Do you have dream projects? Ideas that float in the back of your mind, refusing to let you alone. Pieces that would complete your wardrobe, or use an extra-special skein of yarn, or that you’d wear every day if you just had time to make it. Most knitters have a lot of those—probably too many. …
Stockinette Seasons
How do you stay creative when life is busy? As a younger knitter, I used to crave complexity. Allover lace; intricate cables; innovative construction methods. Fields of stockinette? I’ll pass. I still love complex patterns. There’s nothing more thrilling than learning clever new techniques, trying fun stitch patterns, or manipulating fabric into (essentially) wearable sculpture. …
The Color Red (and the Pursuit of Joy)
What little thing in life brings you inexplicable joy? Some of you might have guessed that I love the color red. After all, it’s literally in my business name. The business name actually comes from the red clay soil in my area, but did I use it as an excuse to make all kinds of …
New Growth, or Emerging from a Knitting Slump
While pretty yarn isn’t an immediate cure for a knitting slump (if it were, I’d have never fallen into one), it certainly does help. I’m currently in the thick of an exciting collaboration with Jensen of Sugarplum Circus, using her Eco Sport yarn. It’s my first time working with a wool/tencel blend, and I’m hooked. …
Gift-Along 2022—Off We Go!
It’s time, folks! The 2022 Indie Gift-Along is on! For the uninitiated, the Indie Gift-Along (GAL henceforth) is a huge multi-designer makealong that is held every year on Ravelry between the week of American Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. There are literally thousands of eligible patterns, plus games, prizes, and some of the liveliest chat …
Still Not a Cool Kid
If you know anything about the internet knitting scene, you probably know that this little thing called Rhinebeck happened in upstate New York this past weekend. You know those fan conventions for Star Trek and Marvel and whatever else is cool these days? Rhinebeck is like that for fiber people—part state fair, part trade/animal show, …
Mohair Dreams
Maybe my favorite thing about the point I’m at in my knitwear design career is that I finally have the traction to collaborate with “dream” dyers and yarn companies—companies that get tons of collab requests and have to pick and choose. One of my dream collab partners? La Bien Aimée. I’ve come up watching them …
Late Blooming Dahlias
Well, after the marathon that was September and Dancing Knits, I think I’m well and truly out of blogging energy for a little bit. But I’m excited to finally show off my Autumn Dahlias MKAL shawl which has been waiting patiently for its turn in the limelight for several weeks; so I think today I’ll …
My Moody Heart Rejoices (or at least Approves)
I’m an autumn kind of gal (what knitter/crocheter isn’t? Hi there, sweater weather!) but I’m not really a “Starbucks autumn” kind of gal. I’ve never had a pumpkin spice latte and don’t wear leggings and boots because I can’t find a pair of boots I can afford that will fit over my calves. Apparently I …
I’m Not Stressed. I’m Not Stressed…
Apparently, quite a few people knit and crochet to cope with stress. So do I. In fact, when I’m stressed because I have so much knitting and crocheting to do for work, I cast on more knit and crochet projects to cope with it. Yes, that is ironic. It’s also quite factual. As you can …