Simply Rectangles

If you can knit a scarf, you can knit almost anything! I mentioned this last week, and I want to begin to show you how this is true. So many things, both knitted & crocheted, are actually glorified scarves. By that I mean, they are simply rectangles that have been draped over shoulders, added to other rectangles to make sweaters and vests, or folded into purses or shrugs. Genevieve is sporting a couple of examples of this. The above drawing is Origami Shrug, my latest design now on the website for purchasing the pattern. Seriously, it’s just a rectangle! It’ll make you giggle as you see how the folding happens, and how the simplest of embellishments (garter rows & ribbon) turn this rectangle into a piece of wearable art. This next drawing is of Dreamy Shawl. Most shawls are truly glorified scarves…rectangles endowed with lovely stitches, embellishments, or in this case, COLOR and TEXTURE. You can really let your inner artist bloom when you knit this shawl.

When I teach knitting & crocheting, I aim for students to understand “concepts” even more than being able to “read instructions”. When you understand the concept behind a piece of knitting or crocheting, you are empowered to really be successful in making it AND to go beyond the instructions and “make it your own”. This is my hope for you if you wish to knit these projects. My patterns certainly give you the “instructions” you need, but go a step further in helping you understand the “concept” behind each piece AND to give you some ideas for Variations on the Theme.

I often think this is true in life as well. It’s so easy for me to get bogged down in “do the list” living…just following the directions. But when I look up, open my eyes, see the lovely forest (not all the individual trees), and peek behind the veil so-to-speak, I begin to see the beauty in it all, the overarching concept behind my life and the lives of others around me. Taking time to consider the beauty, instead of blindly moving through the “musts” in my day, allows for larger living, a more grateful heart, and a little extra spring in my step.

Friends

The thing I love the most about the knit & crochet world is…Friends! I have been privileged to be able to teach knitting and crochet classes at Knit One Smock Too over the last couple of years, and I have met SO many wonderful people! These are just a few of them.

I think it was almost two years ago this coming January that I taught a beginning knitting class where everyone in the class seemed to be fast friends by the end of the four weeks. Ellen, on the right, is an oh, so multi-talented gal who has become a dear friend and also my trusty pattern editor. Bobbie, in the middle, is an unbelievably intelligent and giving woman who is a treasure to be around. Elaine, on the left, is an incredible business woman and avid knitter whose smile and laugh brightens any room. Pat and Tracy are missing from this funky sketch, but are amazing gals as well and whom I count as wonderful friends along with the others. The drawing is from a day last spring when we met for lunch at Simply Yummy in Reynolda Village. Pat was there, though not in the drawing, and Tracy was unable to join us, but we enjoyed catching up over tasty food on a lovely, sunny day. We have enjoyed going to plays together, eating out, and getting together at each other’s homes for meals and coffee & treats (thanks Pat and Ellen:)

This group of 5 (6 including me:) is just a small representation of the kind of people I have met and been able to get to know…there is Trish, Nancy, Nita, Lisa, Karla, Linda, Elizabeth, Dayne, Judy, Randi, Debbie, Barb, Marion and many others. I have been an artist for about 12 years now, and I have discovered more “fast friends” in the yarn world than in any other. By “fast” I do not mean “quick”, but rather, an immediate connection, or common ground in our love for fiber and making things with it. Perhaps as we knit and crochet, we are stitching our lives together in a way unique to “yarnies”. I feel blessed to have met so many and look forward to all I will meet in future.

Scarf Weather

Lately, we’ve been having scarf weather! I love it when it’s cool enough to wear a scarf around my neck. As the season continues, I move from wearing the light and airy scarves to thicker, woolier scarves. What is it about this long rectangle of color and softness that we wrap around our necks? I’m not convinced it is merely for warmth. There’s a decorative factor there as well. I have a friend who travels to France often and she says French women are rarely without a scarf…vive le foulard! I think I would love life in France:)

I’m pretty sure the number one gift to give and to make at Christmas is THE SCARF. Have you noticed that? It also happens to be, typically, the first project a new knitter or crocheter tackles; and he/she usually succeeds. There are SO many knit & crochet patterns for scarves…one could spend one’s entire yarn career making nothing but scarves, and probably still not make all the patterns that are out there. And so I add to the throng, a Simply Woven Scarf. At least, it looks woven with the lovely v-stitches. I’ve made several of these for gifts and for myself, long ones, short ones, medium ones, out of fine yarns, thick yarns, textured yarns, smooth yarns. The pattern allows for SO MANY variations, it is really like getting lots of patterns in one.

I’ve had so many people tell me that the only thing they can knit or crochet is a scarf. To this I answer,”If you can knit/crochet a scarf, you can make almost anything!” My next posts will show you what I mean.

Beauty Right Around the Corner

About a year ago, I decided to make some small sketches of a beautiful spot at the top of our neighborhood.  Wyndfall was built on land neighboring a farm owned by Mr. Leo Whicker.  I assumed that Wyndfall was built on what used to be his land, but I came to find out, through wonderful serendipitous events, that my neighborhood actually sits on Smith land.  The Smiths and the Whickers have long been friends and landowners here in Kernersville.  From these sketches and some photographs, I made a charcoal drawing of his barn and house; and in the process was able to meet him, get to know him and the history of his land and of this part of the town I live in.  I LOVE this kind of stuff: learning about the history of land and how it changed hands over the years, and meeting such wonderful people as Mr. Whicker and Mrs. Gail  Smith Love, from whom I’ve learned much of the history of “these parts”.  Some day, I will post a much longer segment about this area and its people, featuring these two grand folks who have lived here in Kernersville all their lives.  For now, i’m tickled pink that this drawing will hang in Mr. Whicker’s home.  My next, self-imposed assignment is to make a charcoal portrait of him…you will not believe how youthful and full of mirth this 82 year old gentleman is.  He is a delight to talk to and a wealth of information and history.  He AND his land are beauties that exist right around the corner from my house.  How fortunate am I!

Infusing the Ordinary with Beauty

The humble granny square is probably the most ordinary, common, and well known motif in all of the crochet world.  Even non-crocheters recognize this stitch pattern.  I’ve had a few students come to a beginning crochet class JUST because they want to learn how to make “the granny square”.  It’s a great way to begin your crochet skills, and even after you’ve been crocheting for a while, there’s something comforting about returning this common, ordinary motif.  With an artful eye, however, one can transform this ordinary stitch pattern into a feast for the eyes.

In my last post, I promised to bring you another idea for keeping the holiday hound at bay, for using what you have, to make gift giving a joy this year.  My FREE! Colorful Granny Throw pattern will lead you step-by-step, through this humble motif, and even give you tips for combining colors and yarns of different weights to create something of rich beauty.  These throws (you can make ANY size imaginable!) work up quickly…perfect for making a few as gifts, and maybe even one for yourself.  If you use up your stash, then all the better, since you are making room in your house for all the Christmas “stuff” that gets hauled in (tree, trimmings, gifts, etc.) or for more yarn…perhaps all that yarn Santa will be bringing you:)

We have lots of crocheted throws around our house.  Some I have made, some that my husband’s grandfather made, and a knitted afghan my mom made.  Our family loves these warm, curl-ups pretty-much year round.  I have a knitter/crocheter friend who believes that hand-made afghans have healing powers.  I don’t know any medical statistics on this, but they definitely make you feel better when you’re sick, cold, or just wanting to be comfy and cozy.  I think quilters also enjoy this about the quilts they make for themselves and for friends…tangible love, warmth, and beauty all in one.

And did I say, this is a FREE pattern!  Please download and enjoy it this season!  You’ll be able to see how I’m writing these patterns…tons of helps for you to make your knitting/crocheting adventure successful from beginning to end!

Everything but the Kitchen Sink…

The hound of the holidays is already nipping at my heels.  You’re probably familiar with this…the voice that says, “You gotta get ready! Start buying! Start making! Start preparing!”  And as November flies by, the voice gets louder and louder, especially if I haven’t paid much attention to the hounding voice.  Every year I say, I’m going to start earlier!  Every year I say, I’m going to simplify!  And every year it ends up feeling like a mad dash to the finish line!  Yet every year, in the midst of the dashing, there are moments of sweetness: baking with my children, enjoying family and friends, and of course, creating gifts for certain people on the list.

Much of the time, when I set about to make a few gifts, this is how things go:

I look around me at what I have.  Paper, paints, yarn galore, fabric, buttons, etc.  And that sets my mind to wonder, “What can I make from all this?”

Last year, I kept peering into a huge stash of leftover yarns.  There they were…the “castoffs”, left over from other yarn projects, or the single ball of yarn that caught my eye on a sale table, or yarns that had been given to me from others who no longer wanted to store their stash.  I SO wanted to USE it!  Not give it away or throw it away.  Hmmm…

So I began putting colors together and came up with this wonderful bag that uses every color in the rainbow.  Genevieve is sporting the large one I’ve kept for myself.  You can see more photos of this one here.  I made them in all different sizes, with whatever yarns I had on hand.  The photo to the left is a small one, also made with multiple leftovers, though the bag can be made with just one yarn.  I line them all with fabric, to give the bag a finished look and to keep it from stretching too much. And of course, a hand-painted card completes the gift!

I’ve created a pattern that allows you to make ANY size bag you’d like.  My hope is that you’ll enjoy getting miles of fun out of just ONE pattern!  So many options, so many to make and give for friends and family members.  I’d love for you to share them with me, if you make one or more!

My next post will share with you another idea for using up what you have.  Repurposing what was once used for something else is a fantastic way to ward off the hound of the holidays!  I’d also love to hear how YOU deal with that ole hound!

Genevieve and her Dreamy Poncho

Meet Genevieve! My trusty dress form who allows me to drape all kinds of apparel, both in progress and finished, over her shoulders, around her neck and waist. She doesn’t seem to mind. She was a birthday gift a few years ago from my husband. My mom asked if she was the grownup version of the dolls I made and played with for years as a child. Yep! Here she’s dressed in Dreamy Poncho, a design of my own. If you knit, you can find the pattern here in my new online pattern shop. This knitted poncho is so much fun because of all the color choices you can make. Picking and combining skeins of yarn is, for me, the most exciting part of beginning a new yarn project. For some, it may seem a bit daunting. But never fear! For those who are skittish when it comes to choosing yarn colors and textures, I have a free article for you to download. The poncho can be worn a couple of ways, and knitted with or without the collar.

Recently, Genevieve has been alternating between wearing a knitted shrug and a knitted wrap…two designs I plan to have out in the next week or so. She has also enjoyed getting outside in the beautiful fall weather and enjoying being amongst the lovely colors, which I fear may not be around too much longer. I’m glad we have yarn and paint to continue the color feast, even in the months of evergreens and bare trees.

Cupcake Mania!

The first cupcake design I created was for a gift…to be given to a dear friend on her birthday last spring.  This friend is now my trusty pattern tester and all-around huge-help in the creating of my new online pattern shop.  Ellen is a fantastic person, knitter, crocheter, lawyer, baker, friend, and wife to Steve.  At the time I gave her this cupcake, I had no idea that the other gals in my crochet workshop at LYS, Knit One Smock Too, would like it so much.  Due to their encouragement, I typed up the crochet pattern and taught them the ins and outs of making one of these fun cupcakes.

I had seen other cupcakes around…knitted ones, crocheted ones, but had not seen one with a candle, nor using multiple yarns for icing.  I spent a whole week making one cupcake after the other using all different textures and colors of yarns for the icing.  I loved making different sizes and coordinating the candle with the rest of the cupcake!  The knitted candle worked out perfectly, but my pattern also offers a crocheted version for those who want to crochet it. I’ve now given a cupcake to numerous friends on their birthdays and to a few children.  The adults seem to like it as well as the kids do, so it really doesn’t matter what age we are–we all love to be celebrated!

The most happy part about being an artist/crafter is GIVING.  It is so gratifying to give something one has made.  Every stitch, or stroke of the brush, has bound up in it a good measure of thoughts and wishes for the recipient. Affection, friendship, and kindness (lofty and ethereal concepts) get translated into something concrete and tangible.  That’s what it’s all about: letting someone know we think of them and celebrate them!

 

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Blastoff!  It’s actually out there!  Flying around in cyberspace and hopefully finding its way to yarn lovers everywhere!   I’ll be blogging (and drawing) about the designs and letting you know when new ones get added to the shop.  The following is taken from My Fiber Filosophy found on the pattern site.  I hope you all enjoy!

Elizabeth, Julia, and Ratatouille

“Be the boss of your knitting” rings loud and clear in Elizabeth Zimmerman’s writings.  I first heard of her a few years ago and felt an immediate connection as she wrote about being freed from the confines of a knitting problem or pattern.  As a child, I had actually seen this motto in action as my mom taught me to sew, knit, crochet, embroider, etc.  Mom readily veered from a pattern if it wasn’t in keeping with her vision of how it should turn out and she passed on to me the same attitude.  As an adult, I have taken Elizabeth Zimmerman’s words to heart in all areas of creativity, including painting and drawing, which was another strong passion of Elizabeth’s.  I pass on this motto to others when I teach, explaining multiple approaches to getting a desired result. This allows the individual to choose what works best for him/her.  The more you know about the creative pursuit at hand, the more easily you can make decisions “outside the box”.  There are even times when one has exhausted all known options, and he/she comes up with something completely different that satisfies the ultimate goal.  Knowing technical things such as how/when to convert a pattern to another gauge yarn, whether to tie knots or not, how to think about color and value, and understanding the concept behind a pattern helps you unravel the answer to a problem much better than blindly following the steps of a pattern.  Blindly following patterns can sometimes lead you down a dark, frustrating path…one that makes me want to rip up my knitting and toss it out the window.  I want to avoid that at all costs!!

Which leads me to Julia Child, the famous gourmande, teacher, and cookbook writer par excellence.  In her book, My Life in France, she comments, “I had come to cooking late in life, and knew from firsthand experience how frustrating it could be to try to learn from badly written recipes.  I was determined that our cookbook would be clear and informative and accurate, just as our teaching strove to be (pg. 144)…Our objective was to reduce the seemingly complex rules of French cooking to their logical sequences…it is not enough that the ‘how’ [of making hollandaise or mayonnaise] be explained.  One should know the ‘why’, the pitfalls, the remedies, the keeping, the serving, etc.” (pg. 150)  Having rediscovered my love for knitting and crocheting later in life, I too am frustrated with the amazing amount of patterns that so blandly, and incorrectly, lead us in our creative endeavors.  There are so many places for error to occur in the writing of a pattern: the designer’s notation, the editor’s interpretation and revision, the typing, and even in the mind of the one knitting or crocheting as she tries to decipher the greek looking words on the page in front of her.  I am setting out to make a pattern which will hopefully lead you to a happy conclusion with a finished, lovely item in your hands that you can be proud of.  I am certainly not beyond error!!  But I’m aiming to bring you patterns that will walk you through the process of making something, and show you where the dangers are and ways to avoid them or fix them.

Chef Gusteau, another gourmand, resounds his famous motto “Anyone can Cook!” in the delightful movie Ratatouille.  To this I heartily say Yes!  Anyone can Knit, Crochet, Paint, Draw, etc!!  Of course it does take patience, determination, and passion.  Actually, if passion exists in good measure, it will be the fuel for determination and patience.  We all need encouragement, the right tools, AND guides…both in person and on paper.  My hope is that you will find my patterns a helpful guide down a sunny path of beauty, enjoyment, and accomplishment.

Here’s to all my yarn friends…both those I know already AND those I have yet to meet:)

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Getting ready for take-off…