What a big week! The photographer came to take pictures for the Homestyle article. I can't wait to see the pictures! I am never happy with pictures of me. I was so busy talking about "Knitting: A Love Story," Survivor Shawls, the cradle full of yarn, I forgot to be up tight about getting my picture taken. Maybe that will help. It's just that I have this picture of me in my head that never gets captured by film. Go figure! The date for the article is October 10.
In organizing the Stash Studio (thank you Jan Roys for attaching the studio label to the knitting room), I found many things to finish and write about. In addition, the Knitting Room has become the Stash Studio. I found old writings about knitting that I had forgotten all about. When I was working, I would spend my time in relentless, unending meetings by fantasizing about yarn, planning knitting projects and dreaming about LYS. To appear to be present, I would take notes (about knitting.)
Now, let's continue with 50 things knitters didn't have 50 years ago. We've already talked about the two tools which have saved many marriages the SWIFTER and the YARN WINDER, EXOTIC YARNS and INTERCHANGABLE NEEDLES. I am really into this so let's go!
One of my favorite techniques that wasn't around 50 years ago is FELTING. I love felting. It is like being a magician. You take something huge like the picture above and Ta Da . . .
The stitches disappear, it becomes a fraction of it's size and you can cut it without fear of unraveling. As a matter of fact felting blunders become fabulous hot pads, all you have to do is cut them into squares. This is a Noni bag that I found while reorganizing. All that had to be done was that magical shrinking process. I don't want you to think I'm an addict but a couple of years ago we needed a new washer. I refused to have anything to do with an HE/front-loading washer. Why? Because you cannot open them mid-cycle to check when you are felting and they do not provide the agitation needed to felt. I would love to make a felted jacket but what if I missed the "fit me" point and it became a Barbie sweater? Maybe some day I will brave it out. Felted slippers are ever so warm and great gifts. When I first discovered felted slippers everybody on my Christmas list got them. Jan Bags and slippers: two of my favorite gifts to give.
LAURA BRYANT has changed the landscape and the brilliance of knitting. She is the fabulous artist who became a fiber artist and brought color and texture to yarn. She began hand-dying when it was a rarity. Her signature yarn was the breath-taking Wild Stuff. I remember the second I first laid eyes on Wild Stuff. It was in The Quarter Stitch in New Orleans. I stopped in my tracks and held my breath. What was this skein of yarn containing different shades and textures? Of course, I brought some.
I love Wild Stuff. Laura and her company Prism introduced the first eyelash yarn. She continues to innovate in color, pooling and many other areas. I was fortunate to take a class from Laura through Crafty Lady at the Grosse Point Yact Club. It was early in her career but I knew I was in the presence of genius. I am currently working on her Ikat wrap on the cover of the fall Vogue. Someday it will be finished and I will post it. If you are thinking of doing it my tip is "do not fear!" The pattern is confusing but do exactly like it says. Take some time to read the pattern, think about it and read it again. Get comfortable with the concept. Don't drive yourself crazy with the gauge.
Go forth and knit!
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