Wandering Muse

Wandering Muse Wandering Muse inspires exploration with crafts that are ever-transforming. Knitwear, leather goods, and hand spun yarn!

Education at Portland Fashion Institute and Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design. Wandering Muse started as a love of travel and fashion, with collections of convertible clothing. I am still obsessed with all things convertible, but have branched out into other crafts. Always thoughtfully designed and hand crafted, I currently focus more on leather goods and hand spun yarn (and other yarn related crafts). Also continuing to teach people about these crafts, as I have been doing for the past 15 years.

Finally working on something new.  This 6+ month quarantine has been tough.  Especially on my creative side.  In the las...
09/21/2020

Finally working on something new. This 6+ month quarantine has been tough. Especially on my creative side. In the last month or so as I have started working again my creative energy has started to come back. Even though I have tons of WIP’s I’m starting something new.

I’m knitting swatches for something I’ve been wanting to design for a while. I’ve finished the stockinette/jersey swatch and just started the 1x1 rib knit. This yarn is amazing for many reasons. First, it’s local 100% alpaca yarn. Second, the color is natural (this one is a blend of the alpacas Champ, camel color, and Shaker, white). Third, it’s a pretty raw fiber, which I’m oddly appreciating. It’s minimally processed, so there’s some “vegetable matter” still in it and it definitely still smells a bit like an alpaca. Oddly I’m finding that comforting. It also has a very unique ply/twist. The yarn by itself has practically no stretch to it. I was worried about this at first, but after knitting it up I really like the way it’s turning out. It’s a nice heavy weight so I’m designing a sweet vest. I should say, I don’t wear “vests”. The closest thing I have to a “vest” is what you could call a knitted halter backless vest, which I have 2 of. This one will be special, inspired by one worn in an episode of Veronica Mars. Ah, nostalgia. This is also the first hand knit garment I’m designing that isn’t a hat, scarf, or cowl.

  3.26 WIP/Current Project.  As you can imagine, I have a lot of current projects... but next time I sit down and sew I ...
03/30/2020

3.26 WIP/Current Project.

As you can imagine, I have a lot of current projects... but next time I sit down and sew I will be finishing this.

It’s an expandable knitting bag I designed a few weeks ago. I was complaining that my sweater is getting too big to fit into my small project bag and I don’t have many large ones that aren’t just tote bags. So with a little prompting from a student I designed this one that expands! It’s both a medium bag (plenty big for socks or the beginning of a sweater) AND a larger bag that should be able to fit an average size sweater.

I can’t wait to finish it! The hardest part is done, putting the separating zipper in around the edges. I just need to sew up the lining with pockets, put in the handles, and finish it off! The way I designed it there won’t even be any raw edges (or serging) on the inside so it’s nearly reversible! I am also adding a convertible strap, so it can either be carried with short straps or worn as a cross-body bag!

Not that I’ll be able to take this anywhere to show it off... but it will be very handy once we’re all back out and about! @ Gresham, Oregon

  3.25 Fabric Stash.  This is...uh... most of my fabric stash.  I realized long ago that my fabric needs to be visible, ...
03/27/2020

3.25 Fabric Stash.

This is...uh... most of my fabric stash. I realized long ago that my fabric needs to be visible, otherwise I don’t know what I have.

1: The 4x4 box Ikea shelf is my favorite that I’ve been using for over 10 years.

2: My leaning fabric wall shelf that I had my dad build for me. It’s about 4’ wide by 10’ tall. It used to be in my guest room but I moved it to my knitting studio last time I had guests. It takes up so much space I think I will be disassembling it and redistributing the fabric.

3-4: Closet fabric stash. Bulkier knits, ribbing, specialty knits & activewear.

5: Wandering Muse production fabric stash on rolls.

6 & not pictured: I keep some specialty fabrics in tubs and boxes, mostly those that don’t stack well in open shelving like swimwear, bra fabrics, non-cotton lace and mesh fabrics. Also wools so I can keep them moth free!

  3/24 Sewing Space.  I have my sewing machine and serger set up in front of this window which gets gorgeous morning lig...
03/25/2020

3/24 Sewing Space. I have my sewing machine and serger set up in front of this window which gets gorgeous morning light. Of course, I primarily end up sewing late at night so I don’t get to enjoy it but my plants sure do! Also, this space here to the left of my sewing machine is usually the only clear space in the room! There are probably 15 works in progress nearby...

It’s   !  I haven’t introduced myself in a while so here it is!Hi, I’m Lisa, the face behind Wandering Muse.  I have a b...
03/02/2020

It’s ! I haven’t introduced myself in a while so here it is!

Hi, I’m Lisa, the face behind Wandering Muse. I have a bachelors degree in apparel design and use (and add to) that knowledge nearly every day. I have had a serious case of wanderlust since I was probably 17 and absolutely love to travel. I lived in Florence, Italy for a while, which is where I was inspired to design convertible clothing. Living abroad for 4+ months at a time, only having the clothes that would fit in a suitcase with me each time, I decided I needed to make garments that could act as multiple styles! Thus the brand Wandering Muse was born. I love to engineer clothing in such a way that they can be worn as multiple garments.

I have been teaching classes at Portland Fashion Institute since 2010 on sewing, design and knitwear which I absolutely love.

In my spare time I love to cook, sew & design clothing, knit by hand and machine, and take care of my jungle of houseplants. I am constantly learning new crafts and recently dove into the world of spinning yarn and love it.

One of my other greatest passions is sustainability. I’m constantly learning more about it and our impact on the earth and figuring out how I can reduce my negative impact. I am trying to streamline all my processes to keep waste to a minimum, with the goal of zero. For that reason I am pretty obsessed with natural fibers. Producing garments by fully fashioned knitting allows me be nearly zero waste (I typically can reuse the yarn ends that would otherwise be thrown away) which I really like.

Welcome to my world of Wandering Muse! *This photo is from my last big international trip in 2017. I’m on the island of Saõ Miguel, part of the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Touring around a bit after visiting some family on another island.

Fingerless Mitts now available!  Super cozy and warm!  A combination of 1x1 standard rib and English rib! Pop-up shop to...
11/30/2019

Fingerless Mitts now available! Super cozy and warm! A combination of 1x1 standard rib and English rib! Pop-up shop today until 6 in SE Portland.

Pop-up shop today 11-6 at  in SE Portland!  Come get some cozies and accessories!   is here with me so you can also get ...
11/30/2019

Pop-up shop today 11-6 at in SE Portland! Come get some cozies and accessories! is here with me so you can also get your reflective accessories! ♥️♥️♥️

A friendly reminder to shop small!  Support local businesses and artisans.  We appreciate your business! ♥️♥️♥️
11/24/2019

A friendly reminder to shop small! Support local businesses and artisans. We appreciate your business! ♥️♥️♥️

Shop small.  Shop local.  Help support small business and local economy!
11/24/2019

Shop small. Shop local. Help support small business and local economy!

New Wandering Muse knitwear labels just in!  These are cork (washable!) attached with a removable screw post.  💜💜💜
11/21/2019

New Wandering Muse knitwear labels just in! These are cork (washable!) attached with a removable screw post. 💜💜💜

An assortment of my new removable knitwear closures!  You can screw them into whichever knits you want, and take them ou...
11/20/2019

An assortment of my new removable knitwear closures! You can screw them into whichever knits you want, and take them out when you want! Small leather washers keep the closures from pulling through the knit. These will be for sale at my upcoming Pop-Up-Shop at Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design on Saturday November 30th, 12-6 pm!

With the extra warp thread I had after weaving the bag fabric I wove a little mug rug!  (Also works for Glencairn glasse...
10/20/2019

With the extra warp thread I had after weaving the bag fabric I wove a little mug rug! (Also works for Glencairn glasses of Scotch!). I’m pretty sure all the coasters in my house will soon be replaced with little textile rugs! Initially they’ll be weaving swatches, but put to good use afterwards! Win win!

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Gresham, OR
97030, 97080, 97233

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