$1,420.00
| Made to Order / Ships within 2 weeks (if needed sooner please e-mail info@estherandrews.com |
Knitting is a generational story. Techniques that have been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Ancient secrets are hidden in each piece’s unique stitch structure. I’m going to fill you in on this piece’s secrets and the special design journey it takes to become the heirloom you’ll receive.
We start with our body yarn - Stretch Cashmere - made from 76% Cashmere, 21% Nylon, 3% Lycra. We chose this yarn because of its luxuriously soft hand-feel, its warmth, and its non-itchy, cuddly texture. This yarn is certified by the Sustainable Fiber Alliance (SFA), The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the International Cooperation Committee of Animal Welfare (ICCAW). Read more about the exciting meaning behind these names on our Sustainability Page.
Each little rose and leaf is made from 95% Organic Cotton, 5% Cashmere. The perfect fiber to hold the structure and shape of each petal and leaf. Sustainably certified through the Organic Content Standard (OCS), Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Inspired by The Little Prince, we spent many hours of time hand crocheting and taming each little petal and leaf, because as the Little Prince puts so delicately, “It’s the time you have wasted for your Rose that makes your Rose so important.” - Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
A look into Esther's sketch book
The knitting is done in our Indiana studio on a vintage, hand operated, knitting machine. The carriage (which holds the yarn as it passes over hundreds of needles) needs to be pushed back and forth to create each new row. It’s a process that requires warmed up shoulders and a few yoga breaths. Over 1000 rows go into each of our shrugs– it’s a beautifully slow journey that grows one millimeter at a time.
Once the last stitch is stitched, we start a finishing process that is called Blocking. Before the piece is sewn it’s washed in cold water. This makes the finished yarn softer, and gently stretches each stitch so they are perfectly uniform.
The knit is stretched out flat and pinned to the shape of its pattern using hundreds of tiny, little silk pins and left to dry overnight. This locks the shape in place so it does not warp when wearing.
The seams are sewn together in a process called linking. This is done with a tiny crochet hook, looping each stitch one at a time & matching fashion marks together, to create thin, strong seams.
Our flower elements are then hand stitched to the shrug, to create a unique flower garden. The finishing touch is to add little shimmery, sharp, Swarovski Crystal Thorns for sparkle and protection.
The final step in this journey is a signature.
Our garments are family heirlooms and their packaging needs to keep them safe. Our packaging are custom made wooden boxes -- protective ecosystems that safeguard your shrug from gravity, hungry moths, and the aging effects of time.
Skillfully made by local woodworker, Dustin Case. He makes the boxes in his Indiana studio using cedar wood certified by the Forrest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Inside each box are step by step instructions for how to care for your shrug. We believe that sharing how to properly care for your clothing is a form of love. A special kind of inheritance that you can pass on to future generations.
Thank you for following along on your piece’s creative journey! My hope is that the warmth that we whisper in each hand-crafted stitch, keeps you feeling loved and beautiful the day of your wedding.
With Love,
Esther
