Traci Bunkers
Lawrence, KS USA
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| Short Biography |
Dyer and knitwear designer by trade, Traci is the Lead Technical Editor for XRX Books. She is also the woman behind "Bonkers Handmade Originals".
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Books |
"Dressing the Debu-trout Way" & "The Troubles of T
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| Specialty |
Hand-dyeing yarn and spinning fibers, and designing funky projects to make with them. Also, convincing people that you really can use all different colors together and get a fabulous look.
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| Contact Information: |
P.O.Box 442099 619 E. 8th St., Studio 3D Lawrence, KS USA
785 843-5875
Bonkers@bonkersfiber.com
Bonkers Handmade Originals
(843-5875)
Bonkers Handmade Originals
www.bonkersfiber.com
StitchesMarket.com Not yet. . . . but hopefully in the future
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| Classes |
KNITTING CLASSES
"Knitting Fun & Funky Hats"
"Mitered Square Magic"
"Knitting or Crocheting with unspun Silk Caps & Hankies"
"Knitting Socks from the Toe up!"
"Design your Own Knitted Circular Lace Shawl"
SPINNING CLASSES
"Creative Blending & Spinning to Create One-of-a-Kind Yarns - OR - How to make Absolutely Fabulous Yarn and Use Up Those Leftover Bits of Fiber At the Same Time!" (Also known as my funky fiber class)
"Taking the Mystery out of Silk Caps & Silk Hankies"
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| Biography |
My Mom taught me to crochet when was a about 4 or 5. I made really long chains until she taught me another stitch. Then I crocheted those curly-Q bookworm markers & ponytail ties. I crocheted a doll out of McCalls Needleworks when I was 7, and named him Rodney. I stuffed him with my mom's pantyhose. There are places where the hose poke out through the loose stitches from too much lovin'. He has orange hair that I latch-hooked on, and I still have him.
I didn't learn to knit until college. That's when the obsessive side of my personality kicked in. I took my knitting everywhere, including class. When my art professors protested, I said if my hands were busy, it left my mind free to listen. They couldn't argue with that. I started designing my own sweaters, and thought it was something everyone did.
Yada-yada-yada. Now I have my own business selling hand-dyed yarns and spinning fibers that I dye & make. I also design knitwear (and crochet), and am the XRX Books Instruction Editor.
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| What is your knitting mantra? |
If you swatch it, it will work.
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| What inspires you? |
I get inspired by doing other tactile things--working in clay and making big, funky pots for my plants, working in the garden, . . .
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| Confess - when it comes to hiding your yarn, what are your secrets? |
When you have your own fiber business, you can let it all hang out!
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| What is your idea of knitting heaven? |
Where everyone can follow a knitting pattern correctly, and they don't automatically assume the pattern is wrong if they make a mistake. (That's the pattern editor in me speaking)
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| How many UFO's (Unfinished Objects)do you have going at once? |
Actually not that many--mainly because I don't have enough time to make anything for myself. Usually when I'm making something, I have no choice but to finish it by the deadline!
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| My yarn stash equals the GNP (Gross National Product) of ... |
Like I said--no stash it's part of the "inventory"!
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| Whom would you like to see accept an Academy Award wearing your creation? |
Helena Bonham Carter
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| What frequently-asked knitting question do you hate to answer? |
What am I doing wrong? (over the phone)
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| What is your most dog-eared knitting reference? |
"Vogue Knitting" book & "The Harmony Guide to Knitting"
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| What is the most unusual place you've ever knitted? |
In bed with the lights off, or on the highway driving to Colorado (actually crocheting, and yes, I was driving). The weirdest place I ever spun (with a dropspindle) was at the dr's office, waiting in the exam room, in one of those paper gowns. I spin standing up because I use my feet to keep the pindle going. I surprised the doctor when he came in.
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| How long can you last without knitting? |
Since it's part of my job, I do a little every day.
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| If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one yarn, book, or gizmo would you want along? |
I would only need a sheep and a knife. With the knife I could carve a drop spindle and knitting needles. Then I'd use the sheep's wool, and spin my own yarn and knit away. Or I could make a felt yurt, depending on the climate of the island.
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| How many hours have you knitted non-stop - and why? |
Too many to count to meet a deadline.
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| What do you want your knitting epitaph to say? |
I want my dyeing epitaph to say "She dyed a little every day."
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| Who would you like to greet you in knitting heaven? |
Someone with a bunch of yarn and needles. Or the saint that got hackled to death.
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