Introducing Knit Armour Collection - Alberta Fashion Week 2009

Knittles has embarked a new adventure, an official foray into the fashion scene of Calgary. We showed our very first runway collection for Alberta Fashion Week, this Wednesday, October 7th at Seven Lounge.

We had been busy creating our line of wearable accessories and clothing to combat the harsh Calgarian winters. Inspired by the cold urban environment and the process of building, this line of Knit Armour has elements of deconstruction, glimpses of vibrant colours amidst a sea of cold neutrals, and small sanctuaries of natural elements symbolized by handcrafted wood & ceramic buttons.

The reception we received for our collection was both flattering, and heartwarming. Many thanks to Alberta Fashion Week for allowing us to share our work to the budding fashion community of Calgary.

Photos by Faby Martin © 2009
Models in order of appearance from top left to right, Katrina Cheung, Amy Horne, Brian Sew, Denise Wong.

First Mediterranean Festival in Koper - Knitwear Designer Igor Galas Wins

I wish their main page was in English, but oh well. I love pictures too. It is so cool to see Knitwear to gain more and more popularity. Igor Galas, a Croatian Knitwear designer won the prize for the best collection.
His collection presents the unique style, wearable designs (I love Sandra but not sure where I'd wear her stuff) and such obvious hard work. Couldn't find his website, unfortunately, but found some cool video from Fashion Academy Award.

New Photographer in the House!!!

You may have noticed a little darling with the biggest pearly white smile and dazzling blue eyes modeling our newest hats. She adds a girly charm to those flowered and lacy hats (as if flowers and lace aren't girly enough). You may have also noticed that those photos are gorgeous, with beautiful lighting, and a fresh focus. This is the work of local Calgary photographer Lindsay Milner. She's a mother of 2 beautiful children and is turning her love of photography into a business. She is quickly becoming knittles' go-to photographer for kids and baby items. See more of little C and little A in the shop soon. Many more children's styles involving flowers, and earflaps, and even some little man hats as well. We're finally following our business "plan" , and working towards the next autumn season of hats & scarves and other fine knits. Who needs to sleep anyways???

New Friend

So I've made a new friend, one that my husband refers to as being unacceptable and must be put away after she scared him when he went downstairs. She was just sitting there, innocently, quietly, and unobtrusively, ready for a photo shoot. He walked right past her, into the next room, and then out of the corner of his eye he noticed the headless form, and that's when he screamed like a little girl (or so I imagine). I'll call her Stella, and she was quite the deal that I couldn't pass up at a garage sale this weekend. An old, 1970's style dress form (or a headless mannequin as he refers her to) that will be perfect for taking photos of any neck or body knitwear that we will be designing when a photoshoot with a living, breathing model just isn't possible (or when I'm too anxious to upload a new design that I can't wait to do a proper photoshoot). I must admit, I do prefer being on this side of the camera ;)

Arts of Fashion 2008 Masters Class Series

Not quite Sandra Backlund but Sandra-inspired students showcasing their knitwear. The video is not super recent(Nov 2008), we just stumbled upon it on youtube between the reviews of knitting machines and G20 Summit news.

Vote for Hunter in Etsy Fall Fashion Poll

So we weren't dreaming, we did get selected for Fall Fashion Poll on Etsy. Which is really cool. Thank you Etsy. And yeah, getting an email from etsy admin was pretty rad too. Not to mention we are pretty honored to be in the same bunch as necklush, idea2lifestyle, our favourite emilyryan and hierapparel.

So go VOTE people, and choose carefully ;-) You get to vote only once.

The Last Knit

No, we are not quite finished yet, although quite happy to get a spring break from knitting and winter and work on some ideas rather than custom orders (even though we are very happy to get them). We just stumbled upon a video that totally reminds us, well about us.

Monday Update

That's just what it is - an update. haven't been writing for awhile, so it's time.
First of, we made it to the front page of Etsy today with our Aviator Style Hat


And it has become almost a tradition to have mini photoshoots at my house because Mavis keeps bringing new hats and stuff she makes during the week.

The hats are not listed yet but  will be soon - we are half way there - hats made, photos taken. Just need a name for styles and the listings. We have also been working on a new pattern for Awesome Earflap Hat that will be listed tonight. 

new photographer in the house...

We're always experimenting with different techniques and settings for our product shots, changing locations constantly, and testing out new equipment (like the flash i got for xmas). My bro was over yesterday, visiting with little K, when I wrangled him into taking some photos of me modeling new items. To be honest, he's the real photographer in the family (I just try to look the part with my Canon Rebel & multitude of lenses), and he once again explained to me the fundamentals of photography... focus, ...uh exposure....and i forget the third. The afternoon was not a waste, for I did learn something, how to adjust the aperture so that photos taken in low light don't become blurry, as well as adjusting the custom white balance setting (sound smart, don't I?)

Anyways, here's the results of our quick, impromptu photo shoot. Boxtox (or photoshop) may be needed in the near future, as I seem to have a forhead dimple that shows itself in nearly every photo.
































He is good, isn't he?

Asymmetry

Not trying to toot my own horn, but ...... I am so excited about a new neckwarmer design, I can't stop making them. They asymmetrical (my favorite type of design), and not only are they easy to wear, they are also versatile in that they can be worn forwards, backwards, upside down, and your toddler can even slip it on and use it as a poncho. We found this at our photoshoot when C was adoringly watching us take pictures with those big 'ol eyes that were saying, can i try? She was in a good picture taking mood (usually we have to bribe her with organic chocolate) so we slipped one over her little big head & low and behold, it fit, and was so cute that she even forgot to ask about chocolate.

And for some eye candy, I've attached a few asymmetric items that I've been drooling over from fellow etsiers, kaylim, joodito, junkhousedollyard, and jalvo. Check out their shops for fabulous handmade items, knittles are really big fans of these artisans. They really are masters of their craft.