OOAK Knits | The Motor City Vest

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The Motor City Vest

Detroit Michigan in February is a very cold place.
Very cold.
I'm actually fairly certain I've never been as cold in my life as I was in Detroit in February.
And I've been to Chicago in December.
And Iceland.
Despite being miserably cold for the majority of this trip, I loved Detroit in a way that I can't quite explain.
Maybe it was the fact that, like Richmond, they also have a Belle Isle.
Maybe it was because I was Urbexing some of the coolest places I've ever seen with my best friend.
Or maybe it was simply because I was somewhere I'd never been, having some of the most unbelievable (read: borderline reckless) adventures. Because that's often all it takes for me to fall in love with a place.
(Ask me about driving 10 hours home in one of the worst ever snow storms sometime...)

Regardless, Detroit will always have a special place in my heart.

The grey shades of that snow covered, windswept city, inspired this textured patchwork vest.
It will definitely help keep you warm anytime, anywhere. 
Even Detroit in February.

Yarn origin:  Reykjavík Iceland, Richmond VA, Boston MA.... and a lot of other unknown places

A photo posted by Leney (@agirlnamedleney) on

You can also see other OOAK Knits and there stories here.

Why one-of-a-kind?

These pieces are inspired by...
the places i’ve been,
the people i’ve met,
the words i’ve read,
the images i’ve created.

All of which are unique, to themselves, their own, one-of-a-kind. 
Much like you are.

I believe that your clothing, what you wear, says a lot about you.
It adds to your story, your make-up, who you are as an individual.

And so, shouldn’t those pieces in and of themselves hold a story all their own?
I think so.
That’s why my knitwear is one-of-a-kind. 
Each design is a piece of art.
Each piece tells a story. 
Of a person. A place. An experience. An idea.
When you own one of these pieces you are the only one to own it.
Aside from me, the creator, you hold it’s story. 
You are now the caretaker of it’s story. 
And it, in turn, becomes a part of yours.
The Stories The Things We Own Tell.
I think they're terribly important, though often overlooked. 
I find that the things we invest in are the things we cherish and value most. Which in turn speaks to what kind of individual we are. What we put stock in. Who we want to be.

You can also read more about why here.

// Photos by Meagan Abell //

Travel Essentials

in

A good leather bag

Lots of little pouches and purses to organize bits and pieces that are brought along as well as bits and pieces newly found

A scarf - this one is my usual go to but I've also fallen in love with this cotton one I found in Barcelona over the summer

A book to provoke new thoughts

A bit of simple jewelry- because it can often make me feel pretty and put together even if I haven't showered in a few days on the road and have been wearing the same shirt for more days than I want to recollect

The Adventure Hat

A sweet smelling fragrance

Music- whether that's in the form of CD's, a home made mix tape, an iPod or Spotify on your phone

A travel journal- never go on a trip without one. You never know what you'll find that warrants documenting

A Small List Of Just Right Things

in

twelve year old freckles

blank walls showcasing a single photo

ink scrawled words on a well worn page

the comfortable silence between you and a someone you feel at home with

sun splashed hardwood floors

a cleared inbox

routine how-are-you phone calls

a knowing smile between friends

a knowing smile between strangers

the thoughtfulness of a mother

slow burning candles

a clean sink free of dishes

the smell of rosemary

a cup of coffee brought in the early morning by a loving friend (or, honestly, any cup of coffee)

the satiny feel of endlessly used knitting needles 

a song with words that hit you right in the chest in that place where you really and truly get stuff

bike rides on chilly-grey days


these are the overlooked, not-as-noticed things i’m thankful for. 
i, of course, could go on and on about the big abundance i’ve been blessed with in the way of my family and friends and a home and my dreams and passions. and i do go on and on about them from time to time. but i wanted to take today, this day we reserve for thankfulness and being grateful, to take note of these small things. 

actually, now that i think about it, these small things speak of all of those aforementioned big things. 
they, in their smallness, just altogether make up the big things.
the just-right things.

OOAK Knits | The Montmartre Sweater 

in ,

The Montmartre Sweater

Inspired by the fashion forward city of Paris. A study in color brought forth this muted hazelnut tone that reminds me of a weekend spent walking underneath the eiffel tower, drinking wine at street side cafes, eating tasty pastries, shooting film, people watching on the train and lazing around a tiny apartment with balcony windows flung wide open to let out the sounds of Tracy Chapman and Billie Holiday cd's...

Yarn origin: Richmond, Va

A photo posted by Leney (@agirlnamedleney) on

If you'd like to invest in this piece and be the owner of it's unique story you can do so by heading to the shop listing for it below

Shop Now

You can also see other OOAK Knits and there stories here.

Why one-of-a-kind?

These pieces are inspired by...
the places i’ve been,
the people i’ve met,
the words i’ve read,
the images i’ve created.

All of which are unique, to themselves, their own, one-of-a-kind. 
Much like you are.

I believe that your clothing, what you wear, says a lot about you.
It adds to your story, your make-up, who you are as an individual.

And so, shouldn’t those pieces in and of themselves hold a story all their own?
I think so.
That’s why my knitwear is one-of-a-kind. 
Each design is a piece of art.
Each piece tells a story. 
Of a person. A place. An experience. An idea.
When you own one of these pieces you are the only one to own it.
Aside from me, the creator, you hold it’s story. 
You are now the caretaker of it’s story. 
And it, in turn, becomes a part of yours.
The Stories The Things We Own Tell.
I think they're terribly important, though often overlooked. 
I find that the things we invest in are the things we cherish and value most. Which in turn speaks to what kind of individual we are. What we put stock in. Who we want to be.

You can also read more about why here.

// Photos by Meagan Abell //