What a long hiatus, my last contribution to my Wooly news series was in March 2023, so 7 months.. Not that I had nothing to say, just that my life has been creeping in my head and I focused on the other series. Wooly News means I loosely keep an eye on the knitting and fibre communities and pick up things that are worth reporting about. This needs some mental space. The video and blog post also take a long time to edit and write, this needs more time than my regular Knitting Adventures for example.
This is not an excuse 🙂
Anyway, I’ve been missing this segment for a while now and hope I have enough content to make you happy, informed or entertained.
Patterns
Let’s begin with the elephant in the room, this is Steven West MKAL season. As I write, clue two has just been released. This year’s theme is Geogradient – if you think about geometric shapes and colours, it can lead to questionable symbols or representations. Which happened 10 days ago when clue one was released.
Not sure how the whole team let this slip through, and Steven promptly changed clue one to one of the alternate options he had published, removing the original clue one that evoked a WW2 hate symbol to many users. Think about it. 5761 projects as I write, this event aisre very popular, followed by people from all over the world, from many different backgrounds and cultures. Better double and triple check everything before going live.
You may not have seen the representation in the original clue one. When I first saw it, I thought this is strange he flirts with this, he did not give me thins impression. Turns out that he promptly replied, changing clue 1, being very apologetic (the pattern is 8.30€ on Ravelry, you can make the calculations of what is involved..) and very stressed out.
I hope everyone is able to move along and enjoys the MKAL I did not participate because 1- I have 2 main WIPs on my plate, 2- I would not have been able to keep up with the pace (which is not a real problem) and 3- I do not like all of his patterns. The only one I have already made long after it was released is Slipstravaganza
I have a few of his MKAL patterns in his books, not sure there is one other that really appeals to me. I’ll wait for the finished shawl to decide whether I’ll make it or not, for now I do not think so. If I cast on any of his shawls, it will be Vertices Unite.
So be kind to everyone, and very careful with geometric shapes..
Free Patterns Highlights
As I see so many paid for patterns for simple knits such as little scarves (wink wink at my own free one), cowls, shrugs and such, I prefer to highlight free ones that perfectly fit the bill, that can be customised to your yarn, colour choices (mono block or with a colour pattern), size etc.
The Freeze Warning by YaYa Lovestoknit is a perfect example. An easy stitch pattern, suitable for coloured stripes, bulky yarn instructions that can easily be adapted, ribbed collar that will fit your neck etc. What is not to like ? It is in my “Want To Make” list, and I will make it at some point. Our friends from the Southern Hemisphere going to Spring and Summer can use colder and finer yarns for colder nights 🙂
Books, Magazines, Articles And Creators
The latest YouTube episode I watch from Roxane Richardson was about tech editors in the knitting community and how and why they are essential to people publishing patterns. I have always been interested in all the behind the scenes people that concur to a successful pattern, tech editors and test knitters. This is why I appreciate so much La Bien Aimée videos about her books where she invites creators and their test knitters.
In this episode, Roxane interviews Sarah Walworth and Kristina McGrath, authors of The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook, and hosts of Tech Tip Talk.
What an interesting episode, what an interesting book, I preordered it and will report on it once I have it in my hands. Very knowledgeable people and eye opening on so many levels !
The book will be published on October 31, 2023, here are the references you can look for in your favorite bookstore : ISBN-10 : 1635866243 ; ISBN-13 : 978-1635866247
Events
Two of knitting events having world wide impact are taking place this week-end in New-York State. Many knitfluencers will be there and have already posted a lot of blog posts, Instagram posts, YouTube videos about their preparations, set ups, packing, projects, planned future acquisitions, tips for the events etc. You can follow them on all these social networks and there are most probably more that I do not even know about 🙂
First, Wool & Folks will take place on October 19th (for a warm-up) and 20th 2023, and then NY Sheep and Wool in Rhinebeck on October 19th to 23rd, 2023. There was a bit of confusion as the W&F location and parking situation was changed last minute. Many people go to both as they are located not too far away from each other, first W&F on the Friday, then Rhinebeck for the week-end. A whole set of Rhibebeck sweaters to look at, and now people even team up to knit the same sweater in different colours !
All in all, one of these events most knitters of the world know about, whether they want it or not 😺
There is another event the week-end after Rhinebeck in France. Do you know about it ? It gathered over 20,000 people last year, from France and all over Europe : the Journées Nationales de la Laine à Felletin, on October 27th to 29th 2023. It has been going on for over 20 years now, and Frédérique from Atelier Pure Laine is going. Too bad I have to work ! There will be over 140 vendors, lots of exhibits, local yarn mills to visit (Filature Fonty and Filature Terrade) and tons of yarn from indy dyers to be drooling over. One day I’ll attend, on day.
Who Am I Knitting With ?
Most of the time, I report on shows, series or movies and such, that I watch while knitting during the evening. There is no series or shows really worth talking about for today, nothing that really captivated my attention and gave me happiness while watching. So there will be only a music report as music is a constant element of my life, from morning to night, except when I teach or am in meetings of course.
Vieux Farka Touré and Khruangbin have published a collaboration, Ali. A total pleasure to my ears, please let me know if you also enjoy this kind of world music mixed with electronica. Their collaboration is a real fusion between their own two distinct worlds, they successfully bring their own things to make a new unique vibe and album. was so pleased to discovered it (it first aired in 2022).
On the other hand, I was impatiently wanting for Metallic Spheres, the new the album from The Orb And David Gilmour. Two of my favorite artists collaborating on an album, what a treat ! It was a huge deception. They play side by side, they do not talk to each other, it is “just” Gilmour’s guitar riffs on top of The Orb music and creation. No fusion, no dialog, they do not seem to bring anything to each other. They walk side by side, and I’ll pass. I won’t buy the CD. was a bit sad at first, then turned to Ali for some hapyness.
May your little stitches bring you joy and happiness, see ou next time !
Companion YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/AcGT_qYsQVA
Companion Apple Podcast (sorry, only this platform for now..) : https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/my-knitting-world/id1712627511?i=1000631841762
Knit Now 