And another one bites the dust! FO 2013

This piece is a little more recent, 1 year old, a project from last fall,  or perhaps even earlier if I were to get into dating the hand dyed and hand spun yarns!

Now a future piece of material for a skirt or a shirt, saori-style!

December- A time for things to come to an end

Since returning back to my government job after opening the store in 2008, I have taken the month of December off every year, to be at the store, to share knowledge, and connect with fibre artists.

December is also a time to finish a project or two. This year, I picked up the my first attempt at knitting a sweater without a pattern from seven years ago. I had knit the body using a beautiful Noro yarn and then I reached a point where my required knitting skills need not match my actual knitting skills.I set it aside for the passage of time.

This winter I picked up that sweater, from another time. Filled with memories and  ready to add with new ones. I read the stitches and saw what little tips have I have picked up since I last put down this sweater.  Knit on to completion!

December- A time for things to come to an end, a journey in time with a sweater instead of a tardis

Here are a couple tips to share with you!

• Change over yarns at the end of a row when you are starting a new ball. (simple but effective!)
• Letting go of trying to control the tension when grafting. I had seamed the tops of the shoulders too tight! 

 It still needs a little tweaking, a little longer sleeves with a thumb-hole....

Any tips that you have recently picked up that has helped you on your knitting journey?

 

Fibrations 2013!!!

Its official! Fibrations is happening on Sunday, August 18th, 2013! And check it out they already have one of our their sponsors...

The call for vendor came out today, deadline to apply is May 16th! Find our more here and follow Fibrations on facebook.

Celebrating our fibo-milestone!

In honor of the fact that the number of likes our page has coincides with the Fibonacci Sequence

 Here is a really cool video on this 

amazing mathematical and natural phenomenon!

An integration of nature, math and glitter.

Doodling in Math: Spirals, Fibonacci, and Being a Plant

now with a knotty twist, examples of fibonacci in the fibre arts:

 

I am amazed that I knit this sweater for my godson without knowing I was in fibonacci mode.

 The weaving utilizes a mathematical structure (phi) of spiral growth found in nature to create baskets with a rhythmic, naturally flowing design. From "Honoring Women."

 Do androids dream of electric sheep?

Where 

have you 

found (or used) 

 the fibonacci sequence in your life?

 

Van Isle's fibre arts community is catching CBC's waves

The first wave crept in quietly, 

a sneak peek 

of

 CBC's blog the night of February 15. 

I can imagine how this story begins with Dela crocheting her way across Canada viaRail. 

Fibre arts, like crocheting, knitting or spinning in public are a sure way to draw in curious people that remember a fibre connection in their family. 

A grandma who taught them how to knit, has a spinning wheel, 

or something they have never encountered before. 

With Dela's generous nature, I can imagine her showing someone how to crochet or knit.

"I just happen to have some extra yarn and a crochet hook." 

Any serious fibre artist will come with several projects :)

 I can see where this wave went. 

{speed forward a couple of months..}

and voila!

Railway knitting caught the first CBC wave.  

The next wave came this morning when

CBC interviewed the Tzouhalem Spinners and Weavers

to find out more about their new initiative to create 

a Fleece and Fibre Directory for the Islands.

The fibre arts community draws, creates an atmosphere of generosity, commitment and passion that is worthy of recognition through these radio stories. What better medium than one that draws on the magic of story telling on radio.

Do you have any radio shows you love now or listened to as a child, before there was the interweb?

Getting ready for the spin-in

One of our favorite events of the year is the annual spin-in that is hosted by the Victoria Handweavers & Spinners Guild. Aside from Fibrations, this is the only event that Knotty By Nature does. For the last of couples months and on a daily basis Ryan has been dying vibrant colors of

•  tussah & bombyx silks;
•  merino& silk;
•  merino & bamboo; and
•  super fine merino.  

All of these fibres are matched with hand dyed silk scarves to create a beautiful base create a beautiful nuno-felted scarf.... but that's another post. 

Photo by Claudia's Images 

The spin-in will be an entire day of spinners, spinning wheels and tonnes of colorful fluffly fleece.

A cool part of the spin-in a re the vendors; there are eight this year, possibly the most ever. This is a perfect opportunity to get your hands on the nicest locally prepared Vancouver Island fleeces and also lovely fibres from around the world. These fibres are really awesome for not only spinning but also needle felting and wet felting.

Believe it or not, this is needle felted by Kilikulu. 

Yeah, so if you have a couple of free hours on Saturday February 23rd, anytime between 10am - 4pm, you should definitely come by and support this years spin-in!

Spin-in
St. Mary's Church

4125 Metchosin Road

Saturday February 23rd, 

10-4

This is the sweater, the sweater like no other

I fell in love with this sweater and took on the challenge of knitting it. For some copyright mystery, the actual of the pattern that this sweater is derived from will not be shared by the first knitter of this sweater. The result are notes that can be collected from the other 179 people who knitted this sweater.

Photo credit: Ryan Davis 2012

 Note for non-knitters:  the most popular sweater on ravelry has been knit by 12, 351 people.

Photo credit: Ryan Davis 2012

Knitting can be such a great essential skills builder, any sweater requires the nine essential skills that can develop as you challenge yourself with complexity in knitting:

1. Reading
2. Document Use
3. Numeracy
4. Writing
5. Oral Communication
6. Working With Others
7. Thinking
8. Digital Technology
9. Continuous Learning

Knitting this sweater also required perseverance, determination, dedication, detachment, and love of the challenge and the yarn I chose. For more notes on the project check out the Ravelry page.

Eco-entrepeneur of the Year - Women in Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more in Vic news

ooh yeah...

Leave a comment and share a link to this blog  

for a chance to win a copy of 

the Opinionated Knitter. 

Draw date October 13th.

kbnfibres.ca

Imagine bumping into Big Bird at Knotty!

A little bit of Sesame Street right around the corner.

Knotty by Nature Fibre Arts

Geat ready

kbnfibres.ca

An Urgent Message From Knotty By Nature

Orders from the Crown

2012 First Nations and Métis Art Show and Sale

I am proud to be a part of this event starting today!

Dates: September 28 to October 21, 2012.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm .
Location : Community Arts Centre,  Tulista Park at 5th and Weiler in Sidney.

The Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula is hosting the Fourth Annual Invitational First Nations and Métis Art Show this fall at the Arts Centre at Tulista Park in Sidney.  The Arts Council extends an invitation to come and experience this exciting annual event held in traditional Coast Salish territory.

This is a unique art show in Canada, because it represents all the First Peoples designated by the Government of Canada.  While there have been one time art exhibitions, this is the first continuous art show that has represented First Nations artists from across Canada.  Alongside the local Coast Salish territories artists, there are also artisans from the Métis, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibway, Navajo, Inuit, and Chickasaw Nations.

To quote Mayor Larry Cross of Sidney:  “The show has grown exponentially over the past 3 years and is important to the Town of Sidney in building community relations and understanding the spirit of the First Nations cultures.”

Some of the Arts Council’s stated purposes are to nurture an appreciation of visual and performing arts within the community, and to provide artists with exposure to local audiences by providing opportunities for artists to perform or exhibit their work locally.  This function touches the very roots of the objectives of the Arts Council and reaches out to bridge gaps and promote understanding within the region.

Both traditional and emerging lower island artists with First Nations and Métis heritage including a wide variety of backgrounds and experience will be featured.
Two returning artists Virgil Sampson and Tobias Tomlinson are working together with the Arts Council to produce a quality art show which promises to include an outstanding collection of work. They have contacted over fourty new and returning artists who are expected to show their art, interact with the public and demonstrate their work.   A few of the artists anticipated to take part include Charles Elliott, Chris Paul, Doug Lafortune, Frank Lewis. Charlene George, Debbie Hunt, Mark Henry, Lindsay Delorande, Stephanie Papik and Kevin Brophy.

The whole gallery will be displayed to reflect the intent and spirit of the event.  Stories and music will add to the ambiance of the ever changing show. The diversity of art expressions will include: carving, weaving, prints, fabric art, drums, rattles, pottery, beading, leather work, painting, jewelry and some that might surprise you!   Don’t miss your opportunity to win one of the fabulous prizes donated by Tobias Tomlinson, Dylan Thomas and Frank Lewis.  Come often to meet many of the artists, see changing displays.

Oh whey oh!

 

Be the first to come in the store and name the tune that inspired this meme, and win a locally made drop spindle.

Learn to spin like an Egyptian at Knotty By Nature

October 6 2012

Fall is here, grab your needles and get your knit on!

Introducing our new knitting classes for everyone:

learn to knit and the knitting lab!

Knotty Dobby!

Dobby rocks because even after being freed from a position of servitude, he chooses to serve Harry in his quest to conquer 'he who shall not be named'.

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A visit to the Good Planet Company 764 Fort St., Victoria, BC

The Good Planet. The place that makes it possible to incorporating being green with every day products.

The next time I need a shower curtain, I will definitely need one of these.

 

The Green Kiss sells safe, smart and sexy cosmetics from North America's most effective safe cosmetic brands. I could not walk out the store without needing to try (then buy) this in red.

There is quite a diverse range of things they do, besides selling green cleaning products.

They also teach how to make soap on Wednesday evenings, after hours at the Good Planet, sounds like fun!

I asked their Store Manager, Shiri what she would like to share about products at the store and she immediately steered me to these organic mattresses.

They felt really soft and comfy.

 These guys, like us, support local artists.

 

  And they have 50% off these awesome water bottles.

 

There is of course, much more than I can show here. If any of this has intrigued you, I highly recommend a visit! My daughter, after reading this blog, wants me to take her to the Good Planet tomorrow to buy some nail polish from the Green Kiss, maybe we will see you there!

My knotty meme!

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Find out about our summer hours, 

latest yarns and treats that we have 

in store for you when you come in for your next visit!

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This scarf is one of my favorites

The placement of the red line with the soft greys and browns is is remarkable. Woven on an inspired night on the pacific north west coast. It will keep out the chill of a winter rainforest or any chilly climate.

Ryan and family on the beach on an Easter weekend.