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Kia ora and welcome to Never Been Knit! This week, as part of our ongoing Knitted Wardrobe series, we’re delving into the world of ACCESSORIES! Many overlook accessories as ‘not really counting’ when it comes to a wardrobe. Accessories are small in size, and often optional as to whether you bother to wear them or not. Often, especially when it comes to knitted accessories, we typically dig them out to wear out of necessity - to keep warm on a cold winter's day - rather than for style reasons. However accessories can be so much more than a functional optional extra!  I like to look at accessories as the sprinkles and cherry on top of the lovely delicious cake that is your wardrobe. Sure, without them, you’d still have a perfectly enjoyable and functional cake...but by omitting the accessory garnishes you’re be missing out on a lot of texture, interest, fun and flair! Hats, gloves, scarves, cowls - whatever your accessory of choice - are perfect projects for the beginner knitter to pick up. Accessories are compact and easily transportable, can be completed relatively fast, their patterns often require minimal technical know-how, and require little yarn, meaning they are low stakes when it comes to both time, knowledge and financial commitment. When working with and styling my clients at New Boots & Panties, I often remind them that accessories are great if you don’t typically love bright colours or patterns in your core wardrobe pieces, or are wanting to embark on a more colourful garment palette, but are wanting to start out slow whilst your confidence grows. Putting on a bright scarf, shawl, or patterned hat, are perfect ways to dip your toes into those sometimes intimidating waters of colour and pattern, adding a lil splash of contrast and pizzazz to your everyday looks, in a very controlled way! To get you started on your road to Accessory Garnish Glory, Ethan and I have picked out an array of patterns to get you inspired and revved ready to go! These patterns have been picked based on their accessibility in terms of skill, and also are all made from yarn types that can be easily sourced from your Local Favourite Neighbourhood Yarn Store. Peruse our selection and why not pick a project to get yourself started. If you have any questions about your project, or need advice on technique, fit or materials - pop into Outlaw Yarn HQ where the fabulous team will be able to resolve and soothe away your every query. HATS Hats are the ultimate way to lift your outfit game and look instantly, simultaneously, ‘put-together’ and cohesive in your look. A well placed hat can tie everything together, or bring a signature hit of colour to really make your eyes or skin tone pop. Oh and a hat completely has your back if you’re having a bad-hair-day!  The Skyping Beanie Skyping Beanie This is the beanie I have recently completed as my first ever knitting project. But more on that in my next instalment of Never Been Knit! This pattern is free! Pattern Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skyping-beanie Yarn: DK/8ply: Bohemia Worsted or Bandit DK  The Patch It Up Beanie Patch It Up Beanie Our wonderful and talented Ethan designed this Patch It Up pattern. s well as being absolutely gorgeous and fun - with the ability to customise and add your own personality with a patch of your choice - the pattern has the bonus being able to made as a complex technique as well as a simple version. It's suitable for all levels! Pattern Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/patch-it-up Yarn: DK/8ply: Bohemia Worsted SCARVES, SHAWLS & WRAPS I love to throw a scarf or wrap on over my outfit if it’s one of those bothersome inbetweenie and erratic days on the temperature-front - i.e. 8 months of the year in NZ. They are always my go-to ‘just incase’ item to throw into my bag if I’m heading to a picnic or outdoor event in the late afternoon or early evening - they’re not as bulky and cumbersome as a full coat, compliments and even enhances a ‘dressy’ look if you’re at a formal event or something like a wedding. On days when I can’t be bothered with my outfit, am wearing all black, and want to add some instant glamour and bring a real ‘Your 7th Form Art History Teacher’ vibe, without doing much at all - I simply throw a shawl or wrap over my outfit and voila! Instant fabulous! What I'm saying is that I love scarves and wraps, and you should own several!  The Bevel Scarf Bevel Scarf I am OBSESSED with this pattern and whenever I look at it my mind whirls and spins at all of the amazing colour combinations you could make with it. I really like the grey used in the example photos and think that this grey with some really bright hues like yellows, blues and pinks would be incredible. This pattern is suitable for the beginner - it features colour blocking, is all knit stitch and offers two yarn options for two size uses. It can also be made with as few as two colours, or as many as you like - great for using up those remnants you have floating around the place! Pattern Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bevel-3 Yarn: DK/8ply: Bandit or Bohemia Worsted Fingering/4ply: Rebel Destiny or Bohemia Sport  Colour Affection Wrap Colour Affection Wrap This is such a beautiful 3 colour, striped wrap that it actually blows my mind that this contains no purling and is 100% knit in garter stitch, making it perfect for the beginner. Pattern Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection Yarn: Fingering/4ply: Rebel Destiny or Bohemia Sport or Baby Bandit FINGERLESS MITTS When winter rolls around I live in fingerless mitts - they are without doubt my most worn knitted item in my wardrobe. I really enjoy that Oliver-Twist-Victorian-Cockney-Geezer-Fruitseller-At-The-Market aesthetic that wearing a pair of fingerless gloves gives you! I also adore that you can keep your hands warm AND still scroll on your phone/ securely hold a coffee cup without your finger functionality being compromised. Until now I’ve always relied on a tried and tested pair of black store-bought possum merino fingerless gloves, however I’m feeling like I should try and make my own mitts this year!  Log Cabin Mitts Log Cabin Mitts These are a beginner-friendly pair of colour blocked mitts that have no seams to be dealing with and are all knitting stitch They’re the perfect project to uses up scraps or if you want to buy new yarn you can make multiple pairs for different looks by changing the volume and arrangement of colour. This blog features a complete tutorial, and the pattern is free, so it’s totally accessible and totally doable! Pattern Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/log-cabin-mitts Yarn: Bandit DK COWLS Cowls are scarves you that can’t accidentally dunk in your coffee! With no loose ends to deal with cowls are incredibly practical and always look absolutely impeccable on. They are usually a knitting project that's suitable for all levels - so the sky is the limit when it comes to design and colour combinations!  The Honey Cowl Honey Cowl We picked this pattern because it works with all types of yarns, features customizable sizes and has no rules except from using the right size needle for your yarn (you can find that info on the ball band of the yarn). This pattern is a great exercise in not overthinking it and simply knitting what you love ...which is what I’m ALL about! Pattern Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-cowl Yarn: Any Outlaw yarn  The Bandana Cowl Bandana Cowl A great way to learn the technique of making short rows where it will not affect your garment because it's a cowl. This is a very versatile and classic style, and highly wearable shape! Hmm...I also can’t help but think it would look cute on my dog??!! Patten Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bandana-cowl Yarn: DK/8ply: Bohemia Worsted - Held double
We hope this post has you feeling all kinds of motivated and inspired when is comes to accessories. They're such a great, accessible, place to begin when it comes to assembling your knitted wardrobe.
Have you got a favourite accessory pattern? Comment below and help share the accessory love! Until next time, Lou x
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AuthorI'm Lou, an Ōtautahi based personal stylist and craft-lover, and this is Never Been Knit - my journey from complete knitting virgin to...well, let's find out together! Archives
July 2021
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