ch ch changes. . . . .
good bye to a genius
knitting sadly this evening
Thank you everyone for the response to the new year’s programming. I really appreciate it! I’ve thought about some of your questions, and have made adjustments to accommodate you, where I could.
Change #1: The final Brioche Class will be held this Saturday, January 16, instead of January 9. There were a few knitting injuries, caused by the Christmas gift making, and some healing needed to happen. To be honest, I am feeling that I should not have started classes again so soon after the break. I apologize.
Change #2: The Friday Night Knitting start date has been adjusted to January 22, for the same reasons.
That will be the start of a 3 week session: January 22, 29, February 5. Please register by January 15. Session #2 will remain as posted.
Depending on registration, drop-ins may be possible for this program. Please email by the Wednesday before each class to inquire/register for a drop-in session.
Change #3: A 6 month commitment to a Fair Isle Program isn’t possible for some students. So, I am going to cut the program into two pieces.
Piece #1 will be the small fun warm-up project, and the Sheep Heid and will run for 3 Saturdays: January 23, February 20, March 12. Registration deadline is January 15. Please get in touch for information about supplies.
Piece #2 will be the Hillhead Slipover Project and will run for 3 Saturdays: April 9, May 7, June 4. Registration deadline is April 1. Please get in touch for information about supplies.
These Fair Isle dates are all the same as originally planned, but it is now possible for you to register for Piece #1 or Piece #2 separately, or for both if you like.
Sock School – Toe Up! begins Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Valley Yarn. Please email me if you have any questions. ‘can’t wait!
There have been some beautiful free patterns being offered on ravelry this week. I love this one for the beautiful use of hand dyed yarns. I am going to make these to wear in dance class and at yoga. This hat is making me crazy – so cozy and pretty!
This week, I was inspired by this beautiful story . . . . .
Sidewalk Flowers tells the wordless story of a little girl on her way home with her device-distracted father, a contemporary Little Red Riding Hood walking through the urban forest. Along the way, she collects wildflowers and leaves them as silent gifts for her fellow participants in this pulsating mystery we call life — the homeless man sleeping on a park bench, the sparrow having completed its earthly hours, the neighbor’s dog and, finally, her mother’s and brothers’ hair.
The flowers become at once an act of noticing and a gift of being noticed, a sacred bestowing of attention with which the child beckons her father’s absentee mind back to mindful presence. This was posted in brain pickings.
and to finish off this week, here’s a little story . . . . . .
Over the holidays I spent a few days designing a new project. This was an unexpected distraction, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Firsties love to see my knitting at recess, while I walk, during knitting club, etc. Each day I talk about what I am working on and wearing, sometimes 2 or 3 knitted items, and for sure something knitted every day. The Firsties count them! One little boy has been especially inspired by the idea of ‘making’. One Monday a few weeks before the holidays, he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye, waving his finger, and said, “Ms. Bentley, you work at Valley Yarn, don’t you!” He told me that he had asked his mum to drive him to a yarn store over that weekend, to buy me a Christmas present. Mum chose Valley Yarn, but had no idea that I teach classes there. When they arrived he stood at the cash desk and announced, “I am here to buy some yarn for my teacher.” Jennifer was working that day, and she thought he might be in my class. He had been watching me knit the yarn I bought at Wolseley Wool, into a slouchy toque – Alegria by Manos in a beautiful teal colour. I think he chose the yarn to go with it. He gave me cream, taupe, and teal in a beautiful softly spun wool, Peruvia Quick and wrapped it up like a giant candy with a homemade card (to keep forever). I opened it on Boxing Day, and knew I had to make it up, and wear it on the first day back to school (with my toque) – so I started right away and designed a scarf with solids, and stripes, using the 3 colours, and added a giant pom pom at each end. I had just enough left to knit a pair of wrist warmers, with fat stripes. The design process was so pleasant – inspired by him! I could see several more pieces coming from this inspiration, perhaps pieces to wear skating. Since we have no ponds here to skate on, my head is back in Winnipeg, thinking of frosty trees surrounding a beautiful little pond where people are all bundled up. I sent him a sneak peek while I worked on it, and on the first day he came a little early to see me wearing it. The Firsties and I went skating on Friday, and I flew around the rink, pom poms flying, feeling so very loved, and happy! This was a very meaningful gift!
I’ll take some pics and post them here when I do. I have some catching up to do on ravelry as well! ‘must keep up this year!
See you soon! Enjoy your hand work and be kind to yourself.
Venessa