Marly Bird's Blog, page 180

Marly Bird Poncho Crochet-along Section 2

The Marly Bird Poncho Crochet-along  is sponsored by Red Heart.

That’s right, it’s that time of year for a crochet-along and boy do I have a good one for you. Welcome to Section 2 for the Marly Bird Popular Poncho Crochet-along. (Get Section 1 here)

Once the CAL is complete the full pattern will be available at RedHeart.com

Queue it up and Like the Pattern on Ravelry

Find all the details you need for this pattern on the details page here http://www.marlybird.com/marly-bird-poncho-crochet-along/

eta: many are not looking at the details page for the actual measurements of the poncho so I am adding them to this post for convenience 

Marly Bird Poncho Crochet-along Section 1

The Marly Bird Poncho Crochet-along  is sponsored by Red Heart.

That’s right, it’s that time of year for a crochet-along and boy do I have a good one for you. Welcome to Section 1 for the Marly Bird Popular Poncho Crochet-along.

Once the CAL is complete the full pattern will be available at RedHeart.com

Queue it up and Like the Pattern on Ravelry

Find all the details you need for this pattern on the details page here http://www.marlybird.com/marly-bird-poncho-crochet-along/

eta: many are not looking at the details page for the actual measurements of the poncho so I am adding them to this post for convenience 

Urban Knit Collection by Kyle Kunnecke

Urban Knit Collection by Kyle Kunnecke is the book we’re talking about on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

Kyle Kunnecke is a designer living in San Francisco who just came out with a brand new book, Urban Knit Collection: 18 City-Inspired Knitting Patterns for the Modern Wardrobe. He teaches at events all over the country, including TNNA, Madrona, and Vogue Knitting LIVE, and has patterns out in numerous books and magazines. He’s constantly coming up with something new, and if you’ve seen his work you know he’s crazy about stranded knitting!

LINKS
www.kylewilliam.com
www.urbanknitcollection.com
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/kyle-william
https://www.facebook.com/KyleWilliam/

If you missed hearing this live, you can still hear it as an archived episode where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/09/20/urban-knit-collection-by-kyle-kunnecke or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Marly Bird Poncho Crochet-along

The Marly Bird Poncho Crochet-along  is sponsored by Red Heart.

That’s right, it’s that time of year for a crochet-along and boy do I have a good one for you. Welcome to the details page for the Marly Bird Popular Poncho Crochet-along.

This is a new design of mine that is fun to make, great to learn new things, and totally on trend.

THE PROJECT

A Poncho! Something that is rather simple, intriguing, and popular. The project for this CAL is a rather basic poncho but it packs a lot of punch. There are many learning opportunities for me to teach you while you make the Marly Bird Popular Poncho.

THE DATE

The official start date is September 20, 2016 – October 11, 2016. There will be one video released each week along with the pattern instructions for that section. You will find a full schedule at the end of this post with links as they are available.

THE COMMUNITY

There is a dedicated Facebook group for this CAL that is monitored by me and several of the WONDERFUL sample crocheters who tested this pattern for me. We are all there to help you with this project. Please join us!

THE PATTERN

During the CAL, each section of the pattern will be released at the same time as the corresponding video release. This will help everybody who wants to participate in the crochet-along (CAL) stay at the same pace and subsequently make it easier for me to help!

Once the CAL is complete the full pattern will be available at RedHeart.com

Queue it up and Like the Pattern on Ravelry

THE VIDEOS

As I mentioned, one video will be released each week during the CAL. In these videos, I walk you through making this popular poncho and offer tips and tricks and suggestions to help you crochet this and future projects. Here is a link to the introduction video #1 (coming soon).

You will be able to find all the videos on http://www.YouTube.com/MarlyBird.

THE MATERIALS NEEDED

Suggested Yarn: Red Heart, “Unforgettable” (100% Acrylic; 280 yds/100g): 5 (6) balls for the basic poncho [no neck treatment or edging], and 2 more balls for cowl neck, dramatic cowl neck, or turtleneck, and any fringe. BE SURE TO GET SAME DYE LOT!

Yes, I could say that you need 7 (8) balls of yarn total but because I know some crocheters don’t like a cowl or fringe I wanted you to know how much yarn a basic poncho takes.

Samples were made in 3952 Tealberry, 3960 Tidal, 3943 Stained Glass, 9942 Cappuccino

Use the promo code MARLYCAL20 to get 20% off Unforgettable now through October 3, 2016!

Video Playlist for this Marly Bird Crochet-along 2016 is available here (coming soon)

Hook: 8/H (5mm) or size to obtain gauge

Notions: Bent Tip Yarn Needle, Stitch Markers, Knit Klips (optional), Decorative Buttons (optional)

 

THE MEASUREMENT

Here are the dimensions: each piece is 12.25 x 27 (21.25 x 36)”, wingspan (widest point) when laid flat is 30 (40)”, neck circumference at base of neck is 29.5″ for both sizes, length is 24.75 (34.75)” from the shoulder to bottom point when laid flat,

THE GAUGE

Raised Chevron Panel: 1 stitch pattern repeat is = 2.391 inches

Loopy Chevron Panel: 1 stitch pattern repeat is = 2.857 inches

 

THE MISSION…

…Should you accept it. Gather your materials, join the facebook group and let’s make this fantastic project

The Complete Surprise by Cully Swansen

The Complete Surprise by Cully Swansen proves that the classics taught to us years ago are still pertinent to us on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

Cully Swansen is the grandson of master knitter Elizabeth Zimmermann and son of knitting designer Meg Swansen. Cully writes patterns and edits books for Schoolhouse Press, a business founded by Zimmermann in 1958. His latest work is the book The Complete Surprise—Knitting Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Surprise Jacket. He also wrote the programming for the “EZ Calculator for Surprise Jackets,” an online

product that generates custom-sized row-by-row instructions for Surprise Jackets. Cully teaches at Meg Swansen’s Knitting Camp and has become a go-to guy to answer technical questions at Schoolhouse Press.

Keep up with Cully and his adventures through Schoolhouse Press at their website: SchoolhousePress.com, make sure you sign up for their newsletter (enter your e-mail address at the bottom of any page on their website). They are also on Facebook so we can follow them there.

If you missed getting to hear this episode live you may still listen to the archived episode where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/09/15/the-complete-surprise-by-cully-swansen or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Indie Yarn Dyer Jen Mumme of Fresh From the Cauldron

Indie Yarn Dyer Jen Mumme of Fresh From the Cauldron brings her sense of humor to the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird on her first ever visit to ANY podcast.
 

Jen Mumme says she learned to crochet at about 7 years old. She would visit her grandparents in upstate New York and get bored, spent time with her aunt who had only boys. Her aunt taught her to crochet as a way to keep her entertained. When she was in school to become a teacher, she learned to knit. Another friend introduced her to Ravelry, and she thinks of it as falling down the rabbit-hole, finding all the available resources. Other hobbies she played with fell to the side immediately, she never finished the quilt she was working on. She visited a LYS (local yarn store) and her new passion suddenly seemed VERY expensive. When her husband looked at the materials that she still had from scrapbooking and other projects, she said she had to ask to she look around for a way to make their dollars go further, and off-set the cost.

Playing with wools and various ways of dying them, using Wilton dyes and Kool-Aid, her first attempts with yarns that didn’t take the color were a learning experience. She posted her efforts in Flicker and someone messaged her for a custom order, and then someone suggested Etsy. Eventually she was earning enough to support her own yarn habit.

Out of her love for all things nerdy and geeky, she created yarn colorways based on various ‘fandoms’ or movies, television or books. When she began she was into ‘True Blood’ and would share what she was creating and sharing with others on Ravelry and in her Etsy shop. Even the name of her business Fresh from the Cauldron was in homage to Harry Potter. She looked for ways to share the things she gets excited about without stepping on other businesses similar to hers.

Her husband is works freelance in the film industry (having just wrapped the latest season of ‘Comic Book Men’), she says this makes their entire household a creative and arts related one. When he saw her efforts were becoming enough to support their family, not just her habits, he started looking a how she plays with color a little differently. She says she may be the CEO of Fresh From the Cauldron where he is the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) because of his way with numbers and details.

The wealth of information she’s gathered, like the difference between acid dyes and citrus dyes, the benefits of citric acid and vinegar soaks (which Jen refers to as “sheep douche” and was where we all pretty much lost it), how to clean the kitchen where the dye process has made everything look like the unicorn was very sick, how to deal with the ‘fragrance’ of the process in Florida, picking bases and collaborating with other indie-dyers (in Ravelry see Dreaming Pickle Pot), finding tools like skein winders and the fun of mini skeins, the difference between ‘graduated’ and ‘gradient’ colorways. Currently, she is working on a massive order for The Loopy Ewe, so watch for that.

Jen still finds a little time to knit in the evenings when the family is watching TV, also when at the Dr’s office, or other wait times. Jen Mumme and Fresh From the Cauldron can be followed at her website (Etsy Shop) FreshFromtheCauldron.com , Facebook, Ravelry (there is a special thread for for custom orders), Instagram, Flicker.

If you missed hearing this live, it’s still available as an archived episode where it aired originally http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/09/13/indie-yarn-dyer-jen-of-fresh-from-the-cauldron (disclaimer: there was some adult content in this visit) or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. There is also video on Marly’s Facebook page, as a behind-the-scenes video.

Craft Yarn Council’s Mary Colucci and Jenny Bessonette

CRAFT YARN COUNCIL

Jenny Bessonette Short Bio: 

Jenny Bessonette is Executive Director of the Craft Yarn Council (CYC), a nonprofit trade association that represents major yarn resources, needle/hook manufacturers, publishers, and consultants to the yarn industry and is Assistant Executive Director of the Warm Up America! Foundation, one of the industry’s leading charities. Jenny joined CYC in 2010 as Director of Discover Classes to implement knit and crochet classes in all Michaels stores. She became Assistant Executive Director of CYC in 2014 and was promoted to Executive Director in 2016. Prior to joining the Craft Yarn Council, Jenny worked for six years at Michaels Stores corporate office in inventory management for yarn.

Mary Colucci Short Bio:

Mary Colucci is the past Executive Director of the Craft Yarn Council (CYC), a nonprofit trade association that represents major yarn resources, needle/hook manufacturers, publishers, and consultants to the yarn industry and is Executive Director of the Warm Up America! Foundation, one of the industry’s leading charities. She has served on the Board of the Crochet Guild of America and currently serves as Secretary for the Center for Knit and Crochet, an online museum and social networking environment to preserve and promote the art, craft and scholarship of knitting, crochet and related arts.

Website: Craftyarncouncil.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftyarncouncil

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftyarncouncil/?hl=en

I LOVE YARN DAY

Website: Iloveyarnday.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iloveyarnday

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iloveyarnday_/

If you missed hearing this fun episode LIVE it is available as an archived episode where it aired originally:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/09/06/craft-yarn-councils-mary-colucci-and-jenny-bessonette or with your favorite podcast catcher.

Lost City Knits’ Denise Bell with new book Ultima Thule

Lost City Knits’ Denise Bell with new book Ultima Thule visited the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. Such lovely knitted lace closes out August and all it’s delightful adventures.

When she was growing up, Denise Bell always performed some kind of handwork. When she learned to knit she was instantly addicted. Wherever she looks, Denise sees patterns, so it’s no surprise that her knitting emphasis is lace.

Travel and spending time in the natural world provide inspiration. She recently visited Shetland and Scotland to delve further into the history of fine lace knitting. Her business, Lost City Knits, named for the community nearest her Oklahoma farm, offers fine hand-dyed yarns and original designs. Along with her husband, she is the author of the book Ultima Thule: Patterns Inspired by the Shetland Islands. 

Denise Bell can be followed through her website: www.LostCityKnits.com, the Lost City Knits’ Facebook page and Ravelry page.

If you missed getting to hear this episode LIVE you can still listen to it as an archived episode where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/09/01/lost-city-knits-denise-bell-with-new-book-ultima-thule or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Fall Sweater Challenge explained by Susie Allen

The Fall Sweater Challenge explained by Susie Allen opens a magic box of fun on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly. Just the kind of thing we love on a Tuesday!

Mom taught Susie Allen to knit using chopsticks with bright yellow yarn when she was about ten or eleven. She traveled to Vermont, and developed an eye for the handwork that she always seem to love. One day, her then boyfriend now husband was having surgery so she picked up a book to learn to crochet and with her mother-in-laws help she got through. Then friends started requesting her scarves, and she began writing things down to remind herself what she was doing. When her daughter was born and she began posting on Etsy and someone said ‘have you heard of Ravelry?’ Her travels to Vermont eventually landed at the Green Mountain Spinnery at about the time she began to post things in Etsy, and she fell in love with creating things from their yarns.

Having developed a relationship with other yarn companies like Buffalo Wool Co.  She met with Ron & Teresa at TKGA earlier this year. They have put together a great opportunity for all knitters, designers and yarn companies as well as other companies who offer products knitters love, called  The Fall Sweater Challenge . It’s pretty simple, the Fall Sweater Challenge is being put on by a group of knitwear designers, local and online yarn shops, yarn companies, and others in the hand-knitting/crocheting industry to hopefully encourage you to get a jump on your fall knitting, and make pretty things. Sponsors are still being accepted, so prizes for participants are rolling in. Points will be gathered from around social media by using hashtags (phrases that look like this #FallSweaterChallenge) when sharing what they are working on.

There is a website: www.FallSweaterChallenge.com that has a place to enroll, the lists of sponsors, and plenty of suggestions for sweaters and yarns. There are other places, that you may wish to follow or join, there is a Ravelry group which seems to be the place more people are gathering, there is a Facebook page to stay tuned for special announcements and a Facebook group for encouraging each other and share progress.

Susie Allen can be followed at her website: www.EastEndDesignCo.wordpress.com  and she has a Ravelry Designer page. She’s also in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

If you missed hearing this visit LIVE you can still hear it as an archived episode at this link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/08/30/the-fall-sweater-challenge-explained-by-susie-allen or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. There is also a video on Marly’s Facebook page that she recorded as behind-the-scenes video from her studio.

James Cox Knits for the Man in your life

James Cox Knits for the Man in your life, was today’s HOT TOPIC on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. This was his first visit to a podcast, we’re so tickled about this First Date!

James Cox called into the Yarn Thing podcast from Palm Springs, California, which is a ways away from where he grew up in Kansas. His family was very crafty, he says, his mom taught them everything from knitting and crochet to quilting. One day as an adult in the line at Woolworths he saw a booklet to Learn to Knit, stepped out of line and collected what he needed to start. That first project was a Fair Isle sweater that he still wears.

The mention of Woolworths kind of dates this story, he admits that was more than 30 years ago. He’s always been a fan of fashion and understands construction or how things are put together. He sees knitting as 3-dimensional grid in rows and columns of stitches, admires how things are finished. He found a local yarn shop that was helpful and nice, continued to design things for himself, and they led him into mosaic. During this time, he worked in the advertising industry which approached as an art director. It’s apparent that he has that detail orientation that successful designers and knitters have from his background and formal training.

His accumulation of designs and wearing his pieces himself led to comments and compliments. In a men’s fashion store in Paris, he was asked who designed the sweater he was wearing, and when he admitted it was his own, he was handed a business card and told to make contact when he released his line. At that point, he realized he was a  they are exactly where they are in designer, which he had not thought previously was something he wanted to pursue. With his niece who is in the fashion industry, he began to plot a different course, develop a new brand. James Cox Knits gave him an opportunity to explore and experiment with yarns and fabrics on his own terms.

His concepts were based on modifications of what is out there and what we found people were wanting to knit. One of the things he includes is a row-checker, which allows a knitter to see what the stitch counts are and shaping so, if the project has to be set aside for awhile, it’s easy to find where you are when you pick it up again. He also puts his kits in a backpack which features elements that allow someone to knit on the go! His website features images (you really must see www.JamesCoxKnits.com) of his designs on professional models captured by professional fashion photographer. He wants his brand shown in a way that’s about fashion and about the fun of knitting!

When James began to design with the thought of selling his designs for other knitters, he was unsatisfied with what he could find, and heard from others that there was not much available. Working in San Francisco and Los Angeles, (he has a satellite office in NYC, and a home in the Caribbean, so he’s watching and studying on the road somewhere all the time!) he was able to observe and listen to what others were looking for. He creates designs in men’s sizes Small to Extra Large and sometimes Extra Small to Extra-Extra Large, but the women that are creating the pieces are sometimes wearing them as well. He develops designs from concepts then looks for the yarn to accomplish what it needs to do and be. For instance he says one of his designs is meant to be a bit dressier and classic, so he looked for a

James Cox Knits, Elliott Tie is double knit and the kit features CoBaSi yarn from HiKoo, offered by Skacel.

cashmere. CoBaSi has been a favorite material of his design, using it once and then again in a lighter weight because of it’s fiber content, being Cotton/Bamboo/Silk blend, perfect for warmer climates, cooler evenings. He also likes the ideas that come with knitting top-down for it’s ability to allow for tailoring.

He is creating collections now, working toward twice a year producing Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter ideas. Having his products at Stitches Events, Vogue Knitting Live, and elsewhere, meeting people and introducing his kits to folks has been positive and enthusiastic beyond expectations. Because of an article about James Cox Knits in California Apparel, his kits were included in the gift bags for the Oscars to Hollywood celebrities, like Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson. The outcome of THAT, was that BD Wong will be modeling some of James’ things and in fact, James posted on his blog about BD’s knitting!

Most of what James has achieved in his business has happened in just a very short period of time, but his lifetime of experience has clearly led him to this wonderful adventure. James Cox can be followed through his website: www.JamesCoxKnits.com, with his blog, his Facebook page and Ravelry Designer page, also a Pinterest page!

If you missed getting to hear this live, you can still listen to it as an archived episode where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/08/25/james-cox-knits-for-the-man-in-your-life or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.