KOIGU MAGAZINE
issue 6
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Celebrating One - of - Kind Koigu Dyelots
by Kathryn Merrick Most knitters and crocheters remember the first time they set eyes on Koigu hand-painted yarns. They probably gasped when they saw them, rushed over to grab a skein and look closely at a color, felt the nice twist and then immediately soaked up all of the other colorways. Many knitters and crocheters recognize that Koigu yarns are different from other companies’ yarns. There’s intensity, saturation and unpredictability to each dyelot. Maie and Taiu have always considered each of their dyelots to be like individual paintings. Koigu labels all say that. They also say that each dyelot of each colorway contains all of the same colors. This is important because what you’re getting is not the uniform repeating and typical dyeing of commercially dyed yarns. So sometimes that means you get a P454 that’s stippled with pink, lavender, turquoise, grey, yellow and peach. And every once in a while you get a P454D, that’s still all of those same colors, but darker, deeper and more blue. Here are some ideas about what to do with these beautiful variations. The simplest is the obvious, the one that knitters hear all the time: buy enough yarn for your project in one purchase. Hand-painted yarns can differ due to weather conditions, the individual dyer, the dyes themselves and the intentional desire to create “what-ifs”. Use two dyelots together by alternating skeins to spread out the variations. Start collecting your favorite colorway in a skein or two of every unusual dyelot you see. Or put together lots of odd versions of colors. Then use them all together to make your own exciting, individual, compelling masterpiece. Embrace the differences and challenge yourself to create something that’s colorful, joyful and uniquely you. That’s the Koigu concept.
By Judith Pool I am a passionate lover of Koigu yarns........most particularly KPPPM. It is my most frequent choice for a project. I love the variations within each colorway. The same colorway can range from light to dark, from vibrant to soft. I am a collector of Koigu, most particularly P105. One of my greatest pleasures is to find a store with that colorway and to acquire no less than three skeins [for some reason 3 skeins always suits my projects], for my stash. At that point ,I begin to think about ways to combine these with others from the same color but different dyelots. I have knit a shawl using 5 different dyelots of P105. The colors are distinctly different and yet totally harmonious. It makes me happy every time that I wear it. I am currently working on a variation of The Empress Coat in which all of the mitered squares are varying dyelots of P105. I am thrilled with the result. One of the magical things that I have learned using Koigu yarns is that it is almost IMPOSSSIBLE to combine them in a way that is not pleasing to my eye. If I add a color and I don’t particularly like it, I leave it in place and add another one. And .....suddenly all is well!!!! Another gift from Koigu and their various combinations of colors within each skein is that I am no longer afraid of combining colors in other projects. I still remember the joy and excitement that I experienced when I first saw Koigu. Interestingly, I have the same reaction every time I see it. I am constantly amazed, excited and inspired by the color combinations that Maie and Taiu have created. What a gift they share with all of us.
KOIGU DYING:
Art such as Koigu’s hand painted colorways doesn’t happen overnight. From start to finish, it takes three days to create a finished dye lot, and each one is a unique work of art -no two are ever exactly the same. There are many forces that can influence the final outcome of a dye lot: the personality and mood of the artist painting the yarn, feeling and thoughts, the weather, temperature and seasons. Dye lots are small, consisting of just one kilogram of wool (roughly 20 skeins ). The yarn is carefully painted, subjected to heat to fix the dyes, then rinsed and hung on rods to dry. Once the wool has dried, it is reeled into 50g skeins, twisted and labeled with a colour number and dye lot number
Koigu
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magazine Issue 6
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Contributors: Lynette Meek, Dana Freed, Marji La Ferniere, Robyn M Schrager, Irina Poludnenko, Amy Keefer, Rachel Roden, Anniki Leppik, Unjung Yun, Kathy Merrick, Melissa Leapman, Rhonda Fargonoli, Angela Muhlpfordt, Charles Voth, Elke Schroder, Emilie Trimbee, Morgan Williamson, Jamie Fascinato, Kersti Landra, Maie Landra, Taiu Landra How to reach us for editorial, or pattern questions Email: koigumagazine@gmail.com For advertising and marketing - Taiu Landra 1-888-765-WOOL Email koiguwool@gmail.com Manufactured and printed in Canada Koigu速 Magazine, Issue No.6 Offices are Box 158, Chatsworth, Ontario, N0H1G0 Canada www.koigu.com 息All rights reserved. 2014 No part of this magazine may be copied or reproduced by any means without written permission from Koigu速. Recommended price - Single copies $12.95 US and Canada
Koigu supporting Fashion Students
Leora Schlanger, a graduate of the Fashion Design Program at Ryerson University in June 2014, created a contemporary line of outstanding luxury knitwear statement pieces combined with a collection of jersey basics for her graduate fashion design show at the University. This was the first time she knitted a sweater and the first time she created and developed knitting patterns. The Thornhill, Ontario native and self-described yarn enthusiast is fascinated by the softness and texture of various yarns. She loves how different gauges and stitches give each fabric a unique hand. What started as a hobby, where she learned to knit scarves with the help of her grandmother, became a passion when she started learning techniques and stitches from YouTube videos. She realized her passion for knitting was fed by making things for others and she says, “I love how you feel a connection to what you are knitting, because you have seen through every stitch.” Schlanger calls Romni Wools in Toronto her favorite place to shop and also places EweKnit and Passion Knit high on her list for their exciting selections of Koigu Wool Designs yarns. Stephanie Dosen, singer, owner of Tiny Owl Knits and author of Woodland Knits, is Schlanger’s knitting artist inspiration. She first heard of Koigu via Dosen. Dosen published a pattern called the Beekeeper’s Quilt, which used leftovers of KPPPM, and recommended using Koigu to Schlanger, because the yarn “knits up like an impressionist painting”. Before attending Ryerson, Schlanger did not have a background in design. The 4-year degree program was rigorous. Each semester focused on a different category; everything from menswear to evening wear. Students learned design and fashion history, color theory, illustration, and everything needed for the fashion designer. They
also learned to combine course work and deadlines. Shclanger was a little nervous when she decided to approach Maie and Taiu Landra about sponsoring her collection, because she had decided that Koigu Wool Designs captures the spirit of her knitting dreams. Taiu was so friendly and encouraging, welcoming Schlanger to visit the Koigu farm and tour the showroom and woolshed. There Schlanger got her first sight the creative and intricate dyeing process that is what Koigu Wool Designs is all about. She describes seeing a room of Koigu skeins as one of the most thrilling experiences she has ever had as a creative person. Those who have been lucky enough to see the operation firsthand agree. Maie, Taiu and Kersti came to Schlanger’s runway show in Toronto. Schlanger found it inspiring to see 3 generations of knitters wearing their colorful, artistically designs. Every year, Ryerson puts on an end-of-year fashion show. This year’s show, “The Mass Exodus” included 60 designers showing their best work. Curated by Nicholas Melamphy, buyer for the Room at the
Hudson’s Bay Company) the show was filled with promising talent and designs. Ultimately, Melamphy chooses 18 designers for the evening industry show, and he chose Schlanger’s garments, worked in a combination of sleek silhouette,intricate colourwork and neutrals for this prestigious showcase. Congratulations, Leora! Everyone at Koigu Wool Designs sees big things coming your way.
Majestic
inspiration for 2014-2015
There’s an elegant figure on a dramatic
staircase. Her dress is a deep rich color. Is it
black? Or is it maybe the blue of a winter sky, the purple of amethysts, the mysterious green of old bottles, tall cedars or venerable
Charleston shutters? Or is it actually black?
Resort
It’s warm, bright and flowery. You can smell the sea. You want yellows, oranges, happy pinks and WHITE. It might be in a lacy dress or a cool sweater or a bit of a wrap. It makes you happy.
Report on Animals, Page 1
1. Designer Lynette Meek “Tapestry” ~ Koigu Merino Lace L743
2. Designer Unjung Yun “Rainbow Star “- KPPPM P864 P148 P819 P460 P215 P882 P162 KPM 1010 1012
3. Designer Unjung Yun “Drip Dip” KPM 2350 2334 KPPPM P133B
4. Designer Maie Landra “Luula” KERSTI K349 K201 K566 K636 K623
5. Designer Maie Landra “ Eloise” KPM 2236 2502 2389 2390.5 2393 2502 2128 2174
6. Designer Unjung Yun “Vintage Flowers” KPPPM P419 P444 P450 P219 P205 P537 P344 P516 P326 P738 P333 P719 P746 P924 P473
7. “Granny Square” Small Poncho by Dana Freed KPPPM P158, P465, P104
8. “ Christina” by Melissa Leapman Kersti Merino K1170, K744
9. “Cullen “ Aran by Melissa Leapman Kersti Merino K809
10. Striped Turtle Melissa Leapman KPM 1010, 1014, 1011.5
11. Early Fall Vest by Marji La Freniere Kersti Merino K742
12. Tiny Top by Maie Landra KPPPM P524
13. Raspberry Wriggle Tunic by Robyn M. Schrager KPPPM P326 KPM 2130
14. Chloe Sweater by Maie Landra KPM 2403, P105
15. Nadya Jacket by Irina Pulodnenko - Kersti Merino K1030, K1400, K803, K468, K858
16. Dika Vest by Irina Poludnenko Koigu Merino Bulky -B60, B21, B70, B30, B61, B20
17. Whimsy by Marji La Freniere Mori M523
18. Bubbles & Stripes LegWarmers by Robyn M Schrager KPM 2411, 1535, 1153
19. Brocade Leggings by Amy Keefer KPM 1014, 1190
20. Highlighter by Kersti Landra Koigu Bulky Merino B0000, B2400, B1400, B2132, B1240, B643, B1150, B2130
21. “ Freida� by Maie Landra Kersti Merino K323, K117, K118D, K513, K105
22. Circle of Summer by Maie Landra KPPPM P608L, P701, P711, P616, P706, 710
23. (opposite page left) Marieke Skirt by Angela M端hlpfordt KPM & KPPPM 1002 1010 P820 24. (opposite page right)Striped Skirt by Elke Schroeder KPM 1150, 3016, 1195, 1160, 25. (this page) The Square Dream by Unjun Yun KPM 2200, 2332, 1230, 1050, 1014, 3005
26. Color Movement Shawl Designed by Rachel Roden kpm 1161,1162,1163, 1165, 2239, 1160
27. Shallow Triangle Color-Block Scarf by Dana Freed Kersti Merino K163, K1535, K2332
28. Colourscape Cowl by Marji La Freniere KPPPM Mini Skeinettes 29. Trellis Cowl by Maie Landra - Koigu Merino Lace L366
30. Muse Hat by Anniki Leppik Koigu Kersti #K709
31. Polar Bear Hoodie by Anniki Leppik Koigu Bulky #B41
32. Checkerboard Flowers by Kathy Merrick KPM 2151, 0000, 1265, 2370, 1113, 1504, 2181, 1203, 2300, 2290, 2392, 1303, 1191,1112, 2103, 1171, 1263, 2231,1151, 2423, 1055 & KPPPM P418, P701, P741, P742, P743 33. Viola Baby Dress by Irina Poludnenko KPPPM P210 & KPM 1171
Koigu® Magazine, Issue No.6 Box 158, Chatsworth, Ontario, N0H1G0 Canada www.koigu.com ©All rights reserved. 2014