MI SCUSI HAND MADE

East End Craft Shop!

2011-12-22T21:15:00.000-05:00

Guess what? I've been running a pop-up shop with my homegirls Buffy & River for the past month in Chapel Hill, NC!

Come by if you're in the area! We feature over 20 local artists & we're open every day through March!

>>> Info about the shop <<<

Knit turbans

2011-11-28T13:59:00.000-05:00

Turban time! Mine are actually crocheted from recycled yarn. Knit turbans for everyone!

Don't forget my holiday sale: enter code STAYWARM at checkout for 15% off any item!

miscusi.etsy.com

Knitspiration: winter 2011

2011-11-23T11:53:00.000-05:00

Holiday shopping is upon us! I made a coupon code for ya: enter STAYWARM at checkout for 15% off any item on etsy!

>>>MI SCUSI HAND MADE<<<

I also made a pinterest recently to catalog all my inspiration photos:

isobelandcleo

shadowplay

Lamija Suljevic

Jess in my dad's sweater, my mom's necklaces

2011-11-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to pass on this brilliant post from Outsapop, consistently one of the best blogs out there for DIY inspiration. She explains how the negative impact of the fashion industry is devastating to the environment (not to mention the problem of sweatshops & their constant violation of human rights). It's the reason recycling motivates everything I do with Mi Scusi, and a conversation I wish more people were having.

""From the design board to the tumble dryer, textile manufacturing has a huge environmental footprint. It pollutes as much as 200 tons of water per ton of fabric, uses a suite of harmful chemicals, and consumes tremendous amounts of energy for steam and hot water needed in dyeing and finishing processes. Compounding this situation is the fact that the industry has migrated to countries abroad with still-developing environmental regulatory systems, such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, seriously degrading local drinking water resources. " From Environmental Challenges of the Textile Industry - NRDC (Case study China).

>>Outsapop Trashion<<

A.L.B.S.

2011-09-23T15:05:00.000-04:00

Fall is finally here (though it's still pretty warm here in the South) and I'm so busy with craft shows & festivals! A scarf I made recently:

Garter triangle scarf with contrast crochet border and tassels! I love this scarf...I immediately cast on for a cobalt blue/olive green one as well.

Moon and stars sweater

2011-08-31T16:29:00.000-04:00

Best sweater ever!!!

On my etsy now!
Vintage handknit celestial moon & stars sweater with oversized slouchy fit. Perfect!

How to tie scarves a bunch of ways!

2011-08-25T15:36:00.000-04:00

I found this cute video on Marga B.'s knitting/crochet blog; it shows how to tie your scarves a bunch of different ways. Anyone else getting excited for fall??

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;ff&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Also, today is the 10-year anniversary of Aaliyah's death; so sad!! I've loved her since I was in middle school. I had to wear my shirt as a tribute to her.

RIP babygirl!!

"The Tyranny of Trends" : found on Etsy's Blog

2011-08-08T12:23:00.000-04:00

Please read this article (found on etsy's blog) concerning the multi-layered negative environmental and human impact resulting from the global culture of consumerism that has emerged over the past decades.  Charty Durrant echoes many of my concerns with the "fast fashion" culture that relies on sweatshop labor and massive pollution to continue.  I almost wrote "to sustain itself" before correcting myself: this system is not sustainable and is irresponsible, causing so, so much harm and suffering.  

From her article: 

"The fashion industry’s pollution problems are multi-layered, and the  cost is human and environmental; from unsustainable farming practices,  uncontrolled pesticide use and toxic dyes to the squandering and  contamination of global water reserves and the concerns over textile  landfill, the debate gets ever more complex. It has been estimated that  it takes 800 litres of water to grow the cotton for just one pair of  jeans.

The trend for organic cotton over the past few years, though  well-meaning, is not the whole solution, as cotton is a very thirsty  crop. While some ethical designers provide good-quality, fairly traded  organic cotton garments, this move has been used unscrupulously as a  token gesture by the fashion industry to appease concerned consumers  whilst other, unsustainable manufacturing processes continue unabated."

All of this contributes to why I choose to use exclusively recycled & vintage materials; I can salvage textiles that were discarded and avoid contributing to this nightmarish system.  When you choose recycled/handmade/vintage over new, your decision helps the environment and you can sleep at night knowing you haven't contributed to the mistreatment of garment workers.

"The Tyranny of Trends," Charty Durrant

Sale for August!

2011-08-04T12:56:00.000-04:00

I decided to extend my 20% off sale through August; just enter code AGOSTO at checkout for 20% off any item in the shop!

Look no further for your fall knits; you have found the source!

>>>miscusi.etsy.com<<<

Don't blame me, blame it on my wild heart

2011-08-01T14:38:00.000-04:00

Manual machine-knit shrug, recycled acid green cotton with blue/gold/olive viscose, 2011.

I made an identical one for myself too cuz I fell in love with this one! (I can make any color; just ask!)

>>>> etsy link! <<<<

Black Elvis/Lost in Space

2011-07-31T14:36:00.000-04:00

New house, new (free!) space poster.  

Livin astro, tell me how you feel

Summerjamz

2011-07-24T19:41:00.000-04:00

New jams appearing every day on etsy!!!  

PS how cute is my new model Kelsey!?!

Blog readers receive 20% off ANYTHING in my shop from now till the end of July! Enter code "LUGLIO" @ checkout (it means July in Italian!).

:::miscusi.etsy.com:::

rag rug # 2

2011-06-30T16:37:00.000-04:00

Bucket <3s the new rug I'm working on!

SICK SAD WORLD

2011-05-19T22:38:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Tara of SWANclothing for reminding me to post every once in a while, jeez!!  I'm moving (again), been busy (as always).  Stay tuned for destashing/giveaway posts--I have stacks of fabric & other craft-related itemz that need to find a proper home.

Recent knitting:

Started doing some oversized embroidery:

Magical tags from the past (which I recently started documenting):

!Febbre di Primavera - Spring Fever!

2011-03-07T22:33:00.000-05:00

Handdyed fabric knitting for springtime...!!

Recycled t-shirts handdyed, cut into strips, then handknit, Feb. 2011

Knit Fast, Die Warm

2011-03-06T16:38:00.000-05:00

Some knitspiration--I've been saving images like these for years, for ideas for knitting & sewing projects. Expect lots more posts like these; sorry I haven't kept good track of the sources of most images! (if you know where something is from, please enlighten me!)

PS--I learned to crochet!!!! Exciting! It's not so hard for a knitter to learn... my first real project is circular couch pillows from recycled t-shirt yarn (photos soon). Think these but way chunkier.

FOR HARD GUYS

2010-12-19T14:54:00.001-05:00

Sometimes a vintage label is just as enticing to me as the knit itself:

I wanna unravel it because the yarn, the yarn(!) is so unusual, but the label cannot be ignored or discarded!

It might go up on etsy if my man doesn't claim it for hisself. He's a pretty hard guy.

Planetgreen.com's Etsy showcase (featuring ME!)

2010-10-06T02:54:00.000-04:00

O I think they like me...

I have been featured on Discovery's Planetgreen.com Etsy showcase!  Prettyyy, prettyyyyyy, pretty good. 

This is the cowl they featured!

Knitspiration

2010-09-20T12:06:00.000-04:00

Some knitspiration images I've saved over the past few months:

(I haven't been very good at keeping track of who knit what,

so if you know, please set me straight!)

This one (above) is by Barbara I Kongini

And of course this is Rodarte.

A.D.I.D.A.K!

New red turban

2010-09-15T13:01:00.000-04:00

Another turban; this one is a custom order going to Australia. I love thinking about people on the other side of the world wearing something that I made with my own two hands, while watching a movie maybe or hanging out with friends. Then they wear it while doing the same!

Stripe-y scarves (behind the magic)

2010-08-05T20:12:00.000-04:00

Sitting, knitting

Ispirazione d'estate - Summer Inspiration

2010-07-02T10:39:00.005-04:00

Sorry for the absence, dudes; I moved to the mountains!

That first picture is like the most beautiful thing ever. My hair is that long now!

Let's get to the beach before it turns to sludge...

Braided rug from t-shirt yarn

2010-05-26T12:42:00.001-04:00

I started working on this braided rug about 3 weeks ago; it's taking me much longer than I expected, but I want it done, so I've been working on it feverishly!

It's a big spiral of braided t-shirt yarn (t-shirts cut into strips [tutorial]), sewn together with red thread.

It makes me feel a connection with women/families of long ago who made things out of necessity, before the days of store-bought rugs (and everything else)...all my meticulously saved fabric scraps are being put to use.

I also hate the sight of my apartment's old, ugly carpet, so I wanna make this thing as big as possible to cover it!

(I found this old framed embroidery and stitched on some extra creepiness;

it's hanging above our bed now.)

Turban + All-Seeing Eye

2010-05-04T19:42:00.000-04:00

I made this turban for a new friend of mine; he requested an all-seeing eye. I think it looks sick! The brown fabric was bleached by me; the yarn is 100% cotton.

don't push your luck

2010-04-16T11:02:00.002-04:00

So I haven't actually watched this video but did y'all see this: 

Is that GISM white-out-ed onto her jacket? And Dystopia at the bottom? I did some "serious research" (first result on Google) and found this explanation. Apparently the director of the video was an early member of Bathory...that explains it. WOMP WOMP

Mass-produced vs. ethical shopping

2010-04-02T10:34:00.004-04:00

BBC's Blood, Sweat, & T-shirts is a series of short videos uncovering some of the inhumane working conditions found in sweatshops in India. Anyone who buys new mass-produced clothing should watch these short clips.

Their description: "This BBC Three series from May 2008 saw six young fashion addicts swap shopping on the high street with working in India‘s cotton fields and clothes factories. Find out whether they could handle a sewing machine and meet the target of two garments a minute. And whether their experience changed their throwaway attitude to clothes shopping."

Solution? Thrift stores, clothing swaps with friends, and of course, buy handmade from etsy! :D

(A skirt I recently made from all recycled fabrics; at my etsy now!)

Found via Off The Rack, the ReadyMade fashion blog.

TURBAN TIME

2010-03-30T20:16:00.005-04:00

Been knitting turbans!  (I can make you one in any color you desire...)

Summer shrugs

2010-03-25T20:00:00.005-04:00

2 little sweaters I made last weekend:

Cream/fuschia is: raw wool, mohair, and cotton.

Chartreuse/teal is: alpaca, wool, mohair/wool, and my very first handspun  wool!

They're both small summer sweaters for layering.  I can make them in any color; which one do you like better?

A LOVE LETTER FOR YOU

2010-03-10T13:33:00.004-05:00

Y'all. I love these!! Imagine driving through your city and seeing love poems on the walls! I live in a place where public art isn't really appreciated/tolerated, and the grey blandness is so UNinspiring...

By ESPO, in Philly.

++his blog++

++the entire love letter++

interessante!

2010-03-04T22:25:00.003-05:00

Come funziona una macchina da cucire? How does a sewing machine work?

I slaved away on mine all day today; productive Thursday! My machine is pretty temperamental but keeping this in mind, I just reload the bobbin whenever it's actin' cruzy.

Levitation

2010-03-01T10:44:00.003-05:00

by Sofia Ajram (flickr)

Vegan yarn, fake fur, man-made fibers

2010-02-21T16:41:00.003-05:00

I read a well-worded post at Outsapop Trashion about real vs. fake fur; how do you feel about it? Whether you're vegan or just against killing animals for their fur, lots of peepz are not into wearing real fur, and choose fake.

But... DID U KNOW: fake fur is made from petroleum/oil! So are acrylic yarns and most other non-natural fibers. I did a little internet searching and apparently acrylic fibers can take between 500 and 1,000 years to decompose.

SOLUTION? Recycled/used/secondhand! Only recycled fibers actually reduce waste. This is why I take the time to unravel sweaters, dudes!

Read the original post here.

These leggings!!

2010-02-04T12:51:00.003-05:00

Sick. I wish I had time to make everything I want to make. Someday.

Via Knitkicks (endless inspiration).

Tidbitz

2010-02-04T11:24:00.008-05:00

Dying and drying vintage slips for the Roulette Valentine's Day party!

My favorite winter witch boots (thrift score).

Insane orange/yellow/green/brown/white yarn (so weird; I love it)

My toes; ouchhh; I let Marco pick the font (Mexicali).

My first knitted baby blanket, for a friend's newborn bambino.

gennaio - ispirazione

2010-01-27T09:03:00.012-05:00

Thinking about knitting capes, cocoons, cloaks.

WHAT!?

2010-01-21T15:25:00.002-05:00

Cruzy-ass knitwear (more inspiration brought to you by Outsapop Trashion; she's tha bomb)

Cooler than a polar bear's toenailz.

By Von Sono.

GUARDA LA LUNA, LA BELLA LUNA

2010-01-17T15:38:00.006-05:00

I realized that fully half of the photos in my "inspiration" folder of my new computer are moon-related; the girl cyan help it.

When I was bout 10, I was a moonbeam for Halloween? (Default, constantly repeated costume: witch.)
The title phrase of this post contains another tidbit: it's the first phrase I ever learned in Italian come bambina (as a child).

MAGIKOOPA

2010-01-15T11:53:00.003-05:00

My favorite Super Mario character, immortalized in crochet! By EnemyAirship on etsy.

I love her space background; it's perfect for the bespectacled mage.

She has lots of other video-game-inspired amigurumi for sale as well!

Have y'all played the new Super Mario for Wii?? I can't waiiiiiiiit.

A queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest

2010-01-02T20:06:00.003-05:00

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” - Martha Graham

More fantastic etsy finds.

2009-12-22T16:17:00.004-05:00

Can you believe this shirt is handknit?! I couldn't; it turns out there was some machine knitting involved but we all know that can be really time and labor-intensive as well. F-f-f-fantastic!

Isobelandcleo's etsy shop is full of other inspired knits; I really want to make myself some tights like this!

isobel and cleo at etsy

Don't be sore at me; I'm entitled to one mistake (Hey!)

2009-12-14T19:31:00.007-05:00

Where do you get cutouts of your most beloved characters like the one below? Where do you acquire a lush red carpet for your pitifully carpeted stairway?

It's been busy, you know? 3 craft shows in 3 weeks and no time for loungin'.

This has been my dream Halloween costume since I started knitting. Collective unconscious?

I'm planning to knit myself a glorious CAPE; I have so many ideas and not enough time; there's never! any! time!!

Fantastic etsy finds!!!

2009-11-12T09:53:00.003-05:00

Maybe it's the early morning talking but I am pretty into this handknitted cardigan I saw on etsy! The seller describes her knits as "fresh"; I couldn't agree more.

AlexKnitwear's shop

There's treasure everywhere/there's inspiration everywhere!

Scrappy shrug recipe / tutorial

2009-11-11T15:43:00.007-05:00

Scrappy shrug in recycled yarns: angora, wool, mohair, linen, handspun and handdyed wool, acrylic, cotton. Make your own with my little recipe!

This tutorial is more like a recipe; I am an intuitive, non-pattern-following knitter, so my attempts at pattern-writing are always a bit vague. This shrug is supposed to be a bit slouchy, and yours will still look great if it comes out a bit bigger or smaller. I got my original inspiration from the Baggy Bolero at Pickles; they do a much better job than I at explaining how-to!

I used my favorite circulars: size 15 and 19. This will seem huge to most knitters but this is how you achieve the loose, lacy effect. Big needles = super fast!

Gather your favorite scraps of yarn. (I never throw mine away! Even very short lengths of a beautiful handspun or brightly dyed yarn will stand out.) Make sure you have both bulkier and thinner yarns for the lacy effect of my shrug.

I (loosely) cast on about 24 sts with my smaller needles (size 15). The idea is basically to start with a small circle for the armhole, increase a lot until the circle is large, then cast off and do the whole thing again for the other arm. You finish by sewing up the back.

I knit in the round for about 5 inches, increasing about 10 sts in this section (I used yarn overs, but you can use whichever increase method you like). I switched yarns whenever I felt like it, and added random garter ridges for texture. Again, whichever stitch you want to use is fine!

After about 5 inches, I switched to the size 19s. I knit for about another 5 inches, increasing to about 60 sts total. You can try on your circle as you knit for guidance on how slouchy/fitted it will be! Keep in mind that most yarns will "grow" a bit after washing, so you can keep it on the smaller side as you knit.

Cast off loosely when you like the size of your big circle, then make another one in the same size. I kept good notes about how many stitches I actually increased in each round so I could do the same on my second circle.
Sew up the back (as much as you want!) and you are ready to show off!

Should I add a button? What color?

Recent inspiration

2009-11-05T17:04:00.011-05:00

1. crystal Baphomet
2. Pipistrello means bat in Italian.
3. Everything about this is insane. Y'all see those Predator heels?
4. unexpected mysticism
5. THAT HAIR
6. a natural menace 2 society
7. we had the clear and the peach
8. MORTICIA (my favorite)
9. I need those golden eyelashes.
10. Bone flute/bone man!

We gladly feast upon those who would consume us.

2009-10-28T00:39:00.006-04:00

Yo. I "made" this crop top by cutting off the neckline and cuffs of a little boy's shirt...easiest reconstruction ever!

I found some Noro (esque?) at tha thrift!! What a sick find; I love color-changin' yarn.

A necklace/collar I made a while ago. All materials from my fabric scrap stash; some pieces are handdyed.

Photos from Carrboro Artisan Market!

2009-10-26T14:17:00.007-04:00

I love doing craft shows in the winter!
People are so much more inclined toward my knits:

MASTER OF T-SHIRTS/Tommy Long Legs, aka Sir Bozzington, aka Thomas Dean of Lost Woods Print:

(in the center)

Thomas is an elusive printmaster; his creations are difficult to buy on the internet so I recommend tracking him down in person. Start a petition HERE for a Lost Woods etsy shop!

Allyson and Jeremy, who not only do amazingly detailed and thoughtful work, but are also genuinely sweet people. I love seeing their friendly faces at craft shows (NC-VA connexxion!).

You can see the rest of the photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrboroartisanmarket/

(This market was sponsored by Roulette Vintage in Carrboro, NC...awesome ladies!
If you're in the area, you must pay them a visit.)

Cain't nobody do it quiiiiiite like this

2009-10-19T23:15:00.003-04:00

Margo and I took a bunch of photos today; I thought a few accidentally came out really nice. Got2go; Stefano's taking me to get late-night (fake) ice cream!

Ice age

2009-10-16T09:59:00.009-04:00

I always listen to this song to get pumped to venture out into the world:

I was looking at old posts randomly and discovered that I was sick last year on the EXACT same dates I was sick this year! Eerie.

New lovelies on etsy every day! Don't miss!

etsy etsy etsy

Platinum plus

2009-10-13T12:05:00.002-04:00

Look at me, featured on Etsy Trends! Dang!

They featured my cloud cowl:

I can make this cowl any color, by the way.

UNRAVEL YOUR SWEATERS TO MAKE NEW CLOTHES

2009-10-01T11:15:00.002-04:00

Do it! One of the best tutorials is at neauveau fiber arts.

Here's another tutorial from craft. Her advice is mostly the same as I would give, except I don't avoid intarsia sweaters; they take longer but actually yield more yarn in the end!

(images from Craft.)

Then, use your "new" yarn to make a cowl to keep you warm!

Some free patterns from 'THE INTERNET':

Chunky knit cowl
XO UO cowl (longer)
Cashmere (ribbed) cowl
Crochet chunky cowl

The one that got away

2009-09-30T19:11:00.008-04:00

Alas, I never got to take proper photos of this amazing dress before it sold...I'll just have to knit more.

Margo got cold so I let her wear some winter warmers!

Knitting machine madness:

I have so much stuff to show you; do you ever feel like there aren't enough hours?

agosto - ispirazione

2009-09-14T12:00:00.014-04:00

A tattoo idea??

I live in a Treehouse (of horror).

Best nails!

There goes Stefano tryna take me to the prom on his motorcycle.

(unicorn hair)

Modern Magic Vintage

2009-09-07T13:51:00.004-04:00

One of my very best friends just listed a bunch of fantastic vintage treasures on her etsy; I just wanted to share them!

A Morticia Addams dress!

Some amazing slips and nightgowns (to be worn as dresses, of course):

Add her to your faves; she will not steer you wrong!

I am pumped; how about you

2009-09-02T12:39:00.005-04:00

!!!Energizing fall!!!

Dying and drying things on the back porch!

Clockwise spiral:
Our globe collection, Frances Mananses, the Tarot, obsidian arrowheads.

Our friend Jim is visiting. He says, "JUST GIMME THE LIGHT"

YARN PARADISE

2009-08-26T22:13:00.007-04:00

GOOD NEWS!! I got a (cheap-o, manual) knitting machine! Here's my first scarf:

What do you think? I love how the different thicknesses of yarn create a wavy effect. I finished this in probably 3 hours total...with the manual knitting machine, you're still moving a "carriage" holding the yarn across a row of needles, back and forth, but it's wa-a-a-ay faster than handknitting with needles that size. I let the stripes begin randomly in the middle of rows and left the tails of the knots a bit long...just some little details to show that it's unique.

Also, I made a "page" on Facebook for Mi Scusi! It would make me so happy if even one person would become a "fan."

link link link

Ma cos'e? What is it?

2009-08-26T17:32:00.004-04:00

(Can you tell what it is?)

(It's a bolero, a shrug, a little minisweater. Photos on an actual human to follow!)

Handspun, wool, cotton, linen, acrylic.

Vegas dress (I want to knit one for you!)

2009-08-20T10:06:00.007-04:00

Did I ever show y'all the dress I made for my best friend's wedding in its finished state?
It started as a pile of this:
I want to start selling this dress (or similar knitted dresses) as a custom order in any color. Good idea/yay or nay?

attention: CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, USA

2009-08-19T16:04:00.003-04:00

Never-before-seen Mi Scusi magical clothing, accessories, and knits will be in the flesh at the

Charlottesville Arts & Crafts Fair,
Saturday, August 29th!

Ooh, let me see, let me see. Y'all better be there!!

(fb page)

Oh snap.

2009-08-17T12:56:00.004-04:00

Uh-oh, dudes! There is a Malaysian band named Mi Scusi! Looks like we have similar ideas regarding blood font...

Video games about knitting

2009-08-15T22:47:00.002-04:00

Thanks, CanarySanctuary!

2009-08-13T11:04:00.007-04:00

Dudes. I won a sick giveaway from my homegirl CanarySanctuary of Canary Knits (and I never win anything)! It felt like my birthday when the package arrived:
Sweet vintage patterns (including one for a hamburger sweater!) yarn, and a handknit bear.

I couldn't wait to start knitting with the silvery-green-grey yarn (it's so soft!).

(it's on etsy if you like it!)

The quiet of books, the sound of that ocean.

2009-08-06T20:10:00.004-04:00

My dad gave me some jute yarn (given to him by my friend's mom, an awesomely crafty lady). I'm making rugs for our little apartment!

Much softer on the hands: handspun wool, sent to me in order to be knit up into my signature windowpane berets. I love this job; mani, don't fail me now!

Oooh yeah, Sunday coming

2009-08-02T11:30:00.007-04:00

Some tidbitz from around the house:

Hulk light switch!!

I found this dress at the thrift store and thought it was kind of witchy. I got home and found out it is a real Betsey Johnson! I also found a way to make planets in Photoshop???
Finally, a bookshelf for all the yarn.

Sick thrift score! All from the same spot; maybe all from the same kid's closet.

Pizza plate collection. Broox has the 3rd set.

Sarah I see you peeping at me from BR!!

Space (I believe in)

2009-08-01T15:04:00.006-04:00

Two new Slouch Beanies: fawn (tan) and amethyst (purple). I hand-dyed both yarns for subtle stripe action.

The fawn beanie is ONE OF A KIND and can never be recreated (I used all the yarn!) so get it while you can.

etsy etsy etsy

Lauren Manoogian necklaces

2009-07-31T10:44:00.003-04:00

When I saw these necklaces, my brain immediately tried to discern from which materials they were made.

Turns out, it's paper clips and tape!!

They would make a pretty easy DIY if you could only find those colors, those colorssss.

Handmade by Lauren Manoogian.

Found via love forever.

etsy in the morning, etsy in the evening, etsy at suppertime

2009-07-28T14:30:00.003-04:00

I love going to etsy's front page and seeing one of my photos there!

My Mr. Swirly beret, front and center. I can make this beret in any color! I also have a new style, the Slouch Beanie:

and my triangle scarves will be appearing:

see it all here

I am in the wilderness;

2009-07-26T12:17:00.003-04:00

IMPORTANT NEWS: Sade is releasing a new album this year!

She is the original mermaid:

AND SHE SEWS HERSELF A WEDDING DRESS UNDERWATER IN THAT VIDEO!

King in my empire

2009-07-23T12:15:00.004-04:00

What up, y'all. Have you seen Modern Seamster magazine? I'm out the door right now so I don't have time to read each and every word but do trust I will later.

We just moved into our new apartment (!!) so I've been stalking the "free stuff" section of Craigslist, trying to find treasures. Before we went to Italy, we gave away all our furniture and unneeded junk, so now we're starting from scratch. Yikes!

I spotted this sick ride in my hometown:

Just needs a button

2009-07-21T16:07:00.007-04:00

Handknit loosely following the construction of the Pickles Baggy Bolero, except in all stockinette stitch.

All recycled yarns: wool, alpaca, angora, mohair. Completed May 2009. The yarns fade from light to medium grey by adding one strand of darker grey at a time.

Moonstruck

2009-07-14T20:20:00.018-04:00

Italy feels like a dream even though I was there a month ago. Do you wanna see more photos?

Italian amici! I reminisce, I reminisce.

Into the woodsCinque Terre (5 lands)

Cruising around Cinque Terre on a boat!
waiting for the Nightrider bus

Painting on the stairs at Dauntaun. Carlz gave me that belt for my bday!!

My ma loves the Edelweiss. Huge beers awaited us upon arrival at Innsbruck, Austria! We watched The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, fitting because Mr. Adams conceived the idea for the novel while high on a hill in this very city.

A wedding cake made of Swarovski crystal animals!

Gems from a vending machine!

Met my Italian cuz, Riccardo! Don't we look like twinsies. Our great-grandmothers were sisters; mine came to the USA while his remained in Italy. It's funny: each of us are enamored with the other's country!

ITALIA, MI MANCHI DA MORIRE

2009-07-14T19:50:00.012-04:00

Translation: "Italy, I miss you to death." I mostly miss all my holmez from halfway around the world. I wish we weren't so far apart.

"Gems by F. Leolini" (see the peacock?!)

"It exists! Drink... DUFF" (4 euros is a bit steep but WHEN IN ROME, right.)

We slep' at the squat in Firenze/Florence.

SKELETON RIDERZ (you have to click to make this big)

Stefano e Filippo

At Dauntaun, drinking birra malandrino, a creation of the above Filippo.

So much inspiring art. I wish I had taken more, more, more photos.

One half of a new shrug; the color shifts from light to dark grey!

That's my boo! In response to the wall's question:
why, he got his dream job at the tattoo shop.

Ghostess with the mostess

2009-06-28T23:07:00.006-04:00

Handknit by me without any pattern, March 2009.

Alpaca, wool, cashmere, handspun silk, and cotton. All recycled!

I need some photoz with a real model, eh?

<<< rock+shop market >>>

2009-06-16T12:33:00.003-04:00

Hey dudes! Come see me at the Rock and Shop Market in Raleigh, NC this Saturday!

Coincidentally, the home of Michelle, the supernice creator/curator/producer of the market, was featured in DesignSponge! Congrats, homegirl.

You can see lots more photos from previous markets here.

Sneeeeek peeeeek

2009-06-10T13:02:00.009-04:00

Expect steady updates on my etsy all summer:

Insane vintage handmade highwaisted shorts in "JAZZ AGE" fabric.

SPACE DRESS!

Super long loose-knit cowls.

Hand-tye-dyed circle scarves in recycled cotton.

V-neck scarves in crazy stripe combos!

LAME

2009-06-09T23:49:00.001-04:00

Are you kidding me?!

You would, Archie, you loser.

Why Aaliyah had to take that flight?

2009-06-09T03:54:00.013-04:00

My homegirl Carlz posted some of her 35mm pixxx from Italy on her flickr (where you can also view some of her mindblowing artwork).
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I read a lot of this today: stuff white people do. Vastly superior to 'stuff white people like' (which should really be 'stuff rich Democrats like'). Prettyyyyy, prettyyyy, pretty good. Via softspoken.

Home again, home again (back in NC)

2009-06-05T11:10:00.003-04:00

I'm home, dudes! I apologize for my extended internet absence; U NO how it is. I shall return with a mighty etsy restocking and myriad craft projects to share witcha!

Here are some things I'm excited about upon my return:

hanging with friends + fam

hip-hop radio

fried okra

my sewing machine

cranberry juice

the thrift store

What do y'all miss when you're far from home???

FREE SHIPPING PER TUTTI*

2009-05-18T10:10:00.006-04:00

*Means free shipping for everyone!

I'm going back to the USA in a few weeks and need to send away all the hats I've knitted while in Italia. EVERYTHING in my shop will ship for free from now until the end of May! I've lowered prices on a few things as well.

We're going to Austria and France this week! I feel like I look really grunge in that last photo/like Jay (from Jay and Silent Bob). Uhhhh.

MAIL PRESENTS / my birthday wish

2009-05-08T06:35:00.007-04:00

It's my b-day, yall, and I am pretty far away from my friends & fam. I keep stumbling across blogs in which people are showing off their thrift store finds, and I'm jealous (since there are none in Milan!).

I have been wanting to start sending mail/packages again for awhile, and was just re-excited by the idea upon seeing Anna's awesome swaps! Does anyone want to do this??? Does anyone want or need Italian goods? I'm always down to trade my knitted things as well.

New hats on etsyyyyyy:

! ! ! ! PICKLES baggy bolero ! ! ! !

2009-05-07T16:53:00.008-04:00

I got inspired to knit a sweater 2 days ago (yep, I finished it in 1 day!). Here's the original idea, from PICKLES:

And my version... smaller, but chunkier:
I used size 11 dpns for the armholes (cast on 24 sts), moving to size 15 circs (increasing to 48 sts), then size 19s for the chunkiest stitches (72 sts). I also chose to move from 1x1 to 2x2 to 3x3 rib instead of staying with 2x2 like they did.

I used 4 recycled yarns held together: white wool, cream wool/angora, white/gold cotton, and light green mohair.

They also have a pattern for the 'lavender jacket':

SO ANXIOUS

2009-05-07T07:06:00.006-04:00

My man Stefano found this gem: DJ Mark Marcelo's The Af ter-Party

90s hip-hop & r&b is forever my jammmmm. Listen to this before you go OUT ON THE TOWN.

My birthday is tomorrow!

(support handmade)

2009-04-29T13:07:00.003-04:00

Softspoken is having a sale on her fantastic baby baby scarves... I like to support my fellow knitters!!!

Was $35, now $20?!?!?! She could justifiably be charging so much more! Get them while you can (now until Cinco de Mayo)!

Heart me on etsy?

2009-04-28T08:21:00.003-04:00

I'm so close to 1000 hearts on etsy!

Help a sister out?

fight me like a dude

2009-04-27T06:08:00.009-04:00

Meet our flatmate Gregorio:

He's from Brazil and he rules! He's wearing a sweater tank/tunic I knit in March.

Climbing trees in Italia:

My boo + I in a green dream world:

Broox + Rocco (AKA Congorock DJ and all-around supernice dude, also has good taste in video games):

SUMMERFUN/it never rains in southern california

2009-04-25T19:30:00.000-04:00

I miss summer so bad! I can't wait for waterparks, latenight swimming pools, and it being acceptable to rock tube dresses in public.

I never finished my swimsuit from last year...I need some inspiration for what to make this time. We're going to Cinque Terre in a week!

STITCH WITCHERY

2009-04-23T12:54:00.009-04:00

Back in January, an awesome Mi Scusi collector (aka a returning customer of mine) requested that I repurpose the yarn from a sweater she never wore into the scarf of her dreams.
I was so super happy because: 1> I love custom orders, 2> I love recycling unwanted things, and 3> I loved the fact that my homegirl decided to repurpose her sweater instead of throwing it away. She could have bought a scarf from some expensive store in the mall, but instead, she wanted to support handmade and reduce waste/consumerism! (That's a win/win/win.)I got to work unraveling (it's actually really fun for me and somehow therapeutic? I bring some sort of project with me everywhere I go; people always make fun of me).

Knitting with my biggest needles (the biggest I could find). They kill my wrists but chunky stitches are crucial!

C'est fini! Easy 1x1 rib because simpler is better with huge, timeless scarves.

I really loved this project and I think I only charged her $25 or so since she provided the materials. SEND ME YOUR UNWANTED KNITS AND I WILL TRANSFORM THEM INTO SOMETHING MAGICAL! (andreaiacobucci@gmail.com if you wanna)

KNITTING SORCERESS:::

Cry tough

2009-04-11T20:39:00.005-04:00

Stefano and I just watched a short documentary about the best shit on earth (here):::: REGGAE JAMZ.

This song is perfetto because when we met, it was just like this: we watched each other from our windows (we were neighbors)! TRULY MAGICAL; it's almost time for summer; get your reggae in order.

We were born in the wrong time

Mr. Swirly : : : FREE PATTERN

2009-04-03T09:27:00.006-04:00

Hey dudes! I wrote a pattern for this swirly beret I thought up. If anyone decides to knit it, let me know!
>>>ravelry link<<<

IL RITORNO / THE RETURN

2009-03-30T12:55:00.010-04:00

I'm back, dudes (on etsy, that is). I've been knitting so much and I wanna share it with the world!
Everything's recycled, as always, except for the raspberry/fuschia beret, which is Italian yarn that I couldn't resist. Thrift stores are the thing I miss most from home (besides friendz&fam)--I have to hunt for sweaters to unravel at the flea markets, and they're few and far between!

Shipping is cheaper for EUROPEANS (especially ITALIANS), so take advantage of that if you can!

So half our life is a vague and stormy make-believe

2009-03-16T09:42:00.003-04:00

New foto! I've actually been knitting a lot; here is one of my favorite color combinations so far.

Lots more pixxx here. Ci sono persone che vogliono lavorare a maglia con me a Milano???

"BASS ODYSSEY"

2009-03-11T17:05:00.001-04:00

Isn't that an amazing name for a band? BASS ODYSSEY. I think they're a nu-school reggae band here.

N-e-wayz. I guess there's no way to know if they're "real," but you should read Christopher Walken's Twitter posts, here. He has such a fantastic way of describing the things that happen to him.

Sick collages by David Fullerton. He has a book that you can preview here.
His flickr is also full of good things.

IACO CAFFE'

2009-03-11T10:17:00.004-04:00

I can't wait to start doing this when I get home:

SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR SEWING MACHINE!

Mine was making a funny noise right before I left; could be cause I never, ever clean it! Now I just need a tutorial for cleaning the serger; that thing is a dust magnet.

In other newz, we found an apartment here in Milano! Are there any Italian readers who want to knit with me??

Mario Party con Mirandaaaaa

2009-03-09T20:30:00.006-04:00

Ciao, dudes! I'm in Italia! Guess that's why I've been too busy to post for a minute. Here are some photos:

http://public.fotki.com/naznose/

I brought a carry-on full of yarn!!!
These "FREEKY FRIES" say "a tunnel of pleasure" on the bottom. Whuuuut!

SAAAAAALE (for you and yourz)

2009-02-11T22:00:00.007-05:00

SALE SALE SALE SALE

~~10%~~ 15% off everything in my etsy shop

for readers of this here blog!!!!!

Just send me a message when you buy mentioning the blog sale, and I'll either refund you in paypal (if you've already paid) or I'll send you a revised invoice.

DESTASH: buy my supplies!!!

2009-01-30T16:01:00.003-05:00

Hey dudes. Did y'all know I'm going to Italy in the first week of March? That means I have a huge sewing room full of supplies that I don't have time to use. Help a sister out: miscusisupply.etsy.com. Everything is insanely cheap, and I'll combine shipping with any item in that shop and my main shop (miscusi.etsy.com) I'll be adding lots of stuff over the next few days/weeks, so keep an eye on it!

Also some new stuff in my regular old shop!! Vintage + handmade.

MICHELE LAU / RIP MUTHA

2009-01-27T17:21:00.004-05:00

My homegirl Michele Lau wrote an amazingly sweet blog post about me!! I am way excited because her bustier tops and dresses have inspired me for, like, a year now.

I love her!!! Her sewing skills are far superior to mine!!! I don't have any friends where I live that are really interested in crafty things, so it's cool to be able to interact with seamstresses&knitters online.

punny

2009-01-27T15:04:00.001-05:00

"Tea Shirt" by Meryl Smith

Dreaming is free

2009-01-24T16:44:00.005-05:00

I'm going to Vegas for my best friend's wedding (wah-wahhh); it's both Stefano's and my first time there! I'm tryna make a bunch of ridiculous outfits to wear; my first project is a mustard mohair handknitted sweaterdress! I'm using my trusty size 19 circulars and following a loose idea based on top-down raglan construction. I also knit in a bunch of deliberate "ladders" to unravel later so hopefully I can get the bubble silhouette I'm imagining?? We'll see. I'm knitting it super fast without trying it on, and the yarn is insanely crinkly from its previous life as an ugly sweater. I think (hope) it will blossom like a beautiful swan after blocking!The first ladder/rip thing!

Does anyone have any advice for Vegas?

New sweaterdressssss

2009-01-14T16:21:00.006-05:00

Ho finito! (Actually, I finished this awhile ago, but just got around to taking photos.) Sweaters and dresses are my very favorite things to knit; I wish there were more rich ladiez that could support my art!!
Do you like it? I hope you like it. I used all recycled yarns: some I dyed, some handspun. Wool, alpaca, angora, cashmere, cotton, acrylic: they're all there.

Open back

2009-01-12T18:27:00.005-05:00

I dyed a bunch of my clothes black yesterday (which rules, because it makes everything seem new again but with this sick faded quality I love) and the stars of the show happened to be 2 open-back things.

They were both gross Pepto bubblegum pink and are now a loverly grey-purple! It's really hard to find good examples of open-back things that aren't either band tees with corset strings up the back or prom dresses.

Craftster user xxboheme created these 2 heart dresses:

Montmartre's Sketchbook posted this sweater which would be insanely easy to translate to something boring in your closet (just cut!):

I'd recommend trying this on something tightly knit, otherwise it might unravel a leetle bit.

Send me inspiring photos of your fave open backs?