Inspiration
Anticipation Is the Mother of Joy
Dear all,
I first heard about log cabin knitting from Kay. She’d been to see the the Whitney Museum exhibit about the Gee’s Bend quilters—this was 2002, early in our pen-pal correspondence, before we’d met in person, before we started a blog, back when we just wrote back and forth to each other like Victorians. She was overwhelmed by what she had seen: necessity, craft, art, and the sublime all contained within a blanket.
Kay started knitting a blanket that was inspired by one of the Gee’s Bend quilts, and she used the log cabin technique to do it. A patch, then another patch, then another one.
Twenty-three years later, we’re not even close to satisfying our curiosity about this technique.
We’ll be exploring this favorite thing, log cabin knitting, in our class for the upcoming Knit Stars Season 10.
Today is the final day to take advantage of early bird pricing for Knit Stars Season 10. Use the code SEASONX and you’ll save $50. Details and enrollment here. External Link. Opens in new window.. (That’s our affiliate link, so MDK receives a portion of the class fee—thank you for the support!)
We Admire These Teachers So Much
We’re in extraordinarily good company—the 14 teachers joining Season 10 are going to make this a rich and wide-ranging set of classes.
Alicia Plummer, Reading Your Knitting: Anticipate, Adjust, and Fix with Confidence
Clara Parkes, Swatching with Intention: A Creative Journal in Yarn
Filipa Carniero, Purl Inlay: Blending Color and Texture in Knitting
Franklin Habit, Shadow knitting: Create Visual Magic with Light and Color
Jen Geigley, The Modern Capsule Wardrobe: Fashion Meets Sustainability
Julie Ann Lebouthillier, Custom-fit Socks: Sized for Every Foot in the Family
Laura Zander, Ethical Collaboration: The Art of Meaningful Partnerships
London Kaye, Yarn Bombing: Transforming Spaces with Creativity and Color
Kay and Ann, Log Cabin Knitting: Creative Techniques for Timeless Projects
Norah Gaughan, Drawing with Cables: Mastering Design, Texture, and Creativity
Pope Vergara, Intarsia with Beads: Exploring Color, Texture and Sparkle
Cecelia Losada, Mosaic Crochet: Blending Color, Texture, and Tradition
Dominique Calvillo, Crochet Couture: Crafting a Supportive Corset Top
Natalie Thomas, Tunisian Crochet Unlocked: From Foundations to Finishing
Samantha Brunson, Beading on Crochet: Techniques that POP!
The whole thing launches in November, and I can’t think of a better thing to look forward to. We’re supposed to plan fun things so we can anticipate them with joy. This Knit Stars Season 10 is going to be one fantastic joyride.
Details and enrollment here. External Link. Opens in new window..
Love,
Ann
I was* an All Star from day/season 1 & can attest to the value and joy in KS. After all, KS is where I “met” MDK, Ann & Kay! Even the basic beginner sessions have had significant value for me. I learned to knit from my Mom & Gram but there were some finer points they had never acquired and so could not pass down.
Once I saw who all was in for Season 10, that fully 1/3 are MDK regulars &/or featured Field Guide designers, AND what all they’re teaching… easy peasy decision to join in for this one while the early bird prices are available. Knowing that the MDK link puts some of my enrollment fee back into MDK made that an extra especially super easy decision. Yes, it is still a big ask at just under $300 US, but divide that by 15 workshop sessions & you’re paying less than $20 for each one. THAT is a bargain, but it’s made even better by being available to you for rewatching, studying, returning to when you’re ready for THAT challenge for… well forever! IF, like me, you cannot afford time or expenses to travel to big name instructor workshops; IF, like me, you just do not learn well the motions of knitting from a book or cannot grasp the instricacies of some stitches without many repetitions (cannot get those in a live, one time only workshop) then KS is a perfect venue for you!
*I did not, and still have not, bought season 9 so technically speaking I’m no longer an All Star. I had reached the point where I was reaching diminishing returns on the investment and that, combined with a significant price increase made my decision. I might go back & purchase that missing season now that past seasons are offered at a significantly lower price… but that decision has not yet met a suitable budget allowance here in my bank account to enable that AND season 10. The addition of a smaller payment option to spread the expence out over 3 or 4 payments definitely helps too! I did not see how to make that payment plan happen when I checked out, but I was …okay(ish) with making that lump sum payment (don’t tell my husband!)
This is a really good deal!
If you haven’t tried it before, I do very much recommend Knit Stars.
My knitting has taken huge leaps forward because of the things I have learned!
Thank you for all the kind words! You’re the best, J Diane!
All signed up (hopped on this one early) and ready to go. A great pre-Christmas present to myself.
So glad—things ordered way in advance are sometimes a surprise when they finally appear. I just got a box of flower bulbs that I honestly thought were a mistaken shipment. But no! Past Me ordered them in the depth of winter.
I’m curious about the blanket in the photo. My Log Cabin Field Guide is not handy, but I don’t recall seeing this design in it. Where might one find the pattern? Thank you.
PS i signed up for Season 10 the second I read your email earlier this week. I had decided not to buy Season 10 as I have recently retired, but upon seeing the illustrious gathering, I changed my mind! Spine of a jellyfish!
That’s the Mitered Crosses Blanket, a pattern Kay published as a charity fundraiser for victims of the Japanese tsunami in 2011. The pattern is on Ravelry.
And it has log cabin AND miters!
I’ve never signed up for Knit Stars but the programs/designers and the early bird discount were an excellent incentive. I even popped for some yarn packs.
I hope you have a great time!
I haven’t bought Knit Stars since enjoying the first 5 seasons. But seeing the Stars signed up for this season, especially MDK and Franklin Habit, I’m in!
Oh I had to give in to my FOMO……so I signed up! I know that if I let the early bird discount slip by that I would really be sorry later. Can’t wait to spend some time with some of my favorite knit folk, and some who are new to me. Life is too short to miss out on good fun!