I’ve been very quiet, but it’s because I’ve been working on a few various projects and have been nursing the tail end of a cold. So here’s what I’ve been doing, for you lovely, patient folks!
MN Knitters Guild
Last night I gave a short talk at the Minnesota Knitters Guild about Standardization And Fashion History – or “Why I want to dress you like an Minoan” It went really well, it was very enjoyable (well, for me at least!) and folks laughed!
I had a chance to see friends I hadn’t seen in a while, and folks who had fallen off of my radar. THANK YOU MN KNITTING GUILD for hosting me!
As part of my talk I discussed where I am with History on Two Needles and played a short movie that I’d made to show some of my research and back-work. Here it is, for your eddification:
My projects thus far, some of the pitfalls, and some of the triumphs. No words, just images and music.
NaKniSweMo
I wanted to participate in Shannon Okey’s NaKniSweMo, so this year the planets were finally in alignment and I had a nice-sized project to jump in with.
I’ve just finished this lovely poncho for Imperial Ranch Yarns, I was inspired by their very colorful yarns and wanted to make a BIG piece of fabric. Two, actually.
So I put them together in the time honored 2 Rectangle Poncho and added a bit of fringe. I hope you like the colors – they’re pretty out there. I like to think of this as my “Mondo Period”
The cable rectangle references the vertical strips in the plaid, with the yellow carried up into the cable. I think this creates a through-line that makes the disparate sections make sense. Between the cables are tiny eyelets creating a vine lace pattern that mirrors the cable movement.
The plaid is one of my favorites, a slip-stitch technique that I teach in my colorwork classes. It’s not difficult, but it is complex.
Complex and difficult are two different things. Complex can be broken down into a set of simple actions, and that’s exactly what this technique is.
I won’t say it’s easy, but I will say that even a very new knitter can get it by following the simple steps.
New Classes
I’m currently working this plaid technique up as part of an online colorwork class, and if all goes well I hope to have it ready to go live by December, or January at the latest. I also hope to have a millinery (hat making) workshop ready to go at that point, too!
Until that time, my current Big 4 Class Roundup [Combination Knitting, Lace Bootcamp, Twisted Float Shrug, Universal Mitered Handbag] are up and running in my NEW classroom space – www.knittingheretic.com – and it’s going beautifully!
Remember, you can easily access any of my online class information by visiting onlineknittingclasses.com Tell your friends!
By the way, since the classes are ongoing with no specified start date, you can begin at ANY TIME!
That Universal Mitered Bag would sure make a terrific holiday gift for someone. Just sayin’
Hey, you know what else would make a good gift? A class. Just sayin’
Annie, your video is amazing…your knitting and ideas are amazing. thanks, Mary in Cincinnati
Annie, your talk at the Guild last night was just terrific–what a pleasure to hear about your experience as an artisan and your creative process, then get a chance to look at the sample garments!
Your history project is the coolest thing ever!
honestly, the more I see of this HOTN project, the more I can hardly WAIT for the book’s release!!!
that poncho is so cool. i love it!!
I love the poncho! Cannot wait for the pattern.
Thanks for coming to the MN Knitter’s Guild meeting. I really enjoyed listening to you and seeing the projects from your new book, as well as learning more about combination knitting. I hope you like it here in MN. I moved here from Maryland 11 years ago thinking I would stay for a year or two and go back – only I forgot to go back.