Slice of Life Tuesday
In an effort to be an educated fiber farmer, I thought it was high time to bite the bullet and learn the art of knitting. So, I bought some wool and knitting needles and did what so many of us do these days when we want to learn how to do something – I went to You Tube.
Many versions of “how to knit” later, I knew that I needed a different type of instruction – the old fashioned, face to face kind. So, I was thrilled when Carole Foster posted an invitation to a beginner’s knitting class at her wonderful shop:
On Saturday morning, with a winter storm just hours away, I drove over the Hudson River to Schuylerville with my fully assembled, but heretofore useless, knitting bag. A small group had already assembled (two teachers, a physical therapist, and an engineer) around the work table in Carole’s shop, everyone of us equally enthusiastic and nervous.
Something about being surrounded by the wool of many sheep, some dyed in lovely colors and some left natural, filled me with comfort and a hint of confidence.
Carole was her warm and welcoming self, and the group was upfront about our general lack of knowledge and/or frustration. Something about the honesty and lack of having to pretend anything but a desire to learn boosted my confidence some more.
We had clear written instructions with lots of pictures, and Carole both demonstrated as well as circled around to guide each of us. We talked through the problems we encountered, and watched as we problem solved. After much trial and error, and to our great surprise, we found ourselves actually knitting…well, the casting on and knit stitch only kind of knitting – but, it’s a start!
Homework (we meet again on Saturday) is to knit 13 inches, which I have already, happily, completed:
I’ve moved on to repeat what I’ve done with a skein from one of Carole’s own sheep. I love looking at the label and imagining Blyth roaming around Carole’s pastures, doing sheepy things and growing a new coat of lovely wool:
And, I look forward to the time when I will be knitting with the wool of my own sheep.