Friday, March 03, 2017

granny square revival + Mohonk Mountain House

It started innocently enough: I was invited to teach at the Mohonk Mountain House Knitting Weekend March 17-19th with Jill Draper, Kirsten Kapur, Cal Patch, Clara Parkes and Paula Kucera of White Barn Farm. Yes please!  I've always wanted to go to that grand old lodge in the Hudson Valley of NY, and this is a group of knitters I adore.  They'll teach knitting and I'll teach Iphone-ography and Learn to Make Granny Squares. Kirsten and I will also give our slide show/multi media Drop Dead Easy Knits talk, with trunk show and booksigning. Lovely!
Didja catch that? I'm teaching granny squares! Oh, the humble granny square. So strangely satisfying. So old fashioned but bold. So fun to play around with color and contrast.  So much not what I usually teach. 

Which explains why I thought I'd play with leftover Noro Silk Garden to make samples, showing how crocheting yarn with long color changes makes easy squares, with beautiful color but no need to stop and think about changing colors or make any decisions. 
Three squares in, I had to be honest. They looked mushy. The geometry of the granny square wasn't shining through.  I ripped out all but that one on the left, above.   I switched it, as shown on the right: Changing colors every round, mixing the leftover bits and skeins I have on hand. So much better. I figured I'd make 4 squares. 
But I can't stop. I was away last weekend, took a sweater project that went untouched. But granny squares? Oh yes.

I've moved fully into can't stop/won't stop.  How serious is it? I am starting to stalk Ravelry for small destashes because my bag o'Noro bits is almost empty. (Do you have any to get rid of? No!just kidding!  But..not really..... I mean, I'll use small amounts.....)  I'm having a blast with it.
FYI: I thought I'd be super clever and use only my iPhone to shoot these granny squares. Get it? Because those are my two classes at  Mohonk Mountain House Knitters Weekend.I really can't wait.

 There are just a few spots left . Its fabulously timed to treat yo'self. See you there?
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8 comments:

  1. Mary Lou8:27 AM

    So wish I were going along. I have no silk garden for you, sorry. Try that Kay. I bet she does...

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  2. Ellen Bloom10:32 AM

    You're going to have a grand time! I know this is a top-drawer knit and crochet weekend, but please do not overlook the lonely acrylic yarn choices for granny squares. (Babies do throw up, etc. on blankets, you know). Lion Brand has this new yarn called "Shawl in a Ball" that also has long color runs and makes FAB squares! Can't wait to see the pix from your weekend!

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  3. Starcroft5:37 PM

    enthralled with your grannies. scrumptious colors. have a wonderful weekend, the lodge looks simply devine.

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  4. AsKatKnits8:43 AM

    Lovely grannies! Great idea as well!

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  5. Kym9:14 AM

    I so, so, so wish I could join you all! It sounds like such a wonderful weekend. As for grannies? Oh, I've been charmed by them since I first crocheted one . . . back in junior high (to make a "potholder vest" . . . remember those???). Since I've sort of lost my knitting mojo for the moment, maybe I should just work on some grannies instead! XO

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  6. Vera11:39 AM

    Oh I wish I had known about this earlier. Mohonk is a fabulous place. I know you all will have a fabulous time.

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  7. Phyllis9:46 AM

    The blankets are gorgeous.
    Now I need a big granny blankie.....

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  8. Hyder Ak474:31 AM

    This is good activity make you happy and easy to understand i have made this one its so easy
    Mountain Ware House Discount Code

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