WORKSHOP NEWS:

I'm so excited about this. On Feb. 18th, 2-5pm I'm teaching a beginning Fair Isle class. In the morning we are having a Nuno Felting class, here is the info for you. Come to the Smoky Mountains for the weekend and enjoy the mountains, fiber and learn something new.


Fair Isle, Two Handed Technique
Instructor: Saundra McBride

Learn this beautiful technique in an afternoon. By using two balls of yarn and your own color choices you can now add a whole new level to your knitting. If you have avoided fair isle knitting because you thought it was complicated or hard learn, this method of 2 handed fair isle will surprise you.

We will cover the basics of 2 handed fair isle, yarn choices, color choice, pattern/chart reading and creating your own fair isle charts.

In class we will be starting your first project. Supplies will be provide and included in the fee.

Fee: $85

For further information and or reserving your seat please call (865) 436-9080

and

Nuno Felting Instructor: Sallie Stamps Swor

Are you ready to learn an exciting fiber art technique and walk away with the most gorgeous piece of wearable art? If the answer is yes, then this is the perfect class for you. This workshop will teach the fine art of Nuno Felting, one of the oldest methods of creating non-woven fabric. It involves taking wonderfully soft pieces of hand dyed roving (wool that has not yet been spun) and a feather weight silk and combining the two together. You will be using your own love of color, soapy water and gentle pressure to create a beautiful and completely unique scarf. Everything you need to create this scarf will be provided. Just bring your own artistic spirit. This is one piece you’ll never want to give away. Come join us to learn a new art and have a fabulous time!

Class fee: $125 (includes all supplies)

Please call us for more information and to reserve your space. (865) 436-9080

So Much Going On and So Much On My Mind

Hey, I'm finally having a few minutes to sit down and catch my breath. It's been a full schedule of coming and going, on the phone on the computer back out running the roads, work, knitting, selling my car, etc. It's been nuts. Then lets add a couple of things that have really been laying on my heart.

Giving. Sounds simple enough. But, it's something that I did a lot more of when I lived in Atlanta. I had more time then and could sit and knit all evening and make things to give aways. Now though my direction for giving is a little different. I don't have a single person or group in mind. I just know that I want to knit and donate when I knit. So I've been asking around to different churches, organizations and charity groups and found a couple that could REALLY use the help. One is a clinic for children and the other is a ministry for the homeless and especially our military that are homeless and living on the streets. Now, if any of you feel in your heart that you would like to join me in the outreach, please email me at knittingsatori@gmail.com. I know for a fact that right now the military homeless are in serious need of socks. Not just hand made, but bags of socks from like Hanes/Fruit of the Loom, etc. I have seen so many wonderful things happen when a person gives. I know I've experienced a few miracles when I've given that could take a whole blog post to talk about. But, really, if you would like to join me, I'd love to talk with you. The child's clinic is mostly looking for blankets, small hand knit or crocheted toys/animals, hats, scarves, mittens, things a long those lines.

One true thing about people in the hand craft community is that we are always ready to help another person, no matter where we are at in our lives. That is an amazing character for such a large group of people. I have seen knitter's and spinners, freely help and assist other's that they have never met face to face, just communicated with online. It's a great thing.

Another thing on my mind (and not so deep) is knitting related also,

Stitches South. I am so hoping that I can work things out financially so I can go. It's looking good right now. Meeting up with some of my knitting students from Atlanta would be so great. I miss them. I would also like to connect with some of the customers/Ravelry friends from Smoky Mountain Spinnery. I guess I need to come up with something that has my Ravelry name on it, so I can be recognized. Any suggestions? I'm even thinking about setting up a meeting time over by the concessions so we could all meet up for a little while.

Writing my bio. I am in a place where I have to write my bio. Let me tell you, I tried it last night and I'm not good at it. I sound pretty dull. I can blog, I can encourage and I can share from my heart and experience, but putting something together about myself in an exciting way. Well, not so much. If any of you have suggestions PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know.

Buying a spinning wheel. This subject has come up many times on my blog. I guess it just wasn't the right time. But, I maybe able to in the next couple of weeks. I'm really praying that it works out. I've got it down to two, (which is great progress from me asking everyone about their wheels). Both are Schacht wheels, The Matchless is my dream wheel, every time I walk by the Matchless at the Spinnery, it calls my name. I love that wheel. My other choice is the Side Kick. What a cutie. It's of course compact, and more portable, spins well, and again the one at the Spinnery and I are on good terms. We like each other. :-)

So that's some of what's been going on. Before I go let me share one of the projects I have on my needles that I'm loving. It's the Agave Scarf, by Universal Yarns. (the link is to the Ravelry description to it) The pattern could be written a little different at first, but once you get it, OMG, you will love it. It's a great knit, easy to watch TV and do, and it's beautiful when finished. 

I'm off again. Out to do my running around for the day. Enjoy yourself, smile a lot, and knit often.

Diving Into Merino

I'm home today a little under the weather. So I thought while I'm sitting here waiting for the meds to work I would go through my photos in my phone. I do this regularly because all the photos in my phone are things that bring a smile or a pleasent memory to me.  So let me share with you all this beautiful Merino.  Enjoy!

2 Handed Fair Isle

This morning I'm working on my plans for my 2 Hand Fair Isle class. I was wondering if any if you use this technique and if so do you have any tips? What I would like to do is collect enough tips that I can read them to the class throughout the class and include them with the handout.

Please include your name, blog address, Ravelry ID, and just the state you are living.

Thank you so much.

Diva Agave

One of my many projects. The Agave Scarf made with Yarn Bee Diva Sequin.

More photos coming soon.

Mini Mochi Fair Isle Hat Without the Mini Mochi.

Do you love knitting Fair Isle? I do. If you haven't tried it, you should, and if you are afraid of it, then face it head on and take a class, because I think you would just love the pattern that I am doing. It called Mini Mochi Fair Isle Hat. You can find the pattern by following the link or you can check it out on Ravelry.

What got me interested in this pattern is that I want to use it to teach a class. It only takes 2 colors. Yup, that makes it perfect for beginning Fair Isle. Then add the beautiful color whats that Mini Mochi comes in you just can't beat it. Your hat will look the super advanced knitting when you are finished. :-) So what I decided to do was get into my stash and make one of the hats just to get the feel of the pattern before I taught it. In doing this I'm getting a great hat but I've all ready learned a few things that I'd like to share.

1. To make this pattern go faster, it would help if you could have your yarn in both hands. Yes, I'm suggesting that you Continental with the left and "throw" with the right, one stitch right after another. So are you wondering if you are a Thrower, how on earth can I wrap the yarn around the needle, I have such a big movement when I wrap. Well, there are ways around that. Now I could get into it, but I think that would be better info for another blog post. Right now I want to encourage you to look into taking on Fair Isle
2. Don't look at the whole pattern or finished hat photo and freak yourself out. Just like every pattern, this pattern is done one stitch at a time, one row at a time. Allow yourself the same grace as you did when you first started knitting. Mistakes are awesome that means you are trying. Trying leads to learning, and learning means you are practicing and practicing leads to it becoming second nature. (Insert Yoda and Star Wars music here)
3. Not all hat patterns call for a size 2 needle. This one does. So if you are not use to using a needle that small. Practice on a size that is between what you are use to and the US2. Example, you find that you knit on size US7's all the time, well, get some waste yarn, grab a pair of 4's and cast on about 20 stitches and knit until you are comfortable. Hopefully when you pick up the 2's you will be able to adjust to those very easy.

So I've just started this hat, and it's so far one of my favorite fair isle projects. As I go through it, I will share more little findings a long the way.

Be blessed

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I was thinking last night as I watched the count down to the new year, just exactly what did I want from 2012, what could I create this year that would make it a stand out year. 2011 and out of control. I didn't really enjoy it and found myself facing more disappointments than usual. But, here we are on day one of a 364 (not counting today) adventure.

Since I don't make resolutions (don't get me started on that subject) I kind of made a short term "bucket list." of what I would like to do in 2012 concerning my knitting/spinning. Here are a few.

• I would like to have about 25-30 new knitting students
• I would like to purchase my first Spinning Wheel
• I would like to attend Stitches South (again) and visit with my students from Atlanta
• I would like to design 5 really good quality knit patterns that would take the beginner knitter to a more comfortable Intermediate.

Personally I think that's a pretty good start. I would like to hear what you are planning for 2012. We have a blank canvas in front of us and lets color outside the lines together this year!

The other day when I posted I shared a little bit about working at the Smoky Mountain Spinnery. I want to share with you some pictures I've taken over the past few months. We are getting so many things in it's hard to keep up with it all. (We got in some beautiful Liberty Wool, and it's just about all gone, all ready) Anyway, here we go. And I haven't even got to the yarn and roving yet. :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Welcome to 2012