knit on the brain

apparently knitting has imbued itself into my writing as well. i must admit i have written more than one knit-thematic poem in the last couple months. here's one.

for whom do my raw hands lumber around two
simple sticks of bamboo
these could be twigs, i think. or
chopsticks. would my hands know the
difference?
my fingers curl over lusty weighted fibers
and cramp without my noticing.
my half-hewn projects like half-finished
sentences linger, dance on the brain and
beg the question -- might...
could i tear words asunder the way i can
these hand-knit messes...i just may
choose a mangled mass of words
over a neatly constructed failure.

KnitKnit Artgasm

Second only to those precious gems of fabric and random found-objectry one acquires at SCRAP, knitting books are my craft achille's heel.


Let's talk about about KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave. In this book you will find not only profiles on some amazing textile artists/activists/crafters but you will also find patterns for couture knitwear, installation knit pieces, boxing gloves, and possibly the tiniest knit sweaters in the world. If you're not interested in knitting anything, at least pick up the book for the pictures of two Deere tractors holding knitting needles and knitting a gi-normous american flag, or a room-sized installation replete with knit tree centerpiece. This book makes me drool.

KnitKnit started as a zine in 2002 and was released in a total of 7 issues, the contents of which you can peruse on the knitknit website.

knitknit. chinchin!

Squid Vicious

the first year i met ladi, we joined our love for crafting to make a mutual craft exchange. that was probably our first heart to heart craft experience. since then, trips to scrap, zine-making, knitting lessons, and a weekly tuesday night craft session have evolved through our friendship.


this year i decided to initiate another fall craft exchange. she hasn't decided what she wants yet, but i know i want a hat. i was searching ravelry and came across the most blazingly glorious hat i have ever seen in my entire life. i am desperate for it.

the giant squid hat.

weird science!

ok, it's really not that weird. and some might argue that the act of creation is not a science. and yet.

my first gauntlets/wristie cuff creations come in a pearlescent moss green. the knit pattern is, appropriately, called pea pod...

quick to knit and fun to slap people with! or warm yer arms. whatever suits you.





on the zine front:
not too long ago my best friend mikah came to visit from the vast expanse that is the pacific northwest. best friendship is fun but also a lot of work. after three days of verbal processing, i suggested we co-create a cathartic zine.
what our collective frustrated/determined/bestfriend energies bore was "get away from me...and other stories," the cover shown here.



and, as promised, a sample of the best yardage i have ever scored from that lovely re-use center we like to call SCRAP (Scroungers Center for Reusable Art Parts):

fabulous cream colored cotton jersey with t-rex's on it! i'm already envisioning a hoodie pullover vest...