Carolina Fiber Frolic 2019–Spring

Mid-March in Sapphire Valley, NC is sunny and not too cold.  It is also beautiful.  Thanks to Jan Smiley, there is yarn and fiber, knitting and crochet, classes and great food, and a diverse display of spinning wheels.  It was extra special because there were so many Charlotte friends there.

Kate Larson was one  of the instructors and she is such a good teacher.  I took two classes from her: Spinning Solid Singles and Spinning Cabled Yarn where we spun cashmere, silk, yak.  I learned so much.

CFF 2019–Fall will be in Nov. (8-10).  This is a true retreat.  Hang around the community center and learn from each other is the format, but laughter and joy is what really happens.  For people who work, this is the ultimate in escape and rest.

Here are a few photos:

Copper Corgi braids for spinning. Lots of Targhee wool in mostly Autumn colorways. I bought two.

Another view of Sarah’s dyeing and some undyed CVM.

CVM–I had only read about this fiber. It was so soft. This is its natural color.

These are the special colorway for this retreat. Copper Corgi in various weights. Why didn’t I buy some of the blue and lt. yellow?

Another vendor had some awesome sock yarn that she dyed so it would knit up in a stripe pattern. So clever.

Mohair. Enough said.

Nurse Ann was there in several of her handspun, handknit sweaters. She gives lots of hugs.  No wonder her young students love her.  Got to meet her lovely daughter as well.

Renate called me out for not staying in touch since I moved to GA. She made me feel so good.   Behind her is the rug hooking vendor who had beautiful kits.

I had a wonderful time.  I won 8 oz. of teal mohair boucle in the lunch door prize givaway.  Later I won a book, Knitting in Color.  I love color.

Must mention the food.  Jan’s husband Tom cooks it and it was marvelous.  We had corned beef and sauerkraut (Reuben sandwiches) in honor of St. Patrick’s day.  Ann’s daughter Caitlin served.  She’s a cutie.

Well, I hope I’ve tempted you to join us.  Making new fiber friends is always fun and rewarding.  Everything was wonderful, especially seeing my Charlotte friends.

More later–

Caroline Fiber Frolic 2012!!!

Peggy and Debbie waiting for my class to start.

What CFF is not—

It is not a massive number of fiber people meeting around a marketplace center designed to introduce new products and sell you lots of yarn and fiber. Such events have their place, but this isn’t it.

Mostly CFF is not massive.

This is Jane at a loom.

CFF is not in New York, Chicago, LA or even Charlotte. “Awayness” is an important part of CFF. Even more important, it is here in the southeast.

Enough!

What CFF is—

CFF is a gathering of fiber people—spinners, knitters, weavers, dyers, crocheters of all ability levels. For me the word gathering has an intimate quality, and that describes CFF. Last year I arrived knowing only 3 or 4 people. I left having met almost everyone there and having email addresses leading me to help and advice in my fiber activities.

This is what I learned to spin.

I taught too many classes so I was unable to take any. Even so, people taught me new skills. While hanging out after class, Anne Potter and Jane  taught me to spin novelty yarn, loaning me a wheel and supplies.

Linda from Rainy Day Creations

In the small, select vendor area, I met Linda, one of the owners of  a shop 20 minutes away from me. Listening to her spinning students showed me she was just the person I needed to take me from beginner to advanced beginner spinner. I arranged a private lesson at Rainy Day Creations, her shop in Pineville, and she taught me to make the most of my little wheel. I still don’t spin very often, but I really like knowing how.

New book by Fleegle

This year Fleegle from Fleeglesblog is coming and will teach a class on spinning with a supported spindle. (You rest the spindle in a bowl. This avoids that word DROP, which is the one that describes my spinning with a drop spindle. The ethnic spindles used for this are neat.) I want to learn this. This is the way those Russian women spin the yarn for their Orenburg lace shawls; you know, the ones you can pull through your wedding ring.  (Also check out her method for short rows which I have had bookmarked for years.)

Ann's batts ready for making beauty

Unlike the big events, CFF is like grown-up camp—at least during the day. Classes provide equipment if you don’t own it, so you can try new things without a long term commitment. Knowing how to weave changes how you look at fabric, even when shopping for a new outfit. Knowing a bit about spinning helps you make fewer mistakes in your yarn choices. But these aren’t the only reasons you need to know about CFF.

CFF was created by local (NC/SC line near Charlotte) fiber artist Jan Smiley. Jan felt we needed a fun, friendly, educational option HERE in the southeast. The first two years were held at the Middleton Plantation near Charleston. This year, CFF moves to the Sapphire Valley in NC—yea, mountains. Scheduling in the off-season allows participants a great price break on lodging. You won’t believe how great.

I have booked a 2 bedroom condo at a resort—Foxtrot Sapphire Resort—for $115 a night. This condo is fully equipped, sleeps 6, includes pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzi tubs, tennis courts, workout facilities and several restaurants if I wanted to use them. Yes, $115 a night. Divide that by the number of friends you bring. I am planning to take DH and maybe some other family. The Hampton Inn is a bit closer to our meeting facilities and has wonderful reviews on hotel.com. Jan has negotiated a special group price there of $89. They do include breakfast.

The registration fee includes most of your meals, and your non attending guests can purchase a meal plan and join the group for meals.  We eat very well.  Highlands, NC, is not far away and has some interesting and excellent restaurants as well.

Now—all of that being said, the community of people who will gather is still the most important thing. Classes are very important—both the skills and the people involved—but the hanging out is more so—at least to me. I came back with new friends, new skills, new ideas and so much enthusiasm for my craft. I cannot wait to get there this year.

More opinions

Please join me. You won’t regret it. Email me if you have questions. I’d love to tell you more.

FOs for Summer School Classes

What are Summer School Classes?       Classes designed to make small items that might become gifts for others and that teach new, easy techniques.  Even Beginning Knitters will enjoy and  be successful in these classes.  Because it is summer, the classes are designed to meet only one time and the projects are well-suited to knitting at the beach, on a plane, or in the car.  Come join us.  I guarantee you will learn something that will excite you.

Gifted Basket

June 27 (M),  6pm until @8–$20

Gifted Basket—designed by Jane Prater for Merely a Suggestion patterns

Soft baskets can hold anything from jewels to chocolates to spare change.  No two should be exactly alike.  This one uses a simple color technique which uses only one yarn at a time—an easy slip stitch technique that adds a special touch to any knitting project.  This basket is knit top down and involves no sewing.  Five double pointed needles are used to knit the mitered square that closes the basket.  Free pattern.

Class will teach the color technique, the stitch patterns, paired decreases, and the use of double pointed needles.  Materials needed are about 25 grams each of three colors of worsted weight cotton; a set of 5 dpns size 5, 6, or 7; a circular or single pointed pair of needles to match the dpns, five markers, a tapestry needle, scissors and a sticky note.

Six Sided Basket

July 6 (W), 6pm -@8,  $20

Six Sided Basket designed by Jane Prater for Merely a Suggestion

This basket features simple slip stitch color work and is the perfect pattern to learn double pointed needles—which are not monsters!  The turn down top supports the basket so that it stands up nice and straight.  There are no seams to sew and the shape makes it just a bit special for gift giving.  This pattern will feature both written instructions and a chart.

Skills to be taught are the colorwork technique, a few chart reading tricks, double pointed needles, paired increases. and some blocking suggestions.  We’ll also talk about an easy way to make this larger if you should wish.  Free pattern.

Materials needed are about 25 grams each of three colors of worsted weight cotton; a set of 5 dpns size 5, 6, or 7; a circular or single pointed pair of needles to match the dpns, four markers, a tapestry needle, scissors and a sticky note.

Takealong Pouch

July 11, (M)–6:00pm-@8  $20

Takealong Pouch—designed by Jane Prater for Merely a Suggestion patterns

Adding a zipper is so easy with knitted fabric.  Also easy is the mosaic color knitting technique which allows you to work with only one color per row.  This technique results in a padded fabric which needs no lining.  I use these pouches for travel, for organizing and for learning new stitches.  A bit of something placed inside one makes a special gift.  Free pattern.

Class will teach you to knit mosaic colorwork from instructions or from a chart, how to easily add a zipper by hand, and how to effortlessly sew the side seams.  Materials needed are worsted or DK weight cotton yarn, 50 grams of your background color, about 25 grams of one or more contrasting colors  (check your scraps);  a circular or single pointed pair of needles size 6, 7, or 8; a tapestry needle, scissors, a 7-9 inch skirt zipper, sewing thread to match the zipper, a sewing needle, thimble, and a sticky note.

Super easy zipper method

This is the Scallop Edged Beaded necklace by Carol Metzger.  The pattern is in  101 Designer One-Skein Wonders .

This is to tempt you and let you know that I am working on some Knitted and Crocheted Jewelry classes.  Whether you want to make a cute summer necklace for yourself or a wild purple and pink thing for some sweet girl to use to play dress-up, you may be interested in these classes.  It will be possible for you knitters who have longed considered learning to crochet to learn that skill at the same time you are making these goodies.  You can even use wire—and of course there will be beads.  I’ll give you more details on these classes in a few weeks.

Carol Metzger necklace

New Classes and Projects

Jane’s Knitting Classes at Charlotte Yarn

To sign up for a class, call or visit Charlotte Yarn, 1235 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203 | 704-373-7442 | info@charlotteyarn.com

To contact Jane, email jane@jpknits.com

Jewel, a multicolored custom designed purse

Apr. 10 (Sun.)–1-4 pm, $35

Jewel is pouch purse which is a simple design. The success of this project relies on mixing colors and a few unique stitches. Lining the purse can be done by hand in 15 mins. The strap can be made from the chosen yarns or a purchased ribbon. This is a fabulous gift because it is quick, easy, and uses your leftover yarns.

Materials: bring leftover yarns, needles to match the size of most of the yarns,
optional materials–beads, buttons, ribbons, or other geegaws just lying around, fabric piece at least 8″ x 24″

You will learn how to choose the colors for the bag you want, some neat stitch patterns that mix yarns, ideas for a fun flap, and my “down and dirty” 15 minute lining method.

Finishing Your Projects

Apr. 30 (Sat.) 2-4pm $25

Finishing begins before you cast on, and the patterns never tell you this. Knits are not sewn together, they are laced. Blocking is not the same for every fiber, and it doesn’t have to be hard. This class will take the mystery out of all of this and have you ready for that next big–or small–project.

Materials: Homework swatches (2), yarn and needles used for the homework, tapestry needle, any projects you need to finish.

Homework swatch instructions. Use a light colored, smooth yarn.
Cast on 12 stitches.
Row 1: knit all.
Row 2: purl all.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 twenty more times.
Do not bind off. Thread a piece of yarn through the stitches and remove from the needle.
Make a second swatch just like the first one.

Magic Loop Technique

May 1 Sun.) 2-3 $15

Whether you want to knit socks or wristlets or tiny baby sweaters, the magic loop technique is for you. It is faster and easier than double pointed needles and removes the need to buy extra sizes of circular needle cables. This class is designed to help you master the technique which you can then apply to any project.

Materials: a circular needle with a 32″ (or longer) cable length. Yarn to match the needle size. You may want to bring some scrap yarn to learn on and some yarn for a project to begin in class. A hat is always a good first project.

Jane’s Skirt Workshop

May 4, 11, 18 (Weds. Evenings) 6–7:30pm $35

We are going to design and make a summer skirt. The skirt will have an elastic waist, an A-line or 8 gore shaping. You will choose your yarn, length, and stitch pattern(s). We will work from the top down and try it on for fit as we go.

Materials: Yarn (see below), needles in 3 sizes, pictures of stitch patterns you are considering, 1″ elastic to fit your waist-size; some regular graph paper, pencil, eraser, tape measure, tapestry needle, scissors, 10-12 stitch markers. Optional if you sew, a simple skirt pattern.

Yarn requirements: Dependent on size, length, and stitch pattern. As a guide, an A-line skirt about 23” in length knit from sport weight/DK yarn will require

Hips Yarn in grams

33” 450g Remember to only wind one skein at a time so that

36” 450g you can return unused yarn.

40” 500g

44” 550g

48” 550g Recommended yarn: Louet Linen, Cotton

52” 600g Classic Lite, Hempathy

56” 600g
If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact me at jane@jpknits.com.

Homework for the first class. Knit a stockinette st swatch which is at least 5″ x 5″. Machine wash and dry the swatch. (Read Turtlegirl76’s blog from March 14 if you think you can skip this step. Http://turtlegirl76.com.)

Knitting with Cottons

June 4 (Sat.) 2-4pm FREE

Call the shop to reserve your chair.

Southern knitters need to use the great cotton yarns now available. Sweaters, bags, jewelry, skirts, bathing suit coverups, hats, home dec and baby projects–cotton is used for all of them. This class will teach you how knitting with cotton is different from knitting with animal fibers. We will also look at some other plant fibers –soy, corn–and discuss how to choose the right one for your project.

Knitters attending will test knit some popular yarns and rate them for the shop. This makes you part of the new yarn selection team for your local yarn shop.

If you have a favorite cotton, bamboo, soy, milk, or corn yarn, bring it along to show us.

Jane will share some tips and some stitches as well as some favorite patterns.

Don’t miss this opportunity to plan some great summer knitting.

Materials: Needles in several sizes from 3–10. Scissors. Pen or pencil.

Purse Gets Raves

and I love raves.

I designed this purse a long time ago.  I wanted a pouch purse just this size, and so I visited the stash.

Patchwork oval flap

I made the flap first out of patchwork scallops which I had not yet experienced.  I included the main colors in “blotches” as I worked.

The body includes some stitches that mix the colors, as well as some knitting as warp weaving.  It is a great place to practice new stitches.

I think I’ll offer a class.  I can’t go anywhere with it, even now, without drawing comments from strangers, most of whom don’t knit.  You need one, too.

Yarn:  Recycled Sari Silk, mercerized cottons in DK weight and my favorite colors. Cotton lined in my down and dirty hand sewn method.

The purse is on display at Charlotte Yarn.  Class announcement coming soon.

More later–

Where, oh Where Have I Been?

Besides a local Octoberfest,

with Steve,

I’ve been working on my career.  Notice I didn’t capitalize it.  It isn’t that big.  But opportunities are presenting themselves and I am reaching out.  Who knew it would be so much work?

A pattern for the next Knitcircus issue is off to Queen Ada, the wonderful tech editor and the re-knit sample is off to St. Jaala, who has made so much possible for me.  I’ll tell you more when allowed.  I really hate secrecy.

I’ve been working on tweaking classes for some regional events.  One is a definite; one is an application to teach with the big guns.  I’m thrilled about the first and as for the second, it won’t be my first rejection in this life and they can’t say yes if I don’t apply.  Right?

Knitcircus has commissioned an article.  I taught writing for a lot of years.  This weekend two of my most outstanding students, both of whom are now in the publishing business, came to visit and we laughed about me attempting to follow my own “advice.”  We commiserated over how hard writing really is.  My article is concise now, really very short and to the point which is to begin to learn about altering to fit.  It took hours and hours and pages and pages to get there.  Now starts the editing and rewriting.  Of course, I’m loving it, but it’s still hard work.

Teaching, however is fun.  The shawl knitalong has been extended for another month because we wanted more time together—and because we all know we won’t ever get through all that garter stitch alone.

I’m thinking of adding another knitalong in November based on modular blankets.  We could learn about log cabin designs or other quilt patterns.  There is an old blog post about some stunning sock yarn blankets.  I’m envisioning starting at the center and growing until you are satisfied with the size.  Heck, you could do a bunch of things as pillow tops.

Anyone with a better idea?  I’m open.  I just like the atmosphere of a knitalong—the sharing, the meeting new people, the possibility of food.

My basic sock class is really small.  Just two people, but they have big personalities and curious minds.  This afternoon we are meeting at Selwyn Pub for our class.  This is an experiment.  I really hope it works.

Speaking of pubs, we went to Lebowski’s on East Blvd yesterday.  They serve Copper on draught and amazing fish and chips.  We discovered they have a pro-dog policy on the patio.  Jake will get to go next time.  Since losing Henry he always wants to go and I feel guilty leaving him alone too much.

I have finished a few things but I’ll save them for another day.  On the needles and progressing are still the Daybreak Gold shawl adaptation.  It’s past the center mark.  The cell phone is for a size reference.

The yoke sweater I’m playing with has half a back and I’m pleased with the shape.

Steve has been transferred back to the Charlotte office to work on a new power plant design  (starting Thursday), the yard has survived the drought, and fall has finally come to North Carolina.

Hope you are happy, too.

More later—-

Leading a Knitalong

How is leading a knitalong different from teaching a class.  It’s more fun for me!  I get to just knit for long periods.  I answer questions, I clarify the instructions, I will help with the blocking—if any of us ever finish, and I enjoy the people.  And they pay me a bit for doing this.  Life don’t get no better.  Don’t tell anyone; I don’t want to share this gig.

We meet about every 10 days or so.  At the shop.  Bringing dinner or drinks if we wish.

We like to share how far along we are—or explain why we just haven’t had time to complete that much.

Actually these pics are of our meeting several weeks ago, but it doesn’t matter.  We are all wallowing in a sea of garter stitch that we know will be worth it once we have this gorgeous Zephyr creation designed by Jane Sowerby.  We have Natalie’s shawl to inspire us.  (can’t find pic)

We seem to have different attitudes about the process.  Some are happy . . .and are pleasantly progressing with the purple.

Others are pensive . . .or intent and determined.One has lost her mind.

It’s all good.  We are planning to add a few sessions in order to avoid the shame of no one finishing.  Only one of use has passed the halfway mark of part 1 (and there are 3 parts) and begun the decreasing.  Shamefully, it isn’t the instructor.

Must go knit burgundy Zephyr.

More later–

Catching Up; Free class

I’ve been busy enjoying my friends.  I’ve also been indulging myself in mindless knitting–well, sort of.

Recently a very good friend has been bringing me flowers from her yard–her husband is a master gardener.  Over the past month I’ve had lilies, daisies, gerber daisies and now gladiola and the best ever, Stargazer Lily.

I’d never heard of a Stargazer Lily before but I want one.  It has the sweetest, most delicate aroma.  (If you have an old dog, “aroma” is an important issue in your life.)  It’s beautiful in a million ways; it looks modern, vintage, unearthly, Art Deco.  The buds have been opening on the branch for over a week, so the cutting lasts.  Must call Andrew about adding one to my yard.

The Seduce yarn has entered is 5th transformation.  The top down yoke sweater proved to be a bad ideas for such a squirrelly yarn.  This time it actually seems to be working.  It’s simply a top down, half-raglan shaped cardigan.  It’s all stockinette and will have some kind of border–a slightly flaired ruffle, I think.  The yarn seems to like this project, at least it is knitting effortlessly.  Well–there was the part where I twisted the left shoulder when joining everything under the arm.

I know to be meticulous when joining to knit in the round, but don’t think it even occurred to me I could twist parts of a sweater.  Fortunately I caught it when I had only knit an inch—thanks to my habit of trying things on a million times while in process.  Quick frog and a start again.  Added short rows and the rest is just straight knitting—I think.

My July socks are going great.  I love the Plymouth Sockotta and the long repeats.  I’m using an easy twisted st rib for the cuff and have developed a slightly different way (for me) of doing the Left Twist.  I’m also working on simplifying the directions for the arched foot that I have grown to love.  The arch clasps the foot nicely and it is fun to knit; makes the foot knitting more interesting so it seems to go faster.  I’ll share when it is worked out to my liking.

Speaking of sharing—I’m teaching a free class this coming Sunday at Charlotte Yarn.  It is part of Remi’s Customer Appreciation Weekend.  I’m sharing some pattern reading tips and tricks and will, of course, be available to answer questions and play with yarn.  Call the shop and reserve a place–Think of it as a play date.  It will be way too hot to do anything else that day.

More later–

Beginners

I rarely teach a beginning knit class.   Sandy and I divided the standard classes at the shop and she won the beginners.  Only if someone specifically asks for me or contacts me privately do I get to start people on this road to obsession.  Well, Casey emailed.

The group is four young professional women.  They have discovered this blog so I have to be discreet–something we really aren’t in class.  They work in the world of finance and numbers, a tricky place to be nowadays filled with lots of stress.  Knitting is just perfect for them.

They came to class excited and open and filled with laughter.   I don’t have to try to be funny and entertain in this class;  they have that under control.  The best thing about teaching anything is watching the light go on.  I love that they just bounce with glee when it happens.  They always send me home laughing.

When was the last time you heard someone exclaim, “That’s so cute,” when confronted with a diagonal dishcloth?  This group did.

Most of my beginners start to complain about their edges or a loose stitch, but not these guys.  They just embrace it and move on.  Foremost in their minds is what are we gonna learn next?  In between skills they tell me funny stories about the people in their lives.  Even Michelle was laughing as she told about trying to get her car fixed and the agent suggesting it was time to get her father involved.  That man was lucky not to lose his head!

Two of them have left for a week in Tokyo.  I explained that it is an old custom to always bring your knitting guru gifts of yarn from foreign lands.  Hope they are buying that.

The first week they just practiced garter stitch using skeins of ancient acrylic one of them had somehow acquired.  This week they bought yarn for a first project. Three are making diagonal dishcloths of 1824 Cotton for friends.  The married one is NOT interested in dishcloths!  She is making a scarf out of Malibrigo.  I got an email from her saying she will never knit with cheap yarn again.  You and I both know just how she feels.

The OTN projects progress slowly.  Most of what I am knitting is secret and I hate that.  The socks may just  be cursed and need burning.

More later–

Summit Finished

The pattern for Summit is free on knitty.   It was designed by Mandie Harrington and I’m amazed by her story of figuring out the pattern.   It’s lovely to knit.

I am teaching a Knitting Backwards class using this to advertise it.  (See Class button above)  If you love this or entrelac or both, you have to learn to knit backwards.  Otherwise you will be turning the entire work every 11 sts—–tedious.

The pattern was originally knit in raw silk.  When I read the finishing instructions, I ’bout died.  It suggests pinning out each individual wave to block.  That’s way too many pins.  Since I had decided to use Hempathy, I just threw the thing on my ironing board when it was about 8 inches long and ironed the heck out of it.  Yes, the stitches did look a little flat, but as I knit on, the handling must have teased them back up to lovely sts.

This finished piece was ironed to block it, and it drapes beautifully.

Yarn: Elsbeth Lavold Hempathy, US #4 needle.  Only 13 waves, pattern calls for 15.  5 balls of yarn.  I may make myself a scarf version using 7 waves.  It’s a fun, portable knit.  You really only need to count rows at the sides once you train your eye.

It is on display at Charlotte Yarn.