Chloé Lewis

I’m at this point now where I’ve knit the raglan increases for my (Ruby’s) #flaxlightsweater and I just want to savor this moment right before it morphs from this ambiguous donut shape into an actual sweater with one swift round of stitches and a dash of knitting sorcery. Do you guys know what I’m talking about? If you don’t know but you’re very intrigued how this works, I will be (too) excited to show you. I don’t wanna oversell it but it’s probably one of the most magical parts of knitting a garment.

Eny and Carson’s Savannah apartment: Handmade furniture, ceramics, and art (inspiration galore). Cheese, coffee, bread, roasted garlic, berries, soft boiled eggs and local bacon for breakfast. Six person/1 dog mattress fort sleepover. I want to be their houseguest every weekend.

Savannah; February 2017

I am so grateful for these pillows. When I see them still sitting around my studio they remind me of how much has happened in a year. They are the same pillows I was so excited to be designing and knitting last winter because I had been wanting to open an online shop for forever but I had floundered for so long about what to start making (so many ideas, so little time…always my problem) and I had finally made a decision. I had tons of expectations and romanticized notions at the time of what my online shop could, would, and should be. And the reason these pillows make me feel grateful even though they have never sold is because of this lesson they taught me:

The minute I let go of my expectations of what I thought I wanted my shop to be, things started to flow. SO easily. I started to give up the vision of what I thought my shop should look like and opened myself up to what it was becoming and things got so easy. It wasn’t a sad, defeated “giving up,” but more of a closed window/opened door kind of situation. I started to make sales, get positive feedback, and have ideas for other products that I was more excited about than the pillows and home decor. When I saw that being open minded and flexible was the only way this would work, I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone and started to do some other things that were not part of my original plan. I did two small pop up shows and a big holiday market (something that I had told myself in the beginning, entirely out of fear, that I wouldn’t do) and learned things about my business I could have never ever learned without having done them.

By the end of 2016 that lesson was starting to spill over into other areas in my life. And you know what? It is one of the best things I have learned as an adult so far. Wanting to have things perfectly figured out in my head before I take a step forward is a huge struggle for me. I tend to dwell on the future with a picture in my head of what I want it to look like and have expectations that are rarely accurate depictions of reality, so I’m often disappointed with some part of my day, or even my life, when things don’t turn out the way I imagined in my ideal fake fantasy world. And I’m so tired of that.

Now, after learning that lesson the hard way so many times, I am excited for 2017 not because I think I know how it’s going to go, or because of my idea of how I want it to go, but actually because I have no idea what’s going to unfold and I know that I’m prepared to roll with the punches and seize the opportunities as they come. I’m so excited about all the ideas I have for Chloe Alexa now, knowing that there is no pressure to make sure they happen the way I’m imagining. If some do turn out the way I’m envisioning then that is great too! It’s a win-win, which is way better than the lose-lose I was setting myself up for before. I am so thankful that I am learning this lesson now…I can imagine future life events that would be extremely hard seasons for me to get through with my old attitude. Relying on my circumstances to make me happy rather than realizing I have the power to change the way I think about them is something that has been causing me heartache for such a long time in such a big way that it truly feels like the biggest weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I wish there was a way to describe it that didn’t sound so cliche. It is amazing how relieving and calming this mindset shift has been for me.

I have so many more thoughts on this and there’s a lot more to it than I would ever be able to share here in writing. If you know me in person you probably know that I could talk about it with you for hours. But for now I’m going to pick up some knitting and get to work on the new ideas for this year. I am feeling like I’m coming down with a cold and there is a chance of snow today–a perfect time to knit if you ask me!

Happiest new year to all of you! Xo

These last few weeks have been hard, stressful, and tiring but also incredibly inspiring, fun, and exciting. I was a vendor at my very first market last weekend and couldn’t have asked for kinder neighbors or event hosts*. It was a little backyard shindig called Mamas & Makers for mamas to come shop local products and hang out. There was a wreath making station with the most beautiful flowers by Kelsy Marie Design and the weather was gorgeous and everything ran so smoothly considering I was pretty much clueless!

I told myself when I started my shop back in February that I would probably stick to selling online rather than doing markets or pop-up shops. Somewhere along the way I realized that I was just scared and nervous to do it. I get anxious about things that I have never done before when I don’t know what to expect. Jeff says “if you put it on a calendar it automatically stresses you out.” Which is true. BUT! I was able to let go of that fear about markets and I’m happy to say I have two more scheduled before Christmas! One of them is a pretty big event in Nashville called Porter Flea that I’m really stoked to have been accepted to. I learend so much at my first market (lesson 1 of many: everyone just really loves pom poms…as much if not more than me. Make more pom poms!) and wouldn’t have been able to get all that valuable information any other way besides diving in and doing it.

*Katie of June Park hosted the Mamas & Makers event. She was such a delight and I am honored that she invited me to be a vendor!

Scenes from October in Nashville and Asheville.

I spent last week with my family in NC. The drive there and back was full of the most beautiful changing trees. People from all over flock to the mountains of NC where my parents live to see the leaves in the fall. “Leafers” we call them. They really are worth the trip.

I have driven to visit my parents quite often since Jeff and I moved to Nashville. Partly because my mom has been battling breast cancer for the past year and a half. She actually got the news while we were all together on our family beach trip last year. It was a blessing that we were all together because I don’t know how I would have handled that news over the phone, especially since we lived in California at the time and I was already finding it really hard to be so far away from my family. Since her diagnosis she has had a double mastectomy, undergone chemo, and now as of last week had breast reconstruction surgery. It is hard to believe all of that happened since last July, but it also seems like a lifetime has passed since then.

I think I didn’t want to write about this before because I took so long to process it, but it’s breast cancer awareness month and it’s always on my mind and such a big part of our lives now that it feels wierder to not talk about it than to share.

I’m more proud of my mom than I could ever express in words. My sister Leah and I were in town when her hair was starting to fall out and she asked us to shave her head. We were all scared I think but felt it was better to do it that rip-the-band-aid-off way so she wouldn’t have to relive the reality of being sick by having hair fall out every time she showered or touched her head. We had braced ourselves to be sad and emotional after seeing her looking bald and sick but when we were finished she looked so beautiful and strong like Demi Moore that all we could say was “You look so badass!” and “You have the best bone structure!” After that she wore a wig sometimes and would get such a kick out of randomly taking it off really quickly to surprise my dad with her bald head. She just carried herself so gracefully through this whole thing and I have more love and respect for her than ever.

Also, Jeff got the Nashville job offer only a week before finding out my mom had cancer. So when we got the news we had the comfort of knowing that at least we would not have to fly back and forth to be with my mom during her surgeries and treatments but that we could drive there anytime we wanted. God’s timing was perfect as always. So much to be thankful for.

Last winter I made a few pom pom ornaments for my Christmas tree from yarn I had around the house. I had the thought that I would like to make more for my tree the next year, then a few months after Christmas on a whim decided to make some pom pom garlands for my etsy shop to see if anyone would be interested. Since then I’ve made so many pom poms I’ve lost count!

So this year, instead of just making some more ornaments for my own tree I am making them for the shop and they will also be available in lots of colors, shapes, and sizes at some holiday shows over the next few months (more on that to come!).

I just love pom poms because they really serve no purpose other than to add a touch of fun. Their sole reason for existing is to make people smile. How great is that?? Without those types of seemingly insignificant little things life would be so much less wonderful.

The fullness of these drawers and the colors of the contents is surely a sign that I need to make some fall garlands and pompom hats amirite?

Shipped this custom order bunny last week! It’s fun to see how different each animal’s personality is after I finish since it’s impossible to create the same facial expression twice. I have started doing a couple things differently and like how they’re turning out. I needle felted the eyes and made a tiny pom pom for the tail. I think I could incorporate a pompom into anything–they add the perfect dose of fun.

I am hoping to have some bunnies listed in the shop soon. I’ve been experimenting with a few little details that make them extra special and I think I’m going to love how they turn out! Can’t wait to make them available.

This little friend is waiting to go on his next adventure

A few special animals are slowly making their way into the shop and I am knitting more as we speak!

June/July 2016

deeeeeeeeep in vacation mode

Percy Priest Lake. Our ocean away from ocean. There are hiking trails along it that have little paths down to the water and in some high spots there are rocks that would be perfect for a picnic overlooking the lake from on high. We discovered a funny thing about this place when we hiked there a few weekends ago. There is a cove where boats anchor to party so while you’re hiking in the peaceful woods you suddenly come upon loud competing (bad) music blaring from the boats below. Made us laugh. Such a weird sensation to be surrounded by woods all alone and to hear clubbing music nearby.

We came to this lake with friends for spring break a few years ago when we all lived in Savannah together. Took their family boat out to a high cliff where some of us jumped (including Jeff) and some of us were too chicken (including me). Back then we would have never thought we would be coming back to the same lake in the summer of 2016 because it is now our town where we own a home and live near those friends once again. We didn’t even know then that we would move away to California for three years before living in Nashville. So much time has passed and yet so little. We are having fun discovering what we want in life and what we have been happy to have already had. It is exciting, scary, and crazy to feel so old and so young simultaneously.

A sweet classic teddy for one of my best pals. She had a baby boy this spring and I hope he’ll love this bear for a long long time. It was fun to watch him slowly come to life stitch by stitch. He has kind eyes. Reminds me of this book from my childhood, all he needs is a pair of green overalls.

Pattern: Vera by Annita Wilschut

Whipped up this little mattress, blanket, pillow set for one of the pocket pals one morning last week. A friend of mine is having a baby this coming week and she has a two year old at home who takes dish cloths and anything she can find around the house and uses them as blankets for all of her toys so she can tuck them into bed. A girl after my own heart! Instead of making a newborn gift I decided the toddler needed a gift to make her feel special when her baby sister arrives. So– a blanket made from a reclaimed sweater, a pillow from the cuff of a reclaimed sweater, and a felt mattress…everything a little pocket pal kitty needs to have a good snooze!

When I was in kindergarten I had a dress that had a small pocket designed for a little stuffed kitty to tuck inside. I am sure my grandma made it–she was the queen of sewing (still is) and made us countless quilts and things during my childhood. Now I wish I could remember exactly what the dress looked like. I remember wearing it to kindergarten class and feeling special. I still love little details like that (padded books with slits for little things to tuck inside and pull out, dolls that have clothes and accessories, doll houses with sweet little “real house” accents…don’t get me started). So I have been wanting to make some pillows inspired by that dress for quite a while. I used some recycled fabrics from my stash and made a couple. I like how they turned out so I plan to keep making them with different animals to choose from for tucking away into the pockets at night. During the day kids can keep them in their clothes pockets or backpacks! They are in the shop now! Stripes and florals because SPRING is everywhere here in Nashville and it’s the most amazing Spring I ever remember experiencing. Grass grows overnight here and every day on walks around my neighborhood I see new growth on familiar trees. A good season for inspiring me to create!

If you’re following my instagram you may have seen that I now have an active open shop! I’m slowly adding items as I make them so at the moment there are a few really special handknit pillows that I made plus some fluffy tassel garlands that are just fun to have around the house or to use at a party or celebration of any kind. I’m having a lot of fun with it and I hope to have a lot more stock in there soon. Hooray!

I have loved to make things with my hands ever since I can remember. One of my favorite memories as a kid is sitting up high on a branch in our front yard tree with my sisters collecting branches for my mom so she could make wreaths. We fashioned some sort of basket with a rope pulley system so we could lower the branches down to her without having to get out of the tree. My mom was always letting us help with all kinds of crafts around the house. She taught me how to knit when I was in middle school. I made a long white garter stitch scarf with some acrylic yarn that has long since been misplaced or given away. In high school she helped me sew a dress from a simplicity pattern and I have

I lost interest in knitting during high school but picked it up again after getting married. I made a few simple projects and was afraid to knit in the round. Then a few years later my friends started having babies. I tried a newborn hat and mittens pattern. I made a simple hand stitched baby quilt. With my moms help, I made some felted knit baby booties. A little later another friend got pregnant and I wanted to bring something handmade to her shower. I was planning to make some simple sewn bibs but couldn’t find any gender neutral fabric I liked. So I looked on pinterest at knitted baby gift ideas and saw a picture of a knitted bunny. I was sold instantly. I didn’t care that my knitting skills were mediocre at best. I didn’t care that I had never made anything three dimensional before. I had to make it. I bought the pattern and went through it step by step, youtubing my way through any and all directions I didn’t understand. Before I knew it I had made a bunny head. And by the end of the weekend I had a finished animal. That wonky bunny was the spark I needed to continue pushing myself to make things and to learn more about knitting. Since then I’ve made multiple other stuffed animals, plus sweaters, gloves, socks, and other things I had always been afraid to try.

I haven’t lost momentum since that first bunny and I can’t imagine ever not knitting and sewing now. I have more than enough projects lined up to last me a lifetime.If I hadn’t tried to make that bunny I might have stuck with easy projects and never gotten hooked on knitting. And what a sad life that would be for me! I love making things so much now that I can’t imagine it not being important to me.

The other motivator for me was that I just couldn’t wait to see my friend’s reaction when she unwrapped the gift. I knew she would love it no matter how wonky it was because I had made it. And she did! She sent me a photo of her newborn baby laying beside the bunny and still sends me photos of it in the nursery.
It is this feeling and the satisfaction that comes with it that makes me want to create things and make them available for others to get enjoyment out of them. I want to create things that people will be excited to hand over to someone as a gift. I want to knit something that makes you love sitting in a certain spot in your home. Something that makes you feel beautiful, cozy, playful, or proud. I want to use my hands to make something out of what seems like nothing that will bring years of pleasure and usefulness.

I love to encourage other knitters who feel like they are too inexperienced to try a project that intimidates them. The most important thing is that whatever you are making has to be something you really want. If you want to make a sweater there’s nothing wrong with doing a little research and trying one that seems like a good project for a beginner. But make sure whichever pattern you pick is for a sweater you’re dying to wear. Otherwise you won’t be motivated to push past your insecurities and learn the stitches or techniques required to finish. I was dying to give my friend that bunny at her baby shower. And that’s the reason I was motivated enough to finish it even though making it was frustrating at times and I even seriously considered giving up and buying a gift instead (more than once).

February

My favorite comfort breakfast these days is just grits and scrambled eggs, prepared in a particular way, with a second cup of coffee. Sometimes with parmesan or feta or a nice cheddar.

The birds outside our windows went crazy after the snow. I think they were eating all the berries on the holly tree next door? One of them flew into the window right in front of my face as I took photos of them. I hope it is okay now.

I wasn’t expecting flowers but the knock at my door on Friday before Valentine’s day was a beautiful bright red surprise. Tulips, ranunculus, roses, and poppies. Jeff found this perfect new place in our neighborhood called Flwr Shop and even as the tulips and roses fade the poppies only get more beautiful and open. Poppies have always been some of my very favorite.

Tiny things. I don’t think I could ever tire of making them.

Pictured:
Pink pillow made from a sweater cuff (the sweater had a hole ripped in it by a pup who shall remain nameless).
Grey doll blanket from yet another ripped sweater. I may add a binding to it so it looks finished.
The little pillow with the tiny tassels was made from a knitted swatch I did for a project.
The bulky cream doll blanket was also a project swatch.

The sweet doll and the teddy bear were both made by my grandmother’s friend when I was little. I like keeping them on my studio shelf. They just make me happy.

It is a glorious 60 degrees today and the sun is out after days of rain. And it is Friday. Lots to be thankful for today! Going to go take a long walk and then make some things while sitting on the deck.

Winter is cold walks, frozen cheeks, hot drinks, yarn and needles, thrifting and repurposing, cleaning, rearranging, sewing, hot baths, more walks, hand knit hats, dry hands, space heater, cabin fever, tv marathons.

I forgot snow looked like glitter until this winter.

Made the best hot chocolate last night. It was a mixture of probably three different kinds of cocoa with steamed milk and maple syrup. Homemade whipped cream on top with a bit of vanilla and maple syrup added. Throw in a pinch of salt and a splash of leftover coffee if you’re into that (I am in a big way). Each sip has a bit of fluffy cold cream that balances and cools down the rich hot chocolate that would otherwise burn your throat. Heaven.

p.s. trying to keep my ravlery updated with some of my recent handknits so if you’d like more details on the knits in this post you can find them there.

First snow in our new home. It was the best day.

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