ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

Funky Fashionable Feather and Fan Fingerless gloves are back on etsy

I have been looking at autumn / fall fashion trends 2011 instead of knitting; and I’m not really feeling like writing a report just because I would rather be knitting, so a list will have to suffice this time.

SO:
Capes are still in – and still my favourite

Frills and flounces – they are also in, I play with frills and flounces sometimes, but not too often.

Poncho – are warm and they also cool – that is why I like Ponchos

Cowls – I am glad that all my cowls are still in

Fur – fun fur and I guess other fur if you have it or want it.

Fingerless gloves – and as you know I love funky fingerless gloves.

Cables –

Split sleeves

See through sections

Obi style belts

AND

and Hot Pink
and Black, Grey, White and Red.

Sunday just over a week ago I was extraordinarily lucky.

Why?

Well; a few weeks before I was making a purchase at De Afstap in Amsterdam when I noticed on the counter a reference to an upcoming workshop/presentation by Christel Seyfarth.

Now you know where I am going from here, don’t you?

I have seen Christels work on the internet as many of us have, and I never thought I might see her work and hear her speak.

And now I have.

And what can I say – WOW!!!!! the photos don’t do her or her creations justice. But still WOW!!!!!

It was magic to hear her speak of her design process, her colour use, and the drivers from her natural environment on the island of Fanø off the coast of Denmark, and in particular the sea.

And of course I love that she starts something and is not always sure where it is going. Now that I really understand as that is very often what I do.

I also knit in the round.

I also knit with many many colours.

I have also said “not sure if it is working – then add some more colours, just keep going”

That however is as close as I get.

I never ever knit in the round and cut my work and finish it in the way that I saw on Sunday. STEEKS – EEEKKK.

I have never ever created a piece with a steek.

I have never ever cut my work.

I don’t even knit fair isle. That is nearly untrue, in the past I have knitted fair isle – when I had a knitting machine, ever so long ago. I also tried hand knitting fair isle when my kids were still kids, again a very long time ago. I abandoned it as a method when I discovered intarsia.

I did knit a waistcoat with facings, again many many years ago. I have never done that since.

But Christel is so passionate about her creations, her methods, her colours, and the sea that she might even draw me towards facings and steeks (eeekkk), but not fair isle. I already love the sea and colour.

And then there is that reef knot. I am not going to tell you about that though.

Do you know that even the shawls are knitted in the round with steeks? I am amazed by her skill, her finishing, her trims, edges, facings and the colours. I love the colours.

If you ever get the chance to listen to Christel speaking, and to see and touch and marvel at her designs, as well as to view her wonderful photographs of her island – Fanø, and of China and other places and things which have triggered designs for her. Then you must take up that opportunity. I am so glad that I did.

But then I have been a very lucky person.

but steeks…..

Christel Seyfarth gallery and Fanø Knit Festival 23-25 September 2011

I have been knitting for more than 50 years. Did you notice, I said that out loud. I have probably been knitting for more than 55 years, as the actual start date is lost in mists of time.

When I was a much younger knitter, Feather and Fan was used for baby things like shawls, matinee jackets and bonnets. I used feather and fan stitch when knitting for my own babies.

Since that time, until now that is, feather and fan stitch and I have not crossed needles and yarn together (or paths or swords).

Feather & Fan Waistcoat knit in one piece

Funky Full length (opera) Fashionable Fingerless Gloves

I really love the effect of it with the variegated yarns above and now as you can see, I am knitting with a cream yarn looking at the affect of the stitch on the edges of the knitting.

But my circular needle on which is sitting my wrap all excited and ready to go – BROKE – and I do not have another spare 4.5mm circular needle. And yes, I know the wrap is being knitted in cream; I know it looks like baby stuff, but when it is finished, if ever, it will look like a gorgeous, warm, sexy, delicious, and feather light wrap and I am or was enjoying the wavy affect on the edges.

Feather & Fan wrap Work in Progress with Broken circular needle

BUT it is raining and the wind is blowing, and to purchase another such needle will mean adding lots of layers and walking about 20 mins along narrow Haarlem streets, across a draw bridge over a canal (the Spaarne) and along and along to the wool shop Kleinvak van der Raad where they do not mind my lack of Dutch and probably giggle at some of the yarns I buy to try. But that is okay.

And today I just do not feel like it. In short I am really and truely hacked off. I might have to open the wine!

Examples of my work