Out of Our Hands » Knitting

Zientara, Cheshire

Lauren Beck — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:48:50 +0000

I learned to crochet as a little girl from my grandmother in upstate New York. I started with not-so-square potholders and my love of the craft grew from there. Over the years, I have made whatever interested me- lace, throws, baby blankets, table runners, sweaters, scarves, hats…Yet, in spite of everything I’d learned and tried, I just could not make a beautiful pair of cabled gloves I’d seen! So, I taught myself to knit a few winters ago and finished my first pair of gloves. I have loved knitting ever since and am rarely sitting without knitting needles nearby. I love to draw inspiration from different types of yarn (cotton, bamboo, wool, and alpaca are my favorites), the changes of the season (blooming spring flowers, the colors of autumn, sparkly snow in the winter), and the people I love (like my three children). My biggest accomplishment so far has been knitting a large and warm afghan by request- I love mastering new patterns and techniques and welcome a challenge! I hope you enjoy the things I’ve made, and it would be my pleasure to discuss a custom order with you.

Lazansky, Wendie

Lauren Beck — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:22:48 +0000

Every time I cast stitches to start a new hat, scarf or blanket, my ambition is to create something different. I have been knitting since I was a child. My mother is from England and taught me how to knit – probably the same way that her mother taught her.

I obtain much of my yarn from Halycon Yarn in Bath, Maine. I am always looking in knitting shops to find that “extra special” skein that I cannot do without. With all of the new colors and textures that are available, it is sometimes difficult to limit my selections.

All of my hats should be hand-washed and gently squeezed dry. You can reshape them by stuffing them with paper towels and letting them air dry.

Kriebs, Susan

Lauren Beck — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:19:19 +0000

I am a registered nurse practitioner by profession. I was taught to knit and crochet as a young girl by an older cousin. I am also a skilled seamstress making my younger daughter’s wedding gown.

My interest in crocheting and knitting was renewed several years ago when our church began conducting an annual craft fair. I made a number of scarves for the event and have been “hooked” ever since. I participate in a few craft shows and a small Christmas holiday shop each year.

I enjoy expanding my creative horizons to make new and more interesting items as my skills continue to develop. I also like to work with unique yarns and incorporate natural fibers, such as pure wool, mohair and alpaca into my scarves. My husband and I have a small travel trailer and spend a significant amount of time on the road. This gives me an excellent exposure to a wide variety of yarns from across the country.

Hirneisen, Christa

Devon Beck — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:45:28 +0000

After graduating with a textile major from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, I worked in the print design field for nineteen years. Most of those years were spent working for Jackie Peters Design Studio in New York City. I painted print designs on silk which were then sold to various women’s wear manufacturers including Oscar de la Renta and Liz Claiborne. Back then we were one of the first studios to offer print designs on silk instead of paper. Experimenting with many different methods and techniques was the key. Sometimes we used gutta or wax as a resist and we also painted directly on the silk fabric with brushes or stamps with dyes. Of course each pattern was one-of-a-kind.

In 1995 I took a break to raise my two children. I have taken some of my old silk patterns from my collection and recycled them into purses, bags, totes, pillows, sashes, and scarves. It’s a joy to rediscover these patterns from my past and work them into new items of “wearable art”.

Dries, Kathy

Devon Beck — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:10:49 +0000

Kathy has enjoyed knitting since her grandmother taught her as a child. Her interest in knitting was renewed several years ago when she discovered imported Italian ribbon yarns. A recent trip to Italy enhanced her favorite past time into creating more scarves. She calls them Sciarpa Bella (beautiful scarf). Kathy has always enjoyed being creative as a form of relaxation. She enjoys giving people a homemade gift.

The portability of knitting projects is a bonus for a busy mother and social worker. Kathy is an adoption supervisor for a special needs adoption program. She has two daughters who are both musicians, so she spends a lot of time waiting while her daughters are in lessons or rehearsals. Kathy and her family have lived in Emmaus for the past 25 years.