It’s time again to make workshop samples. I enjoy working on samples and swatches to illustrate the concepts I introduce in my workshops. They’re mostly small and quicker to finish than most other projects.

Some readers may remember the underwater scene I made for a design class at Camp Iwannaknit 2005. It was knitted on my Bond knitting frame. Someday I hope to show you the underwater scenes that the workshop participants made. They were all different, because each person used a different photo for inspiration.

Anyway, I’m developing a new underwater scene class for hand knitters and crocheters, which uses freeform techniques. For homework, I’m asking participants to choose a photo of a reef or other marine scene for inspiration.

Supplies for freeform knit underwater scene

The next step is to raid the yarn collection for colors and textures to match the background of the photograph. Here’s my photo, with the matching yarn.

Did you notice that I said ‘yarn collection’ rather than ‘yarn stash?’ Imagine my nose very high in the air, as I explain that I prefer to think of myself as a proud collector of yarn. Forget stashes. Think collections, instead. The word ‘collection’ appropriately invokes the care, thought, and money invested by a yarn collector in her hoard.

Next time, a finished freeform background.