Kris' Corner - What Inspires You?

Spring is coming and all of a sudden I’m hearing more and more birds singing and noticing some of my plants coming back to life, like the ferns along my front path.  I’m starting to think about brighter Spring colors of yarn replacing the cooler tones of Winter and anxiously waiting for Jen’s new Spring/Summer yarns to come in so I can start a new project. 

I was about to write this article when I stopped and realized how important inspiration is to me in the fiber world.  I think it’s probably pretty important to you as well. I’m hoping that by sharing some of my “creative encounters” you too will be motivated to explore different avenues.

Have you recently gone to a fiber festival, like the recent Red Alder, in Tacoma or visited one of ALK’s trunk shows or participated in a yarn crawl or even just gone to a Sit N Stitch?  These are wonderful places to see new projects, discover new colors and meet fellow crafters who also share a love for yarn and working with your hands.  I visited the Red Alder fiber festival for the first time this year and was inspired by the marketplace.  So many cool projects on display, so many pattern ideas, so many types of yarn and especially so many people passionate about their craft. Mark your calendars for next year, Red Alder Fiber Festival is always President's Day Weekend!

How about museums, galleries or art walks and festivals?   I recently visited the Museum of Glass and walked through the galleries marvelling at what can be created in glass.

One of their exhibitions, “Field Notes” contained glass objects inspired by plants, animals and flowers.  The exquisite detail and color was incredible.  Viewing nature in this way made me think about all of the wonderful colors of yarn that flow in and out of the shop and especially our line of yarn called, Yarn Citizen.  It has so many rich colors that remind me of nature.  Some of my favorites include a beautiful dark green called Bristlecone, an intense yellow called Tumeric and a soft blush pink called Petal.  Everytime I walk past them on display at the shop I get a little shot of joy running through me.

You might be wondering where I am going with all of this and it’s actually quite simple.  I want to encourage you to get out there and explore and look around and get ideas.  There are so many things in nature and in other people's creations that are everywhere and taking a moment to look and appreciate them might just lead you down a wonderful new rabbit trail of fiber or give you the courage to try that new yarn color in your next project.

Before I go I have to share a couple of patterns that have recently inspired me.  They are both reversible cowls that are free on Ravelry. 

The first is called, “Forever Flowers Cowl” and is designed by Sarah Chapman.  It is a fun reversible knit with bright flowers on a green background on the outside and a striped pattern on the inside.  It is made out of worsted weight yarn and would be beautiful in Malabrigo Rios, Deluxe Worsted Superwash or Yarn Citizen Unity. It screams “Spring” to me.  

The second cowl is called, “Night Court Cowl” and is by Mercy Crimm.  I love the sun and mountains on the outside and the swirl design on the inside. The contrast between dark and light yarn colors really makes it pop.  It is made out of fingering-weight yarn.  Heritage or Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock would both be good choices for this project.

I hope this helps light the fire of inspiration in you today!