Yep, it’s that time of year again … temps are dropping (slowly, but dropping) and knitting needles and other fibery-tools are being dusted off in preparation for the fall and cooler weather.

The Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival, one of my favorites, is scheduled for September 28 and 29 at the Ruritan Fair Grounds in Berryville, Virginia. This is always a great festival … with lots of vendors, great food choices, animals to see and pet (including the cashmere goat show for the Eastern Growers), and classes in some of my favorite subjects!

This year, I’m teaching four classes:

1. 

   4-year-old champion cashmere buck

   Fiber … it’s not just for breakfast anymore — questions about all those latest, coolest fibers? What is a warm fiber? Why do they blend bamboo with everything lately? How will cotton and wool work together? In this session we’ll learn all about the different fibers out there – the protein, cellulose, cellulosic, and synthetic fibers – and how best to use their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. We’ll also delve into substituting yarns and how to avoid costly mistakes. The take-away will include the talk outline, an annotated resource list of books and websites, and a fiber chart that explains the characteristics of the fibers so you’ll be a fiber expert by the end of the class!
2. 

   cables …. cables … cables

   Cables, Cables, Cables — how do you knit cables? what about designing with cables? can I create my own cables? These questions and more will be answered in this hands-on class about cable-knitting. We’ll discuss the history of cable-knitting (and dispel some myths at the same time), how to create cables (from simple to complex), how to design and chart your own unique cable patterns and get started on a cable sampler (with directions for creating a satchel or pillow). Bring your needles, worsted weight yarn, and questions. The take-away will include an outline of the talk as well as an annotated resource list of books, websites and other materials that will get you on the road to cabling to your heart’s content!
3. 

   Chill Chaser Cowl (in two lengths)

   Stranded Colorwork – the whys, wherefores and hows — how do you knit with colors? what’s the best way to hold multiple yarns? how can I work in the round all the time and still make a cardigan? These questions and more will be answered in this hands-on class about color-work-knitting. We’ll discuss the history of stranded knitting (and the differences between Fair Isle, Norwegian and other color-knitting techniques), how best to hold two colors and get started on a colorwork cowl (with directions for creating a close-to-the-neck or longer cowl). We’ll also discuss color choices, what works and what doesn’t and how best to combine colors. Bring your needles, four worsted weight yarns in colors you enjoy, and your questions. The take-away will include an outline of the talk as well as an annotated resource list of books, websites and other materials that will get you on the road to colorwork knitting. The pattern for the cowl (in two lengths) will be included in your student packet – a perfect project for Holiday knit-gifting!
4. 

   Lace Sampler Scarf

   A Lace Sampler — how do you knit lace? how do you read a lace-stitch chart? These questions and more will be answered in this hands-on class about lace knitting. We’ll discuss the history of lace knitting (and the semantic difference between lace-knitting and knitted-lace), how to read charts, understand some classic lace stitches, and how to design our own lace stitch patterns. Bring your #8 needles, about 210 yards of a smooth natural fiber heavy fingering or DK-weight yarn (wool, wool blend or other natural fiber), and your questions. The take-away will include an outline of the talk as well as an annotated resource list of books, websites and other materials that will get you on the road to lace knitting. The pattern for the Lace Sampler Scarf will be included in your student packet – a perfect project for Holiday knit-gifting!

The SVFF has a great class selection this year … besides mine of course … so if you’re interested in learning a new fiber skill (spinning, weaving, felting, etc) … check out the SVFF site for the class descriptions and come on out to Berryville.

If you do come to the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival on September 28 – 29, 2013 … please come find me and say “hi” — I’ll be around and about all weekend long.

The SVFF is GREAT fall fibery, family fun!

Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival — Berryville, VA

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