It’s been a busy week since I got back from my trip east. But this will be the first of a number of posts to catch my readers up on what I’ve been doing.
Jan and I decided this year to have another road-trip adventure to get to the Knit & Crochet Show (or as it is fondly referred to by many of us CGOA members, “Chain Link”). I flew out to New Jersey the Saturday before the show and Jan met me at Newark Airport. We spent a few days hanging out at her house then Tuesday morning we packed up the car to drive up to Manchester, New Hampshire.
This is all of our luggage before I packed the car. No one ever believes me it will all fit.
And here it all is neatly and snugly in the car. Ha!
There was even room for more stuff if we had it, which we did for the return trip. I didn’t get any pictures for that part of the adventure, but I had Jan’s little car packed to the max, and we could still see out the windows.
I had a lot of fun driving Jan’s car. We named her Parsippany, it was a name we saw on one of the many signs along the road during our drive. When Jan and spoke on the phone this weekend she told me that Parsippany actually averaged 40 mpg on our journey. Quite good mileage considering I have a bit of a lead foot.
Tuesday I’ll show you all my “loot” from the trip. We went to WEBS and I managed to do a some retail therapy on the Vendor floor at the show.
2014 is proving to be a very busy year for me, March (and National Crochet Month) is just around the corner. I have lots of exciting projects going on that I can’t quite reveal yet. Though I can show your my most recently published design.
My “Convertible Cardigan” can be found in the April 2014 issue of Crochet World Magazine. This was a cardigan that I made for myself to wear last summer at the TNNA show in Columbus, Ohio.
Of course I picked a hot pink colorway, since this was for my own wardrobe. The editors liked the color so much that they used my original cardigan for the photo shoot. Worked in Tahki Cotton Classic Lite it is a great layer for wearing in air-conditioned venues, though right now on my mountain I can’t really envision a need for air-conditioning.
The sweater is back with me now and if you come to TNNA in May or the Knit & Crochet Show in July you may spot me wearing this cardigan.
Be sure to stop by again often in March. I’ll have lots of fun blog posts to share with all my wonderful readers to celebrate NatCroMo, including a post on the 15th as part of the Crochetville’s 2014 National Crochet Month Designer Blog Tour.
I know, my blog has been very quiet the last couple of months. It’s been a wild and crazy time. Cloning myself is a fantasy, but one I’ve been thinking would be a lovely solution (my luck the clone would only want to do the fun stuff).
Fortunately, I’m finding my way clear and will be blogging more regularly starting now.
Me speaking at Professional Development Day
I just got back from a wonderful week at the Knit & Crochet Show called Summer Chain Link by many of us CGOA folks. This one was held in Indianapolis. For the first time ever that I was one of the speakers at Professional Development Day.
My Market Purchases
Of course I had a fun time shopping in the market for fiber goodies. The above is the pile that had to come home with me. I’m really looking forward to playing with the yarn and thread. One of my purchases was a Steamer and another a Jumbo Yarn Winder. Unfortunately I have to be patient as those are being shipped to me.
I took 4 classes during the show and found lots of inspiration in all of them. Keep an eye here as I will be blogging about my them and the results of all that inspiration. Especially my class with the amazing Lily Chin. If you can only take one class when you go to a show I highly recommend that you take one of Lily’s. She always has information packed classes that will fire you up to tackle crochet (or knit) challenges you never thought you would be ready for.
So get ready my dear readers, the last 5 months of 2013 should prove to be exciting and interesting for us both.
As you likely can guess, the Part 2 of our adventure was the drive back to Colorado.
We planned very well for our departure and managed to be packed up, checked out and on the road by 8 a.m. We were just going to make a quick stop off the highway to visit a Whole Foods to re-provision some of the food we had eaten during our stay in Reno.
Of course, it wasn’t to be that simple. When we exited the highway I managed to take us in the wrong direction (I’m great at Geometry, total rubbish at Geography), fortunately we figured out that we were traveling in the wrong direction fairly quickly and got turned around.
Driving across Nevada was as boring the 2nd time around as it had been on the first. Added to the monotone of the scenery was that a haze seemed to be hanging over everything. But we had our music and lots of adventures at the show to talk about. We reached SLC at a decent hour (the sun was still up) and we had organized well for what we needed to bring to the room with us.
We each ate something for supper then had some fun snacking on chocolate. Had a bit of a “tasting” with the different flavors I had packed for us. Jan made me watch Football. Eek!
Next morning we were up and off quickly. Driving out of SLC we finally got to see the gorgeous scenery we had missed in the dark on the trip out to Reno. The hills were actually quite lush with lots of greenery as well as dramatic rockscapes. Many of the trees were sporting their autumn colors too. Jan was really enjoying the scenery, but since I was driving I could only give it a bit of attention.
The highways going out of SLC are very twisty and pretty busy, which I found entertaining. I think Jan was relieved when the traffic got lighter though.
We were having some difficulties with my I-pod player at this point so we decided to sing. A road-trip song I know well from way back is “99 Bottles of Beer”, but it didn’t really fit for us. So we decided upon a yarn related version. We used up an hour of our travel time playing with variations of words and singing them to see how well they worked. Jan finally came up with the version that we liked best:
99 Balls of Bamboo on the Wall,
99 Balls of Bamboo,
Take one down it needs to be wound,
98 Balls of Bamboo on the wall.
Of course, I had a terrible time getting it right. I kept messing up and singing the old lyrics. It was definitely entertaining though.
We were then getting to where the terrain was opening up, and we were enjoying all the rocky scenery. We stopped when there was a really long cargo train and took some photos. The gorgeous stone buttes were hard to do justice to. I fixed the I-pod issue and we had our tunes back to sing with, instead of our improvised counting song.
Wyoming was adventure free until we reached Cheyenne. Once again a combination of road-work and my geographically challenged mind created a bit of interest for us. We were still on I-80 coming into Cheyenne. We knew we needed gas soon and both of us were wanting a bathroom stop as well. So we pulled off at the first likely exit. Could not find the gas station that was advertised on the highway signage, only spotted it as we missed the turn to get to it.
Back we went on the next highway entrance. I’m not even sure what highway this was, though I spotted signs that said we were headed toward I-25 (our route we would need for going south into Colorado). We pulled off again and found a gas station, filled the tank and emptied ours. Then I decided it was time to invoke the Smart Phone.
I pulled up a Navigation Ap and we discovered we were actually very close to I-25, we just needed to get back on the highway we had been on and we would reach the I-25 South exit in just a mile. Yay! Back onto the highway we went.
Hmmmm….shouldn’t we have gotten to I-25 already? Look there it’s the “Sierra Trading Post” storefront. The scenery is becoming far less urban and more rural. Okay we are definitely going the wrong direction again. Pull off at next exit. Pull out Smart Phone. Yup, I-25 is back that-a-way. And back we go.
I was never so happy to see signs for I-25 South. Interestingly enough, once we were on I-25 the rest of the drive sort of flew by. The traffic was heavier than I am generally used to on Colorado Highways, I think we had managed to hit it just right for when many commuters are heading home. We made it to our exit with no more misadventures.
We took a slightly different route home from the one I had taken Janet down the mountain. She wasn’t going to get to see very much more of my beautiful Colorado (until I get her out here for another visit) so we took a “long-cut” to get to my house. It was getting on toward evening, but this route would only add 10 minutes to our drive. Fortunately my geographically challenged issues don’t apply in my familiar stomping grounds, which meant we were in no danger of getting lost again.
We drove thru the little town of Lyons, which Jan made me promise we would investigate further on her next visit, and then took the St Vrain Canyon to Peak-to-Peak Highway. The look of delight on Jan’s face as we drove the rocky winding road let me know taking a “long-cut” had definitely been a good choice.
We stopped and took some photos at one point, and realized that there was a climber on one of the rock faces.
Red circle is where the climber is.
Looking at this larger photo you can get a feel for how big it is because the climber is just a speck.
Finally we were back home. We were tired but happy as we trekked up to the house from my garage. My family was all very excited to see us. Finally put the boys to bed and Jan and I sat on the sofa having our last face to face visit before her departure in the morning.
Morning I faced the hardest part of these visits with my dear Jan. Telling her good-bye until we will see each other again. Of course the best part is, I have a wonderful friend who makes me laugh and loves yarn and crochet hooks as much as I. It will be phone calls and emails until we get another chance to meet.
Well today is nearly over, so I need a quick post. Here is a funny picture my dear Jan and I staged after the Banquet Fashion Show. I was pretending to be crocheting on the skirt of my Evening Seaside Gown. Which really wasn’t far from the truth, as I finished the last bit of stitching Friday night of the show.
The gown was a success on the runway during the Fashion Show and I even managed not to trip on the hem as I walked up the stairs to the stage. There will not be a pattern for this dress, though I will be using a lot of what I learned making it in future designs.
I’ve been crocheting for a very long time. And I’ve used many a slip stitch. They are a vital part of seamless construction and working in the round. Two of my very favorite techniques in crochet.
But shortly after I joined Ravelry I started hearing about a technique called “Slip Stitch Crochet”. A fellow raveler and designer, David Burchall, was at the forefront of many of these conversations. He crocheted, and he wanted to crochet “masculine” fabric that he would be comfortable wearing. He liked the look of many knit fabrics but had not had good success with learning to knit. So David began to experiment with Slip Stitch crochet as a way to create the fabric he wanted.
About the time I was hoping to experiment with learning these new slip stitch techniques David went thru some big changes and disappeared from the Ravelry world for a while. So I put that pursuit on the back burner, and then life got busier for me as my “part-time” work as a designer turned into “full-time”. Once David was back and providing information on slip stitch again I was too hectic.
Then the classes for the 2012 Knit & Crochet Show came out. Vashti Braha was teaching Slip Stitch classes. I wasn’t able to take the classes in Manchester because they were offered on my busiest day with the CGOA Design Competition. But they were first on my list for the Reno Show.
I was so excited for the class to begin and Vashti did not disappoint. I’m generally pretty slow in class working on the swatchs, but I didn’t mind as Vashti touched upon each technique and provided a comprehensive 3 page handout that gave me all the information I needed to keep practicing.
Back Loop Sl St – Uber Stretchy fabric
Even though my tension was a bit wonky with the swatch I really liked the stretch of this fabric. Had a cushy feel that was really nice, I’m thinking my husband may be getting a hat for Christmas made with this stitch technique.
Bosnian Sl St /Back loop and Front loop
I loved the curl of the fabric with the Bosnian front loop sl st, reminds me of the rolled edges for neck and cuffs on many knit sweaters. (If you are wondering what that yummy yarn is in my photos, it is “Unforgettable” from Red Heart in the Tidal colorway)
I’m really looking forward to playing with this technique more and am hoping that Vashti will be offering more slip stitch classes at next year’s shows. Meanwhile you can visit Vashti’s website and subscribe to her wonderful newsletter to learn more about this enticing technique.
Whether you wield the Hook or the Needles (or some combination of the two) attending a Knit and Crochet Show is a great place for meeting up with friends and making new friends. In fact, for me it is the very best reason to come to the shows.
The first Knit & Crochet show I ever attended was the September 2008 show in Portland, OR. I came by myself because there were classes that I really wanted to take and I didn’t know anyone else that loved to play with yarn like me.
I left the show having met many wonderful friends, whom I am still in touch with. Most notably my dear Jan, Bonnie Pierce and Pam Shore. I also had the opportunity to meet friends I had beforehand only known online: Vashti Braha, Jenny Dowde, Laurie Wheeler, Sarah B, to name a few.
I am usually terrible about getting photos of folks at the shows, but this recent show I attempted to do better.
Linda & Doris
Linda Dean is a wonderful new designer whose enthusiasm and contagious laugh are a joy to be around. And of course, the lovely Doris Chan is truly an encouraging and inspiring force to be reckoned with.
Some of the International FreeForm Guild group
It’s always great fun to spend time with this inspiring bunch, I first learned about the International Free Form Guild at the Portland 2008 show. But, this was the first show I actually got to visit with Prudence Mapstone and she was an absolute blast. I wish I’d realized that the folks in the back row of this picture were a bit out of focus. In the front row from left to right: Me, Mirtooli, Jorel; back row, Barbara H, Melba, Prudence.
Margaret Fisher
I was very charmed by the lovely Margaret Fisher, who surprised me by knowing what a geek I am. We had a very fun conversation about crocheting a moebius and our other odd geometric leanings.
Amy Shelton wearing her tiarra
Amy, one of the founders of Crochetville and current President of the CGOA, had a few of us worrying about her sanity when she was running about with a tiara on her head. But she is very fond of the sparkly. Don’t know if you tell from this photo, but the dress she is wearing is super sparkly too. Of course, those of you that know me well are aware I have a thing about sparkly as well.
Vashti and Ellen
The lovely Ellen Gormley and Vashti Braha. Ellen is a talented designer with some great books out, if you love interesting motif afghans you need to get her book ” Go Crochet: Afghan Design Workbook” and if lace is more your style check out her latest book from Annie’s “Learn Bruges Lace”. Vashti is always an inspiration with her take on designing and crochet, she also helped keep us all in order and sane during the CGOA banquet Fashion Show.
These are just the photos I got, but there were loads of other friends there.
Come join us for all the fun and camaraderie in 2013. The Knit & Crochet Shows next year will be in Indianapolis, IN (July 17-21) and Charlotte, NC (October 2 -6).
I’ve always felt the best project bags are those that are designed by other yarn-crafters. Because only a fellow addict can appreciate the various demands we make of our project bags.
Laura and her husband Nick at the Reno Show
This certainly holds true for the talented Laura Lundy the designer behind Slipped Stitch Studios. I was delighted to find her booth at the Reno Knit & Crochet Show, it was filled with gorgeous and fun project bags of every size you could think of as well as other marvelous project aids like Pattern Wallets and Magnetic line markers (so you don’t lose your place in the pattern when you have to set it down).
Of course I had to have one of her bags for myself. I couldn’t resist this generously sized bag with the adorable sheep on it. Currently it is holding a sweater project without straining (I could fit even more yarn in there!).
Her bags are packed with all kinds of awesome features; like numerous pockets for all those goodies you need when you are on the go, as well as big expandable pockets that will hold your yarn separate from your project.
A really wonderful feature is there is nothing for your yarn to snag on, no zippers or velcro. A drawstring closure at the top of the bag keeps everything in its place.
If you can’t wait to have one of these bags for yourself, pop on over to their website at www.slippedstitchstudios.com to see all the wonderful helpful products available. Currently they are having a special promotion for Free Shipping on your order until October 15.
I was so excited to see these fun little skeins from Lion Brand Yarn. They call them “BonBons”, which is a very cute name too. You can see more of the colors and fibers available at the Lion Brand Website, I’m not sure what stores they will be in.
Sparkly BonBon in my Favorite Color
Of course I am now faced with the dilemnia of deciding if I am going to crochet the yarn. They are so adorable like they are. And the 2 packettes I purchased are the sparkly ones. Jack Blumenthal of Lion Brand said that they had a customer that put them in a glass jar as a decoration in her crafting room. I am tempted to do the same.
At the booth with Brandyce & Zontee
It was great fun to talk to the Lion Brand folks at the Reno Knit & Crochet Show. They were the sponsors of the Professional Development Day and had a booth in the Market with their lovely new yarns for sell. Lots of exciting things happening with their yarns. Soft luxurious yarns with subtle sparkles and of course the fun BonBons in sparkly and other options.
I’ll be doing some fun designs over the next year using their yarns so watch for news about them here on my blog. In the meanwhile you might want to get some BonBons for yourself.
Even after 42+ years of crocheting, I am always amazed and thrilled at all the new things there are for me to learn. I have tried over the years to get the hang of Hairpin Lace, but I always ended up with a tangled mess.
Unfortunately the timing never seemed to work out for me to take one of her classes at the Knit & Crochet Shows, or they were sold out. When I registered for the Reno Show I decided I would fit in her Saturday classes on Hairpin Lace.
The morning class started at 9 a.m. and was all about learning how to make the strips of lace on the loom. I told Jennifer right from the start that this could be tricky for me, but would be no reflection on her teaching abilities. I was astonished by the end of the 3 hour class to actually feel very competent working the strips. Jennifer has awesome tips for success with the techniques and a lively humorous teaching style that kept me from tossing the loom across the room.
The afternoon class was the “Hairpin Lace Joining Workshop”. The idea was all the students would arrive with 6 strips of lace ready to join. The class project was a sweet little evening bag. We would get to practice all the various joins Jennifer was teaching us while making the bag.
Yeah, don’t think that I’m getting a bag out of these shorties.
Unfortunately, though I had got the hang of making the strips in the morning class, my strips were a little short to make the bag.
Still I felt very happy with my progress and that I’d gained the information needed to work with the techniques independently. I even went so far to purchase one of the beautiful hairpin lace looms crafted by Ed Jenkins that Jennifer had available for sell. Now I just need to find time in my busy schedule to practice this technique more.
Who knows, I might start designing a few things in hairpin lace myself.
Mamas2Hands 