. . . and surprisingly hypnotic!
Last Friday, I “attended” (virtually, of course) a Modern Daily Knitting workshop with Dawn Barker, Master of the Assigned Pooling concept in knitting.
What’s so odd about that, you ask?
Well. . . I despise yarns that pool.
Hates. Them.
In fact, the Number One reason I stopped knitting socks . . . is the pooling effect of so many sock yarns (in my possession). It really does makes me cringe. (Sorry if you love it. I know many people do.) (Just not for me.)
So why in the world would I PAY FOR a workshop that is all about using and embracing! yarns that pool . . . on purpose and by design?
Yep. Very odd.
For sure.
But I took one look at the incredible designs and cool effects that Dawn Barker achieves with her custom dyed, designed-to-pool-on-purpose yarns and . . . I knew I had to try it for myself. (Just take a look at her incredible designs and eye-popping yarns.)
The workshop was fabulous (like ALL the workshops I’ve taken from MDK). The three hour session passed in a flash. And then two more hours passed while I practiced my new technique. I had to force myself to stop!
As you know, I’ve been yammering on and on lately about knitting-dopamine-hits and needing to distract myself from . . . everything that’s happening all around us. Learning something new and interesting and . . . odd . . . has been a great way for me to dig back in and find myself again. Not that I need another project or anything. But this is giving MAJOR dopamine.
It’s fun.
It’s hypnotic.
It’s something new and different and odd.
I love the weirdness and the unexpected funkiness.
I’m hooked.
But assigned pooling . . . still pools, y’know? (I’m working hard to get past it.)
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How about you? What are you working on these days?
You and Kat! Your Assigned Pooling Shawl looks great Kym. I don’t mind pooling, but the class did not appeal to me. However, after seeing Kat’s and now yours I’m wondering….it’s a very interesting idea.
I was just in wonder and awe at Dawn’s thinking process! (and I LOVE your yarn choice!! Ha!) I am thinking that I might need to go up a needle size and see how that affects the stacking issue. Or go down a size? It is a delicious thing to play around with! I want to go back and watch her do the flatter and wider blips…
I can understand not liking pooling, but I think it’s great to find a way to deal with the yarn in your stash that will pool and is going unused as a result. And anything that gives you a major dopamine hit is a win!
This is very intriguing, Kym! I saw several things that I thought would be fun to do, and I also hate pooling. However, planning for the pooling to be integral to the design is ingenious. Looking forward to see your progress.
This is an intriguing concept! I would personally have to get over the idea that the brown blips remind me of spiders, but the idea of learning a new knitting technique that is stretching your brain and proving plenty of dopamine is a wonderful thing. I’m off to take a look at web site. Have fun!
I saw this workshop. But it didn’t ring a bell for me. Pooling has never particularly bothered me – it kind of amuses me – but Plenty of other things do, so I can relate. I did love the workshop offered earlier this spring ( can Not think of the name of it for the life of me) on using up stash yarn as you go. It has an ‘on the fly’ appeal to me. What they have in common, it seems to me, is that they are both very innovative techniques and for knitters whose hobby is largely repetitive in nature any novelty that comes along can be gratefully grabbed and applied as desired to spice up our knitting lives. So glad that this one appealed to you, Kym! Would love to see the result.
It’s the one with Park Williams.
Hope the word novelty did not come across sounding dismissive since it is often used that way. Should have said “innovative” which gives it the worth it deserves.
I did a couple things with assigned pooling. I’m glad you enjoy it–it just wasn’t for me.
The scarf I call my “Michelle Obama scarf” was made using this technique. It’s a fun way to create randomness.
I considered this workshop and then dismissed it. You and Kat have me wishing I’d done it!
I was in the class too but I gave up and am going to start an Eventide with the easier stitch for my first try. I do love your color yarn though and may have to get that when I’m ready to try the class pattern again.
Love your planned pooling start. I understand the trying to avoid thinking about the “things around us,” and we have some family things around us, as well as having family who have bombs flying over them on all sides over there. It’s a hard time, and I’m having a hard time. It’s good to hear someone else talking about their struggles. My knitting has been difficult to focus on, but I’m fighting the urge to pick up something new and shiny.
I admire you for giving the technique a try. Your yarn is very pretty. Something new can be so engaging. I also think it’s wonderful to do something just to enjoy the process – although letting go of the product is a sometimes a stretch for me.
Not a fan of pooling but definitely a fan of MDK classes. Liking your shawl Kym! No knitting here…just a cute devilish pup!
I’m a huge Dawn Barker and assigned pooling fan–and I am with you on both the lack of love for yarns that pool in most patterns -AND for the dopamine hit knitting. I guess the latter really wins out because when I first found Dawn Barker online ia few years ago I went on an assigned pooling binge! I gifted all but one fave shawl that I somehow misplaced this past year.
Which means its time for a new AP project 🙂 I am not mad.