Fruity Knitting Podcast Visit

I had the most wonderful opportunity to sit and chat with Andrea of the Fruity Knitting Podcast a few weeks back. In the interview I share how my love of stranded color work began as well as thoughts about a few of my designs and go on and on about my favorite yarn for color work – 


There is also some surprise news tucked in at the end! 

If you haven’t already discovered Fruity Knitting, I highly recommend it. You can find the show notes to Episode 16 here. Andrea and her husband Andrew are producing an extremely high quality program, jam packed with insights into their current projects as well as glimpses into the lives of knitters around the world. They are also hosting a very active Ravelry group and Knit-A-Longs. What are you waiting for? – Go check them out!

Teaching!

I love sharing my passion for stranded color work knitting! Below you'll find descriptions of some of the workshops I am currently offering. I am setting my calendar for 2017. Please be in touch- I would be happy to design a workshop tailored specifically to your group.

Beginning Stranded Color Work

Learn to knit beautiful stranded color work in the Fair Isle style. This class is organized into four, two hour sessions. We will start out with the history and conventions of Fair Isle Knitting, then move on to the technical skills you’ll need. We will cover- color selection, two color cast on, corrugated ribbing, knitting with both hands as a way to keep your colors organized, color dominance, reading a chart, and your color work gauge. Photos from Shetland Wool Week 2014 and a tour of the Jamieson’s Mill where Spindrift Yarn is made will also be shared. Our in class project will be a headband- the perfect size to get comfortable with the rhythm of your stitches and to give you a stitch gauge. The pattern and sample charts will be provided.

Color Confidence

Would you like practice and support to develop your use of color? The "I Heart Color" Mitts are the perfect canvas to explore combining and shading using Shetland Spindrift. Fun color theory discussion and strategies for combining colors in new ways as well as how to check for contrast and dominance will be shared. 

Design a Color Work Hat

Take you stranded color work skills to the next level! This class will give you the tools you need to design your own one of a kind, color work beanie or Tam.  Use traditional designs from your library or chart your own. Explore and sample colors.  A basic hat template and dimensions will be provided. Several crown options will also be provided and various decorative decreases will be discussed.

Take the EEEEEEEEK! Out of Steeking

Maybe you've heard of steeks- the bridge of stitches that are cut open in traditional stranded color work garments. Cutting your knitting can seem like a very scary idea till you see how truly simple it is.

In the morning we'll make a small sample based on my "Hap Rapt" Shawl pattern. This pattern is great for practicing your stranded color work techniques. It also involves cutting a steak to reveal a fringed edge. In the afternoon three other seeking variations will be demonstrated so that you can experience them up close. 

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Embroidery On Knits

I’ve been making embroidered mitts for about six years now. Five years ago I published a free pattern called Harlequin Mitts. It’s been a popular project with color work students. The original pattern didn’t include graphics for embroidery and so last winter I decided to update the pattern with a new cuff stitch and to include a couple of motifs that could be transferred for embroidery. The Happy Dance Mitt pattern as well as a coordinating Happy dance hat pattern has now been published to Ravelry. Basic embroidery instructions are included in the pattern, but thought I would share a few more photos and info here. Please feel free to post questions- I hope you might enjoy making these as much as I do.

I start with a finished – soaked, blocked and dried piece. This will give you a smother more even surface to work on. I have to admit this is the hardest part for me- it’s difficult to wait for things to dry when I’m excited to get going with the embroidery.

1.Using washable transfer fabric trace design with a permanent marker. I have used two different products made by Pellon. They are both easily available at my local fabric store – Sol-U-Film and Wash-n-Gone. The Sol-u-Film is quicker to dissolve but a little tough to stitch through, the Wash–N-Gone a little slower to dissolve but more pleasant to stitch through- ultimately I would say the Wash-N-Gone was my preferred product.

2.Pin your tracing in place then baste to top of mitt being careful to not stitch all the way through to the back.

3.Do a simple outline of you design in running stitch. Folding the cuff up will make it easier to reach inside.

4. Remove basting thread and trim excess transfer material away.

5.Wash transfer fabric away. Note it doesn’t take much water to do this.
6.Let Mitts dry.

7.Embellish and fill in your motif with satin stitch, chain stitch, French knots or any other stitches you like.

8. Give the mitts a final soak. Pat into shape and dry flat.

A note on the yarn- I have used Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport with great success. It really holds up well to the embroidery. I have a pair of mitts I’ve worn often for the past six years and they still look beautiful.

Of course you can skip all the transfer business and free hand your embroidery, which is really quite fun! Either way you’ll end up with truly one of a kind works of art to give as gifts or for your own enjoyment.

Daydreaming

Its been difficult not to daydream about Scotland this weekend with the Edinburgh Yarn Festival in full swing and so many fun photos popping up in my Instagram feed. Looks like a blast and I'm ready to make a reservation for next year!

Some of the most exciting news to come out of the festival is the release of this year's special hat pattern for Shetland Wool Week. Talented Shetland designer Ella Gordon has been named the 2016 Patron and designed a wonderful color work hat that features the croft houses she has made her trademark.

To download a free pattern go to Shetland Wool Week website, fill out a short form and they will email you the download. I know I can't wait to cast on! Knitting the Wool Week Hat has been a fun way to "participate" in all the festivities even when I haven't been able to make the trip.

2014 Hat Designed by Hazel Tindall (knit by me)

2015 Hat designed by Donna Smith (knit by me)