4-5-03 - Sweatergirl goes to class

I spent the day in classes with Melissa Leapman (author of A Close-Knit Family and a ton of other patterns). Not only were the classes fun and informative, but they were the best-organized workshops I have seen. Great handouts, and the homework was useful, well-explained, and easy enough. It allowed us to jump right into new techniques. Melissa brought bags full of sample sweaters and swatches - and she was brave enough to show us her mistakes.

In Color Design for Fair Isle, Melissa had hand and machine-knit samples and asked us to point out what was going on with the colors and if they worked. We ended by each designing and knitting a Fair Isle sample. Amazing variation with the same yarn and design criteria (X and O).

In the borders class, we talked about, saw, and swatched a variety of alteratives to K1P1. I'm really interested in the lace ripple borders - feminine, but not too much so.

And she likes Brown Sheep yarn too! Yay! I think it is a great yarn, especially for the price.

I got to spend the day with Sarah Peasley, Handknitter, and I got to meet Valerie and some really nice members of the Woolgatherers Knitting Guild of Plymouth, MI (scroll down) - thanks to the guild for organizing and hosting!