Kathy Merrick, Crochet and Color Expert was the guest today on the Yarn Thing with Marly Bird podcast. Most people know her for the Babbette Blanket that appeared in Interweave Crochet 2006 and obviously she is known for use of COLOR!

Kathy began in yarn as a knitter, her grandmother was a knitter and a crocheter, but she learned to crochet from a book. She is especially inspirational as she is LEFT-handed or EXTREMELY left-handed as she says and she finds that everyday she has to admit things to work for her. Liza Prior-Lucy who worked with Kaffe Fasset on the quilting books. When Trisha Malcolm of Vogue knitting was creating the Knitting-on-the-Go books, and Liza volunteered Kathy to send in hats.

She spent time working near Kaffe Fasset, who tickled her one day by asking HER opinion on what he was working on. Can you imagine, KAFFE FASSET asking YOU about color?

Another wonderful Kathy Merrick design that has been overwhelmingly popular is the Boteh Scarf. Click that link, over 1,000 people have made it, according to Ravelry.

She made the cover of VOGUEKnitting Crochet which was a special edition that sold out quickly. 

She spent sometime explaining how she plays with color.  Which makes sense we she  spoke of her book, Crochet in Color from Interweave,  with Kim Werker editing. Her favorite project was the Tiny Motif Sweater in that book.

She's also been fortunate enough to work with Koigu with their pattern books. In fact that Babbette Blanket was made of Koigu yarns. She is excited about a product they are working on and recommends following them on Facebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kathy Merrick most known for?

So here's the thing… Kathy Merrick is most known for her stunning Babbette Blanket, which was featured in Interweave Crochet way back in 2006. She's also absolutely famous for her incredible use of color!

Is Kathy Merrick left-handed?

Yes! Honestly… Kathy is extremely left-handed, or as she puts it, “EXTREMELY left-handed.” She mentioned on the podcast that she has to figure out what works for her every single day, which is super inspiring!

Did Kathy Merrick ever work with Kaffe Fassett?

Oh my goodness, yes! Kathy spent time working near the amazing Kaffe Fassett, and he even asked for *her* opinion on his work one day… can you even imagine?! She also worked with Liza Prior-Lucy who collaborated with Kaffe on quilting books.

What's another popular design by Kathy Merrick besides the Babbette Blanket?

Honestly… another one of Kathy's designs that has been super popular is the Boteh Scarf. If you check Ravelry, over a thousand people have made it, which is just incredible!

Where can I learn more about Kathy Merrick's color techniques?

Well, she wrote a whole book called “Crochet in Color” published by Interweave, and it's just fantastic. Her favorite project from that book was the Tiny Motif Sweater! She also recommends following Koigu on Facebook, as her Babbette Blanket was made with their yarns.

Knitting Expert Sally Melville started knitting in Brownies and without any advanced help, started designing at 10 or 11 she guesses. She focused on Fashion Knitting and found her niche, as most knitting was for Art or Craft. She was teaching at a University when her teen-age daughter asked her to make a sweater for her boyfriend. As a single mom, while she was working on that sweater, it came time to renew her contract with the university.

She realized that she needed to be home with her children. At the time she was entering the fiber field, it was generally thought interest was dying out. She wondered with Elaine Rowley at XRX how successful she would be when she started with a book

The Knitting Experience: The Knit Stitch, Inspiration and Instruction.  (Amazon Link) https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Experience-Book-Inspiration-Instruction/dp/1893762130/ref=la_B001K7WH3K_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405621119&sr=1-3 This book led to the next and the next and the next…

Here is the Amazon link to her latest book Knitting Pattern Essentials: Adapting and Drafting Patterns for Great Knitwear

https://www.amazon.com/reader/ASIN/0307965570

She loves to do classes, like the Knit to Flatter and Fit, Essential Skills….  She's cut back to 5 or 6 workshops a year, including a cruise or the bigger events to spend more time with her grandchildren.  She has a Craftsy Class on Intarsia (Here is the Marly code, please use it so that Craftsy knows Marly sent you!) https://www.craftsy.com/ext/MarlyBird_496_CP There is another class filmed, we will keep you updated and share that with you when it comes out! 

Don't forget to stop by Sally's website: https://www.sallymelvilleknits.com/ Also, if you're on Ravelry, check out her list of designs and patterns available there.  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sally-melville

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Sally Melville get started in knitting?

So here's the thing… Sally started knitting when she was in Brownies! She even began designing her own patterns when she was just 10 or 11 years old. She really found her passion in fashion knitting.

What are Sally Melville's most well-known books?

Honestly… She has a few books out there! Two of them are “The Knitting Experience: The Knit Stitch, Inspiration and Instruction” and her latest one, “Knitting Pattern Essentials: Adapting and Drafting Patterns for Great Knitwear.”

Does Sally Melville teach any classes?

Yes! She loves teaching workshops and even has a Craftsy class on Intarsia. She cuts back to about 5 or 6 workshops a year now so she can spend more time with her grandkids.

Where can I find more of Sally Melville's designs?

You can totally check out her website, sallymelvilleknits.com. And if you're on Ravelry, she has a whole list of her designs and patterns available there too!

What's the Marly code for Sally's Craftsy class?

So glad you asked! The Marly code is https://www.craftsy.com/ext/MarlyBird_496_CP. Use it so Craftsy knows Marly sent you!

Swing Knitting with Expert Brigitte Elliott was our topic today and we love that she shared this with us as well as so many other things!

Swing Knitting was actually developed by someone else and Brigitte gives credit to Gabrielle Kluge https://www.strickrausch.de/  (Intoxicated Knitting) and was trademarked by Heidrun Liegmann-Halama https://swing-knitting.com. There is a workshop course in German (if you open it with Google, it can be translated) by Heidrun that Brigitte recommends.  https://magischemaschen.blogspot.com   (Magical Stitches)   Brigitte deserves credit though, too, for translating to English (we think!) and showing us how truly fun it is!  There are several patterns that are really popular that uses this technique, most familiar is the Dreambird Shawl (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreambird-kal), the Hitchhiker Shawl (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hitchhiker) to name a couple…

Brigitte met Patty McDonald who communicated by e-mail, who shared a scarf that they both found incredibly inspiring that was in German. That was Gabrielle Kluge! Brigitte took that course linked earlier in summer 2010, then she went to Germany for a live course, four days in a castle and met teacher Heidrun. Brigitte found it so exciting, and later Heidrun sent her a packet for Brigitte's help to translate it into English. Brigitte really loved this style of knitting that she thinks of as German Short Rows. She devised a mathematical formula of explaining Heidrun's musical way of writing.

This is one of her designs: The Autumn Fusion Shawl has been well received.  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swing-knits-autumn-fusion-shawl There is a series of workshops  in German and in English in Ravelry. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swing-knittingtm-workshop-5—swingy-hitchhiker  There's also been some additonal designs from Heidrun placed in Ravelry in German and with Brigitte's help, English! https://www.ravelry.com/stores/magische-maschen-designs Brigitte's also had some designs published, most of us may have seen in the Knitter's magazine. Here's the link to her Ravelry Designer page to remind us: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/brigitte-elliott

Brigitte also recommends the Ravelry group for Swing Knits https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-the-swing—swing-knittingtm

Don't forget to check out Brigitte Elliott's website: https://www.bzknitter.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is swing knitting?

Swing knitting (also called short row knitting or bias knitting in some traditions) is a knitting technique that uses short rows to create shapes and curved, three-dimensional fabric. By turning mid-row and working back and forth on progressively longer or shorter sections, you create ruffles, waves, curves, and sculptural shapes that straight knitting can't achieve. The result can be dramatically three-dimensional… garments that follow the body's curves, shawls with beautiful scalloped edges, and accessories with built-in sculptural form.

Who is Brigitte Elliott?

Brigitte Elliott is a knitting designer and educator known for her expertise in swing knitting and short row techniques. She's a specialist in a specific area of knitting that requires particular knowledge and skill, which is why she's featured as an “expert” on the blog. Guest features like this one bring specialized knowledge to Marly's audience that goes beyond any single person's expertise… the knitting world is broad and deep, and specialists enrich everyone's understanding.

What kinds of projects use swing knitting techniques?

Swing knitting creates incredibly beautiful results in: ruffled shawls and wraps where the short rows create natural waves and scallops. Curved hem cardigans that follow body shapes. Three-dimensional flowers and sculptural decorative elements. Socks with custom heel shaping. Garments with intentional drape and movement built into the construction. The technique allows designers to create shapes in knit fabric that would otherwise require sewing or pattern manipulation… the shaping happens in the knitting itself.

Is swing knitting appropriate for beginners?

It's intermediate to advanced territory. You need to be comfortable with basic knitting AND with short row concepts (knowing how to turn mid-row and pick up wraps or work German short rows to prevent holes). The spatial thinking required to understand how short rows create three-dimensional shapes takes some practice to develop. Start with a basic understanding of short rows from a simpler project before tackling complex swing knitting designs. Brigitte Elliott's teaching specifically is known for being clear and accessible… a good instructor makes all the difference for complex techniques.

Where can I learn more about swing knitting?

Brigitte Elliott's own books and workshops are the best source for deep swing knitting learning! Search her name for her publications and any online courses she may offer. The Marly Bird blog post may contain additional resources. Ravelry has projects and groups dedicated to swing knitting where you can see many examples of finished work and ask questions of experienced practitioners. Once you see beautiful swing knit shawls and garments, you'll understand why this specialized technique has a devoted following.

Donna Druchunas has recently self-published Stories in Stitches 3, This and the first two volumes can be purchased for the knitter who loves historical crafting.

She will be doing a knitting cruise! This one goes to the Baltic Sea. >>>CLICK HERE<<< There is also an ARMCHAIR CRUISE which means you get to learn to knit Arctic Lace from home with the theme of Cruising to Alaska! https://ruzuku.com/courses/4001/about

This was not mentioned during the program, but Donna will be teaching at Stitches East in October, She has other events, too, that can be found at her website https://sheeptoshawl.com/

If you would like to check out her Designer page on Ravelry (oh, my, has she been a busy knitting bee!) https://www.ravelry.com/designers/donna-druchunas This page will link you to locations where her books and patterns can be purchased.

Donna has also appeared before on the Yarn Thing podcast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of books does Donna Druchunas write?

Honestly… Donna writes books for knitters who love historical crafting! Her “Stories in Stitches” series sounds so fascinating, combining knitting with history.

Can I learn knitting from Donna Druchunas even if I can't go on a cruise?

Yes! She has an armchair cruise where you can learn Arctic Lace from home. Plus, she teaches at events like Stitches East, and you can find her website at sheeptoshawl.com for more info.

Where can I buy Donna Druchunas' books and patterns?

So here's the thing… You can check out her designer page on Ravelry, and that will link you to all the places where her books and patterns are available.

Has Donna Druchunas been on Marly's podcast before?

Oh, that's a good question! The page mentions she has appeared on the Yarn Thing podcast before, but it doesn't say if she's been on Marly's podcast more than this time.

What else is Donna Druchunas up to?

Honestly… she's a busy bee! Besides her books and the knitting cruise, she'll be teaching at Stitches East and has other events listed on her website.