A black-tie affair or: how I realized I don't have enough fancy knits

Last weekend was pretty special. I had one of those rare invites that only come along once in a blue moon if you aren't a Kardashian. I was on the guest list to a black-tie party to celebrate the launch of a major new tech endeavor here in Fresno. 

Awesome, right? Well, if you aren't a Kardashian, it may not be as fun as it sounds. I had to go through at least 4 different closets to cobble together an appropriate outfit. Finally, I ransacked my Grandma's closet and found a vintage 1970's LBD and pearls, but came up empty handed when it came to a jacket, shawl, or wrap. 

I even went through my own knits, but I have a penchant for really bright, unicorn-laser-cat colors, and so my shawls more closely resemble something Molly Weasley from Harry Potter would have on, not so much Paris Hilton. 

So you know what I did? I froze. 

This is me, hanging out with Grumpy Cat at Bitwise South Stadium, hiding inside while everyone else was drinking chilled champagne and listening to live music outside, all because I didn't have an appropriate wrap.

There are a lot of potentially fancy gatherings coming up with the holidays just around the corner, so I figured I'd better get my warm-and-elegant act together before I end up wearing a hoodie to the company Christmas party.

Thank goodness for Anzula Nebula. 86% Superwash Merino, 14% Sparkling Stellina, 100% classy. 

Here are a couple of patterns that would look divine with any LBD or floor-length sequined number.

Artesian by Rosemary (Romi) Hill

Asymmetical and lacy, this one won't keep you warm at an outdoor Christmas party in, like Michigan, but then again, are there even outdoor Christmas parties in Michigan? So sayeth the California girl. This would have been perfect for me last weekend.

Riddles with Dragons Shawl by Kate Poe

A glamorous stunner, this scale pattern is sure to be a conversation starter in case you're having the "Ugh, I won't have anything to talk to these people about!" dilemma that so often comes up at fancy gala events. 

Marcella Evening Gown by Lacie Lynnae

Take knitted elegance one step further and make the whole evening gown. Isn't it amazing? This pattern incorporates three Anzula yarns, Cloud, Milky Way, and Nebula. Might want to start working on this for next Thanksgiving, if you're not a super knitter. My sister could totally do it. I, unfortunately, am not my sister. I might as well start it now to have it ready for my daughter's eventual wedding. My daughter is one. Actually, maybe I can bribe my sister to make this for me. <3

So what's your favorite go-to, hoity-toity-event knit? 

And now, here's my inner monologue: If I make one of these in a normal color like Sexy or Elephant, I can go back to knitting in my happy, though impractical place. Which is pretty much like Paradise.

Pattern Spotlight: Blithe Dress or Tank

When I think summer and knitting, I immediately think of Breeze. Our laceweight linen and silk blend is perfect for delicate and airy pieces like the new garment from Laurinda Reddig that is featured in the new issue of Interweave Crochet. 

© Harper Point Photography, courtesy Interweave Crochet.

The Blithe Dress or Tank can be modified to the length you'd like and takes just one or two balls of Breeze. Laurinda blended several different lace patterns in creating this top-down, seamless garment. It can be styled quite elegantly as shown on the left above, or in a little more fun and casual way as shown on the right. 

You can find the summer issue of Interweave Crochet at your LYS or bookseller on June 16 (in just one week!) or if you can't wait, you can download it now. You can also find Breeze at your LYS or favorite online yarn shop. If your LYS doesn't carry it, ask them - they can place a special order with us. 

Warm Days, Cool Knits with Corrina Ferguson

Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off of summer in America. Some of us have been experiencing summer-like weather for a while, while others still have a little while to go before they're ready for summer activities. Moving into the summer season, we are all probably looking for lighter knits and lighter projects - but we still want a full range of options.

I've been perusing Corrina Ferguson's new book, Warm Days, Cool Knits, for a little while. (You may remember our interview with her here on the blog earlier this year as we were releasing the pattern books from Stitch Sprouts.) Corrina is a designer who lives in the South, so her need for lighter knits is a year-round one. She's collected twenty beautiful patterns to complement the seasons of the South. But don't feel that you have to have year-round sunshine to use this book - with the variety of the designs and a lightweight knit's innate layerability, you'll find reasons to grab this book again and again. 

Two of the patterns in the book were created in our yarns. The Alliemay Tunic was knit in Breeze. It's a lovely open piece that's very versatile - you could wear it over your bathing suit, over a tank top and leggings, or over a fitted dress. The belt can be adjusted to be worn at an empire waist, natural waist, or drop waist as shown. And you'll need no more than 2 skeins to create this. 

© Joe Hancock

The other pattern is a brilliant sweater with coordinating cowl. Zolena sparkles for the holidays in Nebula. The cabling in the cowl matches the cuffs of the sweater for a really pulled-together look. 

© Joe Hancock

Corrina's designs are classic without being stuffy (and a couple are downright fun), and each time I flip through the well-designed book I notice another great detail. If you haven't checked this book out at your LYS or bookstore, I highly recommend picking it up.