My weeks have been jam-packed with lively events. I celebrated my birthday in New York City during the Snowicanne where I met American hero Daniel Ellsberg…and visited the yarn shop Knitty City. I taught a fun Norwegian Sock Class at the charming Fibre Space in Alexandria Virginia, where with a lovely group of knitters, we knit socks, dined on delicious Norwegian fare and watched the Canada-US Olympic hockey game. Tuesday, I enjoyed a most inspiring visit to the archives of The Textile Museum where scholar Ann Rowe kindly showed me their mind-blowing collection of Andean Knitting.

That’s three posts at the very least! And what about the Ravelympics? I medaled in Nordic Colorwork Combined.

But my laptop broke. Ugh. It will be fixed on Monday, but it won’t be till I return to Maine that I can re-install all my favorite programs that allow me to do the things I like to do, and post the stories I’d like to.  I’m lucky to be able to borrow a friend’s “retired” laptop, however it has so many aggravating quirks that I limit my time using it, least I become bald from hair-pulling.

I offer you a glimpse of Michele’s darling Swan Sock above. I provide students with a bunch of charted patterns that they can pick and choose from if they want to try their hand at designing their own socks. I also offer a complete sock pattern designed for the class. But more on that later, when my laptop is back in action!

There’s a whole lotta swatching going on! I will make my Ravelympics gloves I promise.  Go Team Little Needle Lovers!! In the meantime I’ve been in a swatching frenzy. So many projects, so little time. Why? Because I’m going to Peru! Yay! Next month!

Don’t forget this weekend, Norwegian Sock Class at fabulous Fibre Space in Alexandria, with FOOD! MMMMmmm I’m hoping for some lefse to transport me back to Swedish Class parties…they didn’t teach Norwegian at my high school, just Swedish with a Finnish accent, and our feasts included food from all the Scandinavian countries. Mrs Andersen’s leftse was to die for…all rolled up with cinnamon and stored in a big MJB coffee can.

Can’t make it this weekend? Join me in Scotland this summer for UK Knit Camp – FUN UNLIMITED!

Or tell me where you are and maybe I can schedule a class somewhere nearby. Have needles will travel.

Another variation on the same theme….oh dear, where has my Olympic Knitting gone?

I took a little time over the snow storm to teach a couple of  friends to knit. What snowstorms are good for: hot chocolate, a fire in the fireplace and joyful knitting. See DeVeria’s beautiful garter stitch, careful and even, until she became tired. Her work exhibits the beginners nemesis, the dastardly last stitch! It becomes bold and large, befuddling the knitter, who often becomes anxious and fatigued as a result. Be the boss of that stitch!  Anticipate its devious desire and modestly stitch it. If its devilry persists, yank it into shape!

I’ve entered the 2010 Ravelympics…the folks at Team Little Needle Lovers kindly welcomed me into the fold… so far I’ve decided to enter the Nordic Colorworks Event. Now we’ll see if I can follow the rules. I’m a little bass akward when it comes to Ravelry skills. My project is kind of a secret project too…so I may have to have very espionage type photos…I love having the Olympics as the fun induced deadline.

Above are worms. I cords I use to test color combinations. Swatching is allowed!

Check out this great Yarn Bombing! Happy puppy and kitty raindrops in Vancouver.

Stringin’ in the Rain from WooWork on Vimeo.

right on Howie!

or is it Snowpocalypse?   SnOMG it’s Snoverkill.

Which makes it a dandy time for knitting socks.  I spent the back to back blizzards knitting socks. Some you’ve seen, 2 color version you got a peek at below,  and a 6 color version here…the pattern will premier at my class at Fibre Space on the 28th provided we’re dug out by then…You can knit them just like this or make up your own variations. I’ll show you how. We’ll also learn an Estonian cast on and and afterthought heel. Weee!

Take a look at Daniela Edburg’s exhibition Compulsive Knitting thru March 20th, in San Miguel de Allende, wish I could go. Her work is so compelling – weird and wonderful, disturbing and delightful.

Style icon, chanteuse, human rights activist,
At the French Embassy
Snowmageddon be damned!

Working on the 2 color version for my fibre space class.

During my brief visit to the city, I went under the river to Brooklyn – Carrol Gardens, to meet my “imaginary” friend Ria of Wooly Minded. She invited me to visit a darling, brand new yarn shop where she just started working, called La Casita. The shop is open and sunny with a beautiful selection of yarn, a great area up front for classes and a comfy couch for knitting … and get this… a soon to open cafe! … with coffee, tea and beer and wine – a yarn bar! Food too.

I was happy to meet co-owner Jen, who’s family has lived in the building for 3 generations, Hannah, an accomplished fiber artist who teaches a lot of the classes, regular patron Maria who told fantastic stories and my Maria, Ria. Oh I’m forgetting names! A stylish woman with a white bob, teller of more interesting tales. I was made so welcome in this friendly neighborhood shop.  When new mother and other owner Amanda and her husband arrived with week-old baby Tyler in tow, I felt like part of the family!

Ria treated me to lunch, including a Brain Drink…responsible, I think for my recent sock making frenzy.

Thanks to everyone, and especially Ria, for a delightful afternoon. I steeled myself against buying any yarn, because I just got the cashmere above the day before with Connie, but couldn’t resist a scented candle by Tocca as a gift for my friend.

lacasitayarnshop.com       718.963.0369      253 smith street, brooklyn, ny 11231