Crochet Gone Wild

While we may be a knitting guild, that doesn't mean we aren't supportive of other forms of fiber art. Follow this link to see crochet gone wild -- all over the interior of the artist's apartment.

Artistic Felt

You may recall that our November 2010 program with Karin Skacel had to be postponed.  Well, Karin will be here for our June meeting, so the wait is almost over.

Karin will share information about Skacel and Addi history, then give a presentation on the companies which Skacel represents, along with photos of their facilities, employees, etc., and how Skacel works with them. Also, she will tell us how a new product (whether it be yarns or needles) is created from start to finish (the designing of a yarn, color selections, etc.), ending with the creation of Artfelt.
We will also have several mini-workshop opportunities to play with Artfelt and become comfortable with how to use it on Friday and Saturday, 3 & 4 June. The finished project is a phone/camera case or an eyeglass case. The photograph above is two Artfelt kits for making handbags. If you are a spinner, then you are really in a conundrum. To felt or to spin?

There are some advantages to felting. It is definitely fast -- even faster than crochet. And it is easier to design across the whole project. If you like color work, Artfelt gives you a lot of freedom with where and how you place color. You can also layer colors, creating a background but also laying lines and shapes on top of it. If you have studied the traditional arts of drawing and painting, this method of making decorative fabric should suit your skills.

For more inspiration, you can follow the Artfelt blog here or look at some samples on Flickr here.

Finally, there will be a potluck dinner with Karin on Friday 3 June from 6 - 9 PM at the home of Margie Steiner, who is also graciously hosting all the workshops. If you are interested in attending the potluck or one of the workshops, contact programs@atlantaknittingguild.org.

SEFAA Fiber Garage Sale

Since AKG is a member of Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance, I thought it would be good to remind everyone that tomorrow (21 May) is the first annual Fiber Garage Sale.  It will be 12-4 pm at the North DeKalb Cultural Center (Rooms 2 and 4).  Here's some of what SEFAA president Suzi Gough has to say:

Look for yarn (of course!), fabric, tools and equipment, books, ethnic textiles, finished art work and more. There will also be refreshments for sale, fellow fiber folk to hang out with, and drawings to enter. We have a weaver, a spinner, and a basketmaker, several knitters, some ethnic textile folk, a retired millinery designer and textile artist who is clearing out her studio and….. Lots of different things, all very interesting!

This is not only a good opportunity for stash enhancement, but it is also a chance to meet fiber artists outside the sphere of knitting.  If you have been interested in other textile arts, here is a chance to tickle your curiosity.

AKG and STITCHES overlap

I just wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow will be a great day for visiting our local shops. Don't forget that you can meet Habu Textiles founder Takako Ueki at Knitch, or meet Malabrigo Yarns owner Tobias Feder at either The Whole Nine Yarns or Needle Nook.

When you are in the marketplace this weekend at STITCHES, be sure to show some love for these AKG affiliates:
Eat.Sleep.Knit in booths 429 and 528.
Fiber Charmer in booth 618.
Gale's Art in booth 233
Purdy Thangs in booth 326
Sassafras Creations in booth 124

And if you are taking classes, we have two of our own teaching.
Jolie A. Elder is teaching class #342-3 "More Than One Way to Skin a Sweater."
Rebecca Ewing is teaching class #117-3 "In Loving Color."
Both classes are Saturday afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.

Malabrigo Merriment, Part 2

Tobias Feder, owner of Malabrigo Yarns, will be visiting Needle Nook on Wednesday 13 April from 4 - 7 PM. He will be bringing along a trunk show of luscious Malabrigo goodness! Time slots are available every 30 minutes, but you need to make a reservation in order to attend. The newest Malabrigo book will also be in stock and available for purchase and autograph. So if you can't sneak up to Woodstock during the day, you can head into town after work.