Valerie Baber Designs

A contemporary edge was playing in my mind as I design my Spring and Summer collection for 2014. I love working with the embellishments of my other designs, but I must admit I love designing with a contemporary feel just as much. After many requests I will be adding more cotton fibres to my designs as they are a great year round choice. Light enough for the warmer days of Spring and Summer adding that special unique touch to your wardrobe and warm enough to wear in the Fall and during the cool Winter days (maybe not the -37 we had the other day, but the average cold Winters day). The Contempo collection will continue to grow throughout the year with various sizes, shapes and styles that have a more Modern Contemporary look.

The first one is the new Contempo Cotton Scarf now available here at http://www.intricateknits.etsy.com This scarf can be worn in several different styles by using the two clear buttons on the back to fasten where you would like. This keeps the look clean and modern, yet has a bit of a Victorian flair with the unique ruffle around the front. I will be making this design in various cottons as well as Merino Wool and hand painted Merino Wool. The Contempo Cotton Scarf is made with a lovely high end cotton from Spain. So very soft and wonderful to wear. Here are some of the ways to wear it below. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/181620415/contempo-cotton-accent-scarf-light-grey?ref=shop_home_active_2

The second scarf is the Pri Cotton Fashion Scarf in a Black and Grey cotton combination. The cotton I used here feels and drapes more like silk, a very luxurious choice. I designed this particular scarf in memory of our dear cat Princess who recently and unexpectedly passed away. We always called her Pri Pri for short. She was the most amazing cat, so loving, caring, followed you everywhere you went. She would hold your hand with her paw when she wanted your attention and her cat cry was the softest sound, more like a weird purr. She had this tail that curled around your arm whenever you held her or were petting her. She loved to twirl like a “ballerina” around your legs and dance away in front of you just hoping for you to reach out and love her back. I was working on this scarf when she fell ill and finished not long before she passed. I realized the next day that this was so like her, how strange. The twists and turns of the scarf being like Princess our little prima ballerina and her tail that always wrapped around you, holding you. 🙂 She will always be deeply missed. It is amazing how an animal can be such a big part of your everyday life, they are so giving and kind and bestow a certain calmness in a crazy busy day. We will love and miss her always. We are blessed with two other wonderful pets, our cat Tiia and our dog Mocha. We were truly blessed by her presence in our lives for 11 years. She rocked! 🙂 http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/181633953/pri-cotton-fashion-scarf-in-black-and?ref=shop_home_active_1

Sometimes in life we are inspired by the strangest things. There are times when we have no idea what has inspired us until after we are finished something. When we stand back and look at it then it just jumps out and you can see why you just had to sit and design it. Inspiration can be very subtle or bold and obvious. There are times when I have a hankering to knit or crochet something different and sit with some yarn and needles and just go, no planning involved, just see where it takes me. Both of these designs are from freeing myself to just go and be inspired with the moment. It is a very addictive and wonderful way to knit and crochet, you never know what will come of it. Of course you have to risk the failures too, but that is part of the fun and letting go and just letting your creativity flow.