This cold snowy Saturday found my students and I, happy and warm, inside the cheery back atelier of Stitch DC. Stranded colorwork was a brand new experience for some, and others had done just a bit. I was amazed at what was accomplished in just one sitting! It is so much fun to watch the formerly hesitant, unsure stitchers become bold with their color choices and confident in their technique. Color combinations we thought might not work, surprised us with their charm. Our yarn choice, Blue Sky Sport Weight Baby Alpaca, a beautiful dream of a yarn, with a wide color range, was perfect for our fingerless mitts. My low light photography does not do them justice, and remember they have not been blocked.
Marie, owner of Stitch DC–lively and fun– sat in on the class. As she stitched away she shared with us Blue Sky’s preferred method of squeezing the moisture out of a newly washed item: place between 2 layers of toweling and beat with a wooden spoon. Yes–she swears it’s true…I will love this procedure.
And Hello! Marie provided us with a breakfast of homemade soda bread and delicious coffee, a yum lunch of artisan pizzas and spinach salad, did I forget her killer brownies? What a day. My students were an interesting and open bunch, who accomplished so much – I had the best time, I am proud of them all!
Wow, the alpaca colors and texture worked up so nicely in Fair Isle, I’ll have to give it a try!
My way of getting water out of hand-washed items is to roll them up in old, thick towels and then gently walk on them–squashes the roll, of course, but I rotate a quarter-turn and repeat. Then unroll, and pat the items flat (as appropriate) and to shape on a different towel to dry.
And I love *my* method!