Signature Needle Arts

You would think that getting a kit like this together would be a snap but thought you might like to learn a little about the “behind the scenes” process that happens between the “let’s have a sock kit” to having it on the site.

While we were in the first stages of finding a designer Daniella and I went for a meeting at the wonderful Lorna’s Laces studio. We are just over the Wisconsin line so going to Chicago to meet with Beth Casey was an easy trip. She just could not have been more welcoming and generous with her time and advice. At that point we wanted to have some special Signature colorways for the sock pattern but really had no idea what they would be. She made multiple samples of exactly what we thought we wanted but hated when they were out of our imagination and into real life. Finally with her help we came up with 2 colorways—1 is a variegated blue (my favorite color) and the other is neutral palette.

Seeing the Lorna’s Laces operation was beyond interesting. How they turn nothing yarn into the most beautiful colors was a joy to see. The people who work there are surrounded by the most beautiful colors, colors, colors everywhere and in every configuration. Lucky Lorna’s Laces ladies. (More alliteration for you.)

Then came the naming of the colors—actually about as hard as finding a good name for a baby. Everyone here had ideas but we finally decided to sort of follow the Lorna’s Lace model of names of the area. And so Southport Blue. Southport was the original name of Kenosha and the blue reflects the color in our harbor. The neutrals are called Pleasant Prairie because they look like colors in a prairie and also because this is the name of our biggest adjoining village.

Beth was the one who suggested that our pattern should be something that would be a little reach for a beginner but not so easy that an experienced knitter would be bored. She pointed us to someone whose work we knew: Anne Hanson. Anne agreed to working with us and has come up with a wonderful pattern called Regatta. She had no way of knowing but our town is on Lake Michigan and sail boats abound this time of year.

Since I will confess that I have never made a toe up sock when the first draft of the pattern came I was taken aback. I just assumed the pattern would be top down. (Being a first child I always assume that the whole world does things the way I do.) But it was so beautiful that I took the opportunity to learn a new skill! I have learned that about half of us do toe up and half toe down so now I can say I can do both! Thank goodness for the kindness (and patience) of Anne. I would email her with my problems and she would patiently help me. Now I feel like I am an old hand (or toe) at wrapping those stitches!

We will get to meet Anne at the Sock Summit in Portland which is coming up soon. Anne will be teaching there—that should tell you a lot about her talents since only the superstars of the knitting world will be giving classes. Getting personal advice from her is like a golfer getting tips from Tiger Woods.

Vicki from our office and I have been working the pattern in some needle sizes NOT called for in the pattern like the size 1’s (2.25mm), 2.5mm, 2 (2.75mm) and even 3 (3.25mm). They all look great in the pattern so that if you are not crazy about using size 0’s or you always go up a size in needles the pattern still looks fine. When we get more done we will post the pictures.

The pattern is available with the needles and yarn in a kit or you can buy just the pattern, or just the needles.

So…Ahoy: Signature Socks set sail!

This entry was posted on Friday, July 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.