Episode 36: Wildfire Knits

Episode 36: Wildfire Knits (34:43)

Jenny and Nicole examine the phenomenon of wildfire knits and talk with Kate Gilbert about Clapotis and her sweater designs.

Wildfire Knits

• Why do certain patterns take off?
• Clapotis (see below)
• Jaywalkers
• Monkey
• Fetching
• We Call Them Pirates
• Shetland Triangle (as knit by brooklyntweed) from Wrap Style
• Central Park Hoodie (scroll down)
• Rogue
• Wicked
• Hourglass Sweater From Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
• Brainylady's Woodland Shawl
• Solving the problem of variegated yarn
• Tilted Duster
• Mystery Stole by Pink Lemon Twist
• Pomatomus
• Jessica's pomatomus
• Craftster circular shrug

Interview with Kate Gilbert

• The knit heard round the world: Clapotis!
• Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb
• Rhinebeck
• Second Wave Clapotis KAL
• Clapotis group on Ravelry
• Yarn advice: no sticky yarn!
• Brenda Dayne on Clapotis
• Sunrise Circle (scroll down)
• Mon Petit Chou
• Union Square Market Pullover
• Cinnabar Pullover
• Cinnabar Swatches (scroll down)
• A Cardigan for Arwen
• Kate's website and blog

Music:
Dig Me Out: Sleater Kinney
The Crooked Spine: M Ward
Lose that dress: Versus

Comments

[Leslie]

Thanks for a fun new episode. Wildfire knits (great name) is a terrific topic -- I, too, wonder what the common thread is other than simply being swayed by beautiful examples (sometimes more beautiful/accessible than the original) on the Internet. I've knit Fetching and Jaywalkers. I've had Hourglass, Clapotis and Monkey socks on my list for awhile now too...

[Lolee]

Another great episode with an intriguing topic. I knit 3 Clapotis when I was a fairly new knitter. I just liked the pattern as soon as I saw it.

I've never wanted to knit something just because everyone else was doing it but as soon as I saw the Tilted Duster and the Central Park Hoodie I knew I wanted to make them.

The same thing happens when I get a new magazine and see a pattern I really like. Most likely it was designed by Norah Gaughan but I don't seek out Norah Gaughan's patterns.

I think some patterns catch fire because there are things about them that appeal to knitters - not too difficult, beautiful result, fun to knit.

[Renee]

I think two MAJOR factors that you didn't mention that cause wildfire knits are:

-- availability on the internet (so that folks can have instant access to the pattern)
-- they are usually free patterns

[Amy]

Great episode! A current wildfire knit, at least on Ravelry, is My So-Called Scarf. It seems like everybody is either making it or has it queued.

I think what makes a wildfire knit is something that is attractive to both new knitters and experienced knitters. It's easy enough that everyone can do it, but it's attractive enough that it looks like it took some effort.

[Pattie in SF]

There is one pattern that I think of as a wildfire knit, but most people think of as a classic, and that is EZ's Baby Surprise Sweater. It seems to be hot know and was very hot about 3 years ago when I knit my first one. I wonder what the difference is between classic and wildfire. Maybe only time can tell.

Wildfire knitting to me is about community. It is nice to knit along with the internet community, compare results and see who succeeds and who rips the whole thing.

[Sophie]

Definitely a wildfire knit is the chevron scarf! Although not free it seems everyone has knit or will knit that soon (probably a good excuse to buy fabulous STR yarn though...)

[Cassie]

I think that a wildfire knit is definitely a combination of simplicity and knitting interest. I know that's what I loved about Monkey socks and Jaywalkers. If knits are too simple I lose interest, but most of the wildfires have some unique interest element to them. I also think that you guys are right that we knitters feed off of the successes of others. If we see a project on someone's blog we realize that if they can do it we can too!

[Sarah]

I think there are number of factors involved. The first is that the majority of these knits (excluding the sweaters) are accessories and garments that look good on everyone. Your size, shape, and style are pretty much irrelevant if you're knitting a Clapotis, for example. Another is simplicity -- many of these projects are very accessible for beginners but are just as entertaining for experienced knitters. Third: speed and ease of acquiring materials. A hat or a pair of Fetching or a pair of socks can be whipped up with a single skein of yarn! Finally, there's the ability to customize. Think of how different the Clapotis can look in different fibers and colors and yarns!

[Jasmin]

I have noticed that when prominent knit-bloggers knit something, that's when the "Wildfire" starts. For example:

Yarn Harlot- Clapotis, MS3, Pomatomus, Monkey

January One- Monkey, Jaywalker

There's a whole lot more, but those are just a taste. I think the wildfire is a direct result of seeing all of the different FO's- sometimes, a project isn't photographed well, OR the photograph just doesn't appeal to people.

I know it took seeing all the MS3 pictures for me to join in- and all the FOs in Ravelry are having me consider projects that never would have normally hit my radar.

[Kate]

I think availablity has a lot to do with it, free patterns on the internet and the latest IK seem more likely to take off than things from Rowan pattern books or something like that.

[deedalee]

Thanks for another great episode. I just found you guys a month or so ago and am working on listening to all your back episodes. I want to tell you that I really appreciate your podcast for several reasons - you reliably post a new one every week, you stay on topic, and I almost always learn something. I don't think that can be said for other podcasts I've listened to. So, thanks!

[Karen S.]

Love the show and the topic of "wildfire knits" was an interesting one to mull over as I listened on the bus.

I'd second the comment of all of the above, as well as add something/expand something that one of you said on the show. I think each of the patterns people have mentioned also came at the right time, too. I've read a couple articles talking to publishers of craft books about how a few years ago, a lot of the new books coming out were learn-to-knit or basic knitting books, and now that target market is moving on to other things.

A lot of the patterns mentioned (and I'd add the Rogue pullover and Charlotte's Web shawl to that list) are sort of the "next step up" for new knitters. You can try your hand at cables with Fetching and Rogue (as both have large stockinette sections), or try lace with Charlotte's Web. This might be why there seems to be a lot of retention of those who started knitting in the early 2000s; when they got tired of the really basic stuff, there were lots of great pictures on blogs of things to make next and try new techniques.

There's also the timing when it comes to yarn trends, especially the emergence of all kinds of luxury and exotic fibers, perfect for one-skein projects. There's also the hand-painted sock yarn boom, which is used for a lot of the projects mentioned.

[Carie Lynn]

Wildfire knits remind me a lot of Must-Read Books. You might hear from one or two people about this great book (or this great knit), and, after looking at it, you have to try it for yourself. I tend to not be such a follower, but I'm all over things that are brand new, especially newly released knitting patterns.

[Sally Villarreal]

Do you think you guys have something to do with Wildfire Knits? (Like all the tilted dusters)

Seeing other versions helps as well. I have visions of Knitty's Candy thanks to episode 35.

I think the need to find out out what all the fuss is about is why some knits take off. I didn't even notice Clapotis until someone in a knitting group. It was actually the reason I fell in love with Lion and Lamb, and developed a taste for more expensive yarn. I saw someone post about how expensive the suggested yarn was and I had to find out why this yarn was so special.