What’s New With Me

I have been knitting and crocheting, and teaching, and beading, and and and. busy busy busy !!!! As I plan my summer Large Size Crochet and Knit garments. I am also planning my FAb knit and crochet wardrobe for my trip to Australia, as I represent the USA as a designer and teacher of knit and crochet, I must be able to strut my Crochet and Knit Stuff.  I looked through my stash and found some great yarn choices for what I’m calling the Australia projects ! When i arrive in Australia ( Date to be announced), it will be going into the their cooler part of the Season, so I’m loving the mohair yarns I am currently knitting up. They are luscious and will make a great statement . Last week, as I  was walking from Grand Central Station to 8th Ave. ( Not planned, but due to train detour), I spotted a beautiful sweater in the window of  I think Banana Republic. LOVED IT and decided to be inspired by this lovely cardigan, with the wide horizantal 2X2 bands in the front. Can A Large Size person like myself carry this look. SURE CAN. Because the first requirement is choosing an appropriate COLOR, then STYLE, then display the” Stand Back Here I come “,  ATTITUDE.  

 I think I can handle all three of the above requirements. The Plush color of the mohair works, and the style will work, as long as I’m careful about what I wear the cardigan with ( stay tuned for photos later). The attitude part has to do with walking tall, and wearing  accessories that will enhance  the overall look.

See pictures  below for a mood board that shows the look I am going for in accessories . I am thinking about making some of those covered bangles, but to avoid a  look of being weighed down with textiles, I will crochet and knit some.I think the crochet ones will lighten the look, of course I will add a little bling in the mix.  But here is some pictures of the knitted one, I’ve made so far. ( see below).

Dedicated To Mary Kay

 

  I am styling and would like to dedicate this look to my friend Mary Kay. I could not find just the right shade of lavender for you Mary, so I gave you a little sun tan.  Hope you like the look ! I’m working hard  with so so many things to do.

Til Later.

Plus Size Body Measurements

( Just a little tibit of information to share with you from my Knit Classes taught at FIT, NYC ) enjoy

 Sewing, the sister to knitting and crocheting, has taught those who sew a lot about how to measure the body before choosing the correct size and creating  the garment. Many  sewing patterns today give information for the built in ease of  a pattern using knit fabrics, and they are  identified as a  pattern designed especially for knits. In my world of Machine knitting, hand knitting and crochet.  Many, many of my students have said to me. “I got the gauge but my garment still doesn’t fit, its too too big or hug’s to much”. Consider the source I say” THE FABRIC”.

 As a Plus Size Knitter/crocheter , the knit fabric you create will determine the amount of ease  in the fabric, and that should ultimately determine the amount of  ease you add  on the  tape measure, as you measure your unique figure type.

BIG  HINT : A tape measure does not give you the full picture and does not represent the knit/crochet fabric. Make the amount of ease you will add based on what your fabric is doing.

And then there is the BODY ITself ?????  ( sorry that is classroom information only….. cliffhanger;-] 

Here is a great link of  Croquis figures for measurements from Taunton, you will love. 

til Next Time

Bead People In My Yarn

Staying Focused when you work at home is a challenge , the mind wanders, the kids come in, the dog barks, and the creative process can make many turns and twists. I am making progress on my Spring Collection. But with all the things I love to do, Like: beadwork, chainmaille, viking knitting, needle felting, dollmaking, etc. etc. and etc. 24 hours is just not enough time.

But It is Saturday afterall, so I  guess I’m off today right !!!  OH wait, do people who work at home have at day off ?

Swatch It ?

   Make Friends With A Swatch

   I know what you’re going to say . I hear it all the time from my students ” I hate making swatches”. Okay, so put on the blindfold and knit or crochet, then get on your knees and pray that your garment will live up to you specifications .Sometimes it does sometimes it doesn’t. Then there is the statement ” I got the gauge in the book and my sweater still doesn’t fit”. ” I made a swatch and the gauge is correct,why doesn’t my garment fit properly ” with that statement I usually show the students during the program, why that happens at lot.  Hint: A swatch is a little thing your garment pieces are larger pieces of fabric.

Okay, lets start with the first statement. ” I hate making swatches”.  I always want to ask why to this statement. A swatch is a designer , crocheter and knitters best friend, in that it first allows you to see what your yarn will look like, what size needle gives you the ideal fabrication  ( the most important part of creating a crochet/knit garment ). In the next post we’ll talk about why a large swatch is the best choice. Swatches go hand in hand with preparation, and swatching prepares you for possible problems in fabrication  ( fabric to stretchy,too dense, etc.) . All of these things come before  the gauge . The math is important, but it cannot stand alone and is practically nothing without also creating a fabric that will drape, move, and behave the way you need it too. note: those who sew garments can relate, the back of the sewing pattern says ” this garment is suitable for,  then it gives you a list of fabrics suitable to how the garment must drape.

Fear Nor Hate the swatch anymore it’s your best friend, your assistant, your textbook, and the source of your Success !!

TIL next time!

Large Size Knit/Crochet Club

 

 Join the LARGE  SIZE KNIT/CROCHET CLUB.  Not really a club but a mission to create fashionable knit and crochet fashions for the full figure Woman. Where do we start and where do I start.  Design concepts are all around us, inspiration is all around us. Its what you do with the material you find. The shapes, colors, textures, and yarns. Then putting it all together  is last,but in no way the least. Forgetting  to Style what you wear is a HUGE mistake. Find the perfect earrings, shoes, wrap, etc. Turn those heads when you walk into the room,( arrive fashionably late, of course). I’m working my brain, doing my research and  homework, knitting and crocheting my swatches, and I hope the CLUB will like my Spring collection. Let me share with you my favorite design inspiration, Trend information center, and all around fun site. That would be  Polyvore.  OH  OH  OH !!!!!!! you will love it . Have fun.

Inspired BY

 I thought I would include a group of fun Spring scarfs in my Spring collection. So I dug up some old patterns, and found this circle pattern I created for knitting. I love Circles, and I look for circle inspiration everywhere. I think  this pattern will be ideal for my Spring scarf collection. This is an Original Pattern, but  If you would like to use the idea for your own inspiration , please help yourself, this brain has more to go around. Just mention my name when you show it  ( Arnetta Kenney). Oh and I would love to see what you have done with it.

Crochet Wrap and Summer Styling

I plan to add a beautiful crochet wrap to my must have for summer.  The styling I chose to accompany my favorite crochet wrap is a soft slightly gathered skirt,in a delicious fabric, that moves and is extremely comfortable and soft with  comfortable shoe and an easy to wear top.  My models are developed by me thanks to MyVirtual Model  the Crochet  book shown  is from Vogue Knitting.  And I plan to add a crochet wrap to my Spring 2011 Collection, for the Full Figure Woman.

 

Remember large Size ladies. Fabrication, Style, and how you put it all together is EVERYTHING ! when you what to create a  look             All Those at VK  Event This  Weekend. Have a Great Time.

Design Options

 

  Creating a look means that you have to evaluate and try out different looks. Try things you have never tryed before.  As I embark on my designing  journey of creating  Crochet and handknit garments with instructions !  I will have to remember that the rules change with every type of large size figure. This research below is based on the somewhat  pear shape figure. The large size woman with the small top, but very full at the bottom. Heavy leg,  large hips,  and  big bottom. This is the research i found and created. With a Color change of the top number 3 is my favorite because this look  is a good camouflage for the hips, while  giving shape with the elastic band.Of course all depends on the belly, If there is a big belly then another look entirely is preferred, which I will show in the next post. Look number 2 is trendy and very cute, if the tummy is somewhat under control. Beware !!! of the tummy under full fabric look that prompts the question ” when is the baby due”. Crocheting and knitting these looks, will require first creating a fabric that will work with the shape and drape like a dream. I’m swatching and swatching and swatching now ! so stay tune for the results. Oh I must say look number 1. is not my favorite at all, but a favorite for  the  very young full figure woman. Look number 1 is a challenge for knit and crochet, with a few changes I think I could pull it all together on look number 1.                                                                                                             

The Look For You

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I am constantly  on the lookout  for the most amazing looks for the full figure/Plus size woman.  For the mature woman, my style suggestions are young ( but not TOOOO young), Stylish but not  ( HA HA Look at her), accentuate the positive, and camouflage what you feel needs toned down. Creating a total look is soooo important. The wrong shoes, bag, hairstyle, makeup, accessories. Can have negative effects on the total look you want to achieve. But lets not talk Negative. Let us focus on the Positive. I have created 2 looks, via my many many  wonderful research tools and sites ( which I’ll list for you at a later date). Below is a before and after picture from the website  My Virtual Model .  Tell me what you think

Cute Dress, If you need your knees covered. Change shoes,bag,jewelry,

 

Perfect Option for a younger fresh look