Remember how I said a couple posts ago that I had enough time? I think I knew that by saying that aloud (or writing it down in black-and-white), I was tempting fate. I wanted more work? Ask and ye shall receive. Due to some staffing changes at the yarn shop, I picked up another shift and will also be teaching a lot more. This is a good thing.
The first class I'm teaching, which I started on Tuesday, is a kids knitting class. I've taught a few individual kids before, but never a class. This one is small, just four kids: two girls and two boys. I'm happy about the gender parity and have noticed that a lot of boys knit nowadays - probably a lot more boys than men do, as far as I've seen. The first class went well, the kids seemed to enjoy themselves and the two who had never knit before picked it up very quickly. I think in some ways it's easier for kids to learn skills like knitting than adults, because they're used to learning all the time and they don't have so many anxieties about whether or not they'll be able to do it right. Just my un-scientific observation.
Having realized that I really need a technical editor for my patterns, and faced with the reality of actually writing them, I'm pushing back the launch of my website until January 1. I'm still working on the name. Any other ideas out there? I need to think more about my brand identity.
In the meantime, because obviously I don't have enough to knit on (class samples, UFOs, the afghan), I started some Latvian mittens last week. I became enamoured of these when the Harlot was making them last winter, and have been really missing stranded color knitting. I'm almost done with the first mitten:
Sorry the picture's so dark. No time to fix it.
These are great fun! Try it, you'll like it.
Beautiful colors. I am knitting the Norwegian Mittens from EZ. I am having fun. Had to restart them a few times. I'm using Elegance from Knitpicks in a blue and grey. They really look great.
Posted by: Dympna | November 11, 2005 at 11:16 AM
Yummy. Could you share the yarn info? Frog Tree perhaps (given that the shop carries that) or is it hebridean? inquiring minds want to knit!
Posted by: julia fc | November 12, 2005 at 12:06 AM
Oh, yes, of course - silly me. The yarn is Knit Picks Palette. It's nice - pretty much your basic fingering weight wool, with nothing special to commend it or distract from it.
But now that you mention it - Frog Tree Alpaca would make lovely Latvian mittens, and it comes in such beautiful colors.... hmmmm...
Posted by: Alison | November 12, 2005 at 10:01 AM
Glad that things are picking up for you. I've been similarly inspired to do these mittens and purchased some solid color sock yarn from elann. Can't decide yet what to make, but I was lucky enough to snag the Upitis book at a thrift shop for $3.
Elaine in NYC
Posted by: Elaine in NYC | November 12, 2005 at 11:02 AM
your mitten is very nice. and congratulations ono the additional teaching classes.
Posted by: lynette | November 13, 2005 at 09:18 AM
I like them. I love the look of Latvian mittens, and the colors in yours are very nice.
Posted by: Jenn | November 14, 2005 at 12:03 PM
Oh ... love those mittens. Let me know what classes you're teaching. I might have to take one. Are you teaching a class for woefully dense anti-math people who can't tackle gauge or any version of sweater sizing? :-)
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | November 15, 2005 at 10:25 AM
That's SO lovely! Is it from "Latvian Mittens", or another book?...
Posted by: Beth S. | November 16, 2005 at 03:20 PM
It's about time I knit myself a pair of Latvian mitts. Been knitting kids mitts with leftover lopi for years. Beautiful shades!
Posted by: Diane E. | November 30, 2005 at 07:23 PM