KKQ Preparation

Now that Christmas is over and 2015 is closing in on us, I am turning my attentions to a retreat that I coordinate in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

This January, participants at the Kanuga Knitting and Quilting retreat (KKQ) will meet at the Episcopal conference grounds near Hendersonville, North Carolina. Among those attending will be mothers and daughters, mothers and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters, and good friends who for most of the year are separated by long distances. They come for the love of the mountains...and for the love of Kanuga. For opportunity to do something for themselves after a hectic holiday season...and to see friends they only see during this long weekend in January....but mostly they come for the company of friends who love to create with needles and yarn or fabric.

This January marks KKQ's tenth year...which seems remarkable to me. Yeah, I know we started in 2006 with 27 people and currently, we have over 100 participants registered...but the years have just gone by extremely fast.

At KKQ '15, there will be six knitting instructors and two quilting instructors...and each discipline offers something for all skill levels.

Most years I teach stranded/Fair Isle knitting. This year, I am giving a workshop on steeking. The project is a steeked cowl and includes instructions for a 3-color stranded version and a version with knit and purl stitches.

I call the class...No Alcohol Fortification Needed...since everyone seems to think you need to be heavily intoxicated to cut open a steek. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyway, the retreat is in a few weeks and I have spent the last few days putting my kits together for the class.

In less than three weeks, we will all meet again in front of the great stone fireplace at Kanuga for the tenth annual KKQ (January 15-19, 2015). Will you be there? It is not too late to join us this year...or maybe you would like to be part of the second decade of knitters and quilters at Kanuga in 2016. Hope so.

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How fog and clogged sinuses led to bodice tape and hot irons...

Here's a departure....

As you might have guessed from the last set of photos, it has been foggy up here on the peak. No...really. "Thick as pea soup" as they say. For days.

Add to the really coolness of the weather (did I mention I LOVE fog? I know... weird) ...anyway...adding to the fog, I have been down with some sort of crud. Congested sinuses, no energy, and coughing....oh, the coughing.

You'd think I 'd be knitting, right? Actually I haven't felt like too much knitting. What I have been doing is developing a guilty pleasure on youtube...and before you go off some deep end and think I have been watching "those kinds" of videos, let me just say I have become fascinated with 18th century dress. Again...I know...weird.

Maybe it started from the wedding episode of Outlander. I will admit to you guys...that instead of enjoying what you might expect people to enjoy in an after wedding episode, I was fascinated with how the costuming worked...all of those layers of petticoats and stays. Ok, maybe I did enjoy the other parts...maybe...a little ;)

Reining it in... and returning being sick in the fog. I found this video from LBCC Historical...

This is a reinactor who explains how to get dressed in the 18th century. The most fascinating part for me was the use of pins....instead of buttons or hooks. To close you bodice, just shove those straight pins through the cloth and into your stays...burying the pointy parts.

And when I finished with the two parts of this video, I moved on to 18th century hair. This video covers using an iron device that is heated in hot coals and then applied to the hair!

Can you say decongestant drug based obsession?

I will refrain from the other diversion I set off on...and get back to more pressing matters.

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Foggy Day Dreaming

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Criosanna: a tale of a transatlantic cardigan

Ok, people, I've finally done it now. I have finally reformatted Criosanna to my template and released it to Ravelry.

This sweater was designed in 2009 and presented to Jamieson & Smith for use in their pattern collections. There were some issues with the written pattern (hey, I was new!) and the garment was mailed back to me to fix. When things were sorted out, it was returned across the Atlantic.

After a bit, J&S emailed to ask permission to send the pattern (and the sweater) to a leading British knitting magazine. Boy, howdy!

Time went by...and I never heard from the magazine.

By now it was 2011 and my husband and I were in Shetland for the Tall Ships race. While visiting J&S, I asked about the sweater. Apparently, the magazine was going through a reorganization and communications were a bit spotty. The J&S sales manager suggested I try to contact the editor myself....maybe I would have better luck.

On our return to the states, I did just that. The new editor was familiar with the sweater...which apparently was sitting in her office with no identification tags. She wanted to use it for the new magazine. Boy...hmmmm...ok.

Time went by...and I never heard anything else from the magazine...

...until another editor emailed.

It seems the reorganized magazine didn't make it...and another publisher had bought them out. This new editor had inherited the sweater in the transition...and wanted it for the August 2012 edition. hmmmmm...ok.

Criosanna appeared in the August issue of Knitwise in 2012. Woo-hoo!

After the designated exclusivity time, the rights were returned to me...and in May of 2013...so was the sweater!

Now things get crazy on this end....that same month we moved to North Carolina. September 2013, we purchased a new home. October 2013, we closed on our old house in Atlanta.

So...finally...a little over a year later...I have gotten my act together to reformat Criosanna to my pattern template...and here it is!

Whew! It has been a long ride...but done...and done.

Varian

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Adventurous

I have been thinking lately about change...and what it takes to bring about change

...and those thoughts have led me down side roads of having courage...and being adventurous.

...and off to the seemingly non sequitur of knitting. (Fair warning: most of my thoughts come back around to knitting in some way or fashion.)


Merriam-Webster defines “adventurous” as “not afraid to do new and dangerous or exciting things” “disposed to seek adventure or to cope with the new and unknown” “being innovative”.

When it comes to knitting …is this you?  Are you adventurous? Do you love a good challenge?

Ok, I totally understand that no one can be intrepid on every project. There has got to be some mindless knitting. Right? Some soothing projects where you don’t have to think too much…

…but what about those times when you are sick of the mindless projects? When you are just kinda bored with the same ol’ same ol’? When you want to use your brain?

What is your challenge of choice? Do you move from simple scarves and hats to sweaters? Or do you go for patterns with different techniques…

cables…

lace…

or my passion, stranded work?

Whatever adventure you choose…completing the challenge can be rewarding. That sweet feeling of triumph at knowing you have stretched your abilities and created something new… or different than what was previously on your needles.

Like all triumphs, it’s kinda of addictive…which is why you will venture out again, my friend. You know you will.

It’s a good thing…being an adventurous knitter.

Varian

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Adalour...a new design.

Some time ago, Karen and Valerie of Mountain Meadow Wool handed me four skeins of their wonderful Wyoming Series Cody yarn in four colors....Charcoal, Silver, Teal, and Tesa Orange. And just so you will know....Cody is a 2-ply sport weight yarn which comes in 200 yd, 50g skeins.

Because this yarn is so soft and therefore perfect for being next to the skin, Karen, Valerie and I discussed the possibility of a largish cowl. The outcome I'm calling Adalour...for no other reason than I liked the sound of the name.

When it was finished, my husband and I went walked up to a nearby vineyard...ok, we kinda snuck up to the vineyard...early one morning and shot some photos. (Can I just say right now...I really hate being the model...but until I can find someone who will work for the cheap...I guess I am it.)

Adalour Cowl

...and while we are on the subject of largish cowls, they can be a bit difficult to wear, especially the stranded versions. If you just put them on without any styling, you get something like this...

...where the 'B' side out shines the 'A' side with all of the patterning.

Here's where the glorious shawl pin comes in...

allowing you to gather up the 'A' side for better viewing and keep the back of your neck warm.
The pin is from Jul Designs....if you are interested.

Another option that works as well is the dpn...which is actually kinda perfect for knitters.

So there you have it...new pattern...and a bit of large cowl styling.

I'm heading back to my needles...how 'bout you?

Varian

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Gazing...Twirling....Knitting

Views from the Peak......

Glorious Fall is here!

One of my favorite times in the mountains.

But one cannot spend all day gazing at the leaves with wistful expressions...sighing heavily. Ok..I really don't do this...but in my mind I'm dong the Sister Maria twirl on the mountain top. (Did I mention I love Fall!?!)

On My Needles... 

Actually I've spent some time working on my Elfin Tweed shawl...

Only two repeats...but moving right along.

So I'd better get back to it...gazing...twirling...knitting...

Varian
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Fiber Festival Enjoyment Plan

This past weekend I drove over to Asheville to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair...or SAFF.

Just as the name indicates...this yearly gathering is a combination of fiber and things made form fiber...

and animals.

Have you ever been to a fiber festival? You really should go at least once...

...and just in case you need a fiber festival enjoyment plan...here is a list of my favorite things to do at these wonderful fiber gatherings...in no particular order.

Buy fiber. 
Ok, no brainer, but it had to be said.

Meet with other fiber friends
I met with Misty of the Handmade Podcast, Ashley (Carolina Spinner on Ravelry), and Jen from FibroFibers.

I also ran into a number of friends from the Kanuga Knitting and Quilting Retreat

...as well as Sharon Bogenschutz and Karen Cross of Camelid Cottage, their fiber show hang out. These gals coordinate the Georgia Alpaca Fiber Festival when they are not operating their own fiber businesses. Busy ladies.

Watch the enthusiasm of other planned and impromptu meet ups. 
Fiber festivals are great places to people watch. I heard lots of excited squeals and "Oh, my gosh, I haven't seen you in years!" and "I was wondering if I was going to see you again this year."

Check out what others have bought.
You never know...someone may have found just the thing you cannot live without.

Talk with indy dyers.
I'll admit it...I'm probably never going to start dying my own yarn. There are too many fabulous dyers out there creating gorgeous yarns. But I have learned so much about what goes into dying,,,both on the production and marketing side...by just talking with these creative folks.

Misty of the Handmade podcast as well as Jen from Fibrofibers that I mentioned earlier are both dyers.

I also spoke with Sarah of The Copper Corgi and Gryphon from The Verdant Gryphon.

Talk with animal owners.
Each year at SAFF I check in with  the folks at Hidaway Farms who raise Shetland and Icelandic sheep. I learn a wealth of information by talking with Christine and her daughter Katie about the trials and tribulations of raising animals. It makes me feel closer to the fiber to have an inside look into where the fiber comes from..as well as an appreciation for the work that fiber animal owners do.

Other hints...wear comfortable shoes, set at limit on spending (you will be tempted), practice smiling...because you will be smiling a lot....and have a good time!

Here is a list of fiber festivals by region. Since it is now October...most have happened already..but you can make a note for next year.

New motto...visit a fiber festival and find a friend!

Varian
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To Be Vertical or Horizontal....that is the question.

I have been swatching away....and trying a different color arrangement for the chart for the Elfin Tweed shawl project.

Here's the swatch....

The bottom motif is the original color placement. The top motif is the adjusted color placement.

I'm thinking I like the adjusted one best.

The next question...

Do the stranded work "stripes" go vertically or horizontally? In other words, when you are wearing the shawl, are there short stripes that stretch the width of the shawl...or do the stripes go from end to end length-wise? 

For the vertical version, the knitter would cast on the width's worth of stitches (approx. 200 sts) and work from side to side 

For the horizontal version, the knitter will cast on the length's worth of stitches (approx. 500 sts) work from end to end.

The more research I do, the more I think I like the horizontal option the best, in spite of casting on 500 sts. Then again...

Maybe I'll just think about it some more.....while I'm work on the border.

Varian

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This week on Elfin Tweed....

Elfin Tweed update...
(There will be a real name for this project...I promise.)

Previously on Elfin Tweed...

Step 1 - skeins

Since we last met, these skeins of Knit One, Crochet Too Elfin Tweed fingering weight (60% merino, 20% baby llama, 10% bamboo, 10% Donegal, 208 yards, 191 meters) became...

Step 2 - yarn cakes

Then I had a blast playing around with my source books and charting software and this swatch resulted.

Un-named Elfin Tweed project swatch 1

For the record...I kinda like the overall effect...but not sure about the exact color placement. Needle size - US 2 (2.75mm)....but I'm thinking I may go up to US 3 (3.25mm) or further for a bit more drape.

However, one of the reasons for a fairly dense fabric for color work is so the floats don't show from the back. So we'll see....

If you are wondering what the massive mess is at the bottom of the picture, I am swatching without breaking the yarn and just sliding from one end of the circular needles to the other which creates long floats across the back. This way I can make a number of swatches and still have enough to do the project.

So there you have it...yet to be named Elfin Tweed project...first swatch. What do you think?

Varian
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Elfin Tweed and Bull Elk

Today...I have a slightly different type of inspiration...actually a detour of sorts.

Last week, my husband and I went with some friends to watch the elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Cataloochee. It was about a 40 minute drive from here is Saluda...but well worth it.

Adolescent male

Young male 

We watched a small grouping makes their way down the valley. They were lead by a huge bull who ferociously protected his females and young ones from a rather desperate younger male who wanted a wife. As a group, they were almost totally oblivious to the humans who were less than 50 feet away. So picture taking was fairly easy. At one point, I thought the bull and the interloping adolescent male were going to go at it right where we were standing. What an evening!

Bull elk

Females with young

Bull with group

Ok, thanks for letting me take that detour.

Now, back to knitting....we've talked about inspiration from past experiences and inspiration from other patterns. It's now time to look a little closer to home.

Since I am trying to get a direction for projects in the future, I have been looking at the designs I have currently in my Ravelry store.

By my count...11 cowls, 9 hats, 13 sweaters (5 vests, 2 cardigans, 6 pullovers) ..but no shawls.

So I'm going to try a shawl...

I've picked out some Fall-ish colors...

Knit One, Crochet Two Elfin Tweed

...and I'm on my way. I'll let you know how it goes.

Varian
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Ravelry: varianbrandon