I'll be happy to discuss scheduling workshops for your guild, group, or organization for 2010. Please email me at merike@swva.net for more information.
You are welcome to contact organizers of workshops where I've taught for references.
“Ancient Symbolism in Contemporary Patterning” with Merike Saarniit
Trained as an anthropologist, artist, and historian, Estonian American Merike Saarniit is also a hand dyer of beautiful yarns and a passionate knitter. She teaches workshops internationally on Estonian stitches and patterning.
As Merike has explored Estonian knitting, she has also been developing a logical and fascinating theory of the origins of the rich and diverse patterning of Estonian arts and crafts, found not only in knitting, but woven sashes, woodwork, and metalwork. In April, she will share her discoveries with us.
As Merike says, anyone who has ever taken a knitting--or weaving, or any--pattern and changed it to make it their “own” can relate to this. Anyone who has never done so will, hopefully, be inspired to do so with their next project!
Merike will also share some really really old Estonian folk songs that have been traced back over a thousand years - sung a capella by some old grannies (on CD).
What are the colors you love? Learn how to combine them and choose accent colors successfully. Then learn how to paint your yarns in a no-mess, low-stress, highly gratifying method. The stitches explored are ideally suited for hand painted yarns and your swatches will turn into beautiful hats, which you will design to be as elegant or funky as you (or your colorway!) desires. The design utilizes the stitches you¹ll learn as well as a great two-needle no-gauge method for the crown, worked on circulars.
What knitter doesn’t have odd lots of yarns leftover from one project or another (including yarns purchased on impulse and never used!)? Bring some or all and see how painting coordinated colors, over-dyeing, and stitch pattern selection can turn your odd-lot stash into an inspiring collection of yarns ready to knit into a vest, hat, scarf, afghan, or your own unique project.
What knitter doesn’t have odd lots of yarns leftover from one project or another (including yarns purchased on impulse and never used!)? Bring some or all and see how painting coordinated colors, over-dyeing, and stitch pattern selection can turn your odd-lot stash into an inspiring collection of yarns ready to knit into a vest, hat, scarf, afghan, or your own unique project.
We’ll explore many border options before knitting one of the dramatic stranded patterns for what is considered the official sweater of Estonia: the Kihnu Troi. Then we’ll see how to apply our stitches and develop a personal pattern for a miniature sweater (with a bear attached, if desired), hat, socks, or mittens.
Bring some or all of your leftover stash yarns and see how painting coordinated colors, over-dyeing, and stitch pattern selection can turn your odd-lot stash into an inspiring collection of yarns ready to knit into a vest, hat, scarf, afghan, or your own unique project.
Workshops: Kihnu Troi Stacking Elements, Spinning for Knitting, Knit to Fit YOU, knitters@sbcglobal.net
October 26: Chapel Hill NC
Estonian-Americans of the Carolinas
Lecture: Traditional Symbolism and Creativity in Estonian Knitting
November 6-10, Baltimore MD
STITCHES EAST
Fiendishly Difficult Stitches, Spinning for Knitting, Toe-Up Socks YOUR Way!. Estonian Patent Stitches, Stash Reduction Vest DARN IT!
2009
February 26-March1, Santa Clara CA STITCHES WEST www.KnittingUniverse.com Spinning for Knitting Fiendishly Difficult Stitches Elongated Stitches Enchantment
STITCHES SOUTH www.KnittingUniverse.com Spinning for Knitting Fiendishly Difficult Stitches Elongated Stitches Enchantment NUPPS: Bobbles and Buds Patent Stitches Darn It!
Imagine discovering several unusual cast-ons that can morph into a decorative edge which becomes part of an intricate border pattern that can include stitches that travel, bobble, braid, and otherwise delight the fingers and the eyes. We’ll explore many border options before knitting one of the dramatic stranded patterns for what is considered the official sweater of Estonia: the Kihnu Troi. Then we’ll see how to apply our stitches and develop a personal pattern for a miniature sweater (with a bear attached, if desired), hat, socks, or mittens.
June 15-24,I T A L Y
Knitting Techniques Clinic
with Anna Zilboorg & Merike Saarniit
Join us in Venice and the Italian Alps for
instruction that can benefit knitters from beginning to advanced skill levels. Sampling and understanding different methods of shaping in knitting will be covered that can be used in your future projects. Also presented will be unusual stitch patterns, from simple to complex, and how to apply them to your choice of projects. Finally, they will help you work your swatches and class samples into socks, mittens, or hats - or even a strip knit vest or sweater. In addition to the 18 hours of classroom instruction (six 3-hour sessions), special emphasis is placed on the quality one-on-one time you will enjoy with Anna and Merike throughout your vacation.
