Ashwood, Free Knitting Pattern Published on Knitty Winter '16 Issue

My new(ish) pattern was published on the last winter issue of Knitty last month, and I haven't posted it on my blog for a month now! How time flies especially in December.
I began sketching for this style about this time last year. I initially designed it as a long sleeve tunic at first, but thought it looked more stylish in short sleeves.

There were several people who wished it to be long sleeves, so I'm thinking about making a second one for my sister with long sleeves someday. 

I also initially designed this in Rowan Fazed Tweed, but when I requested yarn support I heard that the yarn may get discontinued soon, so I ended up using Plymouth Tuscan Aire. I'm actually happier that I ended up with Tuscan Aire. Though it's a bulky weight yarn, it's actual gram weight per meter is very light due to it's tubular construction, so the sweater is lighter and airier than other cable sweaters in similar gauge. 

Here are more pictures and link to the pattern page;

JUMP TO KNITTY WINTER ISSUE FOR THE PATTERN

 

My DIY wedding dress!

Yes, you heard it. I made my own wedding dress, and successfully got married in April 25 in it! :D

I wanted to post the process on my blog, but I didn't have a time to write a post back then, and worried that I might not be able to finish up the dress as I planned.

It took me about a month (more accurately, about 4 hours per day for a month, because I have a full-time job!), about 13 yds of silk taffeta, 12 yds of silk organza, 6 yds of polyester lining and so many other notions.

I really wanted to make it look like it was professionally made. However, while I was doing the research on the materials - especially what kind of interlining and underlining I should use, I found that there is not much of information on the Internet.

I read many different books and Internet articles about the formal silk gown construction, but it was not enough. Luckily, I have a friend who is a vice-president of a high-end designer wedding dress production company and was able to get a lot of advise ( and most of materials as a gift!!!! :D) from her.

I tried to take pictures of each design and construction stage, so that it may help other bride-to-be who wants to make her own wedding gown.

In near future, I'll start posting tutorials on it.

(First I need to take more detailed picture of my dress, when the renovation on my apartment is done. Please bear with me in the mean time.)

No further explanation, here I present the pictures...

Ahhhh~why didn't anybody tell me that I was wearing the petticoat so short!! It ruined the silhouette! :( I was actully wearing the petticoat with the waist band rolled up, thinking it was too long..


The back drape(?) part is detachable, and the skirt can be bustled up for the reception like below.

My sister made me the veil and the feather accessory at the back of my waist.

The bodice part has asymmetric pleats..

How do you like it?