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Arline Fisch at the Museum of Craft and Design

6/9/2013

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Yesterday I spent the day at the Museum of Craft and Design in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco, assisting Arline Fisch in her workshop that provided participants the opportunity to knit and crochet with wire.

I met up with the Museum staff a few minutes before class began and, along with Laurel, another volunteer, had a crash course on the projects we were making.  The workshop (and the speaker series event on Friday night) were arranged to compliment the current exhibit: Creatures from the Deep, which displays a beautiful collection of sea creatures crafted from wire. 

The class was sold out, with folks even flying in just for the workshop.  Yes, Arline is THAT well known; her work is even in the collection of the Smithsonian.  Others talked about week-long retreats they had attended led by this artist decades ago.  Students brought in copies of her books and asked for autographs.  It seems most (if not all) of the books are out of print now.  I looked through a few of them and was overwhelmed with the creativity and inspiration they contained.  For those interested in jewelry or metal arts, I'd suggest getting one (or many) of her books as budget allows.

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As the workshop progressed, we circulated, offering help with projects.  For this workshop, students were first able to make a little jellyfish, then a bracelet using special wire and a round knitting loom.  The process of using the loom was pretty easy, and working with the wire was surprisingly fun! 

As we worked, Arline related the workshop to the exhibit, explaining how she used the same technique for many of the pieces in the show.... even explaining how she had custom rings made for projects of varied scale.

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Arline was generous with her time, even staying during the lunch break to answer questions about the workshop or projects that students were working on.  I was pleased to hear how everyone had a great time at the workshop, and it was a joy to watch this woman who has spent much of her life devoted to the art she loves, enjoying the experience as much as her students!

The participants came from varied backgrounds - social workers, engineers, social workers, landscape architects and gardeners - and it was really neat to watch them work as they were gathered by this common interest.
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At the end of the day, students filled out a survey for feedback about the workshop, gathered their new creations, and headed out into the beautiful Saturday afternoon.  We cleaned up the room, folded up our aprons, and got ready to go.  Arline gave me this sweet little jellyfish that she had created as thanks for helping out with the workshop.  She gave Laurel a knitted bracelet.  I was giddy with excitement to have a work made by this legend and asked to take a photo with her.  
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Leaving the Museum, I realized how important craft is to my life, and I look forward to being a part of their workshops in the future!

Current Knitting

I'm working on a swatch for a design proposal at the moment.  It's taking a bit of my time away from progressing on things that I can talk about on the blog.  I'm happy with how it looks and (some day!) I hope to share it with you!

Current Spinning

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After a fun day working with Arline, I came home to a little gift!  John remembered how I had wanted the "Space Needle" drop spindle by Cascade Spindles when we were at Madrona  last year, and ordered one for me.  So... last night, after having a beautiful dinner outside, I gathered up an art batt made of wool, alpaca, llama, firestar, angora, mohair, AND silk/soy silk from Lush Fiber Farm and started practicing on my new beautiful drop spindle.

The first time I tried working with a drop spindle I didn't like it because it took a long time.  Last night when I was experimenting with it, I realized that using a drop spindle means I can take spinning with me! - (yes, I know, that portability is one of the major reasons for using a drop spindle... I just had never thought I might want to take my spinning WITH me!)

What fun.  (now I can start hunting for other drop spindles to add to the collection!)

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FIBER BEAT Issue #19: featuring Deborah Corsini & Kyle Kunnecke

6/4/2011

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I'm honored to be a guest on the latest issue of Fiber Beat!  Having the opportunity to share my love of knitting with the listeners on Michael's podcast means a lot to me; I hope that the interviews he did with me and Deborah Corsini; the curator at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles will pique your interest to learn more about knitting as art and, if you're in the San Jose area, visit the exhibits and, if interested, take one of the workshops I'm offering. 

To hear the podcast, click on the image:
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Be sure to subscribe to Fiber Beat; you never know who will be interviewed next!  The podcast is professionally produced, concise, entertaining, informative and inspiring! Fiber Beat has interviewed such fiber celebrities as Kaffe Fassett, Anna Zilboorg, and Franklin Habit, among others!  If you have yet to discover this great program, my suggestion would be to listen to each and every episode!
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Like what you're reading?  Click the "like" button for twitter or facebook below to share this post with your friends!  Have a question for me?  Please send an EMAIL. 
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Kyle teaching at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

4/29/2011

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Save the Date: June 26, 2011!!

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In addition to other fun projects soon to be announced, I will be teaching two workshops at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.  First, a basic "Learn to Knit" class that will introduce anyone who has an interest in knitting but has never learned, and second, a more advanced "Banded Hats" workshop that will teach knitting in the round, fair isle and "jogless" stripes while creating a Navajo-inspired hat using Churro wool made by the Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.  If you live in the San Jose or San Francisco areas, and are interested in taking a class, visit the museum's website and register.  Following are the details of the workshops and the corresponding exhibits.  For my knitting friends, Primary Structures will certainly be a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand knitting as art.  Click the link below for the exhibit postcard:

Primary Structures Banded Blankets Postcard
File Size: 1738 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
520 South First Street
San Jose, California 95113

Phone: 408.971.0323
Fax: 408.971.7226


Learn to Knit with Kyle Kunnecke

June 26, Sunday
10am – 12pm
(Plus one hour additional free knit & gallery walk through with exhibition curator)
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Learn to knit! Beginners will learn how to cast-on, bind-off, knit, purl, and read a basic pattern while making a cotton washcloth or sampler. Workshop will cover basic concepts, common mistakes, and some of the pattern variations possible using just these techniques. This is a great introduction to the world of knitting and will introduce you to the basic skills necessary so that you can continue with projects on your own. You will leave with a better understanding of the craft, along with a "learn to knit" scarf pattern that will allow you to further practice. No experience required! Knitting materials are included; all you have to do is show up! The instructor will be available for students who have additional questions or need further assistance for a one hour "free knit" after the workshop. Come knit with us!

Skill Prerequisite - none
$55 – workshop fee includes needles and yarn
$45 members
Needles and yarn generously provided by Skacel.
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Banded Hats with Churro Wool taught by Kyle Kunnecke

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June 26, Sunday
2pm – 5pm
Knit a hat inspired by the work of the Black Mesa Weavers using beautiful handspun Navajo Churro wool. In this 3 hour workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn the Fair Isle technique, as well as how to create "jogless" stripes in the round on double-point needles. Students should already have basic knitting skills, including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing. Supplies, including Churro yarn from Black Mesa Weavers, and double-point knitting needles from Skacel, Inc. are provided. Reference materials will be provided with the course. You will leave well on your way to completing a hand knit hat that connects your passion for knitting at the Museum with the Navajo shepherds. A portion of proceeds from this workshop benefit Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.

Skill Prerequisite: Basic knitting skills including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing.
$80 for class
$70 members
Needles generously provided by Skacel.
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Click the link below to read the press release for this exhibit detailing all the related workshops:
primarystructures_release_april11.pdf
File Size: 1071 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Primary Structures
May 17 - August 7, 2011

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Primary Structures will explore how innovative artists using simple linear elements in combination with unconventional materials can broaden our understanding of the familiar by transforming the stitch structures of knit and crochet into large scale and compelling art. With work ranging from the architectural to graphic abstractions, from pioneers and established artists as well as contemporary emerging artists, the upcoming exhibit continues to showcase the emergence of sculptural art knitting as a 21st century medium of imaginative and cutting edge artistic innovation.

Exhibit Co-sponsors: Lion Brand Yarn, The Indian Store, San Diego North Coast Knitters Guild, Stitch Diva Studios, The Knitting Room with in-kind donations from Skacel Collection, Inc., Crystal Palace Yarns

Southwestern Banded Blankets: Three Cultures, One Horizon
from the collection of Jean and Roger Moss
May 17 - August 7, 2011

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This is a unique exhibit and the first of its type to focus exclusively on banded blankets. These utilitarian and simply striped blankets showcase the rich cultural tradition of the Pueblo, the Navajo, and the Spanish Colonial Rio Grande blankets of the “Four Corners” area of the American Southwest. United by common elements of stripes and indigo coloration these blankets are elegant in their design composition, sophisticated balance and amazing variety.

Collector Roger Moss said, “When my wife Jean and I started collecting banded blankets it was because we admired this marriage of utility and beauty and because their virtues had been long overlooked.” Curator Deborah Corsini added, “The understated simplicity of the stripes is a powerful contrast to the visual graphic intensity that resonates with kinetic movement.” Southwestern Banded Blankets provides a special opportunity to examine the austere beauty and subtle variations of three traditions of these rare, well used textiles. A catalog of the exhibition will be available.

Supported by a grant from the Christensen Fund.
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© 2006-2025 Kyle William. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Patterns
    • Women
    • Men
    • Gloves & Mittens
    • Shawls & Wraps
    • Hats
    • Cowls & Scarves
    • For the Home >
      • Abbreviations
  • Support
    • Errata
    • Needle and Hook Sizes
  • Techniques
    • Swatching
    • Cast On Techniques
    • Bind Off Techniques
    • Locked Floats
    • Tips & Tricks
  • Classes | Events
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Shop
  • Contact