Vogue Knitting Live, Seattle/Bellevue Day 1

Hello, and Welcome to Bellevue, WA.

Ugh, we had such gorgeous weather last weekend, really.  Those lucky people attending Vogue Knitting Live, Seattle Bellevue, might doubt this because we had some significant rain yesterday, and are due for another rainy day today with thundershowers in the forecast.  This is a bit of a bummer because the Events are split between the Hyatt Regency and the Meydenbauer Center and these are about .8 miles apart.  Of course, there is a shuttle running back and forth, but still, it is too bad that the weather is not cooperating.

I spent the morning, late afternoon, and evening at the Meydenbauer volunteering.  In the morning (7:45 check in time) I helped direct people to their classrooms on the 4th floor.  This was easy and fun, and I got to at least see the teachers come in, and then help move tables for Anna Hrachovec of the amazingly cute mini mochi mochis.  She is teaching how to make her designs, but also has an art installation in the Market (more on that later).

I went home at 9 because I had to drive the Doc to the airport.  He is down in So. Cal. helping out at my brother's house for the weekend.  What a great brother-in-law and husband.

I finished up my Flower Exchange package for the Gryffindor Swap (but forgot to get a photo), mailed it, then headed back up to the Meydenbauer with VanesaPolo.  We sat and knit for a while before her class and my next volunteer shift.  I worked on my Braveheart Socks.  Chockelet was there at an afternoon class, and joined us when she was finished.  We were also joined by CathiC, and MsWiz (who was there to join VanesaPolo in her class).  It was fun to have so many Eastside Stitchers present.

We were knitting at a table on the first floor near the registration area and the Market.  Today, this table and the area around it will be a Beginner Knitters' Lounge. The tables are equipped with yarn and lots of needles for people to use as they practice.

Hanging from the 2nd floor, above this area, are skeins and skeins of Cascade yarn.

These are all grouped by color.  On Sunday, there will be a "Yarn Drop."  The yarn will be dropped into the crowd below, and the people who are able to catch the skeins will take them home.

My evening volunteer shift was at the Market doors.

The Market was open for a 2 hour preview last night.  As I was "working," I didn't get much of a chance to check out the various booths, but I did go in too grab some free coffee from the cart (on the right side wall), and since I passed the Fiber Art Installations, I took some quick photos.  As much as I love knitting and crocheting practical pieces of clothing and afghans, I absolutely love seeing the imaginative ways these fiber artists use our media.

Here is a quick rundown of the Art in the Market:

Anna Hrachovec has a display, more like a tiny town, of her mochimochi.

Suzanne Tidwell is a fiber artist who works mostly in the Seattle area.  She creates large scale yarn-bombing type installations.

Her installation is an interactive one.  Last night, the panels of yarn were just beginning to take shape.  As the weekend progresses, and more visitors participate, they will grow.

Stop by and join in the art.

 Carol Milne knits with glass. 

Her work is intricate and delicate.  You have to see it to believe it.

Kelly Fleek uses fiber in sculpture, wearable sculpture.

The hats on display are whimsical, yet so structural.  They just beg to be touched.  I can see the natural inspirations.  They remind me of gourds and squash.  I thought of Cinderella's stepsisters.

 Julie Kornblum weaves baskets with fiber and found/recycled materials.  

The baskets on display offer delight and surprise.  I kept stopping to look back as I recognized the various  bottle caps, etc. that are woven in.

Jean Hicks is another fiber sculpture artist, but she works with felted materials.  She is a milliner (hat maker), and has made hats for Seattle's own Theatro Zinzanni.

Saying she makes felted hats just doesn't come close to describing the wild, zany, and beautiful hats on display.

Mandy Greer weaves, crochets and knits strips of discarded materials into mixed-media performance art.  She works with groups out in the community, including her audience in the process.  I'm not sure if I am explaining this well, but, the pieces are really fun and organic.

Ashley Blalock crochets giant wall doilies.  That doesn't begin to describe the huge yet delicate creation on display. 

The floor installation is thousands of crocheted flowers.  It is amazing to see the juxtaposition of the individual large crocheted piece against the many many tiny ones.  Pieces like these make me proud to be a hooker.

Darlyn Susan Yee is a contemporary artist from Los Angeles. She uses unexpected materials to create what could be ordinary bits of clothing, a dress, an apron, yet are completely different and surprising.

I recognized the familiar Granny Square motif in the aprons on the table.  I think the material is plastic.

I found myself looking and nodding at the familiarity.  Beginning to move on, then stopping, and taking a second look as I realized that while familiar, there was something so new about the pieces, that I just had to look closer.  I love art that catches me.

The line of attendees was well mannered, but excited to get in to the Market and see the goodies.

It was a relief to be able to open the doors and let everyone inside.  Of course it is always fun to check out the great knitwear on display.

The dress was knit by her mom, but this 9 year old knit her own hat.

I need to eat breakfast so I can get my stuff together and head out for another day of fiber and fun.  I will be at the Meydenbauer in the morning, then moving to the Hyatt at 2.  Hope to see you there.

Peace,
f1bercat
shaping the world at Vogue Knitting Live, Bellevue

Redbird1, this photo is for you.

Madrona 6

Hello,

Clouding over here, and just starting to rain.  Surprise.  Not.  However, as far as weather goes, it is snowing down in Tucson, AZ.  What's up,  global climate change?

This is a quick Madrona post (I need to keep the momentum going), then I am off to Crossroads to meet up with my Stitch Buds.

Chameleon Colorworks Dyeworks and Fiber Studio had some very interesting and beautifully dyed fiber in their booth.

I love that these small studios always give you the fiber origin.  They never just say "wool."  Now that I am reading up a bit on fiber, it actually really makes a difference.

The most beautiful bin in their booth was the silk cocoon bin.

You have to boil these in soap to get rid of the silkworm glue, but then you can either pull out one long giant thread to ply,  or you can make it into a silk hankie, from which you can then make some yarn and knit.  Aren't they beautiful in this shape?

Next booth over was Churchmouse Yarn & Teas. 
I am not really posting about our local shops who were present, but I am mentioning Churchmouse because there was a very special shawl on display at the Churchmouse booth.

Jared Flood had pieces from his new pattern collection knit up and on display along with his Shelter Yarn.

There are people in my stitch Bud group, Eastside Stitchers, who ... well LOVE Jared Flood AND his Shelter Yarn. 

Even better than finding the patterns and yarn,  we found the actual shawl that our own Redbird1 test knit for Jared Flood's newest pattern collection.  And it is beautiful.

The pattern and yarn aren't so bad, either.

Almost time to get ready to meet up with my Buddies, but I just wanted to show the progress on my frogged back Smaug Socks.

I had somehow reduced them too much when I was knitting the gussets, so I briefly thought of tinking, but I could see that it was going to need too many rows, and that would take forever since I was knitting them 2aat.  I decided to just frog back to the heels, and add about 1/2 in. more to the flaps.  Then, restart the gussets.  I have finished the gussets and knit about 3 inches of the foot on the right sock:

I have reknit the heel, and am about 1.5 in along on the gusset of the left sock:

My goal is to have these completely finished by Sunday.  I can do it.

Peace,
f1bercat
shaping the planet with two partial socks.

Franklin Habit at Madrona

Eastside Stitchers Meet on Thursday

Hello!

The Eastside Stitchers met tonight, Thursday, November 1 instead of our usual Wednesday night meet up, at Crossroads Mall in Bellevue.  Last night we were all too busy Trick-or-Treating, but tonight the needles were clicking.

We missed some of our friends who couldn't make the day change, but we should see them next week, so all is good.

Who was there and what were they stitching?

Skeinherder was knitting Christmas Trees.  The  Purled Christmas Tree to be particular,  by Anna Sudo.

in cascade sport.

For show and tell she was wearing  her finished Windward by Heidi Kirrmaier 

knit in Malabrigo sock  in Eggplant.  She finished it just in time for the Malabrigo Stockpile contest.

Anerenbe was working on the Cecily Beret  by Melissa LaBarre in .... not sure what the yarn is.  It is fingering weight, because this hat is really fine work on tiny needles.

Wajai was knitting some Fingerless gloves in Renew Wool  .  

I was curious about the yarn so I checked them out.  This is what they say:

"Renew Wool is a sport-weight soft wool blend featuring 35% repurposed wool reclaimed from the mill. Its soft texture and depth of shade make it ideal for colorwork, textured pullovers, and felting.

Jan bought it originally for the Nordic Knitting Conference and didn't use very much of it, so was putting it to use now.

Tara1682 is knitting ANOTHER Linen stitch scarf by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

The first one she made was for a friend.  Is this one for herself?

Wearing a cloche hat so cute, sorry no info on it

Vanesapolo brought her finished Brioche Vest by Meg Swanson

Well almost finished that is.  She was still deciding on how to finish the front edges, and needs something to close it with.  The waist shaping was done by stopping the brioche stitch, and just doing regular knits and purls.  Such a clever designer.

She had a question about the vest finishing, and was able to ask Meg Swanson.  Meg really helped her out.  So cool!  I know someone who talked to Meg Swanson.

Vanesapolo was working on her multi-directional scarf, I think it is the one by Karen Baumer

Redbird1 had some wonderful show and tells.  First, I want to say how happy we all are that Redbird1's house back east was spared by the Sandy Storm.  And now, what did she bring:

She has finished the Magic Three-Yarn Scarf & Wrap by Churchmouse Yarn & Teas

This is the scarf that is knit alternating 3 very different yarns:  Debbie Bliss Winter Garden  , Rowan Frost

and Berroco Versa  

Redbird1 has also made great progress on her Guilder, by Jared Flood

knit in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter

She was not knitting on the Guilder, though, because she needs to concentrate when she works on this masterpiece.  She did bring a new scarf, a Linen Stitch Scarf by Churchmouse Yarns, just like Tara's   Redbird1 was just starting, but the colors are stunning.

And, finally, GwenS has made huge progress on her Guernsey Wrap also by Jared Flood.  This stunning wrap is in Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool Worsted in Pansy.

GwenS bought the yarn in Oregon! 

That's all for tonight. I need to get to bed because tomorrow I am driving up to Whidbey Island with Skeinherder to visit some farms.  I can't wait.

Just a quick reminder that the Madrona Fiber Arts Class Schedule is up.  People can start registering for classes on November 14, 2012.  http://madronafiberarts.com/

I hope to be able to go, if not to take some classes, just to hang out there and knit. 

Until then, it's Whidbey Island and KnitFit!

Stay safe and well.

Yours,

f1bercat

shaping the planet with a road trip tomorrow!