Save the Alpacas!! 08/14/2009
 Have you heard of Matthew Modine's new cause? he's doing his best to help a tribe in Equador save their alpaca flock! click on the shirt on the left to be redirected to a site that explains his efforts - and if you're in love with the shirt (like I am!) click on the "Schwag" button and buy your own... there is also coffee mugs, tote bags and lots of shirts... show your support what.... you don't think there's a problem with the alpacas? OK, OK, you're right -it's just a brilliant marketing scheme by the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, CA for an upcoming play - "Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas" coming up next month!  interested in finding out about the play? click on the title and you'll be directed to a link explaining some about the show... I have heard a few yarn shops might be trying to organize groups to the show - talk with your local yarn shop and see if they're interested... I am getting a shirt - and love the idea of this fun site... lots of the alpaca photos on the flickr page are from my NY trip this past March... I can't wait to see the play, Matthew Modine, French Stuart and Peri Gilpin, along with the rest of the actors promise that it'll be a hoot! Please repost and share with your fiber friends - the Alpaca thank you!!! Scrappy Doo Raglan Sweater in Progress 08/09/2009
 After finishing my pinwheel blanket, I had (have) so much yarn left over in this "fall" color family that was already hacked and used that I can't do much else with it but freeform or random striped knitting. Also, because I only had to finish up the blanket to get the rush of a FO I still have some random striping steam left in me... that's what caused me to dig up my handy dandy top down raglan pattern (#991 by Diane Soucy) and started knitting. I began on Friday night after work, and knitted all weekend - I knit in the morning early.... then we went with some friends out for errands - I knit at the car dealership in the waiting room (free cookies, pastries, water, juice, soda!) ... then we went to Farrell's ice cream parlor, and watched our friend's kids play video games... while they played, I knit... carrying around my sweater in a messenger bag... they did bumper boats... I watched and knit.... they did go karts, I knit some more... it worked out perfectly because I was able to keep another friend company so she wasn't the only spectator! We ate amazing food... I knit... we came home for a while and while everyone did their thing... playing with animals, playing on the computer, etc., I knit... and when we went out for dinner that night, I knit again. I asked everyone if they were OK with my knitting and they all said it was OK - that it was almost expected of me... After dinner, we went to Target for a few last minute things, and I even knit walking through Target... this was all excessive even in my opinion, but after a day of knitting Saturday, and most of Sunday, I'm about 1/2 way done with the body of my raglan sweater! What I haven't decided yet is this - should the sleeves match each other? I was first thinking of making them both totally random - then I thought maybe they should be different from the body of the sweater (same general yarns, etc.) but not the same color order/yarn type, etc. OR should I just knit sleeve #1 and use those same yarns (and striping but maybe a different order) for sleeve #2? I need input! The photo shows what it looked like as of Sunday afternoon - I have done even more than this already as I type... but I need to know what to do for sleeves - please let me know your thoughts either in comments or email :) Have a great week! Pinwheel Blanket Finished! 08/07/2009
 A friend showed me a baby blanket she made for her new daughter - I instantly fell in love with this pattern and after her convincing me how easy it was (it IS easy!) I decided to take a collection of yarns I had and make an adult sized blanket. I grouped the yarns in order of how I wanted to stripe them, bagged them (together if I intend to strand more than one at a time) and numbered the bags in this case, 1-36. I just followed the pattern, and changed the color of yarn every 2 or 4 rounds. This piece started and ended with some amazing yarn from Manos del Uruguay - in one of my favorite colors. I am happy to have found a use for all these novelty yarns, single balls, etc. I’m using some beautiful handspun, vintage yarn, and even the yarn I had made through VIP Fibers of my cat Winky's fur! The final blanket is just over 4' across. I'm really happy that this is finished - it lingered in my "works in progress" for a LONG time! - I started it a year ago last March! DESTASH SALE! (Repost at will!) 07/27/2009
We'll keep this posting short and sweet - check out the SHOP and if you're interested in any of them let me know... I'll be adding more as these sell off - but the ones we're starting with are all one of a kind sets. Remember, the proceeds go to help Living Free Animal Sanctuary - during these uncertain times, the animals still need help - you can save lives!!! Forest Canopy Freeform Wrap COMPLETED! 07/12/2009
 What a wonderful day! I am pleased to share a lesson I learned. When working on freeform pieces, it's important (as in painting, ceramics and probably most other arts) to pay careful attention to the piece and when it's time to stop that you stop... the piece will usually hint to you when it's time... the wrap told me today that it was done... and it is!  I haven't sewn in my label (yet) but it's complete - here's a recap - a year ago this month I started this wrap after a class with Janice Rosema, a freeform knit/crochet artist living here in southern California. Her class was inspirational and empowering - there are no mistakes in freeform work - but some things work together better than others... I bought a felted fleece from Ozark Handspun and began knitting and crocheting pieces to be joined to the fleece. Most of the year that it took to finish the piece sat on my dress form - waiting for me to revisit the project. It has become the latest obsession, and now that it's complete, I have mixed emotions. I'm glad, but wish that a second (different) piece had already been started so that I could continue the process with another piece... but it's not started... and I can't decide if I want to do one in browns/neutrals OR greens/blues/yellows... thoughts/opinions?  One of my favorite parts of this piece is the button - it's a cabinet knob from Edgar Berebi - a spider cabinet knob with swarovski crystals in it - I had the back part of the knob cut off so that it's flat, then we tapped the back and put a eyelet screw in the hole... wrapped that bit with yarn and attached it. It's a bit heavy, but heck; the entire piece is heavy... it's colorful, warm, and will take a person with a lot of presence, personality, fashion sense (and courage) to pull it off! I'm not sure what's next, but today's a great day - because this project is complete! Jonathan, Jason's friend, wrote on www.menwhoknit.com this morning...  We started the weekend off bright and early with a little trip to Warner Brothers in Burbank, CA - After a few minutes of standing in line, we quickly realized all the amazing furniture had been sold the 2 days before (when it was employees only) - so we dove into a sound stage and dug through clothing, light fixtures, random photos, frames, etc. and found a few good things. total spent: $16 - for a fun morning and the opportunity to wander the Warner Bros. lot! We want to go back for a tour - to see more about the making movies business - it's fun and complicated and interesting!!!  After our shopping, we went to the famous Bob's Big Boy - it is around the corner, always hopping and even has a drive in area that they still use a few nights a week. We stuffed ourselves with breakfast (I had regular french toast although they do offer a "deep fried" version!) - then went to Santa Clarita to visit my friend Belle who had a booth at a local fair - After that, we were a bit tired... went home to nap, recoup, and regroup. I went out to the cup exhibit in Tujunga, CA - that evening... oh - I can't have a fun weekend without including ceramics, right?  The McGroarty Arts Center had an opening night of it's 6th Annual Exhibition and Benefit, "All Cups" which my friend Melody Cooper was in... as well as some other buddies, including Jim Heuston! I suggest if you have time and are in the area that you visit the show - it's free and open to the public, running for 2 weeks...   Melody's cups are amazing - she made 4 of them for the show - which all sold in a few hours... they were the same "boxes" she ususally makes, heavily textured, with little beads and even a ceramic teapot hanging from the top ledge - the cup lifted off the stand, then the lid of the box lifts up to reveal the interior... there was a little drawer in each one... they're just insane. she was so fun to walk around with and view this art... it made me want to get back in the ceramics studio and make cups!  Then I saw these cups by Cheryl Hoyt - yes, she draws and paints these portraits by HAND - I was in awe - such detail and so beautiful - she did 5 or 6 of them... I bought the "Democrats" cup - it's so gorgeous I couldn't stop myself - the execution of line on a ceramic piece like this I have yet to see done by hand... by HAND! - wow. I hope she can come to our studio and teach a workshop....  The weekend wouldn't be complete without some knitting - I spent the evening on Sunday scanning photos of my millenium trip to Paris - and making and adding to the Forest Canopy Wrap - it's miles from being done, but I learned that sitting in the office, tinkering with scans or playing on facebook online is a good way to help make this piece progress... knitting and crocheting bits, tossing them in a bowl, then from time to time picking a few out of the bowl and adding it to the work - it's growing (slowly) - I want my crochet abilities to increase... and need to take a class or two so that I can get more textures in it... but it's getting there :) I also want to find the "right" button for this piece... I have an idea ;) stay tuned!  Most of you know about the blanket - I wrote about it HERE when I first started to talk about the idea of making a blanket for him - the response was overwhelming - people posted on their blogs, printed flyers, shared the news by word of mouth to their local knitting family. It's difficult to accept the challenges Cancer has brought to our lives - I lost my father to Cancer - a coworker's mother is currently facing the battle... friends from all over spoke of their triumphs and tragedies relating to the disease - and all the while, we all wanted to do something for our friend, Jason, who is in his early thirties and has been told by his Doctors chances are he has less than the summer to complete his short life. We all are frustrated into action by this news - not knowing what to do, I made the decision to ask everyone to do what we do best... knit!  We carefully laid out each square - attempting to place them in an order that offered no defined pattern - paying close attention to the colors - trying not to put the same color next to itself - and not to put a similarly textured or patterned item near another... it took an hour or two of arranging but once it was finalized, the rows were stacked (1-9) and the squares in each row were joined - one by one - to each other - I did this with the help of Doug Laughlin (of West Hollywood, CA) and Ivar Asplund (visiting from Sweeden) - over the weekend we got most of the pieces assembled, then they took the blanket home to finish assembly, and create the crocheted border. I washed, blocked, and photographed the blanket and it will be mailed, Federal Express to Holland tomorrow morning - to hopefully arrive at Jason's door on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. According to Jonathan, Jason's family is scheduled to arrive at the same time, and while I know there is a lot to think about, with any luck, there will be some time for everyone to read our cards and admire the hard work and love that has been poured into this project. maybe they'll all take turns reading the cards and letters aloud to Jason - letting him just hear the love that's coming at him and his family from all over the world... Again - the idea that everyone just banded together to help is what makes me the most proud - not that we were able to do it, but that we all dove in, head first - selflessly creating beautiful pieces - trying out new techniques, ripping out and re-doing - making the best squares we could to contribute to this offering of love. It's there too - the love... the blanket just glows with the care and compassion we all have for not only Jason, but for everyone fighting their battles... I think we helped open avenues of communication for some knitters as well... and I know a few who are either fighting their own fights or supporting others who are... felt this was a good way to focus the love... Keep tuned for more blankets - remember, you gave more than we could use for one blanket - so the next one(s) will be made smaller, and I'm looking for organizations to donate to or sell to benefit for... If you know of somewhere - a Cancer charity... or center that needs the money - an organization that has an annual auction or benefit... get in touch with me. And if you have a loved one who you have lost to Cancer and wish to add their name to the comments, it'd be an honor to think of them as well while creating the next series of throws... I'm starting the list off with the memory of my father, William Franklin Kunnecke - who I lost to cancer just a few years ago - I know he would be proud of this blanket and to know that his son was able to organize what I believe is the first blanket knitted almost entirely by male knitters from around the world (with a few amazing women tossed in for good measure!) I'll close this post with images from the creation/assembly of this blanket - I hope that the idea catches on and we all can use our craft to help comfort others - I will continue to make blankets like these - if you'd like to help by contributing more squares, please email me- and again, thank you for being an example to the world - showing that love and compassion still exist. -Kyle ...and now a word from our sponsors! 05/26/2009
Most of the attendees of the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat are still reeling with emotion from the amazing event we were lucky enough to attend. It must be said, though, that without the generous support of the sponsors who helped make it possible it wouldn't have been the same. I invite you to download the attached file and take a moment to visit each of these vendors - they all offer amazing and unique products - and when you buy from them, please mention that you do so because of their support of the Men's Knitting Retreat! 
 Attendees of the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat, 2009 - Easton Mountain, NY As far as knitting goes, I have been working like a madman on my Men's Knitting Retreat Sock! (yes, we have our own sock pattern!) - beautifully designed from one of our supporters Marlowe Crawford (Marlowec on Ravlery) - the pattern should be available for purchase after the fall retreat. I'm almost done with the first sock... see?? I really like the way the pattern moves across the foot... and this yarn? you love this yarn? well, it's from one of our sponsors....and the yarn is called Fibernatura Yummy! - the needles were a gift from Joe (one of the organizers) and the main stitch marker was a gift from another attendee.... and believe it or not, I am enjoying the proces  Men's Spring Knitting Retreat 2009 Recap 05/18/2009
 We are a family - chosen - joined by our craft - united by our goals and supported by the creativity, enthusiasm and honesty of our brothers. Through our adventures, we learn, grow, and share our experiences with our communities, emphasizing the impact a few guys who knit have on the world. Where do I begin? I'm home - safe and sound - relishing in the afterglow of another amazing visit with my family of knitters (this time at Easton Mountain) -- Organized by Joe and Ted, Men's Knitting Retreats have been going on now for 2 years - I didn't go to the very first one, which was held in this same space... but this year I was lucky enough to be able to go. (I decided to just link to a slideshow of my photos at the end of this post - so for those of you wanting photos... that's where they are!) What can I tell you? The moment we were picked up by Dave from Easton Mountain, we knew we were in for a treat - first we went to an amazing cafe - I think it was indian food - and while I don't remember the name, they made some really great bread! This is where I saw Ted (I knew him from the MFKR'08) and met Joe and a bunch of other really fun guys... we took a slight detour to a yarnshop (in the rain!) and it was refreshing to actually feel rain. After our short visit there, we went to The Ice Cream Man - and had one of what would be many treats from this yummy place... Settling in at Easton Mountain, we found our rooms, and I was lucky to room with Chuck, John and Vince... we had 2 bunks each and the place was comfy... Chuck and John both handed me squares for Jason's blanket (see my last posting to find out more about it) - and by the end of the retreat, I had almost 30 squares from the guys - the response has been overwhelming - and I'll write about that soon -- as a sidenote, I need to receive your squares by May 30th- email me if you need to know anything else...thanks! (back to our regularly scheduled posting:) The food was really good - a bit more organic than I usually eat (people who know me know that I love Taco Bell!) - one night they served "Moroccan Tomato Soup" - I thought that the chef said "Rock & Tomato Soup!" - I told him that I could be supportive of the organic food and everything, but when they start putting rocks in the food I have to draw the line! eek... (the soup was spicy and tasty) - Meeting the boys (my brothers!) was great - I saw lots of friends I had been missing since the fall retreat at Point Bonita - including Kenny, Stephen and Ted... and got to meet some of the people I know online - including Chris, Ted and Peter! There were 42 guys there so naming them would take a while... but every single one of them (seriously, every one!) was so fun, funny, charming, smart, witty, coy, entertaining, enthusiatic, supportive and nutty! We spent the days learning at workshops and took two field trips - one to visit the Alpacas of Easton - where Kate (our hostess) shared a brief and interesting explanation about the biology behind breeding alpaca... she did a demonstration on dyeing yarn using cake dyes, then we visited some of her flock (including "Mischeif") and then went to her shop... where we bought some yarn... had home made cookies and pink lemonade and met her 3 week old son!! (wait a minute... she just had a baby 3 weeks ago and she's this amazing and energetic?!?! We were impressed and honored by her hospitality!!! We also went to another fiber farm and toured the owner's 18th century barn filled with looms, weaving and knitting yarns, and books! She was really fun as well - we got to see her angora rabbits, ducks and chickens and even a few barn cats! My favorite part of this trip, though, was the 15' tall lilac bush next to one of her barns! - the scent was overwhelming and brought me back to spring as a young boy - and for some reason it really made me think of my Grandmother... Anyway, we got a LOT of knitting done - I finished the back of a sweater... and helped Joe a little with the assembly of the blanket we made for Easton Mountian. It didn't get quite finished, but it will be done soon... 3 needle bind off and crocheted edging (photos will be posted!) There is so much to say... and the more I type the more I think of to talk about... favorite parts? the little visits and conversations between friends - learning about these men I have known online for years... sitting under the tent in the rain midnight with Jason and Chuck - listening to the rain fall and talking about whatever we talked about... Enjoying the moment in time... And now I just look forward to next year - to another visit with my pals - to the long plane flight full of knitting time (even layovers are welcomed when you're a knitter!) and getting to once again give every one of them a big hug! If you can go, or are at all interested, be sure to go to the website and let them know... chances are the attendance will be limited to around the same 40 +/- and 21 of the 42 that attended this year were at the first year... THANK YOU to Joe and Ted and everyone at Easton Mountain... to all the guys at the retreat who made it an amazing experience -- and to my sweet partner for taking care of my animals while I was gone and for letting me go.... it's experiences like the ones I had at Easton Mountain that make me proud to be a knitter... |     ArchivesFebruary 2010  CategoriesAll  | ||||||
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