Thesis, part 2: Much practicing to be done
Two weeks ago, I wrote a little about my burgeoning senior thesis project. Since then, I’ve purchased a gently-used knitting machine from VonStrohm, a very cool woolen mill and yarn store about 25 miles south of Columbus. On the day I picked up my machine, I spent a few hours in the shop with Toia Rivera-VonStrohm learning the basics of machine knitting and talked with her about the logistics of my project. It’s looking like I’ll be able to purchase yarn from VonStrohm, which they’ll spin and dye especially for me. If that works out, it’d be great.
I brought the machine home and set it up in my work room. It is like an archaic, enigmatic monster. Besides the few hours of lessons at VonStrohm, I’ve been reading a few books about machine knitting (as well as the owner’s manual) and learning what I can from YouTube. I reworked my generic sweater vest pattern for the machine and knit up a quick vest—the first actual garment I’ve made with the machine! It all went okay. But I still have not tried tackling colorwork and that will be a big challenge.
What’s next?
I have a lot of practicing to do until I’m comfortable with the knitting machine. Only when I’m comfortable will I have the knowledge to finalize my garment pattern and start production work.
Besides that, I still need to figure out what else I’m going to make! What is this brand going to be about? What else will I create? I still need to talk to some of the CCAD old-guard and dig through old photos in the Archives. This project has got to be more than a sweatshop! I’d love to document this whole process through video, so I also need to find somebody to help me with that. There is a lot to think about…