Atlas Insider
Freak Flag Factory
It is time to let our FREAK FLAGS FLY!
A little backstory—
When I began my journey at MDK headquarters almost two years ago, I spent my first week thumbing through the 26 MDK Field Guides we had published at the time (It’s now 29). I wanted to truly absorb the MDK spirit and find potential projects for virtual workshops.
Of the 100s of patterns, one struck me stronger than Zeus’s lightning bolt. In the words of Fergie, this pattern “got me trippin’, stumblin’, flippin’, fumblin, clumsy ’cause I’m fallin’ in love.”
Now, it has been a crazy month at MDK headquarters. I don’t know if you have heard, but this weekend we hosted a yarn festival at the Nashville Fair Grounds. It was two days of non-stop, shop-til-you-drop learn-a-palooza. We drank Gintarsias (MDK trademark pending) and met our favorite knitters. It was an extravaganza.
But this past month has been all about the prep—and I’ve been promoted to Buyer, which just means I get to stock the store with fun things with my own MDK Credit Card. Let me tell you, I put a RUSH on some fun things for the Nash Yarn Fest after party.
Anyway, two weeks ago, the team was standing in our new MDK Headquarters Shop plotting the layout. We had just spent the entire day building shelves and schlepping bookcases across the parking lot.
All sweating and exhausted, Ann enthusiastically chimed that we needed some decorations. Light bulb moment! I caught my second wind and my body jittered from excitement (and definitely not from the three espressos). My all-consuming, ultimate obsession, favorite MDK Field Guide pattern popped into my head.
That pattern is none other than Cecelia Campochiaro’s Freak Flags featured in MDK Field Guide No. 5 Sequences. Finally, after two years of obsessing I had an excuse to make them: Nash Yarn Fest!
(I know that there were probably a handful of other excuses to knit up some Freak Flags, but until I am absolutely forced with a deadline or something super enticing, I rarely venture out of my comfort zone (see my previous insider about my first sweater. Also, if you were waiting on an update, it is still not done yet. I am a chronic procrastinator as well.) This time, increasing by knitting through the back loop was my Achilles heel. But I forged on and found a simple enough instructional video on Youtube. Once I had it, I really had it!)
For the past two weeks, I have been a Freak Flag factory. Every waking moment has been devoted to these little whimsical triangles. Freak flags with my coffee, during the morning meeting, in the corner of a Mardi Gras party, knitting mid-turn while playing Mario Party, one eye open half asleep on the couch past midnight for 12 straight days.
I even got desperate and had to call in reinforcements. My accidental knitting circle (Atlas Insider coming soon on that development) spent last Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. knitting Freak Flags.
I even dropped off a few skeins to my aunt who was visiting my uncle in the hospital. And maybe I feel a little bad, but she needed an activity and my uncle is doing fine after his heart surgery, especially because he was welcomed back with some Freak Flags.
So please, if you visit MDK Headquarters, appreciate the Freak Flags. You should know that mine are a little extra freaky. I used size US 9 needles instead of 3 and three types of Atlas yarn: the original Atlas, our new secret Atlas collab yarn that was revealed at Nash Yarn Fest (and will be online first thing tomorrow!), and hand-dyed in-house Atlas.
If you saw me this weekend, I was be the girl with disheveled bangs, eye bags for days, wearing a half knit four letter sweater. I hope you said hi.
P.S Let me know what seven color combinations of Atlas you would make your Freak Flag with and what your favorite freaky pattern is. I am always on the hunt.
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Freak flags, tent tassels….. look like they need napping cushions to match!
Oh, I do love some flag bunting. This resonates with me right now. Elizabeth Williamson’s Shetland Lace Flags pattern is great. It’s also a fun way to practice ten different lace stitches.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shetland-lace-flags
I sized up to start with and made a 21 flat bunting in J&S jumper weight, which is currently blocking, and I’m about to cast on my fiftieth laceweight flag. Very more-ish.
I love this sampler idea!
Ok, I need to go find my sequences book. I will have two (what?) kids in college this coming fall and I think some freak flags would be perfect for a warm fuzzy when they hang them up to remind them of mom. I’m also challenged in projects that I don’t finish much lately, and maybe this short and sweet pattern will be perfect! Wish I could have come yesterday!
Well Done, Ashe!!
Your beautiful flags have a life of their own ~ filled-to-the-brim with so much happy & color & FUN
your poured your sweet lovely spirit into every single stitch ~ they wave in the breeze right up on the wall & it is YOUR LIGHTthat shines so BRIGHTLY!!
They were the first thing I noticed when I walked into the classroom at MDK Headquarters on Friday- well done!
Fantastic job! Everyone was talking about how pretty and festive they were at the party last night!
I’m so glad you wrote about this today! I was at the After Party and I noticed them multiple times. They added joy to the festivities! And WOW what a great success for Nash Yarn Fest! Thank you!
I love bunting! I’ll be making these for sure. I was so sad to miss Nash Fest. Had my ticket and my tote bags ready to go, but I was driving from Memphis and the weather was just too scary for me. Next Year!
The freak flags were the perfect addition to World Headquarters. I saw them at the after party. Everyone’s hard work on bit of “decor” was appreciated.
Freaking gorgeous!
Oh, my! True story- last night was my first time at MDK HQ, and I was sitting on a sofa next to my new bestie ( Hi, Jan G), when Jan looked up and said- “I love these banners- I think I need to make some for my studio.” We sat there in utter bliss, admiring them in all their festivity! Well done, Ashe!!!! And well done MDK team for an AMAZING Nash Fest!!!!
I have a few strings of these from back when that FG came out – seems long ago! But the tassels really add something (circus-y?) so it’s definitely time to make some more. And such a great stash buster! Thanks, Ashe!
Love this
Just love everything about this post! What a great and creative way to incorporate MDK essence into the decor! I am sure you were spreading much joy around with the Freak Flags on full display!!! Congratulations on a successful Nash Yarn Festival!
I was just thinking I need a new background garland for my pics and Freak Flags would be perfect! Love your articles, Ashe!
Brava, Ashe!
Your flags are beautiful and joyful!
My favourite MDK Field Guide pattern is the Bodhi Leaf Washcloth, by Julia Farwell-Clay, from Field Guide No. 7. It also lends itself to bunting and to potato-chip-like obsessive knitting:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bodhi-leaf-washcloth
A decision on colours will take more thought….
The Freak Flag garland/buntings are so much fun, and I love the idea of making the Bodhi Leaf Washcloth into one!
Theses are so fun! I can imagine all sorts of colors for seasons or holidays. Your late night efforts are very appreciated.
The whole Nash Yarn Fest was freak-flagging awesome and your flags were the best colorful coda!
I absolutely love the freak flags!!!! Now I’m trying to come up with a place to put them so I too can make them.
I arrived late to the after-party (went to early dinner with DH first), and I noticed the flags, and the lovely warm lighting in the back area! Well done! It was an amazing weekend. Thanks for all your hard work! Now go sleep for days…
Such joy in your essay! Diane
I really enjoyed Nash Yarn Fest y’all was the sweetest I was so glad I came Kay and Ann are gems. I had a wonderful time.
How timely! I was just looking at some leftover yarn thinking a Freak Flag banner would be perfect for the mantle.
I noticed the freak flags while in MDK Headquarters after NashYarnFest… they were glorious…as was the Fest. So many nice folks.. I got so many hugs. So many glorious hand crocheted, knitted items. My bestie and I had BIg Fun. Thanks to the MDK team for everything they did to make this come together.
The flags were absolutely stunning and added so much to the festive atmosphere at the MDK headquarters! What a great weekend it was! I hope it happens again next year!
Ashe, I just loved all your flags! They made the studio so cheerful and fun! Thanks for banging all those flags out for us to enjoy! ~Mitzi