Nicky Epstein at Lion Brand Studio

One of my knit-heroes, Nicky Epstein (she of Knitting On, Over, and Beyond the Edge fame) will be at the Lion Brand Studio on 15th Street in Manhattan on Friday, December 3 to talk about her latest book, Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch. She's super popular and space is limited, so head on over to the Lion Brand blog to RSVP.

Noro Book Launch at the Brooklyn Public Library

Cornelia Hamilton will be at the Brooklyn Public Library this Friday, November 20 for a talk, signing, and trunk show celebrating the launch of Noro: The Man Behind the Legendary Yarn

NORO offers an inside look into the makings of this bestselling brand of yarn and insight into its enigmatic creator, along with 40 stunning projects to knit and wear. From colorful hats, scarves and bags to cardigans, pullovers and throws, each design utilizes the unique properties of Noro yarns to create a one-of-a-kind fashion statement!

This book apparently re-publishes patterns that were already available in pamphlet form, so if you already have everything Noro's published, you've already got most of the book, but if you're new to Noro pattern books, this is a great introduction. Either way it'll be worth it for the trunk show. Hope to see you there!

Friday, November 20, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30PM

Dweck Auditorium, Central Library

Brooklyn Public Library

10 Grand Army Plaza

718.230.2100

Mister DeMille, I'm Ready for my Close Up

Hi everyone - I just put a new cap design up in the pattern shop. It's called Gloria since it's inspired by the turban look of uber-vampy silent movie actress Gloria Swanson.


Thanks again to my mom for modeling this one! (That's my mum in front of the mums). You're on the home-page!

Rhinebeck Ho!

I'm psyched to head up to Rhinebeck tomorrow for the Sheep and Wool Festival! It looks like it'll be a rainy weekend - oh, to sip some cocoa and savor that wet wool smell! I'll be heading up as part of a two-bus caravan organized by the inimitable Archie of the Park Slope Knitting Circle. I'll be wandering around with a red pompom hat on and my MoltingYeti Ravelry pin, with a knitted squid somewhere on my person. Say hi if you see me!

Knitted Cephalopod and Bug Armada

Hi everyone - I'm thrilled to let you know that my Octopus, Squid, Kraken, Inchworm, and Pillbug knitting patterns are now available at String Yarns in NYC! I did shop samples in Koigu Kersti, which is a fabulous worsted weight multi-colored yarn. So gorgeous! So soft! Such brightly colored little critters! But I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

If you work in a yarn shop and would like to sell these patterns, I'd love to hear from you. Or if you'd like to see them at your favorite yarn shop, ask them to get in touch!

Beautiful Mirabilis-es

One of the funnest parts of knit designing is seeing how much fun everyone is having with your patterns. Check out a few of these gorgeous Mirabilis-es!

First up: Oiyi. She was one of my test-knitters back in December. She's an awesome and thorough tester, I absolutely love her work, and her photography is gorgeous! Her post shows the full evolution of the blanket, too.

Images by Oiyi - full post here

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Gold

Next, a bold red Mirabilis by Tawana - Tawana's a member of my Stitch 'n Bitch, and often brings her daughter KJ. KJ is just about the sweetest toddler ever. This was a total thrill for me - it's one of the first times I'd seen one of my designs all knit up in person, and in use as a stroller blanket, too!

Images by Tawana - full post here

Yarn - Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Bold Red

And last, here's Vanessa's. Vanessa runs the online yarn shop The Fiber Fix. The Madelinetosh Worsted she used for this blanket is downright dreamy.

Images by Vanessa - Ravelry project page here. Check out her shop here.
Yarn: Madeline Tosh Worsted in Cherry

You can see more Mirabilis-es in progress here on Ravelry:


And the pattern is available here in the Molting Yeti pattern shop:

World Wide Knit in Public Day is June 13!

Join us as we knit with thousands of other knitters around the world on the same day!

World Wide Knit in Public Day
Saturday, June 13, 2009
10am - 1pm
Brooklyn Public Library - Central Library
10 Grand Army Plaza

• Learn to knit
• Book Raffles
• Charity Knitting
• The Knit Doctor
• Storytime for Children
• Spinnng Demonstrations

Bring: Your project and a smile!

Non-knitters welcome - we will teach you how.

Nowhere near Brooklyn? Find a World Wide Knit In Public Day event near you here.

A Big Hat Book and an Australian Pole Cosy

Autogyro from Knitty (by me)

Hey - re-posting a couple calls for entries here for anyone who's interested.

The brilliant and talented Annie Modesitt is putting together a picture-book of 1000 knitted hats. All knitted hats are welcome, and there are prizes for original designs. Get the skinny here.

Photos by Jake Dobkin in Gothamist

And if the 9th Street Fence outside ps122 or the yarnbombed parking meters of Montague Street in Brooklyn got you all excited, grrl+dog is organizing a massive stitch-up of the columns outside the National Gallery of Australia. Complimentary hand-made bling for all who participate. Find out how to play along here.

Knit the Golden Spiral at PS122 - Stitch 'n Bitch to follow

Want your own spiral to love?

As part of the Yarn Theory exhibit at the PS122 Gallery, I'm hosting a free workshop on knitting the golden spiral. It's the same form used in the piece I made for the show and (if you've been tuned in to my work for a while) the top half of the "Seuss-y" Christmas Tree.

Knit the Golden Spiral with Daniel Yuhas
Saturday, May 9
Noon to 2 p.m.
PS122 Gallery - 150 First Avenue (corner of 1st avenue and 9th Street), NYC

Come learn to knit a three dimensional Golden Spiral. Spirals like these occur all over the place in nature, from the nerves in our eyes to the shape of our galaxy, not to mention seashells. There's all kinds of math going on here - the golden section and Fibonacci numbers and the greek letter phi, but in practice it's a simple, intuitive, and meditative pattern to follow.

Students should have some experience knitting in the round.

Bring your favorite yarn and a set of double-pointed or circular knitting needles a few sizes smaller than the yarn package recommends.

... immediately followed by:

Yarn Theory Stitch 'n Bitch
Saturday, May 9
2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
PS122 Gallery - 150 First Avenue (corner of 1st avenue and 9th Street), NYC

Come check out the show, and meet your fiber-y friends or make new connections. Come as you are, and bring whatever you’re working on to show and tell. Everybody’s also welcome to contribute to the ongoing yarn-bombing of the Ninth Street fence that’s taking place as part of the show. Snacks and coffee graciously provided by PS122.

Picture from an Exhibition

The Yarn Theory opening last weekend was wonderful. Thanks again to all who came out!

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.

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

Lace-y and Loop-y in Blue Bamboo

Just a quick note to let y'all know that I've added the Lace and Loop Scarf that's published in the Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar to the Molting Yeti shop!

This complex scarf breaks the barrier from fancy into fabulous. Gravity-defying loops of I-cord wrap the neck, while a spreading bell of simple lace dangles below. It's as fun to wear as it is to make!

While you're over at the shop, check out the other site updates - an errata page (overdue, but hey), and a way-updated "about" page, complete with the most beautiful yeti drawing ever. Don't believe me? Here it is!:

Thanks again to the deliciously talented Maria Sputnik, who drew it!

The Starfish is on Knithacker

I was scrolling through my blog reader last week and saw my own work go by, which was a suprise and a thrill. My starfish design got featured in Knithacker!

If you haven't seen it yet, Knithacker is a really great resource, scanning the interwebs for innovative, funky knits of all kinds - today Fuzzyjay's entrelac baby shape is on the home page. If you think I do mathy stuff, check this out! It's entrelac, which means this was made all in one piece without breaking the yarn:

Baby Shape by Fuzzyjay

Wow!

Helix aka the Pine Cone Blanket

A gorgeous and sophisticated addition to the Molting Yeti pattern shop, meet Helix, aka the pine cone blanket.

This beautiful, substantial, sophisticated blanket mimics the natural spiral pattern found on sunflower heads and pine cones. Two sets of spirals emerge from the center, intersecting as they grow. Simple pinwheel construction with no piecing or seaming make this a quick and enjoyable knit.

This blanket was featured at the juried Mathematical Fiber Arts Exhibition at the 2009 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Washington, DC (it spirals in two directions - what's not for a mathematician to love?). But don't fret - there's some fussy counting in the beginning as the pattern establishes itself, but it's smooth sailing after that!

Gigantimon Site Update, and Look out Pittsburgh, Here I Come!

I've been working like crazy over the last couple months preparing for the next big step in my knit-designing career - selling wholesale to yarn shops. I've updated all of my patterns with a simplified, professional, and consistent look, and with some downright gleeful formatting. My designs are all about having a gigantic sense of fun - I try to make objects that are fun to wear and fun to play with, and write patterns that are fun to make and even fun to read. Oh, and beautiful, too! I hope you'll agree.


Thanks yet again to my amazing crew of test knitters for helping make this magic happen! I couldn't have done it without you!

Full-color printed patterns on fancy glossy paper are now available in the shop, and at wholesale rates to yarn shops - If you'd like your local yarn shop to sell Molting Yeti patterns, don't hesitate to get in touch!

I also put together a help page with links to tutorials on all of the trickier moves used in my patterns. I hope people will find it useful!

...And, if any of you are in the Pittsburgh area this weekend, be sure to find me at the Fifth Annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Show! It promises to be an awesome time, with vendors galore and some really awesome classes. You can't miss me - I'll be the guy in the boa!

Pillbugs for the Popcorn School

Hey folks - if you've been itching to get your hands on a MoltingYeti original and you live anywhere near Flatbush, Brooklyn, here's your chance! I'm donating one of my sample Doodlebugs (aka pillbug, roly-poly, woodlouse, armadillidiidae or the only known terrestrial crustacean) to the silent auction at my godson Silas's pre-school.

The party promises to be tons of fun too - There will be yummy food and dancing, lots of dessert, and auction items galore, all for one of the coolest pre-schools ever.

Next Saturday, January 31 @ 7:00
The basement of the Dutch Reformed Church
Kenmore Terrace and East 21st Street
(near the intersection of Flatbush and Church)
Brooklyn, NY
$15 cover includes dinner & dancing - all proceeds go to the Popcorn School.
It's a benefit for kids, but this party is for grown-ups.

Hope to see some of you there!

Knitting, Graffiti, No Pants, and... Oatmeal?

What a strange world it is ...

At our last Stitch 'n' Bitch, Barbara and Renee shared the most hilarious stories of running into pants-less people on public transportation over the weekend. Renee's description of interceding with a cop who was hassling a pants-less fellow was particularly awesome. Something like: "She said 'hey, put some pants on' and he said no and she said 'so why don't you go where you're going, and then take off your pants?' And I said 'hey look he's got a constitutional right not to wear pants! It's his free expression and it's not like he's exposing himself or anything!' And then she moved along to someone else and tried to get them to put their pants on." Why all this public pantslessness? It was, of course, No Pants Day.

Of course? If, like me, you missed out on the fun, here's a ravelry thread and here's a youtube video:

Note the pantsless subway knitter about a minute in!

After we'd pretty much said all we could about No Pants Day, the conversation turned to the knitting-as-performance-art that's going on right now at the Time Warner Center (the big shiny shopping mall at Columbus Circle). A bunch of knitters are covering parts of the mall with knit-fiti a la Knitta or Denise Litchfield (pictured below from a Sydney Morning Herald article my friend Jemima just sent me).

The reason for tagging the mall with knitting: Jamba Juice. It'll be Jamba Juice sponsored knit-fiti in Jamba Juice colors, as a big celebration of ... oatmeal. Knitting ... graffiti ... as performance art ... for the man? It's all going on today until 9:00. Check it out if you can.