Anne Berk Knitting Expert and Author was today’s guest on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.
Anne started crafting when she was young and tried several things just as a matter of fact. If you wanted a thing, she was of the mind that you made it. She actually learned the knitting technique of intarsia from Lucy Neatby.
Intarsia is defined (according to Wikipedia) as: Intarsia is a knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. As with the woodworking technique of the same name, fields of different colours and materials appear to be inlaid in one another, but are in fact all separate pieces, fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Anne’s designs define it again, but rather than the usual technique of twisting the stitches around each other a specific way, she teaches a way that she has found is easier for her! Her method her husband named Annetarsia.
She has self-published a book called Annetarsia Knits. (That was the link to Ravelry where you can see the patterns from the book and PURCHASE the e-book which is also available at her website.) Self-publishing does not mean that she did all the work of layout and everything on her own. Ann Budd was the editor, Lucy Neatby authored the forward, Donna Druchunas was project coordinator and the entire process took about three years. Clearly a lot of effort but all done by very talented and knowledgeable people.
She included designs that are inspired by the area she lives in near Portland, Oregon. ‘Oaks Park Socks’ are inspired by the amusement park down near the Willamette River, which is obvious by it’s giddy whirlwind colorwork, like riding the spinning carnival rides. She also included things that are close to her heart. The childhood paper doll motif of the shawl on the front cover of the book is a perfect allusion to elementary school in the ‘Sandy Hook Shawl’ creating children of EVERY color, and reminds us that everyday presents changes to our lives.
Anne has a wonderful Craftsy Class that works perfectly with her book as she is SHOWING and DISCUSSING her technique. (Please use this code so that Craftsy knows Marly sent you. As a sponsor of the podcast, they want to know!) https://www.craftsy.com/ext/MarlyBird_3998_CP
In just a few days, Anne will be teaching at Stitches Midwest: https://www.knittinguniverse.com/Midwest/ so if you’re near the Chicago area….
Anne Berk’s website is https://annetarsia.com/ and includes more information about her and allows us to keep up with her, so you can subscribe to her blog there.
Looking forward to discovering the joys and possibilities of Annetarsia! Have fun, Marly, and much success with the new crochet channel. I’ll be watching for sure.
Would love to learn more about intarsia and sounds like Annetarsia could be the way. I just ordered the book and would love to get the Craftsy class. Your podcast is so enlightening!
Annetarsia sounds so much more fun than intarsia. The program was great – even with the two unsuspecting guest speakers!
(duplicate post since I just posted with only an initial instead of my name…..joys of computers) Annetarsia sounds so much more fun than intarsia. The program was great – even wiht the two unsuspecting guest speakers. Looking at the patterns on ravelry for the book has me excited.to try annetarsia.
Annetarsia a technique I haven’t tried but would love to learn. Program was inspiring and looking forward to check out Anne’s Craftsy class.
Annetarsia might take away some of the fear of knitting intarsia. Inspiring!
I am interested in learning about Annetarsia. I have not tried intarsia yet but I am thinking of taking Anne’s Craftsy class. Not sure exactly what the difference is from traditional intarsia, but I am sure I will learn all about it. I would love to have her book too! Thanks, Marly for another great show. You never know what will happen when you are on live!
I love intarsia and am looking forward to knit Annetarsia.
I took a one hour market class at Stitches West on Intarsia, it seemed simple at the time but once I left I’d forgotten everything. I think Annetarsia sounds much more interesting 🙂
Annetarsia seems like the way to go to learn intarsia! What a fun, lovely conversation. I feel like a fly on the way listening to Marly and Ann. BIG FUN!!!
Annetarsia is so cool and it is even more awesome that you made it your own. It looks so amazing and I can not wait to learn! Thanks for inspiring us all.
What fun listening to Anne and her Annetarsia!! I’ve heard about Anne before and am so glad to have had this chance to get to know her more!! Love intarsia and am eager to learn more!
I have only done intarsia in Tunisian crochet but Annetarisia sounds very interesting.
Annetarisia is on my list to try! Thanks so much for all your inspiring words.
Annetarsia sounds interesting and something else to add to my To Do List.
I’ve done a little bit of intarsia, but it is not my favorite technique(by far). I can’t wait to try Annetarsia – the book looks great, and it was wonderful hearing about all the behind-the-scenes work that went into it.
I’ve been wanting to do more colorwork knitting and will definitely check out Annetarsia. Another great podcast!
Thanks for another great show. Have not yet tried Intarsia yet but would rather jump into Annetarsia! I have had her Craftsy class in my wish list for a little while, it will be the next one that I get.
I’m so glad to here about Anne’s new techniques. My first intarsia project was a kaffe Fassett pattern for my fiancé. I didn’t know I couldn’t do it. I made my own bobbins from card board, not knowing I could buy such things. He got a sleeve for Christmas and a year later the finished sweater. I’ve stayed away from it since. So, it’s great to hear there is a new approach! I’d like to make a kaffe Fassett for myself!
So happy that Annetarsia has been published. I am always looking for new ways to simplify color work. I have purchased the Craftsy class and am really excited to learn!
I, like many of the commenters, have not tried Intarsia yet. I would love to try Annetarsia! Anne has some beautiful patterns! I love meeting new people and new ideas by listening to your podcasts!
Annetarsia is a perfect name!
Just listed to your podcast on Anntarsia and can’t wait to see her Craftsy class. Have been looking everyday!