Sneak Peek - Yarn Theory

Here's a peek at the piece I'm working on for the Yarn Theory show at the PS122 Gallery. I'm thrilled to be showing my work along-side such a talented bunch of artists, crafters, and mathematicians.

Yarn Theory: Knitting, Crochet, Math, and Science

Curated by Martha Lewis

Ted Ashton, Emily Barletta, Sarah-Marie Belcastro, Nancy Cohen, Rita Cohen, and Anschel Schaffer-Cohen, Christine Domanic, Kate Fenker, Amanda Gale, Miyuki Kawamura, Martha Lewis, Margaret Oomen, Gail Rothschild, Daina Taimina, Daniel Yuhas

With Robyn Love's The Knitted Mile
and the 9th Street Fence organized by Karen Eubel.

RECEPTION: April 25, 5 – 7pm
150 First Avenue
(Entrance on 9th Street between First Ave. and Ave. A.)
New York, NY

I hope to see some of you there.

Book Review - Ethnic Knitting Exploration

Donna Druchunas's whirlwhind Blog Book Tour is stopping here today. Here's a peek inside her latest book, Ethnic Knitting Exploration.


Focusing on the fiber traditions of Lithuania, Iceland and Ireland, you'll find here designs drawing on each country's traditions - beautiful Lithuanian colorwork motifs, Icelandic yoked sweaters, and Irish Aran cabling. The book provides a plan for a sweater drawing on each country's traditions, as well as simpler items like fingerless gloves, a capelet, and a poncho.

Donna takes an unusual approach in writing this book - rather than a photo-heavy book with a bunch of projects and line-by-line instructions telling the reader how to make what they see, all delivered in our special knitter's shorthand, each pattern is given three different ways - using a visual plan, using planning worksheets, or as a step-by-step project sheet.

This unique approach is great in a lot of ways - for starters, every pattern starts by measuring the wearer or her favorite garment, giving knitters all the tools they need to guarantee a perfect fit. You simply measure and plug the numbers you've gathered into one of the worksheets (or a combination of multiple worksheets) and off you go!

Don't let the simplicity of the line-art illustrations fool you - complicated moves are explained here in great detail - everything from cables to steeking, with a wealth of tips and tricks.
Instead of a "do what I do" approach, this is a much more useful, engaging way of putting a project together. Each project is geared towards helping you make the perfect garment for you. Say you've got the yarn in your stash - You know it wants to become a classic european sweater... you can almost see it if you squint your eyes... but how to do it? ... Donna's written a great book that will walk you through it and get you there.

Calling all Yarnbombers - PS122 Needs You!

As part of the upcoming Yarn Theory exhibit at the PS122 Gallery in New York City's East Village, we're inviting knitters and crocheters of all stripes to tag the big old wrought-iron fence that rings the building with knitted or crocheted "knit-fiti". The building has been scaffolding-ed up for years, and it needs people like you to pretty it up. Please join us in festooning PS122 with yarn!

The fence-decorating has already begun... we hope to have a lot more done before the show opens on April 25. All are welcome to participate any time between now and May 17, when the show closes. If you'd like to join the fun, please contact organizer Karen Eubel, keubel(at)hotmail.com, or Daniel Yuhas, daniel.yuhas(at)gmail.com.

Yarn has been graciously donated by Lion Brand for this project - thanks again to Lion for their generous support!

Wouldn't I look prettier in my new fence-cosy?

Join us at the Pittsburgh Knit-Treat this Fall!

Since Spring is finally almost upon us, it's time to think about Fall!
I'll be teaching the Oh Christmas Trees pattern November 5-8, 2009 at the KnitTreat at the Summit Inn in beautiful Laurel Highlands, PA. It promises to be a wonderful time ... a relaxing weekend of knitting with your fiber-y friends at a fabulous resort with panoramic views of gorgeous fall colors ... what could be better?

I'm honored to be a part of this year's teacher lineup along with Candace Eisner Strick, Kathy Zimmerman, Nancy Premoshis and Barbara Grossman.

Candace Eisner Strick's class on Strickmuster, the Beautiful Twisted Stitch (samples below) looks pretty tantalizing, too, I must say!

Click here for registration - there's an early bird special through April 2oth. I hope to see some of you there!

Yarn Theory

I'm thrilled to let you know that I'll have work appearing in a show at the PS122 Gallery this April-May! I'm making something new just for the show and it's coming out gorgeous!

Yarn Theory
April 25-May17, 2009
PS122 Gallery
150 First Avenue, New York, NY 10009 (map)
Opening Reception Saturday, April 25 from 5 to 7
Gallery Hours: Thursday through Sunday, Noon to 6pm

Yarn Theory highlights the vibrant and deep interrelationship between the sciences, mathematics, crocheting and knitting. From mathematicians looking for clear and visual ways to model their theorem to home-knitters and artists looking to create unique sculptural objects, the world of contemporary yarn work is rife with cross-pollination between the disciplines. The explosion in the popularity of knitting and crochet has yielded an interest in using the medium to go far beyond sweaters, socks, and wearable items into the worlds of geometry, biology, natural sciences, and to push the medium’s sculptural boundaries.

Highlighting the work of some of today’s most interesting practitioners, Yarn Theory juxtaposes installations and art objects made with a scientific or mathematical basis as a starting point, and with mathematical models and items made explicitly to explain or clarify abstract concepts, which end up being compelling aesthetic forms unto themselves. Because of their incremental structure, the crafted shapes often mimic growth systems found in nature. Such correlations are being explored by today’s needle workers, many of whom are also scientists and mathematicians professionally.

The exhibit will include workshops, knitting sessions, yarnbombing, special talks, and even a musical performance! Stay tuned here or to the PS122 Blog for details as they emerge.

Participating artists:

Ted Ashton
Emily Barletta
Sarah-Marie Belcastro
Nancy Cohen, Rita Cohen and Anschel Schaffer-Cohen
Lisa Daehlin
Kate Fenker
Miyuki Kawamura
Martha Lewis
Robyn Love
Margaret Oomen
Gail Rothschild
Daina Taimina
Daniel Yuhas