POP UP SALE!!

A long awaited SALE is coming to Melbourne next weekend. For those loving customers who have been waiting for this, it runs for 2 days only, on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd of March; MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MISS THIS ONE; as you know this only happens every 3 - 4 years, and its priced to clear; so up to 75% off. Because my collections are only made by hand to order for retailers, there's never any 'leftover' stock from a season. However on the odd occasion there's one or two extra styles made from each collection, and there's the samples, and the one-offs that don't make it to the sample rack. This is a treat indeed, as there are some pieces here that I am heartbroken to part with. But I need to make some space to create MORE!!
The Sale is a Pop-Up Event, 3 Glasshouse Road, Collingwood. I look forward to seeing you there.

The Handknitters Yarn Guide

Received a press copy of my first authored book The Handknitters Yarn Guide published through Rotovision.





It's an extensive reference book on knitting yarns, and will be available between March and May 2012, but can be pre-ordered through Amazon.
In Australia, through Murdoch Books & New Zealand Allen & Unwin.
Its also available through other distributors.
In the UK through Search Press, and the USA St Martins Press.

The book is 200 pages filled with information about 180 knitting yarns covering all the specs and character of each type of fibre, and fibre blends. The yarns were knitted, studied and documented covering stitch definition, draping, pilling, resilience, durability, colour retention, feel, breathability, moisture resistance, wicking, fire retardancy and sustainability. The pros and cons are listed and there's quick tips on usage and care.

Each yarn is separated into weights of super-fine, fine, medium, bulky, and super-bulky, and categorized into ply weights. There's useful tables of recommended needle sizes and how much yarn you would need to make a jumper of different sizes. In the back of the book there's more useful information of calculating yarn substitutes for when you want to try other yarns than suggested in a knitting pattern. A glossary covers and breaks down all the technical yarn terms such as guage, wraps per inch, yarn spins, and how to read yarn labels.

If you need to know more about knitting yarns, how to choose them and what their best suited for this book is extremely useful. It covers wool, mohair, angora, cashmere, camel, alpaca, silk, cotton, linen, rayon, bamboo, soya, hemp, ramie, tencel, nylon, polyester, acrylic, boucle, chenille, ribbon, eyelash, flamme, ladder, vicuna, qiviut, yak, bison, possum, corn, milk, nettle, kenaf and seacell.

Remix Magazine

I've always loved the shoots in this magazine; and was browsing through one the other day at a cafe, and spotted my Hirsute Dress in it, from Winter 11. Nice!

Molly Makes

A feature in the Christmas issue of MOLLY MAKES

MERRY CHRISTMAS

This is Izzy with a basket of Handspun Bespoke Wool. This range is sold out, but there will be more next year.
Have a beautiful christmas everyone. Looking forward to a nice long break and the start of a new project. Will keep you posted!

Christmas Gift Guide

Knitting Needles and Wooli in Inside Out Magazine's Christmas Gift Guide!

Melbourne Design Awards

The Construction Knitting Project picked up an award in the Textile Category for the Melbourne Design Awards. Thank you all who voted for us!!!!!

Summer COLLECTION now in store

Knitted Camisole Dress in Gold - Linen/Cotton, Silk, Rayon.
Available in Australia at Chiodo.

All Summer Collection photography by Annelise Hough.

Summer Collection

Mesh Kaftan available in New Zealand from Aroha, and Little Black Crown / in Australia from RPM & Chiodo.


Lace Fringe Top available in New Zealand from Little Black Crown.

Summer Collection

Lace Chemise available in Australia from Chiodo.


Lace Kaftan available in New Zealand from Aroha & Taylor / in Australia from RPM .


Jersey Dress available in New Zealand from Little Black Crown / in Australia from Chiodo.

Summer Collection

Filagree Lace Dress available in New Zealand from Little Black Crown & Aroha /in Australia from RPM



Tulip Lace Top available in New Zealand from Taylor & Aroha / in Australia from RPM & Chiodo.
Lace Bloomers available in Australia from Chiodo.




Victoria Lace Dress available in New Zealand from Little Black Crown

HOA TV

Video by Rakai from Aroha.

Nikki Gabriel - Knitwear Designer from HOA TV on Vimeo.

Vote For Us....

Wow, our entry for these very prestigious Melbourne Design Awards have been accepted. This award entry is a reflection of the integrity and originality that has been injected into our Construction Knitting Project. The complete project is profiled on the link, which explains the process of how the product was conceived. The public's vote plays a big part in the award - so please vote for us here.

The Handknitter's Yarn Guide

I remember in my interview with the Design Files I really pondered over the "what's your dream job" question. And I replied that I'd like to travel the world to examine all the rare fibres available, and work out what to knit with them. Well; it came true!!!!

I was actually approached by a publisher to author this particular book: "The Handknitter's Yarn Guide";and I didn't actually travel the world to find the knitting yarn, but I was given a budget to source them, so I trawled the internet (hey - same thing, sort of!) And so for the last year I've had parcels landing on my doorstep from all corners of the world of every type of hand knitting yarn imaginable, made from every fibre possible; animal, vegetable and synthetic. So, I've had time to play, work, and review, and compile all this into a book.













The most amazing I discovered is Vicuna, a rare South American animal; so rare it's US$300 for a 50g ball. 50g's enough to make half a mitten. The most under-rated fibre; Camel - just as fine, soft, warm and beautiful as Cashmere; but you don't see any model/actress come fashion designer releasing a new 'camel knitwear range do you'. I have a list of the most surprising and the most delightful; Seacell (made out of seaweed), Kenaf (from the bark of a bamboo/like plant), Milk (yep; solidified then spun into a yarn), Corn & Nettle. And there's more, my God there's so much more!!!! You will have to wait for the book to come out to discover the rest: March 2012, from St Martin's Press in the US, and Search Press in the UK.

WORKSHOPS

What a week - phew!! The highlights for me was the actual pitching of the tent , and setting up the ambience for the space/ once the LIGHTLY lamps and pom poms were up I was satisfied it was going to be a productive and beautiful space to share and work for the week at Harvest Workroom. The other highlight of course was the really diverse range of people who attended; one lady brought her elderly mother who has been an accomplished knitter all her life, but can't make the complex and demanding garments she used to make, and can now only knit squares, and so was inspired by the end of the workshop; and then a guy who wanted to learn to knit so he can make something for his girlfried - hoowww sweeeet!! I enjoyed the conversations with all the hospitality workers who had days and afternoons off to knit/ a couple of lawyers, a few designers, artists & fashion students & many textile appreciators. And of course the yummy food / my morning trips to QV Market kept the table filled with pots of tea and fruit, cake, bread, cheese.

Knitting Tent

Tent is now set up for Knitting Workshops at Harvest Workroom.
There are still some places available for the afternoon sessions - or just pop in to have a look and see the new range of WOOLI yarn, Tools & Construction No 3 knitting patterns.