Sweater Coats

 

 Meet Katwise. She's the creator of the fantastical Elf Coats in these pictures. Again, you can see how a sweater can become so much more than just a piece of clothing. Katwise recycles/repurposes sweaters and turns them into wearable art. Most of her coats are brilliantly colored, ethereal concoctions though she does do some with more muted color schemes. She has a shop on Etsy where you can buy one of these beautiful works of art for yourself. For the amount of work that goes into these pieces, they're reasonably priced.

 treehugger

 elizabethabernathy

There are other sweater coats out there as well, and it's interesting to see the different styles that can be made from bunch of humble old sweaters.Where Katwise creates pieces that are charmingly otherworldly, exhuberently fun, and beautiful, others create more subtle pieces, incorporating lace, velvet, and a minimum of colors.

ipseitydesigns

I found these pieces on ipseity designs and thought they were lovely. They're recycled pieces, like Katwise makes, but completely different in construction, color scheme, and design. These have more of a renaissance or gothic tone in the way they fall and drape. 

SmarmyClothes

Here are some other gorgeous examples from Smarmy Clothes. That black and red coat is to die for! I'd happily take any coat on this page. My birthday is coming up you know... just sayin'!

Hedwig And The Angry Itch...

What? Wool sweaters are totally itchy. Sorry, I just couldn't resist the title. However, I digress because the subject of this post isn't a jilted, post-op, German singer, it's

HARRY POTTER!
Well, more specifically, Hedwig the owl. In honor of Hedwig and this week's release of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, I'm bringing you some awesome sweaters of which our feathered friend would highly approve!

Needled

I LOVE this collar of owls, especially their little button eyes. It's like having an entire owlry from shoulder to shoulder but without the poop! It's things like this that make me wish I could knit, or that I had a generous friend who could.  Kate Davies, the creator of this sweater is a skilled artist in the realm of knitwear design and a historical writer and academic specialising in nineteenth-century literature, textile history, and material culture. The pattern for this piece is available, along with others.

 Etsy
You can really "feel the Hedwig" in this snowy piece.

Style Bytes
Back in 2005, H&M got in on the sweet trend with this shoulder sweeping owl.  I'm actually wearing a sweater just like this today, (minus hood) but mine is sans magical, in-your-face owl...so inherently, it's not as cool.

Venus Zine

Live Journal
I can totally see a Weasley in this, but it works just as well on a Muggle. I'm not sure if Brown and Sound is still producing this or anything for that matter, but you never know what might turn up on ebay, in a thrift shop, or the room of requirements. Still, if you still can't get your hands on one, the shop for Flight of the Conchords offers a pretty decent substitute.

followsales
Kate Spade's Beacon Hill Owl Graphic Sweater. It's an angry looking little thing. I love the colors though!

Live Journal
Even Gleeks love owls! A sweater this cool will keep you from a bad reputation. (seewhatididthere?)

This is cute. This is hurt your teeth sweetness on a sweater. I think it looks like Ron Weasley's little owl Pig, kind of innocently neurotic. The best thing about it though...

Both at Gap
...you can buy it in a onesie for a behbehchild!

Knut on Flickr
Ok, I'm usually not a big fan of animals in clothing. It just seems...unnatural and undignified, but...this is adorable! Plus, it was just meant to be. The dog's name is Knut...a kind of currency in Harry Potter! Kismet? I think so.  As I scroll down the flickr comments, I see that Knut actually hates his sweater (which proves my point about animal clothes) but it's just too cute. I'm sorry Knut, but you should be a breed that doesn't look so adorable in tiny clothes.

Dollar Store Crafts
Of course, you can always make your own owl wear. If you can't knit, no problem, just use the skill of someone else! This beanie and scarf was crafted from a dollar store sweater vest. A bit of felt, some minor cutting and stitching, and you're good to go!

Well, there are scads of other fantastic owl themed pieces on the interwebs, but it's lunchtime for me and I'm just tired of typing so here's a picture of Harry and Hedwig.

 Laura Erickson
Also, I'm hoping, come Friday at Midnight, I'll be sitting in my local imax waiting for the start of Deathly Hallows part 1! I don't have any Felix Felicis, so wish me luck in getting a ticket! Oh, I hope it's good!

I Just Want To Gobble These Up!

Welcome to The Home Shopping Blog Network Channel. Today, we're highlighting the finest offerings in Thanksgiving fashion. If there's one thing the perfect host or hostess knows, it's that setting the perfect table is paramount at this annual feast. However, the china plates and crystal goblets aren't the only things that should sparkle when everyone gathers 'round the table. As any good party planner knows, a properly festooned outfit makes his or her guest feel not only welcome, but cherished. It says "I care enough about you to bedazzle myself with the finest appliques and seasonal designs that money can buy." And nothing says it best...like a vest.

Herb of DC

 Few things can truly enhance the beauty of an immaculately crafted sweater vest, but we here at  The Home Shopping Blog Network Channel think eight dangly-footed turkeys dressed as Pilgrims, and copious amounts of rainbow piping adds a subtle and elegant touch. Order our "Dangle de Ocho" sweater today! Call today!*

You've missed out on this gem.

Speaking of subtle and elegant and for that matter, copious, here's another sweater vest to tempt you with its visual display. Oh! I've just been informed that we've sold out of our "Double Cornucopia of Delight" design. $15.96 and it could have been yours.

Hanzipan

Our next special is something for the younger crowd. Our tunic length sweater, "Turkey Knit Jumper," offers the whimsy of an elementary school drawing with its bold colors and stylized, macrocephalic turkey. It pairs perfectly with both youthful discord and a Justin Bieber haircut. It's a steal at only £69.99 or $135.00.

Thanks Jimmy Fallon, for having Cory Cavin write this blog for me.  For the person who wants everything...all at once, jam packed on a sweater, we offer you what we like to call "The Farmer's Basket." The discriminating customer will appreciate both the festive seasonal images such as the turkey, pie, and pilgrim's hat, but also the year-round wearability of this delightful piece thanks to the multi-colored geometric shapes and spring flowers. The completely arbitrary placement also shows that you're a free spirit! Order now!*  Loom Lady As a special gift to you, our customers here at The Home Shopping Blog Network Channel, we offer the expert knitters, and only the expert knitters, among you the opportunity to make your own pilgrim-turkey hat. Click the Loom Lady link for instructions! For everyone else, consider purchasing* our "Just Like Mom Used to Make" turkey beanie below! Daily Ridiculous  You'll be the envy of all of your friends and family with your fine display of Thanksgiving pride. It also works well at Christmas and anytime you need a makeshift viking helmet. Buy three or more to take advantage of the family discount!* Sweater Surgery So when you sit down to your Thanksgiving table, surrounded by loved ones, don't forget to give thanks for the bounty you are about to receive, and for the stylish knitwear offered by The Home Shopping Blog Network Channel. Doesn't that look good? "Mmmm! Save the neck for me Clark!" Miss Knitsetsy Enjoy...

Yarn Over Mama

...But don't eat too much; you'll want to save room for dessert!

Brought to you by The Home Shopping Blog Network Channel. To order, call (555) 555-5555 or simply email your order to youvegottobekiddingme@fakecompany.com

*The Home Shopping Blog Network Channel is not a real company and does not sell any of these items...though, somebody might, and in some cases, actually did.  If you mistakenly thought otherwise, you need to get off of the internet. However, if you're not the most gullible person ever and are still online, check the links to see some cool craft projects. 

OH, AND BLOGGER, THE NEW EDITOR IS JUST RIDICULOUSLY BAD. FIX IT!

Dolls man.

Cultural Knittings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan! It's wow! You know, that Borat doll actually bears a great resemblance to Tom Sellek...but thankfully, I don't ever recall Magnum PI donning the slingshot mankini. The chest hair however...that's pretty accurate.

In contrast to Borat's beefiness, we've got the adorably cracked out Winehouse...complete with gravity defying beehive and sailor tats!Psh, who needs rehab when you've got your own plushie? Amy you just keep sayin' no, no, no.

" En knitia dollforminus!" hehehe...pardon me while I "cast" a spell. Even a muggle can see how cute this is! It's practically enchanting! The boy wizard translates well into plushiness. It could even lead to a new series! "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Sewing Kit" or "Harry Potter and the Knitters of Azkaban." I'm sure they'd sell just as well as the originals...see? "Well, I had one that I was knitting the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?""Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant Christmas Sweater or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Weaver without interest."

*All images from mail online

Borat, Harry Potter, LOTR, they're all so cute! I sure love dol...They sure are...oh. OH. Um...so that's Hitler huh? Well...that sure is...cozy? Boy, that'd be an awkward moment at the craft convention. "Oh, nice doilies Martha. Beautifully tea cozy Wilma! Eva...well...that certainly is...unexpected. Yes, I'm not saying it's not nicely crafted. Put your arm down, stop shouting that! What did you say your last name was again?"

At least there's a craftily knitted Churchill to make sure the Nazi menace doesn't succeed!

*Be sure to check out the link above for the full story and to see more of these little gems.

Knitting, It's More Than Just Hilarious Sweaters...

So, like I said, there will of course, always be ugly sweaters here, especially around the holidays, but there's so much more in the handicraft world! Today, I think we'll get a lil' avant-garde and explore some more daring designs.

All images by SpattersandJayne

Ok, at first, I totally wasn't sold on this, but then the fact that I've been reading The Hobbit crept in and I thought, "hey, these are kind of middle earthy!" (Shut up! Yes, I'm a nerd, deal with it!) The huge,chunky knit; the ginormous, funky, wooden buttons; and the multi-functionality...from cowl, to hood, to cape, really grew on me! Perhaps I'll get one...they're kind of 'precious'...(hehehe, see what I did there?)

Image from Knitty.com "...little purls of wisdom."(clever!)

Man, talk about perfect for those bad hair days...especially the cold ones! Stylish do and hat all in one! Megan, the designer of this creation, dubbed the "Hallowig," (since it was created for Halloween, but hopefully the name tipped you off...) gives detailed instructions on duplicating this hair raising knitwear.

(Twins)
(Burka 2)(She only wanted boy-children) Now that's a onesie!

Images by Chrystl Rijkeboer

Speaking of hair, why not use a little in the actual knitting itself? Here we see "Twins" by Dutch Artist Chrystl Rijkeboer. She incorporates human hair into her work...which some might consider ugly, but you can't deny it'll stop you in a heartbeat! The subject matter of her work varies from the lighthearted to the politically charged.

Image from knitteroo

Yves Saint Laurent bridal wear circa 1965...

What bride wouldn't feel beautiful and..feminine? Not an ounce of symbolism in that...no sir, not...a...bit. Although, for some reason, the groom said he felt...inadequate.


Image from google.

...of course, if none of those are your speed, there's always this. Even the collar mimics the little pig's tails...and trust me, if there's anything a woman wants to associate herself with, it's a pig. Oink!

(Also, I'm playing a bit with the background right now...since it's not Christmas anymore. Let me know if it sucks and you hate it...and by proxy, me. Thanks!)