gone by. If I could get away with dressing in Regency dresses and Tudor gowns every day I would, but that's another story for another day. For this piece, I wanted to reference the glamour of 1920's fashion; skirts were getting shorter, legs were just starting to go bare, and modesty was still a valued commodity. I considered giving the piece a dropped waist, but in the end I decided placing the skirt just below the natural waist line would keep the pattern more accessible to today's woman. A boat neck, sheer sleeves and sexy layered skirt finish the dress in style, snatching it away from the land of costuming and landing it squarely in the 21st century.

Check out the outline of that leg through the bottom layer of the skirt! Sexy! The top two layers cover you where it counts.

I particularly love the skirt on this dress. Each layer is worked side to side in reverse stockinette; the bottom edges are allowed to curl up, and they're seamed only partially from the right side, resulting in a cool sort of deconstructed look. Once you put it on, the bottom layer is almost completely sheer. Nineteen-twenties, meet The Sexy Knitter!

Vintage fashion not your thing? Give it an even more "right now" twist by styling it with a steampunk vibe, instead.

As much as I love the monochromatic look of the dress worked all in one color, I would be excited to see it knitted using a different color for each skirt layer. It would even make a lovely wedding gown, worked all in white or cream! Replace the satin belt for leather and the vintage heels for half boots, or add a bit of steampunk and make the style all your own. Can you see the possibilities? There are lots!

This dress will be featured in the fashion show at TNNA in January 2011. Stop by Anzula's booth to preorder the pattern for your LYS, or visit my Rav page in January for your own copy!

Many thanks to Lee Ann Barker for the gorgeous photos. She was, as always, talented and patient.

 

Watch for trains when you're shooting on the tracks! Lord, I thought we were going to get run over...

A little update...

These past few months have just been a blur of activity and work for me. Quite a bit of what I've been doing I can't even show you yet, but trust me, it's going to be good! In the meantime, here's a glimpse at what's been going on over at Chez Sexy:

First, I had a trio of designs published by The Knitter Magazine, Issues 23 and 24:

        

Aviatrix, Trek Socks and Serleena Socks

Then, another trio of designs, this time for Knitting Today! Magazine, Issue #1. Have you guys heard about this new magazine? It's the sister to Crochet Today!, and so far I love the way it's been styled. I'm so excited to be a part of the magazine, because I've always thought Crochet Today! was really cute and Knitting Today! is just the same. Check them out over at www.knittingtodaymag.com, or follow them on Twitter as knitting2day. Issues have been spotted at Barnes & Noble in the US, so be sure to have a look next time you're in!

Big Red ShrugChi-chi Slouchy Beret and Drummer Boy Sweater

Oh,let's see. What else? Oh yes...I became a designer for The Loopy Ewe! That was a BIG day for me - so excited to be a part of their Sock Club and Sock Club Lite in 2010! Loopy has such a diehard following, it's been fun to get to know their fanbase and become involved with such a great company! These kits are absolutely FOUGHT over, so if you're even thinking about signing up for 2011, you'd better literally be stalking Sheri's blog next month if you hope to get a spot, because they'll be sold out for sure! Here's the two patterns I've done so far, but you'll be seeing more from me for them in 2011:

    

Cable Crossings and Argylers

Last but not least, I was honored to be asked to design for Woolgirl! Jenn puts together The. Most. Amazing. kits ever, and do you know how I know that? Because I get to receive a kit for each month I design a pattern! I've had four so far:

                  
Through the Woods, Poppy Fields, Elphaba's Revenge and Cuppa Cowl

Seriously, if you have ever thought about getting a kit in the mail, I highly recommend Woolgirl's kits! She puts a lot of thought and effort into making sure each one is just like getting an amazing present in the mail - she even wraps everything up like a gift! I also love that you can order just one kit at a time, instead of having to lay out a huge sum of money for a full year's worth of club. Check out her available kits here. You'll be seeing more from me for her in 2011!

Okay, this turned into more like a big update, but there you have it! This doesn't even scrape the surface of what I've been up to since the last update though, and that should give you any idea of how busy I've been! Speaking of busy, I've got a cowl on the needles for The Knitter Magazine right now that I need to get back to - I'll be back soon to post photos from my latest shoot!

I love you all! Did you know?