Behind the Scenes: Getting Happy with the Highlighters...

A glimpse into the weekend of a knitting festival organiser:

Unwind in the Marketplace

I'm happy to announce that the following vendors are confirmed for Unwind Brighton! With many more to be still to be added it really is going to be a fabulous marketplace, with an unprecedented collection of high quality yarns and fibres along with patterns by your favourite designers and beautiful tools, notions, accessories & more!

Marketplace tickets will be available to purchase online from April.

Unwind with Tristan Bristow

I invited Brighton based illustrator Tristan Bristow to take part in Unwind Brighton after falling in love with his Streets of Brighton illustration pictured (below).

(c) Tristan Bristow

I want to give visitors a little piece of Unwind Brighton to take home in the event programme, and as well as finding your way around the festival, it's a lovely way to remember being here! The illustration is a map of the venues for Unwind Brighton, including Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, Jubilee Library, The Friends Meeting House, The Old Courtroom and features Brighton Pavilion.

Tristan will be incorporating knitters' likenesses into his bespoke Unwind artwork. No-one appreciates hours of painstaking detailed work like a fibre artist, so I want to tell you a bit about the man behind this special work in progress.

Already, Tristan has enjoyed a diverse and extensive career within the arts. Starting off as a realist painter, he then found  joy in creating large backdrops for the underground dance scene... the same backdrops are used around the world at clubs, parties and festivals to this day. After completing a Fine Art degree in Southampton, Tristan became interested in producing intricate ink drawings, before returning to realist painting, to visually describe his experience whilst travelling through India.

Tristan now is focused on creating intricate street scenes from various locations. Starting with his home town of Brighton, he will produce a dazzlingly intricate series of works reflecting the unique character and dynamic of each location, and inviting the residents to be featured as a part of the work. This two-way working relationship adds energy and life to the production and of the art.

Tristan says: I am excited to be part of the team that will be putting this festival together. The concept is great and I am enjoying producing art the artwork to match. Remember to get involved and be featured in the map for this great event.

Please send your photos to unwindbrighton@gmail.com to be included in this piece, or post a photo in the ravelry group or on the facebook page. Submissions should reach us by the end of March. Please send a head to toe shot!

 

 

 

You can see more of Tristan's work on his website and follow what's he's upto on his facebook page.

Hat Design Workshop with Woolly Wormhead

There are only a few spots left on the Hat Design Class with Woolly Wormhead on Saturday 12th July!

In this workshop, participants will learn about 2 basic Hat styles (beanie and beret) and how different crown shapings are developed using different increase/decrease techniques.
Participants will then design themselves a Hat based upon their own measurements and style requirements.

Simple stitch patterns can be used, and we will consider how to incorporate shaping into the stitch patterns. Time permitting, we will start knitting in the workshop and participants can continue in
their own time to complete their unique Hat!

 

(c) Woolly Wormhead

 

 

Can't wait to get knitting great hats? Check out Woolly Wormhead's most recent pattern: Kermantle

 

  

Unwind with Susie Myers

Unwind with Susie Myers, whose Contiguous sleeve method has been something of a knitting phenomenon! Susie was determined to find a way to create top-down set-in sleeves continuously, on one round, or row, like a top-down raglan. After much experimenting, she was able to make a garment and posted her idea in a forum.

Susie was surprised that not only did her idea for top-down simultaneous set-in sleeves work, but that other people wanted to try it too. She describes herself as having “unvented” the Contiguous Method, shying away from the word invention. Susie humbly believes that’s how it is in the knitting world: people find similar solutions to similar problems. However, it still seems pretty impressive and we’re so happy that she’s coming to teach the method that can now be found in over 2500 garments!

Susie will be teaching two classes on her Contiguous method, one on Saturday 12^th July and one on Sunday 13th July. I her asked  to answer a few questions and share some of her knitting experiences with us...

What was your first knitting project?

At school in Home Economics - having to knit a sampler with a variety of stitches. I hated it. My mum finished it for me. The school never commented on the difference in tension and technique, but it must have been obvious.

The next thing was an appalling acrylic super long scarf in moss stitch (seed stitch) in the mid-1970s. In stripes, inspired by Dr Who but not the colours or the spacing. I may even still have it. I tried knitting things for my baby in the mid-Eighties. I still have one bootie.

Then in 2007 there was a knitting pattern for a Baker's Cap style hat in the local weekly community newspaper. I read it and thought, "I could knit that!" so off I went to the city LYS and bought needles and (totally unsuitable) yarn.

I started knitting something different - a hat - no pattern. Unfinished.
Then I discovered Ravelry! Wow. What a difference.

 

What’s your favourite thing to knit?

I like knitting hats. They are quick and lend themselves to much variation and experimentation. I am the world's slowest knitter, so long projects don't keep my interest for the duration.

 

What was your most successful project?

Most successful would be Penelope's Tapestry, (the first Contiguous jumper) as it showed the concept would work.

Do you have a favourite knitting tip to share?

Try it on, frequently. Measure, frequently. Rip it back if it doesn't fit. It doesn't matter if you have actually bound off, blocked and soaked it. If it doesn't fit, redo it.

I don't understand people showing finished garments and then saying "but it doesn't fit"

Do you have any other crafty hobbies?

I've done sewing, beading, card-making, teddy-bear making, leadlight, and the most

persistent, photography. 

Is there anything you’d never, ever make (or technique you’ll never try)?

I said I'd never make socks. I've not only made a pair, but experimented with a different way of doing the gusset and heel. Never say never. I probably wouldn't knit a triangle shawl, as I wouldn't wear it.

Would you say you are a process or product knitter?   

An experimental one! I like to try different things. I love novel and interesting construction methods. I often buy a pattern just to see how it was done. I like to think I am in charge of my knitting and will push those stitches around so they do what I want.

I have many, many started projects, but few are finished. I think that once I get to that ah-ha moment, I lose interest. Or it could be that I get distracted by the next new thing that catches my eye - ooh, shiny!

 

What are you working on right now?

Y-heel socks!

 

If you had to pick just one kind of yarn to knit with or tool to work with for the rest of your life what would it be?

My interchangeable circular needles.

Who or what is your knitting inspiration or favourite designer?

Each and every one of them. I love seeing how different people approach the same design challenges. If I had to name one, it would be Barbara Walker.

What are you most looking forward to about Unwind or visiting Brighton?

Visiting Brighton is an easy one - it's by the sea!  I would like to explore the historical aspects of a seaside holiday town.

For Unwind, it will be meeting other knitters, which I don't get to do very often, and hopefully inspire them to look at their knitting a little differently, moving away  from "knit four pieces and then seam".

Is there a pattern technique you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the chance opportunity / time?

 

I haven't done much fancy lace, but then, I probably wouldn't wear it. I really would like to explore swing knitting.

A big thank you to Susie Myers for taking the time to share some insight into her knitting world. You can keep up-to-date with Susie’s news over on her blog. Also lots of contiguous chat can be found in the dedicated ravelry group

Still Collecting Hexipuffs for MSF and Great Ormond Street!

In October last year I embarked on a very special project: to get knitters together to make a double bed size Hand-dyed Beekeepers quilt. The entire quilt will measure approximately 7ft x 6ft and will be made up of about 750 hexipuffs!
When enough hexipuffs have been collected they'll be joined together and there will be a Live Prize Draw at Unwind Brighton.
In the meantime you can donate to the challenge and at the same time enter the draw for the quilt by donating to the dedicated Virgin Giving page

To date we have collected 270 hexipuffs! You can find out more in the dedicated ravelry group.

Here's a photo of the most recently donated puffs:

Recommendations: Paskins Bed & Breakfast

As a long time resident, I'd like to encourage Unwind Brighton visitors to see a little of Brighton while you're here. Try some locally roasted coffee, handmade cake, delicious ice cream. See a bit of local art, find out a little of Brighton's history.

So I'll be offering local recommendations over the coming weeks, to help you find those nooks and crannies you might not find on your own. Tried and trusted, favourites of locals (and the people who frequently visit).

First up is Paskins. Recommended by a friend whose dad always stays here when he visits!

Brighton has 8 conservation areas that are recognised as outstanding. These include the Eastcliffe Regency area, which present a long stuccoed façade which has been described as "unsurpassed anywhere in Britain". At the heart of which you will find Charlotte Street. Running off Marine Parade, this tranquil street is aligned with fine four story buildings, circa 1810, with intricate cast iron balconies and gracious bow fronts. Half way along you will find the two grade two listed buildings, numbers 18 & 19, which make up Paskins Brighton.

Need a hearty breakfast? Paskins is for you!

If you stay 3 nights at Paskins (the 11th - 14th July), David at Paskins has kindly offered 10% off the price of your stay - just let them know you're coming to Unwind Brighton when you call to book!