Schedule Some Fun

It's hard for me to imagine anything as far away as late winter and early spring, denying, as I am, that it's already November (although I did turn on the furnace, under duress).  Be that as it may, I'd like to tell you about three exciting things today.  Think of them as carrots for getting yourself through the holidays:  Once you power through the annual round of giving till it hurts, you can then enjoy these fun treats, which you cleverly planned for yourself, "Way back last November":

Exciting Thing Number One:

Beginning in January, I'm planning my first-ever Mystery KnitAlong.  For those who haven't tried it before, a Mystery KAL is a pattern that is given out in parts, or "clues", with no prior information of how the finished item will look when it is completed - hence the Mystery. You receive only part (a clue) of the pattern each week for a specified time period until all "clues" have been given. Once you've finished knitting all of the "clues" you will know the final look of the design.

The Mystery KAL will be a stranded Colorwork project, suitable for adventurous beginners.  You'll subscribe to the clues, which I'll then deliver to you via e-mail, at the rate of one per week.  I'll post the subscription info sometime this month (as soon as I finish swatch-knitting for my book, or I run out of Month, which ever comes first).

Do you have a stranded colorwork sweater pattern you’re not sure about tackling on your own?

Do you have a  colorwork sweater you’d like to adapt to knitting in the round? 

Do you have a pattern you love but need to make some size adjustments to?

Would you like help designing your own colorwork pattern?

If you answered yes to one ore more of these questions, then I have the class for you!  Beginning January 14,  2012, we will spend one day a month together working on the steeked colorwork cardigan of your choice.  Before the first class, I'll help you choose your ideal project, including yarn and color advice, should you need it.  Then we'll meet four times, during which I'll teach you all you need to know to knit your dream cardigan, finish it, and wear it in May.

Contact Linda Lingle at the Nordic Heritage Museum Education Department for additional course information and registration at 206-789-5707 ext. 21, or email lindal@nordicmuseum.org. 

In February I will again be at the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat; February 16-19th, 2012.  This year's exclusive design will be an entrelac hat and mitten set.  A list of classes and teachers can be found here right now and registration will open soon.  In addition to the all-day (Sunday) "Entre to Entrelac" class, I'll also be teaching 90-minute classes on finishing, and on introductory stranded colorwork.

And don't forget to check www.maryscotthuff.com for my 5 new patterns, containing Dala Horses, Queen Bees, Frog Princes, Orca Whales and Dancing Chldren.  It's all for you, Gentle Readers. 

Mary Scott Huff Hand Knitter: We Never Close!

Personally, I Blame the Time Change

I found these hiding in the front garden.  November.  Rosebuds.  Nothing should surprise me today.

Our family elected Phillip the Time Changer In Chief many years ago, when I arbitrarily decided it should be his job.  Not one of my more deeply considered moves:  How many clocks can the dude with ADD get around to changing before he sees something shiny?  The number varies, but it's never 100% of the clocks.  Which means that whichever room you are in, if you want to know the time, you have to go to one or more adjacent spaces and compare what their various clocks say, and then maybe take an average.  Not ideal.  This usually goes on until, A: I get fed up with it and synchronize all the household timepieces; or B: I forget the problem exists and show up late or early for something.  It's a very bad system, but it's the one we have.  I think Phillip and I may be counting on the Smallies to one day resolve the issue by taking over for us, but neither of us has actually said so.

I'm fresh from teaching at the Nordic Heritage Museum last Saturday.  Only when I busted out the laptop, digital projector, handouts and samples, did I realize that I left the power cord for the projector at my last venue: Grand Fir Lodge, Middle of Nowhere, USA. 

I always find it so exhilarating when the wheels fall off the wagon like that.  Not unlike the moment when you hear the anti-lock brakes engage on your car, or the first few seconds after your purse has gone missing.  They're Oxygen Optional Moments: You've stopped breathing anyway.  It's extremely difficult to teach to a powerpoint presentation when no one can see the powerpoint presentation.  Note to self: Stop leaving a trail of technical ephemera across the country if you are going to let your teaching be dependent upon it.

Lucky for me, the Museum has its very own digital projector: Mischief Managed; Crisis Averted.  We made mittens and talked about things Nordic, and a happy time was had by all.

Today I have two sick children, a week's worth of groceries to procure, a trip to the pharmacy to work in, and 68 swatches to make.  It feels like I can hear that irritating song: "68 bottles of beer on the wall, 68 swatches to make..."  I'm trying not to think about it, but you know how it is once an irritating song gets into your head?  I'm taking suggestions for alternative irritating songs to replace it with.  Feel free to submit your favorite.

Knitting in the Woods

Among the many surprises waiting for me last weekend at the Acorn Street knitting retreat was the next town over from the lodge: Roslyn, WA.  Yep, THAT Roslyn:

The knitters and I explored four different studies of Stranded Colorwork, in two days.  We worked with socks, mittens, steeks and hats.  It was a yarny whirlwind.

Every great breakfast spread includes a ball-winder, n'est-ce pas?

Nancy and Jeanette discussed the finer points after class.

Lisa relaxed between projects.

Casey, Elsa and Carla enjoyed their getaway together.

Nancy posed for me with Harry, with her wee stowaway.  (He's a Xoloitzcuintli -just say "sho-lo").

Everybody studied really hard, and made beautiful knitting, and even more beautiful friends.  And after that, we adjourned to the pub.  Yep.  THAT pub.