Sheer Bliss!

Debbie Bliss Magazine

Spring/Summer 2012

My Emma Bridgewater mug says it all...

Happiness is a cup of tea 

&

a new magazine!

I just picked up the new Debbie Bliss Magazine

and I've been enjoying it with a cup of tea.  

Here are a few of my favorites from this issue:

Nell's Oat Cakes

One of my favorite features of Debbie's magazine 

is called 

The Blissful Life.

I always dash there to see what recipe 

Debbie's daughter, Nell will have for us. 

This issue she features a recipe for Canadian Oat Cakes 

inspired by her and her "mum's" trip to Canada last year.

I'm thinking those biscuits
would be perfect with a cup of tea!

Rosa's Dress

Oh my gosh,
I love this adorable dress with its knit bodice 

and Liberty of London print skirt!

Debbie says it is, 

"Inspired by the beautiful dresses worn by Spanish children."

I'm so excited that the pattern is in the magazine.

I even have the same Liberty of London print 

(as the model's)

that I purchased at Liberty of London 

in London last year.

Fair Isle Cardigan

In her Editor's Letter,

Debbie tells us 

"I love the seaside 

so I didn't need much of an excuse 

to introduce features with a nautical theme in this issue."

You can see her love for the seaside with her patterns in the sections named 

Simply Stripes and Kids Ahoy.

I like her Fair Isle Cardigan (above)  featured in Simply Stripes. 

I think it has a bit of a "retro"
or "Cath Kidston look"
and is worked in six shades of Baby Cashmerino.  

I also adore the cute seaside cottage 

and all the vintage props they used for the photo shoot!

Chevron Stole

Who wouldn't want to snuggle up at the beach in this?

I have to say,

this Chevron Stole and its color combination

reminds me a bit of 

Missoni's 

collaboration with Target last year. 

It's knit in a combination of Debbie's Bella and Angel yarns
which is a much nicer yarn range
than the Missoni for Target,
acrylic items. 

Lace Shrug

This lacy shrug is probably my favorite pattern in the magazine.

It's knit in Debbie's new Party Angel yarn 

that has a gold or silver lurex thread combined with the mohair. 

It's knit in one piece and without any seams.  

Love that!

Oh, Baby!

There are a few new additions in this issue.

In Nell's Diary, 

Nell writes about her and her mum's experiences on their trip 

to Canada last year.

There is also a new column called Focus on Fiber by 

industry expert, David Watt.

And of course,

it wouldn't be Debbie Bliss 

unless there were some adorable baby designs like the 

little beret above! 

It's another great issue

 and it really does get you in the mood

 for spring and summer knitting!

Knitted Lace of Estonia

Estonian Lace

Knitting historian and designer, Nancy Bush
wrote the book Knitted Lace of Estonia

and 

there's just a few weeks left to see her personal collection of 

Estonian lace 

at 

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles

in Berkeley, CA.  

I had the pleasure of seeing the exhibit recently and 

even lucked out with a personal tour

 by Lacis owner, Jules Kliot. 

Here are a few photographs to give you a feel of the exhibit.  

Please note, 

my photographs do not do the lace work justice.  

The lace work details are incredible to see up close and in-person.  

I highly recommend visiting the exhibit before it ends!

 The Shawl Wall

The lace shawls are so beautiful to see in person.

Many of the shawls are from Haapsalu, 

a small seaside town in western Estonia. 

The work on the Haapsalu lace shawls seemed flawless 

and almost appeared to be machine made...

even though I know they are not. 

Haapsalu Shawl

This was one of my favorite lace shawls.

Haapsalu Lace Shawl

Pasqueflower Pattern 4

It's a traditional rectangular wool shawl with a sewn on edge, 

20" x 62".

Maker unknown. 

 The History of Estonian Lace

This is a lovely wall display featuring Estonian Lace shawls 

along with the history of Estonian lace

told through photographs.

 The Nupp

The nupp is a common motif in Haapsalu lace.  

According to Nancy Bush,
the nupp is a stylized bobble of sorts.
It is used for adding texture and creating figures in openwork. 

Jules told me on my tour,

that he had Nancy knit the large sample above of "the nupp"

so everyone could easily see it and it's details. 

Lacis Owner, 

Jules Kliot

For a knitter, like me,

the Estonian Lace exhibit is quite inspiring.  

I know someday now, 

I will knit an Estonian lace pattern 

or take a class from Nancy Bush. 

Thank you to Jules Kliot of Lacis Museum 

and 

Nancy Bush for this incredible exhibit 

and the opportunity 

to see such beautiful Estonian lace work in person.

Laku

Oh, Baby!

Hats off to Designer,

Yaeko Yamashita 

and her delightful shop, 

Laku.

 Laku

I had the pleasure of visiting Laku 

last Christmas Eve when I was in San Francisco.

The moment I walked in,

I knew I was in a magical place!  

Laku is a whimsical boutique 

where every nook and cranny is filled
with one delight after another!

Besides their magnificent hand-made hats, gloves, scarves, slippers and brooches, 

they carry a wonderful array of vintage jewelry
and antique buttons. 

 I could have spent hours there,

 meandering around...

just like a kid in a candy store!

 Hats & Gloves

I grew up in the end of the era when wearing hats and gloves
 to the city were a must.  

I think it's high time we bring back that tradition and 

Laku's luxurious cashmere gloves could do just that.  

They are scrumptious and the reason I sought out the
Laku boutique.

A year or so ago, while shopping with my knitting friend Daniella in the California wine country we stumbled upon the prettiest hand-made cashmere gloves.  Daniella purchased a pair for her daughter, and the nice clerk told us that they were hand-made by a designer in San Francisco.  

Laku

(Seated left: Design Director, Yaeko Yamashita) 

So, I did a bit of research and found the designer, 

Yaeko Yamashita 

and her lovely store, Laku. 

I'm so glad I found Laku and can't wait to go back.  

If you're visiting the city,
this is the place to treat yourself to a pair of gloves,
a hat, a brooch or

 a delightful hand-made gift
for a friend or loved one. 

Laku 

1089 Valencia Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 695-1462

Laku is located  in San Francisco's Mission District 

and I highly recommend stopping at nearby Tartine 

for lunch or a sweet treat!

Bonne Annee!

Bonne Annee!

(That's Happy New Year in French!)

I snapped this happy photograph at a Paris Flea Market last year. 

The French yarn dolls just made me smile!

Knitting and yarn fill my life with such creativity and joy!

As I reflect on the past year,

I am grateful for all the friendships I have made all over the world

thanks to yarn and knitting.