The Corntraders Talk to Kimmi

How long have you been crocheting? Since I was 10 years old, (makes that uh, 36 years)

Who taught you? My grandma who is now deceased! She taught me three stitches only.

Why do it? It keeps my hands busy, and I love the way I can take a skein of yarn and make something out of the it. I mean, it's just a string...and eventually, it's really something useful! I also love to make things for people. I want them to wear something and feel like my arms around them in some way! I want them to know that they are special to me.

What does it mean to you? First and foremost, I feel close to grandma who died almost 6 yrs. ago. Also, because she only taught me 3 stitches, my options were very limited on what I could make. So with you as my inspiration (I'm not kidding!), I have taught myself to read crochet patterns. What a sense of accomplishment! What a lift to my self-confidence! I love to learn!

Which supplies do you like most? Needle sizes, types of yarn, colors, ect.... I really enjoy working with cotton yarns the most. However, cotton can become quite heavy when working on large projects. Aside from that, there is the whole laundering issue with cotton. It shrinks if you dry it. If you hang dry it, it can stretch out. I suspect this is why women use acrylic yarns the most. Caron makes an incredibly soft acrylic yarn, and I don't mind that if I have to use an acrylic. A brand new yarn came out a couple of months ago that I've fallen completely in love with. Made by lion brand, it's called cotton ease. It's 50% cotton, and 50% acrylic. I made myself a shirt, and it is doing nicely so far. It feels like cotton, but I'm not getting the stretching, etc. The downside - uses oil products to produce the acrylic, the cost of a skein is high, and the colors are limited because it's new. A little side point here, the cotton yarns, or the bamboo yarns are extremely expensive. I wonder why this is since oil is out of sight at this time. It seems that the reverse should be true! Now, if we were able to grow hemp in this country, it would make a fine yarn along with sooooo many other things! Hemp has an outrageous amount of uses! I have to change the subject now, because I get so angry about the governmental regulations, that specifically increase our dependence on oil! Colors of yarns....I think I like the earthy tones the best, but it seems that I trade around on colors. I can't really say that I have a favorite. Needles...I totally prefer the aluminum needles and size 'h' is my favorite size of stitch for now.

What do you like making the most? Wow! Tough question. Do I really have to pick one thing? Honestly, I enjoy making things for others. It is thrilling to make it, send it & wait to hear if anyone is excited. Right now, I'm teaching myself to make different types of shirts. I have enough scarves and hats, and so does everyone that I know (lol)!

Are there any ideals you aspire to in your crafting?This might be hard not to offend anyone, so ladies, you'll have to edit! Kari, you know me, so I'm hoping you'll get what I'm saying. Here goes:First, tell me why we export our work to 3rd world countries, and have 5 year olds making clothes that are easy on our wallets?? Why don't we learn to make our own clothes again? We can get the material production back into the hands of our country, and go from there! Why do people want to buy something off of the rack at Walmart that hundreds of other people are wearing too? Why is it so difficult to by an individual and express ourselves as who we are? We need to use the things that this wonderful earth gives us, and take pride in what we make for ourselves. To take a piece of yarn, and slowly develop it into something to wear, use, or cover up with is amazing! To take grandma's old curtains and make new ones from them is just heartwarming! To take old sheets that others have discarded and make baby blankets or even skirts like Kari does is something that more people should do! We are a wasteful people, and we have to stop!

Any ideas for the future? I'd really to make a skirt and a poncho. I want a vintage 70's poncho like the one my mother made for herself back then! I've also made a few rugs and I'd like to make more!

Any other projects you'd like to be involved with? I love projects! I'd love to be involved with the corn trade. One day, I'd like to find the courage to sell some of my work on etsy.com. I want to grow my own vegetables, learn to can and freeze the fruits of my labors. I also want to try natural dyes. The idea came to me when I was juicing and the strawberry juice stained by countertop! Then, low and behold, Kari & Katie start talking about dandelion dye!! I'd also like to get into antiques, and learn to restore the things that others have discarded. My mom was awesome at that! The list could go on and on, but you get the picture, I'm kind of all over the place, and not focusing on any one idea...so it's overwhelming!!And can I plug your e-mail in case anyone likes your stuff and wants to contact you? Absolutely! mjmnklm@bellsouth.net

Thank you Kimmi for your Q & A, and of course for the adorable trims :) We'll be looking forward to more projects together... and to seeing pics of your solo projects!