Yarn - A love story?

Did you ever go into a store or business and notice how happy the employees are?  Kind of a rare experience isn't it?  Sometimes retail employees are pleasant, sometimes civil, other time sullen or down right surly.  I've noticed this recently because our local Whole Foods Market is filled with happy, pleasant, outgoing employees.  It really makes that store a pleasure to shop at.  I've even gone out of my way (when they aren't too busy) to ask a couple of the employees about why they are so happy.  Turns out they like the company, they get good benefits, and their boss is great to work for.  So would I like to work for Whole Foods?  Well maybe, certainly on those days when my engineers have been surly and subcontractors are running amok, it sounds pretty darn good.

 

The other notable places that I have recently experienced people who are happy with their jobs/careers are people who are engaged in community development and many of the folks in the yarn and knitting industry.  I don't think I have the skills or connections to find work in community development (or at least not work that pays a salary).  And I'm not talking about every yarn store employee or owner, some of them are down right surly, too.  But many of the designers, dyers, producers, and yes, yarn store owners seem very excited, contented, and satisfied by their businesses. 

I want to feel that way about my job.  In my current job as a program manager and systems engineer there are some very satisfying moments interspersed with lots of plodding, paperwork and spreadsheets. I'm pretty good at my job, but am finding it less compelling lately.  The chocolate chips of satisfaction are getting pretty sparse in the cookie dough.  There could be another program management job that would excite me or peak my interest.  A new project with some meaty work or product line that would be more satisfying.  But what really has my interest currently is yarn and knitting.  I still feel very much a novice when it comes to understanding the technical details of yarn and what to do with it.  For whatever reason, it is endlessly fascinating to me.  After spending 20 some years in an engineering career it seems crazy to think about, but could I develop a career in fiber arts?

I think I'm falling for yarn and knitting and I'm not sure what to do about it. It feels sort of like one of those boys you fall in love with who you're pretty sure isn't good for you, but you go for it anyway. Endless trouble, parents wouldn't approve, but oh so satisfying.  It seems like my right brain is now demanding equal time after playing second fiddle to the left brain in all the engineering activities.  Not sure where to begin exactly, but I think it's time to start investigating.

 

It was amazing to meet the vendors and instructors at Stitches West and to see how many are making a living doing what they love.  I  particularly  enjoyed meeting the small scale dyers and producers and a couple of the designers.  I think I need to find out more about how some of them got where they are and how they do work they love while paying the bills.  

Here are a few of the people and companies that impressed me:

Designers:

Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton   http://www.corneliahamilton.com/

 

Ann Weaver   http://annweaverknits.com/

 

Yarn vendors: 

Cephalod Yarns   http://cephalopodyarns.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pepperberry Knits  http://pepperberryknits.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighborhood Fiber Co.  http://neighborhoodfiberco.bigcartel.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colornotes Yarn   http://colornotesyarn.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you satisfied with your job or career?  Do you know someone who is?  If you could do something different what would it be?  What is your dream job? 

Stitches and more stitches.....

It has taken me most of the week to recover from the wonderful time I had at Stitches West last weekend.  I was a knitting convention virgin, but I had good guides. My friend MaryLouise and her sister Deirdre have been attending Stitches West regularly for the last several years, so I tagged along with them. 

 

MaryLouise and her husband Dennis live about 15 minutes from the Santa Clara convention center, so they invite me to stay with them.  I used to work with Dennis in Virginia, so it was a great chance to see them both and catch up.  Dennis is also a fantastic cook.   Dennis packed us lunches for Friday and Saturday, so we were able to skip the convention center and hotel food.  He also made us wonderful dinners each night, so we were able to go back to the house for a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres while we compared out yarn acquisitions. Then we were treated to homemade tomato soup and rosemary rack of lamb, swordfish with smoked paprika and pistashio couscous, prosciutto stuffed chicken and asparagus risotto.   

 

 

Flourless lemon almond cake disappearing fast

 

 

We went to the Thursday night registered attendees only session. I decided not to buy any yarn until I had made one pass through the market to scope it all out.  Since we didn't even get through the whole market floor on Thursday night I didn't buy anything on Thursday.  I made up for it the rest of the weekend though.

I took three classes - Estonian Stitches Cowl with Merike Saarniit, Strick-ly Shawls with Candace Eisner Strick, and The Hole Story with Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton.  Very different teachers, but each very good in their own way.  Learning all the new techniques and getting a chance to meet and have a conversation with the instructors was worth the trip.  Here are samples from the Estonian Stitches and The Hole Story courses:

After eating the lunches that Dennis packed for us, we had time to shop in the Vendor market.  MaryLouise and I also went back to the market on Sunday. I managed to squeeze a lot of yarn in my suitcase even though for the most part I bought only two or three skeins from most of the vendors.  How can you resist yarn when it's presented like this:

 

Freia Fine Handpainted Yarns

Australian cashmere booth



The Buffalo Wool Co. booth



Freia Fine Handpainted Yarns

 

I'll write another post in the next few days to show off some of the yarn I purchased and to give links for the vendors and instructors.  Also, in the "and more stitches" category, I recently acquired some beginning sewing books.  Watch for a review of the sewing books in upcoming posts.

First time for everything...

Tomorrow morning I'll be hopping on a plane bound for San Jose, CA.  This trip will be full of firsts:
1. First time flying into San Jose
2. First time visiting friends Dennis & MaryLouise since they moved from Virginia to California
3. First time in the Bay area for fun, not work or flying through on the way somewhere else
4. First time attending a big knitting event

I really miss not living near Dennis and MaryLouise so that is the most important part of the trip.

The reason for making the trip now though is to attend Stitches West.  The prospect of all the yarn shopping and knitting classes is exciting.   The prospect of spending 3 days with thousands of other women is a bit ..... daunting. 

Let me explain that a bit.  I'm an engineer working in a male dominated field.  In my office of 60 people, there are about 5 other women engineers and another 3 women total in the office.  The proportion at my customer site is about the same.  It's been that way for all of my career starting with college (ratio 4 men to 1 woman).  For one project I managed, the usual meeting attendance was me and 15 guys with occassionally another woman. I'm used to it and most of the time I don't even think about it.  I'm just one of the guys.

So the thought of going to an event that will be more like 90-95% women attendees is a bit odd.  Will I fit in?  How do you make small talk?  How bad will the bathroom lines be?  (At most of the meetings I go to for work, unlike your average public event, the lines are for the men's room not the ladies.)

This will be an adventure!   I'm signed up for 3 classes to learn some new knitting techniques and will probably take an extra bag for carting yarn home.    And one more first... I finally signed up for a Twitter account.  I don't know how much I'll tweet from Stitches West, but one of my favorite yarn brands will be tweeting short term specials at the show.  Oh, well, into the Twitterverse I go.

As much as I'm excited about all things yarny, what I'm really looking forward to is Dennis's cooking!

Giving it away.....



I give much of my knitting away.  I can only wear so many scarves and cowls and shawls. And I haven't gotten into the production of sweaters and socks yet which I would be more likely to keep for myself.

 

Garter stitch scarf in Hair of the
Rare loopy boucle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lacey Baktus in Fleece Artist Seawool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of my family has now been the recipient of some knitted item, mostly scarves.  I'm not even sure they like what they've received so far, so I don't think I'll push that avenue of product distribution much more. I don't want to be the "crazy old aunt who gave us a scarf every year for Christmas."

Scotland Scarf in Mochi Plus
 

Fan & feather scarf in Debbie Bliss
BabCashmerino





 

 

 

 

I want my knitting to be used and I want it to go to someone who will appreciate it.  A couple years ago as my knitting production increased,  I started looking for some way to support charitable organization.  There are plenty of appealing organizations - Project Linus, afghans for Afghans, Afghan Square for Pine Ridge, and many more.  

One organization that was particularly appealing is the California based "Handmade Especially for You."  It is a non-profit charity that organizes knitters and crocheters to provide comfort scarves to women entering shelters from a domestic abuse situation.  A few people jumped on the idea and started similar organizations in a few places around the country.  I was interested in participating close to home or at least close to my hometown.  Comfort Scarves Southwest Pennsylvania was founded around the time when I was looking to start sending donations.  It started out  as Comfort Scarves Pittsburgh supporting just a couple shelters but has grown to support 10 shelters in 8 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.  Sad to say but about 135 scarves per month are need to support the shelters.  The organization was founded by Barb Kochuba and is run out of her house.  She has partnered with local churches, synagogues and other organizations to wrap and deliver not just scarves but washcloths, slippers and children's items to the shelters.  Some charity to charity exchanges have also extended the circle of giving.  I've sent several batches of scarves and some fingerless gloves, and washcloths In addition, Barb is now stocking yarn craft boxes at the shelters for those women who would like to knit or crochet. I've donated a few things from my sizable yarn stash and am ready to send some more.

Please check out Comfort Scarves  on Facebook or Ravelry.  The website - www.comfortscarves.org is available, but is somewhat out of date (anyone want to volunteer to be web master?)  Or refer to www.handmadeespecially.org  to find a partner organization near you.    Here are a few of the items I've donated:

Chile for the holidays scarf



Kid's diamond
puffball scarf



Loopy puff ball scarf

One row cotton scarf

 





Teal mohair bias scarf

 

 

 







Aqua puff ball scarf

Saturday night I spontaneously gave away one of my triangular scarves.   I was out to dinner with old work friends from out of town for the second night in a row.  I wore a different hand knit scarf each evening.  My friends commented on them both, but the one last night was particularly colorful and exciting. It was a simple pattern made from a single skein of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn. It was cold last night and know that Kim, originally from South Carolina, is not a fan of the cold, I thought it might be of good use to her. She loved it and posted a picture of it on Facebook almost immediately. Now that makes a knitter feel good. 

Who do you give your knitting to?   Do you support any charitable organizations by giving handmade items?

The Great Cowl Along....

I did it!!  I managed to complete a Knit ALong (KAL) in the alloted time.  I frequently have really good intensions, but manage to either not get started or get distracted half way through.....

KALs (Knit ALong), CALs (Crochet ALong), and swaps are an interesting cultural phenomena. There have to be several PhD topics for sociology majors in it somewhere. For my non-knitting and crocheting friends a KAL or CAL is an event sponsored a local yarn store, a magazine, a yarn supplier, a Ravelry group, a designer, (or anyone else with a public forum) during which they select a pattern or type of project to work on during a designated time period. In this case the forum is Ravelry.  Anyone else who wants to work on the same pattern can sign up and craft along.  The idea is to compare notes, learn from what others have done with the same pattern but different yarn, and get help when you're stuck.  In this case the knitting was easy, but it is fun to see what kind of yarn other knitters are using for the same project and how their projects turn out.  Sometimes the sponsor provides prize incentives as well to encourage participate and completion of the project. 

The Great Cowl KAL is hosted by designer Feministy (aka Liz Abinante).  For this year's KAL, she published one free pattern.  If you complete the project and provide proof, she gives you a second pattern for free for the next phase of the KAL.  (Usual cost of the pattern would be about $6, so it's a nice perk for participating.)  Now I just have to pick the yarn for the second project.  It's a cable pattern.  I love cables...     

Do you particpate in "alongs" or other social events that encourage you to complete a project?

So, sew....

Since I've started knitting, I've been working my way through the usual projects - scarves, shawls, mittens, hats, baby sweaters and the like.  One of the projects I really enjoy is making bags and purses.  You can make something more more interesting than you can ever buy in a store.  The only problem is that purses really need to be lined. It's the best way of keeping things from poking out even through felted fabric and it allows the creation of non-bulky interior pockets.

The problem is I don't sew.  Well... I haven't sewn in 30 years.

As a kid, I was in a sewing and crafts 4-H club.  My best friend Sandi's mother was one of the leaders.   There were usually about 8 or 10 girls in the club at a time.  The age range was from about 5th grade to about 10th grade.  Mrs. Snyder and Mrs. Rice did a great job trying to pass their skills and love of sewing and crafts onto us. Most of us stayed in the club for several years, so they were doing something right.

No knock on their teaching ability, I didn't take to sewing as much as the crafts. At that time I was more interested in cross-stitch and needlepoint. I made the obligatory first 4-H project, a tote bag.  Then another couple simple projects, but my attention span and motor skills were not quite good enough for me to enjoy sewing. With high school activities getting started, band, choir, cross-country, and theater, I lost interest completely.

So, I want to sew, but how do I get back on that horse.  I bought an affordable Singer on sale at Jo-Ann a year or two ago, but after I did I realized, I really didn't remember what the heck I was doing.  A friend at work mentioned that she wanted to learn to sew, too.  Now I have a buddy, but where to start.....

Luckily, Albuquerque is home to Hip-Stitch.  It is a small fabric shop and sewing lounge.  Fabrics and notions for sale in the front of the store, work and classroom space in the back.  We signed up for Hip Stitch Basics, which is just that - how to thread your machine, how to wind a bobbin, how to adjust stitch length, tension, stitch width, etc.   When I say "your machine", you can use a machine provided or bring your own.  It's a two hour class - perfect for and evening after work.  I did review my machine manual before I went, so the class went pretty smoothly and I remembered much more than I thought I would.

Between Hip Stitch and a couple of the easy classes on Craftsy, my skills should quickly progress enough to make the simple things I have in mind.  Maybe I'll take a purse with me next time I go back home  and drop by to show Mrs. Snyder and Mrs. Rice.  Hopefully they'll be proud.

What skills have you acquired or re-acquired?  Have you let any skills go that you wish you hadn't?

More new knitter advice

My niece is going through what most beginners do, a bit of frustration that it's not going faster and the feeling that she needs to control the yarn.  Here are a couple more suggestions I made to her:

1. When I was first learning, I pulled my stitches really tight, using the tension around the needle to make them even. Don't worry too much about even stitches, that will come with a bit of practice, just make the stitch and let it go.
 

I used to wrap the yarn around my hand or fingers pretty tight. I still do sometimes when I'm getting something started and feel the need to really control the yarn tension, but other than that you want to be able to put gentle tension on the yarn, but you don't need to pull it tight after every stitch.

Try a couple different ways of hold or lightly wrapping that yarn around your hand without the death grip...

I hold my yarn different than most knitters I see. A lot of people (and books suggest) bringing it between your fingers and over you index finger. I actually wrap it around my palm loosely then around my index finger. Find what is comfortable for you, what works for your hands might not be what works for someone else.  There is not a single "correct" way to hold your yarn, do what feels comfortable.

2. Cast on over a needle one size larger to make sure your cast on isn't too tight. Most knitters start with the long tail cast on - try a backwards loop cast on if you don't have a larger needle.

3. Make sure you slide the stitch up onto the fat part of the needle. Otherwise, you creating a stitch to tight for the needles.  The stitches should slide with relatively little effort even on bamboo or wooden needles.

What knitting lessons learned would you pass on to a new knitter?
 

Restart and a new start

I think it's about time to restart my blog. Knitting has been taking over my life and I'm trying to figure out why and what to do about it. Maybe if I share some of my thougts on knitting, I can work through some of these issues. So, here goes, Hippy Chick Knits V2.0.

And I'm so excited, one of my nieces is learning to knit...Yeah! She writes a pretty mean blog herself, so I hope a little of her blogging style rubs off on me.

Here is the initial advice I gave her based on my own experience over the last 4 or 5 years:

1. you do not need a death grip, neither the yarn nor the needle are actually trying to kill you. (though if you ever get to sock knitting, those needle do find interesting ways to stab you.)

2. wool is your friend - if a scarf isn't working out - bind off, throw it in the washing machine on hot, felt the crap out it it and ta da you have a pot holder.

3. once you learn the basic stitches it will go faster and even become relaxing

4. oh the pretty colors......

5. if you are struggling - try bigger needles and light, solid color yarn so you can see what you are doing; fiddly small needles and dark or highly varigated yarn are a challenge when you're starting.

What other advice to you give to new knitters?