No, I'm not dead. I've been sunning myself in Malta (actually, getting drenched in a thunderstorm too, on an open-top bus, which is NOT what I paid for, haha!). Got an interesting tan line and tons of photos, but thanks to modern technology all photos and films are spread liberally between the Cog's mobile, his fancy video camera and my camera. Gonna take a while to sort THAT little lot out, haha.
No craft has been done because I didn't pack any, and I can't imagine anything much worse than a lap sweaty with knitting :) Read three books and swam/sunbathed a lot. Oh, and there may have been one or two cocktails. I love charging things to a hotel room! :)
Only got in at 3am this morning and am spending today catching up with Ravelry, email, and a massive pile of laundry. Back to work tomorrow, boo hoo! :)
My addiction to anything crafty created with a pointy stick, a needle or a hook.....
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The sound of muttering....
Yeah, got about 1 hour's sleep last night. Still incredibly angry and hurt about KC. Death of a friendship, too, I guess. I was warned, but I always try and see the best in people.
Hoping either caffeine or alcohol will wipe the bad feelings away. Not likely, but with the latter, at least it's fun trying!
Current mood:
angry
Hoping either caffeine or alcohol will wipe the bad feelings away. Not likely, but with the latter, at least it's fun trying!
Current mood:
angry
Monday, September 20, 2010
Want yarn, will travel...
There's been a lot of discussion on the Rav boards lately about whether we Brit knitters are prepared to travel a long way to an event. My personal opinion? Yes, we are. I myself have been to Wonderwool (Wales), Woolfest (Cockermouth) and Fibrefest (Uffculme). Probably not a "long way" in comparison to the US, of course. We haven't got enough land, for starters.
That last one was a bitch, though, and it's partly at the root of the problem. I spent more time on the car-park otherwise known as the M5, than I actually did at the event (which was wonderful, what I saw of it). Yes, I *had* looked into getting a train down there - and it sure wasn't easy, even from Birmingham New St. I could have got a coach, but I don't think National Express had a stop very near where I needed to be. In hindsight, I should have gone down the day before and stayed overnight. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
It's not that we knitters don't want to travel. It's the fact that (thanks to Beeching and others) the train system can be rather convoluted and inconvenient for getting to places that aren't metropolises (metropolii?). What might look like a simple route on a map, might actually involve an overnight kip on a platform, because of timetabling. Not everybody can drive, and even then, not all parts of the UK are equally served by a motorway network eg North Devon, Skegness etc
There are other factors, of course. Faith in the event being one of them.
The other discussion that came up recently is that week-long events can't make a profit. Well, I have to disagree on that point. The Metropolitan Dream Week has been running for about ten years now, I believe. Admittedly, it runs at the shop premises, so location is not an issue. But even then, it can't be easy scheduling in such a way as to meet the desires of some 60-odd machine knitters who all want to take different seminars. I can't imagine it would run if it didn't at least break even. It was so professionally done, and nothing was an issue for Carol and Mark. Yes, there were problems. The machines donated by Silver had obviously been languishing somewhere and were in dire need of some maintenance. One of the tutors got a bad case of stage fright when she was faced with demonstrating on a machine she wasn't familiar with. One of the tutors had another engagement mid-week, and got to spend the night on the platform at London Euston because she couldn't get home. We were very late back to the hotel on Thursday because of two road accidents in the Crewe area. But the overriding feeling at the end? One of joy, and of loss, because it was all over for another year. I had so much fun, I wanted another week, haha!
So, it can work. But it needs a lot of organising, and a lot of dedication.
Right, I'm off. I need a bath! :)
drunk
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Vintage Jones book review
I picked up a fascinating old Jones (later Brother) stitch pattern book, when I was up at Metropolitan Dream Week (it's the one with the very stripey cover here). I've since had more time to look through it.
This book is designed to go with the original 8-button knitting machines - pre-punchcard. So, apart from some amusing photos - a leaping girl, in matching knitted top and skirt, superimposed over a field of pink flowers in a shot that looks like it came straight out of a Japanese version of the "Sound of Music" - and a knitted fez - there are lots of interesting stitch patterns. Especially because - or in spite - of the fact that these machines are very basic in comparison to modern day punchcard and electronic domestic knitting machines.
So, we have:
If any machine knitters have the later Brother volumes, you will know that they mainly concentrate on slip, tuck, knitweave and fairisle, with some double-bed jacquard and ribbing patterns for good measure. Certainly nothing from the second paragraph - no crochet, no shaped motifs and no schematics. "Embroidery knitting" disappeared completely, apart from a Japanese leaflet I got with my garter bar.
It's a shame such non-mk things got dropped from later volumes, I think. Machine knitting can be complimented a great deal by crochet. I would have loved to work in the department that made the samples for these books. "Think up a new pattern - we'll document it!". What a lovely, creative job!
This book is designed to go with the original 8-button knitting machines - pre-punchcard. So, apart from some amusing photos - a leaping girl, in matching knitted top and skirt, superimposed over a field of pink flowers in a shot that looks like it came straight out of a Japanese version of the "Sound of Music" - and a knitted fez - there are lots of interesting stitch patterns. Especially because - or in spite - of the fact that these machines are very basic in comparison to modern day punchcard and electronic domestic knitting machines.
So, we have:
- Pull-up stitch (needles held for some rows) - how does this differ from tuck stitch? (it doesn't, mechanically)
- Pull-up tuck stitch - combination of the above and tuck - allows you to tuck two stitches side-by-side, presumably
- Lace-like stitch - combination of tuck and slip
- Fair-isle - two colours as per modern definition of fairisle
- Open pattern stitches - tuck or pull-up in combination with needles out of work, ie tuck lace
- Lace stitches - as per modern machine-knitted lace, except done by hand manipulation (no lace carriage)
- Pull-up lace - combination of hand-transferred lace and pull-up
- Weaving (thread knitting) = modern knitweave
- Woven-lace patterns - combination of hand-transferred lace and knitweave
- Embroidery knitting - this is using threads threaded through a piece of card, hooked over certain needles in vertical and angled directions (vertical knitweave)
- Pull-up patterns - using the latch tool to create a tuck stitch on the wrong side of the fabric.
- Solid patterns - a catch-call term for hand-manipulated garter stitch patterns and/or cables.
- Fair-isle colour patterns - hand-selected fairisle and motif patterns (ie not multiples of 8 stitches)
- Ribbing patterns - combinations of rib, racking and/or tuck
- Crochet stitch definitions and some lovely crochet patterns.
- Instructions for some machine-knitted motifs in diamond shapes (and one circular one) with lace patterns
- Triangular, circular and hexagonal knitted motifs
- Fringing and knitted lace edgings
- Crochet edgings
- Tunisian crochet patterns
- Schematics for the garments photographed earlier in the book
If any machine knitters have the later Brother volumes, you will know that they mainly concentrate on slip, tuck, knitweave and fairisle, with some double-bed jacquard and ribbing patterns for good measure. Certainly nothing from the second paragraph - no crochet, no shaped motifs and no schematics. "Embroidery knitting" disappeared completely, apart from a Japanese leaflet I got with my garter bar.
It's a shame such non-mk things got dropped from later volumes, I think. Machine knitting can be complimented a great deal by crochet. I would have loved to work in the department that made the samples for these books. "Think up a new pattern - we'll document it!". What a lovely, creative job!
Biting my tongue...
..and choking on it. Have been for, ooh, five weeks now. Yep, the car crash that was the organisation of KnitCamp continues (when I really, really, wish it was dead and buried). I'm not one for discussing such matters in public; I find such things distasteful, and this is a craft blog, not a soapbox.
However, I think Lucy, and presumably other tutors, including myself, have been treated appallingly. I don't even have the "benefit" of a contract. So, no gagging order. I could have spoken up some time ago, but didn't, in the foolish hope that I'd get paid, I could say "It was a bit chaotic but hey it was fun!" and that the car crash would somehow get fixed. That also means no real written confirmation of what, if anything, I'm supposed to be paid (the only information I have, was sent to me in Nov 2009).
However, I refuse to beg from anyone. I'm down £100 in petrol costs, plus the price of a breakfast I had to buy because I had no food voucher. This doesn't take into account any payment for the 180 minutes of tuition I gave to four students, of course. These are just my out-of-pocket expenses. All things considered, I guess I should count myself lucky that although I went overdrawn last month (there being a few annual bills on my car also falling due), I did at least have rainy-day funds elsewhere, to move about, to avoid the overdraft charges getting too out of hand. Machine knitting is my hobby, not my full-time occupation, although I often wish it was the other way around! :)
What I most resent is the betrayal, the poor communication, and the loss of two day's holiday that I COULD have spent elsewhere. Time is far more important to me than money; I am not fiscally motivated. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy teaching - I did, but it involved a lot of physical effort; knitting machines are bloody heavy things to move around and set up, and driving from Rugby to Stirling and back, alone, is a longer car journey than I ever hope to make again. I actually spent more time in the car than I did in Stirling itself.
I knew I didn't have a lot of students beforehand - it suddenly went from 6 to 3, and then one had to drop out because she was on a stand at the marketplace. I'm one of those people that if they say they'll do something, they'll do it. For the students, who have paid good money. If I say I'll do something, then I will, unless prevented by a road accident or death. Now? I just feel angry, disappointed and used. It didn't help that, although I was never "sold out", my classes disappeared from the website for months, and only reappeared days before the event. How the heck are you supposed to sell something that nobody knows is even taking place? It was a good job I took handouts, because nobody would have received anything otherwise.
So. Lesson learned, fingers burned. I think if I were ever to teach at such an event again, I would at least like my travel expenses paid upfront, as a mark of good faith or in lieu of a deposit. Mileage and petrol are pretty easy to calculate, after all.
Many thanks to the young girl who helped me shift all of my machines to another room at very short notice (sorry, I am terrible with names), thanks also to Kate and the other tutors and volunteers who did their utmost to keep everything together. You know who you are, and you rock, dudes. Keeping calm and carrying on, indeed.
Enough said. Let us never speak of this again.
However, I think Lucy, and presumably other tutors, including myself, have been treated appallingly. I don't even have the "benefit" of a contract. So, no gagging order. I could have spoken up some time ago, but didn't, in the foolish hope that I'd get paid, I could say "It was a bit chaotic but hey it was fun!" and that the car crash would somehow get fixed. That also means no real written confirmation of what, if anything, I'm supposed to be paid (the only information I have, was sent to me in Nov 2009).
However, I refuse to beg from anyone. I'm down £100 in petrol costs, plus the price of a breakfast I had to buy because I had no food voucher. This doesn't take into account any payment for the 180 minutes of tuition I gave to four students, of course. These are just my out-of-pocket expenses. All things considered, I guess I should count myself lucky that although I went overdrawn last month (there being a few annual bills on my car also falling due), I did at least have rainy-day funds elsewhere, to move about, to avoid the overdraft charges getting too out of hand. Machine knitting is my hobby, not my full-time occupation, although I often wish it was the other way around! :)
What I most resent is the betrayal, the poor communication, and the loss of two day's holiday that I COULD have spent elsewhere. Time is far more important to me than money; I am not fiscally motivated. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy teaching - I did, but it involved a lot of physical effort; knitting machines are bloody heavy things to move around and set up, and driving from Rugby to Stirling and back, alone, is a longer car journey than I ever hope to make again. I actually spent more time in the car than I did in Stirling itself.
I knew I didn't have a lot of students beforehand - it suddenly went from 6 to 3, and then one had to drop out because she was on a stand at the marketplace. I'm one of those people that if they say they'll do something, they'll do it. For the students, who have paid good money. If I say I'll do something, then I will, unless prevented by a road accident or death. Now? I just feel angry, disappointed and used. It didn't help that, although I was never "sold out", my classes disappeared from the website for months, and only reappeared days before the event. How the heck are you supposed to sell something that nobody knows is even taking place? It was a good job I took handouts, because nobody would have received anything otherwise.
So. Lesson learned, fingers burned. I think if I were ever to teach at such an event again, I would at least like my travel expenses paid upfront, as a mark of good faith or in lieu of a deposit. Mileage and petrol are pretty easy to calculate, after all.
Many thanks to the young girl who helped me shift all of my machines to another room at very short notice (sorry, I am terrible with names), thanks also to Kate and the other tutors and volunteers who did their utmost to keep everything together. You know who you are, and you rock, dudes. Keeping calm and carrying on, indeed.
Enough said. Let us never speak of this again.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Things I have learned....
...that I really shouldn't sew something up in a hurry (and hope I can steam it out later) - the Nina Miklin wrap is a case in point, and I'm wondering whether I dare wash it very gently to see if that helps. It's an alpaca mix. My (or rather the Cog's) steam iron is not great. Has to be on maximum to generate steam, and it runs dry really quickly.
...that I really shouldn't sew something up when it's completely obvious there's something a bit wrong with one (or more) of the parts (there's a preemie baby cardigan got thrown because of it).
Remember the Sirdar Crofter ballet wrap I converted to machine knitting? I added the garter stitch bands by hand, originally - using the needle sizes recommended in the pattern. And, guess what? The bands were waaay too tight. I had knitted the garment on T2 on my Brother chunky machine - and had lots of yarn left over - and yes, it would've been better on a midgauge machine (or even on the standard machine at T10 - didn't think to try it). So, having added tight bands, and a press stud (snap fastener) and a loop/tie fastener - it fitted ok but looked terrible. When I sew things up, I sew them up really, really well. As in, can't figure out how I did it later, when I need to unpick it.
So anyroad, I unpicked the neck and the bottom bands, and knitted them at T1 on the machine, and tediously reformed every other row for garter stitch. I left the sleeve bands, as they are acceptable as-is, and the neck band is so long I would never have been able to do it in less than three pieces on the machine. The yarn being a colour-change one, it wouldn't have looked great, so I did one row of double crochet and one row of trebles instead.
So, now that the bands are half decent? The cardigan is too big. I'm guessing it's all dropped/stretched somewhat, owing to the tension not being tight enough. So, I can either put the ties and press-stud around the back, where at least it sits correctly, or I can skip the fastenings and just tie the fronts. It looks quite good the latter way, so I've left it as is, for now.
Picovoli is on the final straight, and I have learnt what M1R and M1L are. Kind of. I cast on for Galena with the yellow bamboo I snapped up from Hobbycraft, and took it on Dream Week, but it was at a too-complicated stage to be able to work on it. I hope I have enough yarn, because it was on sale and it's all gone. Haven't really had much time/energy for handicrafts lately. I'm (trying) to write up a Passap workshop for the MK Guild's Yahoo group. The house has become a bit chaotic lately, and the return of the Cog with six day's laundry hasn't helped. Monday night is housework night, but seeing as for the last two Mondays one of us has been away, not much has been done!
Saturday I have to go pick up my car, it had to have some work done on the brakes (which were fine, but squeaked like there was a trapped rodent somewhere). Then I am teaching in Northamptonshire. Sunday we'll be busy getting the house back into some sort of order.
I have a long to-do list, and yet I can't get inspired to go DO any of it. But at least the ballet wrap cardigan thingy is pretty much done.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Fabric trip to Brum
Took three fellow Knitwits to Birmingham on Saturday, to have a look at the fabric.
Blue fabric with fishes (Fancy Silks Store) - it's more blue/pink than this in real life
Rainbow silk and checked fabric (Birmingham Market)
Gorgeous patchwork fabric (Fancy Silks Store) that was oh-my-goodness per metre.
There are a few stalls in the Birmingham Market (opposite Debenhams), plus a yarn/haberdashery stall. There are more stalls in the Rag Market (which is next door, towards St Martin's Church). The Fancy Silks Store is 3 floors of wonderful fabrics. There is also a Fancy Fabric store around the back. If you walk around past the Sing Fat chinese supermarket and around the back of the wholesale market, Barry's Fabrics is right on the corner and had a large £1 a metre pile.
Spent far too much money, but it was fun to see what's available. I just need to find time to sew it, now!
Blue fabric with fishes (Fancy Silks Store) - it's more blue/pink than this in real life
Rainbow silk and checked fabric (Birmingham Market)
Gorgeous patchwork fabric (Fancy Silks Store) that was oh-my-goodness per metre.
There are a few stalls in the Birmingham Market (opposite Debenhams), plus a yarn/haberdashery stall. There are more stalls in the Rag Market (which is next door, towards St Martin's Church). The Fancy Silks Store is 3 floors of wonderful fabrics. There is also a Fancy Fabric store around the back. If you walk around past the Sing Fat chinese supermarket and around the back of the wholesale market, Barry's Fabrics is right on the corner and had a large £1 a metre pile.
Spent far too much money, but it was fun to see what's available. I just need to find time to sew it, now!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Metropolitan Dream Week 2010 - day 5 (Friday)
I was raring to go on the last day, having finally got my sleep sorted out. It's always the way with me!
I checked out quite early and made my way over to Metropolitan, and had enough time to photograph all the vintage machines in the "museum", and have a good root around in the vintage patterns. Discovered a load of vintage Passap model books, so now have an almost complete collection. Also picked up a vintage Brother patterning book - all hand-selected or pushbutton patterns, but still useful - for inspiration, and they can be converted to punchcard/mylar too.
The last talk of the day was by Carol herself. After handing out certificates to everyone who took part in the competition, she displayed last night's winning items (some folk weren't staying at the hotel). She gave an interesting talk on decorative hems, and how to use the Hague linker for decorative stitches and applying beads.
That model looks really snooty to me!
I had another coffee and my lunch (couldn't finish it as it was only 11am so breakfast hadn't been long!), so wrapped the rest up to eat at home. I got back on the road and was home by about 1.30pm - the cat was very pleased to see me, but not as pleased as he was to go outside and do his thing!
All in all, a fantastic week (they were already taking bookings for next year as I left). Met some wonderful people - Sue M who has a rude name for Cillit Bang, Sue who was on our table and discovered she was knitting too fast for her DAK, Harriet from Northern Ireland, the lovely June, and many more folks (sorry, I am rubbish at remembering names). Hope to see you all again next year!
More photos here
Metropolitan Machine Knitting
I checked out quite early and made my way over to Metropolitan, and had enough time to photograph all the vintage machines in the "museum", and have a good root around in the vintage patterns. Discovered a load of vintage Passap model books, so now have an almost complete collection. Also picked up a vintage Brother patterning book - all hand-selected or pushbutton patterns, but still useful - for inspiration, and they can be converted to punchcard/mylar too.
The last talk of the day was by Carol herself. After handing out certificates to everyone who took part in the competition, she displayed last night's winning items (some folk weren't staying at the hotel). She gave an interesting talk on decorative hems, and how to use the Hague linker for decorative stitches and applying beads.
That model looks really snooty to me!
I had another coffee and my lunch (couldn't finish it as it was only 11am so breakfast hadn't been long!), so wrapped the rest up to eat at home. I got back on the road and was home by about 1.30pm - the cat was very pleased to see me, but not as pleased as he was to go outside and do his thing!
All in all, a fantastic week (they were already taking bookings for next year as I left). Met some wonderful people - Sue M who has a rude name for Cillit Bang, Sue who was on our table and discovered she was knitting too fast for her DAK, Harriet from Northern Ireland, the lovely June, and many more folks (sorry, I am rubbish at remembering names). Hope to see you all again next year!
More photos here
Metropolitan Machine Knitting
Metropolitan Dream Week 2010 - day 4 (Thursday)
I had two classes with Susan - a hands-on one, where I had a go at bridging to add more yarn for cable crosses. I also had a go at chinese knots, and knitting a column of "sock heels" to create a textured effeect. In the second class, she showed us hand-pulled two-colour slip stitch, and talked us through how to create a two-colour slip pattern that would also work for tuck stitch. She also showed us various edgings and snail-knitting to create a circle or a hat. I also learnt to swear in Japanese! :)
Hand-pulled two-colour slip stitch
My last class was with Anne Smith of Machine Knitting Monthly. She has continued with her exploration of what can be done with just the basic set of cards, and produced some amazine textures.
Who says machine knitting is just for fast stocking stitch?!
Thursday night is the evening of the competition - you have to make something wearable or non-wearable with a mystery yarn that is sent to you. Unfortunately, there were two road accidents in the Crewe area, so it took quite some time for the coach to arrive, and the trip back was slow-going too (kudos for the driver for taking a few detours). My plan had been to go to the gym and then pop out to the bank (hadn't been anywhere near an ATM all week so ready cash was getting low). Alas, there was just time for a quick shower and change.
Everyone brought their items in, in bags - the voting is anonymous. Non-wearables were placed on a table for people to vote on after dinner. Wearables were modelled by two "volunteers" who visited every table in turn. There were some wonderful items - two striking coats, some beautiful stoles and a fabulous top hat. Whilst the votes were being counted, prizes were awarded for the "garment of the day". Then the winners were announced - a knitted fan for the non-wearables, and a fantastic diagonally-knitted jacket with bits of gold fabric also woven into it. My personal favourite was Tricia's felted shetland jacket, made out of lots of swatches. She actually modelled it too and had to keep quiet!
I didn't take any photos because I'm an idiot - hopefully they'll be on the Metropolitan website soon!
Hand-pulled two-colour slip stitch
My last class was with Anne Smith of Machine Knitting Monthly. She has continued with her exploration of what can be done with just the basic set of cards, and produced some amazine textures.
Who says machine knitting is just for fast stocking stitch?!
Thursday night is the evening of the competition - you have to make something wearable or non-wearable with a mystery yarn that is sent to you. Unfortunately, there were two road accidents in the Crewe area, so it took quite some time for the coach to arrive, and the trip back was slow-going too (kudos for the driver for taking a few detours). My plan had been to go to the gym and then pop out to the bank (hadn't been anywhere near an ATM all week so ready cash was getting low). Alas, there was just time for a quick shower and change.
Everyone brought their items in, in bags - the voting is anonymous. Non-wearables were placed on a table for people to vote on after dinner. Wearables were modelled by two "volunteers" who visited every table in turn. There were some wonderful items - two striking coats, some beautiful stoles and a fabulous top hat. Whilst the votes were being counted, prizes were awarded for the "garment of the day". Then the winners were announced - a knitted fan for the non-wearables, and a fantastic diagonally-knitted jacket with bits of gold fabric also woven into it. My personal favourite was Tricia's felted shetland jacket, made out of lots of swatches. She actually modelled it too and had to keep quiet!
I didn't take any photos because I'm an idiot - hopefully they'll be on the Metropolitan website soon!
Metropolitan Dream Week 2010 - day 3 (Wednesday)
First talk of the day was Norman Whitfield and his amazing Passap blankets, made using tech 186 (fantasy fairisle). They gradually got more complicated (cartoon cats, dogs etc) and culminated in one that was a picture of a windmill. He then showed us some neckwarmers - they look like polo necks, and tuck under v-neck garments - and some great scarves/hats in a two-colour rib. We have his wife to thank for all this - she wanted a machine, but didn't get on with the Passap, so he took it on.
Norman and his amazing Passap blankets
Bill King talked about using sock heels and short-rowing to create seamless garments. He had managed to make some funny bits of knitting, that made him look like Olive Oyl or a rooster. He also showed us some amazing garments made using holding position and various colour schemes. The continual cry was "have you got a pattern?!" to which the answer was always "no!"
Bill King demonstrates knitting wedges
BK dress - it's not as calculated as I first thought it was! But still darned clever!
After lunch, it was time for Carl Boyd to show us some cut and sew. He explained the use of his neck template, and talked about sewing on knits. He also showed us how to insert a zip, and had us all in stitches telling us about losing his false leg in Spain and having to give up ballet.
Carl Boyd shows off a zipper insertion
Sat next to Bill King at dinner - he is such a hoot! Mind you, he got waylaid by the Norwegians so I lost him for the second half.
The evening's talk was about commercial spinning, given by Nick from Uppinghams. Dinner ran rather late (it was almost 10pm) so I gave it a miss and headed for bed. Sorry Nick!
Norman and his amazing Passap blankets
Bill King talked about using sock heels and short-rowing to create seamless garments. He had managed to make some funny bits of knitting, that made him look like Olive Oyl or a rooster. He also showed us some amazing garments made using holding position and various colour schemes. The continual cry was "have you got a pattern?!" to which the answer was always "no!"
Bill King demonstrates knitting wedges
BK dress - it's not as calculated as I first thought it was! But still darned clever!
After lunch, it was time for Carl Boyd to show us some cut and sew. He explained the use of his neck template, and talked about sewing on knits. He also showed us how to insert a zip, and had us all in stitches telling us about losing his false leg in Spain and having to give up ballet.
Carl Boyd shows off a zipper insertion
Sat next to Bill King at dinner - he is such a hoot! Mind you, he got waylaid by the Norwegians so I lost him for the second half.
The evening's talk was about commercial spinning, given by Nick from Uppinghams. Dinner ran rather late (it was almost 10pm) so I gave it a miss and headed for bed. Sorry Nick!
Metropolitan Dream Week 2010 - day 2 (Tuesday)
First lecture of the day was with Susan G - she passed around a lot of hats she made whilst experimenting with popcorn techniques, and she demonstrated her bridging techniques.
Next up it was Ellen Turner, who won last year's competition by knitting a lace tablecloth in a bronze lurex yarn. She showed us how she'd made it - a simple lace card that transfers for x rows to the left (which produces a bias) and then transfers for x rows to the right (this class was on a Knitmaster machine. It produces a zigzag that can be sewn into a circle or used for a scarf. She demonstrated that ignoring (or following) the arrows on a card can make quite a difference to the pattern.
Eileen Turner in the wool room
The last class of the day was a hands-on with Iris Bishop. We had a go at using a very thick yarn to produce knitweave, and then vertically weaving with that yarn to produce a fabric that looks like a proper woven tweed. Also there was a technique using odd needles on the left and even needles on the right, to get two patterns from one fairisle card. The machines had been donated by Silver Knitting for the purpose - it's a pity they hadn't had a service beforehand, unfortunately, because a lot of people struggled with them. I learnt how to lock an electronic on row 1 (press the inspection switch off and then on again).
Knitweave with vertical weaving
EON technique with 2 needles out of work at 0 - two fairisle patterns from one card.
Knitweave with cut floats
Knitweave with fancy ribbon yarn
(I was so keen to get knitting, didn't think to take a pic of Iris!)
When I got back to the hotel, I did an hour in the hotel's gym. I didn't sign in though - they didn't tell me I had to! Had it all to myself, just the ipod for company. After dinner, Marit Buset gave an impromptu presentation about Norway. She runs a textiles course at the Institutt for Folkekultur and had come with two of her students. They had done some beautiful work, all using knitting machines.
Next up it was Ellen Turner, who won last year's competition by knitting a lace tablecloth in a bronze lurex yarn. She showed us how she'd made it - a simple lace card that transfers for x rows to the left (which produces a bias) and then transfers for x rows to the right (this class was on a Knitmaster machine. It produces a zigzag that can be sewn into a circle or used for a scarf. She demonstrated that ignoring (or following) the arrows on a card can make quite a difference to the pattern.
Eileen Turner in the wool room
The last class of the day was a hands-on with Iris Bishop. We had a go at using a very thick yarn to produce knitweave, and then vertically weaving with that yarn to produce a fabric that looks like a proper woven tweed. Also there was a technique using odd needles on the left and even needles on the right, to get two patterns from one fairisle card. The machines had been donated by Silver Knitting for the purpose - it's a pity they hadn't had a service beforehand, unfortunately, because a lot of people struggled with them. I learnt how to lock an electronic on row 1 (press the inspection switch off and then on again).
Knitweave with vertical weaving
EON technique with 2 needles out of work at 0 - two fairisle patterns from one card.
Knitweave with cut floats
Knitweave with fancy ribbon yarn
(I was so keen to get knitting, didn't think to take a pic of Iris!)
When I got back to the hotel, I did an hour in the hotel's gym. I didn't sign in though - they didn't tell me I had to! Had it all to myself, just the ipod for company. After dinner, Marit Buset gave an impromptu presentation about Norway. She runs a textiles course at the Institutt for Folkekultur and had come with two of her students. They had done some beautiful work, all using knitting machines.
Metropolitan Dream Week 2010 - day 1 (Monday)
I arrived at the hotel in Crewe at 10am, and had already checked in and settled down to make fast friends and grab a coffee before Mark arrived from Metropolitan with the personalised programmes.
I got a personalised schedule based on the seminars I picked beforehand. There was also a Silver Reed biro (three colours!), a little notepad and a name badge to fill in, all in a lovely pink folder. The schedule pack included tear-off strips to book your lunch (sandwiches, salad, or jacket potato) and tear-off strips to vote for the best garment of the day (which gets you a free tea or coffee - who says bribery doesn't work?!). There were nine slots in all (and I'd only booked 6 plus two extra) so it meant there was another slot free - I picked the third Susan G workshop, so got to do all three in the end. Even then, I could have happily done more workshops - there just isn't the time in the week, alas! :)
I grabbed some lunch at the hotel, and then the coach arrived to take us to Metropolitan for the opening lecture, given by Susan Guagliumi. It's pronounced Gual-you-me, but I still have trouble spelling it. She gave an excellent talk about her past history knitting and working as a representative for White, Passap and later Knitmaster. She also showed us the garments that appear in her latest book, "More Hand-manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters".
(Susan G and Carol)
We went back to the hotel - I discovered that there was free wifi in our hotel rooms, so it meant I could have a voice chat with the Cog undisturbed. The food at the hotel was excellent - a four course meal every night. Monday's entertainment was an Elvis lookalike. I was ground zero on our table in terms of the speakers, so I ducked out early! He was quite a good singer, but was definitely impersonating Elvis in his later years!
I got a personalised schedule based on the seminars I picked beforehand. There was also a Silver Reed biro (three colours!), a little notepad and a name badge to fill in, all in a lovely pink folder. The schedule pack included tear-off strips to book your lunch (sandwiches, salad, or jacket potato) and tear-off strips to vote for the best garment of the day (which gets you a free tea or coffee - who says bribery doesn't work?!). There were nine slots in all (and I'd only booked 6 plus two extra) so it meant there was another slot free - I picked the third Susan G workshop, so got to do all three in the end. Even then, I could have happily done more workshops - there just isn't the time in the week, alas! :)
I grabbed some lunch at the hotel, and then the coach arrived to take us to Metropolitan for the opening lecture, given by Susan Guagliumi. It's pronounced Gual-you-me, but I still have trouble spelling it. She gave an excellent talk about her past history knitting and working as a representative for White, Passap and later Knitmaster. She also showed us the garments that appear in her latest book, "More Hand-manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters".
(Susan G and Carol)
We went back to the hotel - I discovered that there was free wifi in our hotel rooms, so it meant I could have a voice chat with the Cog undisturbed. The food at the hotel was excellent - a four course meal every night. Monday's entertainment was an Elvis lookalike. I was ground zero on our table in terms of the speakers, so I ducked out early! He was quite a good singer, but was definitely impersonating Elvis in his later years!
Bits and bobs
Finished this guy before I went away to Dream Week - he's been guarding the fireplace ever since.
Picked up this little lot at Metropolitan:
Yep, a stash of vintage Passap model books and a really old Brother pattern book - they are all mostly hand-manipulated or push-button patterns, but are still inspirational!
Some baby blue acrylic from Uppinghams
I have plans to make some sort of lace cardigan from that, my first ever lace carriage on the SK840 I hope!
Picked up this little lot at Metropolitan:
Yep, a stash of vintage Passap model books and a really old Brother pattern book - they are all mostly hand-manipulated or push-button patterns, but are still inspirational!
Some baby blue acrylic from Uppinghams
I have plans to make some sort of lace cardigan from that, my first ever lace carriage on the SK840 I hope!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Vintage
These pictures were taken at Metropolitan this morning - these are the vintage machines they have in their “museum”. Thought you might be interested! Mark joked they might run a challenge, see how much knitting they could get out of them. I’d be up for that!
Will blog all about it soon, got photos ready etc but brain is a bit fried with all the lovely inspiration. Dream week was fantastic, I want to go again!!!!
Oh, and Flat Erica says (s)he's not all that bothered about not winning...
Will blog all about it soon, got photos ready etc but brain is a bit fried with all the lovely inspiration. Dream week was fantastic, I want to go again!!!!
Oh, and Flat Erica says (s)he's not all that bothered about not winning...
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Just a quick post
Having a wonderful time at Dream week - Susan Guagliumi is lovely and dined at our table last night. Learnt lots of interesting things, like how to use lace biasing to make a tablecloth, and how to lock an electronic machine on row 1 (who says I read the manual?! ). And how to pronounce Susan's surname, even if I can't always spell it!
Got three lectures with chaps today, and more from Susan and Anne Smith (MKM editor) tomorrow. Enjoying being surrounded by fellow creative types who will actually understand what I'm blathering on about.
Got three lectures with chaps today, and more from Susan and Anne Smith (MKM editor) tomorrow. Enjoying being surrounded by fellow creative types who will actually understand what I'm blathering on about.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Preparations...
Well, the car passed its MOT, but needs a few minor leaks fixing. Although I've booked that for the 16th, I might postpone it - this month is going to be expensive enough as it is, and the repairs should keep until next month.
The bikini is wet blocking in the bathroom on my home-made board. Fibreclaireuk and jemajo, I will photograph it, when I can get my camera in the same room as the bikini. And then unload it. haha. It would have been quicker to steam block it, but it's all acrylic and I was not sure the eyelash yarn would stand up to it, even if the main yarn did.
Have been dashing about for the last hour, tidying up and repatriating laundry - some of it had to come in late last night, still damp, so is in the tumble dryer. Serves me right for hoping the Cog would somehow spot it yesterday and put it out for me - I forget that blokes just aren't that observant/intuitive around the house. Got back from giving a lady a quick refresher course in machine knitting over in Nuneaton, to find the Cog snoring away on the sofa! Humph! Anybody remember that Yellow Pages ad, where a girl thinks a guy's house has been burgled, because he's so untidy? Well, our house seems to want to go in that direction sometimes. We're both hoarders and hobbyists and tend to leave a trail of clutter wherever we go.
Started to pack my bag for Dream week. It's pretty stuffed now. I was thinking, machine knitting events are the only events where one deliberately packs knitted clothing, despite the season. I know Metropolitan can be quite cold - it's a collection of units out in the countryside - so I'm hoping I'll get to wear at least one item. There's a tradition of photographing folks in their knits, you see, and you might end up on the "wall of fame" in the corridor. I still haven't finished redoing the bands on the Sirdar Crofter ballet cardigan - if I could figure out an accurate way of converting gauge back to knitting needle size it would have been done by now, but rehanging on the machine and reforming two or three rows to make garter stitch (it'd be on the Brother chunky so no garter carriage!) seems to have dropped right down the bottom of my "to do" list. Half tempted to pack it, some yarn, and some interchangeable needles and just handknit them. It would almost be quicker.
The unfortunate ribbed brown jumper is no more, it got frogged last night. The Cog admitted that, although it fitted (ignoring the monster arms, which could have been corrected), that it was just a little on the "fitted" side for him. Although this showed his muscles well - and he's been working out lately so he's looking good - he had to admit, he prefers a little mystery about his torso! :)
Right, well, I must get on, going for dinner at Mum's house.
Current mood:
happy
The bikini is wet blocking in the bathroom on my home-made board. Fibreclaireuk and jemajo, I will photograph it, when I can get my camera in the same room as the bikini. And then unload it. haha. It would have been quicker to steam block it, but it's all acrylic and I was not sure the eyelash yarn would stand up to it, even if the main yarn did.
Have been dashing about for the last hour, tidying up and repatriating laundry - some of it had to come in late last night, still damp, so is in the tumble dryer. Serves me right for hoping the Cog would somehow spot it yesterday and put it out for me - I forget that blokes just aren't that observant/intuitive around the house. Got back from giving a lady a quick refresher course in machine knitting over in Nuneaton, to find the Cog snoring away on the sofa! Humph! Anybody remember that Yellow Pages ad, where a girl thinks a guy's house has been burgled, because he's so untidy? Well, our house seems to want to go in that direction sometimes. We're both hoarders and hobbyists and tend to leave a trail of clutter wherever we go.
Started to pack my bag for Dream week. It's pretty stuffed now. I was thinking, machine knitting events are the only events where one deliberately packs knitted clothing, despite the season. I know Metropolitan can be quite cold - it's a collection of units out in the countryside - so I'm hoping I'll get to wear at least one item. There's a tradition of photographing folks in their knits, you see, and you might end up on the "wall of fame" in the corridor. I still haven't finished redoing the bands on the Sirdar Crofter ballet cardigan - if I could figure out an accurate way of converting gauge back to knitting needle size it would have been done by now, but rehanging on the machine and reforming two or three rows to make garter stitch (it'd be on the Brother chunky so no garter carriage!) seems to have dropped right down the bottom of my "to do" list. Half tempted to pack it, some yarn, and some interchangeable needles and just handknit them. It would almost be quicker.
The unfortunate ribbed brown jumper is no more, it got frogged last night. The Cog admitted that, although it fitted (ignoring the monster arms, which could have been corrected), that it was just a little on the "fitted" side for him. Although this showed his muscles well - and he's been working out lately so he's looking good - he had to admit, he prefers a little mystery about his torso! :)
Right, well, I must get on, going for dinner at Mum's house.
Current mood:
happy
Friday, September 03, 2010
The bra's the star...
Made a funny little bikini set last night, out of red acrylic - not woven the ends in yet. It's about the right size to fit my "Flat Eric" stuffed toy, so he got christened "Flat Erica", haha! The preemie cardigan went into the refuse this morning. I don't mind making 1.5 cardigans, but after that, I give up.
Jane, I don't have DAK - I haven't saved up the cash yet, and because I have three electronic machines (SK840, KH950i and E6000) I would also need three cables to connect them, which is quite some outlay. Maybe one day! I'm almost tempted to attend the DAK course at Metropolitan next year, just to see if I'd like it, although a 5 day course is a bit much if I don't. I do have the demo downloaded somewhere, along with Fittingly Sew, and have been a lazy-bum and not tried them out yet. I'm gradually transferring myself to the mac laptop so that I can reformat my home PC which is slower than a slow thing in a vat of treacle. I've got Parallels Desktop though so can run PC stuff on the laptop. Genius!
The awful brown ribbed jumper I made for the Cog has been malingering on the floor for a few weeks, so I tried it on last night, just for a laugh. It's actually not too bad a fit on me, and the shoulder seam isn't as off as I thought it was. Pity that brown, round-necked ribbed jumpers are not really my thing. Might try and get him indoors to try it on again, it might not be the disaster I thought it was. It will still need the arms shortening, but I can snip and redo them I think.
Picked up a copy of "Sew and save" at the Bargain Books store last week. It's a war-time reprint, looks like lots of handy tips on re-purposing and altering clothing.
I'm off to the Metropolitan Machine knitter's dream week next week - 4 days of workshops and seminars - hopefully I've got a class with Susan Guagliumi. Can't wait! Have been asked by the Guild to write an article on my week for the next newsletter, and must remember to take my camera. There is free wifi at the hotel, but only in the bar areas, and there are evening activities organized, so not sure how much I'll be online next week.
In a ridiculously jolly mood 'cause the boss took us all up the pub at lunchtime, so this post comes to you fuelled by a leffe blonde. Hoho!
Have a good weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)