Yaks and electro-lace

As most of my friends know, though I've been on Facebook for more than a year, I have yet to get up to speed as far as using it as a real source of communication. I am working on it.  (O! Jolly! will most likely have its own FB page one day soon.) So it was only recently that I officially "like"d anything. As of this moment I "like" a small, but  excellent, media company. I also "like" a restaurant that bought my "like" with a free frozen margarita. I suspect that I will be "like"ing much more in the near future.

In the meantime here are a couple of  textile-related things that I really like -- just hadn't had the chance to tell anyone yet.  

The yaks of Bijou Basin Ranch, Elbert, Colorado

Honestly, I haven't knitted yak fiber yet. The recommendation comes from @RebecaVelasquez on twitter, but the coat just looks so soft and so glossy.  And don't you just love this pic of the contented yak?

On the opposite end of earthy vs technology scale is the Lace Sensor Project by e-textilists Anja Hertenberger and Meg Grant.  They're collaborating with the Museum de Kantfabriek (Lace Factory Museum) in Limburg, Netherlands, creating conductive lace.  There is no denying my techno-roots:  This founding member of Silicon Soul loves their project. The following video is a very short demo.

The possibilities are endless. I will be following the project's progression.

Knitters and others for Japan

I am saddened with each day's headlines regarding the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. I take heart that so many are trying to aid in the recovery.  A couple of posts ago I stated that I would write about some of the innovative textiles that I've seen recently.  Instead I will present ways that some individuals and organizations are contributing to relief efforts.  This list is not exhaustive.

• My last post was on Mercedes T. Clark's raffle.  All raffle donations go to AmeriCares relief effort in Japan.  Raffle deadline is April 2.
• Olga Buraya-Kefelian, a knitwear designer, author and teacher, currently living in Japan is donating 85% from sales of her glorious knitting patterns to relief efforts. I bought the beautiful Hari pattern, though I'm afraid it's probably too difficult for my meager hand knitting skills!
• Fickle Knitter Design is donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of the beautiful Two Rivers Shawl pattern to Doctors without Borders for their relief efforts.

Fickle Knitter Design's Two Rivers Shawl

• Who doesn't love Knitting Fever yarns? Follow these instructions and your donations to the American Red Cross, earmarked for the Japan earthquake relief fund, will be matched dollar for dollar up to the first $50,000 received by Knitting Fever. This and other fund raising efforts by knitters can be found in this Knitty Blog post.
• On March 29 ISE Cultural Foundation will hold an art auction. Artists will donate their artworks and exhibit  at ISE Cultural Foundation Front Space Gallery on Tuesday, March 29.  (One of my knitted bamboo scarves will be included.)  The contributed artwork will be auctioned off that evening. One hundred percent of all sales, matched dollar for dollar by ISE, will be contributed to non-profit organizations in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

As detailed in this article from The Oregonian, simply knitting a blanket and sending it to Japan from afar is not the best way to make a difference. Please support the projects of those mentioned above.  Or make a direct contribution through established organizations such as AmeriCares, Doctors without Borders, and the American Red Cross.

Raffle for Japan disaster relief

Mercedes T. Clark, a knitter, crocheter, seamstress, designer, and Kitchen Sink Dyeworks blogger has started a raffle.  All donations collected will be sent to AmeriCares for both immediate and long-term aid for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  Please read Mercedes's entire blog post here, then enter the raffle. Or just donate!

One of the prizes you could win:  2 skeins of this lovely silk merino blend yarn with real sterling silver sparkles.

A busy month

February was a very busy month.  I can happily report that I am now thoroughly reacquainted with my Passap knitting machine and am feeling quite comfortable missing, tucking, purling, and of course, knitting.  I've completed a group of swatches in luxurious baby alpaca, merino wool, and bamboo, which will form the basis of my accessories collection.  I can't wait to start knitting it up next week.

I also had a photo session for some sweater jackets from an earlier project.  It's not quite what I'm doing now, but it was fun modeling the jackets. Here are some pix from the session.

Bracelet by Jacquie Bird (SilkWire Jewelry)

I continue to be amazed and inspired by the many innovative textiles I see around me -- in the museums, in the shops, and online.  I plan to share some of these finds next post.

Oh, and in case you hadn't noticed:  Knitting. Is. Back.