Eri Explorations Exhibition | Silk Weaving Studio

Very pleased to be coordinating this annual exhibition for the Silk Weaving Studio and to be creating pieces for it. This year, our group invitational show is showcasing Eri silk. It promises to be eclectic and interesting with 13 artists featuring visual art pieces, hangings, 3D work, and an array of knitted and woven garments. 

For more details: Silk Weaving Studio Upcoming Event

Socks on the Mend

Back in August, I sat down with Penny at The Urban Weaver Studio and she helped me refresh my skills on darning socks.

My first sock had the "classic" hole in the heel - too much friction from the good ol' boots I wear all the time.  Originally knitted with a sports weight yarn,  I used a similar weight and colour to construct a weave across the hole.  First by creating a "warp" section in one direction and then by weaving over and under all the warp threads.

My second sock - an all time favourite - wasn't too damaged, but the stitches over the heel were running super thin.  Since I wanted to keep the pattern along the heel cup, Penny suggested that I cut right through the heel - something she's done a lot for toe repairs.  A first for me ... it is with due diligence and trust in her experience that I cut a hole in my favourite sock!  Afterwards, we brainstormed the best way to knit the heel back together and figured that short rows was going to do the trick.

I have one more sock to repair and it's been long time coming for this one.  This pair was purchased in Kamchatka years ago and each stitch pretty much has a story ... so have the holes!

Starting October 1st, you can join Penny at the Urban Weaver Studio for a series of Woolley Workshops and rejoice at wearing your "new" mended socks.

More Knitting In the Round ... More Socks

Noro yarn enchants in the morning sun while tabi socks keep the big toes cozy and warm.

A touch of green merino wool from Louet Gem accentuates the fushia from Lorna's Laces. A perfect combination for jazzing up the feet.

 

 

Knitting In the Round

"Why knit flat when it can be done in the round" is my approach to knitting these days.  And just about every garments can be knitted in the round - making it easy to try projects right off the needles (especially on two pairs of circular ones), and customizing them along the way.  To knit in the round also means there's no seams and therefore less sewing of these tricky edges.

If following a pattern written for flat knitting, some slight modifications will be necessary but certainly worth the adjustment.

In the spring, I came across this lovely pattern on Tora Frøseth's blog and adapted it to knitting in the round.

Here's my version of Annefødder wrist warmers knitted in light purple and green with some sumptuous blue sky alpacas.

June, July ... December

The other half of 2011 has been filled with lots of new knowledge and wonderful fibre moments.

The Maiwa Symposium - with the quality of its workshops, lectures and events - certainly was a highlight. I was privileged this year to assist Michele Wipplinger  with her workshop and learned a lot about colour theory.  I also learned that banana is a great reducing agent for the indigo vat. Who would have thought?  Well ... Michel Garcia did and his workshop INDIGO: The Organic Vat was simply fascinating.

Beyond indigo, my explorations with the dye pot continued on the back porch with carrot tops, peonies, roses, rhubarb and much more from the garden.

All the while, the knitting needles were clicking away and small projects took shape.  Socks, hats, wrist warmers were created and gifted along the way.

As for my time at the loom, it has been quite exploratory. Jumping from colour to lace, to texture and hand spun yarns. My various lengths of cloth are so different to one another, showing openness and tightness at the same time. The dress form is now ready to be draped, and ideas are forming around the design of these cloths.

Fibrations and a couple of SAORI-kai (gatherings) were  also a source of inspiration this fall. And more recently, some time spent on Salt Spring Island.  

My latest piece "Soft and Textural" was woven at Saori Salt Spring. Intrigued by a few weft variations and the effect of the comb reed, I first learned these new techniques and then played with lots of texture while weaving with a soft gentle touch.  So many variations ... so much more to discover. 

Happy 2012 Fibre Explorations!

Tabi Socks for Novelty

No matter where I go, I like having a knitting project on the needles  - and for that matter, socks seem to be the perfect choice.  Small and compact - especially when knitted on circular needles, it packs into a tiny bundle that fits perfectly in the backpack.

So ... no stranger to knitting socks,  I recently cast on some leftover yarn from Lorna's Laces that's been sitting in my stash.  A few years ago, I knitted my first pair of socks with this yarn and quite liked the stitch pattern, and so did grandma.  I was pleased to give her my first pair of socks to keep her feet warm over the winter months.

My new pair of socks is based on the same stitch pattern as my first pair (the fuchsia sock in the photo), but with a new twist! I enjoy learning new knitting techniques with nearly every project, and this time it's all about tabi socks!

A tiny little wrap

Friends recently had a baby boy and I could not resist knitting this little wrap for him.
An easy knit, the wrap was knitted in one piece with a couple ties on the outside and the inside.
I simply love this turquoise in 100% pure new wool, the asymmetrical closure and the simple lines.