The Gansey Girl

An article ran recently in the Bridlington Free Press about a new statue called "The Gansey Girl" (a Gansey is a type of pullover with textured designs) installed in the harbor on the North Pier. A town with deep roots in both the fishing and knitting industries, this coastal English city situated on the North Sea is known for its shellfish and summer destination spots. It's wonderful to call attention to their rich knitting history and what better way than having a woman knitting on their main pier! Original article found here.

Knitting a piece of fishing heritage

A bronze sculpture which pays tribute to Bridlington’s fishing history now sits on the harbour’s North Pier as a reminder of the town’s maritime past.

Designed by artist Steve Carvill, it also marks the 10th anniversary of the Bridlington Maritime Trail and was officially unveiled last Friday by Chris Wright, chairman of the Harbour Commissioners and Peter Turner, chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Named The Gansey Girl, it also carries the names of several local fishing families. The figure of a young woman sits on a plinth knitting a Gansey, a traditional jumper that contains a rich pattern of symbolism passed down through generations of fishing families.

She faces the harbour mouth in order to bid farewell to fishermen leaving the harbour, as well as welcome them back home. Made in Bridlington, names of some of those who have fished off the coast or have been involved with the harbour, are inscribed on sculpted fish on the plinth.

The Maritime Trail highlights points of interest in and around the harbour and seafront taking in the harbour estate, Garrison Square and the sea front area, and has street information boards, a new web site, stone trail markers and trail leaflets.

It has been developed by a local steering group including volunteers, local historians, the Harbour Commissioners and representatives from the fishing industry and is supported by University of Hull Maritime Studies and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Artist Steve Carvill, said: “The stories and lives of the fishermen and their families have been inspiring and I really hope that this piece is enjoyed by local people and visitors alike.”

East Riding councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for economy, investment and inequalities, said: “It is very important to show the local community that their heritage and history is being preserved, as well as including a wider tourism circuit to the town.”

Dr Robb Robinson, historian at the University of Hull, said: “The Maritime trail allows us to explore Bridlington’s wonderful maritime heritage and brings it to the attention of tourists and local public alike.

“It has been a wonderful example of the local authority, harbour commissioners, fishing industry and the community working together.”

Squam Double Dip

The workshops for Squam Fall 2016 were announced earlier this week here and I'm downright ecstatic to have been asked back. I'll be teaching a veritable smorgasbord of techniques in a Squam-inspired headband with bobbles, cables, shaping, applied i-cord, lace and chart reading (I got tired just writing that!). As soon as I packed my bags and left Squam in September I knew I wanted to return back. I'll be looking forward to September 2016 with anticipation! Registration starts November 16th, so get on their email newsletter list to get info firsthand.

Since I've had Squam on the brain this week, I'd like to share two patterns with you today. The first, Lovley Aphrodite, are lace fingerless mitts that I designed and taught specifically for Squam 2015. My students ROCKED this pattern and while it's a bit tricky at first, they knit up more quickly than you'd think, are great fun to knit and scream "I am a knitting master, hear me roar!" For this pattern release I've tried something new and added a photo tutorial for the oyster stitch. Since I can't be there lurking over your shoulder like I was for my Squammies, this is the next best thing!

Knit with 1 hank of the glorious Hazel Knits Lively DK, the oyster stitch is super stretchy and the pattern is truly one size fits all. I love Hazel Knits because her colors absolutely sing and every time I wear something knit in her yarn I get asked "What yarn is that?" Knitting up on US 6's, almost all my students finished 1 mitt in our class time together and knit the other while still on our retreat. I'm happy to now make this pattern available to all.

The second pattern is a hat I was working on while teaching at Squam. I worked on it mostly on the docks of Squam Lake, my feet in the water, chatting about life and making things with my fellow teachers and students. I was inspired by our surroundings - the lake, the trees, the people and the colors. There was never a doubt in my mind that this hat is 100% Squam, hence the Squam Lake Hat.

I love this hat. Fair Isle, corrugated ribbing and colors that pop are classic TanisKnits. Knit up in Alchemy: Yarns of Transformation's Temple, a simply beautiful superwash hand dyed, this hat holds such fond memories, wonderful conversations and time spent with amazing people who are friends for life. Alchemy is in a league of their own color-wise and the 4 autumnal colors knit up on US 5's make me think "Squam."

Love how this hat comes together at the crown!

I hope you enjoy these Squam-inspired patterns and I do hope I'll see you next September on the Lake. Until then, I'll keep my memories from the retreat close to my heart and dream of when I'll be back.

Download the Lovely Aphrodite pattern here and the Squam Lake Hat here.

The Force Cowl

"Use the Force, Tanis." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2we_B6hDrY

Ok, maybe that's not exactly what they said in the films, but I may or may not mutter that to myself when trying to open difficult jar lids, lifting something heavy, prepping for a speaking gig or starting a new book. It's one of those all-encompassing phrases that any Star Wars nut should have as part of their everyday language.

I won't go into how much I love Star Wars again (if you read this previous post from Force Friday you know that already), or how when we were talking about baby names 5 years ago before we knew if we were having a boy or a girl Leia was definitely on the list, or how I have lengthy discussions with other kids when I take my son to the playground about which movie, character or droid is the best one, but know that Star Wars and I go together like unicorns and sparkles. An ideal combination.

I'm giddy to introduce the second installment of the TanisKnits Star Wars themed pattern trilogy, The Force Cowl. I've been wearing this little bit of fandom around my neck for a couple of weeks and it makes me downright gleeful when another Star Wars fan gives me the silent nod of acknowledgment, like we're in the super secret awesome knitting club for knitting Star Wars groupies. Fair Isle, Star Wars, knitting and great yarn? Show me the way and I'm never coming back.

Knit in the round with corrugated ribbing and worked in the traditional stranded colorwork technique, this cowl will make you feel extra omegaAxl (see the Wookipedia if you don't know what that means). I love Tanis Fiber Arts (shout out to my fellow Tanis up in Canada - no we are not the same person) Yellow Label DK yarn, a delightful, hand dyed, squishy 100% superwash. Knit on US 6s, I found this pattern addicting because I wanted to keep knitting the letters until I had a full line of text! With the classic "May the Force be with you, always" phrase looping around your neck, this is an easy way to show which side of the Alliance you fall on.

Designed for fellow addicts fans, I hope you enjoy knitting this up as much as I did!

Stay tuned for the final installment of the TanisKnits Star Wars pattern trilogy coming in November and remember, may the Force be with you, always.

Download The Force Cowl here.

KAL Countdown

Knitting is a very solitary act, yet we knitters often find ourselves in groups, happily knitting away on our individual project, all working different techniques in different yarns and talking about different things. I love this about crafting - quilting circles, knitting groups, photography clubs - you name it - some things are just more fun when you're in a group. With the spirit of working together, I'm happy to announce a project I've been working on with String Yarns in New York City... Over the course of a year, I'll be designing six projects and hosting a virtual Knit-A-Long (KAL) in their Ravelry Group for each one. I love teaching and you'll find me a few nights a week at my LYS, happily spreading the knitting word and continuing on my quest to help everyone become the knitter they wish to be. While I go off and teach retreats in other cities and countries, I also enjoy virtual KALs because they bring knitters together from all over. Virtual KALs break down all sorts of barriers - it doesn't matter where you live or what language you speak - at the end of the day, we're all knitters who love our craft, coming together to knit the same project as a group. There's strength in numbers!

Commencing November 10th, then every-other-month following that, I'll introduce a new project exclusively for String Yarns. Up first is the Charles Wristers, cabled fingerless mitts knit in the luxurious 100% cashmere String Classica from String Yarns. Over the course of a month we'll learn how maneuver our way on DPNs, work mirror-imaged cables, how to fix a cable that perhaps got crossed the wrong way, how to do a gusset, get comfortable reading cable charts and at the end, we'll have a beautiful pair of cashmere mitts (it's up to you whether you'll be keeping them for yourself or gifting them, but my vote is to do both!). I'll be there every step of the way posting tutorials, photos, offering support, tips, tricks, knitting along with you and leading us on our first ever String KAL event!

This first pattern will be available on Ravelry for anyone who wants to join our KAL, with subsequent KAL patterns available through String Yarns. Kits are available on String's website here with dozens of color options and another option to add needles to make a complete kit (a nice stocking stuffer, no?). Use the online code NovKAL15 for the kits and receive a 15% off discount! If you're local to NYC, pop by the shop (see hours and address here) and pick out a kit in person and get the pattern through the store (discount also applies to the kit in the shop).

Grab your cashmere, get your pattern ready and get yourself organized for November 10th in the String Yarns Ravelry Group. I'm excited to be at the helm of six great KALs hosted by String Yarns. Join me, won't you? Let's get our cashmere on!