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Cute Crochet World author and Expert Suzann Thompson

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cutecrochetworldCute Crochet World author and Expert Suzann Thompson

Suzann Thompson was taught to knit in elementary school by her mother, who also tried to teach her to crochet, but at that time it didn’t take. In seventh grade, she found a pattern in a magazine for a crochet bag which she began to make and sell at school! She feels that because she learned so early, she now can’t imagine life without yarn, crochet hooks or knitting needles. Her designing probably started in late teens and early 20’s which progressed into publishing. She attended a trade

crochetbouquetshow of designers and publishers, learned about polymer clay there, too, and wrote her first books on that subject. In fact, she still teaches workshops on making polymer clay buttons! She will be teaching this at the Taos Wool Festival this fall.  For more information visit her website https://www.textilefusion.com/

While in the mall, she noticed garments with flower embellishments, and after  searching for and not finding books on the subject, wrote her first crochet books, Crochet Bouquet and Crochet Garden. She teaches this at Crochet Guilds…

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She also creates wall hangings which combine quiting, knitting and crochet for lots of textural elements. In fact, one of Suzann’s creations are hanging in the Lion Brand Studio in New York! Creativity extends to her very house, as she and her husband have built their Adobe Home, in Texas, completed in 2013.

Her latest book, Cute Crochet world has many little creations of just everyday life, from home furnishings to animals and food.

Find Suzann Thompson on Ravelry, her designs are listed in her designer page at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/suzann-thompson

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Suzann Thompson first get into crochet?

So here’s the thing… Suzann learned to knit way back in elementary school, and her mom tried to teach her crochet then, but it didn’t really stick. It wasn’t until seventh grade, when she found a pattern for a crochet bag in a magazine, that she really started crocheting. She even made and sold them at school!

What kind of books has Suzann Thompson written?

Honestly… Suzann has written quite a few books! She wrote her first ones on polymer clay buttons, and then after noticing flower embellishments on clothes and not finding books about them, she wrote “Crochet Bouquet” and “Crochet Garden.” Her latest is “Cute Crochet World,” which has all sorts of everyday creations.

Does Suzann Thompson teach workshops?

Yes! She still teaches workshops on making polymer clay buttons, which she’ll be doing at the Taos Wool Festival. She also teaches her floral crochet techniques at Crochet Guilds.

What’s Suzann Thompson’s “Cute Crochet World” book about?

Well, “Cute Crochet World” is filled with lots of little creations inspired by everyday life. You’ll find everything from home furnishings to cute little animals and even food items in there!

Where can I find Suzann Thompson’s crochet designs online?

You can totally find her designs on Ravelry! She has a designer page where all her amazing work is listed, so you can check that out.

Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, Knitting Expert, Author,…

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CTHprofilepicCornelia Tuttle Hamilton, Knitting Expert, Author, Teacher and Yarn Brand Owner has been in the fiber industry for decades but is surprisingly young for the amount of experience she shares with us! She started very young, at 24 began as a designer, for a shop in NYC that was avant garde and progressed to commission work. While she was living in Manhattan, she visited a friend in Sweden who was looking for someone to rent her place… she took it and became a International Designer! She had been designing for magazines and looking for backing, mostly Vogue Knitting when she approached a publisher to do a book. Inspired by Knitting in America by Wendy Fallick, she put together what she thought would make a great book , and they said they would like a book of design and ‘would you like to work with Noro’? Really, who could say NO to Noro? She did 8 books with KFI.  Other companies include Universal and their Poems Yarn, Malabrigo and Plymouth.

Computers, the internet, the social media website for yarn-crafts Ravelry have changed a lot of things, but has not really been reflected in a designer’s income or wages. Cornelia has embraced these as tools to promote her designs and encourage others. She has a website: https://www.hamiltonyarns.com/ where she begun to offer yarns Heaven’s Hand by Hamilton Yarns, currently showing three lines of yarn, the worsted weight Wool Classic, which is 100% Corriedale/Highland wool, https://www.hamiltonyarns.com/collections/yarns/products/heavens-hand-wool-classic, another worsted weight Silke, which is 100% mulberry silk https://www.hamiltonyarns.com/collections/yarns/products/heavens-hand-silke and a lace weight, Shaman which is 100% hand-spun hand-dyed Raw Silk, These can be purchased through these links at her website, but also Her yarns are available at various stores.

She now has a Ravelry group for her design work https://www.ravelry.com/groups/designer-cornelia-tuttle-hamilton and another for her yarn. ww.ravelry.com/groups/heavens-hand-from-hamilton-yarns  Cornelia is also new to blogging and doing a newsletter, both are linked through her website, but also tools she looks forward to using more.

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Really, though, she enjoys Facebook much more: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cornelia-Tuttle-Hamilton/97925624462 is her pro page and her yarn lines have a page also  https://www.facebook.com/HeavensHandYarn.

It was in Facebook that two recent patterns became known to most of us through Jimmy Beans Wool, Chutes and Ladders (their links to the kits!) https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/Anzula/AnzulaLimitedEditionChutesandLaddersScarf.asp?showLarge=true&specPCVID=57128 and then, working in collaboration with them, a huge promotion of her Sherlock Scarf, 

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which they combined with theme named yarn colorways and other items like project bags that made it a lot of fun. Here is the link to the Dr Watson Scarf Kit with them: https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/LornasLaces/LornasLLESherlockScarf.asp?showLarge=true&specPCVID=55621 and also Sherlock, of course, called Sherlocks Secret:  https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/LornasLaces/LornasLLESherlockScarf.asp?showLarge=true&specPCVID=55622 which they put together in Lorna’s Laces. By the way, both of these patterns are available for purchase in her Ravelry store:   https://www.ravelry.com/stores/cornelia-tuttle-hamilton-designs

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Coming up in Vogue Knitting are two unique designs using Geometric Openwork in a lattice design that she wanted to create in such a way that does not require weaving in lots of ends. They will appear in the Early Fall 2014 edition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How did Cornelia get started as an international designer?

So here’s the thing… Cornelia started designing very young, at 24, for a shop in NYC. Then, she visited a friend in Sweden, rented her place, and became an international designer! She was already designing for magazines and looking for backing, which led to her working with Noro for 8 books.

What kind of yarns does Cornelia offer under her own brand?

Honestly… she has a yarn brand called Heaven’s Hand by Hamilton Yarns. Currently, she has three lines: Wool Classic (a worsted weight 100% Corriedale/Highland wool), Silke (a worsted weight 100% mulberry silk), and Shaman (a lace weight 100% hand-spun, hand-dyed raw silk). You can find them on her website!

Has social media changed how designers like Cornelia promote their work?

Yes! Even though computers and the internet, like Ravelry, haven’t really changed designer income much… Cornelia has totally embraced them as tools. She uses her website, Ravelry groups, and even blogs and newsletters to promote her designs and encourage others.

Where can I find Cornelia’s patterns, like the Sherlock Scarf?

Great question! You can find some of her patterns, like the Sherlock Scarf and Chutes and Ladders scarf, through kits at Jimmy Beans Wool. Plus, both of those patterns are available for purchase in her Ravelry store. It’s always fun to find new patterns, right?

What’s next for Cornelia’s designs?

Well, the article mentions she has two unique designs coming up in the Early Fall 2014 edition of Vogue Knitting! They feature a geometric openwork lattice design, and she specifically created them so you won’t have to weave in a ton of ends… which is always a plus!

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Swing Knitting with Expert Brigitte Elliott

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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…

Autumn FusionBrigitte 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.

6/17 Knitting Expert Donna Druchunas

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Druchunas

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.

Knitting Expert and Author, Julie Turjoman

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Knitting Expert and Author, Julie Turjoman

Julie Turjoman’s designs have appeared in Interweave Knits and Knitty.  Check out this link in Ravelry for her designs.Knits That Breathe

She compiled Brave New Knits (link to book in Amazon) and has self published a NEW BOOK: Knits that Breathe. 

She saw a need for those that live in warmer climates, and the ladies that suffer Their OWN Personal Summers (aka HOT Flashes). These were designed to be used with silk and bamboo for the ultimate beautiful layers. https://www.amazon.com/Knits-That-Breathe-Breezy-Projects/dp/0991148606/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402590664&sr=1-1

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She invites all to join the Julie Turjoman Designs Ravelry Group  where you can stay tuned for her future publications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s so special about Julie Turjoman’s new book, “Knits That Breathe”?

So here’s the thing… Julie’s new book, “Knits That Breathe,” is all about creating beautiful, lacy knits perfect for warmer climates or for those of us who experience personal “hot flashes.” She uses yarns like silk and bamboo to make sure your knitted items are light and airy, so you can wear them comfortably even when it’s warm out.

Where can I find Julie Turjoman’s designs?

Honestly… Julie has a Ravelry page where you can see all her wonderful designs! You can find a link to her Ravelry page right here on the blog, so you can easily check them out and maybe add a few to your queue. She also invites everyone to join her Julie Turjoman Designs Ravelry Group to stay updated on future projects!

Why are breezy knits so great for places like Australia or Texas?

Yes! If you live somewhere with really hot summers, like Australia or Texas, then breezy knits are an absolute must-have. The designs are made to be light and breathable, so you can actually enjoy wearing your handmade knits year-round, even when the temperatures soar. It means no more putting your knitting away just because it’s hot outside!

Are Julie’s designs suitable for people who have trouble with wool?

Oh, that’s a great question! While the page doesn’t go into specifics about all the fibers she uses, her “Knits That Breathe” book focuses on materials like silk and bamboo, which are often good alternatives for people who are sensitive to wool. So, it’s very likely you’ll find some lovely options that work for you!

How can I keep up with Julie Turjoman’s latest work?

So glad you asked! Julie has a Ravelry group called “Julie Turjoman Designs” where she shares updates about her future publications. It’s the perfect place to go to make sure you don’t miss out on any of her new, breezy designs!

June 10th, Guest Jacqueline Sava of SOAK Wash

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6/10 ~ Guest Jacqueline Sava of Soak on Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird.

Jacqueline Sava was designing knitwear and was often asked how to take care of them. About 8 years ago, they began to seek the best ways to take care of our wool knits… and SOAK was born! Care was taken in selecting everything about the product including the packaging.

Soak website: https://www.soakwash.com/  Many popular choices of scents including Fragrance Free and Bio-degradable (and thus clear and color-free). Recently rebranded, formula has been updated to plant-derived, 100% post consumer resin bottles (recycled), labels are recycled and water-based ink were redesigned, too! Lizzy House designed the Yuzu labels, Sandi Henderson did Celebration labels, Joanna Figueroa did the fig labels, Denyse Schmidt did the Scent-less labels.

Their products includes:

  • Handmade, a Shea-butter based hand-cream that is absorbed into your skin
  • Soakboxes, knitting gift kit, includes Lorna’s Laces Yarn, with a pattern by Fiona Ellis, with nail polish to match, you could give to a knitter and they can knit the gloves or you could knit the gloves and give the whole kit to a non-knitter.
  • Flatter fabric spray, great for spray blocking lace, but other times complete water soak is not to advantage in blocking. Also, great for spraying fabric when traveling to refresh the garment.
  • Nail polish colors to match your yarn is fun. SOAK is working to put together a blog post for how to have a Nail Party at your LYS or knit night. How fun is that! The Ravelry collection has been a big hit. https://soakwash.com/store/cdn_retail/soak-boxes/nail-polish-sb/ravpolish.html

She will be at Quilt Canada today, in the UK mid-July for Unwind in Briton. Soak can also be found at lingerie trade-shows this summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is SOAK Wash?

So here’s the thing… SOAK was born about 8 years ago when Jacqueline Sava was designing knitwear and kept getting asked how to care for them. She started looking for the best ways to care for wool knits, and SOAK was created! It’s biodegradable and the bottles are now made from 100% post-consumer recycled resin.

Does the Flatter spray really get rid of wrinkles?

Honestly… yes! The Flatter fabric spray is great for spray blocking lace, but it’s also super useful for refreshing garments when you’re traveling. It’s a handy little product to have around!

What are Soakboxes?

Yes! Soakboxes are a knitting gift kit. They include things like Lorna’s Laces Yarn, a pattern by Fiona Ellis, and even nail polish to match your yarn. You could totally knit the gloves from the kit and then gift the whole package, or give the whole kit to someone who knits!

Can I get SOAK products in unscented?

Absolutely! SOAK offers a Fragrance Free option, which is wonderful if you or someone you’re gifting to has sensitivities. It’s also biodegradable and color-free.

Are the nail polish colors just for fun or do they match the yarn?

Oh, it’s all about fun and coordinating! The nail polish colors are designed to match your yarn, which is just so neat. They even have Soakboxes that include yarn, patterns, and matching nail polish – perfect for a knit night or a fun gift!