ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

I recently did a bit of a rave about Grannyg. She, that is Grannyg has a mission to save the world – one craft at a time, and she is doing very well at it, even on her own – she knits, spins, weaves, sews and bakes (I am told gloriously well). Oh, and she drinks coffee. I guess she must also drink tea given that the website is called Crafternoon Tea with Grannyg or maybe the name was a decision born to fill a rhyming need as Crafternoon Coffee with Grannyg does not work at all well.

Well Grannyg and I had a long talk a couple of weeks ago and today the podcast is up and ready so if you are at all curious about podcasts on crafts in, or to do with New Zealand and New Zealanders then do listen to it.

episode 36i – ConnieLene Johnston

Now I am Danish born, but I certainly sound like a New Zealander as you will hear. It is not so surprising as I have lived in New Zealand since December 28th 1948. Of course it is possible that it was the 29th, I just can’t quite recall, it being a wee while ago and at that time I was of an age where dates were not quite so important to me.

We established I have a long history with New Zealand including the craft / art / knitting world and as such am qualified to be interviewed, and what a fun interview that was. It did run on a bit, as it does when you are discussing stuff dear to your heart and it was great fun. Fortunately Grannyg being a very technically au fait granny, she has edited it a bit.

And if you think I laugh and sound like a smoker – believe me I am not and have never been. I spoke to Best Beloved about that and he reminded me that on the day I had a bad air day. What do you think of that – he noticed my bad air day, never ever notices my bad hair days. He was downstairs while Grannyg was interviewing me, or was that while we were talking about stuff we both love. No, it really was an interview.

Isn’t technology great – we spoke across the airwaves, and now I can, and I hope you do as well, we can listen to it over the airwaves – clear as day.

Sorry – I forgot say – we are living in Haarlem, in the Netherlands, In North Holland, which is why this was an interview via the ether. I am calmer about ether today you will note. We have been here in the Netherlands just over 2 years and will return to New Zealand late next year. In the meantime my Best Beloved is working, and I am designing and knitting, just filling in the days with yarn, ideas, colours and even patterns.

I hope these patterns and I probably have several hundred partially written or connie knithand notes that will become patterns. These here patterns are to be sold so I can continue my passion for yarns. I will quietly curl up my toes as the New Zealand pension is unlikely to be sufficient to cover my yarn needs.

Unique Boutique Knits – with my knit patterns

Please go look and then listen. It will help Grannyg with her quest and with luck it will also help me with mine – and please forward the link.

Yeah I know, There are many grannies in New Zealand and throughout the world. Some are called granny and you knew that already. Some are called Oma, G’ma, Grandma, Grandmother, and me I am a grandmother as well and I am called Mormor. For those who don’t know what, or who, or whatever mormor means – it means mothers mother, in Danish, Swedish and Norwegian if google translate is correct.

There are many other “mormor” terms out there, some we know and recognise instantly, and others that we do not know well, like Bestemor, Farmor, Grand-mere, Nonna, Grootmoeder, Abuela and then there is Grandmamma, the very formal Grandparent, Grandmom, Grandmama and Grammy, and so on.

But you guessed it; this is not about grandmothers at all, it is about grannyg_in_nz who has set about saving the world one craft at a time. Now that is big, as big as grannies plans can be.

Grannyg runs, manages, blogs and interviews all and sundry on Crafternoon Tea with Grannyg “A fibrecraft podcast from New Zealand featuring interviews with inspiring people” and she, that very same Grannyg who is going to save the world one craft at a time has interviewed moi, here in the Netherlands by that wonderful technology the telephone, with skype if you please.

Now my Mormor (mothers mother) in Denmark, and my Farmor (my fathers mother) also of Denmark barely met the telephone.

Yet here is GrannyG talking to me across the airwaves (about 11,000 miles of airwaves) about me, and my work, my art, my nuttiness, my knitting, my …. well all sorts – and she wasn’t bribed to do it! She, that is Grannyg actually thinks I could be interesting to talk to.

Crikey.

And I can’t even remember all that we spoke about. We did talk about design and knitting and why I do it the way I do and so on. We did talk about the fact that my knitting is not the “norm” as it were. I can remember some things we didn’t get to like why is this mormor here in the Netherlands doing funny things with knitting and trees and concrete balls, and why …..

But I am not going to tell you anymore about talking with grannyg_in_nz. You will need to check her out yourselves.

Yesterday, and I am sorry I didn’t realise earlier but Grannyg and her website celebrated one year of happy podcasting, blogging and meeting fantastic crafty, arty, interesting folk. Happy anniversary Grannyg_in_nz

Thanks Gran.

Burnt Orange Chunky Basic Roll Neck Dress, by Stella McCartney.

A-Line, Orange, Knitted, Elegant Simplicity

My Knitterly view continued

A-line dress, Beehive hair can be arranged

Camel colour with the burnt Orange and Navy in a Knitted, flowing, elegant, dramatic, and full length Cloak

Delicate Knit – Dryclean only, Expensive and Elegant simplicity – yes

Faux Fur or Feather yarns in the Cloak

Grunge glamour – I think we might have that, HairBand – knitted or Leather, Intricate details – in the Hairband or the Lace arm warmers, Jewellery – chunky knitted or crocheted Jewellery to wear over the the Camel or Orange or Navy Lace arm warmers, Knits from top to toe – we certainly have that, Lace arm warmers and/or Leather – soft Leather boots to the knee or even over the knee, Mad men secretaries (hope someone explains that to me)

Navy – in the Cloak

Orange – the dress is Orange, Polo Neck – on the dress, Quantam Leap – okay, Retro hair – Beehive hair is fairly retro

Shearling – trim around the edges of the Cloak including at the neck line so the Orange Polo of the dress can be framed by the creamy Shearling

Teddy bear fur – maybe the model can carry a little Teddy bear with a purse hidden inside it?, maybe? I really cannot envisage Teddy Bear Fur anywhere. Understated or Unique Knit – this dress is, Vogue and Vintage Knit – this dress is, Vogue Knitting – this dress is, and the dress is simply WOW.

X – cloak design to be included in the XRX “Knitters Magazine” – now that would be really great, Yeti – maybe the faux fur yarn can be a bit Yeti like, ZigZag – knitted design in the cloak

So this dress by Stella McCartney does represent the Vogue winter fashion trends for 2010-2011 from A to Z – once you add the flowing, elegant, full length, dramatic, knitted with a zigazg design Cloak,the chunky big jewellery, hairstyle change, hairband, lace arm warmers, and leather high boots

Now that would be a stunner and I just happen to know a designer who could create that cloak.

NOTES: A-Z of the Vogue winter trends 2010-2011

A for A-Line, O for Orange, K for Knitted top to toe, E for Expensive and/or Elegant Simplicity, P for Polo neck – Just in case my ramblings did not make it clear. The dress scores A,O,K,E,P or 5/26 – not bad.

I am to create a mohair throw as a wedding gift for a young couple based in London.

Whatever I create with this lovely brief – it will have fabulous fabulous colours, and being created with lots of mohair this throw will also have a rich silky and luxurious feel. So very perfect as a wedding gift. The colour plan includes red, black, and silver or grey – depending on the yarns I find. I may include some wool and faux fur sections – if the colours are so absolutely right.

I have not been asked to create any specific design, nor have I been asked to be formal in my colour use. Yippee!

What to do?

Looking for the yarns will be the first step.

I am going to New Zealand in 3 weeks – maybe I will source some yarns there.

Intarsia is a technique whereby you can create beautiful and colourful designs or pictures on your knitting. Usually done flat, it is also possible to do it in the round. There are no special requirements in terms of material or equipment. With knowledge of basic knit and purl stitches you are already well on your way to being able to complete an Intarsia knit.

Hopefully this website will also be of assistance to you! You can browse for ideas and inspiration. Feel free to send in your questions when you get stuck. Your creations might not look like designer clothes on your first try but remember that practice makes perfect. No matter what level you are, you will find helpful tips and tricks to guide you along the way. You can do it!

If you are new to Intarsia you may have questions that I could answer which will help you with what you are creating now. Those questions may also give me additional ideas on what should be included in my Intarsia book.

I have started a topic “Intarsia Knitting”, on my Facebook business page under the tab Discussions requesting questions and queries on Intarsia knitting.

The book, which has no name as yet, will cover the skills of knitting using the Intarsia method from working with a basic graph to how I work in the free form way.

It will cover the technical aspects – geared to a learning Intarsia knitter and develop the skills in increments from graph, geometric to free form, over a range of projects. The project patterns will be included. So far projects include a small wall hanging, a sweater, and a jacket.

This is an important project for me – and it has been rummaging around in my head for a long time. Now is the time for me to make it happen. Please join me on the ride as we can all benefit from each others skills, interests, and especially queries.