Virtual Knitting Tour to sweden July 9-11

VÄLKOMMEN TILL SVERIGE!

We kick off our  #virtualknittingtourtoSweden with  special guest Mary Jane Mucklestone, genius author of The Knitter's Directory of 150 Scandinavian Motifs and the editor of Vogue Knitting Magazine.

Trivia Tidbit About Tonight: Did you know that green cardamom is the second most expensive spice in the world? (Ask me how I know.) The recipe for this evening's baked treat (taste tested by our hostess and her skilled and certified sweet tooth) uses the custom-ground packet included in everyone's good box. 

SWEDISH MITTEN TRADITIONS 

Join Swedish master colorwork designer Anna Bauer for an introduction to her country's knitting traditions with a glimpse at Hönsestrik, a rebellious (and fun!) type of Scandinavian knitting developed in the 70s.

During this session, she'll teach us the ins and outs of knitting her magnificent Holmagärde mittens.

Anna is the author of  the book Alterknit Rebellion found in your good box.

LIFE SAVING KNITTING

Like many of us, Stockholm native Lotta Lundin believes that knitting literally saved her life.

When she suddenly transformed from a superwoman who gracefully handled everything to a person who couldn't do anything, knitting offered her a way to survive the days until the anxiety "unraveled". (See what I did there?)

In this presentation, learn about Lotta's personal journey and be inspired by her amazing designs depicting famous musicians, iconic Hollywood releases, current events, and more!

Learn how to banish boredom, anxiety, and burnout for good. (And you thought this was just going to be a knitting weekend! Ha!)

BOHUS AND BUNNIES: A BOHUS STICKNING WORKSHOP

Founded by Emma Jacobsson in 1939,  the Bohus Stickning Collective  provided income and a sense of personal empowerment to women at the time of the Great Depression. Their designs used the texture and shadows of knit/purl patterns worked in fluffy angora and/or wool to blend colors and were highly sought out by fashion notables such as Grace Kelly, Helena Rubinstein, and Ingrid Bergman.

In this session, Yours Truly will introduce you to a brand new Bohus-inspired design that uses  the luscious angora yarn that's included in your goody box. (And don't worry, she designs knitwear better than she can draw angora rabbits.)

DINNER,  SKÅL, AND SWEDISH  

PAPER ART PARTY

Tonight, we'll prepare a simple Swedish dinner and learn about traditional Scandinavian 3-D  paper art.  

No experience is required. I provide the colorful cardstock and glue, so just bring your sense of humor.

Come slå runt  the night away with us!

INVISIBLE STRANDING 

Also known as Laddered Jacquard, this little known technique makes colorwork a breeze, especially when long floats are required!

Lucky for us, Swedish native Kristin Blom, known for her bold, colorful designs, will teach us the secrets of this revolutionary approach to stranded knitting, originally developed for the knitting machine.

TRADITIONAL SWEDISH COLORWORK 

This afternoon, Swedish teacher and knitting pro Johanne Ländin will show us samples of traditional colorwork from her private collection before gently encouraging us to create our own.

With the guidance of a local master, let's combine vintage Scandinavian knitting techniques with our modern sensibility! 

 TVÅÄNDSSTICKNING WORKSHOP

Curious about the 400-year-old Swedish technique of Twined, or Two-End, Knitting?  This unusual method of knitting produces a very warm, firmly elastic fabric and motifs not possible in any other type of knitting. In this two-hour class with the great Beth Brown-Reinsel, knit one of a pair of wristers while learning a traditional cast-on, twined knitting and purling, and motifs that combine these such as the "O" stitch, the Crook stitch, and the Chain Path.

Bonus: Learn how to manage your yarns so that untwisting becomes a cinch!