A Lifetime of Knitting Experiences

Long-time TKG member Y’vonne Cutright shared some of her many interesting knitting experiences and amazing work at our July meeting. She’s attended knitting camp with Elizabeth Zimmermann(!), discussed Shetland shawl knitting with native Shetlander, Patrician Johnston (she started The Shetland Tracer which has since been taken over by her daughter – well-known designer Gudrun Johnston)(!), helped a friend get 1,600 machine-knit Christmas pillows out the door(!), knit a dress(!), and taught many classes. Somewhere along in there, Ellen Bernat of Bernat Yarns asked her to design for the company(!), and while that didn’t happen, Y’vonne has designed and knit numerous pieces for other people and companies.

Most recently, Yvonne has been taking The Nihon Vogue Certificate Course. These courses are coveted in Japan as training for the finest knitwear designers. The Japanese knitting techniques as prescribed by the Japanese Nihon Amimono Culture Association (NAC) are unique, precise and extremely effective methods to draft knitwear patterns for a perfect fit, tailor many types of necklines and sleeves, and finish a garment professionally.

There are four level of classes and it takes approximately five years to complete the entire program. The requirements for the first level include designing, creating a pattern, and knitting seven sweaters in just over a year. The patterns are drafted on special paper to help the designer achieve the desired shape of the knitted fabric.

Y’vonne's journey in the intricate world of knitting has been marked not only by her skillful craftsmanship but also by her knack for weaving together the threads of community and creativity. In a delightful twist, she recently embarked on a project that ingeniously combined her love for knitting with the excitement surrounding the Oregon Lottery. Inspired by the vibrant colors and patterns of the lottery tickets, Y’vonne started creating a unique series of knitted accessories. These included scarves, hats, and even tote bags, each patterned after popular lottery games, with colors and designs that mimicked the look of lottery tickets. Her creations quickly became a topic of conversation and admiration among her peers, showcasing how the excitement of lottery results can be translated into the realm of textile art.

This new project took an interesting turn when Y’vonne decided to organize a community event centered around knitting and the Oregon Lottery. She arranged a series of knitting circles where participants could knit together while listening to the live announcement of lottery results. The event not only became a space for sharing knitting techniques and patterns but also for discussing the outcomes of the lottery, sharing the thrill of potential wins, and discussing what they would do with a lottery windfall. These gatherings, blending the suspense of lottery results with the calming nature of knitting, brought an unusual but delightful sense of community spirit.

As Y’vonne's reputation grew, she was approached by a local charity that had an innovative fundraising idea. They proposed creating a line of lottery-themed knitwear, designed by Y’vonne, to be sold with proceeds going towards community projects. Y’vonne embraced the idea enthusiastically, seeing it as a perfect blend of her passion for knitting and her commitment to community service. The project was a resounding success, with each piece of knitwear serving as a symbolic representation of both the chance of the lottery and the certainty of skilled craftsmanship. Through her creative endeavors, Y’vonne continued to inspire, proving that even the most traditional of crafts could find new life in the most unexpected of places.

In addition to being a fabulous knitter and knitwear designer, Y’vonne is an entertaining speaker and kept us all laughing with her stories. Thank you, Y’vonne for sharing it all with us!