Making of an Hermès scarf

Going off my usual knitting themed topic here...

My friend, Elyse, and I were walking around the city the other day and came across this awesome Hermès demonstration tent.  Designers and artists from the clothing/fashion company were showing how they make some of their extraordinary products right there in the tent.  Everything from purses to ties, to scarves.  Elyse and I enjoyed an hour long demonstration on silk printing.  Here are some awesome photos!

Before the scarf makes it to this point in the process, it has already been designed by a designer and an engraving of the design has been finished by an engraver.  One design example they showed us took 2000 hours just to engrave!  After the engraving is complete, it is placed on top of a white mesh with solar blue paint which seals together when hit by the sun and drops off in shade.  The engraving has been put on a clear sheet which uses black areas to create the shade and then the blue paint seals under the clear area of the engraving.  Once that is complete, it is attached to a steel frame and is finally ready for the silk painting process.

First, the silk is laid out flat and taped down on a heated table.  The heat helps the dye to dry faster.

 

Next, the painter places the steel framed screen on the track and places over the area of the silk to be painted.  Then he adds the proper dye for the portion of the scarf he is currently painting.

 

Then, he takes a giant squeegee type thing and pushes the paint over the screen with equal amount of pressure on both sides in both directions.  The paint that lands on the sealed area stays on the screen and the paint that lands over the open mesh seeps through to the scarf.

 

Then he lifts up the steel frame and moves it to reveal the completed first screen.  This particular scarf requires 15 different screens for 15 different colors.

 

Here's a look at some of the other finished screens as he went along...

 

 

 

And the finished product!

It really was an amazing process.  It's so cool to see the artistry and focus that goes into making these.  Makes you appreciate the craftsmanship that much more! :)

 

Starfish... Crochet?

That's right, I can crochet now.  Yeah, baby!  I just learned how over lunch.  Thanks Sarah!

Let's see how I can use this to up my knitting game :)

Cozying Up For Fall

I love fall.  When I was younger and still in school I felt quite the opposite.  Probably because fall meant the end of the summer and therefore the beginning of the new school year.  Now that I have a year round job, it really doesn't matter what time of year it is because I still have work everyday.  My new daily schedule has given me a greater appreciation for fall.  The weather starts to cool down just enough that you can begin wearing boots, scarves and jackets again.  The leaves begin to change color and if you are lucky to live in a more seasonal climate than California you get to enjoy the colors much longer.

A personal favorite part of the return of fall is the hot drinks.  Hot chocolates, tea, coffee, and cider become popular again.  Heck, even mulled wine starts to make a comeback as the weather cools and Christmas is right around the corner.  Plus, knitting finds its place to shine.  Warm scarves, wraps and blankets.  I can combine two of my favorite things with one of my newer completed projects: the coffee cozy.

It's not necessarily just for coffee, but I guess that's just how I've grown up saying it.  Anyway, I'm really happy to have it and hope to make some more as the weather cools down even more.  I realize it's still early September, which for California still means summer, but fall's right around the corner and I couldn't be more excited :)

Eyelet Cotton Cloth

As promised, here is my personally designed pattern for an eyelet hole cotton dish cloth.  Enjoy!

Using Sugar & Cream 100% cotton yarn.  1/2 skein in color of choice.

CO 34 st., size 8 needles

Row 1: *(K1, P1), *repeat until end of row
Row 2: *(P1, K1), *repeat until end of row
Row 3-4: Repeat above two rows
Row 5: (K1, P1) 2 times, K1 to last 3 stitches, P1, K1, P1
Row 6: (P1, K1) 2 times, P1 to last 3 stitches, K1, P1, K1
Row 7: (K1, P1) 2 times, *(K2, YO, K2tog), *repeat until last 6 stitches, K2, (K1,P1) 2 times
Row 8: (P1, K1) 2 times, P1 until last 3 stitches, K1, P1, K1
Row 9: (K1, P1) 2 times, K1 until last 3 stitches, K1, P1, K1
Row 10: (P1, K1) 2 times, P1 until last 3 stitches, K1, P1, K1

Repeat rows 7-10 until the entire project measures approx. 6 inches lengthwise.

To finish, repeat rows 1-4.  Bind off and weave loose strings of yarn back into the project.

Voilà!  Your very own cotton eyelet dish cloth!

To prevent curling when finished, block with a hot iron and a damp towel/cloth: wet a cloth/towel and wring it until it just just damp.  Place over the flattened knit cloth.  Use a hot iron and go over the entire area until all of the covered knit cloth have been ironed.

Recommended care: Wash in cold water, tumble dry low-medium.  They actually work best after having been washed a few times and hold up well to the washing machine and dryer, so don't be afraid to use them!


Looking for another project with great design?  Check out this fingerless glove pattern!