Hotel Knitting

It was so hot in the village on Saturday, that the hotel was a welcome destination. No canoing, no long hikes, just me and the knitting...John was at the pool and foraging for dinner.

Thanks to Joan's buttons, I ended up with some pretty cute pieces. The hat pile ended up lined along the bed over a pile of cushy pillows. Not bad for an evening of work. And the view from the balcony in the room was inspiring. All forest! Explains the elvin hats. I am loving this new wool.

The knitting continued at the market on Sunday, but without the breeze of the forest and the fan in the room. Julie had her last lesson. Boo for me. She has been such a good student. You'll see more of her finished pieces in later blog posts. Customers (regulars and newbies) were in the booth in a steady stream. Texans in for their annual convention.

On a sad note, Bob from Thelma's Goodies passed away on Friday after a long struggle with cancer. He was a fixture in the market, funny, gracious, a great booth neighbour and I will really miss him. Thanksgiving at the market will not be the same without him to finish my pumpkin pie.

So Much Going On....

Well I have confirmed a list of classes starting at Birkeland Bros in the fall. I am really looking forward to this.

Every Thursday in September from 7-9 is Beginners Crochet. This will be an especially good class for knitters as you will learn how to incorporate crochet techniques into your knit projects.

Every Thursday in October from 7-9 is Advanced Free Form Crochet. I have been using this technique for years in my work and am always amazed at how it continues to evolve.

The first two Tuesdays in December from 6:30 - 9:30 is Radical Spinning, (Stepping Away from Grannies Yarn). Core spinning, unique plying and incorporating recycled materials will be the focus of this class. Details and class requirements -cost and materials will be listed here as well as the Birkeland site in the next few weeks.

There is so much yarn I can't carry it all to market. It most likely will not appear until after Filberg as it has to be bagged and tagged. Thank God for the chalkboard list in the studio. As long as it's been chalked it will get done.

Thanks to Marigold for ball winding some troublesome skeins. Seriously, at the studio until 11:30, that's a trouper.

And the last of the batts to be spun....

I'm looking forward to Whistler this weekend as rest and relaxation before the storm of the Filberg Festival. It's a good storm though.

Great Places to Knit

Friday's Knitting

Evening at the first night of Folk Festival. Fantastic music, great food, a big patch of grass with a comfie blanket and some new hand dyed yarn.

Oh yeah......Alchemy...hand dyed BFL.

Saturday's knitting locale. In the car all the way to Whistler. Sunshine and car knitting. And a visit to a yarn store in Squamish.

Sunday's Knitting (and more lessons)

Whistler Farmer's Market. Another beautiful day in the sunshine. My tan this year due entirely to outdoor knitting.

Monday's Knitting Destination

Pearl's Knit and Pearl Group at Birkeland Bros. This is an extremely talented group of knitters. It's a treat to hang out with them.

Tuesday's knitting - less exciting. In the livingroom. I am trying to knit 22 pounds of yarn into finished product before Filberg. Eight days and counting.

New Things

Well there's lots of wool, and here's just a teaser, alpaca, silk and some beautiful chunky BFL... There's also new roving and I'm just finishing up the last batch of tomatoes. I have also almost caught up on my spinning for Filberg. But the most exciting to me at the moment

I have downloaded my first knitting application. Okay, it's only a row counter, but there is so much more here I can manage without having to take my camera, laptop, Ipod and cellphone to Whistler. Now I have it all in this cute little device I will damage in no time. The three year warranty should give me some piece of mind for that.

And our second festival of the year....Jazz fest was soul saving and I'm expecting the best time from Folk Fest.

Friday night is going to be a challenge with two markets this weekend, but I know it will be worth it.

On a completely different note, I have managed 3 days in a row at the gym before 7am and will continue this when I start riding into the studio again tomorrow. I am optimistic that the weather and my energy will hold up. Stop by and say "hi" at one of the markets this weekend and visit the new stuff in person.

Enjoy your knitting in some great outdoor weather. I have a huge pile of knitting that I am taking to the Folk Festival.

The Work of Students

Some people are just born to knit (and model). Am I lucky or what? This is Sarah's first project and she totally rocked it.

Art yarn has so many possibilities and seeing other people hit the creative gives me more pleasure than you can imagine.

Julie gravitated to the tomato yarn and already had an idea (without ever having knit a stitch before). Another first project, fabulous model and my love of teaching is growing by leaps and bounds.

I hope to have more opportunities to feature what other people have created with my handspun. Two new knitters in one week. My evil plan for world domination has begun.

Gratuitous shot on the way to Whistler. Passing Mountain.

A Quick Getaway

Joan whisked me off to Victoria for the day. A surprise day trip, knitting on the ferry and visiting yarn shops in Victoria.....what could be better?

How about a few pics.

Joan taking a picture for tourists on the ferry.



A Koigu Shrine



My New Fleece Artist Stash



Crocheting on the Ferry on the Way Home

New Yarn, new project...I am loving this merino and my Victorian garden colourway.

It seem strange to feel unaccomplished, then look at the blog post and think --Holy Shit, not bad for a day.

Things I Love About the Market

1. Great Neighbours

2. Fresh, Organic and Local Produce

3. Out of this world Apple Fritters. (have been described as being injected with cocaine).

4. Other vendors that will model for you!

5. A booth that finally got set up on time and just the way I wanted it (it only took 3 weeks).

6. Long leisurely Saturdays in Whistler, a great hotel and dinner the day before a market.

7. A decaf americano on market morning during set up.

8. Bringing new people over to the church of knitting.

9. A wireless debit machine.

10. John sharing market days with me. Nothing better.

First Class Offering

Intuitive Crochet

Take your basic crochet techniques to the next level. Take charge of your design either by mapping out a plan or by just letting yourself go. Throw the rule book out the window and learn how to follow your instincts (or further develop them).

Bring your own favourite yarns. There will be extra materials and fun yarny bits provided.

This small class will hold a maximum of 6 students.

This class will be held over 2 Saturdays for 2, three hour classes.

$130.00 for both classes.

To express interest in the class please email me at carmen@melonheadknitwear.com. A formal course outline, date and details to follow.

Carmen Has Her Groove Back.....

I found me, I found me. I was under a pile of yarn scraps and felted sweater bits in the room that used to be my studio. I am in the process of reclaiming it. It will now be a knitting room. Hey, that's VERY different from a studio.....it implies leisurely knitting --at least to me anyway. And the treasures I found in sorting out the room. I will list them in order of importance....

• My MOJO - it's back --huge (there was dancing and yarn sorting)
• An entire wardrobe---okay, most of it doesn't fit anymore, but it's certainly inspirational and should fit in the next month or so.
  
• New designs --two just popped right out at me, half finished sketches, now fully completed.
• A functioning computer desk --consequently an office to do the evil paper work in a happy environment. GST filing due at the end of the month--crap.
• Memories - an old notebook of poetry I thought was lost forever.
• Approximately 50 unfinished kids hats in a bag left over from last year. Score one for Filberg inventory...Thank you, thank you craft goddess!!!
• Lots and lots of happy.

On an entirely different note. I have lost 15 pounds recently and my energy is at an all time high. Am I ready for the all night knitting sessions again? Not quite. I am thoroughly enjoying the new level of energy and the resulting creations.

There's nothing better than the inspiration that comes from a simple hand spun wool. It is completely unique each time it is knit and the quirks and lumps make each finished piece absolutely charming. Free form patterning is not a contradiction.

I also received a huge yarn order with one more on the way. Blank canvases for my attention. Yippee....Also on the way, newly designed hang tags for the entire inventory. They all match the mysterious new booth sign I haven't posted a photo of yet. Branding finally coming together.

****For those who have been asking, I will be uploading the class schedule to start in August in the next week or two. I have to get through the next few markets and Filberg before I can focus on the classes. I am looking forward to the teaching and remember the classes will all be taking place in the studio, not in my home.