Oh my yes, what fun was had the weekend of Fiber College 2010. I was the lucky hostess for Gudrun Johnston and her family. And I mean LUCKY, Gudrun is a fresh breeze of a person, clear and cool and dynamic – wonderful to spend time with. And her family are the dreamiest, most interesting, all round lovely people…I didn’t want them to leave! Imagine, house guests you wish would just move on in and stay the winter! They were witness to my pre-college preparations, where everything computer-related was going wrong, and as I became so wound up my head threatened spin off, their reassuring, calm, loving and lively presence, soothed everything into working order! You can read Gudrun’s story here and see the family as mighty archers in action!
I had a great class on Saturday with a fantastic group of students, all eager to explore stranded colorwork knitting by using a hat as a sampler. A sampler-hat can be made small and dear, immediately useful for head-warming, or you can make it long and pointed for a months worth of experimental knitting, either way, you have something for someone to wear, and a piece you can refer to when designing future items. Though the participants were all at different skill level, I think we all came away, learning a little more to add to our personal arsenals of knitting skills. I saw a couple of nearly finished hats the next day and let me tell you I was impressed!
I took a little time to sit by the splendid beach, and knit ith fellow students and instructors all the while observing a far-distant sailboat race off Islesboro.
My friend Julie and I took Laurie Sim’s class Crocheted Edging for Knitters. It was great! You know, I confess to being a bit of a knitting is the superior craft snob which is STUPID! They are equal partners. Crochet is fun and you can’t beat it for an easy-to-apply edging, to tame that dastardly curly stockinette edge, making it behave! Be the boss of your knitting with crochet! Besides, it’s pretty, and in some cases…looks almost exactly like knitting. Hush you say, but it is true!
And then Gudrun’s class….but I’m saving that for later, including pictures of my finished school-work…only upon arrival here in DC…the poodles upset my camera and there was some protective uv-lens-cover smashing, so photos are on hold…but I’m remaining Johnston-Durham dreamy calm….
look at you two and your shoes! What fun! I am so sorry to have missed Fiber College!
And Crocheted edgings! I need to learn that. it would be so useful, I think. It’s one of those humps to get over.
LOVE your Boyfriend Socks, Mary Jane! I’m definitely going to buy the book and make a pair (or two) of those socks for myself!