Pretty in (Knitted) Punk

Interesting read from the LA Times, excerpt below:
Rocker chic goes warm and fuzzy

Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock and Goth Knitting Projects' offers rocker style with all the expertise of Grandma.
By Amy Scattergood, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 23, 2007

THE next time you're in search of a knitting project, ask not what Grandma would have done, but what Sid would have knit. Sid Vicious, that is. "Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock and Goth Knitting Projects" is the first book from Alyce Benevides and Jaqueline Milles, New York designers and founders of Knit-Head, a "punk rock knitwear company."
Inspired by their love of '80s music, especially British Invasion punk and new wave, Benevides and Milles found success after they presented their signature knitted Mohawk hat to Depeche Mode singer Martin Gore, who wore it throughout the band's 2006 tour -- and doesn't seem to have taken it off since.

And if yarn Mohawks aren't your thing, the book features two dozen other inventive patterns with inspiration drawn from designers such as Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano and styles including Goth, Japanese "Lolita," and even some fetching retro preppy looks. Throw some military chic and S&M fetishism and you have a knitting book even Courtney Love could embrace.

But "Pretty in Punk" isn't just about style: It's a book with substance too. Clearly written, and filled with concise instructions, a good glossary and handy references, the book blends knowledge of fashion trends with old-school knitting know-how. The photography may be arty and the style allusions avant-garde, but the mechanics are as sturdy as any Elvis Presley-era knitting manual.



Personally, I think the arm warmers are excellent, Marc Jacobs features his own on his website.

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The LA Times continues to give excellent west-coast fashion coverage with the DIY scenesters.
Last week, they interviewed the designers behind Mike & Chris, who I mentioned about previously and even posted a link on how to make a DIY hoodie jacket.

Here's a link where they show you how to knit your own arm warmers here and if you're even more wickedly ambitious, a knitted corset here. The designers behind the book have their own website, Knit-Head.

Also, check out the LA Times coverage of stylish indie girls on the scene here

Design meets Casual

Thanks to Closet Therapy, I was introduced to Mike & Chris, a clothing label dedicated to "chic and street, resulting in a line that is both laid back yet put together." The designers scored a major hit with their structured hoodie jackets and have since branched into men and women's lines for 2007. What caught my eye was their Bailey hoodie(seen above). I love how they've cut and tailored the slummy hoodie jacket and turned it into something neat, crisp, and femme. I could wear this work and I am definitely planning to wear this to Seattle when I visit this fall. I'll look just as put-together getting into the plane as I will when I get off.
I refuse to wear a track/velour sweat suit at any point (hint, hint Britney Spears). The fact that its comfortable just makes my heart even more fonder. It retails for $308.




But the tale doesn't end here. Old Navy released their own take on Mike & Chris's hoodie jackets and for $28, I nabbed my own in black, the one shown below is on Old Navy's site. I'm digging the faster turnaround seen in major retailers ~ at this price, I won't feel so bad if something happens to my purchase. Win win for all of us.