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!

Want me to teach you to knit? Come to the Hot Pink Party!

I'm doing some teaching for charity next month - The Glamour Gals Foundation, an organization that works to foster relationships between teen girls and elderly women living in senior homes, is having a Hot Pink Party! For a $25-$35 donation you get yarn, needles, and a beginning knitting or crochet lesson - a seriously sweet deal. I'm not sure why, but you've gotta be 21 or older for this event.

It'll be Friday, April 24 from 6:15 to 8:30 at 15 Central Park West in NYC. Register here. Sign up soon if you're interested - tickets are going fast!

Oh, and here's some pink to inspire you:

What's Wrong With This Picture?

I saw one of these LOOK posters on a bus stop on my lunchbreak today, and finally thought I had to comment on it -

If you're squinting at the text, here's what it says:

"Avoiding a crash comes down to one simple action: Look. Last year over 3,000 cyclists were struck by motorists. To find out how you can make New York a safer place to ride, go to looknyc.org."

Okay, so I'm pretty obviously in favor of the sentiment of this ad, and NYC's new Department of Transportation has been doing seriously wonderful things lately. But take a closer look at the picture. What happens to the bike lane after the intersection? It disappears! How New York! And what's the car doing? Why, it's making an illegal left turn against traffic onto Lafayette, course. So what's the implicit message of the ad? "Hey drivers, when you're doing something stupid and illegal, be sure to watch out for cyclists"? Or is it, "Hey cyclists, be careful out there, 'cause drivers do some really dumb stuff sometimes"? Hrmph.

P.S. I'm a huge fan of jaywalkers, and I'm glad this ad features one.