DIY INSPIRATION - CUT & SEW KNIT

Ok so putting aside this amazing printed Celine skirt, the first this that catches my eye in these pics is the peekaboo knit - and makes me think of DIY (natch!). A sneaky cut and sew number perhaps? I think so!

Pretty sure this outfit couldn't be any more perfect...

Images: Studded Hearts

DIY INSPIRATION - DIP DYED KNIT

Even though many of us are looking towards spring and summer, in reality most of us are still wrapping up in order to leave the house (except southern hemisphere readers - but your turn will come!). And by now your knits are probably looking a bit tired after constant wear - so how about breathing a bit of life into them with some dip dying? I love this look.

Copy the one below by dip dying a coloured knit, but dipping upside down so the gradation of colour comes from the top. You could also do reverse dying - by taking a dark blue knit and bleaching the colour out of the bottom - although it's  more difficult to know what you'll get what you do this. One last tip - always use natural fabrics like cotton, denim or wool, as polyester doesn't take one dye very well. Yup, been there, done that.

Image: h&m knit (I think) via Studded Hearts

DIY INSPIRATION - NEON MITTENS

Ummm how flipping cool are these neon mittens? My  friend Anna of South Molton St Style made some inspired by these Purl Bee Paint Pail Mittens.

For her version Anna used the neon tote bag tutorial that I put up last week over at Harper's BAZAAR. The mix of neon and neutrals is so right and I'm so very happy to see neon transitioning into winter with ease. How cute would these look peeping out of your navy wool coat? Certainly puts an on-trend spin on the average and generally a bit naff mittens you see around the traps.

So happy that this project has led me to The Purl which is a knitting and craft website filled to the brim with amazing projects and brilliant photography. Book. Marked.

DIY INSPIRATION - CUT OUT KNIT

I spied this amazing cut out knit by Aussie brand Kahlo whilst perving on a fellow Style Network-er, Alexandra of 4th and Bleeker. Love. It. It got me thinking about how I could update a cable knit sweater dress I have in my closet. Hello scissors, you're gettin' a work out sometime soon.

That reminds me, something I always think about when DIYing is the fact that the difference between a good and an average DIY is the quality of finishing. And it's often what sets apart a bought item and item you've made yourself. And when it comes down to it, we all want our DIYs to look professionally made. For a project like this finishing is key - cutting a big gash in the side of a knit would look fun but pretty much as though you had done it yourself or perhap snagged yourself on a fence whilst frolicking in a field. To finish it properly you could use an overlocker, but who has one of those handy? An easier way to do it would be to roll the edges over and then lightly hand stitch. What more can I say? Finishing makes allllll the difference.

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DIY HOUSE OF HOLLAND INSPIRED GRANNY CROCHET SCARF

The lovely Emm of Spin Dizzy Fall has done an amazing job recreating the House of Holland AW11 crochet square scarf. As soon as I saw the HOH collection I really wanted to make the scarf but unfortunately don't have the patience to knit or crochet - so glad that Emm does! This one calls for a trip to Grandma's house.  Check  out Emm's post here.

Top Images: ASOS / Style.com
Bottom Images: Spin Dizzy Fall

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DIY STOLEN GIRLFRIENDS INSPIRED KNITTED SHORTS

Introducing my DIY knit shorts. Ok, so I can't knit to save myself, and it was  actually my boyfriend's mum who kindly made these for me (shout out to the best boyfriends mum ever!) after seeing my post about Barbro Anderson's knit shorts here (click through to her website for the tutorial). Check out her tutorial here. They're all sorts of Stolen Girlfriends Club and I feel pretty spoilt. I love putting these on along with my favorite soft jersey tee,  and hanging out on the couch pretending its not 42 degrees outside. I think this coming winter would be a good time  to learn how to use a set of knitting needles, but when does anyone (other than Charlotte York) have time to learn a new skill like that?

DIY Knitted Shorts

I know I wasn't the only person lusting after the Stolen Girlfriends Club knitted hot pants (seen here in brown in a pic taken by Shini of Park and Cube). And of course I got to thinking about how I could DIY them myself. The closest I got was to thinking of making a pair of shorts out of a knitted sweater - which is still very doable mind you. But this morning I received an email from the lovely Barbro of Barbro Andersen with her tutorial of how she knitted these herself. Amazing! They are absolutely gorgeous and although the DIY isn't for the faint-hearted, she proves that you can definitely do. it. yourself. Go here for more pics and the tutorial. And keep the DIY projects coming - I love it when my readers get in touch.

Reader DIY - Ribbon Knit

I'm sure you remember my post of last week talking about Dior Inspired DIY Ribbon Knits (if not, go here for a gander). Well, it seems I wasn't the only person inspired by this gorgeous embellishment. The lovely bloggers of The Hearabouts let me know that they had a go at weaving some ribbons into waffle knit sweater, and I think they did a marvelous job. Head to their blog to see this project and some of their other creations.

 

I also stumbled upon the image below of a 'project in process' on Carly of Chic Steals' blog, I really can't wait to see the final product Carly! If any of you have any old sweater lying around, grab yourself some ribbon and have a lovely crafternoon.

DIY Ribbon Knit

Using a large needle or knitting needle, thread some ribbon through a cable knit like this - securing in sweet little bows.

Image: I Love Wildfox

DIY Knitted Armwarmers

We'll all be needing arm warmers this season what with fashion's penchant for capes. May your own using cable knit socks or by sewing tubes out of a thirfted deconstructed knitted sweater.

Image: Because I'm Addicted