Project Knitway?
Like millions of others right now, I’m addicted to Project Runway. And I’ve been thinking about how that might translate to the knit blogging world. Clearly, we couldn’t do a full-scale elimination series like the show, but challenges with restrictive guidelines, things that make us push our boundaries and exercise our creativity would be great fun.
I envision a series of challenges, each with maybe a month to complete. There may be guidelines for materials, or size, or otherwise depending on the challenge. Because I want it to be accessible and possible to complete, I’d specify projects that were relatively compact (no aran sweaters!). Anyone could enter any month. All submissions (photographic) would be reviewed by a small panel of non-competing judges and then 10 or so would be selected for group voting to pick the challenge winner (unlike in Project Runway, no one would be auf’d). Everyone would get the fun of competing. And we would come up with prizes somehow.
Some of the challenge ideas that spring from the top of my head include stuffed toys, shadow knitting, a project that included both knit and crochet, knitting a household item, something felted, a 50gm challenge (use only that much yarn), creative uses of novelty yarns, a hanging ornament. Clearly, the ideas need more fleshing out, but those are some general things that sprung to mind. I think I’d want to combine some ideas, so specify and item and a technique, just to provide a little structure and limitations.
Of course, I’d set up another blog for it and new e-mail addresses for submissions, etc. And while there would be a set of finalists to vote on, I’d also show everyone’s submissions somewhere.
So, what do you think? Would you do it? Would you judge? Do you have ideas for challenges? Am I just crazy? (okay, don’t answer that last one)
August 27th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
Well, I’ve heard of project runway, but never seen it. I don’t think it’s been aired over here in the UK.
That said, your ideas do sound good. Something I’d like to see as well is some sort of ‘design path’ or at least ‘thought process’ documented along with the completed project.
August 27th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
I LOVE this idea. Love love live.
It’d be good if it would be stuff that would stretch our skills a little, too. Maybe picking a “first”, like fair isle or cabling or whatever, depending on the knitter, and doing a small projecct with it, along with all the other really creative stuff you’re laying out here.
Okay, now, THIS I’m getting excited about.
August 27th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
I think this idea is great! I don’t get to see Project Runway so this would be the next best thing! I would absolutely love to judge! Sounds like a blast! Go for it!
August 28th, 2006 at 8:27 am
I’ll offer myself up as a judge. You know I like that.
August 28th, 2006 at 9:22 am
I love your drop stitch shawl. It’s stunning.
I am glad to hear your grandfather is doing fairly well. Hopefully his health will continue to improve.
The square you made for Annette’s blanket came today. Thank you so much.
August 28th, 2006 at 9:46 am
I think I would find it interesting to see, but I’m pretty burned out on knitalongs and competitions, so I’d sit it out.
August 28th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
It’s such a clever idea; I’d be happy to come up with challenges, but unfortuately, I wouldn’t have time to knit along!
August 28th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
It sounds like a lot of fun! I’d be in for at least some of the challenges. I don’t know if I would have time to complete every one of them though.
August 28th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
I love knitting challenges. Just let someone tell me that it can’t be done, and I set out to prove them wrong. However, I am not a joiner. But I sure like your idea.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
It sounds really cool. I like the idea of it for spurring on a project I wouldn’t normally work on.
August 30th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
What a fantastic idea! I would love to join in the fun. I am always interested in learning new things, and stretching my skills!