Knitting News

Skulls, shawls mix at 'indie' craft show | Wisconsin State Journal

Skulls, shawls mix at 'indie' craft show
Wisconsin State Journal - November 25 2006

You won't find stuffed snowmen or crocheted wreaths at this holiday craft show.

But you can find lots of skulls - knitted into red or white Christmas ornaments, woven into rag rugs and silk-screened onto vintage ties - at the High Noon X-mas Craftacular.

There are even T-shirts for toddlers trimmed in pink and printed with skulls that have ribbons on their heads along with the perennial pirate: "ARRRGH!!!"

Once an emblem of punk rock culture, skulls are now mainstream, said exhibiting artist Jessica Parvin, 24, of Madison, whose Wanderlost Clothing booth featured offerings such as a black-and-white striped vintage tie silk-screened with a hot pink skull.

But the X-mas Craftacular, which continues today at the High Noon Saloon, is anything but mainstream.

With "innovation" and "inexpensive" among their hallmarks, Parvin said, the exhibiting artists provide an alternative to shopping malls, with many making use of recycled and vintage materials. [more]

"Sanli Cup" Chinese Wool Knitting Wear Design Contest | Yahoo! News

"Sanli Cup" Chinese Wool Knitting Wear Design Contest
Yahoo! News - November 20 2006

In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, a model presents a wool knitting wear during the fifth "Sanli Cup" Chinese Wool Knitting Wear Design Contest in Beijing, capital of China, on Monday November 20, 2006. [more]

Knitting up a storm in Jordan River | Sooke News Mirror

Knitting up a storm in Jordan River
Sooke News Mirror - November 15 2006

Doreen, Joan and Ruby love to knit. In fact, Joan McLeod would rather knit than garden or do housework. Joan McLeod, Doreen Poirier, (McLeod's sister) and Ruby Wade all live close to each other in Jordan River. They get together each year to sell their knitting at the All Sooke Arts and Crafts Fair, and they have been doing this for more years than they can remember.

Doreen said they probably spend more money on yarn than they ever make at the fair, but money isn't the point.

"We've always just gone for the fun. Our husbands tell us we are losing money," said Doreen laughing.

"We are cottage crafters," said Joan. "It's been a fun thing and as soon as it quits being fun we'll have to stop." [more]

Knitting opera comes to Shetland | The Shetland News

Knitting opera comes to Shetland
The Shetland News - November 11 2006

A CRITICALLY acclaimed opera starring knitters and spinners from Shetland will finally arrive in the islands later this month at the end of a UK and Norwegian tour.

Five Shetland women have left home for three months to join the caste of accomplished actors, musicians and the highly respected production team involved with Odysseus Unwound.

Artistic director Bill Bankes-Jones said: "I really admire the Shetlanders for performing in the play because it is a big commitment to be away from home and family for three months on tour. They have all been great and they are really thriving."

The Shetlanders - Elizabeth Johnston, Margaret Milligan, Margaret Peterson, Janice Sawford and Anne Sinclair - got involved in the production in 2003 when the theatre company Tête à Tête visited the islands.

They met more than 100 local knitters and spinners, before homing in on the Greek epic The Odyssey as "a natural vehicle for the merging of opera with knitting". [more]

Knit knack: UW-Madison exhibit pays tribute to woman who moved to Wisconsin and became the 'queen of knitting' | Wisconsin State Journal

Knit knack: UW-Madison exhibit pays tribute to woman who moved to Wisconsin and became the 'queen of knitting'
Wisconsin State Journal - November 10 2006

When Elizabeth Zimmermann came to the U.S. from England in 1937 with her German-born, brewmaster husband, she passed the time on the ship from Southhampton to New York by knitting en route.

It was just the beginning of a revolutionary journey.

Years later, Zimmermann would set up shop in Wisconsin, creating a mail-order business - and a benevolent cult following, really - that would influence the fields of textile crafts and fiber design, and the countless people who hold the patient art of knitting dear.

"She's like the queen," says Mary Jo Harris, president of the 400-member Madison Knitters' Guild. "When I think of someone who has influenced the knitting world, she is certainly No. 1 on my list."

Zimmermann and the multi-generational fruits of the knitting system she developed (not to mention her crisp and charming sense of humor) are the focus of "New School Knitting," an exhibit at the UW-Madison Gallery of Design through Dec. 17.

It's the largest show to date about a woman whom curator and UW grad student Molly Greenfield calls "truly beloved." The Oct. 29 opening drew the largest crowd in the gallery's history, close to 250 people, some of whom wore their own handmade sweaters inspired by Zimmermann's legacy. [more]

Showcasing fiber, other arts | The Boston Globe

Showcasing fiber, other arts
The Boston Globe - November 9 2006

The morning routine at Iron Horse Farm starts with 32 llamas, 56 sheep, 50 chickens, 20 angora goats, eight angora rabbits, seven cats, and five dogs. That's how many mouths Deborah and Skip Smith have to feed before they head off to their "real" jobs -- or turn to other tasks, like the Fiber/Art Festival Deborah will host in Sherborn this weekend.

"We didn't really plan on this," said Smith, 51, explaining that she and her husband purchased their 3-acre -- and at the time animal-free -- farm in Sherborn in 1989 as a home at which Skip could base his landscaping business.

But Deborah Smith, a neonatal nurse, had been an avid knitter since she was a child. So, when Skip brought home two Angora rabbits for her in 1993, she figured she could find the time to raise the little critters for wool.

[...]As their livestock count and wool supply grew, Smith evolved into a promoter of all things related to fiber arts. She held knitting, spinning, and felting classes. She organized a co-op of 24 local fiber artisans. In 2002, the Smiths converted their barn into a shop selling the co-op's wares, wool from the farm, and fresh eggs. Smith runs it during the day while keeping her hospital shifts at night. [more]

Luxist on the Town: Suss Designs | Luxist

Luxist on the Town: Suss Designs
Luxist - November 8 2006

With the Santa Ana winds kicking up record temps here in Los Angeles, it wasn't the ideal night to visit a store full of wool but last night's event at Suss Designs was worth the visit. Suss Cousins was celebrating the launch of her latest book, Home Knits, a lavishly photographed book full of knitting projects you can make to decorate your home. I don't knit but if I were going to start, I'd want to start here. After the jump, a brief tour of the store and some of Suss Cousins's fabulous knit creations. [more]

They celebrate with every fiber | The Arizona Daily Star

They celebrate with every fiber
The Arizona Daily Star - October 30 2006

Northwest Sider Kathy Withers doesn't have black sheep, but she has plenty of wool. Yes sir, yes sir, more than three bags full.

And on Saturday, she'll be opening her eight-acre ranch of "fiber animals" — emus, goats, rabbits and sheep — to the public for her second annual Wool Festival, featuring demonstrations on knitting, felt-making, weaving, shearing and how to dye natural fibers. Vendors will have tables set up to exhibit their handiwork.

Throughout the day, Withers will conduct tours of the animal areas while fellow members of the Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild demonstrate all nature of ways to work with wool.

Last year's festival brought in more than 350 people of all ages who spent the day petting the animals — about 35 goats and sheep in all — and generally learning about where their favorite sweaters come from.
This year, Withers says people should budget at least two hours into their schedules if they want to come and get up close and personal with a table loom, an Inca loom, bags and bags of sheared wool, and of course, the animals. [more]

Knit-In offers practical projects | The Villages Daily Sun

Knit-In offers practical projects
The Villages Daily Sun

Lace on a bridal gown is traditionally white. Or ecru. But not all lace need follow suit.

Joi Lauterborn knitted a lace shawl with teal blue yarn. The beautiful result was admired Wednesday by residents who took part in Fall Knit-In 2006, presented by The Villages Knitting Guild.

The two-day event at Laurel Manor Center brought together Villages residents, regardless of guild membership, to learn knitting techniques. The techniques were incorporated into projects, which on Wednesday included a choice of making beaded bags, entrelac hats or lace bookmarks.

Lauterborn said the bookmarks project she led — with assistance from Deborah Henderson — would help knitters know whether making lace was worth pursuing. [more]

Saturn Grows Some 'Green' in Washington, DC | Promo

Saturn Grows Some 'Green' in Washington, DC
Promo - October 27 2006

Saturn is turning heads in the nation's capital with a $500,000 marketing campaign that includes erecting greenhouses around the city to drive awareness for the automaker's environment-friendly hybrid SUV.

Two of three greenhouses located around Washington, DC, opened yesterday; the third debuts today. All showcase the Saturn Vue Green Line, a hybrid SUV, with a lush green vegetation as a backdrop. To engage the public, Saturn is hosting green-themed activities at each location through Oct. 29.

Visitors can participate in cooking demonstrations using organic foods, and knitting and crocheting demonstrations that use organic yarn. [more]