Khadi textiles

Latest love: Khadi textiles, which originate in India. Like this one that I found on Fibercopia, who lifted it from a World of Interiors article.




Or these lovely scarves (very "Where's Waldo"), from Khadi and Co. via Selvedge Drygoods:

Gnome or Baby? Every Parent's Quandry

In my effort to harvest each and every possible garment from the ones that came before, I started to look for another way to get a hat out of a sweater. My daughter was very cooperative while I affixed various portions of a leftover sweater piece to her head in different configurations.

Using the sleeve was the most promising. Also, the most ridiculously adorbs, as seen here:

From The Laboratory of Dr. Bad Sweater...

As they say, "One man's ugly sweater from Express is another man's...




... crazy Brady Bunch one-piece turtleneck-intact sweater suit for a baby. "



This is just the cut pieces. When it's done, it will be slimmer, if not slimming. Of course I will have to add some snaps to the legs and the back. You know, in case the baby needs to peel down the top and let some air in after a wild and sweaty round of disco dancing.

Instant Twee, Just Add Hat

Here we have a fine pair of light green/ dark green sweater pants for a young person. I am occasionally inspired to think about a thick red jersey knit union suit I had when I was a kid, and the way it was constructed. It kind of wrapped around the leg and fit the umm, crotch, in a sort of specific way. I suppose the historical origin was in the concept of comfortably wearing the suit under a pair of pants.

So I tried to do that with these pants in a way that will accommodate a diaper nicely. The fashion concerns of the Under Two set do not fall on deaf ears with me.

Fiber by Fiber

I recently had a conversation about how re-purposed/ recycled materials were becoming more sophisticated looking- less used. This is a very good thing. For something that is wholly re-purposed to read first as beautiful, then as eco-friendly is an acheivement well worth the undertaking.

These gorgeous rugs by Golran, called Carpet Reloaded are a stunning example. They are well-worn rugs whose color has been stripped (both by actual wear, and then by process of the designers) and then re-dyed in some cases. Others are simply patchworked.

Behold:

The Real Housewives of New Jersey Comment on My New Sweater Set:

Another sweater (this time, 100% cashmere, baby) has been sacrificed for the making of some baby pants. These weren't a turtleneck sweater, so no tallpants, but hey, look at the nice hat. And they're a fine cable-knit too, which lends a rather preppy feel. I have opinions about this simple, classic pairing, but I thought it would be nice if some Real Housewives critiqued my latest creation. So here are Dina and Caroline Manzo, along with Teresa Giudice, who were kind enough to lend their thoughts...





Okay, so you want me to talk about these pants? I'll talk about these pants. To be honest? To be really honest? I'm not crazy about these pants.


Caroline! Well I like these pants. Lexie had cashmere pants when she was baby. Okay, so she had 38 pairs! Sue me. Whaaat? Don't tell Tommy. (laughs)

We got cashmere toilet paper. Why are you looking at me like that? It's soft! If you can afford it, why not?!

No seriously, these pants, they're like a little, how can I put this delicate? (looks at Dina...) "Gay". I don't mean that in a bad way, they're just sort of fancy for bein' boy's pants, right?

Oh my god.





Are them Gucci? But they need more stuff on em' is what I think.




I don't think that's the look she's going for. I mean, they're cashmere, right? So what's the big deal.




Would I buy these pants? Proooobably not. If my baby was freezing his balls off and I had to put him in something long enough to get to Bloomingdales would I?
Absolutely.

Do NOT Think I Won't Make a Crazy Gingerbread House Soon, Because You Will Be Wrong

This year is going to mark the first year in a family tradition. The tradition will officially be named: Oh Hell, Mom is Going Crazy Again With The Gingerbread BS.

I hope to uphold this one singular tradition, which hurts no one, in place of the more psychotic, commercially driven Christmas madness often played out by the mothers of small children. And then my daughter will get bigger and want to change all of that and I will cave and we will be found lying comatose under a Christmas tree surrounded by popcorn balls, our faces plasticized by candy cane residue. The sound of Dora's Christmas Special will be eerily floating through house courtesy of six different televisions.

While I still maintain my fantasy, I think this year we''ll start with a simple modern piece, such as this one on inhabitat.com:





I have to start practicing. It's harder than it looks.

It's a Little Boy's Hat, innit?

For the inspiration in making this Hat For a Little Boy, I'd like to thank the following people, places and things:

1. Pumpkins
2. English rugby uniforms
3. Willy Wonka
4. Village Discount Outlet and some lady, let's call her LaVonda, for giving up this sweater which has now yielded a pair of tallpants and this fine hat.
5. A sheep.
6. Someone who gave my baby a prezzie, because I got that cute twill tape off the wrapping.
7. God.
8. No, just kidding about number 7.