Tuesday, August 27, 2013

It's in the KAN

The KAN Registration essentials: Coffee, Sugar, Knitting & Ravelry Badges!

Wow!  Where does the weekend go?  It has been a whirlwind weekend, but a HUGE amount of FUN, largely due to the dedicated bunch on KAN-nannites who make the retreat their own. Dave & his team at East Pier were stellar as always - keeping the coffee, wine, beer & food rolling all weekend as needles flew, yarn stitched and fibre spun.  Of course the weather was perfect, again, so exploring Ahuriri & Napier was a joy.
The yarn shone, just like the Ahuriri weather.
Mark this date in your calendars:  KAN:V will be August 29th - 31st 2014. In the meantime enjoy a few images from this years event.

Getting Fresh with Freeforn Knitting
It wasn't all just fun - serious learning took place!
Dee & Frances (seated) - the Founders of the KAN Yarn Appreciation Society
I just love getting inspired by all the yarn, color & texture.
Modular Colour.
And of course much of this fibre found it's way home!
Colour Lust
Did I mention the shopping? the public market on Sunday saw unprecedented numbers.
Katharine from 2 Minute Needles struggling to keep her table stocked.
And the singing......
Mamma Mia was never the same again.






Monday, August 19, 2013

Knit Calm before the KAN Storm

Renly looking resplendent in his Winter jumper

I can't believe KAN starts this week!
I have record numbers this year and a wonderful mix of returning KAN-nannites and newbies about to have their first KAN experience.
The Skeinz shop looks amazing, it's just groaning with yarn, colour, fibre and lusciousness.

Hugo modelling Uncle Nicks beanie
To keep me focussed I have been finishing up a number of projects.  I completed a cabled beanie for my 'Gay Husband'(long story) - which he dubs the 'Tea Cosy', made is the same uber soft Merino Possum I did Phils Struan in.

Louis lovely teacher Janine with her new cowl.

As part of the school collection I have completed an Ever After Cowl for Hugo's teacher, Louis teacher has a long cowl using a variation of the Back to School Scarf in the rich, soft and uncious Moody HuesMerino/Alpaca/Possum and I have just to sew up and block some Ever After Gauntlets for Louis TA.

The Ever After Cowl for Hugo's teacher.
I also couldn't help cast on a vest for Hugo called Kingfisher, using the most amazing random colourway (also called Kingfisher) in the Naked Skeinz 10ply base which was random dyed to add a punch of colour to our Winter collection.  I am intending this to be my 'KAN knitting', but I have also been eyeing up Martina Behm's Leftie... so if you come to KAN you might see me working on both!

If you want to follow whats happening at KAN, start following my Instagram profile (buscke), I will be taking a series of images using this medium for CFW & Skeinz social media.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

KAN Theory

I have fingers & toes crossed that we have a weekend like this for KAN
KAN is now just a couple of weeks away & I am at that weird stage in the planning where I think - have I get everything nailed? What have I forgotten? Ahhh -  She'll be alright!

My top is in Blue, Justine made her bonnet & Kathy knitted the 'Liam' Jumper
I'm actually feeling pretty zen about it this year & I guess it is the advantage of having traveled this road 3 times before. It's great really, as Skeinz has been busy with the first Heritage yarns being released & myself & two others decided we needed to knit the wee Royal Baby George something, you know, just cause we could.  It was fun, gave me a chance to play with the new Heritage Organic Merino - which is just BLISSFUL - and knit a pattern by Justine Turner (JustJussi), one of the KAN tutors.  In fact Justine was one of my partners in crime with this project, along with Kathy Ryan from Waimate, down South, who also knitted a Jussi pattern.  the parcel is now winging it's way to St James Palace & hopefully will be some of the garments chosen by the Royal couple.

My attention now in the knit front is completing the long rib cowl for Louis amazing Teacher Mrs. S, & I have been requested for a beanie from the 'Gay' husband (Not Dr. Phil & a long story), as he saw Dr. Phils new Struan & felt he required one also.  I am at that itchy fingers stage of selection a pattern which will be 'Just Right' for KAN knitting..... Thoughts anyone?