I'm leaving yarn-dyeing to the professionals (and 7 other things I learned at Knot Hysteria)

I realize Knot Hysteria's been over for quite some time now. And I'm pretty certain that my bloggy friends and anyone who's read my previous post about the retreat are well over it by now, too. But I did promise another post with 'knitty gritty' details.... and today being the last day of the year and myself having a vague need for closure, I figured it'd be okay to bring up the subject once again--- grizzly details (see next pic) and all.
Actually, I made several attempts over the past few weeks to write this, but I kept getting out of control and ending up with drafts that were way, way too long and too wordy. So here it is, my best shot at encapsulating KH, once and for all.

1) Believe it or not, I meant for this yarn to be a dark brown with red and amber contrasts. Icelandic wool however, drinks up lots of dye. And since dyed yarn looks very different when it's finally dry, I had a fail for dark brown. Lesson learned: dyeing yarn is really hard to do, especially if you want pretty yarn.



2) My personal motto from here on out: "buy it, don't dye it."




3) I also learned (gasp!) Russell Crowe does not really knit.


Well, I suspected as much.
Convince me that Russell doesn't know more about Chinese take-out than he does knitting:



4) I learned that the practice of knitting is only about 800 years old. Much older woven artifacts and weaving textiles are commonly mistaken by archaeologists to be knitting tools and knitted items. Why? Because most archaeologists aren't knitters.

5) As uptight and antiquated I've thought Knitting Guilds to be, I learned that they function to uphold standards of excellence in knitting for the purpose of preserving the history of the handicraft. I'm more inclined to join one now.

6) I learned that lever-knitting is the most ergonomic, efficient way to knit. The method was used by our hand-knitting predecessors during the 19th century cottage industry production era.

(photo: Shetland Museum Archives)

7) Even though very young children can learn to lever knit, it would take approximately 28 days to establish the muscle memory required to swtich from my current of style of knitting (English) to Lever-knitting. Which means I'll probably never learn to lever knit:

(Trying to keep my index and thumbs free and allow the larger muscle groups execute movement.)

8) Color perception registers very highly in emotional value when it comes to knitting and yarn. So maybe if I think of a fabulous color name for my (ahem) not so pretty yarn, it might help with my perception of it. Ideas?


I'll leave you now with the rest of my scrapbook pictures and happier colors to see---
Happy New Year to you, dear friends! May 2010 bring much joy and lots of knitting!

Knit like crazy

So typical. I've waited until December to start my gift knitting. With the amount of knitting I've planned to do, I must be nuts to think I'll be anywhere near done by Christmas. Go on. Serve me up a slice crazy pie.

Luckily, those awesome girls at the The Oregonian are currently posting a new one-skein pattern on their blog every day until Christmas. Lots of great ideas to be found and all are free patterns.

In fact, if you have a favorite one-skein pattern (doesn't have to be your own design) and it's available for free, send Mims and Peggy a link. If your pattern submission is chosen to be featured, you'll be entered in a grand prize drawing for lots of knitting goodies. I did, the mitts above. And I'm entered!


Back to knitting now.... and my pie.

"Knot Hysteria" Port Ludlow Retreat

Wow, so much to say about this. Okay, so I'll start with the glittering overview and get more into the "knitty gritty" over the next couple of posts:

Sam and I were among the 40 lucky knitters that were granted a weekend of mentoring under two of Knitting's Greats: Stephanie Pearl McPhee- author, knitter, humorist, and Tina Newton-master dyer and founder of Blue Moon Fiber Arts. If I had to describe Knot Hysteria in a phrase, I'd call it an acoustic version of Sock Summit.

Better venue?--- the Inn at Port Ludlow: picture perfect setting (especially before the wind and rain hit) with both staff and accomodations that exuded 'off-the-beaten-path' warmth and congeniality. Once there, we were treated to 12 hours of total class time that included instruction on the History of Knitting and Techniques in Knitting Efficiency with our "Professor McPhee," and Techniques in Dyeing Yarn with Tina, the "Doctor of Dye." In between class sessions, there were wonderful meals provided and equally wonderful knitters to connect with. In fact, the inn was booked to capacity for the weekend--- all knitters, in every last room. And oh— did I mention that Blue Moon Fiber Arts and Carolina Homespun hosted a lovely on-site store for our knitterly shopping pleasure? See what I mean?— all the earmarks of a major knitting event, minus the crowds.

I should note here that I'm not at all professing "knitting crowds" to be a bad thing. There's undoubtedly much to be gained from the sense of excitement (hysteria), and grand camaraderie that big knitting events provide for ahem, 'our kind.' But it was also terrific to have a chance to really engage and focus intently on the knowledge and keen insight Stephanie and Tina offerred to us, a small and eager gathering of knitters at Port Ludlow... (kNot hysterics) ;)

Here are a few more "snapshots" from the weekend:








to be continued...