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Twist Collective BlogTwist Style Fridays- Twill
Every Friday we feature one of the garments from the magazine in a post about styling. We suggest different ways to wear the garment in question using mock-ups from Polyvore. We encourage readers to tell us what they think about these outfits via our Facebook page or Twitter, and if folks want to make their own outfits, please tweet them at us with the hashtag #twiststyle. You can find all of the Style Friday posts here. Back again, with another installment of Twist Style Fridays! We hope you're enjoying this new feature as much as we are- tell us what you think on our Facebook page! Today, we play with Twill, Kristen Rengren's lovely jacket with herringbone details. This piece is super-versatile, since it combines elements that are casual (pockets, raglan seams) with ones that are more dressy (standing collar, high-neck closure, classic shaping). Some people think I'm super-stylish because I wear dresses every day, or that I put way more time than other people do into getting dressed. But the secret is that mostly what I am is lazy; when you wear dresses, you only have to choose one thing! Then you put on some shoes, and maybe grab a jacket, and you're dressed. Plus, since I love color coordination so much, if I have to choose too many pieces, I get preoccupied with all the tones matching. All this is to explain why my first impulse was to style this jacket the way I would be most likely to wear it- with a girly dress and some cute sandals, for a summer evening.
I know that not everyone is a dress-a-day person, and not everyone is as lazy as me, so maybe you want to choose more things to go with this darling jacket. Let me tell you- it looks great with everything, as long as you don't overwhelm the collar with other collars. Here are some ideas-
So knitters, how would you wear your Twill? Designer Process: Laresca
In today's post, Corrina Ferguson tells us the origin story of Laresca, a flowy, summery tank with a unique lace detail running up the sides and over the shoulders. You can also find this post on Corrina's blog, Picnic Knits. Corrina also brought us Cithara, another easy, wearable garment with gorgeous lace details. Laresca began as most knitting things began with an idea; a “what if”. What if you took some sort of lace panel up the side of a tank and split it over the shoulders? And the perfect textured yarn made the stockinette body have some interest? So many moons ago I swatched a little something like this:
It was a dk weight yarn, a cotton, silk and linen blend. I liked the way the lace was present, but not overwhelming. And the simplicity of the garter edging made me happy. But then I had to draw a picture – a concept sketch if you will. Drawing is not my forte. But I started drawing anyway and this is what I came up with:
I am not sure what’s wrong with the top of her head. And despite my utter lack of drawing skills, Twist Collective was actually able to see my vision and said yes, yes, let’s make it. So they sent me yarn. Rowan Panama Yarn. I was skeptical about the yarn because of it's unusual appearance and texture, but then I started to knit with it . And the yarn was good. And I realized that Rowan Panama was the perfect Florida yarn, and that I was making a garment I could actually wear. So that made me feel good about the yarn. And the yarn and I became friends. And eventually the yarn became this:
You know I’ve gotten much better at photography and I can usually capture decent pictures of my shawlette work, but I’m still not good with photographing models. But when I saw these pictures I was very, very happy. First off, she’s gorgeous. And I love the way Laresca looks on her, all breezy and comfortable. Exactly what you need for a hot summer.
And I am so in love with the way the lace split and shoulder detailing worked out. I mean I wrote the pattern, I knit the sample, and I knew it fit and worked, but seeing it on the model and knowing that I had an awesome idea that I brought all the way to completion is kind of the best. It’s nice to know all the crazy ideas running around in my head aren’t that crazy after all. The shoot must go on!
Even when the weather is not on our side.
Robin provides shelter for cameras, models, furry friends, while we brave the rain.
Twist Style Friday- Sylvatica
Every Friday we feature one of the garments from the magazine in a post about styling. We suggest different ways to wear the garment in question using mock-ups from Polyvore. We encourage readers to tell us what they think about these outfits via our Facebook page or Twitter, and if folks want to make their own outfits, please tweet them at us with the hashtag #twiststyle. You can find all of the Style Friday posts here.
Carly here, back again with another style Friday. Today, we look at the many ways to wear Sylvatica, Robin Melanson's lovely buttoned pullover (blogged about previously here). With it's flattering boatneck and easy shape, you could wear this sweater with just about anything and look pretty awesome. Below are my styling ideas for kicking around town, weekend brunch, a casual date, or something else of that nature.
These could be workplace appropriate, depending on your job, but in case you're looking for ideas that are a little dressier- here are a couple!
If you've met me, you know how much color coordination pleases me- I may have let out an audible shriek when i came across those shoes on the left. You can probably tell that I've been having a really good time playing with these images in Polyvore- some of you have too! We want to see your creations, so tweet them at us (@twistcollective, #twiststyle), or post them on our Facebook page.
The Twist Team: Kate Gilbert
When we go to trade events, talk with customers and do shows, people often ask us what we do, what our titles are and how we work together. At the end of each edition is our Masthead, which lists everyone on staff and their title, along with the many people we are thrilled to thank for their contribution to the edition. In this series of blog posts, which you can read, in its entirety, here, we'll be introducing you to some of the people who help make this magazine possible. As always, we would love to continue the discussion and get your feedback on this or any other blog post, over on Facebook.
Below is a short interview Kate and I had. If you want to find out more, be sure to check out our other new series of blog posts covering the process of creating an edition. MM: What do you see as your primary responsibilities as the Editor and Publisher of the magazine? KG: It's hard to come up with one thing because I do a bit of everything. I chose what's going into each issue (with help), assign yarns, style things for shoots, come up with shoot concepts and run the shoots, communicate with designers, photographers, editors, readers, do layouts, program pages… Short story: I do a bit of everything. But thank goodness I have a fantastic team who works with me because I couldn't do it alone. Little known fact: I end up modeling most of the socks. MM: What is the most rewarding thing about your role? KG: When I open a package an there's a beautiful knit, that's really fun. And then the real cherry on top is when knitters love it and I am proud of how we've photographed it and laid it out. MM: How do you manage to design each season? KG: The bonus of being in charge of the magazine is that I can miss the deadline by weeks and not get yelled at. And I can make sure my design is in the very last shoot. But sometimes, it means that I design and knit something in under two weeks. Some of you might remember the two week sweater challenge I started on twitter in order to knit Peregrine. Unfortunately, my last minute projects have earned me the nickname "Late Gilbert" with a couple of staff members. Marnie (the sweater) was finished the night before we shot it.
MM: You have probably learned a lot about producing a magazine in the past 4 years. What has been the biggest surprise for you? KG: The honest truth is that I had NO IDEA how much work it was going to be. I think I've learned to delegate more. And to let go of an issue once it's out. The nice thing about a magazines (as opposed to a book) is that you get another chance to try again if something didn't work as you had hoped. I've also learned not to read what people say TOO much because it will just keep you up all night long. MM: What do you wish more people knew about the magazine? KG: Well, I always want more people know that the magazine exists, for starters! Even nearly four years later, it's not uncommon that I see tweets that say "how did I not know about twist collective before now!?!?" So tell your friends please! Also, each pattern purchased really helps us out and keeps the magazine going. And each time you tell an advertiser you found them in Twist, that's good for us too.
MM: You always have a huge list of people you thank at the end of every edition. Who are all those people? KG: The core team is really small, but we rely on tons of people to get each issue out; testers, models, locations for shooting. My dad always helps with random stuff; he's built me a tent to shoot swatches in and held up sticks that had shawls draped on them. I have friends who put credits on photos and loan me clothes for shoots. And my daughter likes to pitch in by sorting yarns and picking out the ones she thinks are prettiest (usually pink and/or sparkly ones). She keeps designing socks so who knows?! Maybe she'll end up my partner one day! MM: How many of the people who work for Twist, have you met in person? KG: Very few, or at least not very often. Marnie and I have only met in person twice. I've seen Daryl, Sandi and Eric once each. I've never met most of the Tech Editors, nor Mary Joy. Irene is the exception. She's been a good friend of mine for fourteen years now. And my mom, obviously. She's known me longer than anyone! One day we'll have to have a Twist Collective retreat or something. We'll meet in the middle. How does Iowa sound? MM: If you had one piece of advice to give 2008 Kate Gilbert, before she started the magazine, what would it be? KG: WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. You think you'll remember. But you won't. More Articles...Subcategories
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Kate's official title, here at Twist, is "Editor-in-Chief and Publisher," but she's not afraid to roll her sleeves up and get her hands dirty, when it comes to making an edition. At any given point she's involved in managing the live site including the current edition, producing an upcoming edition and planning the edition to come after that: a whole year's worth of work being juggled at any given time. She's the creative voice and vision behind the magazine and she still manages to find some time to design.
