Notes From Neptune

I write about people, places, and things.

WAS2017 #1 – The Featherweight Cardigan

In addition to trying to create garments that fit well into my existing style and wardrobe, I’ve also been trying as much as I can to work from stash, using up yarn and fabric I’ve collected over the years and not buying anything new unless absolutely necessary. This project was a bit of a cheat on that front, but not exactly. Years ago, when I was still working at Annie &.. Read More

WAF2016 #6: The Schoolhouse Tunic

I told you guys a I sewed a thing this past fall. And I really really did. Pattern is The Schoolhouse Tunic from Sew Liberated, fabric is some of the lovely gray-on-gray stripe brushed cotton from Moda’s Dapper Luke collection (that I got from the shop, of course). I cut a straight 12, like I did with my last SL pattern, the Clara Dress. The only change I made was.. Read More

WAF2016 #5: Elkhorn Creek Cardi

I know. You’re shocked. ANOTHER SWEATER. This one is Portage, a pattern I’ve been in love with for a few years now. But honeycomb cables eat up A LOT of yarn, and it was tough to decide exactly what color family and type of yarn I could use for this behemoth that wouldn’t break the bank. And then came Rhinebeck. I had grand plans to just pick up a couple.. Read More

WAF2016 #4: Carrowkeel

Sometimes, you just need a plain black sweater. This was not part of my original plans for the Wardrobe Architect this fall, but after Catherine knit up a sample for the shop in the gloriously cuddly Arranmore yarn from The Fibre Company, the wheels began to turn. As much as I love a good cardigan, there’s something so easy about a pullover. You don’t have to worry about matching what.. Read More

WAF2016 #3: Rosehips

Remember last month when I was all “no rly the next post will be sewing-relating I promise lol.” Hah. Not so much. I DO still have a sewn thing to show you, honestly I do, but it needs photographing and ironing and all sorts of things and usually I’d rather just wear the damn thing, so… yeah. Slacking. But the knitting mojo has been incredibly strong lately. So strong, in fact,.. Read More

FOs: ‘Scold

I recently went through my knitted accessories and did a serious cull — Wardrobe Architect Style. I pulled a bunch of things I don’t wear because a) the color just isn’t me, b) the item doesn’t function the way I want it to, and c) it didn’t fit right. As a result, there is a largish bag of things I’ve knitted sitting next to me right now that I intend.. Read More

WAF2016 #1: The Diver’s Wife

Oh, long sojourn of no-blog. The bonus of which is that I have all sorts of things to show you! But I’m going to start slow and steady and spread them all out over a little bit, so first up… New Wardrobe Architect! The Spring/Summer installation turned out, I must say, very well. The only thing finished from that batch that flopped was the Sara Lace Cardi, only because the.. Read More

WAS2016 Project #5: The Iris Shorts

Continuing on the pants-type theme I’ve got going, I made some shorts! These are Colette’s Iris Shorts (pattern is out of print but still available as a download) from Cotton + Steel’s amazing Les Fleurs collection, a collaboration with the Rifle Paper Co. The pattern was a piece o’ cake. I even went crazy and added single-welt pockets to the back because MOAR POCKETS ALWAYS. I flat-felled all the seams.. Read More

WAS2016 Project #4: Sara Lace Cardigan

A few months ago, we got to host the lovely Anzula Luxury Fibers Trunk Show at the shop. We all predictably drooled over the yarn, but Pia and I drooled in particular over one of the sample sweaters that came along with the show, the Sara Lace Cardigan. We both took temporary leave of our senses (I blame all the cashmere) and bought enough yarn to make the sweater. Pia.. Read More

Summer Quilt

A couple years ago, I got us a new bedspread from West Elm. It is glorious. It is a velvet quilt that feels like sleeping under a soft lead blanket. I love it immensely. Unless it’s summer, that is. In summer, all those little velvet piles seem to cling to you like tongues of living flame, and it’s hot and sweaty and miserable. So last year, I decided it would.. Read More