What's Happening..?

i just finished up the sale at the St. Lawrence Church in Milbank, SD. I met a lot of interesting people there and at the other sales I have been at. I love demonstrating and talking about spinning and dyeing with people who want to learn about it. This is unfortunately my last sale of the season, due to medical issues. I have been teaching some classes and will continue with those for now.

I taught a class in October on knitting in the round on two circular needles. Each participant received two sets of needles, 150 yards of wool yarn and a pattern I designed especially for the class. The only requirement was basic knitting, cast on, bind off, knit and purl. We learned how to cast on with two circulars, how to manage the yarn and the stitches, how to increase for a thumb gusset (we made fingerless mitts). Everyone enjoyed the class and several report they have finished both mitts!

A couple weeks ago, I taught a class on needle felting.
It is my latest passion. Everyone received a set of felting
needles, felt pad, and wool to play with. We felted
Christmas Gnomes. It was a lot of fun. I am planning
to do this class again in December.



I have taught myself to knit socke two at a time on a magic loop, using a very long cable needle. I am currently working on a pair of toe-up alpaca socks. They take a bit longer, but surprise! They are both done at once! Finally, I may get two matching socks! I have lots of one-of-a-kind socks. I have a real problem getting the second sock knit! I can see where this would be an excellent way to knit mittens, socks, and sleeves and anything else that you want to match closely. You are knitting both at the same time. Same mood. Same tension. Same increases and decreases. And, best of all, when you are done with one, you are done with both!

I am planning several more classes this winter. Next spring and summer I will be teaching dyeing outside. I am hoping to do some extended classes. We can hunt and pick our dyestuff one day and dye the next. Lots of interest in those classes.

For now, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.