Grass River Tunic…..

Pattern:  Grass River Tunic
Designer:  Elizabeth Doherty
Yarn:  The Woolen Rabbit Airy
Colorway:  Blossom

A few weeks ago, I received a note on Ravelry from Elizabeth, who I had never met before, but remembered that she had ordered from me not too long back.  What a delight when I opened that link and saw this beautiful sweater.  One of the things that makes me the happiest in my work is when I see beautiful designs worked in my yarn and this sweater is no exception…it is stunning!

When I first saw it, I thought…who is this designer, her work is lovely.  I followed the link to her web site and looked at all of her designs there and then again on Ravelry.  Such beautifully classic lines that I love.  I love them so much that I asked Elizabeth to be a designer for our 2014 yarn club.

Elizabeth is from the west coast, but was making a trip out to attend the New York Sheep and Wool festival in Rhinebeck, NY and then on to Maine, so we made a luncheon date to meet and talk about the club while she was in Maine.  When I first walked into the restaurant, I wondered how I would know her as it was pretty busy, but she was easy to spot in her lovely sweater.

I brought some yarns for her to see and she brought me samples of some of her work.  I had a wonderful time chatting with her.  It was like talking with an old friend instead of a new one.

One of the things I really enjoy when talking with designers is their approach in creating their designs.  I can knit any pattern you give me, but ask me to create that pattern…oy vey..it feels too much like the math word problems I hated as a child.

Last month I spoke about the retreat that I attended where Amy Herzog was teaching and her preferred method of knitting is from the bottom up.  Elizabeth prefers top down with a set in sleeve.  Both are accomplished designers and I learned so much from both women.

Now…if I could just find a bit more time to spend knitting!