Off the Wall, Behind the Wall

Yes, Fashion can be a Political Force!

Off the Wall: Fashion from East Germany, 1964 to 1980

Book Description:
East Germany may be most remembered for the activities of the Stasi, but now, for the first time, its secret short flirtation with fashion is revealed. For a short period the notoriously repressive bureaucrats who ran East Germany decided to bring some color into their otherwise drab lives. They commissioned two photographers, hired St. Pauli Girls as models, and chose the locations that represented their greatest socialist achievements—oil refineries, worker canteens, concrete office buildings, airports—to shoot their daring photographs. The result: cunning and original uses for tartan, little hats and jaunty caps, bold florals, and more swatches of pumpkin, tomato, and lemon yellow than you might find at a country fair. For years, these alarming examples of a zeitgeist unleashed have been hidden from Western eyes…but not anymore! From blindingly-bright mod go-go girls to demure peasant lasses posed with that most German of animals, the Llama, these images reveal another side of what went on behind the Berlin Wall.

Quote from One of the Customer Reviews: "But this is really not a book for the tiny niche who are interested in the fashions of East Germany. If you really care, see "Fashioning Socialism: Clothing, Politics and Consumer Culture in East Germany," by Judd Stitziel. This book is a side-splitting look at the worst of the worst of 1960s and 1970s Communist fashion, with more orange than any one person can stand. I was rolling on the floor laughing my a** off. "

Enjoying my new calendar

OK, so far, we're into the year by over 2 weeks.
This is not a FUG alert. So far, nothing fuggly has passed my way. I've had blinders on since being blinded on the elevator a couple of weeks before Christmas by a Holiday Sweater.
Really, I am a fan of Holiday Sweaters. I do love them, truely I do. But this one was over the top with visual noise and clashing (in my opinion) colors.

But, it's on with the New Year: And, the Stitch 'n Bitch calendar has not disappointed yet.
The photo of the January 12 hat was not to my taste, but I'm reserving judgement until I get the hat done in my choice of yarn.
On Jan. 15, Monday's Fave Fiber was a very fluffy olivish greenish, and from the cubbie warren pathway, the skein looked like something quite questionable. I got a few raised eyebrows, but proudly displayed the day anyway.
I have had a few days when I tried the Weblink of the day, on the day, at lunch, and couldn't get through. Imagine that! Do you think this might be because the calendar is popular enough to cause a run on a site? Hope it doesn't crash anyone's server. Does that happen anymore? Or was that just in the early stages of the internet?
Anyway, I'm hopeing to plot my way through the new year with SNB page a day at work, Pattern a Day at home, and Stitch a day everywhere else.
Yep, DH knows I've lost it now.

Bunting, is that what it's called?

They call this Bunting across the pond.

Who would have ever thought of knitting your own?

If I ever think I'll have the urge to

open a car dealership, I better get started now!

All though, for an outdoor wedding, this has real promise! Lacy, wedding colors, hmmmmm.

I'm not sure this is a fuggly thing after all.

http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-kit.asp?kitid=446

Hats with Horns

Hats with Horns?

Need I say more?

Unique and creative, to say the least.

They do seem to have a "current" sense of color.

Biology Wierdness

Was this for a class?
Way out there.........
Not for the feint of heart, or stomach.......
Keep your sense of humor here......


First please refer to the definition of a Teratoma below if you haven't encountered this term before.

I am so looking forward to perusing this site when I have more time and bandwidth! The way for snarkiness just seems destined here. Please, if this is one of your favorite sites, feel free to comment. Just keep it rated PG, and I'll post it. Enjoyable discussion awaited.........

Baby's First Teratoma
http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/samhain06/teratoma.htm

Who thinks up this stuff, and what are they taking?
Wow, creativity reigns free ! Science Rules !

Complete with disturbing poetry and suggested music to listen to....
Obviously well educated writers and references to traditional touch points....
Seem to be competent knitters....
Not high on the wearability scale though.

But, Music by The Turtles? Really, this is from what, the 1960's? OK, quick time-out to do a websearch....
Did you know "The Turtles: Happy Together" was a movie in 1991? How wild is that? I missed it completely! And there was always a rumor that one of the neighbors in my childhood neighborhood were one of The Turtles' parents. Now, I'm going to have to go check that out, and maybe see the movie. Man, one thing really does lead to another! If You Take a Mouse to the Movies.....

Along with some "interesting" photos, a Google search found this on Teratoma:
a definition from Wikipedia: A teratoma is a type of tumor that derives from pluripotent germ cells. The word comes from a Greek term meaning roughly "monster tumor." Teratomata usually start from cells in the testes in men, the ovaries in women and in the sacrum in children. The designation teratoma refers to a group of complex tumors having various cellular or organoid components reminiscent of normal derivatives from more than one germ layer.

Teratomas seem to frequently include cells that grow to at least resemble hair, teeth, nails, etc. Maybe the inspiration for the character Quato? in the Movie: Total Recall. ??

Sorry to be gone so long
Are you still out there?

If people will pay for it....

Found this "Hand Knit" 1/2" x 64" Acrylic beauty for sale online.
It can be yours for only $16 ! I guess if people will pay that much for this little, maybe it would be worth making up a few of these babies.

What do you think?

I wonder how well these sell?

Boho Style, maybe?
Is this Boho? Bohemian?
I think this is one of those where less is more.
Some of the parts are great, there's just too many parts competing for attention at one time.

Or maybe its a thing with the olive green and the pink/yellow/blue/whatever sleeve caps and neckline and just that little stripe at the wrist. What's with that color(s)?

I would really like to see it with just that one yarn changed out into something like maybe the Burgundy of the skirt top, or even the greenish gold of the belt/waist band thingy.

This is a scarf?
Ok, maybe for the "no skills" people out there.
Very young crafters to be. But......
Even the 7 year-old said, "Well, that's just looping yarn around your neck. That's not knitting.".
In defense, they did twist several kinds of yarn together to get the "effect", if you call it that.

I guess the talent it does require is to pick out yarn that looks good together and looks good when you've twisted it into kinks.

If You Don't Wear Fur:
Why would you want to knit up something that imitates fur this closely? The little ermine / fox tails are just creepy, even if they are totally nylon.

And that poor little puppy! Talk about adding insult to injury.

Look here: you wouldn't want to miss these!

More from the New York fashion show
Another case of "Look here, I've got boobs!"

And what is with the guy behind her taking snapshots? Now I just really am dying to know what the back looks like. Is it a huge yellow arrow that points to her behind?

Kitschy Stitches!

by Stitchy McYarnpants
Published July 2006

our textbook, of sorts

also see www.yarnpants.blogspot.com
and www.museumofkitschystitches.com

You are my hero!

I bow in homage to the queen of snarking at fuggliness.

White Wedding?




I'm probably old fashioned about this, but I usually think of the veil being the shearest part of the bride's trouseau. Doesn't this let the guests get to know the bride a little too well?

Bulgarian Design

This one will probably rate several posts. They really do seem to have some lovely, quality, hand knit items. And have a very high minded business philosophy, in print anyway.

Some of it will really get your attention!
I'm sure my DH just can't wait for one of these striking capes.
And many of the ladies fashions would get a lot of his attention.

The link, just in case you want to go there yourself: http://www.aristofashion.com/products/products.htm

Oh, the name of the little yellow outfit is Pinochio. Go figure.

Project Linus

http://www.projectlinus.org/index.shtml

Another worthy knit for charity site.

No Skills?

Cruising through the web, and I have recently noticed that several of the crafty sites have sections for "NO SKILLS"?

What is that supposed to mean? And who would want to admit to having No Skills? Isn't one of the reasons that we craft supposed to be to at least develop skills? If nothing else, patience is a skill. Isn't it?

Looking at what they're promoting, I think that there would be a skill or two involved in completing these projects. They're just not an easy to label skill.

And, honestly, maybe they're describing the designers that came up with some of these projects to shill their fuggly materials on caretakers of young children so that it ends up on my refrigerator door!

Macaroon, schmacaroon:
I had really thought this was a cute pattern when I first saw it.

I didn't think anything about how bad this would look until I saw the Macaroon yarn in the reduced bin at LYS.

What they had on sale at 75% off was white with black stringy things and then black with white. Really pretty bizarre. Are we done with this look yet?

I kind of can see it when the colors are great or if the yarn is really soft or feels outstanding. But if it doesn't even feel good, what's the point?

Christmas Ball

I'm not sure, but this child might need counseling.

I know this would have caused loads of entertainment at my school. Like the other kids couldn't find enough to tease me about.

Now, on the other hand; if your kid sees this, and says "Wow, could you make me one of those?". I've added the link to the pattern just in case.

And, if the wearer is 2 years old, I'm sure it would be adorable. Just don't count on a positive reaction if you force a 13 year old to wear this in public. Not that you can ever expect a positive reaction from a 13 year old.....

Men's Wear?

"Kimono-inspired sweater. "Dramatic Plaid" "

Really? Wow!

I don't know where to start.

A moment of silence in honor of all those touched by Katrina and Rita.

Photo by DHR at Bay St. Louis, MS 10/02/2005.

May you find peace.