knit-one-one

Lots of fun at the Kira K party and show

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:59:00 +0000

All of Kira K's designs were gracing the studio and every time I looked around someone else was arriving wearing one of her designs. It was so much fun having Kira K everywhere! We had a fashion show and let me tell you that a lot of knit-one-oners could have another career modelling. You should have seen those ladies vamp.

(And tomorrow Kira K is teaching her designs too.) I know. I know. I am a bit late with this post but if you want to join the class next week, let us know.

The birthday season!

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:56:00 +0000

Sile--who turned 60--Nora who turned 30--and Eoin

We had loads of fun in the studio on Thursday evening drinking champagne and eating cake---yum----the cake was given to me by Jennifer at Sweet A as a birthday gift! The studio was packed and abuzz and it was just fabulous. Thank you to everyone who came. Thank you to those who left various bottles---without names!. Thank you to all who helped---with 70 people you need a lot of extra hands. Thank you to all of you for supporting knit-one-one. Thank you for the cards, well wishes and gifts. I was simultaneously overwhelmed and delighted.

And.....we discovered that the acoutics at the studio are just fabulous. The rendition of Happy Birthday soared from the rafters---4 part harmony and all.

knit-one-one doings on the weekend of Sept 12 and beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:25:00 +0000

Honeycomb Hex Bag---the original

Elaine's blanket

Elaine's blanket

Petra's cowl and honeycomb

Kolya

A selection from the scarfers

Joile's Helix glove

Scarf and Scarf was great fun--lots of scarfing of both the knitted and eating variety. Kate did her usual stellar job and everyone was thrilled. Rachel M e-mailed to say that the process of making the scarf was totally addicting.

Look who came to Sweet A's on Saturday? Kolya! (His mother--Kaela---came too) He is an absolute dote and he smiled and gurgled and did all his cute baby tricks for us.

The helix glovers were delighted with their creations and so excited when they mastered the thumb gusset. And the beginners got started knitting in the round---we look forward to seeing the 5 inches of Hat this coming weekend (that was their homework)

Petra visited the studio and dropped off a wonderful cowl---seen above being modelled by Erica---she is thinking it might make a good future class. We agree! And you?

You will notice in the cowl pic that a version of Petra's Honeycomb Bag is in evidence---that class begins this coming weekend. The Honeycomb is a really fun project. (Ask Tai---I think she has made 4 or 5 of them----she took the class the last time it was offered)

And I finally blocked Elaine's blanket. We had to get Zoe G to do the crochet edging--thank you Zoe--- as neither Kate nor I can crochet--would you believe. And let me tell you nothing finishes off a blanket better than a crochet edging. Kate and I are determined to learn so that we can do nifty edgings not only on blankets but also on shawls, cardigans, gloves etc. Susan M is teaching a Crochet for Knitters
class on Sunday and if you don't know how to crochet, hie thee to this class!

Bramble has arrived in the studio!

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:29:00 +0000

BRAMBLE
---arrived in the studio yesterday. Getting him to knit-one-one required a lot of logistics. First of all, his creator,
KnitSonya
had to drop him off at Imagiknit. Next I had to e-mail the son---Eoin---and ask him to pick Bramble up. (Conveniently for Bramble, he, Eoin and Sonya all live in the same neighborhood). After that Eoin hied himself to Imagiknit, crossed the bridge and dropped him off at my apartment. From there he got transported to the
k11 studio
in Berkeley. He is happily ensconced in the window---it is nice and sunny there---and he is getting lots of admiring glances from the passing throng. Well more accurately all those people rushing to
Sweet A's to get their scone fix!

In other news---- theBlock Party
was ever so much fun. Carrie did a fabulous job and a good time was had by all.

Block Party OR Learning new stitch patterns OR Making a blanket

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:45:00 +0000

Here is how we come up with ideas for our knit-one-one classes. It is always a collaborative effort involving many of the great minds in the k11 commmunity.
Block Party

for example is the brainchild of Ms Carrie with help from other knit-one-oners.

How exactly did we come up with this idea? Well our friend Janice A Y was very taken with a baby blanket that Carrie had created and asked if she would consider teaching that class. Mmmmm Carrie says, let me think about this. And she did. Around the same time Reuben said "you know Sile, I think you should offer a new stitch pattern class. "Mmmmmm I said ---let me think about this. And I did.

Kate, Carrie and I talked and thought at length about how best to put these ideas together and the The Block Party was born. Here is how it works. Each month you will be taught at least 3 new stitch patterns. You will go home, finish your block and maybe even make a second. (If you are like Baby Catcher Peggy, you will make 4 or 5!) Then the next month you will learn some more stitches, work on your block or blocks---and---- here's the great thing. At the end of the process you will have a fabulously impressive blanket which can be as small or as large as your heart, your needles and your patience desires! And here's another thing. You can sign up for ONE of the blocks OR for all 4---again the choice is yours. Oh and did we mention that Kate and Carrie insisted that shortbread be part of the deal too. Yum. Learning, creating, laughing and eating---what could be a better use of an afternoon I say.

And since this was Carrie's idea she is the one teaching the class.

PS The pics are the various blocks that Ms Carrie has been knitting feverishly---and I mean feverishly. She says that the process is totally addiciting. So don't say you haven't been warned!

A month's absence---oops

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:34:00 +0000

Rex----Nora's new puppy

Eoin--son--Sile w/ Kofi---Nora--daughter

IMG_1959
Originally uploaded by eoin.bullock

I can't believe that it has been a month since I blogged---oops---mea culpa. But it's not as if I have been lolling on beaches and what not---although I did spend the past week in Woodstock NY. The main reason for not blogging more was teaching at UC and keeping knit-one-one going at the same time----not a great excuse I know but really it is the truth.

While we were in Woodstock Nora got a puppy----a 4 month old French bulldog----Rex. He is just a fabulous little dog----very mellow, very playful, very tank-like----well he is like a bulldog!

Baby Blanket Shower for Priska and Emily

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:29:00 +0000

Cupcakes: Edible created by Nicole S and Karin K--non-edible by knit-one-oners!

Felted Pigs created by Karin K

Priska's blanket

Priska's blanket

Emily's blanket

Emily's blanket

2 weeks ago Nicole S and Karin K

hosted a knitting baby shower for their friends Priska and Emily. Everyone knit at least one square---some speedy needlers knit 3! ----and here are pics of the 2 baby blankets we produced. It was a lot of fun and the beginners were champs too----their squares look ultra professional I must say!

Food tours/parties at the studio and....I am too tired to think

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:37:00 +0000

Sile and her brother Frank who was visiting from Ireland

Eoin and Kofi celebrate on Eoin's birthdaay

I started teaching at UC this week. And I know all the teachers out there will relate when I say I am exhausted. But it is so fun to be with all of the many colleagues with whom I have taught for years ---we really are like family to one another. And my students---from Italy, Russia, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Holland---are super smart, very engaging and so excited about being in Berkeley for the summer. And we used the studio for pre-program meeting last week. Imagine---the studio works well for meetings that are not "craft" in nature!

Family of another sort.......

Nora and Ainate arrived yesterday---Nora being my daughter and Ainate her girlfriend. Today after our knit-out they and I went on a food tour of Berkeley so we are quite sated right this moment. We kept bumping into our friends
Chris Stark and Steve---Chris is my photographer friend who took all those great pics of the studio. It turns out that they were on this side of the bay pretty much doing the same thing. (In case you are wondering---here is our intinerary---The Berkeley Farmers' Market, Sweet Adeline Bakeshop, The Cheese Board, The Cheeseboard Pizza, Masses' Bakery, Peet's.) We got a fabulous little fruit pie at Masses' but the opera cake we got tasted stale---or to clarify--- the cake part tasted stale. So after much talking, we decided to return to the bakery with our 3/4 eaten opera cake. (All 3 of us had tasted to make sure) When we voiced our concerns to the baker/owner ---sotto voce--we didn't want the other patrons to hear---the owner started arguing with us and saying that the cake was meant to be eaten at room temp---it was!----or that the butter cream might have been too cold for us----it wasn't! etc. The Cake was just STALE. They did refund our money-----$4. 75----but I have to say that the exchange left a bad taste in our mouths---OK Ok I know---a bad pun.

Oh but this is supposed to be about knitting! Tomorrow knit-one-one is hosting
a baby shower
knitting party after the Diamond Back Class--can't wait to see how far the great knitters in the class have gone. Back to the party. WE are expecting 15 people including the 2 pregnant guests of honor. There are about 9 non- knitters in the group so Kate and Zoe G will cast on for them before the party and teach and hold their hands during the party. The beginners will knit one square but the more experienced knitters will knit 2 or 3 squares--we are guessing and hoping on that last number After the party we finish the blankets and send them to the guests of honor. If I remember, I will post pics next week

Scout was at k11

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:33:00 +0000

WonderMike and Hizknits get ready to interview Scout

Scout puts out some of her yarn

Scout starts class

The table during class

Scout of Scout's Swag
fame gave a 2 day workshop this past w/e at the knit-one-one studio---and it was fabulous. She not only dyes some luscious yummy yarn but she is also a dynamic inspirational teacher. She was helped by Mike and Stephen of YKnit YknitT fame who togged themselves out in scouting regalia for the occasion. Let me tell you----if you are ever looking for helpers, these are your men. They were terrific.

In the lulls between the action I persuaded people to read

great blurb about knit-one-one in the East Bay Express Best Of edition!

And while all the hoopla was going on at the studio Ms Emily was busy uploading the new classes. I am tired just writing about all of this hububb.

So I am taking off to Sea Ranch for a few days to swim, knit, read, eat, swim...........!

WWKIP--60 people showed up

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:29:00 +0000

WWKIP day June 14---outside the k11 studio on Adeline Street

MMKP Friday the 13th Color Work

Knitta East Bay @ work

Yknit @ work--

WWKIP Day---hard at work!

WWKIP day---more knitters having a good time

WWKIP day---concentrating on knitting

WWKIP Day---Sweet Adeline Jennifer says hello

A very busy weekend inside and outside the k11 studio.

On Friday we had our MMKP color work event------see the pics of the skulls and crossbones. Kate and I had a rollicking good time with Amy G, Anita, Ramona, Colleen, Janice O and Sarah.

Saturday was World Wide KNit in PUblic Day. It started off in a quiet foggy haze with just Myrrhia and me knitting quietly in the studio. And then the clouds parted and a tsunami of knitters hit! There were 60 of us and we had a fabulous time. Thanks a million to all of you who came.

World Wide Knit in Public Day and other stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:15:00 +0000

Elaine and her Kool Aid dyeing class

Susan and Kate having fun

Helen's hat from beginning knitting

Brooke and beginning spinners at work

Squid cell phone cosies---april Magical Mystery Knitting Party

at work in the studio

Elaine at Kimchi Crafts popped into the k11 studio a few weeks ago and asked if we would be interested in co-hosting a World Wide Knit in Public day and I know you know what my answer was.

We are planning on hauling out the chairs from the studio----we have 18---and setting them up outside on the sidewalk. Inside the studio we will be brewing multiple pots of coffee. Thanks to Janice O the word "pot" can have an "s" on it! (We don't have 18 cups, so bring your own if you want to make sure to have one) Sweet Adeline has lots of yummy treats so don't worry about going hungry. If a pang hits, you can just pop in, ogle the goodies and make a purchase. Our intrepid Elaine wants to lead an expedition to the HERE/THERE signs opposite the studio----the passing motorists will be gob smacked by the sight no doubt! For more info, click here and scroll down.

Emily J--she of the website fame (yes, she has been sighted recently now that school is out)--- and I--- are planning a top secret knitting project for the morning---think Knitta Please . If you are interested in our project, please come armed with the biggest needles in your arsenal and the fattest yarn in your stash!

After she has been KIPing, knitSonya will be teaching a needle felting class in the studio ----just as well for you that there is free parking outside the studio since you will be there all day. Look at her blog to see some of her needle felted wonders

knitting with the dogs!

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:05:00 +0000

I am going to NYC to see Nora and Ainate---am very excited.

While I am away, the studio will be in the capable hands of Carrie, Kate, Susan M and Brooke. And Carrie and Kate are going to knit with the dogs on Saturday, the first of lots of knit-one-one outings and events in June---yes I know Saturday is May 31st but it is close enough!

A few weeks ago Carrie, Kate and I met and they suggested loads of things for knit-one-one. Since I always listen to them, I scheduled all of their suggestions. And knitting with the dogs is one of their brilliant ideas. You all know how much we love dogs at knit-one-one so of course this is a natural outing for us. (I will be doing my own knitting with dogs in NYC---a fabulous dog gazing territory I should add) So on Saturday afternoon, please join them to dog-gaze, knit, chat, drink coffee---what ever! Click here to get the details.

I am off to gussy Kofi up for the event!

And finally please send warm thoughts to yarn-a-go-go Rachael , her mother, Janette Heron, and her family. Her mother is very ill.

The issue of gauge---knitting gauge that is

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:34:00 +0000

At every knit-one-one class the teachers talk about gauge. Even in the beginning knitting class Kate emphasizes its importance and makes the fledgling knitters do a gauge swatch. Kira, Kate and Julie always ask me to mention to students that they should bring a gauge swatch to class---which I do---good Sile! Kira even wants me to have a phrase on the studio walls about the importance of the gauge swatch---which I will---in time.

If you remain unconvinced of the importance of THE GAUGE SWATCH,---just look at the 2 pics above. Next weekend Kate will be teaching this adorable little hoody and a few weeks ago she knit up the blue and red cutie. Then she liked it so much that she knit up the other using yarn from her stash. (She doesn't have the nickname Speedy Needle Freeman for nothing!) She used the same pattern, cast on the same number of stitches but.....different yarn and different needles. And just look at the variation in sizes. One is for a little baby and the other is for a far older, chunkier child. So gauge does matter---really it does.

A few weeks ago at a knit-out, one of our knitters--- who will remain nameless---was not getting the correct gauge for a sweater she was going to knit-- she thought it didn't really matter. We quickly disabused her of this notion---but of course--- and convinced her to go down a needle size. We hope she remembers us when her sweater is finished and actually fits her!

Doing the Magic Loop VS Double Pointed Needles

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:00:00 +0000

In my time running the studio I have come to realise that there are certain dividing lines between the various kinds of knitters. There are those who hate double pointed needles (Susan M for example) and would much prefer to use the Magic Loop. And there are those who hate the Magic Loop (Kevin W) and would much prefer to use the dreaded double pointed needles---you can see which side of the equation I am on!) And then there are those who hate DPN's but actually don't know how to do the Magic Loop and so avoid projects like those pictured above altogether. For the avoidance group,

knit-one-one

is having a workshop this Sunday May 18. Ms Punkrawkpurl, who is true magic looper, will have you doing the loop in no time at all. Then you will be tackling cuffs, socks, bag bottoms, hat tops,gloves, mitts and goodness knows what all. There will be no stopping you.

All of the above pics were done or could have been done, using the Magic Loop Technique.

PS For the double pointed crowd, Noe Knit is having a workshop on that topic!

Parties come to knit-one-one

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:18:00 +0000

Some of the finished squares

Veronica and Nate

Vero

Marie and Carrie

The yarn

Hard at work

Hard at work

Kate fuels up before the party

Well I know that many of you think that every day is a party at knit-one-one but this really was a party party. Veronica and Nate are leaving for Venezuela in a few days to get married so Kate, Carrie and I decided that we would throw them a knitting shower. We were expecting a small crowd but Vero and Nate have loads of friends---no surprise there---- so we had 27 guests, 12 of whom did not know how to knit---they do now I hasten to add!

Here is how it worked: Veronica and Nate chose the colors. We ordered the yarn and before the party, Carrie and Kate cast on the stitches for the beginners. People arrived, people drank, knitters knit squares and Carrie and Kate taught. ( I was buzzing about in my queen bee role!) Everyone laughed. Everyone had a rollicking good time. And this is the amazing part. The people who didn't know how to knit beforehand actually finished their square---they were fabulous students and highly motivated to get a square done for the happy couple. Amazing.

The follow-up: Kate, Carrie and I have to block the squares---some are not quite square--- but we will remedy that! Then we will sew them together, we will make a border and by the time the happy couple comes back, the BLANKET will be ready. Good blanket.

if you would like the knit-one-one party team to organize your next gathering---let us know. We throw a mean party.

Some things I wish I hadn't thrown away

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Sile's Brigitta is finally finished

Laura's version of the baby surprise

Beginning Spinners @ work

Vero concentrates on her spinning

Warning: The pictures above have nothing to do with the post.

On Thursday I took the day off and spent some of the time with my good friend Nancy F . We ate lunch at Dopo on Piedmont---very yummy indeed and then went into a new and fabulous little clothing store at the top of Piedmont. It is called McMullen and is owned by Sherri who has a great eye for clothing with fabulous little details. I tried on a nifty little knit top/ t-shirt type thing that had little zippers here and there creating lots of different looks and of course giving ease in places where one (read me!) might need a little give. Fortunately for my bank account---but unfortunately for my spirits---- it was a little snug on the shoulder ---I have those big swimmer's shoulders don't you know. The store is bright, airy and spacious and Sherri is very welcoming and warm.

After our visit to McMullen, Nancy and I walked back to her house. There she produced a big box which housed her late mother's knitting needle collection. What joy. (Nancy has kindly donated these to knit-one-one) Many had the original packing with price tags---all the needles seemed to cost a mere 39 cents. A little paper ruler had the saying: "Knitting happiness is making a gauge swatch". Kira wants me to have that blown up and emblazoned on the studio walls! Watch this space. Nancy was bemoaning the fact that her late parents never threw anything out and that lead to some thoughts about things I wish I had kept.

But first, a little background.

When I was growing, up my mother made all of my clothes----skirts, dresses, socks, hats, gloves, jumpers, and pinafores (the latter 2 words in Am. English would read---sweaters and jumpers!) I was picky at an early stage about color and fit but nonetheless would huff and puff when my mother wanted me to try things on to make sure that the item fit. (It's a wonder she didn't impale me with a needle!) When Janyce and I met to talk about the upcoming sewing classes at knit-one-one I was very nostalgic for my mother's sewing which I think she enjoyed more than knitting.

But back to the things I wish I had kept:

---a multicolored tweed jumper with a deep U front

---a lemon yellow sweater with big collar and embroidered daisies on the front

--- a from fitting, pink, check, viyella dress with cut- in shoulders

---a straight kelly green dress with a knit top and sleeves

And I am sure that after I have posted this, I will think of many more!

the knit-one-one studio on adeline street

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:09:00 +0000

Here are some pics of the finished studio. They were taken by my friend and classmate, Chris. Chris and I met at the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center where we took a class in Business Planning. As you can see, he is a great photographer. He specializes in taking photos of spaces and doing portraits of people---he and I meet and exchange tales centering on the joys and vicissitudes of owning your own business!

When we have a big class, we use the studio in the larger layout. When the class is smaller, we swing the bookcase around to divide it into two----it works really well in both configurations.

In a few weeks we are hosting a knitting shower for Vero and Nate who are getting married in Venezuela in May. Nate is my studio mate. He is a structural engineer and works in the loft aerie space weekdays when we are not having classes. We met Vero when she took a class at knit-one-one. When I was looking for a studio mate, she mentioned Nate. Don't you love how the world of connections and connecting work.

But back to the party. Everyone who comes to the shower will knit a square for a blanket which Kate, Carrie and I will then put together. For the beginners we will cast on the stitches and then teach them to knit a garter stitch square. Vero and Nate chose the colors for the blanket---blues, greys and a dash of orange! Guests who knit will arrive with their own needles but we will lend them to the beginners. Of course eating and drinking will take place too. I think the studio will make a fabulous space for this event. And we will remember to take pics so you can see the fun. (Mmmmmm...maybe we should invite Chris-----just kidding!

The studio was alive with cocoknits admirers and samples

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:28:00 +0000

PS I found more pics!

Last weekend was very busy at the studio---lots of knitting, eating, drinking, trying on samples etc.

On Saturday we had the last of the Sawtooth Skirt Class and look at those fabulous skirts. Kira K's design is not only terrific looking but also very comfortable to wear . (And I should mention that Kira is a great teacher too) I was so taken with the skirt that I rushed over to Artfibers yesterday and bought myself the makings for the skirt. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

On Sunday the studio was filled with Cocoknits designs and people trying on her sweaters. I am sorry I didn't get a lot of photos---I was so busy giving my opinions to people as they tried on her great creations that I forgot my photographing duties. (I know it will come as a surprise to many of you that I was giving opinions!) Julie gave a demo of her great knitter's blocks and some very wise people decided to buy them after seeing how they helped in the blocking process---- which for most of us is not our favourite part of knitting. (but with the knitter's blocks it is infinitely more palatable!)

Julie has created a line of desk accessories which were given their first public outing on Sunday. Our friend Ricardo was so taken with them that he bought the pattern in order to make a tray for dice---he's a gamer don't you know---gamer in the positive sense!

Others at the event signed up for Cocoknits Classbeginning this coming Sunday. For this class, you can choose any of Julie's designs and work on them with the designer herself. Some complained that the class should go on for months since they wanted to make everything! Mmmmm.....maybe not a bad idea. What about it Julie---ha!

Queen of Cables: Kate

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:24:00 +0000

Our Kate has many talents---I mean her first nickname was Project a Day Kate. This was replaced by Speedy Needle Freeman and in the last few weeks I have been dubbing her the Queen of Cables. And the reason is___________oh you are so smart to have guessed it already.

In December the queen created her own pattern and called it the Hella Cable Scarf. (There are many people in the immediate BAy Area who received a Hella as a Christmas gift---it was so showy fun and fast to knit). Last Friday for our Magical Mystery Knitting Party she created a Java Jacket using_____you have got it. But the thing is that she spent ages playing around with cables to see which would look good sideways---the way a cup wears it. And she concluded that the honeycomb cable was best---and the Magical Mystery goers agreed. (Rumor has it that they have become hooked on cables themselves)

So with all this cabling in the air I remembered that , the knit-one-one crochet expert
Susan, had requested a cable class---a long time ago, mind you--- (Sorry Susan!). Therefore it seemed so apt to create a
Cable Mania class and to let the queen just go wild teaching all she has learned about cables. Now I have to admit that I myself am a big fan of cables---they are so showy, so mysterious and just plain fun. And fun is a good thing people!

A gallery of Magical Mystery Knitting Party Projects

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:00:00 +0000

The Eighth Magical Mystery Knitting Party is about to happen this coming Friday, March 28th. There is a dedicated band of knit-one-oners who always come to the Parties if they happen to be in town. Our world traveler Holly is most disappointed to be missing this next one and we will miss her too.....sniff, sniff----we will check with you Holly before we schedule the next one! Our friend Janice O asked us to post pics of all of the MMKP projects.....that would be Magical Mystery Knitting Projects-----so here they are. Oh and if you have never come to a Magical Mystery Knitting Party what are you waiting for----they are a hoot!

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:34:00 +0000

One of the many pleasures of being involved in knit-one-one is being around so many talented people and seeing all the great pieces they produce! The pics today show various stages of the Cactus Blossom Sweater by Janice O and Bridget D---Kate is sporting her finished version with hearts---she is pictured with Kira----when we are at Sweet A's last week. The booties and the bag are by Elaine----knit out of her own Kool Aid dyed yarn. She will be teaching some of you how to dye yarn next week at knit-one-one. The last time she taught this class it was a huge success because Elaine is a scientist and of course brings all the exactitude of that profession to the dyeing process. No slap dash methodology for our Elaine---no no! And her items have been much oohed and aahed over by guests to the studio.

Spring things: felted easter baskets, bunny hats, booties and a skirt

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:34:00 +0000

When you step out of the studio and look to your left there is the most gorgeous blossom tree which reminds us all that Spring is indeed in the air in Berkeley California. Not only in the air but also in the studio windows, and in the studio itself.

On Leap Friday---we had a marvellous Magical Mystery Knitting Party----we are thinking of hiring the sisters Carol and Jean because they kept us all in stitches during the event. And look what was produced----a forest of felted Easter Baskets. Thank you to Carrie and Kate for coming up with the pattern and to Dr Z, Fiona, Lisa, Susan M, Shirley and the aforementioned sisters, Carol and Jean, for all your good humor, your terrific creations and the fabulous energy you brought to the event.

When you look into our windows, created by Punkrawkpurl herself, there is a wonderful green skirt which has been much admired by the passing throngs. I have even had to take it down so that there can be a closer inspection. Of course it is the Sawtooth Skirt designed by Kira of Kira K designs . (Pssst.....she will be teaching the skirt too----I love love love having designers teach their own patterns!)

And then there is the Spring cuteness overload of Saartje's booties and the Baby Bunny Hat. The former pattern is from Saartje and the latter from the staff at Noe Knit in SF---we love that store. The examples are in the studio itself and you wouldn't believe the oohs and aahs that these cute items elicit---well you probably would believe it. And of course we couldn't resist getting Sammie to model the hat--we tried it on Kofi too but he was not nearly as cooperative as Mr Sam---good dog Sammie! These 2 classes are being held simultaneously so that if a person signs up for one in effect they get 2 classes.

This is a first for knit-one-one and here is how it will work. The space is divided into 2 studios---each class will be in a different studio. But at a certain point the teachers, Carrie and Kate will change places. Carrie will go over the tricky parts of the booties while Kate lets you know the tricky parts of the bunny hat---I mean it is really 2 classes for the price of one---or something like that. It is an experiment and we will let you know how it works or....you could be there!

Magic of all sorts comes to the new studio!

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:41:00 +0000

The new studio is fabulous---every day we make it just a little more comfortable. My friend Nicole said that the space is very chic----ohh la la----that is what we like to hear.

This coming weekend the space will be filled with Magic. On Leap night----Friday Feb 29---Kate will be hosting the Magical Mystery Knitting Party. If there are any of you who have not come to that event, let me tell you that it is quite the fun evening. You have no idea what you are knitting, but Kate in her inimitable way makes you laugh and guess and as I was told to point out---you do actually learn some knitting techniques too! The pics are of of Hayden the haystack which was our last party item-----and the wonderful Anna of Mochimochiland allowed us to use her fabulos pattern---thank you.

On Saturday morning we have magic of another sort. Cocoknits Julie is teaching a a Felted Basket class which includes the shibori felted technique. The shibori felted basket is my favorite---shhh.....don't tell Julie---and I am hoping to make a few for the aforementioned chic studio. (to make it even chicer, don't you know!)

Knitting connections from yarn-a-go-go: Thank you

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:25:00 +0000

This post is a thank you to yarn-a-go-go---without her the February 2008 knit-one-one calendar wouldn't be quite so full! Let me explain.

About 15 months ago I found the yarn-a-go-go blog and like so many of you I was immediately taken with her knitting prowess, her writing style and the general good person vibes that emanated from her. I decided to ask her if she would teach a class at knit-one-one. I asked her. She agreed. She taught. And she wowed us all. (No surprise there, I hear you all muttering)

Inconveniently for knit-one-one but very smartly for her, she decided to concentrate on her writing. But typical of yarn-a-go-go's kindness she didn't leave us in the lurch. She introduced me to Maia of Tactile Fiber Arts. (If you are an avid reader of the yarn-a-go-go blog, Maia is the knitter/spinner with whom Rachael went to Rhinebeack). One meeting, and many e-mails later, Spinning on the Drop Spindle class was hatched. Maia in turn introduced me to Brooke--and that duo will be team teaching the class. Lucky us.

The next introduction from yarn-a-go-go was to Kira of KiraK designs. Kira will soon be teaching the incredibly cute Cocoon Baby Sweater and in March she will be teaching her Sawtooth Skirt pattern. The Cocoon Baby Sweater was an immediate no-brainer for knit-one-one but yours truly had to be convinced that the more amply shaped woman--cough cough here---would be comfortable knitting and wearing the Sawtooth Skirt. Kira and I sat in Sweet Adeline Bakeshop and I kept saying ---pointing discreetly to various female patrons---could she wear it? What about her? And her? Kira convinced me. I agreed. She will be teaching the class in March.

And today I had heart palpitations of the most positive kind when I opened up my Amy Singer/knitty e-mail and there was another of Kira's glorious skirts as one of the winter surprises! Scroll down to the end of the patterns--it's called Bell Curve.

So thank you, thank you, thank you yarn-a-go-go for all the positive, kind, creative energy, and people you have directed to the knit-one-one fold. We are most appreciative.

bags, bags and more bags--- but do we have enough?

noreply@blogger.com (Sile Convery) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:51:00 +0000

Last night I was dashing out the door to go to a friend's house for dinner. Of course I wanted to bring my knitting. I mean what self-respecting knitter ever leaves home without it? But I couldn't find a bag to put it in. Now , let me be clear. I have lots and lots of bags--- a blue bag, a red bag, an orange bag, a green bag, a Temescal bag---you get the idea---the house is over-run with bags. But here is the thing. You can never have enough bags. And you never seem to have the exact right bag when you need it. Right? So what to do? Make another bag? But of course.

See the blue bag with the red stripe in the pic? That bag belongs to my friend Tai. She and I are habitues of the Temescal Market. I never look for her. I look for her bag. And I can spot it and her many fruit stalls away (She was the one to tell me about the black cod----divine---buy it next time you go) And the grey and wine bag? The belongs to Janice. When I go to a party, I know immediately if she has arrived---by her bag. That's the thing about making your own bag. It's like a calling card---except that is way more fun and far more practical too.

So if you are feeling a little bag poor at the moment, join us this Saturday for
the Temescal Bag class---your knitting and your market treasures will be ever so happy to have another comfy place to nestle!