Linda Sweek is passionate about embroidery and all things to do with a needle and thread. Dear Friends, I first met Linda Sweek a year ago, when she took on the volunteer role of Marketing Director for Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts. Linda is a studio...
Profile of an Artist: Ron Turney Describe your primary type of work: Traditional Arts–Quill work How long have you been doing this? Five months, my teacher said I’m a natural! Please describe your work as it’s linked to your location, traditions,...
Nancee Arigano is a fun, bubbly person full of energy. Within 10 minutes of first meeting her, I knew I had to try ‘primsical’ punchneedle, too! Nancee loves all needle arts but focuses on punch needle and a little rug hooking in her shop/studio....
Sheryl Thies is an accomplished pattern writer. With seven books to her credit, she understands the work schedule behind yarn type and color selection. For all of us who would like to sally forth into the pattern writing realm, it requires a great deal of commitment. ...
Corded Summer Fruit Tunisian Crochet Shawl Pattern Just in time for summer, this charming shawl pattern is a great take-along for dining alfresco on summer cool evenings by the lake. Designed by 7-time pattern author Sheryl Thies from Madison, Wisconsin and crocheted...
‘Show me how and I will master it.’ St. Paul, Minnesota knitter Paula Knutzen loves knitting, chatting and getting together with like-minded friends. Her ‘knitting production’ is prolific, taking on new challenges and very difficult color and lace patterns with...
If you know Elizabeth, you know she can knit in the dark. Her knitting is always with her; at movies or even meetings at work. Her shawls are well worn, well loved and have been repaired numerous times because the knitting is so fine. Here’s a little bit about...
When I first saw Susan Simonton knitting these stockings, I visualized them worn on a wedding day. Their color, fiber and loveliness bespoke of netting and lace. Susan always has a very complicated project on her needles—a project that showcases the fiber...
Jeneen, whose schedule allows her to have creative time in the morning, likes to say that she starts her day with craft and ends her day with craft. Three years ago, Jeneen took a break from making fabric baskets with a sewing machine and began to crochet vessles with...
The most important question is, “would I wear this?” St. Paul native Kjersti Campbell, an emerging knitting pattern designer with an eye for complex compositions, worked her way through high school at the local bead store where she was especially intrigued by bead...
Did Rev. Elaine Marsh and Congregant Mary Carson know back in 1968 they were starting a 40-year mission that would include hundreds of church women, a famous illustrator and result in four huge embroidered works of art depicting their church history? Probably not, but...
It was when the land flattened out and the sky opened up that Monika knew she was home. More than a decade after her departure she returned wanting to capture all the memories of the prairie, her prairie, and never lose them again. Monika Kinner-Whalen began this...
This summer shawl was knit to experiment with lace stitches and how hand dyed colors play out when the stitches change direction in an open weave pattern. The ends of the shawl are stitched in stockinette and rippled on the last two rows rather than ruffled at the...
By all accounts, Don Waalen-Radzevicius is having a great year. MinnesotaSticks, his knitting pattern and design business has really taken off giving him the opportunity for travel, teaching in shops across the United States and the opportunity to create pattern...
While I was in the Textile Center library yesterday I delightfully perused the periodicals shelf. It’s a hotbed of inspiration in the form of textile magazines; all kinds from ad-stuffed quilting quarterlies to modern magbooks with stunning photography and a...
Personally, as a knitter, I’m a little late jumping on the lace knitting bandwagon. I’ve always admired the technique and skill from a distance but I wondered if I’d be able to maneuver my favorite style of knitting (thick woolly sweaters) into something that’s so...
Fiber Artist Snapshot of the Day! Vintage-inspired lace jacket. The design features a signature Crystal Woolsey medallion as well as a combination of several lace patterns. She trims the piece with ribbon and silver buttons. Crystal’s signature style reflects...
While Anita uses many types of fiber and materials to create her work, the two pieces show here are especially unique to her Finnish heritage. They are Ryijy (roo-yoo). Here’s a little history on the Ryijy. The word Ryijy means long-piled rug. For centuries Ryijy were...
Between April and May, Minnesota Knitters rev up the engines and take spring by storm. Yes, this year there were quite a few snow storms in April but I think that made our knitting community even more motivated to find inspiration from all the fabulous knitting events...
Strolling along, taking in the ‘style et de charme’ of the Paris streets, Martha and her husband were on their way to the Louvre when out of the corner of her eye, Martha spotted a needlepoint shop. Full stop! Museum can wait! We’re going in! A delightful shop located...
It’s Minnesota State Fair week which means it’s going to be really hot for a few days. Everyone with Nordic heritage will turn slightly pink, sit in the shade with Fair fans and say, “Uff-da, we’re seeing some warm weather here now then!”...
Debra’s embroidery is a delight. Her work is a blend between primitive folk art style and contemporary vivid, rich hues. The combination is whimsical and fun. I think of the pillows as being the accent that makes the room come together. Using hand dyed wool,...
I love looking up through the tree canopy to the sky this time of year. The tiny leaf shoots look like lace handwork draping the trees in delicate heirloom shawls. Clones Lace, a very fine crochet is just like the beginning of spring; petite flower buds and clovers...
