I had a great time at the workshop in Canada, and will be sure to write more about it in the next few days.
I’m just doing a quick update to say that we are dealing with some family stuff at the moment…my dad went into a diabetic coma Friday, and it’s been a difficult last few days.
I may need a little internet break, but will get caught up as soon as I can. Thanks for your emails and notes, and I’ll talk to you soon!
I recently received a PDF version of my interview with UK Magazine Let’s Knit.
Here’s page 1,
Here’s page 2.
(I also put little low-res images of the pages on Flickr, in case you’re not a Downloader…click the image above to see.)
So, I’m back from VA, and have three short days to get myself ready to go to Canada!
I’m packing and organizing myself to go to the Make One Yarn Studio Fall Fiber Arts Retreat.
Here’s the blurb:
world-class teachers.
gourmet food.
spectacular surroundings.
3 unforgettable days.
Our third annual Fiber Arts Retreat will be held at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis, November 6 – 9. Plans are in place to make this our biggest – and best – retreat ever. From Estonian Lace with Nancy Bush, to sock design with Cookie A. From “No Sheep” fibers with Amy R. Singer to entertaining classes with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka “The Yarn Harlot”, and just announced, Stefanie Japel, author of “Fitted Knits”. Every knitter will find something new to learn.
I’ll be teaching three classes there:
(these blurbs are from the website…I don’t refer to myself in the 3rd person!)
Anatomy of the Top Down Sweater
Join Stefanie and learn her tips and tricks for creating a successful sweater knit from the top down to the hem. We will discuss such topics as choosing paired sleeve increases, incorporating stitch patterns, shaping, and working elastic bind-offs.
Fitting Your Knits
This class will demonstrate how to customize patterns by incorporating simple shaping techniques, such as bust and hipline shaping using creative placement of increases and decreases, or even shaping through simply changing stitch pattern and needle size.
Converting Flat Patterns to Circular
Many of the flat patterns published in knitting books and magazines can be easily reinterpreted to be knit in the round. Knitting sweaters in the round can be preferable for many reasons such as increasing knitting speed and evening out tension problems. In this class, you will learn to turn your favorite flat patterns into circular knits.
I’m really excited. My classes are all full, so it’s going to be a lot of fun!!
This is a picture that I borrowed from the website of the lodge that we’re going to be in…What a perfect Fall getaway spot!! The setting couldn’t be more different from the workshop last weekend, but it’ll definitely be posh in its own way. (There are rumors of yoga in between classes!) And did you see the teacher list!? How lucky am *I* to spend the weekend with these ladies!!??
This is my first day back from the Knit-a-Go-Go and Knit Happens Glam Knits retreat.
Here’s the group photo of our class (minus two women who had to leave early,) don’t they look like a bright bunch of people?? There were lawyers, military specialists, consultants for non-profits, museum collections experts, people who are fluent in many languages, scientists, and the book buyer for the DC library system! I felt so fortunate to mingle with such talent!! I really enjoyed our discussion, and the students themselves were so full of information that it really was a learning experience for all of us.
Here’s Kell, the resident Knit Happens window dresser and the amazing window that she created for the weekend:
It was such an amazing weekend. Not only did I get to back to my old stomping grounds (DC) but got to meet some very inspired knitters!! The class focused on the basics of designing a sweater from the top down. We talked about things like finding inspiration, taking proper measurements, then how to go through the steps of actually writing a custom fit sweater pattern. By the time we split up on Sunday, all 20+ students had written her own sweater pattern and most people had even cast on for their sweaters.
Danielle from Knit-a-GoGo really did a superb job of organizing everything from the venue to the gift bags and decor. It was such a fancy, special retreat for everyone. I can see why her clientele is so loyal. And Knit Happens is a really unique shop in that they have such expert teachers (Danielle, Olga, Kell, Holly, to name a few.) The yarn selection is beautiful and well-curated, and I bought enough yarn myself for two new sweaters!!
Thank you everyone that I met: the shop staff, the students, and to the city of Arlington for being as charming as I remember!
Danielle and Olga at PX:
