Mary Jane

I always look forward to Fiber College which is held in my neck of the woods. It heralds the beginning of fall for me, the temptation of Sweater Weather just around the corner. What makes this event different than a lot of other fiber events its intimacy and diversity. Fiber College is not just for knitters, though they are well represented, no,  fiber college means Quilting, Book Making, Rug Hooking, Spinning, Dyeing, Needle Felting, Chair Caning, Wood Carving, Weaving and more! more! more! This year there were 57 classes…something for everyone including spouses, and on Sunday, even children. This year’s Artist in Residence Alice Seeger, was available the entire time, offering free wisdom and inspiration as well as teaching great classes. There are fantastic demonstrations and talks all day long, Japanese Embroidery, Embellishing Your Handwork, Tending a Spinners Flock– just take a look at what else was offered this year. Fiber College is always the weekend after Labor Day from Thursday through Sunday.

The location is the best. Searsport Shores is an old time RV camp right on the beach on Penobscot Bay, looking out to the islands. It is gorgeous, funky and fun, it even includes resident goats. There is a fantastic organic garden, in fact the whole grounds are beautifully planted. The camping spots are to die for– the views! If you don’t want to camp, or don’t have your own classic Airstream, there are several RVs to rent, and loads of quaint B&Bs and motels in the area, which is just up the road from eternally groovy Belfast, Maine.

Staying for the whole event was my special treat this year. I inhabited a rustic cabin on the far edge, no electricity, but plenty of candle power. It is very much like the cabin in the San Juan Islands where I spent lots of time as a girl. So my days were spent teaching or taking classes and in the evenings hanging out with students and fellow faculty. Any one for an evening beer under the stars? What fun, like summer camp. There is a nice sized Market Place filled with quality vendors, just enough not to be too overwhelming.

I met fantastic friends!

Hi friends! I miss you!

I want to see you again soon!

Love to you all!

I’ve had so much unexpected travel this year, I’m still struggling to catch up and tell all. So I’m offering another mosaic of images…a picture worth 1,000 words right?

I only wish I took more pictures.

The students! The tutors! The Scottish scenery!

I managed a few “out takes” from my “Styling Your Knits” classes.  I captured Deb Stoller when she kindly agreed to model, and Ann Kingston as she took part in the Sheep to Shawl world record breaking attempt.  I got Jeni to take my picture with Jared and Nancy Bush …but where are my fan pictures of  Deb Robson, Annie Modesitt, Wooly Wormhead, Lucy Neatby, Nancy Marchant, Norah Gaughn, Liz Lovik, Jon Dun and Donna Druchunas? Where are my images of all the knitters knitting everywhere? And the group shot of the Portuguese Knitters? Where are my sunset images of the nearby village of Bridge of Allen and the fun I had there?…I should follow my own advice…write a list of  shots you need, check the list….sigh…

Shortly after arriving in Aberdeen I adventured by train to meet up with old blogging buddy Jeni. What fun to have an actual squeezable real live person to talk and not type with! She and her dear Archie showed me the sights of their neighborhood in Angus, zipping around in my short time to visit the last linen hand loom, housed at the House of Dun, beautiful Arbroath where we picked up “smokies” a divine local delicacy and other lunch goodies, and best of all, Jeni’s cheerful comforting home Chez Mog. I was lucky to spend the night in Knitting Headquarters, where I could happily spend the rest of my days. Reputedly fierce Magnus, THE CAT, allowed me to share the space with him, we had a grand time as I know who rules the roost. Too soon I had to leave, headed for Edinburgh and Ysolda’s, en route to UK Knit Camp. No tearful parting, as Jeni would soon meet me in Stirling; lucky for me – scheduled to be my photo styling class assistant.

As close as I got this time. I was fortunate, however, to see much of her namesake knitting.

These are bits of scarves from the Shetland Museum archives.

Evening Rose Socks designed for this years fantastic fun filled Fiber College!

Sweet fair isle socks inspired by star filled summer evenings spent on the shores of
Penobscot Bay in Maine, with the spicy scent of wild roses wafting through the air.

Designed with an afterthought heel, so you can whip through the colorwork without interruption!
I’ve included approximate yardages for each color making it easy for you to substitute yarn and utilize your stash.

Be sure to check out the Fiber College group on Ravelry

Fair Isle Sampler Hat

An old time favorite, 14 colors of fantastic fun.

Many of the original colors have been discontinued. By using a mix of Jamieson & Smith and Jamieson’s Spindrift, you can come very close.
Of course, making up your own colors may be the most fun of all!  I include approximate amounts for that purpose.

Castaway Tam

A Super Bargain Designed for Knit Picks Independent Designer Program

A casual loose fitting Fair Isle Tam, perfect for a stroll down to the harbor
or along the beach while collecting driftwood for a bonfire

It has been called to my attention that non-US buyers can’t purchase from Knit Picks so I also offer this pattern.

All available in the Patterns department of my store and 0f course, on our beloved RAVELRY!!! yay!

The best part of traveling is often the people you are with. My trip was made perfect by kind and generous friends, old and new alike. From beautiful Gudrun who made my Shetland visit possible and fantastic beyond belief. Her wonderful warm and gracious father who opened his home and heart to us. His Shetland cousins and their family who welcomed us to Shetland and told us all kinds of stories! David Gudrun’s husband , such a lovely solid guy. Gudrun’s brothers and sister-in-law who took me under their wing on the ferry ride to Aberdeen, the kids who provided much fun and entertainment…thanks to baby Georgia we can all clap on cue.

My new friends Jess and Casey who besides being warm, fun and friendly are mighty fisher folk. Big hearted Ysolda, an inspiring can-do kind of gal, who almost beat Ben for the most fish caught…and she gutted them all! Jared who I got to know better later, Connie, Dutch Jan, Auntie Grace who taught us to knit Shetland style, Carol, who took time from her busy day to show me scarves from the Shetland Museum collection, Sandra with little dog Toby, Oliver who told us everything about Shetland wool, our intrepid boat captain who took us out by Muckle Roe, and wore a real fair isle sweater and finally Julia, my favorite traveling companion, who is gorgeous both inside and out, even when plagued by jet-lag. Thank you all so very much!