A Weekend Away…..

It's been a while since I have visited, but I wanted to share my weekend with you and to encourage you to take a class with Elizabeth Doherty of Blue Bee Studio if you have the chance.  I have known and worked with Elizabeth for a few years now on various projects but this weekend was the first time that I have had the opportunity to take a few classes with her, in fact I was able to take 2 classes.  Saturday's class was learning how to work with linen.  I LOVE linen after it's been washed, but in all honesty, I found that I do not love knitting with it.  

Part of the process for me when I am knitting is enjoying the wonderful handle of different yarns, from winding the ball to knitting, blocking and ultimately wearing the item.  Linen is a bit hard on your hands, so my focus when working on my next sweater that I bought yarn for will be to remember how glorious the finished sweater will feel when I am wearing it, because I love this sweater done in linen.

Sunday's class was focused on top down knitting and putting in a fitted sleeve.  I did this on my Helvetica Sweater and was so pleased not to have to seam it in, but I can't say that I did a fabulous job with it either. It's definitely passable, but I really wanted to learn the thought process behind the pattern and to watch Elizabeth explain and do this.  I left the class on Sunday with a much better understanding of the mechanics of getting something to fit the way that it should.

The classes were held in Salem Massachusetts in a Yarn Store called Circle of Stitches, which is owned and Run by Ana Campos.  I grew up in this area when I was young and frequently rode my bike to Pickering Wharf, so it was a treat to go back and visit this area again. 
What a treasure this little shop in the middle of historic Salem is!
Tucked away on Wharf Drive as you walk into the store you are welcomed by friendly faces and a bright sunny shop with some of the highest quality yarns.
Such a very comfortable place to visit and Ana is extremely knowledgeable and a Master Knitter.  
If you are in the area, stop in and say hi.  I bet you won't leave empty handed…I know I didn't.

On Saturday there was an art show which made finding a parking spot nearly impossible.  It took me 20 minutes to find something…I was in full panic mode by the time I got to my class!  I left super early for my Sunday morning class because I didn't want to have another stressful morning. Such a gorgeous day to be up and out early!  I arrived an hour before the class and enjoyed my coffee with some knitting time while sitting on the wharf.  It was such a peaceful hour.

 Before I left for the show, I gathered all of the supplies that were required for my classes and a knitting project that needs to be finished before vending at Squam next weekend and realized that I didn't have a bag big enough to hold all of the things I needed and wanted to bring with me. 
Right? 
Kim who makes bags for everyone else?
In true Kim fashion (that makes Mr. Woolen Rabbit crazy) I sat down to my sewing machine an hour before I needed to leave to make myself a much needed "Bunny Bucket Bag".

I will be full steam ahead getting ready for Squam this week, but then I will spending some down time working on some new bags.  I forgot how much I enjoy working on them, so check back soon. 

 …and if you are in the Holderness area and want to have an enjoyable evening shopping with some of the most talented people I know, come on over to the Art Fair at Rockywold!!

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