knittyBlog Knittyblog

Tiny Crochet Hooks Are My Favorite

I don’t crochet, but I have a thing for teeny tiny crochet hooks, the one that are about the size of a pencil lead. These two I found at a thrift store (50¢), my favorite place for all kinds of craft supplies, don’t ask what else I bought that day. One had a 10 on it the other a 07. I’m not sure what they are for, thread crochet, maybe? I find them at estate sales too. I use these tiny hooks for two things mostly, and I would recommend having a stash of them, they go missing because, well, they are really tiny, and they break. I use them for cleaning tools, my hand cards, ...

WWW: Repair and Design Futures; Speech Record; Floral Weaving

Repair and Design Futures is an exhibit at the RISD Museum (Providence, RI, USA) through June 30, 2019. It investigates mending as material intervention, metaphor, and as a call to action. Perhaps you remember the train delays scarf earlier this year? Sue Montgomery, a city councilor and borough mayor in Montreal (Canada) decided track when men and women speak in city council meetings. As expected, this project has garnered attention. If you’re looking for additional ideas, I recommend Knit the Sky by Lea Redmond (reviewed by Jillian in Knitty, issue 54 Winter 2015). Whitney Crutchfield has a unique way of floral ...

Here’s What I’m Doing About Those Bluprint Questions

Teachers who have classes on Craftsy, now Bluprint, got an email last week letting us know that when Bluprint switched over to a subscription model they made no provisions for students asking questions. They hoped that students would answer each others’ questions. What really happened is that students asked teachers questions and posted photos of their projects and yarns, and they got no response. Questions and comments gathered for a year and last week the folks at Bluprint let us know about them, and found a way for us to see them. But had no way for us to answer them easily. To say we all freaked out is an ...

WWW: calming Twitch; programmable yarn; checking in with Jonah

Jonah Larson crocheting while sitting on a couch.

While the site, Twitch, is known primarily for live-streaming video games, there is a creative side too. Gizmodo explored several Twitch streamers who focus on creativity. (Image: Screenshot of Bob Ross on Twitch) As reported in The New York Times, Dr Matsumoto is investigating the mathematics and mechanics of knitting. (We shared Dr Matsumoto’s work earlier in March.). (Photo: Dr Elisabetta Matsumoto, center, with the graduate students Krishma Singal, left, and Danielle Skinner. Credit: Johnathon Kelso for The New York Times) Prodigy crocheter Jonah is a fast rising star and still bringing us together with ...

Washing Fleece – What Do You Use?

I bought two fleeces at Maryland Sheep and Wool, a Finn and a Corrie Cross. Now I have to decide how I want to wash them. I originally wanted to compare two wool scours, Unicorn Power Scour and Kookaburra Scour. Then I listened to the Modern Wool podcast on wool scouring, and I’m not sure that I shouldn’t just use Dawn or clothing detergent. Then I went back and reread Sarah Swett’s blog post about scouring fleece (she uses Kookaburra), and I swayed that way again. Both of my fleeces are pretty middle of the road as far as staple and fineness so I feel like I can do some experimenting. ...

www: sunshine; woollinn; weaving quarter

Perhaps you need some Sunshine. Yes, she did get a new jumper. Woollinn, Ireland’s Festival of Yarn, is coming up on June 14th – 16th 2019, City North Hotel, Gormanstown, Co. Meath, Ireland. Learn more about the epic marketplace and not-to-be missed workshops (our Kate Atherley is teaching) at woollinn.com. The newest quarter in the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarter Series celebrates Lowell National Historical Park (Massachusetts) with an image of a mill girl working at a power loom. [via Jillian]

Schacht’s 50th Anniversary Spin Along

For Schacht’s 50th Anniversary, Felicia Lo of Sweet Georgia Yarns created a colorway called Barry’s Jubilee. It’s 85% Polwarth/ 15% tussah, I know, such a dreamy blend. As part of their 50th anniversary celebration the folks at Schacht are hosting a spin along during the month of June. If you sign up for the spin along newsletter you’ll find out all about it. I’m in, and planning on spinning two different yarns with my braid. Besides this fabu colorway, Schacht has several special anniversary products. Everything from an ...

www: embroidered joy; the knitting pilgrim; knitted robot

This animated embroidery by Alexis Sugden is adorable. [via Kate] The Knitting Pilgrim is a multidisciplinary theatrical experience that uses storytelling, image projection and a one-of-a-kind textile installation called Stitched Glass. It opens at the Aga Khan Museum (Toronto) May 11-12, 2019 and tours Ontario until Nov. 2019. Knit 1, purl 2: Assembly instructions for a robot? Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) have created soft robots with a knitting machine. What do they do? They give hugs when poked in the stomach! ♥

Teaching at MDSW

As you read this, I’m am probably driving home from teaching at Maryland Sheep & Wool, after taking a day to recharge with my daughter in Buffalo. Yes, my car has a stash of Southern Tier beer and Polar nestled among the wool, and I did buy it at Wegmans. It is rare that a teaching gig that doesn’t just meet all of my excited expectations, but exceeds them. Teaching at Maryland was crazy good! It was one of those rare experiences where everything and everyone just clicked, students, the volunteers who run the show, the other teachers, and the festival itself. My students are so talented, ...

WWW: All Jillian all the time (Interweave backstory + Fruity Knitting Podcast)

Did you know our Jillian Moreno was a vital part of Interweave for many years? Learn more about her role, and about the legendary Linda Ligon in this fascinating portrait of a company we hope will continue into the future. Someone buy Interweave, please! In more Jillian news, we’re happy to share her appearance on the Fruity Knitting Podcast right here. She’s a super-smart spinner and a great teacher. Grab a beverage and watch. Last bit of Jillian news: if you’re lucky enough to be at MDSW this weekend, do some Jillian spotting. She’s teaching (looks like all her classes are full!), and she ...