Another Day At Knitters Connection

Today, I took a class from Myrna Stahman entitled Adventures in Circular Lace Knitting.  Myrna's lovely book of Faroese-shaped shawls and seamen's scarves is just full of great patterns.  She's also working on a couple more books so be on the look-out for them.  The Faroese shawl sit just right on the shoulders and is rounded on the bottom - not pointed.  We discussed methods on how to start a circular shawl in the center and also practiced a really neat way to start it using waste yarn and I-cord.  This method enabled the center hole to be closed  tightly.  We also discussed bind-offs and other properties of lace.  Myrna showed lots of beautiful examples of lace doilies.  Just beautiful!  She showed examples of seamen's scarves - same pattern, same yarn, same size  needles - knit by different people that were entirely different sizes  due to varying gauges.  Myrna also showed us a beautiful scarf that she knit.  It was beautiful!!!  In knitting the scarf, she progressed from size 2 needles nearer the neck to 10.5 at the ends.  The result was a fanned out scarf towards the ends.  Myrna described lace as "connecting holes in a pleasing fashion".  She sure does just that!!  (No pictures - Myrna asked that no pictures be posted on the internet.)

I went back to the Knitters Market today during my class break.  You know the question, "Button, button, who has the button??"  Well, I discovered the answer to that question!!!  Michelle has the button - rather buttons - hundreds of them - all colors, all sizes, all shapes.  Dusty's Vintage Button booth took me right back to when I used to play in my grandmother's button collection.  It was great fun raking through the wide assortment of buttons looking for just the right one.  Michelle had the buttons sorted by color.  There were also trays of "stacked" buttons where she had put several buttons together - taking two or more buttons and joined them together giving them a whole new look. 

The funniest sights in the Knitters Market are these speed bumps!  It's like they have to slow us down from shopping too fast!!  They're actually covering electrical cords but I think slowing down the knitters sounds better!

Tonight, there was a reception with yummy food!  The teachers were all settled at tables and available to autograph their books.

Then, it was off to hear Amy Singer present "A Night With Knitty".  Amy talked about the seven years since the "birth" of Knitty.com.  It was very interesting hearing the ins and outs of the online knitting magazine.  Amy was a great presenter and even broke out her ukulele.  We joined her in singing an Ode to the Knitters Connection.  What fun!! 

 Here is Amy (with her glass of water) in her beautful sweater, Liesel, designed by Ysolda Teague.  It's a great pattern!  Did you know that Amy is allergic to wool and all animal fibers???  So, she writes about what she knows in No Sheep For You.  She told us not to feel sorry for her -- she has silk!

Tomorrow, New Pathways for Sock Knitters with Cat Bordhi!!!!!

Comments

[mrspao]

What a wonderful day. I'm interested in the circular shawl idea - I've not knit one before but saw a beautiful pattern on Knitty.

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring09/PATTshipwreck.php

[Jackie]

Hi Robin!

Can't wait for Cat Bordhi blog! Whoo whoo!! You are having so much fun. The lace stuff sounded wonderful and I know how much you love that stuff! Love knitty.com so how cool is seeing Amy Singer in person! We are jealous...

[Pom Pom]

I forgot to tell you happy blogday yesterday! So, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your fantastic blog!
Thanks for the update! I love the knitty lady story! Isn't she fun! Love her sweater!
You must be an extreme smarty because you really GET all the knitting talk. It is a happy thing for us, your readers!

[Timmie B]

I just realized that Andy is in area where my KF Sarah Cline lives. She's in Barnesville and is indie dyer www.perfectdayyarns.com. She's very interesting person with two small children. Sometime when you're there, maybe I can "get you connected."

[Chan]

Sounds like you've had two great programs with more to come.

Personally, I tend to stumble over those cord protectors. I have wondered more than once if I wouldn't be better off taking my chances with the "bare" cords!