through the loops
Just a quickie post to say that you should go over to Kelbourne Woolens and read their first post on the results of their brilliant swatch experiment. If you knit, this is a must read! Here’s the link.
And because I hate to post without a photo, here’s a quick teaser of a pattern from a new collection that I will release later this fall.
photo copyright Gale Zucker
A random number generator selected SuthernGirl! She will receive a copy of Yarnitecture. I think SuthernGirl summed up the way a lot of us feel about spinning very well in her comment:
I love the entire process from raw fleece to finished garment. Each step forces me to be meditative and in the moment to be it’s best. Finally, when reaching the very last step, looking back and realizing magic has happened and I was the magician!
Thank you all for commenting!!!
After a fabulous weekend singing copies of Drop Dead Easy Knits at Rhinebeck (thank you Merritt Books!), I’m home today playing catch up — writing patterns, and searching out creative storage spots for my new yarn acquisitions. I’ve had to add a second basket to my yarn-as-decorating-accent-no-really-this-is-not-my-stash-running-over. The good news is that this second basket still has room for at least another sweater and a half’s worth. See that space at the upper left?
The yarn at the lower left — those 5 glorious skeins of warm, golden brown and the single skein of dusty violet — is Seacolors and is destined to be a Lisbon by the fabulous Misa Erder. Misa is one of my Rhinebeck housemates and if you check out her you will see many lovely Lisbons worn by Rhinebeck attendees.
That’s our book signing table before things got busy (and a lot messier). There was lots of sample squishing, and chatting about various patterns. I cannot express how thrilled we were with all of the wonderful feedback we heard from visitors to the signing. Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by.
We were lucky enough to be sharing the table with knitting royalty, Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner of Mason-Dixon fame. They were signing copies of their Field Guide No 1, Stripes. Kay & Ann designed the gorgeous Star Eyed Julip Throw for our book — that’s it there at the top right of the photo. And to bring the whole thing full circle, my friend and co-author Gale Zucker guest posted on the Mason-Dixon blog today. It’s a travel guide to Midcoast Maine loaded with Gale’s beautiful photos (including a couple of shots of designs of mine — Kanagawa Mittens and Andrea’s Shawl — knit up in Starcroft Yarns at Clementine Maine). It’s wonderful reading, and as always Gale’s photos add richness to the text and make you want to drop everything and drive to Maine. I was with Gale on the Maine trip, so I’m even in one photo — caught in the act of shopping at Halcyon yarns.
In honor of Jillian Moreno’s new spinning how-to, Yarnitecture, I’m giving away a copy of the book to one of you lucky readers! Yarnitecture is packed full of expert spinning information, and includes twelve original patterns to best compliment your newly found spinning skills, including my own Maya Cardigan pattern.
I haven’t had the chance to take one of her classes in person, but Jillian’s Craftsy class helped me grow as a spinner, so I was trilled when she asked me to contribute a pattern to Yarnitecture. The book is an excellent place to learn more about spinning if you, like me, started knitting and soon found your eye wandering to the luxurious un-spun fiber that you encountered in local yarn stores, on Etsy, or during sheep and wool festivals. Jillian takes you through every step of the process, but the priority is always to create the yarn you want.
My Maya Cardigan pattern, exclusive to Yarnitecture, is a versatile, drapey sweater. Maya is a little bit lacey, but not at all fussy, and perfect for showing off your precious handspun.
photos copyright Ryann Ford used with permission
Jillian was kind enough to send me a copy of the book to give away to one of you lovely, crafty people. To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is comment on this post! Let me know what you love about spinning, or what fiber is your favorite, or why you want to start spinning, or anything else you like. The choice of comment topic is yours, and the book could be yours too! You have until midnight on October 15th to leave a comment. I will select one winner using a random number generator.