Archive for November, 2008
Bamboo dyeing!
Monday, November 24th, 2008
So, in between all the other junk happening over here Chez Glam, I dyed some bamboo yarn.
Here’s a shot of the pinks:
And here’s a shot of the blues.
Because of the way I layered the dyes in the dyebaths, each hank is a little bit different, and each of the sets (warm and cool) represents a color progression.
I’m planning to do them as ~100g skein scarf kits on Etsy.
Each kit will have instructions for three possible scarves, and enough yarn to knit TWO of them.
You’ll also get two kit-specific stitch markers inspired by the yarn.
I’m still working on the little pattern booklets, I’ll let you know when they “Go Live.”
Posted in etsy | No Comments »
New Pattern Alert: habanero!
Friday, November 21st, 2008
So, you may have seen the progress shots that I sneaked into my flickr account…and here’s the finished sweater!
It’s knit in Lorna’s Laces Green Line DK, in the Chagrin colorway. All in one piece from the neck down.
Knit.1 did a story about several bloggers, and so we’re all interviewed and each of us did a pattern for the issue.
Should hit newsstands n a couple of days.
Here’s the cover, so you know what to look for:
Posted in Patterns, press | 2 Comments »
Make One Yarn Studio Retreat!
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
OK, here is the long overdue post about the Canada Trip!
Well, I was invited to teach sort of at the last minute…not really the LAST minute, but after they had already decided who to invite to teach, and the workshop had filled up, they added me later. I have known Amy Sewnson (co-owner of Make One) for YEARS. We were both very early Knitty contributors, and also very early knit bloggers. Amy and I have been reading each others’ blogs for like 10 years. SO…I knew that this would be a great trip.
The weekend started out at the Make One shop…which is GORGEOUS. It’s a huge space, I would guess that they have about 1500 - 1750 square feet in there. The walls are lined with those cool cubby-type shelves and everything is lit using artist lighting like they have in museums. The colors are just glowing at you when you walk in. They have lots of favorite, well-known yarns, PLUS many yarns that are hand dyed by local fiber artists (likek Sandra and Annie). So it’s a great mix of local and what-everyone’s-talking-about-online. I think that some of the most successful shops are those run by people who spend a lot of time on the internet. Researching brands and knowing what everyone’s buzzing about.
From there, we went on up to the Delta Lodge at Kanakansis. This is a BEAUTIFUL spot. It’s kind of isolated up in the mountains, with lots of pine trees and beautiful valleys all around. I was just in awe of this place. SO many deer along the road, too! Just a really neat place to get to spend some time.
The lodge itself was really interesting, too. There was a big huge fireplace in the lobby with tons of comfy chairs and couches. They had lots of little bars and restaraunts to try out. The vibe of the whole place was COZY. Cozy and Mountain. Like, antlers, stuffed game, that kind of thing.
The food was just outrageously good. Everything was very well-prepared and definitely upscale.
I also thought that the workshop itself was incredibly well-run. There was coffee and snacks at the halfway point of each class, with time to actually mingle. Classes ran on time, and everyone was where they were supposed to be. The classrooms were stocked with the right AV equipment…it was just really really well done.
I was really impressed / flattered/ blown away by the fact that all of my classes were full. I had no less than 21 students the entire weekend! Woah!
It was so worth it to make the trip. I loved being there and meeting the Make One staff and students.
Thank you Make One! I obviously didn’t take enough pictures, so would love to have links to your flickr sets!!
Posted in Trips, events, press | No Comments »
Knitpicks Podcast Interview
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
So a few weeks ago I got a call from Kelley at Knitpicks! I picked up the phone and when she asked for me, and I lied and said I wasn’t home! She has such a professional voice, I assumed it was a sales call! The worst part of the whole thing is that I totally expected the phone call. We had worked out a time and date in advance in everything. She called just as I was getting Mazie to go down for a nap, so that was probably what threw me off. (Mom was supposed to come over and babysit during the call and she forgot…so I was a little bit off my game that morning.)
Anyway, you can hear the whole conversation here. To go along with the interview, Knitpicks is offering you a special deal on the purchase of Glam Knits.
As a thank you, Kelley sent me a whole set of the Harmony Interchangeable needles. I already have the Options metal set and I LOVE it. The cable is so soft and bendy, and the joins are very smooth. I am easily annoyed by slow, dull, or badly constructed needles, and these have passed even MY tests.
I like to knit a LOT and I like to knit FAST. I used the Options set while I was working on my newest project using a cabled bamboo yarn. The yarn didn’t catch at ALL, even though the individual plies are so fine.
PS: The knitting bag in the photo is from Lexie Barnes and can be found here.
(If you’re looking for something to get me for Christmas…which I *know* at least one of my readers IS…hint-hint-wink-wink *ahem*Nathan*hrmm-hrmm*….I would LOVE to have THIS NEW Lexie bag in Pacifica, please!)
Posted in press | No Comments »
Update on the update
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
Thanks again for notes, comments, and emails!
My dad is doing a lot better. He’s up and around and seems to be in good spirits. Thank you all for your kind thoughts during the last week!
Posted in just chit chat | No Comments »
Update
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
I had a great time at the workshop in Canada, and will be sure to write more about it in the next few days.
I’m just doing a quick update to say that we are dealing with some family stuff at the moment…my dad went into a diabetic coma Friday, and it’s been a difficult last few days.
I may need a little internet break, but will get caught up as soon as I can. Thanks for your emails and notes, and I’ll talk to you soon!
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Let’s Knit Interview…PDF posted
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
I recently received a PDF version of my interview with UK Magazine Let’s Knit.
Here’s page 1,
Here’s page 2.
(I also put little low-res images of the pages on Flickr, in case you’re not a Downloader…click the image above to see.)
Posted in press | No Comments »
This is going to be a fast turnaround!
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
So, I’m back from VA, and have three short days to get myself ready to go to Canada!
I’m packing and organizing myself to go to the Make One Yarn Studio Fall Fiber Arts Retreat.
Here’s the blurb:
world-class teachers.
gourmet food.
spectacular surroundings.
3 unforgettable days.
Our third annual Fiber Arts Retreat will be held at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis, November 6 - 9. Plans are in place to make this our biggest - and best - retreat ever. From Estonian Lace with Nancy Bush, to sock design with Cookie A. From “No Sheep” fibers with Amy R. Singer to entertaining classes with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka “The Yarn Harlot”, and just announced, Stefanie Japel, author of “Fitted Knits”. Every knitter will find something new to learn.
I’ll be teaching three classes there:
(these blurbs are from the website…I don’t refer to myself in the 3rd person!)
Anatomy of the Top Down Sweater
Join Stefanie and learn her tips and tricks for creating a successful sweater knit from the top down to the hem. We will discuss such topics as choosing paired sleeve increases, incorporating stitch patterns, shaping, and working elastic bind-offs.
Fitting Your Knits
This class will demonstrate how to customize patterns by incorporating simple shaping techniques, such as bust and hipline shaping using creative placement of increases and decreases, or even shaping through simply changing stitch pattern and needle size.
Converting Flat Patterns to Circular
Many of the flat patterns published in knitting books and magazines can be easily reinterpreted to be knit in the round. Knitting sweaters in the round can be preferable for many reasons such as increasing knitting speed and evening out tension problems. In this class, you will learn to turn your favorite flat patterns into circular knits.
I’m really excited. My classes are all full, so it’s going to be a lot of fun!!
This is a picture that I borrowed from the website of the lodge that we’re going to be in…What a perfect Fall getaway spot!! The setting couldn’t be more different from the workshop last weekend, but it’ll definitely be posh in its own way. (There are rumors of yoga in between classes!) And did you see the teacher list!? How lucky am *I* to spend the weekend with these ladies!!??
Posted in events | No Comments »
Back from the workshop!
Monday, November 3rd, 2008
This is my first day back from the Knit-a-Go-Go and Knit Happens Glam Knits retreat.
Here’s the group photo of our class (minus two women who had to leave early,) don’t they look like a bright bunch of people?? There were lawyers, military specialists, consultants for non-profits, museum collections experts, people who are fluent in many languages, scientists, and the book buyer for the DC library system! I felt so fortunate to mingle with such talent!! I really enjoyed our discussion, and the students themselves were so full of information that it really was a learning experience for all of us.
Here’s Kell, the resident Knit Happens window dresser and the amazing window that she created for the weekend:
It was such an amazing weekend. Not only did I get to back to my old stomping grounds (DC) but got to meet some very inspired knitters!! The class focused on the basics of designing a sweater from the top down. We talked about things like finding inspiration, taking proper measurements, then how to go through the steps of actually writing a custom fit sweater pattern. By the time we split up on Sunday, all 20+ students had written her own sweater pattern and most people had even cast on for their sweaters.
Danielle from Knit-a-GoGo really did a superb job of organizing everything from the venue to the gift bags and decor. It was such a fancy, special retreat for everyone. I can see why her clientele is so loyal. And Knit Happens is a really unique shop in that they have such expert teachers (Danielle, Olga, Kell, Holly, to name a few.) The yarn selection is beautiful and well-curated, and I bought enough yarn myself for two new sweaters!!
Thank you everyone that I met: the shop staff, the students, and to the city of Arlington for being as charming as I remember!
Danielle and Olga at PX:
