What’s everyone working on?  Anything special for the summer months?  Come check out some of the new summer books at the shop.  They are surely enough to get you inspired and back on the fiber trail!

If you are trying to avoid holiday knitting this year but still want some crafty gifts, why not pick up a knitting ornament for your favorite crafter?  Only $10.00

This weekend is VERY exciting!  The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef at the Smithsonian is opening this Saturday the 16th.  I went a few weeks back to go help assemble the reef.  My job was to organize the bleached, green, and brown by hues.  Way more time consuming than you would think!!!

Do you see any of your pieces – I sure did when I was organizing!

Way to go Aylin’s Woolgatherer customers, we should all be very proud and excited to see the exhibit.  See you there!

Well, the Reef has left the building!  That’s right, that was an intentional uppercase R……this thing has become a beautiful wonder of fiber goodness!

I know there are still some other pictures floating out there, but for now, enjoy the brief slideshow!

Thanks to ALL that contributed!  I can’t wait to check out the finished reef in all it’s glory and see if we can spot any of “Aylin’s.

Click to view slideshow.“

Jennifer will also give us a talk on the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project and the Smithsonian Community Reef and discuss the upcoming workshop in September with Margaret Wertheim, one of founders of the project, on how to help curate our local satellite reef.

Please join us!  Jennifer will be taking all the wonderful figures people have donated through Aylin’s, so this is the last time you’ll be able to see our portion of the Community Reef before it is combined with the thousands of figures being donated throughout the area. Materials will be provided or you can bring your own; beginners are welcome:

Aylin’s Woolgatherer
7245 Arlington Blvd., Suite 318
Falls Church, VA 22042

703-573-1900

Directions from Washington, DC:
Take Rt. 50 into Nothern Virginia approximately 8 miles to Graham Rd.
(Next stop light after Annandale Rd.) Turn left and make the next right into
Loehman’s Plaza shopping center. Go to the 3rd floor of “7-11 building” in the middle of the center.

Directions from the Capitol Beltway (I-495):
Go to Northern Virginia. Exit onto Rt. 50 East.
Proceed just under a mile to Graham Rd. (4th traffic light after the Beltway) and turn right.
Make the first right turn into Loehman’s Plaza shopping center.
Go to the 3rd floor of “7-11 building” in the middle of the center.

Introduction to the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project at the Smithsonian.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History will host a unique exhibition, the “Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef,” a thought-provoking fusion of science, conservation, mathematics and art. By engaging local communities to crochet coral reefs, the exhibition celebrates their beautiful diversity and speaks to the urgent need to protect these vanishing ecosystems. Created and curated by Margaret and Christine Wertheim at the Institute For Figuring, this exhibition will be in the Sant Ocean Hall focus gallery Oct. 16 – April 24, 2011.

Currently, climate change, ocean acidification, overfishing, invasive species and pollution threaten the very existence of coral reefs around the world. Nancy Knowlton, the Sant Chair for Marine Science at the museum and the Smithsonian’s science advisor for the exhibition, has focused much of her research on these endangered ecosystems.
“The reefs that I studied 35 years ago have largely vanished, and most reefs may well be gone by the end of the century, or sooner, if nothing is done to protect them,” said Knowlton. “This project is a stark reminder that if trendscontinue, an exhibition like this may someday be the only way for people to experience the beauty of coral reefs.”

Shocked by the accelerating demise of corals around the globe, the Wertheims took action, deciding to tell the story of coral reefs—their beauty and the threats they face—through crochet.

As the name suggests, the “Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef” also incorporates the world of mathematics. Throughout the ocean, the diverse forms of kelps, corals and sea slugs are variations of a geometric form known as hyperbolic space. Mathematicians had long believed this type of geometry was impossible to represent physically, even though it has existed within nature for hundreds ofmillions of years. Finally, in 1997, Cornell University’s Daina Taimina realized that models of hyperbolic space could be created using crochet—a discovery that astonished the mathematical world.
The Wertheims, inspired by the Great Barrier Reef in their native Queensland, Australia, harnessed this discovery and started crocheting a coral reef. For the past five years they have been working with communities all over the world to build a global network of crochet reefs that has become an ongoing collective experiment. Since the project began, satellite reefs have been created in Chicago; New York; London; Dublin; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Sydney; and Riga, Latvia. The participation of such a vast variety of communities has created a collection of crocheted corals as distinctive and diverse as their living counterparts.

“Wooliness and wetness aren’t exactly two concepts that you would initially pair together, but now this project reaches across five continents and has roots that extend into the fields of mathematics, marine biology, feminine handicraft and environmental activism,” said co-creator Margaret Wertheim. “It’s taken on a viral dimension of its own, and in a beautiful way the development of the project parallels the evolution of life on Earth.”

In association with the exhibition opening this fall, the museum has launched the Smithsonian Community Reef, the newest satellite of the global Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project. The Smithsonian Community Reef boasts more than 200 participants from the Washington, D.C., area, including Maryland and Virginia, and at least 15 other states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Washington and as well as Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom and promises to be one of the largest community reefs ever produced. A portion of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is currently on display at the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York as part of the “National Design Triennial: Why Design Now?” exhibition. The Smithsonian Community Reef is made possible through the support of the Quiksilver Foundation, the Embassy of Australia and the Coral Reef Alliance.

Volunteers are crocheting enthusiastically throughout the summer to produce a 10-by-16-foot reef that will be displayed together with the “Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef” exhibition. Jane Milosch, senior program officer in the Office of the Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture, and a curator of contemporary craft, is an advisor to the project.

“The community aspect of the Smithsonian’s in-progress reef heightens our appreciation for the handmade and our awareness that individual actions can have a powerful, collective impact on the environment,” said Milosch.
The museum welcomes participation in this exciting collaborative fiber-art project to raise awareness about the threats to coral reefs.

Contributions can be submitted by mail or delivered in person and will be accepted for inclusion in the Community Reef, provided they meet the deadline and guidelines available by e-mail atsicommunityreef@yahoo.com or by visiting Flickr and Ravelry at “Smithsonian Community Reef” under groups. To learn more about the “Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef” exhibition, visit http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/hreef/index.html.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W. in Washington, D.C., welcomes more than 7 million visitors annually. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. More information about the museum is available at www.mnh.si.edu or by calling (202) 633-1000, TTY (202) 357-1729.

Check out the donations!  These pictures were taken over a week ago so at this point the reef could be spilling out into the hall and blockading Aylin into her office!!!

1 )  Baby stuff.  Why?  Why not?!  It’s small, portable and frequently people choose not to use wool for fear of allergies.  Stop by Aylin’s, she has a great selection of baby friendly yarns and also, my favorite, a WIDE selecton of Dale of Norway, Baby Ull books.  100% love.

2 )  Winter hats.  Ok, I know, it’s best to make these in wool but because they are small and can slip on a 16in circular how could they not be a good summer project.  You won’t regret your forethought to make these if we have another blizzard this year!

3 )  Market bags.  There are several great eco friendly market bag patterns that are popping up.  I think the open pattern ones, that grow are you throw your produce in, are great.  Be green and knit for summer!  Check out Aylins cotton selection.  I think Catania would make a beautiful bag.  Market bags here we come!

4 )  Toys.  Sometimes I find myself stumped on what to make for a baby shower because I want a great ‘aww’ factor (come on, we all do) but I also want to make sure the gift is practical.  Because babies come in many different sizes (with sometimes disappointingly large heads that don’t necessarily fit the neck of the sweater you spent weeks knitting) toys seem like a good fit.

5 )  Washcloths.  I honestly vowed to never knit a washcloth but as soon as I did I couldn’t go back!  The thing was so durable and didn’t get the funky smell some store-bought cloths do.  Check out Aylin’s line of cotton for these wonders.  I have used Mission Falls cotton and found the ‘rougher’ texture of the yarn makes a great washcloth.  And the best part, if you drop a stitch, who care’s its a washcloth!  You can also have a good excuse to now pick up a new stitch pattern book at Aylin’s and can use the little squares as learning tools, bonus!

6 ) Booties.  Ok, technically this falls under number one.  However, baby booties are quick to knit and make great charity knitting for the local hospitals.

7 ) slippers anyone?  Again, don’t even think of putting them on your feet in this heat but why not make a pair in preparation for another ‘snowmageddon?’  Comfort (worsted) would make a great economical and washable pair to keep your toes warm!

8 ) Throw pillows.  I have seen some great patterns in interweave for snazzy throw pillows that add a sense of ‘Yes, I knit and I know it makes my couch look fabulous.’

9 ) Household items.  I have recently seen lots of bowls and vase covers pop up on the internet and they couldn’t be cuter.  Why knot knit up some gadgets to warm up your home or even a wine bottle gift bag for the holdidays….

….and that reminds me…..

10 )  Start your holiday knitting early!!!!!  That’s right, go find the AC, sit in your comfy chair, and work on a sweater for the loved ones in your life.  You will be thanking yourself, and smiling with a smug look, when the new year is looming and you are watching everyone else scramble.  For a quick and economical knit, check out Aylin’s supply of Cascade 220 and Galway!

There ya have it….happy knitting.  We would love to hear if you have any other great summer knitting ideas!!

Here is how it works: During the entire month of July , purchase a specially-marked Knit Kit from Aylin’s for $25 (remember- quantities are limited!) and enjoy 15% off regularly-priced items excluding needles and notions.

The knit kit is very cool…..this gadget does everything!  It includes scissors, stitch markers, darning needle, tape measure and much more!!

Also – for every $25 you spend, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate at that store!

Remember, we are on our July schedule for the month, open from 10-2 Monday through Saturday and reopening Thursday evenings 6-8:30!

Here is how it works: During the entire month of July , purchase a specially-marked Knit Kit from any participating LYS for $25 (remember- quantities are limited!) and enjoy 15% off regularly-priced items excluding needles and notions.

Also – for every $25 you spend, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate at that store!

If you would like to learn more about the project, please visit, www.crochetcoralreef.org.  In the meantime, check out our progress:

Several of our customers have started knitting pieces of the reef!  Pretty soon we may have to expand off the table in our classroom.  Please help us with the donations and have a chance to have your work displayed at the Smithsonian along with other great area crafters.

We will use our blog presence to inform you of fun classes going on at the shop as well as give updates as new fibers roll in.  And of course, we would love to showcase some finished objects!!  Nothing says inspiration like looking at freshly hand-knit or crocheted items!

Please feel free to drop a line with questions about the shop or comments on what you would love to see come through the door at Aylins Woolgatherer!

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!