Spontaneous swatching!

Last night, I fell victim to the dreaded “massive creative energy boost.” It was a boost like this that led my parents to be seriously concerned about me back in the day. They were confused about how a person could go on an all-night bender of building stuff. Fighting it is useless. You gotta just open the exhaust and let it all out because sleep will not come until the energy is gone. For me, it was a new mitten pattern.

I ended up going to sleep at 4:00 am with an alarm set for 6:30. Skipping my first class was certainly tempting. It was Fiona Ellis’s “Dive Into Design” class, though. How could I skip that?? So, I dragged myself out of bed and couldn’t be happier about it.

Fiona gave us some photographs and told us to just make a swatch. Any swatch. Just pick up some needles and yarn and knit what inspires you from the photo. I sat there, knitting with likeminded people, enjoying Fiona’s great sense of humor and insight, and thought, “I don’t want to be anywhere else right now.” Knitting is magic. It can overcome fatigue like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. After that, I was lucky to get the opportunity to speak with Fiona more and have coffee with fellow conference attendee, Elizabeth. She was a lovely person and I’m glad to have met her!

All that said, the next lecture was “the one.” I had been waiting for this moment for several years: the Debbie Bliss lecture. It was about designing for children and babies. I didn’t take many notes because it was an in-person version of her book on the same subject. She was funny, though, and I loved listening to her. She even signed one of my books for me and posed for a picture! It’s not everyday you meet a personal hero. Some of Debbie’s tips include:

1) An a-line shape is ideal for babies because it “looks very sweet” and it will just skim across the diaper instead of being restrictive

2) Hooded sweaters are preferable to simply sweaters with hats because they can’t “pop off” the baby’s head, like ribbed hats. It is a very snuggly feeling and “makes them feel trapped, but in a very loving way.” Ok, I can buy that.

3) Details like contrast piping and a collar brings attention to a baby’s face. According to Debbie, you want to bring attention up to the face because “there is no such thing as an ugly baby.” Basically, anything that is visually distinct from its surroundings will draw the eye and the face is ideal.

Erika Knight was next and her lecture on trends was eye opening. I love the idea of oversized lace motifs, “conversational intarsia,” and the use of mesh stitch patterns for the next couple of seasons. Conversational intarsia, from what I can tell from her photographs, is a graphic element of some sort. For example, a sweater with a big heart on the waist/hip area. I’m not entirely sure where “conversational” comes into the description, but I like the big motif thing. Same with oversized lace. Let’s blow it up!

Erika mentioned ladder stitch and mesh several times and I think I’m going to run with that one with my new Marrakesh yarn. I’d like to combine the Marrakesh, which is a lace weight, with another friendly yarn with a heavier weight. It can provide a mesh appearance but the other yarn can provide the necessary modesty where need be.

I’ve now settled in for the night with my hotel room BLT and glass of wine. As soon as I pulled back the covers, sat down, and exhaled, it felt like I was settling into a bubbling hot tub. Ahhhh…..peace. See you tomorrow!!