Sometimes...on design process

I often get asked what my design process is like.  Well, here it is:

Sometimes my process is messy.  Sometimes it's very tidy and Martha Stewart-like.  And sometimes we just get in a big fight and I have to put it away for the night.  When I was in art school, my painting instructors would always advise walking away for a while.  The overnight time gives you perspective.  And then the next time the two of you meet, you will more than likely see things very differently.  I believe that.  I think that sometimes what is going on in your head with just the everyday stress can result in garment disaster.  So yeah.  All that.

Sometimes I will literally stare at the project after I've just ripped half of it out and wait for it to speak to me.  No really - I want it to speak to me.  It would more than likely just say "um..that hurt." 

Sometimes I have a clear driven idea in mind and we will walk hand in hand until the job is done.  That simple.

And sometimes I have no idea what to do and I hold the ball of yarn, staring, hoping for some sort of magical transfer from the fiber to my nerve endings.  That, for the record, has yet to happen.

But I would be nothing without my urge to explore, and my need to create from fiber that comes from animals.  Design missteps, stitch disasters, gauge imperfection aside, I hope I never lose the desire.

Happy knitting.....

Mysterious Content

I'll be presenting/teaching at The Mysterious Content of Softness, a future exhibit at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum in Winter Park, Florida.  I'm honored to be part of this show, and am looking forward to meeting all the great artists.  If you're in/around the area - stop by the show!

I just finished a MAMMOTH project for Vogue Knitting, which will be in their next issue.  I wish I could show you, but just keep your eyes peeled for my new design!

I am finishing up 2 new designs for Vogue Knitting Live, which will be in Chicago from October 26-28, 2012.  I've been working with the Long Island Livestock Company collaborating on the beginning of a series of one-two skein projects which will be available at the show.  I'm also putting the finishing touches on an exclusive for BagSmith using this yarn:

It is one of my favorite yarns, it's like braided squishy bread dough.  I was in the studio last night making final edits to the design and I'm very excited the way it has turned out.  Stay tuned, as I will post info about both designs here on the blog as they are ready to go.

Happy Knitting.....

No More Facebook

I have just deleted my Facebook account.  And it couldn't have felt better.  It was a long time coming, I think.  I was just one of those people that never could get behind it and never could commit to curating my past for someone like Mark what's-his-name.  I'd rather spend my time on my creative life and communicating the old-fashioned way.

So speaking of creation, these are my latest designs from Tahki Stacy Charles' FW 2012 Anthology collection:

Hemingway Cardigan

The yarn is new, called Juno.  It's really cool, actually.  It has a really fine springy caging around it, so it is really bouncy when knitted up. 

This is a new poncho design, made with Big Montana.  I love using that yarn, it's so bulky but so lightweight at the same time.

Hawthorne Hooded Poncho

In other news, 2 of my Seams Like Surgery classes have sold out for Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago, so if you're wanting to sign up, you'd better hurry!!  It'll be nice to be in Chicago again; I haven't been since I lived in Indianapolis.  The commute to Chicago is pretty short from Indy, so I would go as often as I could.

Happy Knitting....